WHCTC | Chapter 32

That late afternoon.

“Connie, did you happen to bring any books from the Imperial Palace?”

I was planning to lend some books to Kayan.

Connie answered immediately.

“I stopped by the library just in case and brought all the books Her Highness was reading. I even had the librarian check the list.”

She was truly thorough with her work.

Nodding with satisfaction, I began checking the books she had brought.

“Hmm, this one’s a bit difficult. This one is fine to lend right now. And this one… hmm?”

At that moment, a letter fell out from between the books.

“Huh?”

I picked it up without much thought.

“Who keeps slipping things into public property like this?”

Since the books came from the library, I assumed someone must have left it there and forgotten about it.

But then…

To Princess Ivnoa.

Seeing the name on the envelope, I frowned.

Wait, that’s my name?

I stared at the envelope for a while before unfolding the letter.

There was no greeting. It went straight to the point.

Your performance in the last meeting was quite impressive. It’s rare for someone so young to display such composure and boldness.

The last meeting?

The only time I had appeared publicly was when I stabbed Hugo and was taken to that meeting. And that meeting had been full of people—chancellors, high-ranking nobles, distant royal relatives, and various officials.

It was difficult to guess who might have sent this.

May I take this as a sign that Your Highness has decided to make a name for yourself?

I quickly lowered my gaze to check the sender. But instead of a name, there was only the word “Anonymous.”

If that’s the case, I believe I can be of assistance in raising you up.

What?

Who is raising whom?

Sending away your lady-in-waiting, Ariel Hianus, was a wise decision. She was never truly your person, nor could she ever be.

My eyes narrowed.

So they knew that, although it was officially the Emperor who dismissed Ariel, I was the one who orchestrated it…

However, sending her to Viscount Barcklith’s estate does not seem like the best choice. This is no time for making friends.

So this person even knew that I had willingly come to Viscount Barcklith’s estate?

First, you must establish loyal allies within the Imperial Palace. To gain information and earn merit, you should recruit one of the knight commanders.

The 1st Knight Commander will likely remain neutral, so forget about him. The 2nd Knight Commander belongs to the concubine faction, so your best bet is the 3rd Knight Commander.

“Your Highness?”

Noticing my serious expression, Connie tilted her head.

“Is something wrong?”

I nodded.

“Yeah. Some self-proclaimed kingmaker is giving me unsolicited advice.”

“Huh? Who?”

“I have no idea.”

Using the name “Anonymous” meant they had no intention of revealing themselves.

However, the fact that they had managed to slip a letter into the books Connie brought from the library suggested they had skilled operatives within the palace.

The 3rd Knight Commander enjoys poetry, so you should approach him at a recital. His favorite poem is Flower Sunset. When you return to the palace, I will provide the time and location.

Connie took the letter from me and read it carefully, her eyes widening.

“But when did they even slip this letter into the book? This person is definitely not ordinary.”

“Seems that way. They also know my situation very well.”

“Could it be His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Absolutely not. He’s far too busy to play at being a kingmaker.”

I asked Connie for a sheet of stationery. Then, picking up a quill, I wrote a reply.

 

Connie stared blankly at my reply before asking absentmindedly,

“If there’s a recruitment limit… does that mean Your Highness already has a strategist?”

“No, I’m not hiring anyone. The recruitment limit is literally zero. Absolutely no one.”

“Th-then, maybe next time…?”

“Probably not.”

I had no intention of following advice from someone I couldn’t even trust, let alone identify.

‘What if they’re someone from the concubine faction?’

Even if they weren’t, I had no idea why this person wanted to help me.

I neatly folded the letter, which essentially conveyed I’m not interested in your meddling, and tucked it back into the book.

“Return this to the palace library later. Given their skills, they should receive it soon enough.”

“That sounds about right. Just in case, though, I’ll ask the librarian to keep a record of anyone who handled this book.”

“Do as you like.”

Not that I expected such a person to be easily identified.

Assuming they weren’t from the concubine faction, I would inevitably meet them sooner or later. They had been at the council meeting and moved freely within the palace—

Because from now on, I would no longer be a hidden princess.

Just then—

Knock, knock.

“This is Kayan Barcklith, Your Highness.”

A quiet voice came from the other side of the door.

“May I come in for a moment?”

“Oh, yes. Come in.”

Kayan entered, offering a formal bow before taking a seat in front of me.

Seeing him, Connie smiled in satisfaction. I could understand why.

Honestly, just by appearance, anyone would believe he was a perfectly trained young noble.

His collar buttoned all the way up, his neat attire, his upright posture, his composed and refined expression—

Though, to be fair, he had always been expressionless since childhood.

As she gazed at Kayan approvingly, Connie quickly spoke up.

“I’ll go to the kitchen and bring some tea.”

She often gave impassioned speeches about how “Kayan, the highest-ranking person in this estate, is also the only one who treats Your Highness with the utmost respect.”

“The knights here are doing their best to serve me. That’s how I used to prefer it.”

“B-but still!”

“If it bothers you that much, why don’t you train them yourself? I won’t stop you.”

“T-that’s… t-too scary… I-I could never…”

“Then keep quiet. That’s the rule of this estate. But honestly, you don’t seem scared at all. Why not try stepping out of your comfort zone?”

In reality, there should have been more maids assigned to me as a noble lady.

But the Barcklith estate had no female servants whatsoever—something no one had anticipated.

As a result, Connie was the only one left by my side.

And so, when she left to fetch tea, only Kayan and I remained in the room.

“…I will never forget what you have done for us.”

“Make sure you don’t, even after you die. But it was only natural.”

I smiled warmly and leaned slightly toward him.

“I made a promise myself—to turn the Barckliths into a proper noble family.”

Kayan’s expression remained unchanged as he replied,

“We will become an influential noble house and stand by Your Highness’s side. If you continue to guide us, we will do our utmost to make it happen.”

“That would be nice. But I’m not doing this just to have you on my side. I like you, and I want to help you. On that note…”

Resting my chin on my hand, I grinned.

“We’re alone now, so you can speak comfortably, like before.”

“That would be inappropriate, Your Highness.”

“We’ll be together for another ten days. Are you planning to stay this formal the whole time?”

“I’m not being stiff. I’m simply acting according to my position. I must uphold proper decorum.”

Good grief. Talk about a fortress.

“Would it really be such a big deal if you didn’t?”

I grumbled, but Kayan replied flatly,

“I’d be disowned.”

Oh.

Clicking my tongue, I smacked my lips.

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