I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 100

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The person who came to find me in the morning was Yuri.
“Good morning, Your Highness.”
Yuri tidied my bed with practiced efficiency.
“Will you be bathing now?”
“Yes.”
Yuri had become skilled enough to be called a professional in caring for me.
“Today I’ll definitely wash your hair for you. Please sit down.”
“…Understood.”
Yuri had considerable expertise in washing my hair as well.
She expertly lathered the shampoo and massaged my scalp with her fingertips.
To be honest, I found these things burdensome at first.
I could wash my own face, and I found it more convenient to wash my own hair.
But humans were creatures of adaptation.
Though still somewhat uncomfortable, I had become addicted to Yuri’s scalp massage.
Moreover, Yuri had begun commanding a water spirit at some point.
“Help me out, Bangwul.”
The name of the lower-tier spirit that Yuri commanded was Bangwul.
She had named it after water droplets.
Bangwul had the appearance of a tiny fairy.
As Bangwul swirled around my hair, the lather washed away.
The remarkable thing was that not a single drop splashed on my body.
‘This feels absolutely wonderful.’
I had grown accustomed to this new civilization (?). My hair became clean without me doing anything.
What was even more surprising was that I didn’t need to dry my hair separately.
This was because the water itself was spirit water, so the spirit could make it disappear whenever it wished.
“It’s all fluffy and dry now.”
“Please sit here. I’ll brush your hair for you.”
“Yes.”
Yuri quite enjoyed the time spent brushing my hair.
She said it was nice because we could chat about various things, but I still couldn’t say for certain whether she spoke that way because I was a princess, or because we had become friends.
I thought it would be wonderful if it were because we had become friends.
“I still can’t match Luluka’s skill, can I?”
“No, that’s not true. Your skills have improved tremendously. I’m always grateful.”
“What do you mean? It’s just my job.”
Swish, swish.
I felt somewhat like I had become a doll.
“All done.”
Yuri also adjusted my dress for me.
There had been a small stain on my dress, but Bangwul took care of that.
“Your dress smells wonderful.”
“It’s a fragrance made from extract derived from hiamin leaves. Do you like it?”
“Yes. I love it.”
How should I describe it? It smelled like a dewy forest.
“You didn’t extract the scent using only the fragrance from hiamin leaves, did you?”
“That’s right.”
I sniffed the fragrance curiously.
My nostrils flared.
But I couldn’t discern everything from the scent alone.
As I expressed my curiosity, Yuri began pouring out fascinating details.
“We mixed paragon-tyl purified water with hiamin leaves, then used the Berker extraction method. We collected the gas that vaporizes at 140 degrees Celsius… then distilled it again… and so on. Additionally, through the enfleurage method….”
“Wow! So you evaporated away all the solvents and synthesized only the extracted oil, right?”
“Exactly!”
For reasons I couldn’t quite explain, I high-fived Yuri.
The sound of a clap rang out.
It felt like our hearts were in sync.
‘This is what real conversation is!’
The exchange was far more enriching and enjoyable than my tedious conversations with Reina.
Then I heard a deliberate cough from beside me.
“Teacher Biatone? When did you arrive?”
“I came earlier. You told me to come in directly.”
“I did?”
I didn’t remember. I must have been too focused on my conversation with Yuri.
“Is that sort of discussion really so enjoyable?”
“Yes. Isn’t it fun for you, Teacher?”
“…Well, it is fun.”
“You’re lying. Your expression clearly shows you’re not having fun.”
“Was it that obvious?”
“Yes.”
It was strange that he found something so enjoyable to be boring, but I understood nonetheless.
People have their preferences, and I’m a child who respects others’ tastes.
“But I shall try to find it enjoyable from now on.”
“…Really? Can you do that?”
“I can.”
I wasn’t entirely convinced it would work, but I didn’t actively discourage him either.
It would be wonderful to have more people to share interesting conversations with!
“However, Your Highness, it seems you’ll have some free time coming up.”
“Why is that?”
“King Zirdel encountered a problem on his return journey.”
“A, a problem?”
“Yes. The transportation gate we’ve been using broke down at the worst possible time. So he’s returning by land instead, and it seems it will take three to four days longer than originally planned.”
Yet something about Biatone’s expression seemed oddly suspicious.
“…Of all times, it had to break down now?”
“Indeed. Of all times, it had to malfunction. Hahaha! If we had used technology as efficient as the Teisabel Teleportation Gate, this wouldn’t have happened. Wouldn’t you agree? Hahaha!”
“…Could it be that Father—no, the Coachman moving separately was also for that reason?”
“This will serve as another reminder of the importance of the Teisabel Teleportation Gate. Haha!”
Biatone’s smile seemed somehow unnatural.
“So… it really was just a coincidence that it broke, right?”
“Of course! It must have broken purely by coincidence. It seems the heavens are helping us. Wouldn’t you say this borders on inevitability? Hahaha!”
Biatone was speaking far more than usual.
* * *
With three days of free time, I left the lodging with my brother Michael.
Our destination was the Base Camp where the Third Prince Kaman was training.
Michael was unusually taciturn.
“Are you nervous?”
“Nervous? Me? I’m nervous?”
My brother Michael laughed loudly—”Gahahaha!”—but he clearly looked nervous.
Very much so.
“If you’re that nervous, you don’t have to duel with Brother Kaman.”
“I’m not nervous at all. I plan to defeat that demon today.”
“…A demon?”
“Yes. That hyung is a demon without blood or tears.”
The Third Prince Kaman I knew wasn’t like that. The Kaman I knew was pitiful and pitiable…?
“Do you have to fight? Can’t you two just get along?”
“What are you talking about? My hyung and I get along very well.”
“But you just called him a demon?”
“That’s a compliment, isn’t it?”
How is that a compliment?!
For a moment I wanted to argue, but I couldn’t.
It seemed like he meant it as praise: “A hyung who is resolute and merciless, and incredibly strong!”
“But you said you’d fight?”
“That’s what being close is?”
“That’s what being close is?”
“I’m still alive, aren’t I?”
We fought a lot. → But I’m still alive. → If we weren’t close, he would have killed me. → Therefore, we are close. → We get along well.
…That was his logic.
Michael looked at me as if asking why I was questioning something so obvious.
I gave up trying to think rationally.
‘Right. When was that brother ever rational?’
In any case, Michael seemed to have relaxed considerably.
We arrived at the entrance of the Base Camp.
Two Knights in uniform stood guard at the entrance.
‘Wow…!’
Watching the Knights’ dignified bearing, I couldn’t help but let out an admiring gasp.
Seeing such magnificent people in such abundance on the streets, this was undoubtedly another world.
They were like a living painting, merely standing at the entrance.
My Brother attempted to stride confidently through the entrance.
“Outsiders are not permitted entry here.”
“I’m not an outsider. I’m Prince Michael. You don’t know me?”
“I do know you, sir. However, outsiders remain outsiders. Do you have an entry permit?”
“I don’t!”
“Then you cannot enter.”
“We shared chocolate together before.”
“You forcibly shoved it into my mouth, did you not?”
“I’ve come and gone from here over a hundred times.”
“Sixteen of those times, I was on watch when you slipped through. I’ve filed sixteen incident reports because of you.”
He even remembered the specific number sixteen.
‘Good heavens…’
It was clear that this Knight did not like my Brother. In fact, he seemed to dislike him quite intensely.
The Knight’s expression was filled with unwavering resolve.
This time, he would not be breached!
“This time, I will stop you even if I must draw my sword, Your Highness.”
“Oh, that’s actually a great idea?”
Michael remained as thoughtless as ever today.
He never considered the circumstances or consequences of matters—the moment a sword was drawn, he simply delighted in it.
“Brother. You mustn’t trouble a Knight who is dedicating himself to the Empire.”
“We’re just trying to deepen our friendship?”
My Brother, who had already drawn his sword, was smiling brightly. He was clearly enjoying himself.
“That’s precisely what’s troubling him.”
I stepped closer and bowed slightly at the waist.
“Shield of the Empire, I express my gratitude for your dedication.”
It was the formal greeting one offered to a Knight of the Empire.
In truth, approaching in this manner was the proper way.
The Knight responded with considerable propriety and saluted me.
“Respect to the spring of the Royal Family.”
Spring again. It’s early winter now.
Was there an aspect of the Empire’s language I still didn’t understand?
In any case, it wasn’t important, so I decided to move past it.
“What would be the proper way to enter?”
But then came an unexpected answer.
“Your Highness the Princess may enter.”
“…Pardon?”
The Knight withdrew something from within his garments.
‘What… what is that?’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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