I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 17

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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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Dailsa recalled the Princess’s greeting.
‘I’m Isabel. I’m five years old. I’m the Princess. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dailsa.’
She hadn’t called him Steward Dailsa, but rather Dailsa—addressing him with respect as an equal.
Isabel continued with an impish smile on her face.
“Ten years ago, you saved my Biological Father on the Hill of the Sick, didn’t you?”
“You know of that?”
“I heard that when my Biological Father faced that crisis, you alone threw yourself into danger and cut down thirty-seven enemies, earning the Silver Star Medal. And I also heard that you refused the medal ceremony to protect my Biological Father’s honor.”
Dailsa had indeed refused the grand ceremony.
He had no wish to tarnish the dignity of the Emperor, the Empire’s greatest warrior, even in the slightest.
He had concealed as much as possible the fact that he had aided the Emperor.
“I merely showed you the respect befitting your station, Your Highness.”
Ron noticed something peculiar.
‘Her pronunciation is remarkably precise. When she speaks to me, her words usually stumble.’
It meant Isabel was far more nervous at this moment than usual.
‘Why am I… pleased by this?’
The thought that Isabel treated him with slightly more ease made his heart lighter.
Dailsa fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“It was a very long time ago, before Your Highness was even born.”
“I believe that honor does not fade with time. As the Princess, I wish to respect your dedication, Dailsa.”
Before Dailsa could respond, Isabel continued.
“However, this is the Arena Palace, and your current position is Steward. From now on, I shall address you as Steward. Thank you for your service from this day forward, Steward Dailsa.”
“….”
Dailsa found himself at a loss for words.
‘Shocking.’
The Princess he had vaguely imagined and the Princess before him now were vastly different.
The real Princess possessed an air of dignity befitting her station, and she was far too mature for a five-year-old.
Excessively so.
‘I had always thought the rumors surrounding the Princess were baseless….’
In truth, there were far more negative rumors about the Princess than positive ones.
That she was a half-blooded royal who could not properly master Villorian swordsmanship.
That she had committed the absurd act of sleeping during the selection ceremony.
That a year ago at the Sun Festival, she appeared in such a disheveled state that she became the subject of ridicule.
That the Imperial Family had chosen the Princess’s flower ring as the greatest gift to smooth over the situation, which had caused considerable trouble for the court itself.
That the Princess was therefore despised by the Emperor.
That a magic tutor had been assigned to the Princess of the Sword Art Empire—an act that could be considered an insult.
Such were the typical rumors surrounding the Princess.
For now, he decided to change the subject.
“It would be best to keep the fact that His Majesty personally escorted you a secret.”
“Do as you see fit, Steward.”
Dailsa immediately discerned the Emperor’s true feelings toward the Princess.
The Emperor gazed at the Princess with a look distinctly different from the one he cast upon his other sons.
‘That would become His Majesty’s weakness.’
The Princess would not possess the martial strength to protect herself.
Therefore, it would be far from beneficial if word spread that the Princess enjoyed the Emperor’s favor.
“I understand there is a state council meeting today.”
“I am aware.”
Ron nodded lightly.
“I entrust my daughter to your care.”
“Do not worry.”
He had said daughter, not Princess.
Ron entrusted Isabel to Dailsa and turned away.
As he walked, he wanted to turn back several times but restrained himself.
He understood Dailsa’s words well enough.
‘I am showing excessive favor to my daughter.’
He had learned new things.
Isabel would never become a great swordmaster of Villorian, but she was a child who needed to possess greater value than anyone else.
No—a child to whom he wanted to give greater value than anyone else.
‘I must not let it show too much.’
It would be poison to Isabel. So he simply walked forward without looking back.
Isabel too understood this to some degree.
She waved her hand toward her father’s receding back.
“You must tire yourself out again!”
The words simply slipped out.
“I love you!”
Ron’s body flinched, but he continued on into the distance.
* * *
Dailsa walked ahead and asked.
“It seems the Princess understands.”
“Yes. I do understand.”
Isabel tucked a book under her arm and smiled brightly.
“You’re concerned about envy and jealousy, aren’t you? And you’re worried I might become Biological Father’s weakness.”
“…Karin’s praise was not mere flattery, it seems.”
“Teacher Karin praised me?”
The Karin I knew was extremely stingy with compliments.
She always maintained the demeanor of a final mastermind, and I felt somewhat afraid when dealing with her.
One never knew when she might reveal her true nature.
‘W-what did Karin say?’
Every word from a final mastermind was a death flag or an abduction flag.
I had to be careful with every utterance.
A single careless word could be foreshadowing, only to return as something catastrophic later.
“No, it’s nothing at all.”
But then, a voice called down from above.
“Oh, so the rival finally shows up!”
The voice carried mana within it, causing the entire Arena Palace to resonate with a deafening ring.
Boom!
Something plummeted down with the sound.
Dailsa adjusted her glasses and spoke sternly.
“Fourth Prince. Haven’t I repeatedly told you not to jump from the eighth floor?”
Tousled golden hair. Amber eyes brimming with mischief.
The uniform that had surely been pressed clean and neat this morning was already wrinkled in places, and his trousers bore traces of something unidentifiable.
Apparently he had spilled some sort of colored juice.
He spoke with utter confidence.
“It was the ninth floor.”
“Whether it’s the eighth or ninth floor, you mustn’t jump from either.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s unbecoming of a prince’s dignity.”
“But Lancer said that as long as I’m good with a sword, that’s all that matters?”
Lancer was the Steward Dailsa’s husband and one of the prince’s swordsmanship instructors.
“I plan to execute him today.”
“Wow, can I watch?”
“….”
“Can I really go watch?”
“You cannot.”
Isabel couldn’t help but smile wryly.
‘Fourth Prince Michael and Steward Dailsa were natural enemies, weren’t they?’
To be precise, Michael was Dailsa’s natural enemy.
Dailsa’s insides were surely seething with frustration, while Michael clearly had no thoughts whatsoever at this moment.
Because he simply had no thoughts.
Isabel stepped forward.
“Brother. You’re still as adorable as ever today.”
“You know me?”
“Yes. I saw you at the selection ceremony.”
“You remember that time?”
“Yes. I even remember what you said back then.”
Michael’s eyes narrowed.
Unmistakable suspicion was creeping across his expression.
“What did I say?”
Back then, Michael had said this.
‘Older brother, aren’t I cuter?’
‘But I’m the cutest one.’
In other words, the “rival” I’d just mentioned viewed Isabel as competition for affection.
In any case, when Isabel mentioned she remembered that time, Dailsa seemed to grow somewhat interested as well.
She adjusted her glasses and asked Michael.
“Did you really say such a thing?”
“Hmm….”
Michael’s amber eyes observed Isabel carefully before he spoke.
“Tell me honestly. You’re lying, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not. Brother definitely said that.”
“Bring me proof.”
“I don’t have any proof.”
“You have no proof, yet you’re so shameless about it?”
“I didn’t lie, so it’s fine.”
“If you didn’t lie, does that make it okay to be so shameless?”
“Because I didn’t lie, I can be this shameless.”
Dailsa watched their exchange intently.
‘With a conversation like that… Prince Michael would surely make excuses.’
But then something astonishing happened.
Michael nodded in agreement—a miraculous occurrence.
“Well, that’s true.”
Dailsa was taken aback.
This was the first time she’d seen Michael concede so readily.
But then Isabel continued.
“Brother, be honest with me.”
“About what?”
“You don’t actually remember what you said back then, do you?”
“Huh?”
“You weren’t thinking about anything, were you?”
“Huh?”
“Because you weren’t thinking about anything at all.”
“Huh?”
Michael was genuinely astonished.
“How did you know?”
“It was obvious from your expression that you didn’t remember.”
“You’re really clever.”
“Then it’s your turn to apologize now.”
“Huh? What did I do wrong?”
“You accused me of lying. I was really upset about it.”
This time, Dailsa was certain.
‘Such tactics don’t work on someone so headstrong.’
But as it turned out.
Michael’s expression had tightened slightly.
He was gently scratching near his lips with his index finger—a gesture that unmistakably preceded him throwing a tantrum.
“I was taught that only the strong can acknowledge their own mistakes.”
Michael’s body flinched.
“You’re incredibly powerful, aren’t you, Brother?”
“W-well, yes.”
“Then apologize to me.”
Dailsa thought there was no way Michael would ever apologize.
But reality proved different.
“I’m sorry. I apologize.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Huh? You’re not going to nitpick?”
“Nitpick? Why would I?”
“Lancer said that if he apologizes carelessly, people will find fault with it.”
“N-no, that’s not it. I’m truly happy you apologized.”
Isabel gazed at Michael and smiled brightly.
That smile was remarkably pure.
It couldn’t have been otherwise.
Michael was a character I had cherished since my days as a reader.
“You’re exactly as I’ve always imagined you, Brother.”
“Does that mean I’m cool?”
“Yes, you’re cool.”
More cute than cool, really.
But I kept that thought to myself and smiled warmly.
Michael’s mood brightened considerably.
“Hahahaha! From now on, point out my mistakes whenever I make them.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
He thumped his chest confidently.
“I’ll apologize as much as you need.”
Dailsa couldn’t help but marvel.
There was something about Isabel—she was like sunlight itself.
‘Is this really possible?’
Ever since the Princess entered Arena Palace, it felt as though small changes were beginning to unfold.

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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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