I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 49

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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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Isabel’s words about needing a friend struck a chord in Kiruen’s heart.
“And I wanted to become her friend.”
“Why is that?”
“To be honest, I was terribly frightened and lonely in the past as well.”
As I spoke, I realized my mistake.
There were times when my body escaped the control of reason like this.
Usually this happened when I became emotional, and today of all days was one of those moments.
“In the past, you say?”
“Ah, that is….”
I glanced sideways at Biatone.
Biatone seemed somewhat startled as well.
When had I experienced such frightening and difficult times?
My words contained an aspect that was difficult to explain unless they were memories from a past life.
“That is… well.”
I quickly racked my brain.
I couldn’t say I remembered a past life.
“When I first learned that I bore the mark of Narbidal.”
Biatone interjected.
“If that’s the case, do you mean when you were born?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
I laughed awkwardly.
I knew that smiling was the best response in uncomfortable moments.
“When His Majesty said those pointless words, yes?”
‘Something useless has been born.’
Ron had certainly said that.
I nodded.
‘Well, I don’t know. There’s no other explanation for this!’
“Yes. I was afraid of being abandoned. I didn’t want to be born as a useless child.”
“….”
“….”
Both Kiruen and Biatone fell silent.
I was desperate not to reveal my possession and past life, but that desperate tone and expression appeared differently in their eyes.
‘So the Princess was desperate from that very moment.’
‘So she truly does remember being born. That’s why she’s so desperate.’
Frightened by their silence, I quickly continued speaking.
“I prayed every day that someone would help me, that someone would hold my hand. I was truly so frightened and lonely. Fortunately, there have been many people who extended their hands to me.”
I looked toward Biatone and smiled brightly.
When I thought about it, it was something to be grateful for.
Sometimes I grew afraid, and I emphasized exchanges wrapped in smooth conversation and compromise, but still, Biatone was truly a good person to me.
“That’s why I can’t turn away from Sister Yuri. Because I understand that feeling all too well.”
“….”
“So really, there’s no particularly special reason. I just thought it would be nice to have someone to help, you know?”
Kiruen continued to remain silent.
“That’s why I decided to become friends. I need friends too, so I think we could be good friends.”
“….”
“I don’t have any friends my own age.”
When this child was revealing herself so openly, I thought it wouldn’t be right to hide my true feelings.
“To be honest, I thought it was a matter of pride.”
“Me? With whom?”
“I heard you had an unfortunate incident with Lady Reina. So I thought you were engaged in an invisible power struggle with Rosilde.”
“I don’t have enough time to waste on such things. Just being grateful for and repaying these precious things given to me will consume all my time.”
Kiruen found herself at a loss for words again.
‘It seems I was very much mistaken.’
Isabel broke into a bright smile.
“Oh, by the way, Sister. If you’re heading to the Outer Castle anyway, would you go with me?”
“…Pardon?”
“If a four-person carriage won’t work, then I won’t ride! I don’t need to ride in that carriage!”
“Then how do you plan to get to the Outer Castle?”
“I’ve heard your horsemanship is among the finest on the continent.”
“….”
Isabel’s heart began to pound.
Actually, this was far more to my preference than a carriage.
“Could I ride behind you?”
My body began to move of its own accord again.
This six-year-old body was very much enslaved to its instincts.
I bounced on my feet.
I hadn’t realized it when I wasn’t thinking about it, but this body desperately wanted to ride a horse.
“Yes? Yes?”
My voice was filled with urgency.
Kiruen couldn’t refuse Isabel, who was bouncing on her feet and gazing at her with bright, sparkling eyes.
“…Sigh. Very well.”
Biatone interjected again.
“As for horsemanship, I am not lacking either. I could serve you more comfortably, Your Highness.”
Isabel shook her head.
“I’ll give you a ride next time, Teacher.”
“Why, why is that?”
Though I liked Biatone, in this moment I was a devoted fan of Kiruen.
I couldn’t let this blessing of finally meeting a character I adored in person slip away.
“You’re always by my side anyway, Teacher.”
“Ahem.”
“Will you continue to do so in the future?”
“Of course. Kiruen. Or rather, Lady Kiruen. Today I’ll make an exception for you. After all, I’m like a great tree standing beside the Princess.”
“…Why are you taking credit for this?”
“So you’ll know to be grateful.”
Biatone mounted his horse.
Kiruen lifted Isabel onto the saddle as well.
Then she jumped up nimbly and sat behind Isabel.
With her small frame, Isabel nestled snugly against Kiruen.
Isabel genuinely marveled.
“Wow! So high!”
“…”
“Hold me tight, I’ll get hurt if I fall!”
“…Is that instruction?”
“Yes.”
I wasn’t sure why she felt the need to teach me something so obvious, but I wrapped one arm around Isabel firmly.
Having succeeded in her real-life admiration, Isabel smiled with the greatest happiness in the world.
Isabel’s appearance was like a ball of cotton soaked in happiness. It seemed as though if you pressed it gently, happiness would burst out with a pop.
Kiruen couldn’t understand.
“Why do you like me so much, Your Highness?”
“Because you’re cool.”
In the hospital ward, all she could do was study and read books.
Through all that, she developed a vague admiration for strong people.
Her admiration of Kiruen stemmed largely from that reason.
“I’m not as strong as Your Highness believes.”
“But you don’t submit to corrupt power, sister.”
“…I’m just a violent and impulsive person.”
“I think you’re an incredibly strong adult, sister.”
According to the laws of the Imperial Palace Guard, a subordinate striking a superior was unthinkable.
“And I think if you deserve to be hit, then you should be hit.”
Isabel, who cared little whether she’d assaulted or threatened a superior, simply enjoyed her real-life admiration.
“I’m so happy right now, how is this possible?”
Kiruen thought.
‘I’ve never met someone who reveals everything so artlessly like the Princess.’
Displaying affection so blindly was dangerous. There were far too many people in this world who would exploit such affection.
Isabel’s way of showing affection was quite different from how adults did it, and that made it feel strangely unfamiliar.
Yet this unfamiliarity I was experiencing for the first time wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
“Hold on tight. Don’t let go.”
A smile played at the corners of Kiruen’s lips.
* * *
We arrived at the Outer City of the Capital.
Kiruen lifted Isabel onto the city wall to show her the view outside.
“Wow… there are so many people out there.”
Beyond the Outer Castle, a procession of people seeking entry into the Capital City stretched endlessly.
There were also many people setting up tents and waiting outside the Outer Castle.
Shortly after, one of the guards came running over.
“We found the girl you mentioned and her mother. Shall I bring them?”
“I can bring them, but I’m not sure if we should arbitrarily admit unknown commoners who aren’t even VIPs…”
“I’ll take responsibility.”
The guard felt something was slightly off.
After all, Kiruen was someone who always followed protocol.
Kiruen’s order was a bit different from usual.
“Don’t worry. I’ll personally vouch for their identity.”
“…But Captain. Haven’t you recently returned from the Imperial Palace?”
He was genuinely concerned for Kiruen.
He carefully gauged her mood.
“Captain, you seem to dislike visiting the Imperial Palace…”
“Hey, when did I ever say I disliked it? Stop talking nonsense and bring them here. If you keep making unnecessary excuses, I won’t let it slide.”
“Y-yes, I accept your orders!”
The guard ran off in a hurry.
Kiruen unconsciously glanced at Isabel’s reaction.
“I don’t dislike it that much, Your Highness.”
Not revealing that the Princess was here had been somewhat of a mistake.
She had done it for Isabel’s safety, but her subordinates lacked perception.
Then Isabel spoke.
“It’s fine if you dislike it.”
“…Pardon?”
“They drove away talented people like my sister with unreasonable punishment. Ugh, it’s infuriating.”
Isabel clenched her fists tightly.
Her true feelings burst out.
“I should have beaten Ramon or whoever it was to a pulp.”
“Y-yes? Beat to a pulp?”
Isabel, who was like sunshine itself, saying such things.
Kiruen was greatly taken aback.
In the meantime, Biatone stepped forward hastily.
“Ah, Your Highness! If that’s the case!”
“Yes?”
“No, it’s nothing, haha, hahaha!”
Biatone laughed awkwardly.
He couldn’t say that he was the one who made Ramon disappear.
That was classified information.
Meanwhile, not long after, Yuri and her mother were escorted deeper into the Outer Castle.
Receiving such conspicuous VIP treatment, the people lined up in rows kept stealing glances at Yuri.
“Yuri!”
Thanks to Isabel’s support, Yuri’s appearance was far more refined than before.
Her mother, unable to support herself properly, lay resting inside a sturdy carriage.
“It’s good to see you. Your mother was brought safely, yes?”
I winked at Yuri and whispered very softly.
“The people here don’t know I’m the Princess. If they found out I was here, it would cause quite a commotion. So just call me Bel comfortably.”
“B-but…!”
“You can speak informally too. Actually, speak informally.”
…
“Go ahead.”
“Oh, okay, Bel.”
Yuri stood awkwardly, hesitating.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s just…”
Yuri soon bit her lip firmly.
“Wait a moment.”
Yuri went toward the carriage, opened its door, and stood beside it.
A brief moment passed.
Hm?
I could sense what Yuri was trying to do.
Could it be…?

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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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