Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 106

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 106

“That’s quite a plausible story.”

When Heidi relayed what she had heard from Deon the herbalist, Deshion nodded his head.

“If that’s true, those profits must have flowed to Anastasia.”

Deshion said with a furrowed brow.

“I was already wondering about that. Where all that money she’s been throwing around to the nobles was coming from. It far exceeded what she could manage as a princess. I vaguely thought there must have been support from Pretium, but…”

After thinking for a moment, Heidi spoke up.

“The greenhouse at the Capital Palace was too small for this kind of operation.”

“I think the same. There’s likely a high probability we’ll find clues at the Pretium Estate.”

Deshion nodded as he spoke.

“I’ll go and investigate.”

…Again?

Heidi’s eyebrows twitched.

Lately, Deshion rarely stayed in the capital. It had only been three days since they came up together from Hitchins Estate, and now he wanted to go down to Pretium Estate again.

Considering the travel time along with the investigation time, it would easily take ten days.

Heidi lowered her eyelashes and muttered with a sulky expression.

“At this rate, I’ll forget your face.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s just… you seem so busy lately. It feels like we’re both rarely in the capital at the same time.”

Heidi, who had unconsciously shown her disappointment, caught herself. She hurriedly added a few more words.

“Of course, it can’t be helped since there are so many important matters. I just meant I was a bit worried! I wasn’t complaining or anything…”

“Would you like to come with me?”

At Deshion’s words, Heidi met his eyes.

“What?”

Heidi pointed at herself with her finger as she asked.

“You want me to come down to Pretium Estate with you?”

Deshion nodded.

“Not far from Pretium Estate, there’s a villa where Noah spent his childhood. It belongs to your maternal family. From what I know, the late Queen also used to spend summers there often.”

Heidi’s eyes widened.

“My maternal family… I’m curious. What kind of place it might be.”

“If you say you’d like to visit there, The King would probably gladly give his permission.”

Deshion tilted his head slightly.

“What do you think? Would you accompany me?”

* * *

The King was very pleased when he heard Heidi’s request.

“Good thinking, Heidi. You must be quite tired from all the recent events, so go and rest well. I feel much more at ease knowing the Marquis will be accompanying you.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“The Queen loved that place too. I hope it will be to your liking as well. When you return, be sure to tell me about it. What you liked most.”

Though the journey was half-impulsively decided, preparations were completed in an instant. Carriages loaded with all sorts of luggage formed a long line.

Settled in the plush and luxurious royal carriage, Heidi looked out at the scenery through the window and said,

“Do we really need this much luggage for just staying about a week? When we went down to Hitchens Domain, it wasn’t like this.”

Deshion replied.

“That was more of an inspection visit. When the royal family moves, it’s typical for this many people to travel together.”

“What’s in that carriage?”

“All sorts of things that might possibly be needed are loaded in there. There are also things for security and protection.”

Deshion leaned toward Heidi and pointed to a spot outside the window.

“Do you see that carriage over there?”

“You mean that cargo wagon loaded with wooden crates?”

“Yes, the one driving that carriage is Norbert Albett. You’ve seen him briefly before, haven’t you?”

“Norbert Albett is coming with us too?”

Heidi turned to look at Deshion with a surprised expression. Deshion shrugged and replied.

“Wouldn’t it be better to interrogate him somewhere with fewer prying eyes than in the capital?”

“Ah.”

“It would be good if he confesses willingly, but… I plan to try every possible method.”

“…I see.”

Heidi’s expression became subtle.

What kinds of things might be included in ‘every possible method’? Deshion’s expression was as calm as usual, but somehow the meaning behind his words felt rather frightening.

Even while Heidi and Deshion chatted quietly, the carriage continued to run without stopping. The scenery outside the window changed from fields to forests, and from forests back to fields several times.

They stopped at various lords’ castles along the way and received gracious hospitality, so despite the long journey, it didn’t feel particularly arduous.

‘Time is passing too quickly.’

Heidi loved this leisurely time she was spending with Deshion after so long.

She enjoyed how their hands, placed side by side, occasionally touched, and how he would extend his arm to protect her whenever the carriage jolted roughly. His attitude, which had somehow become strangely gentle, made Heidi’s heart flutter.

“We should arrive in about two more hours.”

“We’ll arrive around sunset then.”

Deshion looked intently at Heidi and asked.

“Aren’t you tired?”

Well. Perhaps because they had rested so frequently, Heidi wasn’t particularly exhausted.

“Not particularly tire…”

“You can lean on me.”

“…d. Then I’ll lean for just a moment.”

When Deshion patted his shoulder, Heidi quickly changed her words.

We’ve come a long way, so of course I’m tired. Yes, that’s right. I should be tired.

Heidi pretended not to notice and leaned her head against his shoulder. Then Deshion leaned toward her, creating a comfortable angle for her to rest.

“Yes. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

Heidi closed her eyes tightly. Her whole body pounded as if it had become one big heart. With her eyes closed, his body warmth and scent felt even more vivid.

‘I wish the carriage would go a bit slower.’

* * *

“Welcome.”

When Heidi arrived, all the villa’s servants came out to wait for her.

“It’s an honor to have you visit, Princess. We will serve you with our utmost effort.”

A kind-looking old man with completely white hair offered a respectful greeting.

“I am Thomas, and this is my wife Melinda. Please feel free to call us by our names.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Melinda clasped Heidi’s hands with trembling hands and replied.

“You look so much like The Queen.”

Since she had heard this so many times, Heidi smiled calmly and nodded.

“I heard Mother truly loved this place. I’m very excited to stay in such a place.”

“I’m sure you will come to love the scenery here as well, Princess.”

Thomas gestured toward the door with both hands.

“Please come inside. We have prepared a meal.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

Just as she was about to go inside, the royal palace servants moving about busily caught Heidi’s attention. Among them, one man in particularly shabby clothes was leaning against a carriage with a tired expression.

‘That person must be Norbert Albett.’

As if entranced, Heidi approached where Norbert was standing. She wanted to see his face more clearly.

“You must be very tired.”

Recognizing Heidi, Norbert was startled and straightened his posture. He turned pale as if he had seen a ghost and trembled violently.

“N-no, I’m not.”

“Your name is…”

“…You can call me Albett.”

“Albett.”

Heidi gazed intently at Norbert’s face. Though he was around the same age as the King, his natural build was somewhat better.

While he looked tired, Norbert’s features were quite distinct. He probably would have been quite handsome in his youth. His unusually high and sharp nose and wheat-colored hair were striking.

Heidi felt a strange sense of déjà vu from him. Somehow his face seemed a little familiar.

“Have we met before?”

Norbert quickly shook his head.

“No, we haven’t.”

“Really? Hmm….”

Heidi’s eyes narrowed.

“I see. You just seem to resemble someone. Maybe I’m mistaken.”

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