Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 12

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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 12

“I heard you were looking for me.”

“…Your Excellency? Wh-when did you arrive…?”

Heidi’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Do I need to report when I enter my own house?”

Desion appeared like a savior.

Desion didn’t spare a glance toward Heidi and spoke again.

“There are guests I don’t know wandering freely through my corridors.”

“…”

“You’ll need to explain properly. As you well know, drawing a sword against intruders is self-defense.”

His tone was slow and plain.

But Desion’s gaze and voice alone were cold enough to freeze the entire space.

Slowly.

The strength drained from the man’s hand that had been gripping Heidi’s wrist.

“Th-that is…”

“…”

“I will explain. I cannot deny that we have committed a great discourtesy.”

The man approached Desion with a servile smile.

“Once you hear it, I’m certain Your Excellency will understand. Please calm your anger and give me a chance to explain.”

Desion, who had been staring at the man with an expressionless face, glanced at the servants pacing in the corridor.

“Follow me to my room. There seem to be too many listening ears here.”

“Yes!”

Phew.

The man wiped the cold sweat beading on his forehead and followed behind Desion as they walked away.

He seemed to have completely forgotten about the maid who had captured his attention just moments before.

Heidi pressed her hand firmly against her startled chest.

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst through her clothes. Even when she had run at full speed with all her might, her heart hadn’t beaten this hard.

“…!”

At that moment, Heidi and Desion’s gazes met.

He turned back and nodded slightly.

“…”

As if to say everything would be alright.

* * *

「To my dear teacher.

Teacher, I hope you have been well.

I have one favor to ask, so I’m writing this letter.

There’s a precious item I want to obtain from Aras, so I need to take a ship, and the nearest port is Rotem.

These are people who work hard for me, so I can’t have them stay just anywhere. Please take them in so they can rest comfortably as if at home.

You taught me that being born noble doesn’t mean one should treat subordinates carelessly, and that worrying about people in hardship is the heart of a ruler.

See how well I’ve learned. Please be proud of me.

Please take care of yourself until we meet again.

Your student who always worries about you,

Anastasia Janette de Panther」

Ha.

Desion let out a silent laugh and folded Anastasia’s letter, placing it on his desk.

“I’ve confirmed it. It’s definitely the Princess’s handwriting.”

Desion raised his head and met eyes with the Commander standing before him.

Albert Gavitz. This was their first conversation, but his face was familiar.

‘He was one of Anastasia’s lackeys. Back then he was just an insignificant common soldier…’

It seemed he had been diligently pleasing Anastasia, as his military uniform’s epaulettes were quite ornately embroidered.

Tap tap, Desion drummed his fingertips on the desk a few times before speaking.

“I’ll forgive the discourtesy of barging into an estate without notice. However, you’ll have to endure some inconvenience. As you can see, this place was meant for just me, so there isn’t enough staff to properly attend to dozens of people.”

“Of course I can understand that. I’m not that shameless.”

Commander Albert forced out a hearty laugh.

“The estate is very large and beautiful. I got lost several times inside the estate.”

“Oh my.”

Desion slightly raised the corner of his mouth.

“You may go. I’ll assign you an attendant to help you for the day. It would be troublesome if you got lost again.”

“Thank you.”

Desion stepped into the corridor and gestured to the butler and housekeeper who were waiting at attention.

“Butler.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Are the soldiers’ rooms all prepared?”

“Yes. We arranged the guest rooms and cleared several servants’ rooms to accommodate everyone.”

“Good, and.”

Desion nodded toward Albert.

“Housekeeper, you personally attend to the Commander with special care.”

“Then, who will attend to Master…”

“Send anyone. Even a newcomer is fine. He’s a guest representing the Royal Family, so we must show proper courtesy. The Princess sent him personally.”

“Ahem.”

While Albert turned his head to hide his slowly rising smile, Desion quickly exchanged glances with the housekeeper. The housekeeper, reading his intentions, bowed deeply.

“Yes, Master. I will do so.”

Click.

Returning to his room, Desion immediately strode toward his desk. A sharp light appeared on his face that had been elegant throughout.

The positions of objects that seemed the same but were subtly different. Document edges that weren’t properly aligned. A leather cord protruding from a drawer that wasn’t fully closed.

These were clearly traces of someone having entered and searched through various parts of the room.

“So you got lost inside my room. You searched as diligently as a little rat.”

Thud, bang.

Desion roughly opened and closed a drawer. As he moved toward the bedroom, he thought.

‘The housekeeper said she burned Heidi’s letter separately, and I never kept important evidence here in the first place…’

Desion’s gaze swept every corner of the bedroom. Discovering that the lamp by his bedside was positioned at a different angle than usual, he let out a short sigh.

“You even crawled desperately into the bedroom.”

Desion raised one eyebrow and loosely undid his cravat.

“I expected this would happen someday, but I didn’t think it would be this soon.”

He chuckled and muttered.

“You must be very anxious, Anastasia.”

Just then.

Knock knock.

A cautious knocking sound. Soon the door opened and a moon-white face peeked out.

“I heard you called for me.”

For some reason.

The moment Desion saw Heidi’s face, he felt his boiling insides instantly calm down.

He nodded with a much softer expression.

“Please come in.”

Desion locked the door and examined Heidi’s complexion.

“You must have been very startled.”

“Yes, and the teacher happened to be away too…”

“I’m sorry. But I heard you responded calmly. Changing into maid clothes was also Heidi’s idea, wasn’t it?”

Desion looked down at the clothes Heidi was wearing and let out a low breath.

“Well done, Heidi.”

Desion and Heidi’s gazes intertwined in the air.

Her eyes were redder than usual. Her violet pupils sparkled as if wet with moisture.

Desion slightly lowered his head and looked away. Somehow it felt like he shouldn’t meet her eyes any longer.

Desion took steps toward the bedroom as he spoke.

“You probably have many questions. Ask away. I’ll answer them all.”

At Desion’s words, Heidi hesitated for a moment, her lips moving slightly.

“Earlier, I overheard the butler and the Commander talking. They said they came on the Princess’s orders.”

Desion nodded.

“That’s correct.”

Heidi asked with drooping eyebrows.

“How did the Princess know you were here? We kept it secret from even Miss Eloise that you were staying here…”

Desion shrugged his shoulders.

“Just as I investigate her, she does the same to me. I didn’t expect her to reach this place so quickly, but it’s actually a good thing. Once she’s reassured, she won’t pay attention to this place for a while.”

Desion met Heidi’s eyes.

“For the same reason, this room will be the safest tonight. Since they’ve already searched every speck of dust, they won’t look here again.”

“Ah.”

“Please sleep here tonight.”

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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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