Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 2

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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 2

“….”

The displeasure that flashed across Desion’s face melted away faster than spring snow.

Naturally composing his expression, he opened his mouth respectfully.

“I am woefully inadequate to dare become the Princess’s tutor. I can only be grateful that you think so highly of my meager talents.”

“Of course, the Prime Minister is also teaching with enthusiasm….”

“Duke Delrn is an excellent tutor. I cannot compare to him.”

“Put away that insincere humility. You must know there’s no one in Panther with greater learning than you.”

The King straightened his posture and changed the subject.

“Anastasia often asks after you.”

At the King’s words, Desion raised his head. With one corner of his mouth slightly raised, he asked leisurely.

“Is that so?”

“She keeps pestering me, asking if there’s any news of you, where you’re staying these days. She must have been inwardly hurt that you suddenly quit and left like that. She was quite fond of you, wasn’t she.”

After a moment of silence, Desion chuckled softly and nodded.

“Yes, she was.”

The King spoke in a bright voice.

“Since you’ve come all the way to the Royal Palace, at least go say hello. Anastasia would be delighted to see you.”

At the King’s suggestion, Desion smiled and rose to his feet.

“It was an honor to have an audience with Your Majesty after so long. Please stay in good health until we meet again.”

After gracefully offering his farewell, Desion left the audience chamber.

Step by step.

The smile gradually faded from Desion’s face as he walked along the long corridor of the Royal Palace.

‘If I leave now, I should arrive around evening….’

Just as he stepped outside the building while calculating the journey to his estate in his head.

“Oh, it really is you.”

A voice as innocent as a young girl’s stopped Desion in his tracks. Red dress fabric entered his field of vision.

“Teacher, it’s been so long.”

Desion slowly raised his head.

Curly blonde hair that reached down to her waist.

Dark blue-violet eyes.

A woman with particularly striking cat-like eyes, adorned lavishly from head to toe.

Upon spotting her, Desion slowly parted his lips.

“Yes, it has been a long time. Your Highness.”

Princess of Panther, Anastasia Janette de Panther.

The King’s only daughter, and unless something extraordinary happened, she was destined to inherit the throne after the King’s death.

Until about three years ago, Desion had personally handled Anastasia’s succession education.

Teacher and student reunited after a long time.

Yet there was no warmth to be felt in the air flowing between the two facing each other.

“….”

Anastasia smiled brightly and lightly touched his arm, breaking the silence.

“Your Highness? It hurts my feelings when you address me so formally, Teacher. Please call me by name like before.”

“Ah, is that so.”

When Desion showed no particular reaction to her coquettish words, the corner of Anastasia’s mouth twitched slightly like a spasm.

But soon she continued speaking in a bright voice as if it didn’t matter.

“My governess told me that Teacher came to see Father today. I thought it would be difficult to see you from now on…. Yet here we meet again. I’ve really missed you all this time.”

Desion nodded briefly. He answered with a polite smile.

“His Majesty told me. That you often wondered about my news.”

“Of course I would, wouldn’t I? You suddenly quit teaching, then even left the capital to wander here and there.”

Anastasia’s eyes glinted sharply as she looked up at Desion. Then Desion shrugged and replied.

“It was for my studies. I realized there are far too many things in this world that I don’t know.”

At Desion’s words, the corner of Anastasia’s mouth curved crookedly upward.

“There are so many things in this world that are fine not to know, yet Teacher is quite curious. Did you find out what you wanted to know?”

“Well.”

As if he didn’t want to talk at length, Desion dismissed the conversation with a short answer. Then Anastasia pursed her lips and said.

“Teacher never gives me easy answers to anything. Yet you told me to answer all questions clearly.”

Anastasia tilted her head slightly and wore an innocently childlike smile. With an expression and voice that could melt anyone’s heart, she asked again.

“Still, surely you can answer this much for your one and only student. Have you completely returned to the capital now?”

Reading the anxiety that briefly appeared in Anastasia’s eyes, Desion let out a soft laugh.

“No. I plan to head down to my estate immediately.”

“To your estate?”

Desion nodded.

“Yes. I plan to focus on estate matters for several years. The journey has been arduous. I’d like to rest for a while.”

“Ah.”

The corner of Anastasia’s mouth curved smoothly. She spoke in a sweet voice.

“It’s disappointing, but since it’s a choice for Teacher’s health, I can’t object.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“The fresh air of the countryside is really good for one’s health. Ah! Come to think of it….”

Anastasia’s eyes widened as if something had suddenly occurred to her. She pressed her fingertip firmly against her red lips and asked.

“How is Eloise doing?”

“….”

At that moment, Desion’s expression hardened frighteningly.

When the faint smile that had been hanging on his lips out of courtesy disappeared, Desion’s face looked cold enough for frost to form at any moment.

The sharp atmosphere he emanated was intimidating enough to freeze anyone watching, but Anastasia showed no sign of being overwhelmed by his aura.

Instead, she smiled brightly, lightly grasped the hem of her flame-red dress, and curtsied.

“I hope the fresh air of Haizen Estate helps her as well. Travel safely, Teacher. I look forward to seeing you again.”

After Anastasia left, Desion stood there for a moment, looking up at the familiar Royal Palace building.

Desion’s eyes gradually darkened as he gazed up at the golden dome delicately engraved with the panther, symbol of the Panther Kingdom.

“Yes, Anastasia.”

Desion whispered quietly.

“I too very much look forward to the day we meet again. Because I’ll finally be able to return to you the position that befits you.”

Thick veins bulged on the back of Desion’s hand as he clutched his secret.

* * *

“Still no news? When on earth is Brother coming?”

Eloise, who had been sitting at her desk copying a thick book, suddenly looked up.

Then Heidi, who had been tending to the flowers in the vase, shook her head.

“No, there isn’t any. I suppose it would be difficult for him to send letters while traveling.”

“Everyone’s been bustling about since morning preparing to welcome Brother.”

“I don’t think he’ll come today. It’s gotten too late.”

“Yes, that seems likely.”

Seeing her dejected appearance, Heidi approached Eloise. Then Eloise looked up at her and asked.

“Come to think of it, you’ve never met Brother before, have you?”

Heidi nodded.

“No. I heard he’s always been traveling abroad. I don’t know the details though.”

“I don’t know the details either. No one does. All we have are the occasional letters. Brother is just so busy.”

Heidi clapped her hands together and said.

“Ah! But I have seen the portrait. It’s hanging at the end of the 3rd Floor Corridor.”

Then Eloise shook her head.

“No. He’s somewhat different from the painting.”

Heidi, who had been imagining Desion’s appearance while recalling the portrait, tilted her head.

“He doesn’t look much like it?”

“He does look somewhat similar, but that’s about it. My brother is absolutely not the type to sit still until a painting is finished. He’d say it’s a waste of time.”

Scratch, scratch.

Eloise’s hand, which had been writing in her diary line by line, stopped.

“Oh, I’m out of ink.”

“Really?”

Heidi shook the ink bottle and set it down on the desk as she spoke.

“There’s probably nothing left… I’ll go buy some early tomorrow. It’s late today, so how about you call it a night?”

Eloise pouted her lips.

“It feels unsatisfying to stop in the middle of writing. Besides, this exact same ink isn’t easy to find.”

After thinking for a moment, she slapped the desk and said.

“Ah! My brother probably has some in his room. Heidi, could you go get some?”

Heidi’s eyes widened.

“From the master’s study?”

* * *

“Wow…”

Heidi, who had entered Deshion’s Study carrying a small lamp, let out an exclamation.

Though she had been working there for over two years, this was her first time entering the head of the house’s study.

Usually, only the butler could enter his study. Occasionally maids would go in for cleaning, but only under the butler’s strict supervision.

“So this is how it’s decorated. It feels much more magnificent than the young lady’s room.”

Heidi’s gaze swept across the scenery of the spacious room.

A bookshelf that filled an entire wall first caught her attention. As she slowly turned her head following the exotic tapestries decorating various spots, gleaming medals displayed their imposing presence.

She was only briefly mesmerized by the unfamiliar room’s scenery.

“Oh, right! The errand.”

Heidi quickly remembered the purpose of her visit to this room.

Heidi carefully set down the lamp and began searching the desk with her eyes.

“The ink… It should be somewhere around here.”

Relying on the dim light, she was peering around the mountain of documents when.

“I heard rustling and wondered if some little mouse had gotten in.”

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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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