Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 52

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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 52

A simple black dress with a silhouette that flowed naturally along her body.

It felt completely different from the clothes she usually wore, so I couldn’t recognize her at first glance.

But that bright golden hair cascading down to her waist in waves was something rarely found in Panther.

Anastasia ground her teeth with a grinding sound.

‘But it’s not strange for that girl to come. Father must have invited her.’

However…

Step, step.

The man’s steps were slower than usual, but his posture was as upright as always.

While naturally weaving through the gaps between the gathered people, his gaze was steadily fixed on one place without wavering.

‘Deshion? How is he already…’

Anastasia, he was looking at her.

* * *

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

Heidi asked carefully. Then Deshion, who was sitting in the seat across from her in the carriage, answered in a calm voice.

“I’m fine.”

“…”

“Why? Do I not look fine to you?”

Deshion smiled wryly.

To be honest, yes. He didn’t look fine. His pale skin without any color, and the cold sweat beading on his forehead…

Heidi’s gaze turned to the cane placed beside him.

Even though the doctor said it was too much, Deshion had been stubbornly getting up for the past few days. From morning to evening, he practiced walking back and forth from one end of the corridor to the other while leaning on his cane.

‘He’s determined to go no matter what.’

Heidi let out a deep sigh while looking at Deshion.

“You’re overexerting yourself. You know that, right?”

“I know.”

Deshion readily admitted it.

“But I didn’t want to send you alone.”

“Noah could have looked after me…”

“Noah Heights?”

Deshion raised one eyebrow slightly.

“He’s a blood relative after all.”

Then Deshion slowly nodded his head.

“Under normal circumstances, I might have asked him. However, today he’ll be frantically busy with the diplomatic mission protocol.”

“Hmm, then…”

Heidi, who had been thinking for a moment, parted her lips.

“There really isn’t anyone else. I can’t ask Lawrence for this kind of favor either.”

Laurence Evan Pretium.

The moment that name flowed from between Heidi’s lips, Deshion’s fingertips twitched.

“Lawrence?”

Then Heidi shrugged her shoulders and said.

“He just suddenly came to mind, that’s all.”

“He suddenly came to mind.”

“I don’t know that many people well.”

After a brief moment of eye contact, Deshion lowered his gaze.

“I see.”

“But Deshion.”

Heidi asked with a slight furrow in her brow.

“If it’s true that Anastasia tried to kill you that day, is appearing like this today really the right choice?”

Deshion answered with a calm expression and voice.

“Anastasia probably knows anyway. That all I have is circumstantial evidence, and there’s no physical proof that she tried to poison me.”

“…”

“What Anastasia wanted was probably to tie my hands and feet until she’s officially recognized as the heir. Once she gains that kind of power, it becomes a different kind of fight from then on.”

“There’s been a lot of talk lately about needing to hurry the heir announcement.”

“While I was lying down and resting comfortably, Anastasia has been terribly busy. So I need to come and see with my own two eyes. And interfere if necessary.”

The carriage turned into the alley in front of the Royal Palace. Deshion’s red eyes gleamed as he confirmed the long line of carriages.

“There are plenty of spectators too, perfect timing.”

Deshion turned his head toward Heidi and asked.

“Are you ready for a good show?”

Heidi stared down at the hand extended toward her.

Why was it? At that moment, an inexplicable premonition flashed through Heidi’s mind like an arrow.

A feeling that somehow extraordinary things would happen today.

A strange premonition that today would become a day to be remembered for a very long time, a day that would never be forgotten.

“…”

Heidi’s gaze turned toward the window. The pointed roof of the building where the ball would be held came into view.

It was probably too far to turn back now.

Heidi, who had exhaled briefly, firmly grasped Deshion’s hand.

“…Yes, let’s go.”

Since it had come to this, there was no choice but to see it through to the end.

* * *

After the solemn memorial service ended, the second part of the event began.

“A chair made of gold, and a precious carpet made from snow leopard hide.”

“Thank you.”

“We pray for the eternal peace of Panther and His Majesty the King.”

Envoys from various countries came forward to present their prepared gifts and offer congratulatory greetings.

At the parade of precious objects that would be difficult to see even once in a lifetime, even the haughty nobles exclaimed in admiration without exception.

Except for just two people.

Heidi leaned over and whispered to Deshion.

“…Are you alright? You can lean on me more.

“I’m fine.”

“You should have brought your cane down with you.”

Heidi, who was firmly holding Deshion’s arm to support him, whispered softly.

“But… why is nothing happening? The memorial service ended quietly too.”

“You’re right. So far nothing seems particularly special.”

Heidi and Deshion turned their gazes toward Anastasia.

Anastasia had been sticking close to the King’s side the entire time, smiling brightly like an affectionate daughter. She did occasionally glance toward where the two of them were standing as if concerned, but that was all.

That’s when it happened.

“I’m a bit late.”

Step by step.

A man wearing a robe stepped onto the red carpet. He looked extremely shabby, as if covered in sand and dust.

The nobles who spotted him began to move away and murmur among themselves.

“What’s with that shabby appearance?”

“How did he get in? Shouldn’t we drag him out?”

“Don’t go near him. What if he’s a strange person? Come here.”

Despite the people’s murmuring, the man didn’t stop walking and came to a halt in front of the stairs. Then the King slowly rose from his seat.

“You…”

“Please forgive my appearance.”

Thud.

When the man removed his robe, swan-white vestments were revealed.

Simple white clothes, and a golden sash around his waist.

“I hurried here and didn’t have time to prepare proper attire.”

It was the clothing of a priest belonging to the Grand Palace.

“Amar.”

The King spread his arms and embraced him warmly. His eyes grew moist with emotion.

“You came well. You came well. I’m truly glad you’re safe.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The priest’s belated appearance caused gentle ripples among the people. Heidi and Deshion also exchanged surprised glances at his unexpected arrival.

But the most shocked person was someone else entirely.

“…”

Heidi saw Anastasia’s face turn pale as a corpse in an instant. She became ashen as if she had seen a ghost, gripping the hem of her dress tightly with both hands.

Heidi whispered quietly enough that others couldn’t hear.

“Her expression looks quite serious.”

Deshion nodded.

“Perhaps, the thing she was desperately trying to prevent, even committing such reckless acts…”

“It might have been that person.”

Heidi’s gaze turned toward the priest.

Slowly lowering his body, he took out a small box from his robes.

“This is a gift from the Grand Palace, given with friendship in mind, so please accept it with joy.”

As the priest slowly opened the box, what was inside was revealed. An octagonal purple gemstone sparkled brilliantly under the chandelier’s light.

The priest held out the box toward The King and said.

“It’s a pair of brooches. They were carefully crafted from high-purity magic stones. In the brilliant purple that symbolizes the Panther Royal Family.”

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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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