Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 57
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 57
Heidi’s eyes wavered upon hearing Sheila’s suggestion. Though Sheila was a good person, these were still things that couldn’t be discussed.
Perhaps reading her troubled expression, Sheila spoke with an embarrassed look.
“Ah, I was too presumptuous. Please forgive me. As I get older, my mind often becomes muddled like this.”
Startled, Heidi waved her hands.
“Presumptuous! I didn’t think that at all.”
“No. I was reckless.”
Sheila’s eyes sank sadly.
“I was reminded of my daughter… I must have unknowingly crossed the line.”
Heidi’s eyes widened.
“You had a daughter?”
Sheila nodded.
“Yes. Though I had to let her go from my arms when she was very young.”
“…”
“When I see the Princess, I’m reminded of those times. The moment I sat in my armchair looking down at the baby in my arms. I can’t forget those innocent eyes that looked up at me.”
Sheila gently lifted the corners of her mouth.
“I was suddenly curious if the Princess had such memories too. Recalling memories of being so loved becomes great strength even on difficult days.”
“Ah…!”
So that’s what she meant by asking.
Heidi felt a bit sorry for having been wary of Sheila even briefly. The locks on her heart creaked and loosened.
Memories from her childhood came back to life one by one in Heidi’s mind.
The day she fell asleep listening to lullabies while lying on her mother’s lap. The day she received a doll her father had carved all night as a gift.
“…That’s right.”
As she recalled very old memories, her heart stirred greatly. As the longing she had pressed down surged up, tears seemed ready to well up.
Heidi pressed her eyes with her fingers to compose herself and burrowed into the bed.
“I’m tired, so I should sleep now. Let’s continue our conversation next time.”
“Yes, Princess. Please lie down quickly.”
Sheila pulled the blanket up to Heidi’s shoulders and blew out the candle.
“Sweet dreams, Princess.”
Heidi, secretly wiping away tears under the blanket, didn’t know.
About the cold gaze looking down at her from the darkness.
* * *
A pitch-black night without even a moon.
Someone moved secretly from the eastern part of the Royal Palace.
“I must see the Princess, so open the door.”
As she slightly removed her robe, the facial features completely hidden in the darkness were faintly revealed.
“Please enter.”
The guards who confirmed her face opened the firmly closed door for her.
Click-clack.
The sound of heels echoed clearly in the dim corridor. The woman, familiar with the way to the room in the corner, knocked on the door.
“It’s Sheila, Princess. I’m coming in.”
“…”
Though no answer came from inside, Sheila familiarly opened the door and stepped inside.
“Ah…”
A sigh burst from between Sheila’s lips as she witnessed the scene inside the room, faintly revealed by the fireplace light.
The room’s scene was that horrific.
All the furniture was broken, and fragments of shattered porcelain glittered on the soiled rug. The precious artworks that had beautifully decorated the room were also damaged and scattered on the floor like trash.
Sheila lifted her skirt and carefully approached the bed, avoiding the glass shards.
“Princess.”
“…”
That’s when it happened. Anastasia, who had been lying face down like dead without responding, suddenly sat up.
Smack!
Sheila’s head turned with a sharp friction sound.
“Why did you come? Stay attached over there. Why did you come to me when my string has snapped!”
Smack!
The friction sound rang out loudly once more.
“…!”
Sheila’s eyes snapped open from pain so intense her head went white. Her hand fumblingly touched her cheek.
Anastasia’s ring had scratched Sheila’s cheek, leaving a wound. Soon droplets of blood formed along the scratch.
But Sheila soon wore a gentle smile.
“Where would this governess go, leaving the Princess behind? You know well that being there is all for the Princess’s sake.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
“Why are you so upset?”
Sheila gently stroked the cheek of Anastasia, who was glaring at her with venomous eyes.
“I’ve been watching closely from the side, and she’s not impressive enough to worry about. You know that the minister has been teaching that woman recently, right?”
“How could I not know that?”
“I saw those two during their lessons, and it was quite a sight. That stern minister raised his voice several times!”
Anastasia’s expression softened just a little at Sheila’s words.
“…Tell me more.”
“He kept sighing deeply, saying she lacked the elegant posture like the Princess. She gets scolded so much every lesson that her face turns completely pale afterward.”
“…”
“It was nothing special. She can’t even compare to the Princess.”
Sheila, who had tidied Anastasia’s disheveled hair, lowered her voice to whisper.
“And it seems the story about being Ermetel’s adopted daughter was a lie, as suspected.”
Flinch.
Focus returned to Anastasia’s eyes.
“Really? How did you find out?”
“It’s just my speculation, but…”
Sheila’s eyes narrowed.
“There were many things she didn’t know that any lady raised in a noble family would know. She seems to know how to read and has read quite a few books, but she’s strangely ignorant about ladies’ main interests.”
Anastasia’s violet eyes sparkled. After thinking for a moment, she frowned and said.
“But we’ve tried so hard to find out that wench’s past, and no one knew anything.”
“It’s different now.”
“Different?”
Sheila nodded.
“Because that woman Heidi’s face will be spread all over the country. Everyone who knows that face won’t be able to resist babbling something.”
“But… Deshion would have firmly silenced them.”
“Nothing stands before money. I’ll handle the inquiries myself, so Princess, just trust me and wait as always. Understood?”
Sheila placed her hand over Anastasia’s as she spoke.
“But Princess, you can only stay collapsed like this until today.”
“…”
“You can’t back down like this. You must win His Majesty’s heart again.”
At those words, Anastasia’s eyes immediately turned fierce.
“Are you joking right now? His real daughter appeared. You fool. Do you really not understand what that means?”
“Our Princess is smart, but you don’t understand a parent’s heart yet.”
Sheila smiled softly.
“His Majesty has never once sought out that woman privately until now. Why do you think that is?”
After thinking briefly, Anastasia said irritably.
“How would I know what that old man is thinking?”
“It’s because of his guilt toward the Princess.”
“….”
“Blood ties are certainly important, but you can’t ignore the bond formed through raising someone.”
Sheila met Anastasia’s eyes and smiled gently.
“Making eye contact with a baby, watching the baby walk and run and speak….”
“….”
“What it means to remember all those moments is something you can only understand by becoming a parent. It makes you want to readily give even your heart.”
Sheila’s rough fingers wiped away the tears around Anastasia’s eyes.
“So don’t cry, my one and only princess.”
Sheila’s eyes looking at Anastasia glistened with affection.
“I will protect you with my life.”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————