Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 67

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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 67

The King’s eyes endlessly captured and recaptured Heidi’s face. He continued speaking with a gentle expression.

“This might sound foolish, but I suddenly had such a thought.”

“….”

“That Beatrice brought you and me together.”

Heidi’s eyes wavered.

Beatrice.

Someone she had never met, whose face she had only seen through portraits.

Yet somehow her heart churned like waves. Perhaps it was because these words came from a man who had the same eyes as her.

Though she had received the Panther surname, Heidi still didn’t feel like the King before her was family. He still felt unfamiliar and difficult to approach.

“There are many stories we need to share between us.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“…Let’s not rush. You’ll need time to accept these changes too. As will I.”

The King, who had paused briefly at Heidi’s formal address, parted his trembling lips.

“But I promise you this one thing.”

“….”

“I will definitely uncover the truth. How the children were switched. Why I had to lose you for all that long time—I will follow it to the end and bring those responsible to justice.”

The King’s voice as he spoke was calm, but it carried strength. Heidi slowly nodded her head.

‘When everything is revealed….’

The truth wouldn’t be sweet. She would have to accept that Anastasia, whom she had cherished like life itself for so long, had actually known and concealed the truth all along.

“Could you both look toward me again? Yes, just like that.”

The court painter’s voice cut through Heidi’s contemplation.

In the slightly changed atmosphere, the portrait’s sketch was completed with soft scratching sounds.

When the light coming through the window gradually began to take on a reddish hue, the painter’s hand stopped.

“Haah….”

“Whew.”

The eyes of the two people who simultaneously let out sighs of relief met directly.

When the embarrassed Heidi smiled bashfully, a gentle smile also appeared on the King’s lips.

“Have you gotten somewhat used to living in the palace? Is there anything uncomfortable?”

Heidi nodded her head.

“Yes, I’m fine. The garden is so beautiful too.”

“Your mother loved spending time there most of all.”

A fleeting pleasant smile crossed the King’s face. As if he wanted to say more, his lips moved slightly before he swallowed his words.

“Come to think of it, you must be quite tired. You’ll want to rest.”

As the King rose, his advisors and attendants approached.

“…If you ever need anything at all, just say the word anytime. Just say it.”

Leaving behind words that sounded like a request, he slowly turned around. As if reluctant to leave Heidi after meeting her for the first time in so long, his steps were particularly slow and heavy.

That’s when it happened.

“Your Majesty.”

At Heidi’s call, the King immediately turned around. It was a reaction without even a second’s delay.

“I….”

Having started to speak, Heidi fidgeted with her fingers.

“Actually, there is something I need….”

The King’s eyes sparkled.

“Something you need? What is it?”

“Will you grant me anything?”

“Of course. Don’t be shy and speak comfortably.”

What could she be about to request?

Jewels? Dresses? Or perhaps land…. The things Anastasia had requested over the years flashed through the King’s mind one by one.

But the answer that flowed from Heidi’s lips a moment later missed all those expected responses.

“I need more maids.”

“Maids?”

The number of people working in Heidi’s palace shouldn’t be particularly small. Did this mean there were inconveniences in her daily life?

The King tilted his head.

Seeing this, Heidi quickly backtracked.

“If it’s difficult….”

“What are you saying!”

The startled King waved his hands dismissively.

“I’ll send them. If that’s what you want, of course I can do that.”

At the King’s words, Heidi smiled brightly.

“Thank you! I’m really happy.”

“Oh, yes….”

The King nodded in bewilderment.

He didn’t understand why she needed maids or what her intentions were, but what did that matter?

Seeing Heidi’s bright smile, a proud smile spread across the King’s face.

It really had been a pleasant day.

* * *

“How did you think of such a thing?”

Sheila said while gently scrubbing Heidi’s body with a soft sponge.

“I had no idea the Princess would show such consideration even for the maids. Isn’t that right, Mabel?”

Sheila sought agreement from Mabel, who was just entering the bathroom carrying a bucket of hot water.

Mabel, startled for a moment, nodded her head.

“…That’s right. Thank you, Princess.”

There was a reason Heidi had asked the King to send more maids.

Heidi knew better than anyone how exhausting it was to live as a maid. Especially for young, inexperienced maids, the workload became brutal.

‘I can’t just do nothing when I know.’

Now Heidi had both the money and power to solve this. Heidi intended to test the strength of her new status.

First, she increased the staff so that each person’s workload wouldn’t become excessively heavy, and guaranteed rest time.

‘They should be able to rest when sick without feeling guilty.’

What she paid special attention to was the treatment of young maids.

Twelve, thirteen years old.

She couldn’t make children that age work until their hands cracked and stand watch with sleepy eyes forced open.

Heidi arranged for those children to learn reading and writing, and gave them special consideration so they couldn’t work late hours.

“Oh my, how can you have such a kind heart? You don’t know how much brighter the maids’ faces have become thanks to you, Princess.”

“They all want to work here. Word must have spread among the maids.”

“Really?”

Hearing Mabel’s words, Heidi smiled pleasantly. She looked at Sheila, who was pouring warm water over her body, and asked.

“With more people to manage, Sheila’s work must have increased instead. Aren’t you tired?”

Sheila smiled kindly and shook her head.

“If it’s work for the Princess, I don’t even notice if it’s hard. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“Sheila….”

Moved, Heidi firmly grasped Sheila’s dry hand and leaned her rosy cheek against it.

“Thank you. I wonder how I would have adapted without Sheila.”

“Just trust me, Princess. You can say anything to me.”

Mabel, who was about to leave after heating the bathwater, caught sight of the two.

Heidi with her drowsy, relaxed face and closed eyes. And Sheila watching Heidi’s back with a cold expression.

‘The Princess seems to trust Sheila completely like a rock….’

Mabel swallowed dryly.

‘The Princess probably doesn’t know that Sheila was Anastasia’s governess, does she?’

Even an ignorant maid who knew nothing about politics could tell that the relationship between Heidi and Anastasia wasn’t very peaceful.

There was even a subtle power struggle between the maids of the East Palace where Anastasia stayed and the maids of the Western Palace where Heidi stayed.

Right now, they were merely monitoring Heidi’s every move and gathering information, but if Sheila truly harbored malicious intentions…

‘The innocent Princess would be completely unaware and fall victim to it…’

Mabel’s heart began to pound frantically.

‘What should I do? Sheila is scary, but… is it okay to just stand by and watch like this?’

The maid Mabel’s worries deepened.

* * *

The next morning.

“Princess!”

Sheila, who had entered the room, urgently called out to Heidi. Heidi, whose sweet morning sleep had been interrupted, rubbed her barely opening eyes and lifted her head.

“Yes…”

“Duke Delern has come and requested an audience with the Princess. He’s waiting in the drawing room right now.”

‘Duke Delern… Why does that sound familiar? Delern…’

Blink blink.

Heidi, who had been blinking her large drowsy eyes, suddenly froze.

“The Prime Minister came? Right now?”

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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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