Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 71

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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 71

‘Huh?’

At the warmth that brushed her lips, Heidi’s eyes widened in surprise. Heidi’s face, which had been frozen in a dazed expression for a moment, flushed bright red.

“Oh, I didn’t even realize it was there. How clumsy of me.”

“I’m sorry. I did it without thinking.”

“It’s fine.”

Heidi rubbed her lips vigorously with the back of her hand to wipe it clean. Then Deshion took out a handkerchief from his chest and handed it to her.

“…Living elegantly isn’t easy, is it?”

Heidi accepted the neatly folded handkerchief with an embarrassed expression. She gently rubbed the corner embroidered with his initials with her thumb.

The sensation of his hand brushing against her remained on her cheek like lingering heat. Heidi lowered her eyelashes at the ticklish feeling in her heart.

She knew it was just a meaningless, brief touch. She knew, but…

‘My heart is fluttering for no reason. Get it together, you fool. He drew such a clear line.’

In the somewhat awkward atmosphere, Heidi subtly changed the subject.

“Oh, did you get any results from that investigation you went on? How did it go?”

“That’s rather strange.”

Deshion’s face instantly became serious. He slightly furrowed his brow and parted his lips.

“The place where Her Majesty the Queen was staying at the time was Schuhights Castle, a place called a natural fortress.”

“A natural fortress?”

“There’s a small village on top of high cliffs, and due to the terrain, human access is difficult. That’s why we escorted Her Majesty the Queen to that safest place.”

“A small village – how many people lived there?”

“There weren’t even seventy people. Half of them were those who stayed and worked at Schuhights Castle.”

Deshion, who had looked around, lowered his voice.

“I had been to this village before His Majesty the King gave me orders this time. Several times, in fact.”

“Then you must have gathered a lot of information.”

At Heidi’s words, Deshion shook his head.

“No. I couldn’t.”

“Why not?”

Deshion’s red eyes darkened.

“Because the village itself had practically disappeared.”

Heidi’s eyes widened upon hearing the story.

“The village… disappeared? How is that possible?”

“Because there was a great fire at Schuhights Castle. Everyone in the castle either died or was injured. Especially the lord’s family members all passed away in that accident.”

Fire.

It was an all too familiar pattern.

When Heidi looked at Deshion with surprised eyes, he nodded slightly.

Just how many people had Anastasia harmed to hide that lie? Telling bigger lies to hide lies, committing greater evil acts to cover up evil deeds.

Heidi suddenly felt her mind go blank. The more she dug, the more frightening and difficult Anastasia became as a person.

After thinking for a moment, Heidi spoke.

“Still, couldn’t at least some of the survivors testify?”

Deshion shook his head.

“I heard from all of them, but they say they were away from the castle while Her Majesty the Queen was staying there. The maids and attendants who went with Her Majesty the Queen took care of all the menial tasks.”

“That maid…”

“She passed away from illness a few years ago.”

“Ah…”

Heidi’s face was deeply colored with disappointment.

“But this time I obtained new information from a village resident.”

Heidi’s eyes lit up.

“New information?”

Deshion nodded.

“There’s exactly one survivor.”

“…!”

“It’s the lord’s great-niece. I heard testimony that the child was also there during the time Her Majesty the Queen stayed there.”

Deshion’s eyes narrowed.

“She was about ten years old then, so she’d be around thirty now. I don’t know her name, but if we follow the family tree, we should be able to identify her.”

Heidi smiled brightly.

“That’s really great!”

“Of course, we don’t know if she remembers what happened then, or whether the memories she recalls will be useful – I can’t guarantee that at this point.”

Of course not.

The corners of Heidi’s eyes drooped glumly. Deshion, who had been staring intently at Heidi’s face, let out a soft chuckle.

“Still, we can have hope. I’ll do my best to find her. I promise you.”

* * *

“…”

“…”

Clink, tap.

Only the occasional sound of tableware echoed in the spacious dining room. Steam was rising from the feast that filled the table, but the atmosphere was strangely cold and awkward.

“Ahem. I specifically ordered them to prepare only the most precious things, so everyone eat plenty.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At The King’s words, Anastasia and Heidi immediately responded. The gazes of Anastasia and Heidi, sitting across from each other, met in mid-air.

‘We managed to avoid running into each other until now, but to face each other like this.’

Today was the first day Heidi faced Anastasia since being recognized as a princess.

‘I accepted His Majesty’s dinner invitation without much thought…’

Heidi stabbed a potato with her fork with an expressionless face. Then Anastasia smiled sweetly and cut her meat forcefully with her knife.

Whether he didn’t know about the subtle tension between the two or was pretending not to know while knowing, The King spoke.

“Since you two probably don’t know each other well yet, I arranged this gathering today.”

“…”

“I know the situation is complicated and confusing. It won’t be easy in many ways. Your emotions must be complex too. But now that things have come to this, wouldn’t it be good for both of you to get along like family, like sisters?”

He looked at Anastasia and Heidi with warm eyes as he spoke.

“Right now you might feel distant and awkward because you don’t know each other well, but who knows if you’ll understand each other once you open your hearts and have conversations? You’re the same age too.”

“Yes, Father. I will.”

Anastasia smiled brightly and nodded. She made eye contact with Heidi and said.

“I don’t know what it feels like to have a sister. I’ve been an only child my whole life. It actually feels a bit awkward.”

Anastasia shifted her gaze to The King and continued.

“But getting along well with Heidi would put your mind at ease, wouldn’t it, Father?”

The King nodded vigorously.

“Nothing would make me happier than seeing you two get along well.”

“Then I should try. I always want Father to be happy. What do you think, Heidi?”

At the arrow suddenly turned toward her, Heidi’s fingertips flinched. Anastasia’s saccharine smile felt disgusting, but in this situation, the answer she could give was predetermined.

“…Yes. Let’s get along.”

“You haven’t been in the Royal Palace long, so there must be a lot you don’t know. Nothing’s easy, is it?”

Anastasia said with a sly smile.

“I’ll teach you a lot. Let’s have many conversations from now on.”

Glance.

Heidi stole a sideways look at The King. He was waiting for her answer with expectant eyes.

“…Yes, let’s do that.”

“No. Is there any point in delaying further?”

Tap. Anastasia lightly tapped the table with her hand and tilted her head as she asked.

“How about today?”

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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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