Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 96

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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 96

“Whoa…”

A man who entered the inner courtyard of the Western Palace where Heidi was staying looked around with a dazed expression.

With a bear-like large build, bushy beard like a bandit, and simple attire. In many ways, his appearance didn’t match the Royal Palace – he was Deon, the herbalist.

“To think I’d visit the Royal Palace in my lifetime. What a luxury this is.”

Deon entered the white building under the maid’s guidance. Led to the drawing room, he carefully sat down on a chair.

He rubbed the marble table with his hand in admiration.

“Wow, this is magnificent. The things used by the Royal Family are certainly different.”

Heidi, who was coming down the stairs, chuckled at the sight.

“Uncle!”

Heidi approached Deon with a bright smile. Deon quickly stood up to greet Heidi.

Heidi being a princess! Though it was shocking news, somehow when he faced her directly, it just made sense.

As Heidi gracefully descended the stairs, he could feel the unique elegance of a well-educated young lady from a noble family. She looked much more relaxed than when he had seen her at the Viscount’s Mansion.

Heidi grabbed Deon’s hands warmly and greeted him cheerfully.

“It’s been so long. How have you been?”

“Yes, yes…”

Deon awkwardly spoke formally while scratching the back of his neck.

“Please speak comfortably. How can the Princess speak formally to me?”

“There’s no one watching anyway. It’s just us.”

Heidi playfully poked Deon’s arm and sat down.

“The reason I really wanted to meet today is because I have a favor to ask.”

Heidi placed a pouch on the table.

“What is this?”

Deon picked up the pouch and shook it slightly as if gauging its contents. The pouch was very light.

“It’s leaves.”

“Leaves? Plant leaves?”

“That’s right. Those leaves. I picked them from the greenhouse.”

Heidi lowered her voice and asked.

“They’ve dried up a bit since I picked them a while ago, but I was wondering if you could identify them.”

Deon quickly checked the leaves in the pouch and nodded.

“I should be able to identify them. I have many people around me who are knowledgeable about plants, so leave it to me. I was planning to meet with the Association people soon anyway, so this works out well.”

Heidi asked with a curious expression.

“Association?”

“The name sounds grand, but it’s just people in the same profession getting together to drink.”

“Ah.”

“These days it’s not easy to obtain herbs, so we’re trying to find out what’s going on. Herb prices keep rising endlessly, so the poor and sick die helplessly without even being able to fight.”

“That’s…”

“I’ll look into these leaves too and let you know.”

Heidi nodded.

“As discreetly as possible, please. I’d also like you to tell me the full story about the herb supply problem when you find out.”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

Heidi said “Ah” and asked.

“How is the patient I asked you about back then?”

“Ah, he’s much better now. After eating well and resting for a few more days, he’ll be up and about.”

“That’s great!”

Heidi placed another pouch on the table. When Deon picked it up, unlike before, it was quite heavy.

Deon’s eyes widened when he opened the pouch.

“Go, gold coins…?”

“It’s the treatment fee. It must have been sudden, but thank you for helping.”

Deon pushed the pouch back toward Heidi.

“I can’t accept this much. I didn’t use such expensive medicinal materials…”

“Please take it. It’s money I owe.”

Heidi said firmly and held out the pouch.

“It’s for my mother’s treatment.”

Deon tilted his head in confusion.

“But you paid for that in full back then.”

“I know.”

The corners of Heidi’s mouth lifted slightly.

“Father told me everything. How you would stop by to check on her, and never took payment each time.”

“Well, really… Why did he have to say such unnecessary things…”

Heidi spoke with sincerity. Her eyes were moist.

“Thank you, Deon. It’s not enough to express all my gratitude, but I wanted to convey it this way.”

Heidi shrugged playfully and said jokingly.

“As you can see, I have some means now. Back then I was just a poor girl with nothing.”

At Heidi’s words, Deon’s eyes gradually reddened. He nodded and took the pouch from her hands.

“I’m so glad things worked out well for you.”

The end of Deon’s voice trembled slightly.

“Actually, I thought it would be very awkward meeting Heidi… the Princess here today. What I’ve seen all my life was the lovely girl who lived in the house at the top of Everton Hill.”

“…”

“At an age when she should have had many things she wanted to do and see, she was looking for work to feed her family. How admirable that was. On one hand, it was also heartbreaking…”

At Deon’s words, Heidi dropped her head. Her nose stung at the sudden memory from the past. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“I know that the wages at the Haizen Estate are higher than other places, but it would have been difficult to cover all those medicine costs with a maid’s salary. She probably did any odd jobs, anything that would earn money.”

“…”

“Knowing that, as an adult, I couldn’t bring myself to collect the full medicine fees.”

Heidi’s heart felt warm. She felt a little ashamed for having been embarrassed about those shabby and poor times.

She thought she had carried everything alone, but that wasn’t true. There were people who had shared her burden, adults who willingly gave up their share.

“Back then, the Princess was like a twinkling star on that hill.”

Deon smiled warmly.

“Now shine forever here.”

* * *

“…”

The Dalton couple, invited to dine with The King, rolled their eyes with troubled expressions.

What on earth were all these forks and knives for?

For the Dalton couple, who had never learned or even seen such dining etiquette in their entire lives, this dinner was quite an ordeal.

Meeting their daughter Heidi after so long, being invited to such a grand dinner, receiving a title – it all felt like a dream. They say when a person grasps fortune beyond their station, they feel fear before joy. It was true.

‘I mustn’t be a burden to Heidi…’

Then Deshion, who was sitting to his right, whispered quietly.

“You can start with this one.”

“Ah…!”

“It’s fine if you make mistakes, so please eat comfortably. I’ll keep giving you hints from beside you.”

Hearing the familiar voice, his anxious heart quickly calmed down. A smile returned to Raymond Dalton’s face.

Raymond clumsily adjusted his fork following Deshion’s guidance. Then Nora Dalton, sitting across from him, also changed her fork following her husband.

She whispered to Heidi, who was sitting next to her, so only she could hear.

“The Count seems like such a kind and good person. So considerate.”

Heidi smiled and nodded.

“That’s right. He’s a good person.”

“He’s been very attentive throughout. Finding us a place to stay, stopping by frequently to ask how we’re doing.”

“Deshion personally?”

“Yes, he also told us about you in detail. So we didn’t have to worry.”

Heidi’s eyes widened at the story she hadn’t known. She knew he had provided them with a place to stay and some financial support, but to think that amid all his busyness, he had personally visited to check on them.

Heidi’s gaze fell on the man sitting across from her. He was helping facilitate the conversation between the King and Raymond with a stoic expression.

‘I had no idea he’d been continuously looking after Mom and Dad.’

Feeling somewhat ticklish inside, Heidi bit her lips tightly.

‘He said there would be no such thing as love in his life, so why does he keep acting in ways that make my heart flutter.’

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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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