Since I’m a Time-Limited Princess Who Has No Tomorrow - Chapter 55

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 55
“Yes, yes! I was just excited because it was my first time visiting back then! I won’t be like that this time!”
“So you’re saying you have no intention of returning on your own right now?”
“I said I’d leave after just 11 more years!”
“Hmm, Princess Cheonmyeong is so merciful toward humans that I’m worried she’ll be concerned if Gwang-chul continues to cause trouble in the Mortal Realm…”
An-si, who had been pondering, soon shrugged her shoulders.
“I think it’s better to report this to the Jade Emperor directly. If I bring you back right away, the princess won’t have anything to worry about.”
“What?”
“I’ll report and come back. You’ll be caught quickly if you try to run anyway, so don’t waste your energy and just stay put.”
An-si answered calmly and spread her wings to return to her master. Gwang-chul threw his entire body forward and grabbed the phoenix’s legs as she took flight. Flap, flap.
“Wait! Just wait a moment!”
“Chirp! What are you doing!”
“You said you’d turn a blind eye! Princess Cheonmyeong herself said she’d turn a blind eye to me being in the Mortal Realm! So why are you tattling on me!”
“I didn’t hear any such order?”
“Hey! It’s true! Ask the princess yourself!”
“The only order I received was to watch whether Gwang-chul causes more trouble in the Mortal Realm, and to confirm you’re heading back to Heaven and report back.”
“What? No! The princess definitely said she’d overlook my desertion!”
“Well, that naturally means if you return quietly, she’ll pretend not to know about your plan to impersonate the Unryong Divine Official in the Mortal Realm, doesn’t it?”
“…Huh? You mean… that’s what she meant?”
“Did you really think the princess would continue to turn a blind eye while you roam the Mortal Realm as you please? The fact that she’s overlooking the trouble you caused today is already extraordinarily merciful, you know?”
“W-well, that’s… that’s true, but…”
Gwang-chul stammered and watched An-si’s expression carefully. The phoenix in the form of a young girl looked down at him coldly, as if regarding a bothersome burden. Without thinking, he covered the spot where horns would be with his hand.
‘If I go back like this, I’ll really get scolded by Father. Rather than whining to the blood seal, maybe I should beg the princess one more time…’
Gwang-chul clenched his eyes shut and held on desperately.
“Then let me come with you!”
“Huh?”
“You’re going back to see the princess, right? Let me see the princess again too!”
“…”
An-si’s expression became one of extreme irritation. Her face clearly showed her thought: ‘Should I just knock him unconscious now so he doesn’t bother the princess, then report to the Jade Emperor?’
Gwang-chul’s mind raced desperately.
‘How do I persuade this violent phoenix?’
His usually useless scheming suddenly spun into gear as the situation became something akin to a life-or-death crisis.
“You, you’re currently serving the princess alone in the Mortal Realm, right?”
“So?”
“Don’t you get worried every time something like this happens? Leaving the princess’s side!”
“…”
“Wouldn’t it be more reassuring if I were by the princess’s side too? Hmm? Or I could stay by the princess’s side and you could go handle things like this!”
An-si’s eyes narrowed.
‘She was tempted. She was definitely tempted!’
Gwang-chul silently cheered. Rumors throughout the Heavenly Realm said that the blood seal guarded Princess Cheonmyeong more sensitively than a pregnant beast. She hated leaving her side even for a moment? He made up his mind and pressed on that weakness.
“I may look like just an imoogi, but you know my strength surpasses most dragons, right? I’m Sa-hae Gang-chul, the Dragon Prince! Surely I’m capable enough to protect the Princess, am I not?”
“Hmm….”
“I, I’d much rather serve the Princess here in the Mortal Realm than return and face Father’s punishment, you see? So please, let me ask the Princess myself!”
An-si found Gwang-chul’s proposal quite appealing. Unlike the Heavenly Realm, where countless celestial maidens attended to duties, she felt the acute shortage of hands in the Mortal Realm while serving the Princess alone.
‘Relying only on Cheoyong’s protective charm while leaving the Princess unattended feels far too risky. Just seeing how close disaster came in the Afterlife….’
She gazed down at Gwang-chul, who looked up at her with such earnest longing, and deliberated.
‘Yet I cannot neglect the Princess’s commands… nor can I entrust her to incompetent humans… and while the Thousand-Year Fox is strong, demons cannot be fully trusted… in that sense, though Gwang-chul is a troublemaker, his identity is certain and his strength is genuine….’
The young phoenix exhaled a deep sigh and nodded her head.
“Very well. Let us go ask the Princess.”
“Krhehup, thank you! Thank you so much!”
“You’re too heavy! Stop clinging with that massive body!”
An-si grumbled as she soared into the air alongside Gwang-chul.
* * *
“…So you’re asking me to take you in? For eleven years?”
After hearing the full account from An-si, I studied Gwang-chul, who stood awkwardly before me.
‘Well, having extra hands isn’t a bad thing. It would give An-si some respite too.’
But if he stays by my side, Mother or Father will notice and word will reach the Dragon God immediately.
‘This fool hasn’t thought that through. Or perhaps he still believes I’m in a state of running away?’
I considered kindly explaining that he’d be noticed by my parents, but decided against it.
‘If I refuse, there’s no telling where this troublemaker might cause chaos. Better to keep him nearby and watch him.’
If he behaves quietly by my side for eleven years, Mother might reduce my punishment, and the Dragon God might see him as having matured. It wouldn’t be a bad arrangement for him either.
‘If he can’t break his habits and causes trouble, getting dragged away would be his own doing.’
I nodded toward Gwang-chul.
“Then you’ll serve as my escort and attendant until the next Heavenly Well water exchange.”
“Y-yes, thank you, Princess!”
“But the human status you could assume here…hmm.”
“Must I necessarily have a human identity?”
“I’m the Crown Prince’s consort of this kingdom. It’s difficult to keep just anyone at my side.”
“Then I simply won’t be human?”
Gwang-chul answered swiftly, his body shrinking in an instant. Transformed into a finger-length jade-green dragon, he soared through the air and coiled around my wrist like a bracelet.
“Kek! How dare that imoogi be so presumptuous!”
[Would this form be acceptable while attending the Princess?]
Though An-si was startled, I found it quite a clever solution. Honestly, this was far more convenient than creating a human identity—easier to command him in secret from humans.
“It works. Just try to stay hidden in my sleeves as much as possible.”
[Yes!]
“When you go anywhere, you must get permission from me or An-si first. And if you drink alcohol, I’m sending you straight back to Heaven.”
[What? I, al, alcohol….]
“If you behave well and listen carefully, I’ll let you have some occasionally.”
[Thank you! Truly, the Princess is most merciful!]
The dragon bracelet—or rather, the imoogi bracelet—trembled with delight.
‘Hmm, it’s cold and doesn’t feel particularly pleasant to the touch.’
I removed Gwang-chul from my hand and passed him to An-si.
“You don’t need him right now, so stay with An-si. The Crown Prince will be here soon.”
It was evening. Since there were still no eunuchs or palace attendants in the Crown Prince’s Jamnyong Hall, he dined with me. The difference from before was that instead of eating in Jamnyong Hall to prepare for Eodukseo’s rampage, the Crown Prince now came to Unyeon Hall to eat.
‘Now that the Yongryong Ceremony has restored the royal title and changed public sentiment, palace staff will likely be assigned to Jamnyong Hall soon.’
Finally, it felt like things were returning to their proper course.
‘The King will handle the aftermath of the Wan-eon Faction and the Dragon God’s descent, won’t he? After I’ve done this much, he won’t fail to finish it.’
The urgent fires were all extinguished, and the Crown Prince’s position would truly be restored now, so I could afford to take things easy for a while. Of course, the suspicious Chief State Councillor issue was just beginning.
‘Then… it’s about time I received that gift the King promised before.’
The gift I was supposed to receive in exchange for awakening the Queen. I had deferred it out of modesty back then, but now seemed like the right time to accept it.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
Nain announced from outside the door. I rose from my seat and headed out.
* * *
Because the Yongryong Ceremony had taken place, this evening’s meal was particularly lavish. After spending several months in the Mortal Realm, I had come to understand which side dishes were rare and which tasted better.
‘The beef bulgogi is incredibly tender and delicious today. The japchae, dried pollock, and tofu pancakes are delicious too! Mmm… I’m happy.’
Moments like these made me grateful I came to the Mortal Realm. Maybe after I step down as Crown Princess, I’ll go on a culinary journey to find delicious food.
I was happily wielding my spoon when I belatedly noticed the Crown Prince had lost focus on his meal.
“Do you have no appetite, Your Highness?”
The Crown Prince didn’t feel hunger like Eodukseo did. Eating at certain times was a habit to maintain a human-like existence, and perhaps a vague assumption that it might be necessary for growth. So the fact that he wasn’t touching his food meant there was another reason—not that he was full or ill.
At my question, the Crown Prince looked at me with eyes like a quiet spring, then opened his mouth softly.
“The dragon that descended during the memorial service today…”
He trailed off and fell silent.
What? Did that Gwang-chul and Wan-eon bring up something about the Black Dragon Lord, stirring up bad memories?
Or… could he have noticed? Did the dragon’s sudden change in attitude happen because of me? Was the dragon bowing not to the Crown Prince but to me behind him? There were too many nagging possibilities to guess.
‘I saw Gwang-chul’s attitude change right in front of me, so it’s understandable to be suspicious.’
I set down my spoon and wiped my mouth, waiting for the Crown Prince to continue, but I couldn’t help myself and spoke first.
“Was there something that bothered you?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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