Since I’m a Time-Limited Princess Who Has No Tomorrow - Chapter 75

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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 75
I had to take my little one’s side, even if no one else would.
“Your Highness, what’s there to fear? I’m not scared of anything. You’re the timid one, aren’t you?”
At my words, Sa Young-jun’s expression became utterly aggrieved.
“Don’t say such things, miss. My master also scolded me, saying I was empty-headed and fearless!”
That sounded like quite the insult, yet he delivered it with such confidence—why?
‘Compared to him, An-si seems intelligent. Well, of course a 153-year-old would be smarter than a ten-year-old.’
I took great care to explain in words Sa Young-jun could understand, arguing earnestly.
“Then all the more reason you shouldn’t fear the Crown Prince. His Highness isn’t trying to frighten you on purpose.”
“Brother has no intention of scaring me?”
“Of course not. Why would His Highness try to frighten his milk brother and sworn sibling? Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”
I turned to the Crown Prince, seeking his agreement. When our eyes met, he—who had worn a subtle expression—broke into a radiant smile.
“Indeed, my lady. Young-jun, do not be afraid. I would never harm my virtuous younger brother. Why would you fear me?”
“Brother…!”
Sa Young-jun gazed up at the Crown Prince with glistening eyes. When the Crown Prince gently stroked the boy’s head with affection, he immediately broke into a beaming grin.
‘Perhaps his simplicity is his greatest strength. He’s quite endearing.’
As I watched with contentment, Sa Young-jun—after exchanging a few words with the Crown Prince—came bounding toward me and seized my hand with both of his, shaking it up and down enthusiastically.
“Thank you, Crown Princess! I almost misunderstood that Brother was trying to frighten me, but thanks to you, I’ve cleared up the misunderstanding! The Crown Princess is actually quite a good person!”
“Ah, yes, that’s right.”
Behind the ordinary human boy Sa Young-jun, it seemed as though a puppy’s tail was wagging frantically. My hand, caught in his grip, swayed just as vigorously.
I tried to slip my hand away, but he didn’t budge an inch.
‘Wow, this boy is really strong.’
As I continued to sway, held by this powerful little pup, the Crown Prince suddenly drew near and firmly grasped Sa Young-jun’s wrist, bringing him to a halt.
“Young-jun.”
“Yes, Brother!”
“You must be a good younger brother, mustn’t you?”
“Sir?”
The Crown Prince gently removed Sa Young-jun’s hand from mine, then positioned himself before me and began to lecture the boy.
“Did I not tell you she is the Crown Princess? You cannot treat her with such disrespect as you would neighborhood friends.”
“Sir? I’ve been respectful to the Crown Princess. I use formal speech and always address her as ‘Your Highness’… Oh.”
Sa Young-jun, who had been protesting in bewilderment, suddenly looked up at the Crown Prince and froze, tensing visibly.
What was wrong? Had the Crown Prince done something? Yet now he was merely explaining in a gentle tone, speaking softly and clearly.
“It is said that men and women must maintain distance after the age of seven. You are no longer a crawling babe, but a spirited boy who will soon become a man. You must not carelessly grasp the Crown Princess’s hand or behave so familiarly. Always conduct yourself with propriety and respect.”
“Y-yes, yes, I understand. I-I’m sorry, Brother.”
“Good, Young-jun. I believe you are a virtuous and clever younger brother.”
“I-I’ll become virtuous!”
Though the Crown Prince had neither threatened nor intimidated him, Sa Young-jun stiffened like a soldier under strict discipline and answered in a loud voice.
‘…Is the Crown Prince actually frightening him?’
Finding it somewhat odd, I stepped forward to see his expression, and the Crown Prince turned to me with an affectionate face.
“My lady, is your hand quite all right? Young-jun is rather strong.”
The boy, who gently supported my hand and examined it from various angles, had the same composed and neat expression as always.
Why would I be afraid of someone so gentle? He hadn’t even forced a fake smile earlier.
‘…Ah, I see. The Crown Prince has such a dignified impression for his age that when he wears a stern expression, it feels like being scolded by an adult. He really is quite mature.’
I was coming to terms with this when Ki Ho-cheol entered the Training Ground. The moment he stepped inside, he strode past the Crown Prince and his disciple and approached me directly.
“Crown Princess, Your Highness.”
“Yes, Master.”
“I believe I failed to properly consider that Your Highness is of mixed Xue Tribe descent. Since I cannot gauge what effects it might have on your constitution, I think it would be best for you to refrain from breathing exercises.”
Ki Ho-cheol spoke with gravity. I protested in alarm.
“But my collapse wasn’t caused by breathing exercises!”
“I’ve heard it was something like growing pains unique to the Xue Tribe. That means your constitution differs from ordinary people in many ways. Therefore, it’s wise to be cautious with breathing exercises and similar practices.”
“But…”
“I mentioned I’m from the Ki-ryeong Sword Family, didn’t I? Do you know anything about them?”
“No, I’m not familiar with them.”
“They’re a reasonably well-known sword family in Yun, but it seemed Your Highness wouldn’t know of them.”
Ki Ho-cheol, scratching his shaggy hair, continued with a bitter expression.
“The Ki-ryeong Sword Family was once a great sword family over a hundred years ago, and there were countless successors besides myself. But now only I remain, along with Young-jun, who will become the next successor.”
“…How did it come to that?”
“There was a fierce battle with a great demon in the past. To fight that demon, we needed a special tool, but due to the urgent circumstances, we couldn’t properly verify it before everyone used it. We didn’t know the Ki-ryeong sword technique had poor compatibility with it.”
“Poor compatibility?”
“Yes, it’s a long and complicated story to explain in detail. Simply put, the deeper one masters the Ki-ryeong sword technique, the more one’s constitution changes, and that constitution didn’t match the tool’s effects.”
“Ah, the constitution…”
“As a result… after the war ended, all surviving members of the Ki-ryeong Sword Family suffered severe aftereffects. Only my great-grandmother, who was pregnant at the time and didn’t wear that hat, survived and continued the family line.”
Wait. A hat? Did he just say hat?
“So Your Highness, having a different constitution is truly an important matter. Especially if your constitution has changed due to some special ability or learned technique, you must be doubly careful when encountering something new. A single tool caused an entire family to face extinction, and some constitutions can turn food harmless to others into poison. Breathing training is naturally far more dangerous. Therefore…”
I cut off Ki Ho-cheol’s rambling and asked urgently.
“Master, was that tool for fighting the demon a hat?”
“Since we don’t know how it might react depending on constitution, yes?”
“The tool you mentioned that had to be used when fighting that demon in the war. Was that a hat?”
“Ah, yes, that’s correct. That’s why that war came to be called the Hat War.”
Unexpectedly, a clue about the demon in Pyeong suddenly emerged from nowhere.
‘That demon being called the country of hat-wearers, and the Hat War… they must be related somehow.’
I blinked in surprise and quickly spoke.
“Could you tell me more details about that war?”
Ki Ho-cheol seemed somewhat taken aback.
“It’s not a particularly entertaining story, Your Highness. It was a war among the Gwae-ryeok-nan-sin, far removed from the court and common people. Though we ultimately won, the process was horrific and the outcome tragic—it’s not something a young Crown Princess should hear…”
“But it was still a major event that occurred in Yun Kingdom. I want to hear about it.”
“Hmm…”
Ki Ho-cheol, who had been hesitating, alternated his gaze between the Crown Prince and Sa Young-jun before suddenly asking the Crown Prince.
“Crown Prince, Your Highness, do you have any knowledge of the Hat War?”
“Only that it was a war over a hundred years ago where the Gwae-ryeok-nan-sin fought against a great demon, and that many Gwae-ryeok-nan-sin factions and families were sacrificed at that time.”
The Crown Prince took a steadying breath and continued with measured composure.
“Father taught me that because they shed their blood in that war instead of the people and saved the nation, I must always hold gratitude toward the Gwae-ryeok-nan-sin who participated in that conflict, and treat their descendants with honor.”
“…Truly, what benevolent teaching. To recognize so sincerely the value of blood spilled in the shadows—no wonder the Gwae-ryeok-nan-sin remain loyal to His Majesty.”
“However, Master, I confess I have not yet learned the precise nature of that war. The official histories contain insufficient detail…and now that the Crown Princess has graciously opened this opportunity, I wish to learn it properly. Please, would you teach me?”
Remarkable—this Crown Prince, barely twelve years old, carries himself with such dignity.
‘Now I understand why Sa Young-jun speaks of him so admiringly.’
Ki Ho-cheol appeared deeply impressed by the Crown Prince’s composed bearing.
“Both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess possess such depth and wisdom—truly, the future of Yun Kingdom shines brightly.”
“You are too kind.”
“Then today, let us speak of the Sagat War…Young-jun, do not even think of fleeing under the pretense of studying. Come here quietly.”
He turned toward the pavilion, deftly snatching Sa Young-jun by the scruff of the neck just as the boy attempted to slip away. Ki Ho-cheol dragged his wayward disciple along, heaving heavy sighs.
“Truly, if you could but embody even a fraction of a fraction of their virtue! I grow increasingly uncertain whether I should accept you as my successor.”
“But, but surely a warrior need only master combat strength—why must I study?”
“If a person fills only the body and leaves the mind empty, what difference remains between them and a beast? I fear I must seek out a separate tutor to instill some cultivation in you.”
“A tutor? What is cultivation? Is it the method of raising sheep? Must I learn that too?”
“…I must find one all the sooner. Truly.”
Ki Ho-cheol ground his teeth and hauled Sa Young-jun up onto the pavilion. The Crown Prince and I suppressed our laughter as we followed them up and took our seats.

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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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