The Munchkin Princess Wants to Run Away - Chapter 13

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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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“So we have a watcher again?”
Anthony spoke with a rueful expression.
“Can’t be helped. It’s only natural, after all.”
If she told the two of them that her outings, overnight stays, and even the Trading Company had been discovered, they’d certainly urge her to flee at once.
Anthony had a rather volatile and impulsive streak.
He couldn’t tolerate uncertainty and unreasonable circumstances. It was why he’d quarreled with the administrators more than anyone else.
The administrators had taken vacations before budget execution day approached, for fear their hair would be torn out otherwise.
‘One can’t very well pluck the Duke’s hair.’
Unlikely as it was, she imagined the Duke briefly bald.
That image too seemed to suit him well. The composed figure of the Duke she’d seen yesterday lingered in her mind.
‘A person’s appearance isn’t everything.’
Ivanna shook her head briskly, casting the thought aside.
“Now that a bodyguard is assigned, it would be wise to refrain from outings for a while.”
“I shall make a point of moving about as frequently as before.”
Sola nodded in understanding.
“Ah. Those good days are truly gone now.”
“Just be patient a little longer. Even if we can’t visit the Trading Company, moving about outside should be acceptable.”
With someone stationed in the household, she’d have to be far more cautious about using her Power from now on.
There was no help for it. Ivanna gestured toward the door, then withdrew her Power.
If no sound emanated from within for too long, it might raise suspicion.
“To visit the Territory in half a month’s time—and with such abrupt notice about the schedule, isn’t that going too far?”
Anthony grumbled about the sudden announcement of the bodyguard appointment and the travel itinerary, his voice loud enough for the guard standing outside to hear.
The butler hadn’t brought only Ethan—he’d also conveyed the details of the Duke’s Territory visit.
“We agreed to visit the Territory when his schedule permitted after the marriage, so there’s nothing to be done about it.”
Ivanna found herself defending the Duke without quite meaning to, offering an awkward smile.
He’d likely mentioned the schedule when they happened to meet yesterday.
‘He’s a busy man, after all.’
He had no time to spare for someone in the adjacent room. Ivanna pouted slightly.
“Shall I pour you more tea?”
Anthony held the teapot in one hand, and his deliberately awkward gesture contrasted so absurdly with his elegant tone that everyone had to stifle their laughter.
“Please do.”
Ivanna replied with affected pique, suppressing her mirth, and traced letters in the air with water.
[Deliver word to Elisa that we’re departing for the Territory.]
Sola rose from her seat once she’d confirmed the order.
“It will be a lengthy journey. I should prepare what we’ll need.”
“I trust you entirely.”
Sola made a natural excuse to venture out and slipped away. The Duke wouldn’t assign someone to shadow her personal attendant.
Since the Duke already knew about her movements, and had likely planted someone at the Trading Company, there was nothing to be done about it.
Ivanna exhaled softly and straightened her posture. If Ethan, a High-Ranking Knight, possessed the sensitivity of a Sword Master, he could catch even the smallest sound.
The senses of a Sword Master were exceptionally keen.
Since she couldn’t know how far his awareness extended, Ivanna had no choice but to be more careful with her behavior.
* * *
‘There are far too many of them!!’
Days later, Ivanna sat on the Reception Room sofa, tensing her lower back to keep herself from slumping.
“That’s how I was able to defeat them all and be chosen as the Duchess’s bodyguard.”
“It seems you possess the finest skill in the Knight Order.”
“Of course! Haha. I’m certain to be the strongest in the Knight Order after the Duke himself.”
At the pride-filled tone, Ivanna forced the corners of her mouth upward.
This was the seventh similar story she’d listened to.
Anthony, standing behind the knight, wore an expression of utter boredom.
The sequence of events had been quite straightforward.
Days after Ethan was appointed as bodyguard, two additional guards were posted to the household. Among them was Steban, Sola’s brother.
Ethan stood watch during waking hours, while the others rotated night duty.
As she only moved between the Reception Room and her chamber, she’d made a mistake by inviting Ethan inside out of courtesy to the man guarding the door.
She should have simply remained comfortable within her room.
When she heard that Ethan and the others would protect her on the journey to the Duke’s Territory, it was a decision made in that moment.
Anthony had opposed it, but Sola had agreed.
It would be a tour of the Territory’s domain without using a Movement Magic Circle.

So she’d decided it was best to make a good impression on her bodyguard—not necessarily to win his favor outright, but to at least be thought well of.
“How much longer do I have to listen to this?”
As Ethan’s tales showed no sign of ending, Anthony grimaced behind him and asked quietly.
Ivanna couldn’t bring herself to cut short Ethan’s stories.
The truth was, she found them engaging.
Until now, her only conversation partners had been Anthony, Sola, and Elisa.
Before meeting Elisa, she’d spoken with others for the sake of the Trading Company contracts.
But those had been nothing but business—mere transactions of words. After entrusting the Trading Company to Elisa, Ivanna had taken on the work of handling paperwork instead.
It was about being careful not to reveal the princess’s existence.
If things were going to be like this, she’d never wanted to be a princess in the first place.
“Then you are the commander of the Knight Order?”
“Pardon?”
Ivanna asked a question for the first time as she listened to Ethan’s cheerful recounting.
“Ah, I’m not the commander, no.”
“Yet you said your skills are the finest in the Knight Order, did you not?”
Wasn’t it the most skilled person who became commander? Ethan didn’t appear to be that much younger than she was.
“That’s true, but I’m rather young, you see. Haha.”
Seeing no mockery in the princess’s face, Ethan scratched his head and laughed.
‘She seems to enjoy my stories more than I expected.’
He swallowed his surprise inwardly.
He’d deliberately been circling back to similar tales for days now, yet the princess showed not the slightest sign of tedium.
If royal children were trained to listen to dull stories with pleasure, it might be one thing—but she couldn’t possibly maintain such bright eyes throughout an entire conversation otherwise.
Ethan admitted his chest had tightened. The princess was nothing like the rumors circulating through high society.
The stories spread by people who’d served the princess as a child, and the idle gossip of busybodies—perhaps it was all lies.
One couldn’t judge a person solely by how they listened, but at least he could tell the princess was not someone who looked down on others.
“I worry you must be growing tired of hearing the same tales. Shall I tell you instead about my dispatch to the Border near Tritan?”
At his words, Ivanna’s eyes widened.
“The Duke’s Territory Knight Order is dispatched to the Border? That’s news to me.”
“It’s not frequent, but each House’s Knight Order sends contingents.”
Ivanna’s ears perked up at a story she’d never heard before.
Ethan felt his cheeks warm at the sight of the princess leaning forward slightly.
It was common knowledge to everyone else, yet the princess showed genuine interest as if even trivial matters were novel.
“When did you return from the Border?”
“Ah, just yesterday. I completed my duties as bodyguard and came back.”
Yesterday? So Cedric’s words about already having a bodyguard lined up were true.
“My return was delayed somewhat because I was dispatched to another region—I apologize for that.”
Ethan shrugged with a carefree grin. Watching him, Anthony twisted his face in displeasure.
Ivanna barely suppressed a laugh at the contrast between them. He’d only just returned from the Border. There was something she absolutely needed to hear from Ethan.
“You must be quite talented indeed.”
“That I am!”
“Though the Border should be quiet these days. Knights stationed there must find it tedious with nothing to do.”
Ivanna deliberately played the part of an ignorant young lady, asking as if the peaceful imperial Border couldn’t possibly have any serious matters.
“That can’t be further from the truth. The Border’s been anything but calm lately.”
“Has war broken out, then?”
“That much I couldn’t say.”
As Ethan winked with one eye, Ivanna felt her breath catch. So the information about an impending war was real.
She’d suspected as much, but it was far graver than she’d thought.
“Is this the truth? I’m not sure I should be hearing something so important. Don’t jest with me.”
Ivanna deliberately hardened her expression as she spoke.
“Why would I lie to the Duchess?”
At Ethan’s composed demeanor, Ivanna narrowed her eyes and fixed him with an intent stare.
“You’re trying to make fun of me because you think I know nothing.”
She deliberately bit her lip. Then she slipped a hint of truth into the performance.
‘I hope I look pitiable and wretched enough.’
Ivanna let her gaze drift away slightly.
“Why would I do such a thing?!”
Seeing the princess’s expression darken, Ethan panicked and waved his hands. He didn’t know that Ivanna was connected to the Trading Company.
‘So there really are signs of war on the horizon!’
Ivanna began to wonder if the smuggling of ore was anything but a simple crime.
‘Is Tritan preparing for war?’

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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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