The Munchkin Princess Wants to Run Away - Chapter 2

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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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Cedric recalled the Princess studying the contract.
Contrary to the Empress’s worries, she had examined it meticulously with a grave and composed expression.
She had asked about unclear or incomprehensible passages multiple times to clarify them, and when she deemed certain sections disadvantageous to herself, she negotiated.
Her manner differed markedly from what the Empress had said about her being too inexperienced for practical matters.
Even when pressured to remain silent, her face showed only quiet assent—no shame, no apprehension whatsoever.
The calm and deliberate composure struck him as far removed from the rumors of her harboring deep inferiority over failing to manifest Abilities.
“Then I’m grateful. The child has grown after all, and now there are many things she keeps from her mother.”
The Empress laughed bitterly, saying that even as children matured, they still felt like children to her.
Cedric drank his tea in silence. He had no interest in humoring such sentiment.
This marriage had come about because Crown Prince Justin desired it.
Had it not been for the benefits granted to the Duke’s Estate, he might have postponed the union further.
Marrying the Princess would yield fifteen years of tax reductions and privileges. In truth, given that prospect, the Duke could have tolerated the Princess causing chaos at his estate.
‘But without clear standards in place, there’s no knowing how she might behave.’
The Princess might conduct herself decorously at first, yet there was no guarantee she would not eventually wield the Duke’s Estate’s power as she pleased.
Cedric would never permit the Princess to destroy the estate, but neither could he simply trust a Princess known only by rumor.
“I entrust the Princess to your care.”
“The Ceremonial Dress and Accessories may be determined anew in consultation with Her Highness, if you wish.”
“Very well.”
Though the Empress bore an air of dissatisfaction, she recognized she could demand no more and yielded gracefully.
After taking his leave, Cedric departed the Empress’s Palace and made directly for the Princess’s Palace.
“How did it proceed?”
“We have agreed to consult with the Princess on the matter.”
At the Duke’s words, Marcel swallowed hard.
The Princess’s Palace was a secluded annex situated in a remote corner of the Imperial Palace.
A place no one visited.
When the Princess had come to the Duke’s Estate alone some days prior to negotiate the contract, Marcel could scarcely conceal his bewilderment at her understated appearance.
Though she wore a faded and simple dress, the Princess resembled nothing so much as a precious piece of porcelain imported from the East.
The wrists visible beneath the modest hemline were so delicate they seemed thinner than a servant’s broom, exaggeration aside.
The frail-seeming Princess gave him cause to worry whether she could fare well alongside the Duke.
“May we enter?”
“The Empress granted permission. We may proceed.”
Cedric gazed toward the Princess’s Palace visible in the distance.
“For someone supposedly cherished, she has been placed in a location rather too neglected, would you not say?”
At Cedric’s cutting remark, Marcel laughed awkwardly.
Anyone with wit enough knew the truth.
How the youngest Princess—she who had failed to manifest Abilities—was treated throughout the Imperial Palace.
Indeed, it was not merely the Palace but society at large that scorned her.
‘Yet even without Abilities, the Princess remains a princess. She possesses all the advantages that come with a marriage into the Imperial Family.’
A look of satisfaction crossed Cedric’s lips as he observed the shabby annex.
He thought of those who had ridiculed the Princess for her lack of Abilities and torn at the reputation of the Imperial Family itself.
Once the Princess married, her Abilities would fade away in time.
Thus, for Cedric, the Princess’s lack of Abilities was preferable to something whose control remained uncertain.
He cared nothing for the jeers of base men. What mattered to him was substance.
Rather, thanks to the people’s prejudice, he had acquired the Princess and gained considerable profit for his house.
“At least it is clear this is no marriage of love.”
Cedric opened his mouth as he entered the Princess’s Palace, his gaze sweeping the surroundings.
“No guards to detain us. It seems rather excessive, does it not?”
Upon entering the Princess’s Palace, they encountered no one to bar their way.
Marcel sighed as he examined the corridor. It appeared poorly maintained, dust accumulated in every corner.
“Could there be no attendants here?”
At his adjutant’s question, Cedric’s attention shifted beyond the corridor. His ears caught a faint sound of laughter from somewhere distant.
He strode forward swiftly, following the direction of the sound.
“Where are you going?!”
Startled, Marcel hurried after the Duke.
“Look at this! Such plump, magnificent fruit in all the world.”
A woman’s voice, brimming with delight, rang out as they pushed through the overgrown garden beyond.
“I’m grateful the recent rain caused them to ripen.”
“They look so firm and sweet.”
Cedric watched as the Princess, whom a maidservant had just handed a piece of fruit, casually rubbed it against her dress.
Crunch.
The sound of the Princess biting into fruit reached Cedric’s ears.
She wore a dress more threadbare than when she’d arrived at the Duke’s Estate, her blue hair falling naturally about her shoulders.
Crunch, crunch—the Princess’s teeth meeting fruit echoed through the Garden. Cedric followed the sound, his footsteps drawing closer.
Snap.
A large foot had crushed a twig beneath it. In that instant, silence fell over the Garden.
“Who’s there?”
A man who appeared to be the Princess’s attendant called out cautiously toward the direction where Cedric and Marcel stood.
“I’ve come to see the Princess.”
Cedric stepped into view and bowed deeply to Ivanna.
‘Why has he come?’
Cedric’s sudden appearance sent a tremor through Ivanna’s eyes.
Surely he hadn’t just caught her eating fruit plucked straight from the tree?
“What brings you to visit?”
Ivanna adopted a dignified tone to mask her discomfort.
“There is a matter regarding the wedding that requires discussion.”
“Isn’t that something the Duke said he would handle?”
It was the Duke himself who had told her not to concern herself with it.
Since she harbored no resentment about it, she didn’t mind if the wedding proved small or appeared shabby.
So why had he come now, suddenly?
Ivanna studied him with suspicious eyes.
“This is not a conversation for outdoors. We should go inside.”
Only Sola and Anthony were in her Palace, but there was no need for the Duke to know that.
Ivanna reluctantly ushered him in.
Walking ahead of the Duke, Ivanna took care not to grip her skirts too tightly.
A quick glance down confirmed her relief—the dress was indeed shabby. While at the Imperial Palace, she deliberately wore old, worn clothing.
Ivanna Snow Windsor, who had received no Abilities, had lived in poverty and degradation within the Imperial Palace.
It was her Nanny who had announced the beginning of that poverty.
The woman who whispered “I love you” every morning and gave her a goodnight kiss each night, whom she’d believed would stand beside her forever.
She had begun stealing small things, bit by bit.
When a ring or necklace went missing, the Nanny claimed she’d sold them because the Palace’s upkeep funds had dwindled.
One day, only Anthony came alone to tidy her room.
When Ivanna tilted her head in confusion, the Nanny said the Palace’s situation had grown worse and the other servants had quit.
She’d promised to take responsibility for everything—not to worry.
Young Ivanna had believed the Nanny’s words with absolute certainty.
After all, unlike her family, who had abandoned her after the Day of Abilities, the Nanny would surely remain by her side to the end.
But the situation only worsened.
The food coming from the kitchen dwindled, and as her body grew, her clothes became short and tight.
Only then did Ivanna realize something was wrong and tried to see her parents, but no one would receive her.
The Nanny and servants had already stolen goods and funds before fleeing.
In the end, only Sola and Anthony remained by her side.
Using the Princess’s authority, she reported their crimes to the Imperial Justice Ministry, but no investigation was ever conducted.
A Princess in name only, abandoned by the Imperial Family, held no power.
The Princess’s authority derived from the affection and attention of the Emperor—the wielder of true power.
After the Day of Abilities, her entire life had turned upside down.
Conscious of not appearing pitiful, Ivanna held her head stiffly upright.
“Welcome. Anthony, bring us tea.”
The tea she’d ordered from Anthony was made from herbs that had grown well that spring and been properly dried, so it wouldn’t be so poor that it was undrinkable.
Ivanna swallowed a sigh and settled onto the sofa.
“Now, tell me—what brings you here?”
Ivanna pressed her gaze with intensity. No matter how disadvantageous the marriage, she had no intention of yielding to him.
After all, it was the Duke who had visited without warning.
“The Empress mentioned that you requested a certain Ceremonial Dress.”
‘A Ceremonial Dress? That I requested?’
Wasn’t handling all matters related to the wedding something he was supposed to do? Ivanna studied his face carefully.
His sharp, fierce gaze appeared unchanged from before.
“I have no particular desires.”
That was all she could say. It was unavoidable—the bride didn’t even know when the wedding would take place.
At her response, the Duke fell silent.
What on earth had the Empress told him?

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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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