The Munchkin Princess Wants to Run Away - Chapter 22

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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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‘Better to sleep quickly.’
She woke frequently whenever someone lay beside her.
It was a habit that began after the Day of Authority.
She’d wake and tense at the sound of handmaidens creeping into the bedroom at dawn to steal things, and the anxiety had embedded itself in her sleep.
It was somewhat better when she’d fallen asleep first and the Duke came in afterward.
She’d grown accustomed to sleeping beside the Duke, but whenever he lay down next to her before sleep, her body would stiffen without her meaning to.
She’d slept through the whole night again.
Ivanna exhaled softly and buried her face in the pillow.
As the sound of running water grew more frequent, she squeezed her eyes shut.
While she let out her breath slowly and steadied her breathing, a small click echoed through the bedroom.
Her ears perked up at the sound.
She wanted to know how close the Duke was, what he was doing.
If she knew when he’d come to bed, she could prepare herself mentally.
But having already pressed her eyes closed, it wasn’t easy to open them again.
She heard only the occasional whisper of fabric brushing past; she couldn’t sense him approaching the bed.
How much time had passed? Just as she was about to drift off entirely, the mattress beside her dipped and rippled softly under his weight.
She almost gasped when the Duke lay down next to her. Ivanna caught the sound in her throat.
He’d never once asked if her sleeping arrangements were comfortable. She’d assumed he would simply fall asleep as he always did.
So she only had to hold still until he drifted off.
Ivanna deliberately slowed her breathing even further.
“I apologize. Did I startle you?”
“No. I’m fine.”
She answered Cedric’s question without thinking, then shook her head quickly.
“I see. Tomorrow we shall take lunch together.”
Her eyes, still closed, trembled faintly beneath the lids.
“You have so many duties. Are you certain you can spare the time?”
“Have you ever taken tea with other nobility?”
“No……”
At his question, Ivanna understood why he’d suggested lunch.
A princess confined to the Separate Palace would know nothing of etiquette; it seemed he meant to verify her knowledge beforehand.
Once she understood his intention, her mind eased considerably.
If he confirmed her conversation beforehand, there’d be no awkwardness later.
Ivanna felt reassured and truly closed her eyes to sleep.
* * *
“Good heavens. A Tea Time invitation for Ivanna?”
“Anthony, there’s no need to make such a fuss.”
After breakfast, Cedric left the bedroom. Ivanna rose leisurely and was in the midst of being dressed with Anthony’s assistance.
“No fuss? This is your first Tea Time invitation!”
In fact, not even the Duke had ever invited the princess to Tea Time since their marriage.
Other noblewomen and young ladies hadn’t sent her an invitation either. Though the Duke might have refused on her behalf.
“Perhaps they felt obliged to invite us since we’re visiting the estate.”
“The servants mentioned that the Countess has been ill for quite some time.”
As Anthony carefully combed through Ivanna’s long hair, she shared the information she’d gathered.
“Now that I think of it, she looked rather pale at dinner.”
“Some chronic condition, perhaps?”
“Apparently so. It seems to be a rare disease. High priestesses visit regularly and barely manage to keep her alive using Holy Power.”
High priestesses were worth their weight in gold. To summon one regularly would be impossible.
It made sense that the Countess was merely clinging to life.
“They even called upon the Saint once, but it seems she learned the diagnosis was Mana Erosion Disease.”
Mana Erosion Disease.
Ivanna let out a faint sigh. Mana Erosion Disease was as good as a curse.
Microscopic fractures formed in the body, allowing mana to seep out; the victim grew progressively weaker and lost vitality.
As time passed, fatigue accumulated, one began to cough blood, fingertips grew cold and rigid, she’d heard.
“What a dreadful affliction she endures.”
“Yes. That’s why the Count House tends to be quiet, but it seems the Duke’s visit has brought them a bit of cheer.”
As she listened to Anthony chatter near her ear, Ivanna decided to avoid any topic related to health during Tea Time.
She possessed neither knowledge nor means to help.
If even priestesses could do nothing, what could anyone else do?
“Let’s stop here for now and do the rest after lunch.”
“What? More here?”
Ivanna, lost in thought, glanced at the mirror at Anthony’s words.
“It already looks fine to me.”
Her skin was perfectly arranged and radiant, and the reddish tones Anthony had brushed near her eyes gave her a fresh, lively appearance.
She’d applied something to her cheeks as well, and the flush made her look positively healthy.
“This is your first Tea Time—it can’t be ordinary! It won’t be as elaborate as a party, but I’ll make sure you look elegant and beautiful!”
Anthony laughed confidently, mentioning that she’d undergone special training from Elissa for exactly this purpose.
She felt like she might burst.
Ivanna poked at her meat with the fork half-heartedly, lost in thought.
The Duke’s suggestion to speak beforehand had been the worst idea possible.
He clearly had no idea what a noblewoman’s Tea Time actually was. Or else he’d fundamentally misunderstood its purpose.
“What do you think is driving up lumber prices in the Eastern Region lately?”
“Isn’t it the drought?”
“True and false at once, I’d say.”
Surely noblewomen didn’t actually have conversations like this at Tea Time?
His gravely sincere question left Ivanna unable to get her bearings.
It was so different from what Elissa and Anthony had told her. They’d said noblewomen discussed flowers they adored, literature, paintings.
“The Eastern Region does suffer drought, but nothing yet compared to the Southern and Western Regions.”
Ivanna watched his face, trying to gauge his reaction.
“Perhaps the merchants in the East are price-fixing, or maybe the tax rate has increased.”
Uncertain whether this was the answer he wanted, Ivanna racked her brain to provide something—anything—plausible.
“Or could there be some sort of tree blight spreading?”
“Correct. A blight is indeed spreading.”
She exhaled with relief.
At least she’d guessed right.
The conversation continued like this throughout the meal. He asked why the nobility were gradually cutting back on charity galas, then why perfume consumption among the aristocracy had increased, probing her for the reasons behind the surge.
“Do people actually have conversations like this at Tea Time?”
“If not these topics, what would you discuss?”
The Duke appeared to genuinely believe this sort of exchange was useful and worthwhile.
Seeing no trace of doubt in his expression, Ivanna fought hard to suppress the laughter threatening to burst forth.
It was certain.
The Duke knew as little about Tea Time as she did.
With that realization, the burden that had weighed on her throughout the meal lifted. In fact, the topics Anthony had chosen seemed far more plausible.
The Countess favored lavender flowers, and in her youth she’d been a mage guarding the Southern border alongside the Count.
While she couldn’t discuss illness, she could certainly ask questions and converse about Magic.
“Don’t worry about the Tea Time. I’ll be careful not to embarrass the Ducal House.”
She was through with questions about politics and economics. Her heart now lighter, Ivanna chewed her meat thoroughly and swallowed.
* * *
‘She wouldn’t be lying about being ill, would she—just like I am?’
Ivanna swallowed hard as she looked at the Countess Laverne, seated with sharp, keen eyes.
The sickly pallor that had marked her face at the last dinner seemed to have been a lie.
Was the Countess also someone who couldn’t venture outside?
In just a few days since their last meeting, the Countess—who was supposedly recovering from a chronic illness—had a remarkably healthy complexion.
Her spine was held rigidly straight, her movements fluid and refined, and the gesture with which she offered tea to her maid was graceful.
She truly looked the part of the mistress of an ancient and prestigious Count House from the Southern Region.
Ivanna fought to calm her heart, which was pounding with tension.
Since no one expected anything of her, the Countess must simply be seeking a visitor to dispel her loneliness.
Quickly running through the information Anthony had given her, Ivanna forced the corners of her mouth upward into a smile.
“It’s an honor to meet you for the first time, Your Highness. Thank you for accepting my invitation.”
Ivanna hesitated as she received the Countess’s greeting.
It had been directed at a princess, not at the Duchess of Cedric.
It meant the Countess still did not recognize her as the mistress of the Ducal House.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
If she was being treated as a princess, then a princess she would be. In any case, both a duchess and a princess ranked higher than a countess.
It was clear the Countess had no intention of establishing a good relationship with her.
A powerless princess was useful nowhere, after all.
Ivanna raised her cup to conceal her bitter smile.
“The tea has a lovely flavor.”
It was as fine as what was served at the Ducal House, with an equally exquisite aroma. It matched her preference perfectly—delicate and bright rather than bitter and heavy.
“I had it prepared because I heard it was becoming fashionable among the young ladies, so I’m glad it suits your palate.”
The Countess didn’t touch her tea as she spoke.
Is it because I’m young that you dismiss me so easily?
Ivanna found no words in reply and simply sipped her cup.

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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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