The Munchkin Princess Wants to Run Away - Chapter 25

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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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“Disease is truly frightening.”
If the Countess had taken a turn for the worse, my heart would have shattered.
I’d thought only poverty and indifference were things to fear, but now I understood that failing health was another terror entirely.
It was a blessing that my Royal Blood kept me strong and resilient.
Living alone in the Imperial Capital would have been even more desolate if I’d fallen ill.
A long exhale escaped me.
The moment warmth began returning to my chilled body, sleep crashed over me suddenly—exactly as Anthony had said it would.
I’d been tense throughout tea time, and the ordeal with the Countess had drained what little remained of my strength.
I’d meant to rest just a moment, but sleep had claimed me instead.
* * *
“Her Highness has fallen asleep, my lord.”
Cedric returned to the bedchamber after finishing his duties and nodded at the maid’s words.
“Has she taken supper?”
“No, my lord. She has been sleeping all this while.”
“Keep watch in case anything is needed.”
The maid bowed and withdrew, leaving the chamber in silence.
He too had received word that the Countess had nearly collapsed during tea time, and that the Princess had steadied her, remaining at her side until her condition stabilized.
As he approached the bed, he noticed the Princess’s face was paler than usual. His assessment of her shifted slightly.
He’d assumed she was simply thoughtful, different from the rumors—but now.
He recalled her laughing even as the servants spoke rudely of her. Perhaps she was bolder and warmer in temperament than he’d given her credit for.
Regardless of the Princess’s character, he was grateful she’d tended to the Countess.
The Countess was an important figure to the Duke’s Household.
Cedric turned to leave, then stopped. He reached out quickly and placed his hand on her forehead.
It was burning.
“Your Highness? Please, wake up!”
He shook her shoulders urgently, but she didn’t stir.
Cedric quickly called for a maid and ordered the Physician to be summoned at once.
He remained at her side while the Physician and servants bustled in and out of the chamber.
“The fever has broken now. It seems Her Highness was quite frightened yesterday.”
“Can mere fright truly bring such a fever?”
Despite the Physician’s urging that he rest elsewhere for his own sake, Cedric stayed at her bedside throughout the night.
Her safety was his responsibility. The Physician nodded approvingly, a gentle smile on his face, saying it was indeed possible.
“Those of a sensitive disposition often manifest physical symptoms when they’ve experienced great distress, my lord.”
“Is she well now?”
“The fever has broken completely. She should regain consciousness soon.”
The Physician excused himself, suggesting Cedric also get some rest.
“We shall look after Her Highness. It would be best if you rested in another room.”
Sola, who had kept vigil at her side all night, spoke carefully to Cedric.
“It’s fine. Since she’ll wake soon, simply have a maid remain in attendance.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Sola bowed, studying the Duke carefully. He was frankly bewildered.
When Ivanna fell ill, he’d assumed the Duke would simply retreat to another room and sleep without a second thought.
Yet he had remained at her side all night.
Didn’t this mean his heart was not as unmoved toward her as he’d believed?
If the Duke harbored affection for Ivanna, they would need to revise their plans.
Or perhaps this worked to their advantage? Either way, contingencies were essential.
Sola quickly gathered what was needed for her recovery and left the chamber.
“How is Her Highness?”
Anthony was already waiting outside the door, his face anxious, as though he’d been awake since before dawn.
“The fever only just broke.”
“Thank goodness.”
“You should have gotten proper sleep yourself.”
Sola shook his head at the sight of Anthony’s dark-rimmed eyes.
“A single night is nothing. Go rest now. I’ll keep watch until afternoon.”
“Thank you.”
Though Sola told Anthony to go rest, there was a planned departure to another estate scheduled for this afternoon.
The Duke was a man who could not abide disruption to his plans, so once Her Highness recovered, they might depart on schedule.
Those of Royal Blood recovered quickly. A day would see her back on her feet.
Preparations had to be made in case of any contingency.
Sola moved toward his lodgings with quick steps.
“Mm.”
Ivanna stretched her arms wide and opened her eyes brightly.
What is this—my body feels wonderfully light?
Beyond the window, morning had already broken.
“How is your body feeling?”
Ivanna, who had been rising from the bed, startled at the voice from beside her.
“Your Grace?”
From the light streaming through the half-drawn curtains, morning seemed already well underway. Why was he still in the room?
Before she could dwell on her confusion, a large hand covered her forehead.
“The fever has broken completely.”
“Was I ill?”
A nod.
At Cedric’s response, Ivanna’s eyes widened.
“You seem to have taken quite a fright yesterday.”
“So it can happen, then.”
As Cedric nodded indifferently, Ivanna’s eyes searched desperately for Anthony.
She needed to know what had transpired during the night.
“I didn’t realize my constitution was so delicate.”
“But I am of Royal Blood.”
“Are you not exceptional?”
Exceptional Royal Blood—was that his way of saying she was worthless without Divine Authority?
Ivanna pouted at Cedric’s indifferent acknowledgment.
“I’m fine now, truly. I feel as refreshed as if I’d slept soundly all night.”
“I’ve cancelled today’s schedule to visit the other territories. Rest for one more day.”
“What? I’m really quite well. There’s no need to change plans on my account.”
Ivanna’s eyes widened at the mention of a cancelled schedule.
It wasn’t as though she’d been suffering all night. It seemed an overreaction.
“Royal Blood is meant to be robust.”
“Weak Royal Blood can exist too.”
He seemed to have already made up his mind.
“I don’t want to be a burden to your schedule.”
“The schedule is set according to the Duke and Duchess. If an issue arises with one of you, it’s only right to adjust it.”
Seeing that the Duke had already decided, Ivanna reluctantly nodded.
“So it’s unavoidable because of the tender Marital Performance?”
Otherwise, there was no reason for the Duke to treat her well. Ivanna understood his actions.
“Rest comfortably.”
As Cedric left without answering, his retreating figure seemed somehow displeased, but Ivanna attributed it to his disappointment over the cancelled schedule.
“Ivanna! How are you feeling?”
The moment Cedric departed, Anthony rushed into the bedchamber.
“I’m well. The Duke seems unhappy that the schedule was cancelled because of me. Do be careful.”
“What? Yet he attended to you all night while you were suffering?”
At Anthony’s tilted-head response, Ivanna’s eyes grew wide.
Who attended to whom?
“Even the servants of the Duke’s Household didn’t know His Grace could be so tender.”
Anthony relayed how the servants’ regard for her had risen after witnessing the Duke’s devoted care.
“That’s fortunate, at least.”
Once they returned to the Capital, such behavior would resume its usual nature—no need to read meaning into it.
“I myself was startled when I first saw the Countess unwell, but it can happen.”
“Having been together during the journey, don’t you think affection might have grown? A young man and woman—”
“Absolutely not.”
Nothing of the sort had ever occurred. Not since arriving at the Count’s Estate—not a finger’s brush.
The warmth beside her at night was the only thing.
The Southern Region placed such value on marital affection that they had no choice but to maintain close quarters.
What happened at the Military Camp last time was a mistake—naturally excluded.
Ivanna’s expression turned flat.
“Come now, people do develop attachment over time.”
“I sleep better alone.”
Ivanna spoke firmly. Perhaps he felt the same. The subtle shifting. The breathing audible from beside her.
Unfamiliar things were always an inconvenience, after all.
Ivanna had spent the entire journey voicing her discomforts.
“Still, once you return to the Capital, you’ll surely find it strange to sleep alone.”
Anthony laughed brightly.
“Anthony, you don’t even have a lover—how would you know?”
“Oh, does one need a lover to understand?”
Ivanna’s cheeks flushed at Anthony’s sly smile. His eyes seemed to say he knew everything.
‘It’s not fair!’
Sometimes she was astonished by how unrealistically beautiful the Duke’s face was, but truly—nothing had ever happened between them.

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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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