The Munchkin Princess Wants to Run Away - Chapter 30

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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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‘Hmm, hmm-hmm.’
She couldn’t very well laugh so freely in front of the Duke.
Selling the water mechanism made her sad. Happy, but melancholy in this moment.
Murmuring some peculiar incantation to herself, Ivanna struggled to recover her composure.
And Cedric was watching her intently from above.
During the entire carriage ride back to the Mansion, the Imperial Princess’s face reflected in the window had brimmed with joy.
Her eyes had sparkled as though stars were embedded in them.
Did she have some long-standing connection with the merchant company? She was far too delighted over a single sale. Could it be a matter of meeting quotas, or had she fallen victim to fraud?
During the marriage contract negotiations, he’d thought her quite sharp, but now, looking back, he hesitated—had he merely been convinced by her own convenient interpretation?
Aside from a few clauses he’d added and modified, hadn’t the Imperial Princess simply accepted everything he’d demanded?
And the merchant’s proprietor was a commoner woman.
It was entirely possible he’d fallen prey to honeyed words from a merchant master well-versed in the ways of the world and agreed to an unfair contract.
Cedric’s expression turned grave.
One part of his mind cried out that no, he needn’t concern himself with this much.
But he had already begun imagining the worst scenarios the Imperial Princess might face.
He had completely forgotten that the Imperial Princess had already been sneaking in and out of the Imperial Palace.
The aftermath of the special discount he’d offered to curry favor had been considerable.
The moment the carriage arrived at the Mansion, Cedric snapped out of his ruminations.
Even this could be a clumsy stratagem of the Imperial Princess.
With reason restored, Cedric escorted the Imperial Princess while feigning ignorance of the joy upon her face.
* * *
“Finally, I can rest easy.”
Ivanna gazed at the broad vista stretching beyond the window in admiration.
Verdant shoots were pushing through the earth. That was wheat, if she recalled correctly.
The routine had proceeded much the same since leaving the Baron’s Estate.
Where water was scarce, she had constructed Reservoirs; where problems arose, she had arranged repairs.
The rain had ceased, yet she no longer sensed the grip of drought.
Each domain now held sufficient water, and the worry had lifted for the foreseeable future. If the rain continued steadily, the long drought would finally end.
At last arriving at the Duchy, Ivanna had paid her respects to the former Duke and Duchess, and now spent her time at leisure in her bedchamber.
The former Duke and Duchess had originally said they were using the room and that she need not displace them, but she’d been refused on the grounds that it would violate propriety.
She couldn’t help but feel embarrassed at having inadvertently deprived them of their quarters.
‘So rigidly bound by etiquette—typical of the backward Southern nobility.’
She had expected them to look down on a powerless Imperial Princess, but the former Duchess had given no such impression.
Though she had been warm toward Ivanna, they had scarcely crossed paths after the first day.
According to information Anthony had gathered, she was occupied with household management and social functions.
The Duke, busier than ever since arriving at the Duchy, had nevertheless made a point of finding time to visit at lunch.
Though she couldn’t say why, the meals they shared were gradually becoming familiar.
Knock, knock.
“The former Duchess requests your presence for tea time.”
Ivanna was flipping through merchant documents while gazing out the window when Anthony entered to deliver the invitation with care.
“Tell her I’ll prepare myself and come at once.”
Anthony had barely stepped out when the former Duchess’s maid appeared waiting, and he returned promptly with Ivanna’s reply.
“The Southern Region certainly seems warmer.”
“Indeed, it does feel hotter than the Capital.”
Ivanna asked Anthony for her thinnest dress in response to his observation.
“Welcome.”
As Ivanna entered the Annex Garden where the former Duchess spent her time, the woman greeted her with a radiant smile.
“Thank you for the invitation.”
Ivanna was able to respond with a more relaxed expression than before.
Ever since the tea time with Countess Laverne, each domain had brought a succession of invitations from noblewomen.
‘My goodness, her dress…….’
Ivanna found nowhere to rest her eyes and looked away. The dress cut low to the chest was held by thin shoulder straps, barely fastened.
The fabric was so sheer that it revealed the graceful former Duchess’s figure quite plainly.
“The Southern Region is so hot that one must wear thin garments. It’s quite different from what you’d see in the Capital, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I’ve certainly found myself with no choice but to seek cooler dresses compared to the Capital.”
Ivanna smiled awkwardly and concurred with her words.
She had felt it even at the dinner on arrival, but the Duke’s striking features were surely inherited from the former Duchess.
Ivanna stole frequent, admiring glances at the former Duchess.
“How do you find life in the House of Reynold? It must seem lacking compared to the Imperial House.”
“I’m living comfortably thanks to the Duke’s consideration.”
“Mm. Is that so?”
The former Duchess nodded with an enigmatic expression.
“He’s my son, but I doubt he’d be so kind to you.”
“Cough! Cough!”
Ivanna, who had been sipping tea, burst into a fit of coughing at the former Duchess’s wry remark.
“Ahem, ahem. That’s kind of you to say.”
“Well, I made sure to teach him proper etiquette, at least.”
This sort of conversation was new to Ivanna. Unsure how to respond, she took another sip of tea.
“And how are the sleeping arrangements?”
The former Duchess nodded knowingly as Ivanna’s face flushed crimson.
“I know it sounds foolish, but I can’t help but think of the matter of succession.”
Ivanna nodded at the former Duchess’s plea for understanding.
Even at the time of their contract, the question of succession had been deferred for separate discussion later, so she couldn’t simply pretend ignorance.
For House Reynold, which was as vital to the Empire as one of its pillars, to lack an heir was unthinkable.
“I’m grateful you’re giving it thought. I’ve no ambitions toward the throne anymore. I’ve fulfilled my duties, and I wish to spend my remaining years enjoying life with my husband.”
“I understand completely.”
“The Empress bore a most capable princess, it seems.”
Having offered assurance that she would cause no trouble, the former Duchess spoke with a satisfied gleam in her eyes.
“Have you heard the rumor that the rain now falling on the Duchy is thanks to you, Your Highness?”
Ivanna blinked at her words.
“I’ve never heard that before. Thanks to me? But I have no Divine Power.”
Ivanna lied without hesitation.
“I know. But it seems people think you must be different, being of the Imperial House.”
It was not a good thing for people’s attention to focus on her, someone without Divine Power.
Ivanna pressed her lips together tightly.
“I’m sorry. I never intended to cause any disturbance.”
“I didn’t mention it to blame you. Rather, I wished to express my gratitude—thanks to you, the Duchy has regained its vitality after so long.”
“Pardon?”
At the unexpected words, the former Duchess opened her mouth again.
“Cedric seems to think it’s merely idle gossip, but I believe any good word is never harmful.”
The former Duchess’s eyes, though bright with a smile, held a depth that belied their radiance.
“I hope that such sentiment will work in your favor as you become one of House Reynold’s own.”
Ivanna didn’t know what to say, feeling as though she were being rebuked for drifting on the margins of the House.
Yet his son had asked her to stay quiet.
Though aggrieved, she lacked the pride to lay bare the truth. Instead, Ivanna chose a different course.
“Do you truly believe someone of the Imperial House could come to have genuine affection for House Reynold?”
“Of course. You are Reynold now.”
The former Duchess spoke without the slightest wavering in her tone.
“While marriages among nobility are what they are, the power of House Reynold is every bit as formidable as the Imperial House.”
Katerina, the former Duchess, winked and continued speaking.
At her bold words urging her to abandon the Imperial House, Ivanna found herself laughing softly despite herself.
While she had indeed chosen House Reynold in order to leave the Imperial House, she hadn’t expected the former Duchess to say such a thing aloud.
“I’ll do my best.”
Perhaps she wasn’t as terrible a person as she’d thought?
Though they’d only just met since the wedding, Ivanna found herself thinking Katerina was rather a good sort.
“Though it may sound like an excuse, Your Highness—I truly am grateful you came to House Reynold.”
Having said this, Katerina added hastily,
“Of course, I’ve nothing in particular to offer you.”
“I see.”
Ivanna wasn’t sure what Katerina’s intentions were in speaking so, but she sensed the woman held some goodwill toward her.
Yet there was no such thing as goodwill without a price.
It seemed the former Duchess wanted something from her after all. Whatever it was, if it could benefit them both, Ivanna was willing to sit at the negotiating table.

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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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