The Munchkin Princess Wants to Run Away - Chapter 31

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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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“Madam, I apologize for the interruption during tea time. An urgent letter has arrived from House of Lavern.”
The butler seized the moment when conversation had paused and extended a silver tray bearing a letter to the former duchess.
“Think nothing of it. Do open it.”
Ivanna nodded at Katerina’s apologetic glance for the interruption.
An urgent letter—she found herself wondering whether something had gone amiss with the countess’s health.
Crackle.
Katerina’s eyes grew wider as she read, and it was scarcely proper for a noblewoman to display such emotion.
Yet she paid no mind to convention and even released a soft sigh as she continued through to the end.
By the time she finished the final sentence, her eyes glistened faintly with unshed tears.
“Has something happened to the countess?”
“Good heavens. If this qualifies as an event, then it is indeed one.”
She drew in a slow, deep breath to steady her trembling heart, then spoke in a voice thick with emotion.
“Since you’ve inquired after the Countess of Lavern’s wellbeing, you must already know her health has been poor?”
“Yes. She nearly collapsed while we were taking tea together.”
“I see.”
Katerina broke into surprised laughter.
“There’s no point hiding good news. The countess’s illness—it has been completely cured.”
“Truly? Can Mana Erosion Syndrome actually be healed?”
Not only Ivanna but the attendants too opened their eyes wide at her words.
The Countess of Lavern’s affliction had long been a source of worry for all, she who had guarded the Southern Region for so many years.
The attendants even murmured quiet prayers of thanks to the heavens.
Katerina could not fault the servants for their breach of propriety.
She herself was grateful to the divine.
“This is truly wonderful news.”
Whatever fortunate turn of fate had occurred, it was extraordinary. Mana Erosion Syndrome was incurable.
“According to the letter, her condition began to improve the very day after the two of them left her territory.”
Katerina explained the letter’s contents with such casualness that Ivanna’s mouth fell open of its own accord.
The illness simply vanished without any apparent cause? It was nothing short of a miracle.
“This is surely a matter for which we must offer thanks to the heavens.”
“The countess wishes to visit the Duchy of Reynold with her husband to express her gratitude.”
“A visit to the Temple within the duchy would naturally be a matter for welcome.”
Ivanna agreed without hesitation, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Katerina’s eyes grew darker as she observed the princess.
‘She specifically wants to express her gratitude to the princess herself.’
The Countess of Lavern’s letter stated that her condition had begun to improve only after taking tea with Ivanna.
She wrote that she could not explain her recovery without divine intervention, and cautiously theorized whether the princess might have received the Authority of Healing.
She had summoned physicians, clerics, and mages alike to verify the fact.
The Countess of Lavern had unmistakably recovered her full strength.
The return of a sixth-circle Mage would prove a tremendous asset to the Southern Region.
After the princess’s visit to the south, rain had begun to fall, and favorable sentiment toward her had taken root among the people.
Of course, it was merely the idle chatter of commoners ignorant of divine authority.
The countess’s recovery too might have been mere coincidence.
Yet Katerina could not dismiss that coincidence lightly—not when it concerned the princess.
‘Could it be…’
An absurd hypothesis bloomed in her mind.
‘What if the princess did receive the Authority of Healing, and it is an invisible force?’
The Crown Prince’s shadow had appeared distinctly upon the ground, and the Second Prince’s wind had torn about like a whirlwind.
If the force of healing had no visible form, she might not have noticed it even at the moment she received it.
This would explain both why the princess remained unaware she possessed an authority, and how an incurable condition like the countess’s Mana Erosion Syndrome could be completely healed.
Katerina’s hand rose unbidden to cover her mouth.
She gazed at the princess, whose innocent face showed she was waiting for a response.
No—she was the Duchess of Reynold now.
If she truly possessed the Authority of Healing, House of Reynold had obtained a power of enormous consequence.
Though many southern nobles remained wary of the princess, once this truth became known, they could not simply reject her outright.
Katerina abandoned her earlier intention to offer only formal courtesy. First, she needed to ascertain whether the princess truly possessed this authority.
“Madam?”
“Ah. The Countess of Lavern says she wishes to offer her thanks to the Duchess of Reynold.”
“Who?”
Seeing the question bloom in those pale blue eyes, Katerina let out a quiet laugh.
“Of course, you’re the current Duchess of House Reynold.”
Katerina smiled at the bewildered expression on Ivanna’s face.
She knew her son was exceptional, but to have landed such a prize—it was remarkable.
“Yes. They say the Duchess, blessed by divine favor, has brought good fortune to the house.”
“Oh, I haven’t done anything at all. I don’t possess such abilities.”
The way she flushed with embarrassment was suddenly endearing.
“There’s no need to burden yourself with it. She likely simply needs someone to credit for her gratitude.”
Watching Ivanna flounder at such a simple remark, Katerina gestured to her lady’s maid to refill the girl’s teacup.
“Do try this as well. The chef took special care with it.”
She placed a cookie on Ivanna’s plate—an gesture she would not normally have made.
“Thank you.”
As Ivanna accepted the plate, she bit into the cookie and her eyes widened.
“It’s really delicious.”
How transparent she was. Katerina suppressed a smile at Ivanna’s unguarded reaction.
There was no harm in showing kindness now—it was an investment.
If the Princess truly possessed such an Authority, the Imperial Family would never remain idle.
Even now that she was married, they would find every pretext to coax her into using her power for the throne’s benefit.
‘But I won’t allow them to take someone who’s already entered this household.’
Katerina resolved to help Ivanna grow attached to this place.
First, she would press Cedric to draw closer to his wife.
If a child were born between them, the Princess would think of House Reynold as home rather than the palace.
Katerina’s smile deepened.
“Since the Count and Countess of Lavern are soon to visit the house, I think it would be best if you prepared a Welcome Reception directly.”
“Me, ma’am?”
Ivanna swallowed hard at Katerina’s suggestion.
“But wouldn’t it be better for you to do it, given your position?”
The Duke had told her to keep a low profile, so she mustn’t step into prominence.
Though a few complications had arisen by accident, this was the Duchy of Reynold—she needed to be far more careful.
“I’ve never done such things in the palace. I think the guests would be more delighted if you took the lead rather than I.”
She’d only just begun to master Tea Time; she couldn’t possibly host guests as well.
Since arriving at House Reynold, she rarely encountered the Duke except at midday. She didn’t want to invite misunderstanding.
“All the more reason you should try. I’ll be beside you to help. Don’t worry.”
“But, ma’am—”
Ivanna’s lips trembled as she looked at Katerina’s soft smile.
“Don’t I make you uncomfortable?”
From the house’s perspective, a member of the Imperial Family must surely be a thorn in their side—so why was she being shown kindness?
“Your name has changed to Ivanna Reynold now. That makes you one of us. Family. There’s no reason to be uncomfortable.”
This wasn’t right.
Katerina’s words fell like honey on her ears. The constraint of “keep quiet” had kept her reason in check, but at the word “family,” Ivanna found herself nodding helplessly.
* * *
“So what is it you want?”
Cedric met his mother in his study with a cool expression.
She’d mentioned having tea time with the Princess, but now she stood before him with an animated look he rarely saw.
“The Princess—no, I should call her properly now. Ivanna. I’ve entrusted her with preparing the Welcome Reception for the Count and Countess of Lavern.”
“Surely that’s something you could handle yourself.”
Some wind must have shifted—his mother seemed intent on passing the authority of mistress of the household to the Princess.
“Wasn’t it decided that you would manage the household affairs for the time being?”
It was a decision born from his desire not to give the Imperial Family even the smallest opening.
Should the Princess hold any affection for the palace, she might easily relay the house’s secrets to the throne.
Cedric did not yet trust Ivanna.

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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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