The Munchkin Princess Wants to Run Away - Chapter 36

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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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“You mentioned there was much to attend to in the Capital.”
He had already spent considerable time inspecting the territories of Reynold Duchy.
She’d heard he planned to return as quickly as possible.
“My thoughts have changed. Since I’ve come after so long, I intend to handle everything that can be handled before returning.”
At his remark that it was unclear how long it might take, Ivanna’s mouth fell open.
The Capital held much to do not only for Cedric, but for her as well.
There were many matters related to the Merchant Guild, and Elisa had been shouldering them all.
“Perhaps not quite as much as the Capital, but the South is quite prosperous, so there should be plenty to enjoy.”
“That’s right. The South is wealthy, so I have many places to show you. How fortunate this works out.”
Katerina remarked that it was indeed fortunate and suggested they go tour the Wardrobe Room to prepare for the party.
“This person has only just recovered. Perhaps we should rest a little longer before going out.”
“Mind me, won’t you? I shall prepare the dress you’ll wear to Laverne’s wife’s Welcome Party.”
“I have many dresses tailored in the Capital.”
Cedric provided her with a generous monthly allowance from his own funds. While not extravagantly expensive, she had prepared quite an adequate collection of new dresses.
“It’s a gift for the two of you. Don’t refuse and simply accept it.”
She winked, suggesting they commission even finer garments for the party.
After that, there was scarcely a moment to voice an opinion before conversation about the first party since the wedding spiraled forward.
Since it was a party held by House of Reynold after so long, there was an absolute mandate to make it “grand and magnificent.”
A celebration of Laverne’s wife’s full recovery, combined with a Welcome Party for the Duke’s new wife—
Surely this was not a matter to remain quiet about?
After listening to the two women’s conversation at length, Ivanna came to realize that she and Cedric’s values and standards were separated as far apart as the empire’s opposite ends.
“Surely we must slaughter at least a hundred lambs, wouldn’t you say?”
“Wouldn’t cattle be necessary as well?”
Merely to prepare meals for guests attending a single evening’s party, astronomical sums were expended.
A quarter’s budget from the Merchant Guild vanished in a single night.
The quietness he envisioned—the kind practiced in the Imperial Court where one lived as if holding one’s breath—was plainly different from the quietness that man imagined.
Distributing food to the estate’s people and preparing a Welcome Party for Laverne’s wife were matters that gave her slight pause, yet fell within tolerable bounds.
Her time spent at the Merchant Guild in the Capital had been a matter relating to her safety, and in his view, it was substantial enough to constitute a breach of contract.
“We must settle on a date at once. That way the others will have time to prepare.”
“When would suit you?”
The two figures with similar faces turned their gaze upon Ivanna simultaneously.
“Any time is fine with me. Since the rains have begun, I suppose we need only avoid the Rainy Season.”
“Then early next month would be ideal.”
Since she was unfamiliar with local conditions, his judgment likely held truth. The tea time thus passed without incident.
Unaware that he harbored additional Authority beyond what she knew, Ivanna felt satisfied, sensing she had come to understand Cedric’s reasonable limits.
Upon returning to the Bedroom, Ivanna found herself turning over Cedric’s behavior separately in her mind.
“Anthony, didn’t the Duke seem strange today?”
“Ah. I suspect it’s due to Southern tradition? Since the South is a wealthy granary, it seems their history of succession disputes was particularly fierce.”
Spouses had turned their blades against each other, and the struggle between children for dominion had been lengthy and bitter.
Because of this, the vast plains had become soaked in blood and were ruined beyond remedy.
Afterward, the South developed steadfast family values that emphasized closeness and affection as paramount.
“So they consider a couple displaying affection toward each other to be of supreme importance.”
“A Contract Marriage required to appear affectionate. It really does seem strange.”
So that’s why the Duke had suddenly begun behaving this way.
“Still, isn’t it better that he’s treating you kindly even now?”
At Anthony’s cheerful words, Ivanna tilted her head with a thoughtful hum.
* * *
“Would you care for a bit more?”
“Here, a little more?”
This was already the second day the Duke had been idle.
Ivanna checked her own plate as she watched Cedric transfer meat to her dish.
The steak he had already piled there was overflowing. Whether he doubted her claim that she had recovered, he had resumed interfering with her meals since yesterday.
“Yes. To endure the party through the night, stamina comes first, and with the Princess’s constitution, it is hardly sufficient.”
At his matter-of-fact assertion that she must naturally remain at the party until dawn, Ivanna awkwardly placed the meat in her mouth.
The Duke was indeed generous in spirit.
When she thought about it, he had been different from the start. He’d told her to keep quiet, but he hadn’t prescribed the bounds of her movements.
He had encouraged walks and placed conditions on the escort, yet it was he who had first permitted her to venture into the city.
‘Perhaps I’ve been thinking of the Duke far too harshly.’
His cold tone and sharp gaze had surely intimidated her from the beginning.
“What do you have planned for today?”
“I’ll be staying in my bedroom.”
Yet such a habit of not venturing out wasn’t something easily broken.
Even in the Imperial Court, she hadn’t left the palace—retreating like an animal to its burrow whenever anyone approached.
As long as the Duke lingered nearby, she had no inclination to do anything. Once she dealt with whatever documents Sola brought, she might as well read.
Even if he treated her more generously than she’d expected, there were still precautions she had to take.
Once the Duke left, perhaps she’d try using her Water Authority.
She’d been using it in secret, away from prying eyes, but lately her ability had been manifesting involuntarily—as though that alone wasn’t enough.
‘I’ve never heard of anyone unable to control their power.’
It might be a side effect of constantly suppressing her Authority.
“All day long?”
“Yes.”
The Duke fell silent for a moment at her answer, then spoke again.
“It seems your body hasn’t fully recovered yet.”
She was tired of making excuses. The people of House Reynold clearly saw her as frail.
Having taken to her bed twice, there was little room for denial.
“The Welcome Party preparations are nearly finished anyway, so rest seems best. The Count and his wife will arrive soon.”
“You’re right—you’ll need to maintain your strength. Shall we take a walk through the Garden together?”
She had no excuse to refuse.
So after breakfast, Ivanna found herself walking through the Garden with Cedric. Of course, there was no conversation.
Even during meals, she spoke only to answer the occasional questions he posed.
She didn’t know what to say.
She had to prevent him from thinking he should keep her confined because of some careless remark.
‘Walking is rather nice.’
As she strolled past neatly maintained flowers and greenery, her mind grew calm.
In the Capital, she’d always been desperate just to survive.
There was something pleasant about walking with an empty mind, thinking of nothing. Ivanna smiled softly as she gazed at the bright blooms.
“Once the Countess arrives, I’d like to participate only in the first night’s dinner and leave the rest to Katerina.”
“Why?”
“You don’t want me taking the lead, after all.”
Ivanna spoke deliberately, trying to gauge exactly where he’d drawn the line.
“You didn’t want me to act as the lady of the house, did you?”
Cedric was silent for a moment.
“I’m not asking you to take on everything. But there will be times when you must fulfill your role as Duchess for the sake of House Reynold.”
“I understand. Though honestly, you needn’t throw such a grand party for me.”
Ivanna stopped mid-sentence.
“That’s not possible. A wedding celebration in this duchy must be held without fail.”
Ah, so it’s because of what others might think.
The Duke was simply doing what had to be done. The Duchess couldn’t be slighted in this duchy.
Understanding his reasoning put her at ease somehow.
“Then I suppose there’s no help for it. But understand—I’m not stepping forward of my own volition for this Welcome Party. I really mean that.”
“I know.”
He seemed less cold today than before—the conversation with Katerina yesterday must have cleared up some misunderstanding.
“I have no desire to take center stage. I’ll honor the Contract Marriage.”
Cedric looked at the princess with bewildered eyes at the urgency in her voice.
Shouldn’t she want to seize whatever power had fallen into her hands?
Yet the princess behaved as though stepping forward was an ordeal.
Did she truly not know that she’d been granted an Authority?
“Has your health always been delicate since childhood?”
“Not particularly weak. They say I fell ill as often as other children do.”
For the royal family, such a thing was unprecedented—and earned her only scorn.

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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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