The Munchkin Princess Wants to Run Away - Chapter 37

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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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“My fever wasn’t anything to worry about. I’m truly in good health. This talk of fragility doesn’t make sense.”
Thanks to Cedric’s deft redirection, Ivanna seized the chance to vindicate herself by showcasing her vigor.
“Look! I’m not delicate like the other young ladies, am I?”
She lifted her arm proudly, displaying it to him.
The young ladies of the noble families she’d observed during her tours of the Duchy barely ate half their portions.
Some were so frail their arms looked as if they’d snap at the slightest tap.
By comparison, she possessed strong, well-built forearms.
Had she been properly trained in swordsmanship from childhood, she would have wielded a blade admirably.
“I see little difference, if I’m being honest.”
Cedric stifled a laugh at the sight of her waving her arm about before him.
When he’d first seen her, he’d thought—exaggerating only slightly—that a walking branch had entered the room.
“You should continue your efforts.”
To look at her, one might think the Imperial Family was so impoverished they starved their own daughter.
The separate contract drawn up with the Imperial Palace itself contained a clause guaranteeing her health and safety—a testament to how weak she’d appeared in the eyes of the Imperial Family.
“That’s not true. No matter how you look at it, I’m the healthier one. And didn’t I finish all the portion you gave me today?”
Cedric gazed steadily at her pouting lips, which seemed to express his disagreement with her words.
“Hmm.”
At the low, thoughtful sound from the Duke, Ivanna suddenly came to herself.
She’d been far too familiar in her behavior.
“At least this much will need to be built up, I think.”
A man’s hand touched the arm she’d been displaying so proudly, moving along it as if taking measure, and Ivanna’s body went rigid.
“Do you understand?”
Her gaze flickered between his hand and her own forearm, and she nodded vigorously.
“Eat more.”
“Yes, sir!”
Before she could stop herself, Ivanna had given a loud, crisp reply and hastily stepped back from Cedric.
“For the honor of the Duke’s Household, I trust you’ll make an effort. We mustn’t hear whispers that you’re being starved, wouldn’t you agree?”
She couldn’t understand why her body had become connected to the Duke’s Household’s honor, but she nodded along with him anyway.
The spot where his hand had been lingered oddly in her awareness.
That was the moment.
Pitter-patter.
“Oh?”
Whoosh!
“Ah!”
Raindrops began to fall, and then in an instant, heavy rain poured down so thick she could barely see ahead.
Her Divine Power surged forth, uncontrolled and wild.
She’d meant to use it today anyway, hadn’t she?!
“Come this way!”
While Ivanna scrambled in panic at her unruly power, Cedric stripped off his jacket and draped it over her.
Then he seized her slender wrist and pulled her under the shelter of a tree.
If Divine Power were to be released, it should be controlled—but this wild, unmanageable surge left her body trembling lightly. If she were to direct it properly, it would be one thing, but this sudden, overwhelming torrent of power was another.
Unlike Aura, Mana, or Holy Power, her gift couldn’t possibly be detected by others—yet she was always terrified someone would discover the truth.
A measure of mysterious power so vast it defied calculation.
Cedric couldn’t possibly know of her Divine Power, but Ivanna’s heart was pounding so frantically she couldn’t calm it.
“It’s fine. The attendants will be here with an umbrella shortly.”
Cedric’s hand settled on her shoulder.
“Are you cold?”
Seeing her slender frame trembling, his eyes narrowed slightly. He’d already given her his jacket—what more could he do here?
“I’m f-fine.”
Ivanna barely managed to open her mouth and answer. The heavy rain falling around them was gradually beginning to let up.
Her Divine Power, which had been raging uncontrollably, seemed satisfied; hearing her words, it was settling down.
‘This is insane.’
Had the Duke not been there, she might have collapsed right there on the ground. After carefully suppressing her power following the landslide, it seemed to have thrown a fit.
She wondered if her siblings experienced such things, but there was no way to ask.
Ivanna exhaled softly and relaxed her body.
Thump.
“Pardon me.”
As the quiet words left his lips, her body was drawn into the warmth of his embrace.
“What?”
She felt a firm chest against her back. Ivanna turned her head, but could only see the Duke’s jawline.
“I’d like to stay like this for a moment.”
It was really fine.
She should have said it was fine, but the words wouldn’t come. Though they were both soaked through, the warmth radiating from his body gradually began to thaw her trembling frame.
She’d thought her body was shaking from the shock of his Divine Power, but it seemed she’d been cold—genuinely cold.
“Thank you.”
Ivanna blushed at her own embarrassment and offered her thanks.
“A sudden downpour isn’t something one can control, so there’s no need to apologize.”
And besides, one couldn’t simply leave a woman in distress.
He’d covered her exposed skin beneath the rain-soaked dress with his own jacket, but he couldn’t stop her body from trembling with cold.
The Imperial Princess’s face, drenched in rain, looked noble and beautiful even to someone who ordinarily paid no mind to appearances.
She’d been praised for an angelic beauty in childhood, he’d heard; even soaked and bedraggled, she was lovely as a single flower.
‘If the Imperial Family hadn’t kept it hidden, offers would have poured in from any number of noble houses.’
Beautiful young ladies who graced society’s salons received marriage proposals from countless families.
Had the Imperial Princess received a Divine Power, she would have enjoyed tremendous popularity.
Cedric found himself frowning and drew the Princess’s waist a bit closer.
“There—the servants are coming.”
Ivanna lightly struck his arm as she spoke. He had already sensed their approach, but pretended otherwise.
It was better for the Princess to remain in his embrace than to catch a chill by pulling away prematurely.
“My lord!”
Seeing the attendant approaching with a large umbrella, Cedric lifted Ivanna into his arms.
“D-Duke! Please, put me down!”
“The ground is covered in mud; your shoes will be ruined.”
Cradled in one of his arms, Ivanna clung tightly to his neck in surprise.
“Allow me to observe proper decorum.”
Ivanna, who had been about to struggle, relaxed at his words—that this was merely protocol, the expected response to someone in distress.
“Then, I beg your pardon for a moment.”
To hide her flushed cheeks, Ivanna buried her face in Cedric’s shoulder.
The attendant silently held a large umbrella over the ducal couple.
‘Oh my!’
The servants’ eyes widened as they watched the Duke carry the Duchess into the building.
And the Duchess was even wearing the Duke’s overcoat!
People hastily bowed, their gazes fixed on the Duke as he passed.
Caught in a sudden downpour, the Imperial Princess was being carried carefully in the Duke’s arms.
“So he didn’t marry for nothing after all, did he?!”
Once the Duke had completely disappeared, commotion erupted below.
“With such a beautiful wife, how could his heart not be moved!”
“What does that have to do with a contractual marriage?”
“And you still don’t see it?”
Opinions among the servants varied, though all agreed they couldn’t take their eyes off the unusual sight of the ducal couple.
The Duchess with her face buried in the Duke’s arms, and the Duke’s confident stride—there was something undeniably charming about it.
“Warm water has been prepared.”
Upon arriving at the bedroom, Anthony bowed and greeted Ivanna.
“Now, please put me down.”
From the moment they’d entered the mansion, she had been urgently requesting to be set down, but the Duke had refused on the grounds that she might catch cold.
Ivanna’s voice was barely a whisper as she entered the bedroom under the weight of everyone’s stares.
Anthony regarded his master with gleaming eyes.
‘Carried in the Duke’s arms!’
Unless the Duke were made of stone, there was no way his heart wasn’t moved by the Princess.
In the Capital, perhaps no one knew, but during the tour of the Duchy, they’d shared the same carriage and bedroom all along!
Anthony suppressed his flaring nostrils and carefully watched his master’s every movement.
The way he set the Princess down was nothing short of delicate.
Ivanna kept her head bowed so she couldn’t see the Duke, but Anthony could clearly see the Duke’s gaze—unable to tear itself from the Princess.
‘Sola! It looks like we won’t have to flee!! Ha-ha-ha!’
He’d hoped the Princess would be loved and cherished, and it seemed that dream might actually come true.
Mm-hmm-hmm.
Anthony swallowed a sinister chuckle and led Ivanna toward the bathroom.
* * *
“Thank you for the invitation.”
Countess Lavern descended from the carriage and offered her respects to Cedric.
“Congratulations on your recovery.”
Cedric received his greeting and turned to offer his congratulations to the Countess Lavern.
“Thank you. It was thanks to your kind concern that I was able to regain my health.”
The Countess Lavern’s face shone with vitality, markedly different from before.
Restored to health, she carried herself with confidence and strength.
Ivanna stood at Cedric’s side, relief washing over her as she watched the Countess.

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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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