The Munchkin Princess Wants to Run Away - Chapter 5

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

‘No maid would be brazen enough to steal the Duchess’s wedding gift.’
The only valuable item in her room was the wedding gift she’d received at the ceremony.
The gifts from the Duke remained in their boxes in the Dressing Room, untouched. Since Anthony checked on them regularly, there was no cause for concern.
Just staying in the room and amusing herself netted a thousand gold per month, so there was no reason to miss having attendants.
“Maybe I should have asked for an earlier marriage instead.”
It would have been fine to have a betrothed at a younger age. At least then she wouldn’t have starved her fiancé to death.
If so, she might never have thought to escape the Imperial Palace in secret for lack of funds and establish a trading company.
Thanks to that, she’d tasted true freedom—though she found this ease, requiring nothing more than a lifted finger, quite satisfying as well.
“Speaking of which, the volume of mineral imports from Tritan has increased.”
Sola looked up from the documents he’d been reviewing and let out a small groan before speaking.
“Is that so? Sounds like someone’s preparing for war. I’ve heard the second prince over there has grand ambitions.”
Ivanna pictured the Kingdom of Tritan, nestled to the right of the Empire.
She’d heard the eldest prince was formidable too, so it seemed the succession conflict was beginning in earnest.
“We should regulate food shipments. And hold onto weapons as much as possible.”
The victor of a civil war would naturally turn those blades outward to stabilize the kingdom.
“In any case, the Empire must remain secure if we’re to live in peace.”
“Miss Ivanna, now that you mention food, what shall we prepare for evening supper?”
At Anthony’s abrupt question, Ivanna tilted her head.
It was far too early to be thinking about dinner, having only just begun tea time.
“I don’t mind, really. Anything is fine with me.”
“What about meat? Lamb, perhaps?”
Anthony offered the suggestion with a determined expression at Ivanna’s reply.
“Lamb? The head chef cooks so well, lamb would be lovely.”
“Exactly!? I overheard the kitchen staff saying that fine lamb was delivered to the Duke today.”
Once permission was granted, an excited Anthony began sharing the intelligence he’d gathered.
“Don’t you tire of meat every day?”
As Sola clicked his tongue at Anthony’s grinning face, Anthony asked in confusion.
“Tire of meat? That’s impossible.”
Knock-knock.
At Anthony’s response, Sola released a soft sigh even as an unexpected knock sounded at the door.
The three exchanged glances.
Anthony rose from his seat and moved toward the door, while Sola gathered the cups aside from Ivanna’s onto the tray and covered it.
‘Who could it be?’
Ivanna straightened her posture and fixed her eyes on the door.
“Open it.”
It had been a full two weeks since anyone had come seeking her after the wedding.
Once Ivanna gave her permission, Anthony carefully opened the door.
As the door swung open, the butler Howard, standing with confident dignity, bowed respectfully.
“What is it?”
Ivanna reluctantly invited him into the room.
The butler, having greeted her politely, quickly surveyed the interior with a puzzled expression, but soon stated his purpose.
“The Duke has sent documents regarding your Maintenance Allowance. Once you confirm them, the funds will be deposited into the account you specified on the agreed schedule.”
Ivanna accepted the documents the butler offered respectfully and reviewed the Maintenance Allowance budget.
Rustle.
The paper listed the amount of the Maintenance Allowance as set in the original contract and the Imperial Bank account she’d designated.
There was also mention that the allowance would increase annually.
“I’ve confirmed it. Please tell him to proceed as planned.”
She gestured to Sola, who retrieved a pen. After signing her name on the line at the bottom, Ivanna returned the documents to the butler.
“I will submit these for approval. Also, the master said you may use the Study as well.”
At the butler’s unexpected words that followed, Ivanna’s eyebrows gave an almost imperceptible twitch.
She’d stayed confined to her room because she’d been told to live as though she didn’t exist—what was he scheming?
“Wouldn’t staying only in the room feel too stifling for you?”
The butler was subtly indicating that she was permitted to extend her range of movement.
“Tell the Duke I’m grateful.”
Truth be told, she wasn’t particularly grateful.
The Duke’s permission amounted only to providing her another place to hide besides the Bedchamber.
All she’d managed so far was slipping between the reception room and the Bedchamber whenever servants came to clean.
“The Garden is also quite beautiful, so it would be pleasant for a stroll.”
A place she’d never be able to touch again—was he suggesting she at least take a look? Ivanna, thinking somewhat peevishly, gave a small nod.
“I’m still settling in, so I’ll move carefully. Do I need the Duke’s permission to leave the mansion as well?”
“Of course not. I’d simply appreciate it if you’d wait until an escort has been appointed.”
The butler answered gently, explaining that an escort would soon be selected.
“After that, you’re welcome to come and go as you please.”
“Noted. If there’s nothing else, you’re dismissed.”
Having gotten what she wanted, Ivanna dismissed the butler with a wave. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Your personal attendants seem to be absent. I hope they haven’t been disrespectful in any way?”
“No, they’re helping with the spring cleaning that’s begun.”
Ivanna lied, reluctant to surrender the peace of their absence. The butler, seemingly reassured, bowed and left.
“At least they don’t seem inclined to keep us locked away entirely.”
“That’s assuming they ever appoint an escort at all.”
Anthony shook his head as he closed the door, dampening Sola’s cautious optimism.
“As the attendants disappear, her position will only tighten.”
Anthony was right.
If the Duke decided not to grant an escort, Ivanna might find herself imprisoned in this mansion indefinitely—all because she’d agreed to leave once one was appointed.
Truth be told, having no escort would actually be preferable. She’d moved freely through the Imperial Capital without one before, slipping away in disguise far more easily that way.
It would be the same here.
“I wonder when that escort will finally be appointed. I want to get out immediately.”
Sola and Anthony nodded at her words.
“Has anyone among the servants shown you any disrespect?”
“They treat us like we don’t exist at all.”
Anthony answered with a bright laugh, confirming that both of them were being thoroughly ignored within the Duke’s household. It was clear that all courtesy had been reserved exclusively for the princess.
Every courtesy was being saved for the Imperial Princess alone.
But this worked in their favor—the two of them moved freely through the mansion, unmolested, and had come to know its inner workings intimately.
“Yet they fulfill every request we make. You can’t imagine the convenience.”
Back in the Imperial Capital, extracting even a single thing required battling the relevant officials like it was warfare. Here at the Duke’s Mansion, there was none of that.
“Starting today, the Maintenance Allowance will come through. I’m raising both your salaries.”
“We’re already receiving more than enough.”
Sola shook his head, but Ivanna had made up her mind on this the moment the marriage contract was being negotiated.
The Imperial Palace had paid them barely anything—pittance by any measure.
When Ivanna founded her Trading Company, the first thing she’d done was ensure both of them received proper wages and bonuses.
“No. I promised I’d give you more, and I meant it.”
“We might end up richer than you at this rate.”
At Sola’s refusal, Anthony also waved his hand in protest.
“You served me as good as unpaid. Let me repay what I owe.”
Money was something one could never have too much of. So when the Duke had been generous with her Maintenance Allowance, she hadn’t refused. More for her coffers was always welcome.
“Take what I can give you while I’m able to give it.”
“Between what’s accumulated at the Trading Company alone, you could spend freely until the day you die.”
Sola shook his head.
“I don’t remember raising the princess to be so infatuated with money. What on earth has gotten into you?”
His words, half-teasing and tinged with exasperation, made Ivanna burst into clear laughter. Then she stopped and spoke seriously.
“Sola, I never want to endure what I’ve been through again.”
She had lived in squalor in the wealthiest place in the world.
Without these two, she might have starved to death before ever receiving Divine Power.
It was a humiliation, but the Goddess granted her the Power at the moment she needed it most.
On her seventeenth Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
Her entire celebration had consisted of a single plate of thin broth that Anthony and Sola had secretly stolen for her.
After that last meal, she’d thought she was about to die.
Then suddenly, swirling water and glimmering light erupted before her eyes.
In that moment, for the first time, Ivanna wanted to seize the Goddess by the collar.
‘Why now, of all times?’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————