The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 71

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 71

Sunlight streaming through the window illuminated the dining table. The silverware sparkled.

“Oh?”

Demian, who had been sitting there first, looked up. When he saw me, his eyes widened in surprise.

“Your Highness the Princess will be dining with us as well?”

“…Yes, that’s how it turned out.”

I answered, but it still felt awkward.

While I was hesitating, Carlos took the seat at the head of the table first, and I settled into the seat across from him.

It felt strange having the three of us sitting face to face at one table.

Just three people sitting alone in the spacious dining hall. The table was large enough to easily seat ten people, but we were huddled together at one end, making it somewhat comical.

“This is good. The more people at a meal, the better.”

Demian said cheerfully. He didn’t seem awkward at all.

Carlos was the same. He casually spread his napkin and picked up his fork.

“Mia, from now on we’ll be having breakfast together with this group every day, so keep that in mind.”

“Yes, Master.”

At Carlos’s instruction, Mia smiled brightly and bowed her head. Her attitude showed she was used to this.

‘…Why are they all so nonchalant about this? Am I the only one who feels awkward?’

Not knowing where to look, I stared intently at the table.

“Mother used to say that family living in the same house should always share at least one meal together.”

When I looked up at the sudden voice, I saw Demian spreading his napkin as if it were nothing special.

“…The Duchess said that?”

“Yes, since both Father and I have many appointments in the afternoon, we’ve been tacitly sharing breakfast together.”

Ah, so that’s why.

Carlos’s words about ‘having breakfast together every day’ weren’t completely out of the blue after all.

However, aside from that, I felt a strange sentiment.

This made it seem like they had truly accepted me.

Even though I knew I was still just a princess and would have to leave this place when the time came.

Just then, Mia brought the food. Soup and bread, grilled fish and salad. It was a simple but carefully prepared meal.

But strangely, every time Mia set down the food, she seemed to place it closer to my side. The bread basket, the butter, the salt. She kept subtly pushing them toward me.

When our eyes met, Mia smiled brightly. She looked proud, as if she had accomplished something worthwhile.

“Mia, aren’t the plates a bit lopsided?”

At Demian’s question, Mia shrugged shamelessly.

“Her Highness the Princess is at the age where she’s still growing. Young Master, your arms are long.”

“Ha.”

Demian let out an incredulous sigh. But he didn’t say anything more. Instead, he pushed the fish plate, not the bread, toward me.

“Have more fish instead of bread. Protein intake is good during the growth period.”

“I can eat by myself.”

“Is this your height from eating by yourself?”

He keeps commenting about my height lately, but how tall do I need to be?

…Of course, exactly two years from now, I’ll grow tremendously.

Before I could refuse again, a piece of fish landed on my plate. Followed by salad.

Carlos watched this scene but continued eating silently without saying anything. Whether it meant he wouldn’t interfere, wasn’t interested, or was just bothered by it.

It was awkward.

Definitely awkward.

‘…But it also feels kind of ticklish inside.’

At the Imperial Palace, I always ate alone. Dining with the Emperor happened only a few times a year, and the other princes and princesses wouldn’t even glance at me. They were jealous that a bastard child like me received the Emperor’s favor.

Of course, I had no intention of getting along with them either.

Sitting face to face with someone while eating was truly unfamiliar to me. Having someone recommend food, serve more soup, and chat about various things while eating was even more so.

“Your Highness the Princess, what on earth are you thinking about?”

“Nothing. Demian, you should eat some meat too. You have to train again tomorrow, don’t you?”

When I pushed a plate toward Demian, he looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Who’s taking care of whom…”

“Why not? I can look after you too. Eat quickly.”

After pushing it over, I cleared my throat and turned my head away.

My cheeks felt slightly warm. I lowered my head to hide it, but I couldn’t help my ears turning red.

Somehow, I felt good.

* * *

Over the past few days, the number of letters arriving at the Duke’s Mansion had increased significantly.

Sending a reply to the House of Harper seemed to have been effective. Since then, letters had been arriving for the Duke one after another.

Four of the six families that attended the tea party that day had contacted us. Perhaps still being cautious, they weren’t openly acting friendly. They asked about well-being, talked about the weather, and subtly inquired about the territory’s situation.

On the surface, they were just ceremonial letters.

But I could definitely feel that they were keeping a close eye on and taking interest in the House of the Duke.

It was a good sign.

We could continue building relationships little by little like this. There was no need to rush. Slowly but surely. Build trust and create relationships where we could join hands when needed.

However, there was one unexpected point.

Letters were arriving not only for Carlos but also for me.

The first was from Harper Countess.

[To Your Highness the Princess. That tea party was truly enjoyable. The air at the Duke’s Mansion was particularly clear, and I still remember it. Since returning home, I keep thinking about that time. Thanks to it, I felt much better. Could we meet again next time?]

It was a cautious but sincere letter. The handwriting was also careful. I could feel that each letter was written with great care.

Following that, with a few days’ interval, Countess Elina and Keinz Countess also sent letters. Of course, the letter contents themselves were light. Things like how good the chamomile tea I served that day was, or asking for the recipe saying they kept thinking about the taste of the walnut cookies.

‘To think the day would come when I’d receive letters from young ladies my age.’

It was a strange feeling.

If it were me before my regression, I couldn’t have even imagined such a thing.

I had never even had a casual conversation with young ladies my age, let alone received letters from them. Everyone avoided me. Labels like ‘illegitimate princess’, ‘witch who receives the Emperor’s favor’, ‘shame of the Imperial Family’ always followed me around.

I had no friends, and I didn’t expect any to begin with. I thought that putting someone beneath my feet and trampling them was the only way to prove my worth.

But now.

‘…Strange.’

Even though this was clearly unnecessary goodwill for me, strangely my heart was pounding. I flopped down on the bed and read the letters. Things like wanting to see me again, or asking me to tell them the cookie recipe.

‘It’s like I actually made friends.’

Of course, there’s nothing apolitical about nobles’ actions. These letters would be half expressions of goodwill, and half sent because I’m a ‘princess’ staying at the Duke’s Mansion.

I know, even though I know…

“Really, just because my body became young, did my mind become young too?”

One side of my chest kept tickling. Something warm seemed to be rising.

I unfolded the letters again and read them. Even though this was already the third time reading them, I wasn’t getting tired of it. Rather, it seemed like I saw something new each time I read them.

That’s when it happened.

Swish.

A white hand appeared and snatched the letter from my hands.

“What are you looking at while smiling like that?”

A familiar voice.

I looked up in surprise.

Platinum hair came into view. Hair that shone brilliantly as if it held sunlight. And violet eyes full of mischief.

“Sion?”

“Long time no see, Lorea.”

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