Tia’s Smooth Life After Regression - Chapter 85

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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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Tiya’s Smooth Regression Life

Chapter 85

“Oh, brother! Would you show me the hunting spoils first? I want to see them and choose something suitable for His Majesty.”

Anaël quickly stood up and protected Tiya from the Prince’s gaze.

“…Yes, I happened to bring several, so it would be good to borrow my sister’s discerning eye.”

Even Tiya couldn’t correct him to say “discernment” instead of “eye level” at that moment.

After the siblings left like that.

The Empress sighed and spoke.

“I’m sorry, young lady. He’s not usually such a rough child. It seems something unpleasant happened at the hunting grounds. I’ll have a good talk with him.”

It seemed the Empress was unaware of the Prince’s resentment toward the North.

Tiya, who had been fidgeting with her teacup, asked carefully.

“Is Your Majesty the Empress also from the North?”

【The Empress?】

It seemed this was a fact even Winter didn’t know.

Instead of answering, the Empress asked a question.

“…Why do you think so?”

“The tea is… salty.”

Tiya showed her nearly empty teacup.

In some highland areas of the North, they add salt to tea to prevent salt deficiency. And they often add a little fresh milk or butter to it, and the tea the Empress served tasted exactly like that.

“It tastes like Grandmother’s tea.”

“…You have good observation skills. Then you must also know that those two children are affectionate siblings?”

Though her tone remained gentle, the Empress’s gaze became sharper. As if trying to see through something.

“Those children are called symbols of peace. Everyone who sees them realizes it. That the war has truly ended. Therefore, I will never tolerate anything that would drive those children apart.”

“Symbols of peace – that sounds like a good thing.”

Tiya responded cheerfully and positively.

At that reaction, the Empress regained her gentle smile.

“Yes. I’m relieved that Anaël has made a friend like you, young lady.”

* * *

【The Empress seems to suspect that Count Valoz or the Duke sent you to the Princess.】

“Father and Grandmother? Why?”

【She’s probably worried they might instill unnecessary ambitions in the Princess. Like the throne, for example.】

“Gasp, we’ve been completely found out!”

【Thanks to your stupidity, we haven’t been found out yet.】

That was exactly right.

Though it was a probing question, they got through safely because Tiya didn’t understand it at all.

However, this revealed that the Empress subtly supports the Prince.

It was somewhat unexpected that her reason was not wanting to break the current balance and peace, but thinking about it, the Empress was that kind of person.

A saint who willingly accepted the Emperor having two more wives to end the war.

‘This has made things more difficult.’

While Tiya pondered whether Winter’s words were an insult or praise, Anaël returned after finishing her business.

They naturally ended their tea time, and both children decided to take a walk nearby. Their stomachs were full from eating so many snacks.

After walking for some time, Tiya, who had been deep in thought, asked.

“Do you think His Highness the Prince can become a great king?”

【Hey! How can you ask something like that so directly!】

Winter wasn’t the only one shocked by Tiya’s bombshell declaration.

Anaël’s face also turned pale as she quickly looked around for prying eyes.

Fortunately, the maids were standing far away.

Anaël answered in a very low voice.

“You, you shouldn’t say such things carelessly.”

“Um… then, don’t you have any desire for the throne, Your Highness?”

“No, no, no!”

Now Anaël’s complexion turned blue and she was almost on the verge of fainting.

She grabbed Tiya’s arm and headed toward an even more secluded corner.

Eventually, Anaël turned to look at Tiya and asked with a very gloomy expression.

“Astiya, did you accept my invitation with ‘that intention’?”

“…I’m sorry. I was trying to completely win you over, Your Highness.”

“Win, win me over?”

“I thought it would be good if Your Highness became Emperor. So I wanted to lend you my support. Just so you don’t misunderstand, Father and Grandmother didn’t tell me to do this.”

Anaël tilted her head.

A young lady, still very young, making political moves of her own will rather than at the direction of surrounding adults.

Anaël couldn’t understand exactly what Tiya was saying, but she could understand this one thing.

The fact that she hadn’t approached her without any intention.

She thought she was used to this kind of approach and it wouldn’t bother her anymore.

But hearing that Tiya was the same made her heart sting.

“Thank you for being honest with me.”

If she had found out later instead of now, it would have been a bigger wound.

“But if that’s your intention, I won’t invite you again.”

“Yes, I’m sorry…”

Tiya couldn’t bring herself to lift her head.

An awkward atmosphere flowed between them instantly.

Then suddenly, Anaël was the first to speak.

“Brother, you know. Despite how he seems, he has a tender heart. Of course, he often misspeak too. He’s a bit hot-tempered, but…”

Because of this, some people clicked their tongues saying the Prince lacked the qualities of a king.

But Anaël knew.

That her brother was someone who tried not to repeat the same mistakes.

‘His dictation grades are getting better every day too.’

Anaël judged that this meant he could be a better person tomorrow than today, and today than yesterday.

“So I think he could become a good Emperor instead.”

Even at those words, Tiya still kept her mouth tightly shut.

She had clearly seen in Winter’s past what he would do to the North after becoming Emperor. To Tiya, there was no more terrible Emperor than the Prince.

“To fight with brother over the throne, I love our family and this country too much. So I won’t covet the throne.”

Having revealed her thoughts, Anaël blushed as if embarrassed.

“Astiya, do you think brother cannot become a great Emperor?”

She couldn’t say she knew the future.

Saying that the Princess would make an even better Emperor than the Prince wouldn’t convince her.

Therefore, there was only one thing Tiya could say right now.

“I’m afraid of His Highness the Prince.”

“Of brother?”

Anaël tilted her head as if she couldn’t understand.

‘Of course, brother was cold to Astiya, but…’

Astiya was bold enough to converse well without being nervous even in front of Her Majesty the Empress.

Not only that. When brother challenged her to a duel at the castle blessing ceremony, she faced him confidently without showing fear.

But since Tiya’s face really looked a little frightened when she said that, Anaël couldn’t ask any more.

* * *

“Kyaaaah!”

A blood-curdling scream echoed through the Princess’s Palace.

Not only the Princess, but Tiya, who had been preparing to leave the palace, was startled and looked around.

“What’s going on?”

Whether he had gone to investigate the situation, the steward’s face was deathly pale.

“Y-Your Highness. His Highness the Prince has come… saying he has prepared a gift for Your Highness…”

Ah, he said he would give hunting prey as a gift. It seemed a maid had screamed in shock after seeing a dead animal.

“Guide my brother to the reception room.”

Anaël said this, thinking that sending Tiya off was the higher priority. However, the steward couldn’t easily follow the order.

“His Highness the Prince said it would be a good gift for Lady Vladijef as well, so to bring her along too.”

“My brother did?”

Anaël questioned back with doubt. She knew well that the relationship between her brother and Tiya was far from good.

‘Besides, Astiya said just a moment ago that my brother was scary.’

Those words of unclear meaning had been weighing on her mind.

While the Princess hesitated to answer, Tiya rose from her chair.

“I have to go back anyway. I’m fine.”

“I see…”

Unable to shake off her uneasy feeling, Anaël watched Tiya’s expression the entire way to the front yard where the Prince was waiting.

After crossing the corridor, they soon reached the garden. The Prince’s dark blue hair was visible even from a distance.

Already, a faint smell of blood could be detected floating in the air.

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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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