This Three-Year-Old Is A Villainess - Chapter 214
Well, I could understand why. Even I found this ridiculous, so it must have been quite something for the other imperials.
‘Even Prince Salvatore looks taken aback.’
The Empress let out a deep sigh and spoke to the former princess.
“Princess.”
“Yes, Sister.”
“Wasn’t the journey exhausting?”
It was a clear hint for her to go to her room and rest.
Everyone understood the implication, but the former princess continued to look wistful and shook her head.
“No, I’m fine.”
‘A tough one, huh.’
Was she truly oblivious, or just pretending to be?
I couldn’t tell, but even the Empress seemed to be struggling to handle that pure, stubborn mind of hers.
The Imperial Consort pressed her lips together for a moment before speaking, trying to remain calm.
“We also need to prepare for the Festival of Abundance.”
“It’s fine.”
“And we need to inform Her Majesty the Empress Dowager that you’ve arrived safely.”
“We can do that tonight.”
My eyes darted here and there, observing their back-and-forth.
Then, Dad stepped in.
“We must return to the jurisdiction now.”
“Already…?”
“Yes.”
“You must be very busy…”
“Yes.”
“You can’t spare even a moment…?”
“Yes.”
Dad’s firm, resolute tone made the former princess’s eyebrows droop.
She looked utterly disappointed.
Slowly rising to her feet, she turned to the aunts nearby and asked,
“Then, what is Lady Erylotte’s schedule like?”
The aunts exchanged glances. Uncle Valdrich’s wife was the one who answered.
“We haven’t heard of any other plans. It’s currently her break period… Right, Erylotte?”
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. The former princess didn’t miss the opportunity, clapping her hands with delight.
“Then, would you be my companion?”
Even Balzac, who was usually quite clueless, looked at the princess with a face that said, ‘Wow…’
He had an expression of disbelief, like he couldn’t believe there was someone like her.
The reason she didn’t ask Dad directly and inquired about my schedule from the aunts was obvious.
If she’d asked Dad, he would have firmly said I was busy.
Judging by how she maneuvered, she didn’t seem entirely clueless.
‘Since the aunts said I had no plans, I can’t refuse now.’
Dad’s eyebrow twitched.
He was about to explode.
But there were too many people around for him to make a scene.
Retainers, second-generation members, and even attendants from the imperial family.
The former princess was the emperor’s full-blooded sister.
Dad couldn’t afford to embarrass the emperor’s cherished younger sibling.
Moreover, this was a particularly crucial time for him.
So I quickly spoke up.
“It would be an honor to be your companion!”
“Oh my, how delightful.”
The former princess was pleased, while Dad frowned.
“Ery—”
If Dad tried to refuse now, those pesky uncles and aunts would seize the chance to twist things around.
They’d start claiming he was being disrespectful to the royal family or something similar.
I couldn’t let that happen, so I quickly added,
“I’m going to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s tea salon this winter. I’d love to hear more about the Imperial Palace before then!”
“……”
Dad knew how much I was looking forward to the tea salon, so he couldn’t oppose it anymore.
The former princess was overjoyed, almost jumping with happiness. She turned to Dad with a shy expression.
“I’ll make sure to return her without delay.”
Dad looked at me, his eyes glinting, and let out a small sigh.
“…Please do.”
The former princess was surprised and stared at Dad.
It seemed she had never heard him speak like that before.
Well, when I was three, Dad was still as sharp as a honed blade.
Considering she’d met him long before that, he must have been even more intimidating back then.
Now, seeing him unable to say a word in front of his daughter, it must have been quite a shock.
The former princess blushed, her cheeks turning a rosy pink, and replied with a shy, “…Yes.”
* * *
Of course, just because things turned out that way, it didn’t mean I was the only one who became the princess’s companion.
Aunts, uncles’ wives, and even the third-generation girls crowded around.
“I heard you are very fond of horseback riding. I have an excellent thoroughbred, and if you’re interested—”
“What kind of tea do you enjoy?”
“My husband works at the Imperial Palace…”
Everyone was eager to win her favor.
‘It’s no surprise.’
This was a very, very important time.
Count Talos, who had been designated as the next to enter the Central Tower, had disappeared.
‘That means there’s now an open spot in the Central Tower.’
Everyone was eyeing that position.
‘The emperor decides who enters the Central Tower. But the former princess is the emperor’s beloved sister.’
They thought she could be their link to the emperor.
Since the emperor disliked the imperial consort meddling in politics, they couldn’t ask her for favors.
‘They must be thinking, “This is our chance!”‘
All of them had gathered, hoping to seize a big opportunity.
A bunch of opportunists, trying to make it big.
