Who Could Have Loved the Monster Princess? - Chapter 19
I followed behind the Crown Prince as he walked ahead. Despite saying there was something to talk about, the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed, like we were just taking a stroll.
The palace garden, now in the full embrace of spring, was truly beautiful. Various flowers filled their designated areas, harmonizing perfectly in terms of proportion and color.
‘Probably the work of experts.’
The garden at the Staedt Manor was managed by my dad’s magic but was mostly left in its natural state, just enough to make walking through them a pleasant experience. I didn’t mind it that way. There was a certain charm in discovering mushrooms sprouting under the gardener’s shed or coming across wildflowers thriving between the stones.
As I walked along, enjoying the garden’s scenery, I suddenly realized that the Crown Prince still hadn’t mentioned why he brought me here.
“Your Highness?”
Curious, I called out, and the Crown Prince, who had been leisurely walking ahead, turned to face me.
“Have you finally remembered what you wanted to talk about?”
“I’ve been thinking about it, and I’ve just been waiting for you to speak.” The Crown Prince shrugged. “There wasn’t any particular reason.”
“But you said it was urgent?”
“Haven’t you caught on that it was just an excuse?”
Was it? We had been walking aimlessly for over ten minutes. As I remained silent, Carnelian cleared his throat and spoke up.
“I was just passing by, and you looked out of place there. I happened to be on my break, so I thought I’d help out a friend.”
In his words about trying to help me, one phrase struck my heart.
‘Out of place…’
Suddenly, the harmonious display of colorful flowers seemed to appear like the dresses of the ladies at tea. What did I look like, sandwiched between them? A crocodile in a flowerbed?
“Was I really so out of place?”
“Didn’t you hear rude remarks from Ceti? Isn’t it frustrating for me and you to be in such a position where we have to think about the weight and responsibility of our words all the time?”
He seemed to imply that it wasn’t my external appearance that didn’t fit in, but rather that my interests didn’t align with the concerns of that particular social circle.
‘I suppose that’s what he meant all along.’
Carnelian had often mentioned that I didn’t fit in well with other ladies my age. But now that I think about it, he seemed to only say such things when I was around Ceti’s followers or ladies aspiring to climb the social ladder through marriage.
‘Well, it’s true that I look out of place anywhere anyway.’
As I sighed briefly, Carnelian asked, “She must have made you uncomfortable. Why bother having afternoon tea with them?”
He had a look that suggested he would gladly help if the opportunity arose. But having rolled in the same mud, I wasn’t going to let a childish princess get the better of me.
“It’s not for fun. I was just networking ahead of the summer festival. It wasn’t particularly enjoyable, as you mentioned.”
“Summer festival?”
“Yes. Staedt is hosting the summer festival this year.”
To ensure a broad and favorable representation of attendees, I had to manage my connections.
“Since it was held in Staedt last year, shouldn’t it be organized by the High Priest this year?”
“Last year, it was Princess Arina Amortan’s festival, held in the name of my mother. This year’s festival is planned to be held in the name of Grand Mage Calcioso Staedt.”
Carnelian hadn’t attended last year’s summer festival, so he might not have known. The summer festival was primarily for young nobles, and the absence of the Crown Prince, who had just come of age, created a rather carefree atmosphere.
At that time, I had my hands full trying to prevent troublemakers from causing havoc, deploying knights. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince had gone to resolve issues in his jurisdiction.
Anyway, traditionally, the first summer festival was held in the name of the Grand Magus the year after defeating the Demon King. The following year, the festival was held in the name of High Priest Sean Onra and took place in the temple. After that, the diverse group of shamans from the Tower of the Sage assisted Mir in hosting the festival. And last year’s festival was organized in the name of Princess Arina of the fallen nation. So, if everything went as planned, this year’s festival should have been held in the name of the hero Ken.
‘But since the royal family doesn’t acknowledge Ken as a hero…’
It was the Grand Magus turn once again. Regardless, if it had been held in Ken’s name, I would have hosted it, so there wasn’t much of a difference.
The Crown Prince pondered the sequence for a moment, then seemed to understand.
“Ah.”
With that, he approached me and lightly patted my shoulder in encouragement.
“You’ve got your hands full.”
If it had been under the scaled elbow, I might not have felt much, but Carnelian chose a spot just beneath my shoulder, where I could still feel through my human skin.
The unexpected contact made me feel a little odd.
‘His hand is much larger than Lily’s.’
Carnelian, who patted me, also had a puzzled expression, like he was also surprised by the lingering sensation on his palm. After comparing my fingertips and shoulder several times, it seemed he realized that my shoulder was no different from that of another person.
“I thought you were only human under your chin?”
Since there was no occasion to reveal my body, many assumed so. Carnelian looked extremely flustered.
“Um, how far…?”
He tried to scan me but raised his hand to cover his eyes.
“Oh, no… I misspoke.”
‘What?’
Did he see something he shouldn’t have? No, it was more like he saw something he couldn’t have seen.
I replied hesitantly, “From the elbows to the fingertips, and from the knees to the toes. But my face is as you see it.”
“…Good to know.”
He thanked me and looked off into the distance. I could see him blushing a little.
“Why are you acting like this?”
“Well, since the covered parts might be that of a lady’s and it would be unbecoming of me to…”
“It’s not just the covered parts. All of me is Lady Staedt, Your Highness.”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
What did he mean, then?
