It was unlikely that Grete went to the suspicious village for sightseeing. She wouldn’t have gone to buy lipstick or creams that whiten the skin.

She must have, definitely must have, gone there to do something to Ariante. Did she go alone while Joslyn was ill? Or…

‘Could Joslyn the housekeeper have sent Grete there? And waited in the room for her to return?’

Should she confront Grete? Maybe she should. But if all her suspicions were correct, Grete would never talk. Worse, she might destroy the evidence.

‘I have to keep the princess in the dark. Can’t risk her safety. How will I uncover Grete’s intentions then…?’

Her steps quickened with worry. Suddenly, she became very concerned for Ariante’s safety. Meiana sprinted across the corridor towards the east. And the moment she reached Ariante’s door, she heard a loud, shattering sound.

“Get out! No! Get out, I said!”

And then crying. It was clearly Ariante. Meiana rushed into the living room and then to the bedroom. There she found Vainty awkwardly fumbling with his lips, and Ariante, seated on the bed, crying so hard her face had turned red.

“Princess, what’s wrong?”

Meiana swiftly moved towards Ariante. Seizing the opportunity, Vainty dashed out of the room.

Ariante continued to cry. Gazing at the crying child struggling to catch her breath, Meiana became even more bewildered.

“Princess, Princess, why are you crying? What did Vainty say to you?”

“No! No!”
The small feet flailed and screamed as the sheet wrapped around them. The tiny body that had been thrashing fell flat onto the bed. It couldn’t have hurt, but as if Ariante had found an even bigger excuse to cry, she started bawling face down.

Meiyana was momentarily confused. What on earth had happened in that short time? Judging by Bainti running off, it seemed like Ariante had just started crying recklessly. It was Bainti’s responsibility to calm her down, but….

The expression of Meiyana, who had been trying hard to soothe the sobbing Ariante, suddenly calmed down.

She neither hugged Ariante nor patted her back, nor did she endlessly ask why she was crying. While Ariante was distracted by crying, Meiyana simply sat quietly next to her, waiting.

For what? For the crying to stop.

The voice of Ariante, who seemed angry and aggrieved, gradually grew quieter, eventually turning into sobs. Sniffling sounds were mixed in as well. Meiyana looked at the tiny fists gripping the sheet and smiled as if feeling pity.

When the sobbing sound changed to the sound of sniffling, Meiyana cautiously placed her palm on Ariante’s back.

“Done crying?”

At that, Ariante abruptly turned her head. Her face was a spectacle…. Meiyana took a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed at Ariante’s eyes. However, Ariante violently swatted it away.

“Your Highness, why are you so sad?”

“I’m not sad! Who’s sad!”

Ariante’s voice pierced the ears. Yet, Meiyana didn’t flinch and continued to quietly wipe the child’s wet eyes. This time, Ariante did not swat it away. But her expression was clearly angry.

“If you’re not sad, then why were you crying?”

The child did not answer. Or rather, it seemed she couldn’t. It’s not that she was sad, but tears came…. She didn’t know how to describe her feelings, her emotions. So, all Ariante could do was scream. Or throw things.

Meiyana spoke.

“Were you perhaps angry?”

Tears again filled Ariante’s eyes. Her lips were so tightly clenched that her jaw underneath resembled the shell of a walnut.

The moment a tear rolled down her flushed cheek, Meiyana slightly pulled Ariante towards her with a gentle smile.

“You’ve played, you’ve eaten fruit, you’ve had a good nap, so why are you angry?”