“Has this one grown so tall?”

More than that, when did they appear without any sign? I thought they were far away, but were they intentionally lingering nearby? Even if that were the case, I should have heard the sound of them approaching, but I didn’t.

Anyway, looking at the guy who appeared like a flying arrow to help me, effortlessly reaching out their cool, stretched arms to take out the book, I admired them inwardly.

Because, why couldn’t I escape the status of a shorty even after seven years? That thought crossed my mind.

During that time, I consistently exercised within the limits of my weak body, drank milk diligently, and endured eating potatoes in an effort to grow. However, meeting these youngsters after a long time, they seemed to have fingers that were a couple of digits longer than mine, and I felt a bit dissatisfied.

Jeff and Hecate weren’t dwarfs when they were young, and perhaps the fact that the princess had a difficult time during childbirth had an impact on her growth.

‘Wait a minute. Did they see my appearance just now? If they did, they helped because they saw it, right?’

Making a grumbling sound, I belatedly felt embarrassed about being caught in the act of struggling with all my might, shaking my right arm like a willow branch to take out the book.

In the end, even if I couldn’t do it with my strength, I would have asked a maid or someone else to take it out, but it was a bit embarrassing to be caught in a weak moment.

“I was surprised and jumped out because you seemed to be trying to step on Poppie and climb up.”

Meanwhile, Kallail smiled faintly and carefully stroked the cover of the book. Unlike Ronowe, he didn’t make a fuss, but Kallail also seemed to enjoy encountering rare books that were out of print for a long time or lost due to war.

“More than that, Your Highness seems
“I read a bit, and this book seems to be filled with content that Poppie would like.”

Kallail, who had opened a page and showed the content, turned his head, looking at Poppie who was trying to wriggle in between us, with an expression of looking at a cute younger sibling.

“But isn’t that a book filled with talks about food?”

I bent down to poke Poppie’s forehead slightly, signaling him to be quiet, and then stood up again.

“Yes. It’s a book where a noble wrote about traditional dishes, travel, and cultural impressions of each region while traveling. I chose it because it also has illustrations.”

“It seems like the author is a gourmet.”

After nodding my head, I asked a question that suddenly occurred to me.

“But is there a reason to read a book to Poppie?”

“If we’re the only ones reading the book, Poppie might feel lonely.”

I had never considered to that extent. Although it’s ambiguous to express it as consideration for others, I simply thought of Poppie as a doll accompanying me for protection.

“Do as you wish. Since there’s no one to object anyway.”

However, seeing Kallail, who I encounter every time I visit the Imperial Palace, treating Poppie more attentively as an individual than I do, felt strange.

‘A subtle change in feelings that I wouldn’t have felt in the past.’

Certainly, seven years ago, starting with the treasure hunt game Hecate prepared, internal changes began. However, it didn’t suddenly make me feel sorry for Poppie or think that I should put in extra effort. I had been paying a fair price for labor, so I considered that enough.

I usually prepared a lot of cookies that he liked, thinking that was sufficient. I never thought about doing something for Poppie when he might feel bored or distressed in certain situations.

“For now, take this book and go with Poppie.”

Since I had been hearing the word ‘food’ from earlier, I glanced at Poppie, whose eyes were sparkling like black pearls reflecting the light, and said.

“I’ll choose a bit more.”

“Yes,
Casually, what a strange talk. I smirked as I saw Berryss gesturing for me to come closer, as if he wanted to whisper something.

“Your Highness, it seems Poppie ate paper!”

And at that moment, in the distance, a short scream from Ronowe was heard.

“It’s okay; he usually eats whatever he picks up. Last time, he even ate a rock.”

He spat it out again and writhed in pain, but still. For some reason, I had a feeling Poppie wouldn’t cause an accident.

It seemed like he couldn’t resist after seeing the illustrations of food in the old books. Recovery might be impossible, and I became uneasy about how to report it to Jeff and Hecate.

Regardless, Poppie is a subordinate protecting me and a friend. No matter how intelligent he is, he cannot surpass human intelligence. Thus, if something goes wrong, it becomes my fault.

“Still, keep an eye on him not to tear the paper from the books.”

“Yes!”

I shouted loudly in the direction where the children were, expressing my hope that I could have dinner with Jeff later today.

“Now we can have a conversation.”

Hoping that no one would suddenly chase us or urgently search for us, I spoke to Berryss.

“I told you earlier not to let others hear. It seems like it’s an important matter since you’re paying attention to keeping it a secret. So, tell me. What is it?”

“I think something bad might happen. You should be careful for a while.”

Why is he saying that? Raising one eyebrow, I murmured.

“Why do you suddenly think something bad will happen to me? What’s the reason for thinking something important is going on and being so cautious? Tell me.”

Since a while ago, he was so cheerful and lively when we gathered at the pond, and this sudden change made me suspicious.

“…”

Moreover, Berryss, who suddenly seemed to have lost his voice, looked at me with his lips sealed. When I just said I would leave, he hurriedly moistened his lips.

“Lady Vladmir seems strange since she came to the Imperial Palace.”

Why would he feel that way about a child who hasn’t experienced anything like darkening skies or disasters? I was genuinely surprised that Berryss, who used to laugh and be excited when we gathered by the pond, could hide his true feelings and smile.

Unlike Ronowe, I considered him just a natural fool and troublemaker.

“She only came here to say hello.
Berryss, with a genuinely concerned expression, was the most tender among the expressions I had seen so far. Watching him, I murmured in my heart, approving of his sincere concern.

“Lady Vladmir had a similar feeling to the aura I felt when I was in the sky.”

It wasn’t something that was visibly noticeable, but rather a very faint and faintly thin thread, an extraordinary aura.

“Honestly, I thought she would appear exuding the aura of the dead, but it was unexpected.”

I wondered what she had done, but when I thought about it, except for the one time Duke Vladmir scattered an evil force in the past, he hadn’t felt a strong sense of unease in the Imperial Palace. So, there seemed to be something.

“I kept quiet because it was obvious that it would only be visible to my eyes, but if Berryss is feeling a foreboding through touch only, then…”

Just like Ronowe occasionally blinked his eyes red and became a different person, could Berryss also have a hidden ability?

“If I tell the truth, they’ll probably think I’m a strange person. How do I explain it?”

No, let’s not say it. I kept in mind the possibility that Berryss could tell Ronowe, Ronowe could tell Kallail, and later, even Viscount Fleur might know.

“I don’t know why you’re telling me to be careful of her, but I’ll handle my own affairs.”

Even if there is danger, those kids, who are still small, can’t protect me while fighting.

Again, I sighed, but to avoid the awkward situation where he genuinely worries about me and I cry while complaining that he doesn’t understand my heart, I decided to pretend to pay attention to the future servant, showing concern for him as a strategy.

“Well, still, you earnestly asked me, so I can’t help it. Remember that.”