According to Hecate’s personal maid, Hecate had returned from the western border not long ago. In other words, she must have been busy with important meetings without a break.

Usually, after a sovereign’s distant outdoor inspection, discussions and solutions were sought with close aides. Therefore, my plan was to eavesdrop quietly and enter the room at an opportune moment.

“You all step aside for a moment. Absolutely do not make loud noises, and go quietly.”

We had to be careful. If Hecate found out I was there, she might stop talking about the western border.

Just as in the past, when Jeff circumvented the reasons for visiting the shrine, in the eyes of these two, even though I had become the heir, I was still the young daughter to be protected.

It was evident that the little and precious princess, at the age of ten, wouldn’t wish to worry about the country, involve herself deeply in politics, and endure hardships.

Hopefully, she would spend her time happily studying, making friends, and building much better memories than the difficult childhood she had experienced, at least until she became an adult.

It was said that it would take a few more years before she could be consulted about state affairs, offer opinions, or raise her voice.

Now that I thought about it, in my past life as an emperor, or maybe because I lived for hundreds of years and became an old person inside, I didn’t want to open my mouth and chirp like a nestling wanting its mother to bring food, wanting to raise my head towards the sky and make loud noises.

If I had no memories of my past life and lived as an ordinary princess, I probably wouldn’t have done this much. Maybe I would have played with maids, learned drawing or embroidery.

However, whether I looked ugly or beautiful, old or young, I was still me. I had received worship, gifts, and love, all accumulated like a paradise. But now, I wanted to move freely according to my will.

I wanted to believe in my intuition that this was the right thing to do.

“What are you doing? You two should step aside quietly.”

Meanwhile, the knights guarding Hecate’s office, raising their heels and comically moving away without making a sound, I looked up at Miranda and Haley, who were Hecate’s personal maid and guard, respectively.

I quickly ordered them to do the same. I told them to keep a distance and wait for a while before standing there alone in front of Hecate’s office.

“Oh, yes. We will step back quickly.”

Quick-witted maids, holding up their dress hems slightly, gracefully walked away like the knights had done, lifting their heels and making no sound from the shoe heels.

“Stay quiet. Absolutely do not make any noise.”
After a while, when both the maid and the knights disappeared, I briefly glanced at the individuals hiding behind the pillar. Then, I signaled Pochi to be cautious.

Pochi, perhaps due to its exceptional intelligence, swallowed the usual chirping sound it made and nodded seriously in response to my gesture. Grateful that the communication was successful, I hesitated for no moment and immediately stuck close to the door of Hecate’s office.

Swoosh.

Next, I pressed my ears against the door to concentrate on the conversation sounds coming from inside. There were only Hecate and Lilith in the office; no other voices were audible. Jeff seemed to be handling official business separately in his own office.

Tap, tap.

Soon, along with a light tapping sound on the desk from inside the room, Hecate’s voice started to flow, and I focused all my attention on the conversation.

“Lilith, when I went to the western coastal area, I sensed something suspicious.”

“Have you discovered something?”

“Yes.”

The atmosphere inside the office did not seem light at all. Just by eavesdropping like this, I could feel a different mood in Lilith and Hecate’s voices. It was heavy, serious, and even conveyed an unsettling feeling.

“When the Duchess asked me to inspect, I thought it was a security-related issue. The coastal area has been a hiding place for pirates for a long time.”

If only I could hear it clearly, it would be great. It was so annoying not to eavesdrop cowardly; I had to endure even the gazes of subordinates hitting my back.

“However, what I saw in the western border area was quite strange.”

Amidst all this, I finally perked up my ears as it seemed that the most awaited information was about to be revealed.

“I could examine the villages in detail since I went to the coastal area at the Duchess’s invitation.”

Although Hecate initially complained that she couldn’t find anything peculiar, I smirked. I was confident that there could be no lack of contact with the Vladimir territory, as I had encountered them for the first time at Vladimir Mansion and later at the Imperial Palace.

“But when I reached the village square…”

However, I couldn’t contain my astonishment at Hecate’s continued words.

“I indeed saw it. The villagers seemed to be conducting some sort of ceremony.”

“What?”

“They gathered and sang songs, and it sounded like a spell.”