How can such a resolute face come from a six-year-old? I gave Carlisle ample time and waited.

“In the future, please appoint me as your knight!”

Wow, what big dreams.

“Fine.”

Like Jeff and Hecate, if guided properly, he could indeed overcome his own limits, so I gave him hope.

“But becoming the Princess’s personal knight is not a position one can obtain with mediocre skills.”

I couldn’t just make empty promises. I warned him about the level of commitment needed to attain that standard.

“Hmm, it’s not that you can’t, so do your best.”

“Yes, Princess!”

How amusing it was that he could go from sulking to sunnily smiling so quickly. I hoped Carlisle would grow to be like Jeff and Hecate in the future.

Zap—

‘Ah, why do I suddenly feel so suffocated?’

I felt nauseated and twisted with a kind of pain, contemplating whether I had overeaten before getting lost in the maze. I decided to take a walk to aid digestion.

“Carlisle, I need to walk, come along.”

Because it would be risky to walk alone, I asked Carlisle, who was conveniently there, to accompany me. I turned around in my chair and set one foot on the ground.

Whizz—

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced through my head, intensifying my dizziness.

‘Why do I feel so dizzy?’

I struggled to remain conscious, but the overwhelming pain that seized my body soon caused me to lose my balance.

‘Is it possible for the world to spin just because I ate too many snacks?’

The last thing I heard was the sound of my collapse, and I could no longer lift my eyelids, lying sprawled on the ground.

‘Damn this body…’

“Princess! Princess, come to your senses!”

Someone was shaking and calling me, but my head was throbbing, and the feeling of burning from my toes consumed me as I lost consciousness.

Whether to call it heartless, I was severely ill for several days.

‘Darjeeling has been suffering from high fever for days now. How much longer must I stand by helplessly?’
I learned later that Jeff and Hecate had felt as if their hearts had dropped into hell during that time. When I was just a newborn, I was so frail that I had been between life and death, and recalling that time was terrifying.

“Countess Agnes, have we discovered the cause of our daughter’s condition?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It seems that coming into contact with the dragon’s energy with her weak body had a detrimental effect.”

Hecate had urgently implored the attending physician to heal me, and the physician, who had been struggling for days to find a solution, eventually came up with a plan.

“Your Majesty, I’ve suddenly thought of a solution.”

“Speak!”

“If there’s something needed, I’ll prepare it no matter where I have to search in the world!”

“Then please allow the use of the Royal Herb, a treasure of the royal family.”

The Royal Herb had been a symbol of alliance presented to me when a kingdom surrendered during my past life as an emperor.

“As current medicine has no effect, that is the only option left.”

“I approve with the authority of the Emperor.”

“Darling, Mom and Dad believe that you’ll definitely come back and will be waiting for you.”

Given the inefficacy of existing medicines, it seemed like a gamble, but ultimately my health was restored thanks to the development of a new medicine.

“What is all this?”

Though I was in poor condition just after waking up, a few days later, I was noticeably better, speaking and eating well.

“People concerned for Darling have been sending letters and gifts every day, wishing for your recovery.”

Jeff, who had carved out time from nowhere, placed several boxes filled with letters and various gifts on my bed.

“Now that you are clearly better, I would like to spend some time going through these together.”

Having finished speaking, Jeff handed over a box decorated with a red ribbon, sent from the Fleur family.

“If only the Royal Herb could be cultivated, it could be sold widely and greatly contribute to national revenue.”

I unwrapped the box, resolving to explore this idea when the opportunity arose.

“What is this…”

Pulling at the twisted ribbon and lifting the lid, a teddy bear popped out.

“I remember hearing about it during a word chain game. It’s the teddy bear Beris hugs every night.”

It looked like the teddy bear that Beris used to clutch as she slept.

“It’s a sentimental item for her, and she gave it to me hoping I would recover soon.”

It’s unusually sentimental for such a chaotic person, which feels strange.

“Friend, cherish the connections around you and live a life looking back and giving…”

Feeling annoyed, I was about to dismiss it when Yongyang’s earnest wish surfaced, making me feel strange.

“Firstly, as royalty, I can’t ignore sincerity, so I must reciprocate.”

But what exactly did Yongyang mean by giving?

What does it mean to cherish connections?

When I tried to understand the meaning of Yongyang’s words, I felt my vision cloud over.

“…I have a question.”

Though younger than me, who has lived for hundreds of years, I thought Jeff could answer this level of question.

“What does it mean to cherish connections?”