I felt that if I said anything implying I had been struggling or scared, the maid would not escape severe punishment.

‘Anyway, you have to admit they overreact, like with that mosquito incident.’

I don’t know if all parents are like this with their only child, since I’ve never raised a child myself. I inwardly sighed and tugged on Jeff’s clothing.

‘That’s enough, ease up on the discipline a bit.’

It’s not that I particularly pitied the maid or felt sorry for her. I just stared blankly to show my discomfort, meaning Jeff should lighten his expression, since I’d be uncomfortable if the atmosphere turned hostile.

“I’ll let it slide this time, due to the princess’s plaintive gaze.”

“Thank you for your forgiveness.”

“Make sure this never happens again.”

But really, this guy always interprets things his own way. I don’t know how to make such a gaze, and even if I could, I wouldn’t because it’s creepy. I nearly burst out laughing at the thought that he thinks the word ‘plaintive’ suits me, but managed to hold it in.

“And my daughter, be sure to ask the maids for help first in urgent situations.”

“I will.”

Logically analyzing the situation, this mess happened because of my impulsive action, but to be honest, I don’t really feel like I did anything wrong.

“Please put me down now so I can walk.”

I was just relieved to have one less headache to deal with. I suggested walking slowly, worried Jeff might make a fuss again and try to carry me with that creepy face of his, lips pursed like a carp.

It would be convenient to just be carried, but for some reason I didn’t feel like treating Jeff like a mount right now, though any other time would be fine.

“Princess!”

A while later, when we arrived where the children were, Carlyle was the first to recognize me and come running.

“I heard you shouting loudly from far away. Are you hurt anywhere?”

As expected of my future loyal subject. I faced Carlyle, who had already approached with Poppy in tow.

“I’m fine. I just got lost, that’s all.”

Something did happen, but there’s no need to bring it up. Thinking there was no point in talking about meeting Yongyong, I just shrugged.

“I’m so glad you’re alright, Princess.”

Carlyle let out a sigh of relief and brushed his chest with one hand. Soon after, the Fleur siblings came running, calling for me.

“It’s good Poppy found the Princess!”

“Don’t disappear by yourself and leave us behind!”

The little ones seemed to have worried about me a lot, almost on the verge of tears. But rather than finding them admirable, their sniffling just made me more tired.

“Alright, I get it, now back off a bit.”

“No!”

Most of all, I disliked how persistently Ronowe clung to me, so I shook my body this way and that. But she just gripped my neck tighter and followed along, nearly making me fall backwards.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Ah yes, it’s nice to meet you. You’ve been well educated, as the Empress said.”

After finally prying Ronowe off with the maid’s help, I saw Jeff and Carlyle exchanging greetings.

“As a father, I can’t help but feel pleased to see my daughter has friends who truly care for her.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty. It’s very reassuring to know the Princess has such fine companions by her side.”

I glanced at Ronowe and Berith playing with Poppy, then turned my gaze back to Jeff.

“However, you must return to your duties now.”

“…I understand.”

At Asian’s practical words, Jeff wore a sad expression as if he’d lost everything in the world, and I watched him trudge dejectedly towards his office.

“Your Highness, you must be very tired from getting lost in the maze?”

Shortly after, Miranda seemed to feel quite sorry about earlier, so she paid more attention to me, leaving Carlyle and the children in Hayley’s care.

“It could be taxing on your body, so it would be best if you rested for a while.”

For a moment I was about to say it wasn’t necessary, but since it’s not proper for a ruler to disregard their subjects, I agreed.

“Here is some tea with flower petals added.”

The maid said it was good for fatigue recovery and would suit my taste as it’s sweet, then stepped back a few paces. I absentmindedly stared at the spot where the squirrel had first appeared, then sipped the tea.

“Princess, may I rest beside you?”

Oh? What’s with Carlyle?

“Sure.”

I casually told him to sit next to me, wondering if he’d finally gotten tired of playing with those riffraff.

“The chocolate cookies taste good. Try some.”

“Thank you for the recommendation.”

Carlyle sat on the opposite side and tasted the tea and cookies. He seemed to like the snacks, smiling faintly.

“By the way, are you learning swordsmanship?”

I suddenly asked while watching Carlyle eat the cookies with relish. I was reminded of how he said he’d take my advice and build up his strength.

“Yes, the knights of House Fleur are taking time to teach me swordsmanship.”

Carlyle’s reply was full of confidence and positive energy, showing his determination to do well in this new area of interest.

“I’m still inexperienced, but I want to train hard and become an excellent knight.”

Right, that’s how it should be so I can put you to good use. I nodded and picked up a macaron to eat.

“And… Princess.”

“What?”

After taking a few sips of tea to avoid choking, I saw Carlyle looking at me with sparkling eyes.

“I heard while learning swordsmanship that members of the imperial family appoint personal knights when they come of age.”

“Oh really?”

Judging by that expectant face, I could guess what he’d say next, but I pretended not to know. I wanted to say ‘So what?’, but it felt like I’d be losing out on talent, so I decided to exercise patience here.

“Yes. I will definitely become a splendid knight you can be proud of, so…”

How can a 6-year-old make such a determined face? I waited, giving Carlyle plenty of time.

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

My, such big dreams.

“Alright.”

But I gave him hope, thinking that with proper guidance on goals and direction like Jeff and Hecate, he could surpass his own limits.

“But the position of the princess’s personal knight isn’t something you can get with mediocre skills.”

I couldn’t just say nice things though. I advised him on how much he’d need to devote himself to training to reach the passing level, reminding him of the harsh reality.

“Hmm, I’m not saying it’s impossible, so work hard.”

“Yes, Princess!”

It’s so funny how he went from looking dejected to beaming brightly in an instant. I hoped that someday Carlyle would really grow up to be like Jeff and Hecate.

Zap-.

‘Ah, what’s this? My stomach suddenly feels uncomfortable.’

I wondered if I should have restrained myself since I ate snacks before getting lost in the maze too. With my stomach feeling bloated and cramping painfully, I decided to take a walk to aid digestion.

“Carlyle, I need to walk a bit, so come with me.”

Since it would be dangerous to walk alone, I asked Carlyle who was with me to accompany me, and turned my body on the chair to put one foot on the ground.

Ping-!

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced through my head and my dizziness intensified.

‘Why am I so dizzy?’

I tried hard not to lose consciousness, but the pain that dominated my whole body like an irresistible divine power soon made me lose balance and collapse.

‘Can the world really spin like this just from eating too many snacks?’

After hearing the thud of my fall, I no longer had the strength to even lift my eyelids and sprawled out.

‘Damn this body… of all things…’

“Princess! Princess, please wake up!”

Someone held me and shook me while calling out, but with my head buzzing and a burning sensation spreading from my toes, I blacked out.

* * *

Whether to say the heavens were indifferent, I was severely ill for several days.

‘It’s already been days that Darjeeling has been suffering from high fever. How long must we helplessly watch?’

I heard later that Jeff and Hecate felt like their hearts had dropped and they were in hell during that time. They said I was even weaker as a newborn and had been on the brink of death before, so the feelings from back then resurfaced and it was terrible.

‘Lord Agnes, have you found out the cause of our daughter’s condition?’

‘Yes, Your Majesty. It seems contact with the dragon’s energy had a bad effect on her weak body.’

Hecate desperately pleaded with the royal physician to cure me, and the physician apologized for not finding a good method despite working on it for days, but then said he had come up with an ingenious plan.

‘Your Majesty, suddenly an ingenious idea has come to my mind.’

‘Speak quickly!’

‘If there’s anything needed, we’ll search the whole world to prepare it!’

‘Then please allow me to use the mysterious herb, the imperial treasure.’

The mysterious herb was a token of alliance offered by a kingdom that surrendered when I, as emperor in my past life, waged wars of conquest seeking divine answers.

‘Since existing medicines show no effect, that’s the only option left.’

‘I approve it by imperial authority.’

‘Darjeeling, Mom and Dad will wait believing you’ll definitely come back.’

It seemed they were willing to take a gamble since existing medicines had no effect, and as a result, I regained my health as the development of a new medicine succeeded.

“What’s all this?”

Still, I wasn’t in great shape when I first woke up, but after a few days my condition improved noticeably and I could now speak and eat well.

“Your companions who were worried about you sent letters and gifts wishing for your recovery every day.”

Jeff, who had come to see me in his spare time, placed several boxes containing letters and various gifts on the bed.

“Now that your condition has clearly improved, I’d like to spend some time looking through them together.”

After finishing speaking, Jeff handed me a box decorated with a red ribbon, saying it was from House Fleur.

‘If only the mysterious herb could be cultivated, we could sell it everywhere and greatly increase national wealth.’

As I unwrapped the package, I decided to check if I could push this initiative when the opportunity arises.

“This, this is…”

So without thinking much, I pulled out the ribbon wrapped around and opened the box lid, when lo and behold, a teddy bear popped out.

‘I remember hearing about this during the word chain game. It’s the teddy bear Berith hugs to sleep every day.’

Looking at its appearance and ribbon color, it seemed to be the doll Berith said he always hugged to sleep.

‘It must be a cherished item, yet he gave it hoping for my quick recovery.’

It’s unfamiliar, unlike that reckless kid.

‘My friend, please cherish the relationships around you and live a life of giving while looking back a little…’

Just as I was about to dismiss it as an overreaction, Yongyong’s entreaty suddenly came to mind and I felt strange.

‘For now, as royalty I can’t ignore the sentiment, so I should reciprocate.’

But what exactly did Yongyong mean by giving?

What kind of actions does cherishing relationships refer to?

For some reason, when I tried to understand the meaning of Yongyong’s words, I felt like my vision was blocked.

“…I have a question.”

Though younger than me who had lived hundreds of years, I thought Jeff might be able to answer this kind of question, so I asked.

“What does it mean to cherish relationships?”