“Your Highness, then please let Miranda and I take turns carrying you fairly!”

While grumbling and inwardly throwing a tantrum, the brown-haired maid Hayley made a dying expression.

‘Why are these two like this as a pair?’

It seems this one also wanted to carry me around.

‘I must be acting too smart, so they can’t treat me like a baby and it’s making them sick.’

This is troublesome.

‘I knew they were unusual, but at this rate they’re no different from Jeff and Hecate.’

What’s the big deal about just carrying someone around? For a moment, the image of Jeff cooing at me and crawling on the floor to give me piggyback rides flashed through my mind, making me feel dazed.

They were all severely ill.

“Fine. But decide the order yourselves. I don’t want to bother giving instructions for the sake of fairness.”

Anyway, I decided to let things play out since we had already decided to go through with it.

“Yes!”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

They smiled brightly, saying it was good that I told them to figure out the rest themselves because I didn’t want to bother with the details. I really don’t know what to say about this.

‘Oh no, I accidentally used too difficult a word.’

Damn, I just used the word “fairness,” so I glanced around nervously in case the maids found me strange.

‘I got nervous for nothing. No one cares, and I’m the only one who noticed?’

But now they’re too happy about being able to carry me around every day to have heard, or no one is pointing it out. I thought they would surely be suspicious, but seeing no concerned reactions makes me think I was being too sensitive.

‘I guess it’s natural since I’m regarded as such a genius?’

I inwardly felt relieved as I thought this.

‘More importantly, those two… anyone would think I hadn’t let them touch a hair on my head until now.’

It’s right that they should take good care of the empire’s only princess, but I’ve felt more than just a sense of duty from them more than once or twice.

At this rate, if I didn’t have memories of my past life, I would have become a terrible person – arrogant, ill-mannered, and always complaining about being sick.

“Your Highness, shall we go meet Lord Sasha now?”

“Alright.”

“Then we’ll depart~”

Did they think I would clap my hands in excitement at that?

I nodded with an unimpressed face as I watched the maids smile sweetly and make gestures as if playing imaginary trumpets.

Creak-

The reception room where Sasha was waiting was about a 10-minute walk away.

“Your Highness! I’m so glad you’ve recovered your health!”

Meanwhile, as soon as he saw me, Sasha smiled brightly and then teared up, seemingly overcome with emotion.

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

To be honest, Sasha hasn’t really done anything wrong to me, but perhaps due to the karma accumulated since he talked about the treasure Hecate prepared before, I wasn’t entirely pleased to see him smiling and then crying.

Of course, regardless of what I thought inside, I had to at least pretend to be happy to see him rejoicing at my recovery, since the maid was watching.

“We can’t talk standing up, so sit back down.”

For now, I decided not to think negatively about him, since he had at least made the effort to send letters and gifts wishing for my quick recovery while I was ill.

Still, I wasn’t quite used to Sasha acting this way, as it wasn’t like him.

Clatter-

“Your Highness, we will take our leave now.”

Shortly after, the maid bowed slightly and politely said after setting out refreshments and tea.

“If you need any help, we’ll leave this bell here, so please ring it.”

“Alright.”

Though I tried to act nonchalant on the outside, my face flushed at hearing the word “bell.”

‘Why did they bring that?’

I was already frustrated about being short, and now I felt awkward as they kept treating me like a baby. I wanted to tell them to take it back.

Thud!

“Was that tearful face from earlier just an act?”

“About half of it was sincere.”

Wow, Sasha’s expression changes as soon as the maids leave the room. I blurted out in genuine exasperation.

‘Is this guy bipolar or what? He could easily pass as a master of acting.’

Usually, if someone accidentally revealed their true feelings, they would be flustered or try to make up a plausible excuse, but Sasha acted as if he had done nothing wrong and everything was natural.

“By the way, I saw something interesting in the imperial palace today. May I tell you about it?”

“What is it?”

I pretended to be interested.

Anyway, looking at how Sasha subtly changed the subject, it seems he’s not completely stupid.

“While my father was talking with His Majesty the Emperor, I spent some time walking around alone.”

Of course. I nodded vigorously in my mind, pleased that no matter how smart this guy was, he couldn’t participate in important matters like meetings.

I’m not sure why I felt this way, but what he just said seemed to prove that Sasha was still just a child, no matter how capable he might be.

“At that time, I happened to see a blonde, blue-eyed maid moving around outside the window, looking around cautiously.”

Sasha, who added that she looked like she was doing something suspicious, like a thief, became serious like a detective pondering a case.

“Soon after, the maid handed over a letter to a man in a shaded area.”

“Isn’t that just lovers secretly exchanging letters?”

Thinking he was making a big deal out of nothing, I asked grumpily.

“Your Highness is so intelligent, to know about such things.”

At that, Sasha paused for a moment before bursting into laughter, holding his stomach with both hands.

“Don’t laugh! If I’m wrong, just tell me the answer!”

“Alright, Your Highness.”

Annoyed, I shouted, and Sasha wiped his eyes before continuing.

“I actually thought those two might be spies. Can you guess why I thought that?”

“How would I know? I wasn’t even there.”

He said he’d tell me about an interesting sighting, but instead he’s giving me a quiz. I pouted with a sullen face, and Sasha said there was no hint of romance between the two.

“And the news from our family’s informant added certainty to my inference.”

“…What?”

I was about to give a harsh critique of this nonsensical story when I stopped short.

“What good is it for you to know such things? Does Duke Vladimir not care if you know confidential information?”

“Is it strange? Father said it was worthwhile and allowed it. After all, to survive in aristocratic society, one must have excellent information gathering skills.”

I don’t understand. I wondered how much Duke Vladimir must expect from a mere 7-year-old to make such a judgment.

Of course, Sasha’s last statement was correct, but seeing him already leaking confidential information to me, it didn’t seem like a very good choice for the Duke to allow his son access.

“Besides, Father often asks for my opinion, saying my views are on par with adults. So, Your Highness.”

Enough, I don’t want to hear it! I leaned back, sensing he was about to say something strange again.

“I’d like to make a proposal.”

“A proposal?”

Sasha nodded with a smile and then leaned towards me.

As he did so, a shadow briefly passed over his face, creating a shading effect that momentarily gave off the same atmosphere as when he had asked how it felt to have what I desired most.

In short, it was bizarre, unpleasant, and unsettling.

It felt like a living mass of filth that had been granted life was desperately trying to approach me.

“If Your Highness promises to trust me more than Lord Carlyle from now on, I’d gladly share everything I know.”

Ugh, this little brat is trying to act all heavy!

Still, I had to give him credit for using his wits to try and make allies while paving his own way forward.

“Sasha, I can’t show favoritism to just one side. I need to get along well with everyone.”

However, I flatly refused, as I wanted my relationships with the children to remain peaceful if possible.

“If that is truly Your Highness’s wish, then I have no choice. Though I’m disappointed, I don’t want to force you, so I’ll back off for now.”

Sasha, looking both satisfied and regretful, added that the second chance is always open, so please let him know if I change my mind. I nodded vaguely in response.

“Then, shall we go for a walk until His Majesty the Emperor summons us?”

“Aren’t we going to the library?”

“No, Your Highness.”

He subtly shifts the topic again when his methods don’t work.

I inwardly stuck out my tongue at Sasha, who in some ways was even more wicked and clingy than Lilith.

“Even though the Vladimir family has produced many strategists, there are no bookworms who read all day long.”

Having slipped out of the situation like a snake, Sasha looked at the bell and smiled.

“I suppose it would be troublesome if we went out by ourselves?”

As he approached, seemingly intending to hand it to me, I reached out my hand, but…

Whoosh!

“What are you trying to do now?”

I pulled my hand back before grasping the bell.

“I apologize, Your Highness. Before handing over the bell, I suddenly had an interesting thought.”

How dare he! I inwardly hissed, deciding to tattle to Duke Vladimir later.

“How about if we sneak out and come back just the two of us? It’s not much fun always being watched while playing, right?”

“Do you want to cause trouble?”

“I’ll protect you, so what could happen?”

Ah, please just stay quiet and leave. I shook my head, holding my forehead with one hand.

“How can someone so small protect anyone?”

“Your Highness, who says that, is even smaller than me, you know?”

“Shut up! This is insulting the royal family!”

“Don’t get too angry, Your Highness.”

So annoying! Completely unappetizing! Even Ulrika wasn’t like this! Irritated, I grabbed the bell and swung my arm wildly.

“I just want to tell Your Highness exactly where I saw the blonde maid outside the conference hall.”

As if scolding was indeed the answer for disobedient children, Sasha finally put away his playfulness and glanced at the door while watching my reaction.

“Anyway, since Your Highness just rang the bell, it will be difficult to go unnoticed. Let’s move with the maids in a little while.”

“Fine.”

Oh my, but why did I just do that!

‘I said I didn’t like being treated like a child, but then I threw a tantrum while shaking the bell.’

Sasha must surely be laughing at me inside.

I made a sad face, recalling the memory of burning my tongue after eating hot soup. Nothing was as painful as wounding one’s pride.

Knock knock-

“Your Highness, we’ve come after receiving your call.”

“Come in.”

Shortly after, Hayley and Miranda, who had detected the bell’s signal, arrived.

“I’m going for a walk with Sasha, so follow along well.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Then shall we depart right away?”

I grunted as I got down from the chair. The chair and table that Jeff had procured for the princess’s private reception room were much lower than average, but I still had to carefully extend one leg to the floor first to maintain balance.

Step, step-

“Your Highness, I just had an idea. Shall we play an infiltration game to the Konrad Castle where the conference hall is? It’s safe since we don’t have to run around, and it seems like it would be exciting and full of tension.”

A moment later, as we went outside, Sasha, who had become more docile than when we were alone, came close.

“That’s a good idea. It would be much better than stacking blocks.”

“Of course.”

I responded positively, as aimlessly walking was boring, and although my stamina was worse than when I was an emperor, I wanted to do something active.

“Hey, come closer. I have something to say.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Then I called the maid walking right behind and explained the situation.

“Understood, Your Highness. It sounds so fun, I’m getting excited!”

Since they were the ones who said I could do anything in the imperial palace anyway, the infiltration game proceeded smoothly with everyone working well together.

‘This is actually quite doable.’

There was a lot of tension as we moved mainly behind walls and hiding spots, observing the atmosphere and avoiding other servants, maids, and patrols.

‘Still, I shouldn’t do this when the other kids are around. It would surely turn into chaos.’

Suddenly, as Fleur thought of the children, my head started to throb.

If it were them, they wouldn’t move strategically like Sasha, but would probably run around recklessly, fall down, and cry.

In other words, they would tire me out.

Thud-!

Later, as I was running following Sasha’s hand signals, I collided hard with someone who suddenly appeared from an unexpected place and fell on my bottom.