People who used to treat Hadel indifferently were now sincerely bowing their heads and showing tears.

“We’ve complained to Your Highness for so long. We apologize!”

“Thank you for saving us!”

It was a touching sight. I squinted my eyes.

“It seems like it’s Hadel’s time now.”

At my words, Hadel widened his eyes.

“My time?”

Just as one naturally receives compliments, Hadel seemed bewildered by the current situation where many people were gathering around him.

‘But now there will be a lot of such things!’

Becoming the highest-ranking person in the country also means becoming the most powerful. It might not be as simple as it seems.

‘There will be many hands reaching out for help.’

The position of the highest rank requires standing with one’s principles. With the increased rights and responsibilities, if not handled wisely, those who once looked at me with affectionate eyes could turn to hate and try to pull me down.

‘Hadel will do well, though.’

Hadel, with his affection for the North, has confidently protected the position of the Northern Grand Duke even in the North. This can be easily seen from the reactions of the people in the North who respect and love Hadel.

‘So now it’s time to receive the love of the entire nation.’

I whispered to Hadel’s ear, trying to push him forward since he was momentarily stunned.

“There’s commotion going on. You need to go and take command. You’re the highest-ranking person in this palace now.”

“…….”

In response to my words, a noticeable confusion appeared on Hadel’s face. He didn’t say anything, but I could clearly see what he was thinking.

‘Why is she asking this?’

It might be uncomfortable to have people who once avoided you now change their attitude and bow down to you. You might wonder what to do about it now.

‘But those feelings will only last for a very short time.’

I felt the same way when I stepped onto the battlefield. Everyone watched with lowered eyes, thinking, “What does this well-grown princess know?” However, after rescuing many with fire in the first battle, they approached me with exactly the same expression.

‘I was confused about how to handle them. But just by smiling and confidently facing them, we quickly became close.’

Hadel is naturally gentle and kind, so everyone will soon become sincerely close to him.

I tapped Hadel’s sturdy arm. It meant that he could let go of me now.

“Let me down. And go do your job quickly.”

However, usually, Hadel, who listened to me very well, suddenly turned his head stubbornly today.

“No.”

“Hadel?”

No, not him! I grabbed the hem of Hadel’s clothes and murmured.

“Everyone is waiting for you. Let me down quickly.”

“After I put you in a safe place, I’ll go command. You shouldn’t push yourself.”

“Why are you suddenly saying this?”
Even now, people were still looking at Hadel with sparkling eyes, and their numbers were increasing.

‘I appreciate and am happy that they care about me, but now is not the time!’

However, Hadel had a reason for not letting me go.

Taking a brief pause, Hadel, with blushing cheeks, whispered to me.

“Baby… we made one.”

“Ugh!”

Did he remember that remark?

‘No, it’s normal to remember. It wasn’t an ordinary situation. But to remember it now?’

Above all, it was too embarrassing to hear this after surviving a life-threatening situation!

‘What was I thinking when I said that?’

It was a hastily revealed secret in case I died forever. I shook my hands with a face as red as a tomato.

“Oh, it’s not certain yet! When Evelin said I wouldn’t come back as a chick, she just mentioned it as one of the possibilities. To know for sure, I need to get examined by a doctor.”

“Still.”

The throbbing excitement in Hadel’s eyes seemed to be dripping with stars. Unable to resist the word ‘dad,’ Hadel kissed my forehead and let me down. Then, he left to tidy up this chaos with determination.

The place where Hadel let me down was on a soft grassy field some distance away from Baekok Palace. I sat down on the damp ground. The feeling of Hadel kissing my forehead was ticklish.

‘Ah, I’m relieved that he did as I told him.’

Hadel’s abilities were not only needed to quell the commotion but also to rescue other survivors, as Baekok Palace was still frozen.

Approaching the people, Hadel quietly thanked them or made pleas for help, and he first melted the frozen windows and doors of Baekok Palace.

‘The flames seem more intense than before.’

The flames rising like a solar flare were impressive. And Hadel, manipulating the flames freely, looked like a masterpiece.

‘I guess there’s no need to dispel misunderstandings about the fire attribute. Seeing that scene, everyone will naturally realize how beautiful the fire attribute is.’

I nodded with a satisfied smile.

As I watched Hadel’s activities from a distance, someone familiar approached me.

“Are you okay?”

“Sesil!”

Sesil, who was braver than anyone today, stood with a blanket wrapped around her.