Chapter 32
I couldn’t hide my shock after reading the contents.
“…The Grand Temple has decided not to accept guardian applications by letter for now?”
“Yes.”
“What… is this…”
Until now, registering a guardian had always been done through written approval from the Grand Temple.
Of course, the temple already had so much work that it couldn’t review every paper. So in practice, it was almost a system where you just submitted your notice.
But the letter I read seemed unusual.
It said that because of work issues, receiving letters would be difficult, and if I wanted to proceed, I would have to visit the temple in person.
It was ridiculous.
This had never happened since the kingdom was founded.
‘Isn’t this too transparent?’
And I hadn’t even sent the guardian papers yet.
Yet they sent a letter specifically to the Grand Duchy…
‘They’re basically saying they won’t accept it.’
I stayed silent, mouth open, and Carlos finally asked:
“Was the Emperor informed?”
“…On the way, I ran into the First Prince. He seemed to be tracking me with the knights.”
Carlos tilted his head. Only then did he look like he understood.
“By now, the Emperor must already know.”
“Yes. I expected the moment I saw Vincent—the bastard, I mean the Prince—the Emperor would hear about it….”
I trailed off.
“I didn’t expect them to act on the guardian system so quickly.”
No doubt, Vincent ran straight to the Emperor as soon as he returned to the capital, probably without even fixing his swollen face.
Judging by past behavior, he was likely the first to bring up the guardian system. That guy’s brain worked strangely fast when it came to finding mistakes. Normally, his head isn’t that sharp.
“Considering the princess is leaving the capital for the Grand Duchy, it was obvious. They didn’t need much thought to figure it out.”
Unlike me, Carlos seemed unbothered.
‘Well, it doesn’t really harm him.’
I sighed as I folded the letter.
“Hmm… what should we do now?”
The Grand Temple had one branch in each region of the continent. The closest to the Grand Duchy was in the center, on the eastern outskirts.
So to visit the temple, I would have to leave the Grand Duchy and enter the capital.
That was probably exactly what the Emperor was aiming for.
The royal family couldn’t invade the Grand Duchy without reason. But if I stepped outside, even one step, there would be nothing they could do.
Until the guardian papers Carlos wrote were approved at the temple, they could forcibly stop me for any reason.
‘If I don’t stick my head outside for the next four years, I’ll have to face this sooner or later.’
Of course, I didn’t expect it to happen now.
I let out a long sigh. Carlos also pressed his tired eyes with his fingers, clearly out of options.
“Let’s find another way first. We don’t necessarily have to go to the capital.”
“But the next closest temple is in the East, right? If we can’t do it here, we’d need three days by carriage.”
The East was the area most influenced by magic.
Even if the Grand Duke’s health was better, it wasn’t a journey he could handle. Twice as healthy might work.
‘Before that, the Emperor would just drag me off.’
I shook my head, thinking about my poor health.
Carlos lifted his hand from his forehead and looked at me sideways.
“Does the princess have any other options?”
“Not immediately.”
“Then better not to argue unnecessarily.”
I shut my mouth, unable to retort.
It seemed both Damian and Carlos inherited the family habit of awkwardly unnerving others.
“Anyway, I called to tell you this. I planned to handle the guardian matter after returning, but it seems the plan will change.”
“It can’t be helped.”
I answered calmly. Sometimes waiting quietly without complaints brings a good solution.
“Why that expression?”
“What do you mean?”
“You look like you’re not happy.”
“No, not at all.”
Carlos looked a bit dissatisfied. I quietly avoided his gaze and took something from my pocket, offering it to him.
“Here, take this.”
It was the artifact Damian gave me just before arriving at the Grand Duchy. I hadn’t used it, so I could feel Carlos’ magic stirring inside it.
Carlos tilted his head.
“What is it?”
“I haven’t used any magic. You can take it back as it is.”
His eyebrow twitched. He looked more puzzled than annoyed.
“I said I want the Grand Duke to be as healthy as possible. At least until I become an adult, nothing should go wrong.”
I spoke clearly and firmly.
“From now on, please save your magic unless it’s absolutely necessary. I’m delivering refined stones weekly, so a little guidance is fine, right?”
“What?”
Carlos blinked in disbelief. I handed the artifact into his hand without care.
“And before worrying about others’ sleep, take care of the Grand Duke. Those dark circles almost reach his jaw.”
After so many close calls, maybe my courage had grown. Meeting the Master of the Mage Tower had given me confidence to speak this boldly to Carlos.
After saying all I wanted, I took a step back proudly.
“If you think of a good solution for the guardian matter, let me know. That’s all for now.”
I turned and left the office.
‘Phew, this time I didn’t nod off and said everything I needed.’
I felt relieved.
On my way back, I ran into Mia carrying a tray in the hallway.
“Oh, Princess. Just in time.”
“Mia? What’s this?”
“Warm milk and snacks. You must be hungry after your trip. I wanted to give it to you.”
On the tray was a steaming cup of milk and a few small cookies.
“It’s perfect to have now. Come on.”
Mia guided me to the guest room. I sat at the table, blinking blankly.
I didn’t know how to react. I had never been treated like this. At the royal palace, no one ever cared. Servants only brought what was needed for work, and I thought it was normal.
“…Thank you.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Mia smiled brightly, and the warmth made my chest tingle.
“Princess, you look tired. Are you okay?”
“…Just a little tired.”
I couldn’t tell her about the temple issue.
“Oh, of course. You must be exhausted after traveling. I asked too many unnecessary questions.”
Mia fussed over making my bed.
“Sleep early. I’ll prepare something delicious for breakfast. You like fruits, right? Fresh ones arrived this morning.”
“Okay.”
“Eat your cookies properly and sleep well, alright?”
She left only after repeating her reminders several times.
I watched her leave.
‘…This feels strange.’
I squeezed a cookie tightly in my hand.
Before the reset, I never realized how precious small kindnesses were. Back then, I thought anyone being kind had an ulterior motive. At the palace, it was normal: if you received, you had to give something back.
Here was different. Carlos and Damian still seemed distant, but at least they didn’t demand repayment like the Emperor had.
After fiddling with my hands for a while, I bit into a cookie. The butter and cocoa made it crispy and flavorful.
I held the mug with both hands and took a sip of milk. Warm, sweet, sliding down my throat.
‘…It’s good.’
It tasted better than any fancy dessert from the capital. I didn’t know why—it just did.
I looked out the window. The sun had set completely.
The moon shone bright.
Even though the temple and guardian issues were looming, everything felt peaceful. I stared for a while, then quietly went to bed.
As soon as I closed my eyes, sleep overtook me.
