Chapter 26
“If you become a playmate, it becomes much easier to get a government position or become a knight. You could even join the Imperial Guard without having to attend the academy. After all, playmates sometimes serve as guards who protect the princess.”
“But…”
The Imperial Guard only operates within the palace. But I want to become an Oternen, someone who patrols the back alleys, since I have to defeat <Nad>…
Just as I was about to argue, Mayra’s eyes sparkled as she asked Horne,
“Then does that mean we’re actually entering the Imperial Palace?”
“You’ll either commute or reside there full-time. Residing there would only happen if Her Highness the Princess requests it and His Majesty the Emperor grants permission.”
That evening, we had a formal dinner to commemorate mine and Mayra’s entrance into the palace. The whole family gathered to celebrate, and as always, we devoured a lavish meat-filled meal. Honestly speaking, I still couldn’t tell the difference between a formal dinner, an afternoon tea spread, and a regular dinner in this house. No matter the occasion, there was always meat, vegetables, and a small amount of carbs—just in large quantities.
While everyone else started eating, Jindel and Horne sat directly across from us at our table, watching me and Mayra eat like it was the most entertaining spectacle in the world. Their eyes sparkled with love and affection.
“Did you know? The 13th Princess is particularly curious about you, Berdette.”
“Me? Why?”
I asked with my mouth full of meat and vegetables. Jindel and Horne looked at me warmly and then chuckled softly.
“You shouldn’t be asking us that. Don’t you know better why that might be?”
“Right. Something big happened that day, didn’t it? We were too worried to even ask what exactly happened to our daughter.”
Jindel and Horne said this one after the other, still looking at me like I was the most adorable creature alive. At first, those looks were so warm that they made me uncomfortable—so much that I could barely eat. But I suppose humans are adaptable. Now I was even able to cut my food and reply while eating. I stabbed a piece of meat with my fork and answered.
“I’m not really sure.”
“Not sure? What did you do during the interview that day, little fairy? Can’t you tell us?”
Saldir asked as he piled sour cream on top of his meat pie. He looked at me as he spoke.
The moment his question ended, memories stored in Berdette’s body surfaced automatically in my mind.
“I really hate that, I hate it!”
A girl in a very fancy dress suddenly burst into tears. I couldn’t recall her face. That’s because… I had been awkwardly staring down at my hemline the whole time.
Wait. Did the princess say “I hate that”?
Was she talking about… me?
As the memory came back, I stopped moving and turned my gaze to the side. Huh? Hold on. She said she hated it? Then how was I chosen as a playmate?
This is weird.
Why would a princess who cried because she hated me now call me back to the palace? To torment me? I frowned for a moment. It’s possible. She’s a princess who’s been pampered by everyone. She might be spoiled.
Could it be… I was chosen as a playmate to be bullied? So she could humiliate me on purpose?
“Berdette?”
“…Yes.”
When I stayed silent for too long, Horne suddenly called out to me.
“…Just in case, I’ll say this.”
He dabbed his mouth with a napkin in an elegant gesture and began to speak.
“If playing with the 13th Princess proves difficult, come straight home to this ducal house. We’ll be waiting.”
“Come home?”
“Yes. But let me say this in advance—do not talk back to Princess Anna. No matter what.”
“…”
“Don’t even lay a finger on her. You must not treat her the way you treat Mayra’s older brothers.”
His tone remained kind throughout, but what he said was serious.
“If the 13th Princess says something harsh, insults you, or tries to torment you… you must tell us. Don’t try to handle it yourselves. Even if it’s unfair, even if you’re upset, endure it and tell us. Understand?”
I realized what Horne was so worried about. Blasphemy against royalty—a grave crime. Its scope was broad and its standards vague, but the punishments were severe. He must have been afraid that Mayra or I might be executed on the spot for some perceived offense against royalty.
Mayra and I looked at each other and nodded solemnly.
* * *
4 a.m.
Today is the day I enter the palace for the first time.
I shot up and checked the clock. If someone caught me, I would’ve said I woke up early because I was excited—but that wasn’t really true.
I quietly got up, changed into my training clothes, and tiptoed outside. Though I wore slippers, I had packed my training shoes like a backpack and brought them with me.
“I feel like I’m forgetting how to throw a proper punch from not practicing.”
Muttering to myself, I wrapped my fists with cloth. I’d decided to train alone this morning because my lessons with Theodore were postponed.
Because of this whole playmate to the princess thing.
It was disappointing. I wanted to get stronger quickly. I was sure that if I learned Theodore’s Fist, I’d become much stronger than I was now.
—Don’t be so impatient. It’s not like you need to punch anyone immediately. Just grow stronger step by step.
Comet spoke suddenly. I knew. After all, the environment was good now. If I just ate well, slept deeply, and followed the training plan Ove had set for me, I’d be fine. But still…
“I know, but I am impatient. Besides… the instincts I honed in my previous life feel like they’re dulling.”
I sighed deeply, talking to myself again.
Even if I’d learned to fight sloppily for survival in Otern’s back alleys, there was a certain instinct to it. Gauging arm reach, adjusting punch angles and strength, reading opponents—those were senses that couldn’t be gained easily. Not even with money.
“If only I had a sandbag…”
Then make one.
“Sand’s hard to get. Back in the alleys, I got some from a kid who worked at a glass factory. But now, at least I can see these beautiful big trees—something I could never see back then… So I guess there are trade-offs.”
As I replied, I began tapping a tree with my fists. Slowly, controlling my breathing, I threw a straight punch. Thud. I felt the tree absorb the impact. Since I was still young and my fists weren’t strong yet, it was fine to just hit a bare tree for now.
Thud, thud… Carefully but with strength, I kept punching, trying to focus on my form.
If I added more force, I might damage the tree. But in that case, I could probably get Ove’s permission to use a sandbag or training dummy, so I wasn’t too worried.
Why not try it with your gauntlet on? You need to get used to fighting alongside me, too.
Comet suggested. I lifted one side of my mouth into a smirk. I knew exactly what he was thinking. There was no one around, and it’d been a while—he clearly wanted to manifest his gauntlet again.
“Nah. If I wear the gauntlet, I’ll probably break the tree right away. You really don’t hold back, Comet.”
I giggled quietly.
“What?”
“Ahhh!”
Suddenly, a voice startled me, and I jumped. I clenched my fist, raised my guard, and quickly turned around—
