TMEWD 19

Chapter 19

After Zervan left the room, Favia stomped over to Kartia, visibly angry.

Kartia couldn’t help but give a bitter smile, expecting a scene to break out.

A limited lifespan… Sure, she was the one who said it, but what phrase could fit her life better?

Favia always hated it when Kartia spoke or thought that way, so Kartia braced herself for a scolding.

But contrary to her expectations, Favia suddenly pulled her into a hug.

“If this Imperial Family doesn’t change, Your Highness will probably keep thinking that way.”

“Hmm… It’s more about… the Emperor…”

The Emperor was the real problem. Favia knew that too, but couldn’t bring herself to say it aloud.

“That’s why I’ll protect you.”

“Huh? You, Favia?”

“My life may not be worth much… but still…”

Hearing the trembling voice full of emotion, Kartia awkwardly laughed and gently patted Favia’s back.

“More and more people will care for you, Your Highness. It won’t just be me. As more people gather… then someday…”

Favia hesitated, unable to finish her sentence for a long time.

Finally, she forced the words out.

“One day, Your Highness will dream of the future, and won’t be afraid of dying anymore.”

Kartia let out a small laugh before she could stop herself.

If she wanted to live, didn’t she have to do something about the Emperor first?

She wondered if Favia even realized what her words implied—it sounded almost like something a rebel would say.

Promising Kartia a future was an extremely dangerous statement.

At this rate, Favia really might end up joining a rebellion someday.

“I’m worried. You might end up throwing your life away for me, like a moth to a flame.”

“If my life can save yours, it would be worth it.”

Favia had already yelled at the Emperor once when Kartia nearly drowned, so this would be easier in comparison.

Really… The more precious people she had, the more lives she had to take responsibility for.

Their lives felt heavy but also suffocatingly warm.

“By the way, Favia… Lianus was about to come in but then turned away again.”

Favia quickly wiped her tears and straightened up. She stepped aside for Lianus, who had been about to leave.

Lianus entered with an awkward face, glancing at Favia.

She quietly withdrew to her desk in the corner with a book in hand, giving the two space.

Was that… “Child Psychology”? Would that book really help her, though?

“Kartia, did something happen with Prince Ivia?”

Lianus asked with a calm expression, making Kartia pause to consider how much she should say.

“Did he… behave rudely towards you?”

“Hm? How did you know?”

“Ah… I met him outside and his attitude was very…”

Did Kaiyan do something to Lianus too?

Kartia looked at him curiously. Lianus seemed flustered and stumbled over his words.

“Well… Actually, I was the one who acted rudely first.”

“You, Lianus?”

“Yes… I asked him why he came here to apologize.”

“What? That’s almost like picking a fight.”

“T-That’s…”

Lianus’s face flushed red as he hung his head.

Considering how irritated Kaiyan already was, being questioned like that by a stranger with no real connection would have just made him angrier.

Lianus was a complete outsider with no reason to butt in.

“I was worried… that’s all…”

Hearing Lianus’s shrinking voice, Kartia nodded in understanding.

“The Duke of Ivia came because of the favor I asked you last time. I was harsh with the Duke, and Prince Ivia got a bit upset. It wasn’t a big deal, but you know how stubborn Zervan is. That’s why they came to apologize.”

Since Lianus already knew most of it, Kartia kept it brief.

Lianus nodded.

“Actually, that’s not why I came today… I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Since you’ve already met the Duke, you must know that I discussed this matter with my father.”

“Right. You mentioned you’d talk to Marquis Tristan.”

“Yes. And… my father said this is not something I can handle alone, so I should leave it to the adults.”

“Of course. That’s why I originally asked you to speak to Marquis Tristan.”

Lianus then carefully conveyed his father’s concerns.

He was cautious, worried about upsetting Kartia.

Listening to him, Kartia found it all perfectly understandable.

Would Kartia resent the nobles who killed the Empress? Was she perhaps overly authoritarian?

These were reasonable concerns for a loyalist like the Marquis.

“For that reason, my father wishes to meet you in person. There’s also the matter of the engagement…”

“Well, engagement with the Imperial Family isn’t something taken lightly. My father has to approve too.”

When she informed the Emperor of the engagement before, it was more like a notification, not seeking permission.

She still didn’t know how the Emperor viewed this engagement, nor whether he would approve.

“So, we’re thinking of inviting Your Highness formally…”

Lianus shyly handed over a luxurious envelope.

Kartia tore open the wax seal without hesitation.

Inside was… an invitation.

“A birthday party invitation?”

“I’m planning a small party for my birthday. Of course, if it feels burdensome, we can arrange a different day. But many young nobles from other families will attend too.”

That made sense. As the heir of a prestigious family, it was natural for other noble children to attend Lianus’s birthday.

But would it be okay for her to go?

The Tristan family was known for opposing the Imperial Family. What would people think if the Imperial Princess attended?

Marquis Tristan surely knew that too. What was he planning?

Kartia waved the invitation in the air and locked eyes with Lianus.

Seeing his face full of expectation and nervousness, she had no choice but to agree.

“Alright. You can look forward to your birthday present.”

Only then did Lianus finally relax and smile brightly.

His beaming face made the whole room seem filled with light, making Kartia chuckle as well.

“A birthday party! An invitation from a noble family!”

Favia roared around the palace like a dinosaur.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor approved her attendance at the party, turning the entire Princess’s Palace upside down like a bomb had gone off.

After years of isolation in the tower, suddenly appearing at a public event would be huge.

Rumor had it that even Marquis Tristan didn’t expect Kartia to actually come and only sent the invitation out of formality.

When news spread that she was attending, the Tristan household also went into a frenzy.

The gossip was already spreading among the nobles. Families with children were begging to let them attend Lianus’s party.

At social gatherings, noblewomen begged the Marchioness to have their children invited. Families already invited were getting requests from others to bring extra guests.

Even Zervan visited Kartia, sternly instructing her never to be without guards that day.

“All this over just one princess attending.”

Kartia said in a bored tone, but Favia remained excited.

“It’s not just any princess! You’re the sole heir to the throne!”

But nothing was certain yet.

Kartia knew she was the only heir, but others didn’t.

The real reason for this much attention was probably something else.

Was the Emperor’s daughter—known for being intimidating and terrifying—a valuable political opportunity, or not?

After the six families were destroyed that day, the Emperor had remained quiet.

And now, he was letting the princess attend a public event—at the very house that had most opposed that purge.

“It’s not me they care about. They’re curious about the Emperor behind me.”

Kartia shrugged.

Favia sighed, realizing her excitement had cooled.

Kartia’s room was now overflowing with dresses and jewelry, barely any space left to walk.

A third of it came from the Duke of Ivia—an apology for Kaiyan’s rudeness and a congratulatory gift for her first official social appearance.

Another third came from the Tristan family, thanking her for accepting the invitation.

The rest was a frantic effort by the Princess’s Palace staff, who never had an excuse to spend her maintenance budget until now.

“This is too much! How long is the Ivia Duke planning to apologize? And why is the Tristan family sending dresses and jewelry? Isn’t this just Lianus sending gifts he wanted to give anyway?”

No matter how much she thought about it, nothing made sense.

But seeing how excited everyone in the Princess’s Palace was, Kartia just smiled.

What was the point of overthinking when everyone was so happy?

With that thought, she began inspecting the dresses, imagining the upcoming party.