Translator/editor: ruby
Lucy stepped in.
“Good morning, Princess. The weather’s so nice, isn’t it?”
“It is. Did you sleep well? What’s that you’re holding?”
It was a thin branch with blue leaves.
“My servant brought that thing you asked for last time….”
Lucy smiled and approached Aymon cautiously.
“How have you been? I haven’t seen you in so long, I missed you.”
“Me too.”
He answered roughly and placed his paw on Lucy’s hand as a greeting. Before she could say anything, Aymon quickly interjected.
「He’s gone.」
“What?”
「He left.」
“Ah, okay.”
She had no idea what he meant, but she knew Aymon expected an answer.
She put the branch down and pushed it towards him.
「What is this…」
His pupils dilated as the scent hit his nose. He started patting it with his paws.
“You know, the plant cats really like. Just in case….”
Aymon was already rolling around with the branch as if he’d been possessed. He tried to stay vigilant, but the urge was irresistible.
He scratched away at the branch with his sharp teeth. He might not have been a cat, but he was acting just like one.
“Aymon, are your teeth okay?”
Belinda asked nervously. She knew he couldn’t get hurt, but she was still worried.
Aymon was wagging his tail gently. It was amazing how quickly he’d transformed into a playful cat.
Belinda asked another question mischievously.
“Aymon, me or the twig?”
It was an impulse she had after thinking of what he’d asked her earlier.
Aymon looked up. He immediately threw away the branch, and in a soft breeze, a beautiful boy appeared.
Belinda flinched. She couldn’t get used to human Aymon. Her heart was pounding like crazy.
He lay down in her lap and her whole body stiffened up. The face looking up at her was so beautiful. Long eyelashes, big, sparkly eyes….
He twisted a lock of her hair around his finger and smiled.
“Obviously you, Breedee…”
The voice, seemingly more tired than usual, whispered softly.
Every time Aymon’s fingertips brushed over her, she felt as if her skin was on fire. Was it because his body temperature was above a human’s?
Aymon looked up at her. There was something different about him.
She never felt like this when she saw other human boys. Surely the branch must have done something to Aymon.
She gulped.
Aymon gently stroked her cheek and somehow a chill ran through her spine. She turned away, trying to ignore the feeling.
“You’re lying. You really liked that.”
She said in a low voice, stammering for perhaps the first time in front of him.
“No, Breedee, it’s you. Only you….”
She closed her eyes. It was a strange feeling, whenever he touched her – what exactly, she didn’t know.
It was strange, but not bad. She restlessly endured Aymon’s touch. That is, until Lucy butted in with important news.
***
“I present the shining royal family of the Empire.”
Belinda nodded to the envoy.
“Welcome, from the kingdom of Sychilla. I hope to enjoy my stay.”
She spoke and reached out her hand confidently. The envoy kissed it before bowing again.
The Empire and the kingdom of Sychilla had signed a trade agreement not long ago, so the royal family and some aristocrats were visiting to commemorate it. It wasn’t a big event, but the whole royal family had gathered to welcome the visitors, including Belinda.
Belinda’s elegant gestures with the envoy were so elegant and natural, no one could doubt her status as a princess. Slow, calm gestures all in the right moment, those of a proper royal.
It must be said that this was the result of Lucy’s efforts more than skills Belinda acquired naturally. She made sure Belinda wouldn’t be ignored by anyone.
Although they were now a low-status family, the Herbs had been a historic family for generations. Lucy’s mother, Marquess Herb, was once a high-ranking aristocrat’s etiquette teacher. Therefore, Lucy was naturally a great teacher to Belinda.
The envoy, after being greeted by Belinda, Princess Adelai and Prince Lart, bowed to the emperor and commented cheerfully.
“Your Majesty should be glad to have such graceful women.”
The emperor put his hands on the envoy’s shoulders without answering. He stole a glance at Belinda – head slightly raised, back straight. Who would have thought that she was a commoner rolling in dirt not too long ago?
He smiled. He was proud of having taken a commoner and making a noble lady out of her. He felt as if he’d saved his daughter’s life himself. He was satisfied, so satisfied that he wanted to show her off.
Then…
“Oh my God!”
Adelai couldn’t help but exclaim when a big snake passed by them. She blushed, quickly readjusting herself.
The people of Sychilla treated snakes like cats. Therefore they were hard to ignore, even if not dangerous. Since they always carried them around, the visitors came with snakes wrapped around their necks, shoulders, and wrists. It took a lot of guts to keep calm in the face of the hissing reptiles.
The envoy spoke to Adelai sounding a bit offended.
“They don’t bite. You don’t have to be afraid of them.”
“I’m not!”
Adelai tried to pretend everything was fine, but she couldn’t hide her quivering lips.
There were only two people that weren’t afraid. The Emperor and Belinda.
Apart from them, even the most dignified knights were a little scared.
Looking at the unfazed Belinda, the emperor was even more satisfied. That was the attitude of a proper royal – unshakable boldness. Belinda had it.
She shooed away a cobra as if it were just an annoying fly. She’d have been scared if it wasn’t for her knowing Aymon. No matter how cute a leopard is, humans are instinctively afraid.
But Belinda, who was so used to having him around, wasn’t shaken by an ordinary snake. She was more determined and bold than anyone else, and she had Aymon to thank for it.
The Emperor tapped her on the shoulder and whispered.
“See? You’re almost a royal.”
“Thank you. It’s all thanks to your teaching.”
Satisfied with the answer, he laughed.
Adelai wasn’t pleased to see the relaxed atmosphere between them. Belinda’s unaffected expression as a snake coiled around her made her even more annoyed.
“So gross! You wouldn’t be afraid of anything growing up like you did!”
She muttered in an attempt to justify her behavior. However, she knew that she had lost. She knew how highly her father thought of proper royal qualities. At this rate, she was afraid he’d end up considering Belinda more suitable than her.
Belinda, with her dirty blood, as an emperor? She didn’t even care about the Empire.
Belinda felt good. Being praised by her father almost made her nervous. For the first time, she felt like she was within the league of the family.
But not for long.
“Your Grace… I’m so ashamed… I’m afraid I’m not used to this kind of situation…”
The Emperor hugged Adelai, who was obviously trying to appeal to him by acting cute.
“You still need to grow up. You can be protected in my arms.”
Belinda turned away and looked out the window.
“Almost a royal.”
She recalled the Emperor’s words, but also his gentle voice towards Adelai.
“You can be protected in my arms.”
She was momentarily happy to be recognized by her father, but that was it. She was still just an uninvited visitor intruding on a family. No one would love her unconditionally, no matter how much they praised her. That was the bitter reality.
Then she saw a black figure moving on the window frame.
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