Beneath the Surviving Princess's Joyful Facade - Chapter 72

“Was there any danger?”

“The person was very cautious and prudent,” Cullen replied tersely, only answering the questions posed to him. The commander scrutinized him silently.

“……”

It was evident to Cullen that the commander was probing, trying to unearth something through their conversation—a dynamic grown familiar over their seven years together.

“Very well,” the commander said, leaving the office with just those words. Even though it had been a brief exchange, Cullen felt sweat trickling down his back.

Before Eirik could ascend to his bedroom on the third floor, a servant halted him.

“Madam is looking for you. She said it’s urgent and important, and insisted you visit her first,” the servant conveyed urgently.

Upon descending to the living room, Eirik noticed his mother pressing her temples, seemingly troubled by a headache. He took a seat opposite her.

“I heard you were looking for me,” Eirik stated.

“There will be a meeting of the vassals,” his mother disclosed, her voice carrying a weight of inevitability.

Eirik’s eyebrows lifted slightly, surprised by the promptness of the news.

“Thank you. It must not have been easy, but you’ve managed to gain Father’s consent sooner than anticipated,” he acknowledged gratefully.

“During that meeting, your succession will be formally announced,” she continued, laying out the plans succinctly.

“That’s earlier than expected as well,” Eirik commented, pondering the implications.

But perhaps it was for the best. It would be easier for the Margrave himself, rather than his heir, to sway the other houses.

“Your father has lost so much weight; he’s half his size nowthat even the king won’t suspect illness.”

Margravine Cladnier then murmured something enigmatic, “You have no idea of the great patience and sacrifice your mother has endured.”

With a rough understanding of the underlying issues, Eirik couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“I heard a servant went to the Knights’ Council office to borrow some antacids. Did you dine with Father again last night?” he inquired casually.

“Yes. We’ve run out of everything at home,” she admitted, her brow furrowed in frustration.

Margravine Cladnier shook her head, quickly adding, “It’s tomorrow. I’m convening representatives from all fourteen houses tomorrow evening. Make sure you’re prepared.”

“Understood,” Eirik responded, nodding.

“I might not attend, as it might not present well,” she warned.

“I understand what you mean,” he agreed, sensing the depth of her caution.

“After tomorrow, you will be the head of the house, and I will assume the role of the former lady of the house,” she stated, a hint of resignation in her voice.

“Until the upcoming banquet, your father and I will make a joint appearance to smoothly facilitate the announcement of your succession. After the hunting contest, neither of us will appear in public roles,” she elaborated.

“Understood. Will you then return to the estate immediately afterward?” Eirik asked, seeking clarity on her plans.

Margravine Cladnier nodded, exhaling a tired sigh, “Yes. Perhaps then, I can finally rest.”

Eirik entered his bedroom to find Gella sobbing.

“She was so beautiful! I thought she was a fairy from a storybook!” Gella cried.

“Indeed. You’ve done well, you can go now,” Eirik said, not in the mood to entertain her whining.

Eirik had no patience or reason to listen to Gella’s complaints. While he sat on the sofa, rubbing his face with his hands, Gella left with a pout, and Miesa, who had been standing at a distance, approached him cautiously.

“Did you enjoy your outing?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” Miesa replied.

“Please, have a seat,” he said, patting the spot next to him on the sofa.

Miesa sat down, her face slightly flushed. Curious about what had made her so happy, Eirik asked, “Tell me, how was it?”

Eager to share, she whispered excitedly, “You know, I handed over a yellow circle, but the shopkeeper at the confectionery didn’t accept it. I didn’t want to use the white one because it’s too precious, but Gella insisted on using it—”

Eirik nodded, understanding her excitement. It was likely her first time seeing gold and silver coins. As she continued to chatter, her usually shy demeanor disappeared, lost in her eagerness to share her experience.

“In the end, I gave him the white one, a one-jere circle, and the shopkeeper gave me seven brown circles in return!”

“You received change,” Eirik remarked, amused.

“Yes, seventy parse. They were a bit worn out, but still pretty. But I like the white circles more.”

Miesa’s eyes sparkled brighter than any coin. Eirik, almost unconsciously, reached out to gently stroke her hair.

Miesa’s eyes widened in surprise, then curved into a crescent shape as she smiled. It had been a while since he had patted her head like this. As he ran his fingers through her platinum blonde hair, which shimmered softly like the setting sun, Miesa continued in a joyful voice.

“My pocket was so heavy that Gella had to carry it. When we got home, she said such large amounts of money should go into the vault.”

Miesa hesitated for a moment. Eirik, his voice slightly hoarse, asked, “And then?”

“Can I keep one of the white ones?” she asked tentatively.

“Everything of mine is yours,” Eirik said softly.

“One is enough. Too many would be heavy.”

Watching Miesa revert to a childlike innocence, a mischievous impulse struck Eirik. But as he recalled the anxious hours spent while she was away, he rationalized that a small reward was deserved. So, almost without thinking, he blurted out, “Then how about a kiss here?” He pointed to his cheek.

“Why?” Miesa asked, genuinely puzzled.

Eirik felt his face flush with heat. He hadn’t expected to do something so childish, nor had he anticipated such a confused reaction.

“Never mind,” he said, turning his head away.

But Miesa quickly wrapped her arms awkwardly around his neck and planted a hurried kiss on his cheek.

“…What did you say? I didn’t hear you,” she lied shamelessly, her face full of innocence.

Eirik burst into laughter at her brazen lie. Seeing his reaction, Miesa asked, bewildered, “Are you laughing because you couldn’t give it to me?”

“What?” Eirik asked, still chuckling.

“Why did you say everything of yours is mine but then refuse to give me this one thing?”

“What do you mean? It’s yours now,” he said readily, but Miesa, not comprehending, asked again.

“Then why do you reward me twice? Once with the white circle and once with a kiss?”

Eirik laughed heartily at her innocent question. As his laughter subsided, he saw her puzzled face and found himself laughing even harder, to the point of tears.

“Come here,” he said, extending his hand once he calmed down. He intended to pull her onto his lap as he used to, but Miesa shook her head.

“No,” she said firmly.

“Why not?” he asked, confused.

“I just don’t want to,” she replied, her voice holding a vague fear.

She struggled to explain her feelings precisely. Despite her efforts, the best she could say was, “My heart feels uneasy, but I don’t know why.”

“……Hmm,” Eirik mused, interpreting her reluctance as simple embarrassment. He had seen her act like a shy girl before.

“Then how about a brief hug?” he suggested.

“……Not today. Maybe another time,” she said carefully.

Her cautious answer reinforced Eirik’s assumptions. He continued to question her gently.

“What about a kiss?”

“That’s okay for today,” Miesa answered.

“And holding hands?”

It felt silly to ask, given their intimate past, but Eirik had realized that the more surface area of contact, the more uncomfortable she seemed.

“Your standards are quite… unclear. But I understand,” he said, nodding.

Since he agreed, Miesa didn’t feel the need to explain further. The warmth and closeness of physical contact still felt overwhelming to her.

After creating some distance between them, Miesa asked brightly, “Can I play with the white circle now?”

“Yes, you can. And call it a silver coin,” he corrected.

“Oh, Gella didn’t teach me the name. Thank you!” she exclaimed, excitedly running to the table to pick out the cleanest and prettiest silver coin from the four she had.

“Silver coin, silver coin… I’m going to show it off to Gella tomorrow.”

Eirik’s smile stiffened at her next words.

“I should boast that I kissed Eirik’s cheek and got a silver coin.”

“Wait, wait. Miesa. No, you can’t,” he stammered, grabbing her hand in a panic.

It took a long time to explain why she shouldn’t say such things and to clarify his true intentions.

***