Chapter 11

“Eep.”

I sucked in a quick breath, lowered my head slightly, and fidgeted while staring at my toes.

‘Why is he looking at me so scarily?’

Surely he wasn’t… still imagining something shameless like killing me and stealing Ego Sword, right?

If he called us all the way here just for that, then he’s really a terrible person.

At that moment, Remart let out a sarcastic laugh, as if he’d read my mind.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t ask because I plan to steal your sword.”

“Huh? Y-Yes…”

He then silently set his teacup down on the table and turned his gaze to the brown-haired man standing to his left.

“Let me introduce him. This is my lieutenant, Lorenz Evanesel.”

The man with kind eyes gave a slight bow and spoke.

“Feel free to call me Lorenz.”

He used honorifics with us.

Seeing a royal prince’s aide speaking formally to commoners made us widen our eyes in surprise.

Dad blinked for a moment, then quickly stood up in a fluster and bowed respectfully to Lorenz.

“N-Nil Royce. You can speak casually if you’d like…”

“I’m afraid I can’t. You two are His Highness’ guests.”

Lorenz said firmly. Dad and I nodded blankly.

“I’m Eve Royce,” I added, cautiously.

Then, following Dad’s lead, I quickly stood and gave Lorenz a polite bow.

Lorenz responded again with a warm smile.

Remart gestured with a flick of his hand for us to sit back down, and we returned to our seats respectfully.

“If you need anything, tell Lorenz. You must be tired from the long journey, so we’ll talk more another time. Lorenz, show them to the room we prepared.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And I’d like to see that Ego Sword again sometime soon, so bring it with you.”

“…But you’re not allowed to bring weapons into the Prince’s Palace…”

“I gave permission. It’s fine.”

Remart’s answer left me suspicious, and I nodded slowly.

He wasn’t going to go back on his word later, was he?

What if they accuse me of bringing a weapon into the palace and execute me, then steal Ex?

“You’re making that unnecessary face again.”

How did he know?!

He’s like a mind-reader. Do royals have some kind of telepathy? I stared at Remart, eyes wide.

Remart clicked his tongue and waved his hand dismissively like he was tired of me.

He was clearly telling us to leave already.

“Then we’ll take our leave, Your Highness.”

Lorenz bowed to Remart and then guided us out of the reception room.

✦✦✦

Lorenz showed Dad and me to the rooms we’d be staying in.

It was at the far end of the Prince’s Palace, very spacious and luxurious. And then…

“Just a moment, Lady Eve.”

“Yes?”

“Your room is next door.”

Lorenz stopped me just as I was about to enter Dad’s room and pointed to the adjacent one.

It was a bit smaller than Dad’s, but full of charming little items for children.

‘A room of my own? Amazing!’

Of course, I liked sleeping with Dad, but I was already eight years old. Soon, I’d be a proper lady.

So of course, sleeping separately was better.

I flopped onto the huge, fluffy bed and rolled around, burying my face in the soft pillow.

“This palace is amazing… It’s the best.”

The fact that we could stay here until Dad finished making the sword felt like a dream.

Besides—

‘In the original story, Dad never got summoned to the palace.’

So didn’t that mean the plot had completely changed?

Now I wouldn’t have to deal with those unlucky protagonist heroes, and Dad wouldn’t die young!

I giggled suspiciously, my shoulders shaking with glee.

Then Ex, who had been sitting quietly in his basket, spoke up.

[Are you really that happy? Tch…]

“Of course! I’ve never lain on a bed this soft before~.”

[Didn’t you notice how that prince guy was staring at you with those icy eyes? Do you even know how scary the palace is, and you followed him in so happily?]

“Excuse me.”

[That prince has some seriously bad vibes. He gives off a really unpleasant power.]

“Excuse me, Mr. Ex.”

I glared at Excalibur in his plush basket.

“You’re not really in a position to talk, lounging in that soft, high-class basket. Just admit it—you like it too.”

[You’re the one who put me in here! I never said I liked it!]

Apparently, the basket was something the prince personally requested for him.

Something about not being able to leave a precious Ego Sword lying around carelessly.

I buried my face into the pillow again and kicked my feet.

“Should I take you out of the basket then? If you want, I could let you sleep out there on the lawn~.”

[Kuhm…]

“You’re glad you came to the palace with me, right?”

[…]

“The lawn…”

[Fine! Yes, I’m happy! It’s way better than your shabby little house!]

“Go sleep on the lawn, then.”

[What?! I gave you the answer you wanted!]

Just as Ex was getting all riled up, there came a knock at the door.

I shot upright, quickly smoothed my messy hair, and called out.

“Coming~! Just a sec!”

I hopped off the bed, dashed to the large door, and flung it open.

Standing there with a big goofy grin was a familiar face.

“Sweetie, what were you doing?”

“Daddy!”

I beamed and flung myself at Dad, wrapping around his waist.

Dad picked me up easily, like he was used to it.

“Do you like your room? Hm?”

“Yeah! I love it! The bed’s super soft, and there are even doll-like decorations. But I didn’t touch them, just in case.”

I tugged lightly on Dad’s ear—a signal to come closer.

“…What if they ask us to pay for it later?”

I whispered, and Dad burst into laughter.

“They probably won’t… but I’ll check later. Or you can ask.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, since His Highness said he wants to see Ex again, you can ask then.”

“Hmm… Should I?”

“Sure. But for now, how about we head outside for a bit?”

“Outside? Really?”

My eyes went wide as I cupped Dad’s cheeks with both hands.

“We can go outside?”

“Of course~ They’re not keeping us locked in. But we need to be back before the palace gates close.”

My little heart was thumping. My cheeks flushed with excitement.

‘We can go sightseeing in the capital!’

Only one kid in our village had ever been to the capital—Jacob, the village chief’s grandson.

Jacob always bragged about how amazing and full of wonders the capital was.

‘Now I can do that too!’

Now I could see it for myself! I clung to Dad’s neck and shouted with joy.

“I want to go, I want to go! Daddy, I want to see the capital!”

“Urk—o-okay, okay, Eve. Let me just put this down first…”

“There’ll be yummy stuff too, right? Jacob said there’s candy that melts in your mouth!”

“Yes, yes, Daddy will buy you some…”

“Yay! Daddy, you’re the best!”

Dad gave me a pale smile, looking a bit strangled as I hugged him tight.

I let go of his neck and grinned back at him.

Without knowing who we might run into while browsing the marketplace.