#034. I Just Want You to Be Happy
“Ah, of course. Both of them are socially adept and intelligent, so they’d calculate the consequences of starting a fight in a place like this. Still, it’s best to be prepared for any unforeseen situations—that’s why I’m being cautious.”
“No, it’s just that…”
Tula wore a troubled expression. She looked like she was hesitating, unsure whether she should really tell me this. Seeing that, I spoke in a firmer tone.
“Tula Dellota. What are you trying to hide? You’re not seriously going to treat me like a child, are you? Speak.”
Tula opened and closed her mouth several times, then covered her face with her hands and muttered quietly.
“From what I can see, those two seem to have feelings for each other.”
“You mean like academic rivals or something?”
“No, I mean… romantically.”
Lowering her hands, Tula looked thoroughly disheartened—as if she couldn’t believe she actually had to say this. It was a rare expression from someone who had grown into a perfectly composed young lady over the past three years.
“What?”
But I paid more attention to the content of her words than her expression. Feelings? Romantic ones? Between those two?
“Well, Your Highness is still young, so…”
That was the most absurd thing I’d heard. Young? Me? I died at sixty-five, had been married, and even raised two children. I had a good relationship with my spouse and had known love.
From my perspective, those two were nothing more than sworn enemies.
“Anyway, if you trust me, may I take care of this matter between them? I’ll handle it myself.”
Regardless of how much I trusted Tula, I simply couldn’t believe those two had romantic feelings for each other. Not within the bounds of my common sense.
Still, as I’d said earlier, the chances of them actually causing trouble were slim. Even if a dispute broke out, it would only be a slight annoyance to others and wouldn’t likely lead to any real issues.
And if it ever looked like it might be too much for her, Tula would report it to me immediately.
“Fine, I’ll leave it to you. Just make sure to keep me updated.”
And with that, I decided to grant her request.
“Thank you. Then, would you like to rest for a bit?”
I was just getting used to managing this new body.
It required an excessive amount of rest. After going out, I needed to soak in hot water, fall asleep earlier than usual, and sleep for at least ten hours, including naps.
Unlike when I was three, I didn’t just doze off automatically without naps—but according to Tula, proper sleep at this age was crucial for growth.
Hearing that made me wonder if I hadn’t grown tall in my previous life because I didn’t sleep enough as a child. So now I was trying my best to stick to my sleep schedule.
“Yes, wake me before sunset.”
Just as I was about to lie down, a sudden thought occurred to me, and I called out to Tula.
“Hey, Tula.”
“Yes?”
“Do you need anything?”
“…Pardon?”
Her face turned to one of utter confusion.
“I mean, personally. Like a handkerchief… or jewelry… something like that.”
“No, I’m fine.”
Tula finished drawing the curtains and walked over to the bed with a worried look.
“Why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“I just… thought I’d give you something.”
Seeing Lady Martina so delighted earlier had made me realize that I’d never actually given anything to Tula.
Sure, I provided her with a generous stipend and never monitored her spending. I figured it was more convenient for her to buy what she needed directly—after all, it’s not easy to ask someone like me for things.
But earlier, Lady Martina had been genuinely thrilled even with a gift that didn’t particularly suit her. Maybe gifts aren’t just about usefulness—maybe they’re simply joyful in themselves?
So maybe, just maybe, if I gave Tula something, she’d be as happy as Lady Martina.
“If you want to give me something, just go ahead and do it.”
“Anything?”
“What do you want to give me?”
“It’s not that I want to give you something…”
I reached out and gently touched the back of Tula’s hand as she tucked me in. It was the hand that cared for me every day.
“I just… want to see you happy.”
I’ve never been good at making people happy. Even when I decided to take responsibility for Tula, I hadn’t made any noble vow to make her happy.
But still—Lady Martina had smiled so brightly.
So maybe, just maybe, I could make Tula smile too. Tula, still holding my hand, whispered softly.
“You’re so lovely.”
Then, with her other free hand, she gently patted mine.
“I’m happy just knowing that you care about me, Princess.”
Ah, there it was again—Princess. That unshakable habit of hers. She didn’t call me that in public anymore, but whenever we were alone, she still sometimes did.
“Just the thought alone is more than enough for me.”
One incomprehensible thing after another—Lady Martina at least got something. But Tula? All she received were a few words. And yet she claimed she was happy.
I didn’t understand it. But even if I didn’t, Tula looked genuinely happy—and that was enough for me.
Tula had a lot she wanted to say, but Blanche’s eyelids slowly drooped—and eventually, she fell asleep. Smiling softly, Tula gently held her hand.
People’s opinions of Blanche varied widely. Some might say she was lucky; others might see her as a pitiable girl tossed around by the whims of the powerful.
Tula didn’t know whether it was truly a good thing that Blanche had left her homeland, become the Grand Duke’s playmate, and won the favor of esteemed figures like the Empress and Empress Dowager.
But from her perspective, she liked how Blanche had become more like a child compared to her time in the Kingdom of Lamore.
Over the last three years, Blanche hadn’t grown more mature—instead, she had grown younger. Of course, she was still unusually mature for her age, but even that had softened.
She now took naps regularly and didn’t obsess over reading. She made friends, wandered the gardens, and cared for animals.
And now she was saying she wanted to make Tula happy. The very girl who had once declared she’d protect Tula when she first arrived.
“Princess…”
Tula leaned down and whispered softly into the sleeping girl’s ear.
“If you’re happy, then I’m happy too.”
And that was the truth.
Seeing Blanche slowly shed her burdens, smile at small things, and live more like a child made Tula happy. It was as if the girl who had been born into adulthood was finally living her childhood.
“So please… be happy.”
With that whispered wish, Tula stayed by her side. She didn’t pull her hand away or leave—just remained quietly beside her until the sun began to set and Blanche’s nap came to an end.
The dress for the Empress’s birthday banquet had been chosen. The material preparations were nearly complete—attire, gifts, everything was ready.
All that remained was the psychological challenge: how to leave a strong impression on the nobles.
So I went to see the Empress Dowager. She had been my benefactor and had trusted me for the past three years. I owed her a proper report.
“Is everything going smoothly?”
When I lifted my gaze, her eyes—like molten gold—were fixed on me. Sharp and fierce as always, like a raptor.
“I’m taking it step by step.”
I smiled warmly and, right on cue, lifted the teapot. Pouring tea into the cup—already prepared with a flower blossom—the hot water made the petals bloom beautifully. Once I confirmed the direction of the bloom, I slid the cup toward her.
“Please, have some.”
The Empress Dowager lifted the cup and inhaled the fragrance.
“The time and water temperature are different every time, yet somehow, you always manage to brew the perfect tea. It’s almost mysterious. Is this talent, I wonder?”
It wasn’t talent—it was experience. I’d been brewing tea for decades. Though the customs were slightly different here, in the Jin Empire, tea brewing was both a refined hobby and a symbol of nobility. Just by looking at the tea leaves, I could tell how best to steep them.
“I’m still deciding how I’ll make my entrance, though.”
While the Empress was the star of the banquet and the Empress Dowager was overseeing it, I only had one role—to make a lasting impression on the attendees. To prove I was worthy of the Empress Dowager’s patronage and the Grand Duke’s company.
But I didn’t have the presence of the Empress, nor could I contribute to national affairs. So I needed a meticulous plan to make an impact.
Whether it was because she trusted me after these three years or because she wanted to test me, the Empress Dowager didn’t ask for details. She simply said:
“Very well. If you need anything, let me know.”
In that case, there was something I’d like to request.
“Then… may I have a chance to observe Her Majesty the Empress during her sword training?”
