Chapter 49

Isabel’s words about needing a friend resonated with Kiruen.

“And I want to be your friend.”

“Why is that?”

“Actually, I was also very scared and lonely in the past.”

As Isabel spoke, she realized she had made a mistake.

Sometimes, like this, her body would escape the control of her reason.

This usually happened when she became emotional, and unfortunately, it was today.

“In the past?”

“Ah, that’s……”

Isabel glanced at Viaton.

Viaton also seemed a little surprised.

When did Isabel ever have such a scary and difficult time?

There was a part of Isabel’s words that was difficult to explain unless it was a memory from her past life.

“That’s…… well.”

Isabel quickly racked her brain.

Because she couldn’t say that she remembered her past life.

“When I first found out I had the Mark of Narvidal.”

Viaton intervened.

“At that time, do you mean when you were born?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Isabel smiled awkwardly.

Because she knew that smiling was the best thing to do in uncomfortable moments.

“You mean when His Majesty said those useless words?”

‘A useless thing has been born.’

Ron had definitely said that.

Isabel nodded.

‘Oh well, I don’t know. I can’t explain it any other way!’

“That’s right. I was afraid of being abandoned. I didn’t want to be born a useless child.”

“……”

“……”

Both Kiruen and Viaton were silent.

Isabel was desperate not to reveal her possession and past life, but her desperate tone and appearance were reflected differently in their eyes.

‘So the Princess has been desperate since then.’

‘It was true that she remembers things from her birth. That’s why she’s so desperate.’

Isabel, who was a little frightened by their silence, continued speaking quickly.

“I prayed every day that someone would help me, that someone would hold my hand. I was really scared and lonely. Fortunately, there are many people who have reached out to me.”

Isabel smiled brightly, looking at Viaton.

Come to think of it, it was something to be grateful for.

Sometimes she got scared, and she emphasized exchanges disguised as amicable conversations and agreements, but still, Viaton was a really good person to Isabel.

“That’s why I can’t ignore Yuri-eonni. I know that feeling too well.”

“……”

“So, when you think about it, there doesn’t seem to be any particular reason. I just thought it would be nice if there was at least one person who could help.”

Kiruen remained silent.

“So I decided to be her friend. I need a friend too, so we can be good friends.”

“……”

“I don’t have any friends my age.”

She thought it wouldn’t be right to hide her true feelings when this young child was revealing herself so much.

“Honestly, I thought it was a pride contest.”

“Me? With whom?”

“I heard that there was an unpleasant incident with Lady Reina. So I thought you were having an invisible power struggle with Rossild.”

“I don’t have much time to waste on such things. Even if I just appreciate and repay these precious things given to me, my time will all flow away.”

Kiruen was again at a loss for words.

‘It seems I was very wrong.’

Isabel smiled brightly.

“Oh, and eonni. Since you’re going to the outer castle anyway, would you like to go with me?”

“……Yes?”

“If the four-wheeled carriage isn’t possible, I won’t ride it! I don’t have to ride the carriage!”

“Then how do you plan to get to the outer castle?”

“I heard that your riding skills are among the best on the continent.”

“……”

Isabel’s heart pounded.

Actually, this was much more her taste than a carriage.

“Can’t I ride behind you, eonni?”

Her body started moving on its own again.

The six-year-old body was very faithful to its instincts.

She stamped her feet.

She didn’t know when she wasn’t thinking about it, but this body desperately wanted to ride a horse.

“Yes? Yes?”

Isabel’s voice was filled with desperation.

Kiruen couldn’t refuse Isabel, who was stamping her feet and looking at her with sparkling eyes.

“……Sigh. Alright.”

Viaton intervened again.

“When it comes to riding skills, I’m not one to fall behind either. I can escort you more comfortably, Your Highness.”

Isabel shook her head.

“Please give me a ride next time, Teacher.”

“Why, why?”

Isabel liked Viaton, but at this moment, she was Kiruen’s fan.

She couldn’t just let go of this blessing of facing the character she had been obsessed with.

“Teacher, you’re always by my side.”

“Ahem.”

“You’ll continue to be, right?”

“Of course. Kiruen. No, Sir Kiruen. I’ll make a special concession today. I’m like a big tree by Your Highness’s side.”

“……Why are you boasting about this?”

“Be grateful.”

Viaton mounted his horse.

Kiruen also lifted Isabel and sat her on the saddle.

And then he jumped up and sat in front of Isabel.

Isabel was truly impressed.

“Wow! It’s so high!”

“……”

“I’m excited! I’m going to hug you tightly, eonni!”

She hugged Kiruen’s back tightly.

Isabel, who had succeeded in her real-life obsession, smiled the happiest smile in the world.

Isabel looked like a cotton ball soaked in happiness. If you pressed it, happiness would ooze out.

Kiruen didn’t understand.

“Why do you like me so much, Your Highness?”

“Because you’re cool.”

All she could do in the hospital room was study and read.

In the meantime, she developed a vague longing for strong people.

That was a big reason why she was obsessed with Kiruen.

“I’m not as strong as you think, Your Highness.”

“Eonni, you don’t succumb to bad power.”

“……I’m just a violent and impulsive person.”

“I think you’re a very strong a*ult, eonni.”

According to the Imperial Guard’s law, a subordinate hitting a superior was unacceptable.

However, Isabel actively supported Kiruen.

On the bumpy horse, Isabel hugged Kiruen’s waist tightly.

She enjoyed her real-life obsession.

“I’m so happy right now, what should I do?”

Kiruen thought.

‘You’re the first person I’ve met who reveals everything without pretense like Your Highness.’

It was dangerous to show such blind favor. There were too many people in the world who would try to exploit that favor.

Isabel’s display of affection was very different from the way adults did it, and so it was very unfamiliar.

But she didn’t hate this unfamiliar feeling that she was experiencing for the first time.

“Hold on tight. Don’t fall.”

A smile appeared on Kiruen’s lips.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

They arrived at the outer castle of the capital.

Kiruen lifted Isabel onto the wall and showed her the outside.

“Wow…… there are so many people outside.”

Outside the outer castle, there was a line of people who wanted to enter the capital.

There were also many people waiting outside the outer castle with tents.

After a while, one of the guards ran over.

“We found the girl you mentioned and her mother. Should I bring them in?”

“I’ll bring them in, but I wonder if it’s okay to arbitrarily bring in unidentified commoners who aren’t even VIPs……”

“I’ll take responsibility.”

The guard felt a little strange.

Actually, Kiruen was always someone who acted by the book.

Kiruen’s orders were a little different than usual.

“Don’t worry. I’ll personally vouch for their identity.”

“……But Captain, haven’t you been to the Imperial Palace recently?”

He was genuinely worried about Kiruen.

He cautiously gauged her mood.

“Captain, you hate going to the Imperial Palace……”

“Hey, when did I ever hate it that much? Just bring them in without saying anything else. If you keep talking nonsense, I won’t let you get away with it.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

The guard ran off in a hurry.

Kiruen unconsciously glanced at Isabel.

“I don’t hate it that much, Your Highness.”

It was a bit of a mistake not to inform them that the Princess was here.

She did it for Isabel’s safety, but her subordinates weren’t very perceptive.

But Isabel said.

“It’s okay to hate it.”

“……Yes?”

“They chased away a talented person like you with an unfair disciplinary action. Ugh, I’m so angry.”

Isabel clenched her fists.

Her inner thoughts spilled out.

“I should have smashed Ramon or whatever to pieces.”

“Yes, yes? Smashed to pieces?”

The sun-like Isabel would say such a thing.

Kiruen was greatly flustered.

Meanwhile, Viaton stepped forward.

“Oh, Your Highness! If it’s about that!”

“Yes?”

“No, it’s nothing, haha, hahaha!”

Viaton laughed awkwardly.

He couldn’t say, “I’m the one who made Ramon disappear.”

Because it was classified information.

On the other hand, after a while, Yuri and Yuri’s mother were guided inside the outer castle.

It was such a noticeable VIP treatment that the people lined up in a row kept glancing at Yuri.

“Yuri-eonni!”

Thanks to Isabel’s support, Yuri’s appearance was much neater than before.

Yuri’s mother, who couldn’t control her body properly, was lying in a safe and sturdy carriage.

“Nice to meet you. You brought her mother safely, right?”

She winked at Yuri and whispered very softly.

“The people here don’t know that I’m the Princess. If they knew I was here, there would be a big commotion. So just call me Bel comfortably.”

“B-but……!”

“You can speak informally too. No, speak informally.”

“……”

“Hurry up.”

“Okay, Bel.”

Yuri awkwardly mumbled in an awkward state.

“What’s wrong?”

“That’s……”

Yuri soon bit her lip tightly.

“Wait a minute.”

Yuri went to the carriage, opened the carriage door, and stood next to it.

A little time passed.

‘Huh?’

Isabel could guess what Yuri was trying to do.

‘No way?’