The journey back to the palace after settling the monster incident was short. On the way back, her father, who was holding Siervian in his arms, didn’t let her go. Since she was exhausted from the mana depletion, she was able to enjoy the luxury of returning to the palace on horseback, quietly nestled in her father’s arms.

“Hoho, I’m glad things worked out well, Your Majesty.”

“Yes.”

From the side, Tower Lord, who had followed in a carriage, spoke first. His voice was slightly weak due to the extensive use of large-scale magic.

“It’s a relief that there were no casualties in such an incident. It’s truly thanks to Her Highness the Princess!”

Still, Tower Lord couldn’t help but smile when he recalled the pure and clean mana aura from the healing magic that the princess had used. The higher-ranking the mage, the more sensitive they were to such pure mana flows.

“Hmm.”

The father, who had stopped talking, remained silent for a moment. When Siervian looked at him curiously, only a strange status window was floating around.

[Alderuan Erveldotte]
Thoughts: Come to think of it, I don’t need to hold back anymore.

“Commander.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Go ahead and gather everyone in the palace in one place.”

“Yes! Your Majesty.”

Despite the sudden order, the commander of the knights hurriedly rode his horse and went ahead. It was the attitude of a loyal aide to the emperor.

Siervian’s eyes widened in bewilderment at the sudden solemn order.

‘What’s going on?’

Obviously, something urgent must have happened. After that, she could feel the pace of the horses heading toward the palace quicken.

“Your Majesty. Everyone has been gathered except for the essential guards and the palace maids.”

After handing the injured to the palace maids, the emperor proceeded without even thinking of changing his clothes.

‘Me, what about me?’

Siervian had missed the timing to get down from her father’s arms.

“Siervy! Are you alright?!”

Damian also came running in surprise at the sudden assembly order.

In the large open space in front of the gate used by the delegation from the Kingdom of Mosae, people had already gathered in droves. From nobles doing their duties to servants and maids working in the palace.

“His Majesty the Emperor!”

At the majestic cry of the commander of the knights, the people bowed their heads in unison. They all had anxious expressions. The emperor, who had gone to the mine after receiving Tower Lord’s urgent communication, had called for a gathering of people, so something big must have happened.

“The monsters have been defeated. The Imperial Capital will never be attacked by monsters again!”

However, the people’s faces brightened at the emperor’s declaration. The monster magic alarm installed at the north gate had rung so loudly that it shook the entire palace, but it had been resolved!

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

The people were a little puzzled by the sight of the emperor still holding the princess, but they cheered anyway. It was out of respect for the emperor, who always protected them from the front lines.

“Furthermore, the Kurchad Mine is also safe.”

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

Siervian realized for the first time that so many people lived in the palace. And she had no idea that she would feel their cheers while in her father’s arms.

‘What’s going on so suddenly!’

Without knowing her inner turmoil, the emperor continued to speak in a strange tone.

“Also, thanks to the princess’ blessing, there were no casualties among the personnel dispatched to the mine! The princess’ contribution is truly great, as she has awakened her aptitude for healing magic!”

“……?”

For a brief moment, an awkward silence fell among the people. He had only mentioned that the monsters had been dealt with, but the information about the princess was strangely detailed.

“Lo…… Long live Her Highness the Princess!”

“Wow! Long live Her Highness the Princess!”

However, in the already heated atmosphere, the people cheered in succession. Some looked at Siervian and the emperor with pure awe. However, some of the status windows made Siervian’s face burn slightly. The quick-witted palace maids had a very accurate understanding of the situation.

[Thoughts: …Is he bragging about his daughter right now?]

[Thoughts: His Majesty is as helpless as ever.]

‘Is that why he called everyone together in such a hurry?!’

Siervian barely managed to control her expression because there were so many eyes watching.

Still holding her tightly, the emperor looked down at the crowd arrogantly, as if this praise was only natural.

“Hmm.”

[Alderuan Elverdotte]
Thoughts: Healing magic! Is this a blessing in my lifetime? Siervy is definitely mine and Abishe’s child, so she must be the reincarnation of a fairy. I must keep this a secret. I don’t want Siervian to disappear because her secret was discovered.

Wait, could this be the secret Siervy has been hiding? Hmm, this is difficult.

The desire to express his joy in a slightly more ordinary way grew stronger and stronger.

‘…Father, please let me down.’

Siervian also silently swallowed the words she couldn’t say in front of people.

At times like this, she was glad that her mind was that of an adult.

* * *

A few days after the monster incident was concluded, the Tower Lord returned after analyzing the bead shard he had taken.

“I see. It’s not something that can be easily made?”

“That’s right, Your Majesty.”

Siervian looked around surreptitiously as the conversation continued. The emperor’s office was filled with documents, informing him of the complicated situation.

“That’s good.”

“……”

Siervian sat on the sofa with her brother.

Her father and brother had documents in front of them, but Siervian had snacks in front of her, which was a little different.

“That’s right, Your Majesty. It’s quite a dangerous item, but it’s unknown if there are more like this. It takes a huge amount of mana to make.”

Siervian sighed in relief as she listened to her teacher who had come to report in the late afternoon.

If there were more beads that could summon such monsters, the results would be unimaginable.

[Turana Ellison]
Thought: Sigh, this is a disaster. It’s not something that can be simply created. It must be a dangerous item made at the cost of many lives. ….I found traces of black magic here.

However, when she read the status window of her teacher as he spoke, she had a hard time controlling her expression.

‘Black magic… Why does the Pacour family……!’

She was filled with confusion because of the information that only she knew. In the end, Siervian failed to control her expression so deliberately covered her face by drinking the tea in front of her.

“Chamberlain. Bring more tea.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Siervian had already eaten several plates of snacks while sitting down so politely declined.

Then, the gazes of her father and brother flew toward her.

“Why aren’t you eating?”

“That’s right, Siervy. Where are you going?”

“……”

Siervian was thinking of returning to the princess’ palace at this point and now quietly closed her mouth.

After having breakfast together at the princess’ palace, she was naturally kidnapped(?) and brought here in her father’s arms, and it had been like this ever since.

For several days, as if Siervian was going to run away somewhere.

‘I want to go out and play….’

In fact, Siervian had nothing to do between the two busy people. There was a huge difference between reading books and doing the emperor’s work.

In fact, Damian was currently learning the emperor’s work as the crown prince.

‘Do I need to be here…?’

Rather, she thought she should leave so the two of them could concentrate.

“Siervy?”

“Siervy?”

However, looking at the two pairs of blue eyes persistently staring at her, Siervian spoke naturally.

“……”

“I’d rather have juice than tea.”

As if she had intended to make this request from the beginning.

“Chamberlain. Juice.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Her father ordered in a stiff voice, as if the fate of the empire depended on it.

Even the chamberlain who went to get the juice had a serious expression on his face.

“Siervy, should I bring you more macarons?”

Her brother asked Siervian’s opinion with a very serious expression.

Siervian shook her head as she glanced at the empty plates in front of her.

“No. I’m full.”

Fortunately, this time, both her father and brother nodded without much resistance.

‘Perhaps it’s because I said I would stay while drinking juice.’

Since the mine monster incident, the two had been acting strangely.

[Alderuan Erveldotte]
Thoughts: This won’t do, this won’t do. If Siervy flies off like this, things will get out of hand.

‘…Has the Siervian fairy theory solidified now?’

[Damian Erveldotte]
Thoughts: I had to stay behind to guard the palace. This is so unfair. I couldn’t even go rescue Siervy. What good is being the crown prince?

‘Brother, you can’t do that!’

Even Karmen acted strangely. Magic messages started flying in frequently.

“Your Highness, the Princess. I have delivered the juice.”

“Thank you.”

Siervian leaned against the sofa, pretending to drink the juice calmly.

As if she was going to be here for a long time.

Only then did her father and brother focus on their work again.

Their expressions were serious as they examined the bead brought by the Tower Lord in detail, dissecting it.

Siervian scratched at her cheek, feeling awkward as she watched them. It seemed that she had caused them a lot of worry this time.

‘I didn’t know that Duke Pacour would send spies even into the Magic Tower.’

The investigation into the identity of the rampaging mage Wilhelm was carried out again, but there seemed to be no significant progress.

Of course, given more time, the connection with the Duke’s family would somehow be revealed. However, it was frustrating for someone who already knew the answer.

‘I need proper evidence. I think I should go out into the city.’

—