Baby Empress - Chapter 3

It was an amazing sight to see the land shinin on. And at the same time, I was a little embarrassed. Until now, my appearance was still as dirty as I was in the orphanage.

‘In the orphanage, we were clean, though.’

This place is too fancy. Among these sparkling and pretty things, I didn’t belong like the ugly duckling in the fairy tale.

I bit my lip. There were so many people. Almost all of them are adults, althought often mixed with children. They were lined up on both sides of the red carpet with a smile on their faces.

“You can walk through this red cloth. We will follow.”

I hesitated, but the knights waited patiently.

“….”

I plucked up my courage and walked forward. In each step I took, people on both sides bent over.

“Greetings to Princess Adele.”

“Welcome, Princess!”

“I greet the Princess.”

I don’t understand, but people already liked me. I haven’t done anything yet.

My head was dizzy from the pouring greetings.

“There are too many people.”

“You’ll be greeted slowly one by one, and their names and faces will be learned later.”

The nearest knight answered kindly. The walk on the red carpet ended long after.

There were a lot of buildings in the castle. I naturally entered the building that appeared as soon as I reached the end of the carpet. Perhaps it would take a long time just to memorize the geography of the buildings.

This extraordinarily white building had a very high ceiling with a large chandelier. And there were so many stairs.

‘There is also a fountain in the building.’

I held my breath because this luxurious building didn’t feel real. At the fountain, the water continued to trickle with various lights.

Fountain? I could barely see it in the park. And I’ve got to make time for that….

‘Madeleine will love it if she sees it.’

That’s right, Madeleine. Ah. I felt guilty that I only remembered Madeleine now.

‘What should I do? I didn’t even say goodbye.’

What is Madeleine doing now? I should have told my best friend. No matter how much I suspected it was a dream….

I became nervous at the thought that I had been swept away by a completely strange environment.

‘But it’s only a temporary family. I’ll be back soon.’

I recalled the Duke’s cold face. I couldn’t ask anything, but something was definitely wrong. Why would an unmarried Duke need a daughter?

When I go back, I must apologize to Madeleine.

I didn’t know what the baby of the prophecy was, and I didn’t know why the aristocracy respected it. I would say that I didn’t think I’d have a family.

‘I’m not going to brag about the fountain.’

Madeleine might be upset. Madeleine likes dandelions like her name, so let’s pick flowers and give it as gifts. Then she might forgive me. I’ll give her a warm hug.

Thinking so far, I finally felt better.

After a while, the first two people approached me. Both were women, one looked older than the Duke, and the other looked about the same age as the eldest sister in the orphanage.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Noel, the head maid of Duke Alcibiades’ household. It’s a great honor for me to serve the Princess.”

“Hello, Princess. My name is Sarina, I will attend the Princess.”

“….hello. My name is Adele.”

In my honorifics, Noel frowned for a moment, but her expression soon became calm.

“First, I’ve prepared the bath water. Sarina will be attending the Princess’ bath.”

‘Do you also need to help in the bath?’

I was wondering for a moment, but I nodded silently. I’m full of things I don’t know, so I’ll just do what she tell me to do.

Then I heard the voice of the knight from behind.

“We’re leaving now.”

I turned around.

I don’t know much, but it was the five knights who risked their lives to protect me. If you receive something, you must express your gratitude. I bowed my head.

“Goodbye, sir knights.”

“It’s Michael. That over-courteous title is … I’ll correct it later.”

It was the knight who made the Duke sheathed his sword before. He continued his words.

“I’ll introduce the other knights to you formally tomorrow. There are so many names that the Princess can be confused with.”

Michael’s words smirked the other knights.

“Don’t let the Princess be confused.”

“But why is Michael the only one?”

“Have a comfortable night, Princess.”

Michael bowed his head without paying attention to them.

But I was too surprised to answer.

‘The mad dog Michael.’

No matter how poorly educated someone was, theye knew the nickname. Michael’s name was that famous.

When I went out on the street, adults often fainted Michael’s name. With considerable fear. Or disgust. Women sometimes have their faces full of joy.

‘Is he really that person?’

“I … just one.”

“….?”

“I would like to ask.”

I thought he would be gone soon, so I grabbed Michael.

I said one, but I actually had a lot to ask. What is the baby of prophecy. Did the Duke really become my family. Why are you saying that you will risk your life to protect me.

But that was not what I wanted to ask the most.

‘Am I going to be abandoned again?’

Michael looked at me oddly. There was a moment of silence when our eyes met.

Violet eyes … it’s pretty.

“…Children should go to bed early. It’s late, so I’ll officially visit you tomorrow. I’d like to have the question delivered then.”

When I thought his eyes were like jewels, Michael answered.

A flat and calm refusal. The refusal was so familiar that I remained silent.

“Then.”

“…”

Michael and the knights made some strange moves as they bent down. After a while the knights left the building, Sarina said.

“Let me take you, Princess.”

I nodded my head.

***

It was more dreamy than a dream.

It was the first time I experienced it, saw it for the first time, and did it for the first time.

Sarina’s bath was dreary. It was strangely hard, but….

When I was in an orphanage, I used to wash myself in the running rain or in the stream. Now she soaked my body in blue water floating beautifully with red rose petals and washed away the dirt with a mysterious medicine.

‘It’s soft.’

The water was soft. The bathtub was too big for me. The bathroom is bigger than the bedroom I used to sleep with the other children.

I was an orphan, but now I’m as fine as a doll.

My hair is shiny and combed, and the soft cloth covered my body. When I finished washing up and changed my clothes, I saw a little girl standing in the mirror.

Even though my cheeks and eyes, which were heated up with heat, remained the same, I was a little more lively. And I wore a dress with lace and fancy designs.

‘Is it really mine?’

It’s the best meal I’ve ever had, who used the be meat stew, I was given a soft bread and soup for dinner. I’ve never tried such a soft bread before.

Oh my god, what a soft bread! The soup was full of things that I’d never seen before (I learned about shrimp for the first time) and the texture was good and delicious.

“This is the pajamas the Princess will wear.”

“Well, please let me change.”

“…have a good night’s sleep.”

Sarina raised her eyebrows to see if she did not like something, then she bowed her head and stepped back.

The moon. The closed door. The window was open, so it was not stuffy. The highest 5th floor room. A cool breeze blew into the room. The bright scarlet light shook.

I was alone now. Among the enormously spacious bedroom, enormously large bed, and the insignia of the blue sky.

I struggled to change my clothes because I didn’t even know how to take off my dress. When I finally threw the dress over my body, the hair Sarina combed became messy.

“Um, ah—”

I’m scared.

The pajamas were easier to wear. held back my tears, tucked my arms in, and buttoned them.

Why? Why? The tip of my nose was hot. My eyes were dim.

After changing my clothes, I went barefoot under the bed. Surprisingly, the floor was too soft. It’s a black carpet. I don’t know because I don’t have a mother, but maybe it’s like this warm and soft in her arms.

“I’m scared.”

< Don’t cry. >

The wind spirit on the windowsill spoke. It looks like a blue fairy. I wasn’t surprised because the spirits used to appear without notice.

“I’m not crying.”

< You look like you’re about to cry. >

“If you soothe me like that, I’ll really cry.”

< Don’t cry. My friend. >

“I miss Madeleine.”

I blinked my eyes. Eventually, a drop of tears stained the carpet.

Madeleine is my friend. I spend every day with Madeleine. We played together. We read books together and ate together.

The Duke had the upper hand in everything compared to the orphanage, but I was heartbroken.

It didn’t feel real. I didn’t think it was all mine. I suddenly felt like someone was going to take this pajama, too.

I’m getting kicked out after a good night’s sleep, right?

One day or two nights? Three nights? I couldn’t count more than that because I didn’t know the number.

< That, >

“I’m sad.”

< Madeleine will be happy that you have a family. Friends are like that. >

“I’m sorry.”

< Something good has happened to you, you shouldn’t be sorry to anyone. >

The wind spirit was kind.

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, and approached the door bravely. Surprisingly, it took some time to get to the door from the bed.

Michael told me to go to bed early, but I also wanted to ask. I didn’t think about how to find him this late at night.

‘I have a question for Michael.’

I picked up my tiptoes and managed to grab the large doorknob. Then I hopped and pulled the knob inside. The door opened slightly, and a bright light in the hallway seeped in.

But I couldn’t move further. It was because there was a conversation near the door.

“Now the Duke is completely blocked off the shot.”

“Well, I won’t deny it.”

“Who would want to have an eight-year-old daughter as soon as they get married? No matter how great the Duke of Alcibiades is.”

I heard the conversation between the two maids. It was the voice of Sarina who complained most intensely.

‘Sarina?’

I flinched and stiffened.

‘8-year-old daughter.’

Because the person she was pointing at was so clear. It was me. Suddenly today, the Adele from the Panaso Orphanage became the Adele of Alcibiades.

“No matter how much Hasfeldt’s Imperial family is, they can’t do this to the Duke. Do you know how old His Grace is? He is only 25. But the eldest daughter is 8 years old? Someone might think that the Duke is an Imperial’s loyal dog.”

The Imperial family. When I think about it, even the knights and the Duke became very bitter when they talked about the Imperial family. I  held my breath inadvertently.

I’ve never experienced such a situation. I mean, an unintended eavesdrop.

“Sarina? What happened? That’s a little harsh…… I understand you’re upset.”

“What happened? …. was gone, so I wondered if I would get a chance.”

< Adele, you’d better stop listening. >

I was hardened. Fortunately, the wind spirit gently pushed the door shut on my behalf.

T/N: Dandelion = 민들레, Madeleine = 마들렌.