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'Gasp!'
I stifled a gasp, lowered my gaze and curled my toes in nervousness.
'W-Why did you look at me like that?'
Don't tell me...you still have this shameless idea of stealing my sword by killing me? If you called me all the way here to execute your plan, then you are seriously the real villain here.
Then Remart sneered as if he had figured me out completely.
"Don't worry. I'm not asking you because I want to steal your sword.
"Huh? Y-Yes..."
He put the teacup down without making any noise and glanced at the brown-haired man beside him.
"I should introduce him. He's Lorenz Evaneser, my aide."
The friendly brown-haired man gave a light nod and began talking.
"You can call me Lorenz comfortably."
(TL/N : He uses honorifics that show the utmost respect toward his opponent)
He used honorifics on us.
We couldn't hide our surprise when the prince's aide used honorifics on commoners like us.
My dad blinked in a daze for a moment, then he jolted to his feet and bowed with much courtesy as he delivered his greetings to Lorenz.
"I-I'm Nial Royce. Please talk to me comfortably ...."
"I'm afraid I cannot do so. You both are His Highness' guests, after all."
Lorenz said in a determined voice. Me and my dad only nodded in bewilderment.
"I'm Eve Royce."
After watching the situation for a while, I followed my dad getting up from my seat and greeted Lorenz.
Lorenz once again responded with a warm smile.
Remart raised his hand as if gesturing us to sit back down, so both of us sat down again in a careful manner.
"You can speak to Lorenz if you need anything. You must be tired after the long journey, so let's talk about the details later. Lorenz, give them the room that we prepared for them."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And I want to see that Ego Sword again. So bring it in."
"But I thought weapons weren't allowed entering the palace..."
"It's fine because I've allowed it."
Listening to Remart, I nodded my head with a doubtful expression.
You're not going back on your words later, aren't you?
When I bring Excalibur in, you're going to brand me as a traitor and confiscate my sword, aren't you?
"You look like you have some useless thoughts again."
How did he know?
He's really a ghost. Does the royal family have a mind-reading ability or something?
I looked at Remart with eyes wide open.
Remart clicked his tongue and waved his hand as if he was annoyed.
No, it felt like he was kicking us out.
"Then, I'll take my leave, Your Highness."
Lorenz bowed to Remart and led us out of the reception room.
Lorenz showed us the room we would be staying in from here on.
It was a room at the farthest end of the prince's palace. A very large and nice room. Moreover....
"Please wait, Miss Eve."
"Yes?"
"Your room is next door."
Lorenz stopped me as I was about to enter my dad's room and pointed to the room next door.
It was smaller than my dad's room, but it was filled with adorable stuff for children.
'One room per person? This is the best!'
Of course, it was nice to sleep with my dad, but I'm eight years old now. I will become a full-grown lady soon. So I prefer to sleep separately from my dad.
I rolled over on the large bed and plopped my head on the soft pillow.
"The palace is...really nice."
Being allowed to stay here until my dad finished making the sword really felt like a dream.
Moreover,
'I don't remember the prince summoned my dad to the palace in the original novel.'
Isn't this completely derailed from the original story?
This way, I won't meet that damned protagonist and prevent my dad's early death!
I laughed ominously. Then Ex, who had been silent in the basket, began talking.
[Do you like it that much? Seriously....]
"Of course! I've never been in such a soft bed before~"
[Didn't you notice that the prince has been looking at you with a sharp gaze? The imperial place is such a scary place, do you understand? Now repeat after me.]
"Excuse me?"
[I have a bad feeling about that prince brat. He has ominous energy.]
"Excuse me, Sir Ex."
I looked at the cushiony basket where Ex was placed and said.
"I don't think you should say that when you enjoy being put in such a fluffy and luxurious basket. Just be honest if you like it."
[I did not ask to be placed here! When did I ever say that I like this basket?]
They said the prince personally picked the basket to house Excalibur. The reason was because the great Excalibur shouldn't be treated carelessly.
"Do you want me to take you out of the basket, then? I can let you sleep on the lawn if you want."
[Ahem...]
"Aren't you happy to come to the palace with me?"
[.......]
"I guess you like the lawn more-"
[I'm happy! I'm so freaking happy! It's much better than your dirty house!]
"Let's just go to the lawn."
[What? After I gave you the answer you want?!]
When Ex lost his temper and blabbering nonstop, I heard a knock.
I got up, tidied up my disheveled hair and shouted.
"Yess~ I'll be out soon! Please wait!"
After I jumped out of bed, I ran to open the huge door.
"What are you doing, sweetie?"
"Dad!"
I smiled so brightly and hugged my dad's waist. My dad hugged me back like usual.
"Do you like your room? Hmm?"
"Yeah! I like it so much. The bed is so soft, and dolls are everywhere. I didn't touch it just in case."
I gestured to my dad to lean his ears close.
"What if they tell me to pay later?'
When I whispered, my dad burst into laughter.
"I don't think so...but I'll try to ask them later. Or maybe you can ask them yourself."
"Me?"
"Yes, because His Highness said he wanted to see Ex next time."
"Hmm...should I?"
"Yes, you should. By the way, shall we go outside?"
"Outside?"
I opened my eyes wide and cupped my dad's cheeks with both hands.
"Can we really go outside?"
"Of course, you can! You're not being confined or anything. But we have to return before the palace doors are closed."
I felt my heart pounding. My cheeks turned red in excitement.
'I can walk around the capital!'
The only kid in our village who had been to the capital was Jacob, whose grandfather was the village chief.
Jacob would be so full of himself and bragging about how great things were in the capital.
'I can do it, too!'
"I can walk around the capital, too!"
I said as I hugged my dad as tight as I could with my arms around his neck.
"I want to go! Dad, I want to see the capital!"
"Ugh, y-yeah. Okay, Eve. Let me go for now...."
"There must be a lot of delicious things in the capital, right? Jacob said there are candies that melt immediately when you put them in your mouth."
"Yes, Dad will buy it for you...."
"Yeay! Dad, you're the best!"
My dad looked like he struggled to breathe, but he still tried to laugh along with me.
I let go of my hands that were hugging my dad's neck and smiled at him.
I went shopping with my dad, not knowing who I'd run into.