Chapter 59: Sophia

“Ugh…”

Warm sunlight brushed against her eyes.

Instinctively, the lovely blonde girl turned her head.

“Hm?”

Realizing the drool on her face, she quickly wiped both eyes.

Her clear green irises sparkled like gems.

Sophia Alstier.

The girl, who was turning seven this year, hurriedly got out of bed.

Today was the day she was meeting Isabelle unni from the morning.

Because of that, she had been so excited the night before that she barely slept.

“Eek—”

With still short arms and legs, she quickly tidied up her bed.

Of course, when the time came, the maid Betty would come to help her, but at least this much she wanted to do herself.

On top of that, Sophia even washed her face with cat-like hands.

Humming a little tune as she did so, she seemed in a very good mood.

“Miss Sophia, have you woken up already?”

“Betty!”

As soon as Betty entered the room, Sophia ran to her and hugged her.

An irresistible smile spread across the maid’s lips.

“Oh my, Miss. You even washed your face?”

“Mm! Betty, where’s Isabelle unni? Did she come? Hm?”

Her sparkling green eyes shone brightly.

Who could not love such a sight?

This was why Betty, despite being unable to refuse the request from Sophia’s parents, remained so devoted.

Sophia’s mother was a cousin of Contrat, and her father was a poor baron, but both parents possessed exceptional diplomatic skills.

Because of that, it was common for them to travel abroad, leaving young Sophia behind.

Thanks to special arrangements by House Contrat, Sophia was allowed to stay at the royal palace.

But whether that was truly good for a child—Betty wasn’t sure.

Though outwardly magnificent, the palace was rife with intrigues and schemes, making it difficult to find any genuine kindness.

“Later, she’ll probably come soon. Shall we start with your hair before the princess arrives?”

“Good!”

Usually reluctant to bother with hair, today Sophia did not refuse.

In this way, Sophia generally obeyed Isabelle well.

Perhaps it was because she was the only royal who treated her like a child.

Betty was truly thankful for that.

Sophia usually acted as if nothing was wrong, but secretly she felt lonely.

Sometimes, Betty guessed this by the damp pillow sheets.

Thankfully, after meeting Isabelle, such moments had significantly decreased.

“You know, Betty. Today, we’re meeting a very important guest! Um—who was it again? Anyway, Isabelle unni said it was someone very important!”

“Is that so? Then we should be extra careful with your hairdo, hoho.”

A gentle smile never left Betty’s lips as she took care of her little mistress.

***

“Sophia.”

Not long after, the elegant black-haired Isabelle arrived.

She was wearing a very refined velvet dress.

Sophia, who had been pondering which ribbon to wear in her hair, quickly ran up and hugged her.

“Wow—Unni!”

“Hmm, Sophia? What did I tell you to do when we first met?”

“Mm, good morning, Princess Isabelle?”

“Well done, you did just right.”

As if praising her, Isabelle lightly stroked Sophia’s hair.

Then she bent her knees and met Sophia’s gaze.

From this position, she began to carefully examine Sophia’s delicate features.

“Looks good. But what about the ribbon?”

“Unni, what color do you think? I was just wondering.”

Red and blue.

Two ribbons grasped in her tiny hands.

Isabelle tilted her head slightly, then shifted her gaze toward Betty waiting nearby.

“Betty, do you have any ribbons besides these? Something like lime green would be nice.”

“Yes, the princess received some as gifts before.”

Betty quickly searched her box and pulled out a cute ribbon.

As she was about to pin it on Sophia, Isabelle extended her hand.

“I’ll do it.”

Taking the ribbon, Isabelle expertly tied it onto Sophia’s hair.

Placed just above the left temple, its color matched the green of her eyes, bringing a sense of calm.

“Pretty.”

“Hehe.”

“Didn’t I tell you not to laugh like that?”

“Hehe.”

At Sophia’s playful laughter, Isabelle smiled warmly.

She stood up again and looked toward Betty.

“You’ve worked hard since morning. Thanks to you, Sophia looks beautiful today.”

With a graceful gesture, she handed over two silver coins.

“Oh no, Princess, I’m only doing it because I want to.”

“Hm? It’s not a big deal to tip your quiet servant. I’m just giving it to show my gratitude, so just accept it.”

“Ah, but this is too much…”

“I’ll decide that.”

When Isabelle pushed slightly with an authoritative tone, Betty reluctantly accepted the silver and bowed her head.

“Thank you, Princess.”

“Sophia will be with me all day today, so you can leave early.”

Isabelle extended her hand to Sophia.

After a moment of hesitation, the girl ran back to Betty and hugged her lightly.

“See you tomorrow, Betty.”

“Yes, Miss. Please have a pleasant time.”

She quickly returned and took Isabelle’s hand again.

For some reason, her face was full of smiles.

Isabelle sighed softly.

“Sophia, didn’t I tell you not to hug just anyone?”

Being too casual with those beneath her could be dangerous.

Isabelle warned Sophia because she was well aware of this fact.

“Hm? But Betty isn’t just anyone, is she?”

The innocence in Sophia’s eyes made Isabelle feel a little embarrassed.

“Be more careful with those below you… Anyway, remember what I said, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good. Now, let’s go.”

***

Between morning and lunchtime.

Nedian and Glenn were walking together down a corridor.

“About four agents, roughly. I have some tasks for them.”

“Understood.”

Glenn, who looked a little tired, handed over some letters to Nedian.

“One goes to Lepent Duchy, to be delivered by father to those named in the letters. It’s a progress report and some personal correspondence.

“And another—someone needs to be found. Basic info is written on the back, tell them to refer to it. The other two—”

Glenn hesitated while handing over the last letter.

He paused in thought.

“Why the hesitation?”

“… The other two need to go to the Lems River to check the situation. Details are in the letter, and if they don’t know something, they’re to ask.

“The Lems River…”

Nedian’s face tensed slightly.

It was a very important strategic location, known as the lifeline of the northern region and part of the empire’s territory.

But though it belonged to the empire, the influence of ‘Reburn Duke’ who ruled there was much stronger.

In other words—it was practically a separate domain.

“Do you think the empire will act if it concerns the Lems River?”

Because the empire had historically troubled the duchy through the river via the duke’s arrangements.

“Exactly. We don’t know yet. That’s why we need to confirm.”

“Understood.”

“And… who will follow the ball? You?”

At the mention of the ball, Nedian’s expression turned grim.

It was a rare occurrence.

“Are you seriously planning to attend?”

“Well, I’m not really interested either. But since I won’t go empty-handed, I have to do what I must.”

“Hmm…”

“Anyway, decide that and let me know. I have an appointment… Ah, here they come.”

“Yes, have a good time.”

Nedian bowed and disappeared, while Glenn greeted the figure appearing at the end of the corridor.

“Good morning, Princess Isabelle.”

“Hello, Prince Glenn. The weather is perfect for a picnic, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. But…”

Glenn’s gaze shifted downward.

There, he saw a girl who looked like a frightened little herbivore.

“Well, Sophia? This is Prince Glenn. You should greet him.”

“Umm…”

Sophia seemed scared of the man she’d never met before, remaining cautious.

Clutching Isabelle’s dress tightly, her big eyes looked up at him with affection.

“A-ah, hello. I’m—Sophia.”

Glenn smiled unconsciously and stepped forward, bending his knees slightly.

“Nice to meet you, Princess Sophia. I’m Ron Glenn Lepent. Please take care of me.”

“Y-yes—”

Sophia shyly hid further behind Isabelle’s legs.

Just as Isabelle was about to be slightly flustered by this—

“Raniera Shea, Rinshar e Rasillian.”

Exotic words slipped from Glenn’s lips.

If memory served, such an accent was certainly—

“Elven language?”

Isabelle’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You know it.”

“How did you—?”

“By chance. Princess Sophia, aren’t you curious what I just said?”

Sophia was also filled with a sense of wonder.

Not because it was Elven language, but because of Isabelle’s amazed reaction.

“Eh, elves? What are those? What is that, unni?”

Suddenly, Sophia’s curiosity outweighed her caution, and her eyes sparkled.

“They’re mysterious fairies that have existed in this world since long ago. They probably still live now.”

“Fairies? Like the ones in storybooks—um, people?”

Fairies… are they people?

Sophia pondered the word briefly and giggled.

“Of course, they really exist.”

“Wow—what does what you said earlier mean?”

“Shall I tell you?”

Glenn skillfully extended his hand to Sophia.

At the same time, he looked up at Isabelle for permission.

She nodded with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Cautiously.

Like a small rabbit, he took careful steps forward.

“What I said earlier means—”

Glenn slowly lifted Sophia and stood up, seating her on one forearm.

“Peace as gentle as sunshine on a clear spring day.”

Though her curiosity had been satisfied, Sophia didn’t hear it now.

She was too amazed by the completely changed view.

“Wow—so high!”

“Then, shall we go?”

Glenn smiled slyly and looked at Isabelle.

She still wore a somewhat bewildered expression.

“… You handle kids quite well? That’s surprisingly good.”

“Is that so?”

Glenn just shrugged slightly.

Sophia, sitting in his arms, purred softly.

“Yes, honestly I thought it would be a relief if she didn’t cry.”

Because of arrangements related to the ball, Glenn had suggested a meal appointment.

But recently, he hadn’t been able to spend time with Sophia, so the thought suddenly came to him.

He proposed bringing her along, and to his surprise, she readily agreed.

In truth, Glenn hadn’t been thought to like children much, so this was quite surprising.

“…What kind of image do you have of me?”

“You? Hehe, it’s not as bad as you think.”

Isabelle followed Glenn as they moved toward the garden.

The warm sunlight made the day feel quite pleasant.

Glenn looked at Sophia purring beside him and unknowingly felt his fatigue disappear.