[IHTTMBW] Chapter 21

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“This is Myrthi, the princess of this palace.”

“O-oh, Princess? You must be Princess Myrthi. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Were you having a good time with our prince?”

“Yes, we promised to become friends just now.”

I said nothing and just looked at Algercim. As Algercim returned my gaze, he bowed to me and said.

“You have to go, sir. The Queen wants to see you.”

“Mother is? Okay, I’m on my way!”

The Queen of Alkaden. Now I knew what Allenan was doing here.

The Queen of Alkaden was the sister of the Queen of this country, and the two of them had a good relationship. The Queen of Alkaden seemed to visit here often.

“Wait.”

As Algercim bowed to me and turned around, Allenan stopped him. Then he grasped my little hand, sank onto one knee, and kissed the back of my hands. The place where his lips landed tingled like a bird tickling me. As I opened my eyes wide, Allenan brightly smiled.

“See you later, Princess Myrthi.”

He was so embarrassed that his face flushed, and he ran away. He blushes way too much. First and foremost, a man should be handsome. That adorable boy looked even cuter with his blushing face.

I should have known what he meant when he said he would visit often. Splendid and expensive jewellery from the neighbouring country and books I’d never seen before were constantly being delivered.

“You’re betrothed to the prince of Alkaden!”

“Huh?”

I’m betrothed to Allenan?

This is what happened. After that fateful day, Allenan returned with his knight and told the Queen of Alkaden about me. He declared that he wanted to marry Princess Myrthi of Crothasone.

Did he mean me? Was I the only Princess of Crothasone?

Of course, I had one princess half-sister older than me, but she was married already, so she was out running. Although I am famous for being abandoned by the knights, I was a princess living in a decent palace.

Of course, the castle only looks like this because Euphil used his own budget and sent Ante away, but they will never know about this story.

To them, Myrthi is the only Princess in the castle, but she has no relatives. Therefore, no nobles ever visit the castle. She is a princess who has no connection with the outside world. She has a high rank but no power.

These were perfect circumstances for Alkaden to marry their prince into.

So the Queen of Alkaden asked her sister about marrying me to her son, Allenan. The Queen was positive towards this deal.

I was sore in her eyes, and I was also a child the King did not love, so it benefited her to get rid of me. Like this, a win-win contract was made confidentially.

Since then, things have changed.

The royal family of the neighbouring country has started to send jewellery. Although the palace is in decent condition, it looks as if it lacks supplements. The royal family could lose face if the prince’s wife stayed in a poor palace. So I was stacking up treasures inside my castle without doing anything.

“Oh my, look at all these silk clothes from the Western countries. It’s so soft!”

“These are gifts sent from Prince Allenan.”

Also, maids were sent either to serve me or monitor me. Suddenly, my palace was full of people. I was unfamiliar with this change but soon was preoccupied with the jewellery boxes.

“Wow, Myrthi likes jewellery!”

As I checked all the jewellery, I had my maids put some in my hair and placed a new jewellery case inside my dressing table. It wasn’t just jewellery or accessories. The person who was happiest after dressing me up in a dress designed by a famous designer was Orzette.

“Oh my god, my lady! You are so beautiful! Oh my, you are an angel!”

“You are so beautiful, my princess.”

Although I thought a five-year-old kid couldn’t be that beautiful, I changed my mind when I saw myself in the mirror.

Pink lubricating oil on my silver hair made it sparkle like jewels, and a diamond necklace emphasised my purple eyes. My shining lips reflected light from the lighting, and they were red and plump even though I had never used lipstick. My long lace dress was covered with a few layers of fabric and made me look doll-like.

“…Oh my.”

I was Mrs. Beautiful.

I was amazed by my looks, so I thought about other people. Orzette was looking at me with her hands covering her mouth, and the other maids were looking for other jewels to complete my dress.

The Chief Guard Valk, who worked hard, shook his head for a long time and mumbled, ‘It’s not an illusion; it is our princess, our princess.’

Orzette shouted.

“We have to protect our princess!”

That was so sudden.

But the other maids and guards started to nod, slowly at first and then furiously. They started debating about how my appearance could make me suffer, and if I were to go outside, I could be taken by a god.

I wasn’t familiar with this love, so when I turned 19, I began to steal some jewels to prepare for my independence.