[IHTTMBW] Chapter 26

“But the maids said it’s all thanks to Euvil.” 

When I was with Euphil, I could always sleep well. 

“In this palace.” 

It was about this time that I started to feel sleepy. Euphil mentioned that his period of seclusion would be over soon, but I found myself hoping that it wouldn’t end so I could continue taking naps with him like this. 

‘If we keep sleeping together, maybe he’ll become attached to me?’ 

I had thought about one thing while he was in seclusion: that we were too weak. And the weak usually rely on the strength of others. I quietly contemplated whose strength I could borrow and resolved to make sure Euphil wouldn’t be isolated again for my plans. 

When his seclusion ended, I truly did visit his palace every day and took a nap with him. Euphil sometimes stroked my hair during those naps, which made me incredibly happy. One day, I even woke up to find him holding me. 

‘It’s so warm.’ 

It had been a very long time since I had slept beside someone. It was almost like the first time since I had taken on Myrthi’s form. After all, a teddy bear wasn’t a person. 

While I was enchanted by the warmth and continued to visit daily, Euphil’s seclusion eventually ended. Afterwards, instead of Valk, Euphil himself began carrying me around and taking me to the palace. 

“The palace is quite chaotic these days, so it’s good to be aware.” 

“Chaotic?” “Yes. There’s talk that the King’s uncle will be arriving soon. He’s a duke.” 

A duke. 

I had read about such figures in books. The King’s uncle was the brother of the previous King, someone who normally wouldn’t even appear in a story like this. 

But he was different. He had become a duke by defeating the monsters in the northwest, earning his title through sheer prowess. He was what one might call a Sword Master. 

And it wasn’t due to bloodline; he had earned his duchy through his own strength and had chosen to settle in the northwest. Naturally, his appointment came with immense authority, and even the King couldn’t easily dismiss him. Although he eventually died after battling monsters in his old age, time spares no one. 

‘Hmm, someone the king can’t easily deal with…’ 

I could almost smell it—there was a scent of opportunity, perhaps even wealth. 

“Princess, how about this dress for today?” 

A white silk dress with purple lace adorning the chest like a blooming flower fluttered in the air. It was perfectly tailored and had a neat neckline. I bit my finger and giggled, nodding in approval. 

Even without looking, I knew that Orzette would make me look beautiful. 

She always said that brushing my hair made her the happiest, and her gentle touch, like stroking a baby rabbit, always relaxed my expression. 

She gathered a handful of my pinkish-silver hair and carefully brushed it down, treating it like a precious silver thread. After skillfully working with it, she styled my hair in a way that resembled something out of a classic tale, like Juliet’s. 

I could never have imagined the care she showed me when Ante was looking after me. 

Feeling good, I gently grabbed Orzette’s arm and nuzzled my cheek against it. She smiled warmly at me. 

“My, Princess, you seem to be in an especially good mood today.” 

“Yes, yes! Euvil oppa is busy today, so I don’t have to study.” 

“Oh, you don’t like studying, do you? It’s not typically done at your age, but you’re so bright… Prince Euphil must be quite ambitious for you.” 

“Mm-hmm.” 

That was exactly how it was. Whenever I accomplished something, Euphil promptly brought the next challenge, as if he had been waiting for it.