[IHTTMBW] Chapter 4

They say that if you know your enemy and yourself, you can win every battle. I wish I could win sometimes.

To win, I had to learn about the geography around here. No one told me who owned each palace, so I clenched my fist tightly.

‘I know I will not die until I become nineteen years old. Before the time comes, I need to look around!’

However, I was just five years old and was not strong enough to walk around for a long time.

I panted for breath and collapsed beside a pillar. I was in the place one block away from the outside! I was looking on the way outside and was about to cry. Right at that moment, I surprisingly heard something moving, like there was someone.

‘What!’

My hair felt as if it stood on the ends.

Who in the world comes here? Is it Ante? If it’s her, I would be pinched or hit by her powerful hand!

I shut my eyes tight until the sound of footsteps came near me.

“…… Who is it? Who is in the princess palace here?” the voice asked.

Hiccup.

I started to hiccup and tried to open my eyes slowly.

Hiccup, hiccup.

I was scared. My eyes began to fill with tears. When I opened my eyes, there was a guard who looked quite embarrassed.

“Are you the girl with purple.eyes? No, Princess?”

“Hiccup. Wa!”

“No, no. Please don’t cry! Princess! I am sorry! I am sorry!” 

“Wah!” 

Wow, I’ve heard the saying ‘I am sorry’ for the first time.

Because of this saying, I smiled inwardly, but I still kept on crying, hiding my happiness in my mind.

No. I was scared. I have never seen anyone other than Ante and the other maids.

Anyway, the guard was embarrassed. I kept crying because I did not want to be blamed for it.

“Hiccup, Wash.” 

“Princess…Princess.” 

“Hi, Hiccup! Waaaah!” 

“Do you want some pies?” 

I stopped crying.

“…pies?”

I have never heard the word of pies here before. Were there pies here? Isn’t this the place where you cannot find any dessert?

No, I have seen scenes like a tea party or ball that showed delicious desserts in the novel. I assumed desserts were outside the Princess’s palace.

I glared at the guard. Because of my facial expression, he hurried to give me some pies.

“These are not bad. Well, my wife packed these for me to eat for dessert… She said that they are so sweet because there are raspberries in them. Also, she said that my son liked them.” 

“Yes.” 

Oops. I should have said no to him at least once before saying yes.

I was looking at the pies, like I wanted it, with my purple eyes filled with tears.

“…I would get… in trouble … if I eat something that a strange man gives…to me.”

“I know! I know! Yes, Yes. I see Ante has been doing well in teaching you. I am not a stranger. I am the chief guard for this palace. My name is Valk.” 

No way. Ante had not taught me anything like that ever.

I rolled my eyes and opened them wide. I saw that his face became brighter. But, he quickly hardened his face.

“Valgu?” 

“Yes, yes. Valgu. You can call me Valgu. Are you alright with that? Please have some pies now. If someone sees you crying, I would be… No, nothing. Never mind. Humhum.” 

“Pies… Valgu… Then, could we be friends now?” 

“No way! How could I be friends with a princess? I cannot be your friend.” 

No, you are not right. As you said, you are the chief guard. That means I should make you my friend for my life. I also couldn’t help wanting him as a friend, especially since Ante has harassed me over and over again because she needs to beg a guard for firewood.

I attempted to make the cutest face by puffing up my cheeks.

“She told me that if someone gives me something to eat, it was not a friend…I can’t eat…”

I closed and opened my eyes, filled with tears.

Tears were falling on my cheeks. I saw Valk’s eyes. I caught on that he was perplexed and embarrassed.

He spoke out loudly.

“Yes! I am your friend! Now, please eat some pies, Princess!” 

I smiled inwardly.

He was my first personal connection. Even though he was just the chief guard for the secluded princess palace, he was still in the position of the chief.

Shining before my eyes were some delicious pies with purple jam in them.

Yum-yum. Yum-yum-yum-yum.

“Is it good, Princess? You have jam on your cheeks.” 

“Oh yes, yes…It’s so good.” 

I devoured the raspberry pies quickly like a beggar, putting jam on my cheeks.

I felt like I was about to cry because I had eaten something, oh, so delicious. I was originally not the one who cared much for this sweet food, but it was the first thing I’d ever tasted since I became Myrthi here.