[IHTTMBW] Chapter 6

“Holding like this might get me in trouble... But I’ll hold so the Princess doesn’t fall.”

“Um! Myrthi says thank you when doing this!”

I shook my hand and firmly grasped his finger, pretending not to hear the inner laughter above my head.

“You’ve been well trained. Shall we go then?”

After nodding, I started moving forward, barely supporting my weight on his hand.

One hundred meters, 50 meters...

I’ve caught it. The longed-for outside was before my eyes.

When I got outside, I sincerely admired the fresh air, birds chirping, and the old garden that must have been beautiful once.

“Wow...!”

“Haha. It’s quite beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yeah! Myrthi. It’s my first time seeing something so pretty!”

Indeed.

The untidy garden had wildly growing trees, but the old fountain, marble decorations, and elegantly carved fences were stylish.

It felt like entering a secret garden no one knew about. The garden was better than expected, and it made my heart race.

Unable to hide my admiration, my cheeks flushed, and Valk smiled again.

“If I had known you would like it this much, I would have brought you here sooner.”

Before, he probably didn’t even think of me, but now his face clearly showed a fondness for this young Princess.

And I replied, smiling innocently like a good child,

“It’s okay! Myrthi is happy to see Valk for the first time! Valk is Myrthi’s friend!”

“Kheuk...!”

This must have been a critical hit.

I looked at Valk, covering his face with both hands, not understanding why he was attacked.

“Valk, are you crying?”

“No. I’m just so happy, happy.”

He certainly looked guilty.

So, who made a deal using the firewood for Ante and my room feeling guilty? But I was just a five-year-old who knew none of that.

“Myrthi will cry too! Because I’m happy!”

“No, no. That’s not necessary, Princess. Shall we take a walk there?”

“Yes!”

And then, the conscience attack began.

Valk carefully took me close to the area he patrolled, escorting me as if he was truly serving a princess. Maybe for the first time, he realised he was the captain of the palace guard. Valk’s face grew darker as we continued to talk because I kept launching conscience attacks. Each word was as if I was being a good child.

Finally, Valk muttered a small question.

“Princess, isn’t your room cold?”

“Uh, a little. But they said it was originally like that because it’s made of stone! It gets better if you cover yourself with a blanket.”

“Er, cough! Hmmm. Yes, a palace made of stone is cold.”

“Uh-huh. So, I sleep with my ‘Puppy’. It’s a teddy bear friend... Since Valk is also my friend, I’ll introduce you!”

“Thank you. Really... my heart is melting.”

I tilted my head slightly and blinked my eyes open.

“Melting? Do you hate Valk Myrthi?”

“Don’t rub your dusty face too much.”

Sure enough, a voice was heard. I suddenly lifted my head. Then, right before my eyes, I saw ruby-like red pupils. Golden blond hair that seemed to have just been blown by the wind. A small child with chubby cheeks was there. 

But what did he say? While thinking, I unconsciously hugged that soft cloth tightly. …. It’s soft, it’s happy. 

Then, the little one’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. He was originally looking at me with an expressionless face. Really, his face seemed like he could be a kids’ model. Even though he was expressionless, it was enough to momentarily make one open their mouth in awe. 

“Don’t rub against it.” 

“Huh?” 

“I said not to rub your face on my bed.” 

The little one spoke in a high-handed tone. I looked at him, tilting my head. While I blinked my eyes wide, he sighed. 

“You’re slow. Bringing in something that sleeps like a bug.” 

“A bug?” 

“Yes. That’s how caterpillars sleep.” 

“But Myrthi is not a bug.” 

“But you slept like that.” 

The more we talked, the more my mouth seemed to pout in dissatisfaction. I saw him momentarily flustered at that sight. 

“Going to cry? Don’t cry. It’s annoying.” 

“Myrthi is not a bug.” 

Right, not a bug! 

Creatures that curl up to sleep aren’t limited to caterpillars or arthropods; there are countless mammals, too. But to compare me to a bug? I don’t know who this guy is, but his face was pretty enough that I might have forgiven him normally. But a bug was beyond my tolerance. 

“Myrthi is… not a bug.” 

The little one’s face was flushing with embarrassment. 

This was my chance, and I seized it. Clearly, he hated seeing a kid cry, so I would do exactly what he hated. 

After making up my mind, I hung big teardrops in my eyes. The tears hung there quite easily. Meanwhile, my hand had secretly moved to a position where I could pinch my thigh. 

“Myrthi is...” 

“Ah, okay. You’re not a bug. You’re cuter than a bug.” 

I was cuter than a bug. Is that a compliment? I made a sulky face and looked at him. During this bug argument, I didn’t forget to look around.