Chapter 3

It was an amazing sight to see the land shinin on. And at the same time, I was a little embarrassed. Until now, my appearance was still as dirty as I was in the orphanage.

‘In the orphanage, we were clean, though.’

This place is too fancy. Among these sparkling and pretty things, I didn’t belong like the ugly duckling in the fairy tale.

I bit my lip. There were so many people. Almost all of them are adults, althought often mixed with children. They were lined up on both sides of the red carpet with a smile on their faces.

“You can walk through this red cloth. We will follow.”

I hesitated, but the knights waited patiently.

“….”

I plucked up my courage and walked forward. In each step I took, people on both sides bent over.

“Greetings to Princess Adele.”

“Welcome, Princess!”

“I greet the Princess.”

I don’t understand, but people already liked me. I haven’t done anything yet.

My head was dizzy from the pouring greetings.

“There are too many people.”

“You’ll be greeted slowly one by one, and their names and faces will be learned later.”

The nearest knight answered kindly. The walk on the red carpet ended long after.

There were a lot of buildings in the castle. I naturally entered the building that appeared as soon as I reached the end of the carpet. Perhaps it would take a long time just to memorize the geography of the buildings.

This extraordinarily white building had a very high ceiling with a large chandelier. And there were so many stairs.

‘There is also a fountain in the building.’

I held my breath because this luxurious building didn’t feel real. At the fountain, the water continued to trickle with various lights.

Fountain? I could barely see it in the park. And I’ve got to make time for that….

‘Madeleine will love it if she sees it.’

That’s right, Madeleine. Ah. I felt guilty that I only remembered Madeleine now.

‘What should I do? I didn’t even say goodbye.’

What is Madeleine doing now? I should have told my best friend. No matter how much I suspected it was a dream….

I became nervous at the thought that I had been swept away by a completely strange environment.

‘But it’s only a temporary family. I’ll be back soon.’

I recalled the Duke’s cold face. I couldn’t ask anything, but something was definitely wrong. Why would an unmarried Duke need a daughter?

When I go back, I must apologize to Madeleine.

I didn’t know what the baby of the prophecy was, and I didn’t know why the aristocracy respected it. I would say that I didn’t think I’d have a family.

‘I’m not going to brag about the fountain.’

Madeleine might be upset. Madeleine likes dandelions like her name, so let’s pick flowers and give it as gifts. Then she might forgive me. I’ll give her a warm hug.

Thinking so far, I finally felt better.

After a while, the first two people approached me. Both were women, one looked older than the Duke, and the other looked about the same age as the eldest sister in the orphanage.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Noel, the head maid of Duke Alcibiades’ household. It’s a great honor for me to serve the Princess.”

“Hello, Princess. My name is Sarina, I will attend the Princess.”

“….hello. My name is Adele.”

In my honorifics, Noel frowned for a moment, but her expression soon became calm.

“First, I’ve prepared the bath water. Sarina will be attending the Princess’ bath.”

‘Do you also need to help in the bath?’

I was wondering for a moment, but I nodded silently. I’m full of things I don’t know, so I’ll just do what she tell me to do.

Then I heard the voice of the knight from behind.

“We’re leaving now.”

I turned around.

I don’t know much, but it was the five knights who risked their lives to protect me. If you receive something, you must express your gratitude. I bowed my head.

“Goodbye, sir knights.”

“It’s Michael. That over-courteous title is … I’ll correct it later.”

It was the knight who made the Duke sheathed his sword before. He continued his words.

“I’ll introduce the other knights to you formally tomorrow. There are so many names that the Princess can be confused with.”

Michael’s words smirked the other knights.

“Don’t let the Princess be confused.”

“But why is Michael the only one?”

“Have a comfortable night, Princess.”

Michael bowed his head without paying attention to them.

But I was too surprised to answer.

‘The mad dog Michael.’

No matter how poorly educated someone was, theye knew the nickname. Michael’s name was that famous.

When I went out on the street, adults often fainted Michael’s name. With considerable fear. Or disgust. Women sometimes have their faces full of joy.

‘Is he really that person?’

“I … just one.”

“….?”

“I would like to ask.”

I thought he would be gone soon, so I grabbed Michael.

I said one, but I actually had a lot to ask. What is the baby of prophecy. Did the Duke really become my family. Why are you saying that you will risk your life to protect me.

But that was not what I wanted to ask the most.

‘Am I going to be abandoned again?’

Michael looked at me oddly. There was a moment of silence when our eyes met.

Violet eyes … it’s pretty.

“…Children should go to bed early. It’s late, so I’ll officially visit you tomorrow. I’d like to have the question delivered then.”

When I thought his eyes were like jewels, Michael answered.

A flat and calm refusal. The refusal was so familiar that I remained silent.

“Then.”

“…”

Michael and the knights made some strange moves as they bent down. After a while the knights left the building, Sarina said.

“Let me take you, Princess.”

I nodded my head.

***

It was more dreamy than a dream.

It was the first time I experienced it, saw it for the first time, and did it for the first time.

Sarina’s bath was dreary. It was strangely hard, but….

When I was in an orphanage, I used to wash myself in the running rain or in the stream. Now she soaked my body in blue water floating beautifully with red rose petals and washed away the dirt with a mysterious medicine.

‘It’s soft.’

The water was soft. The bathtub was too big for me. The bathroom is bigger than the bedroom I used to sleep with the other children.

I was an orphan, but now I’m as fine as a doll.

My hair is shiny and combed, and the soft cloth covered my body. When I finished washing up and changed my clothes, I saw a little girl standing in the mirror.

<figure>

I was hardened. Fortunately, the wind spirit gently pushed the door shut on my behalf.

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T/N: Dandelion = 민들레, Madeleine = 마들렌.