~ Chapter 5.1 ~

The next day, the nanny asked a Philomel who was barely awake, her face still crumpled from sleep, if nothing had happened last night.

« Nothing special? Really. Why, what happened? »

« No, nothing. It’s fine. »

What had happened?  As Philomel looked suspiciously at the nanny, she hastened to change the subject.

« In any case, His Majesty the Emperor has sent you a very special fruit known throughout the world to be good for strength recovery. »

« His Majesty? « Philomel asked, opening her eyes wide.

« Yes. Thank him when you see him next time. What did you do to make him send you such a precious thing for a simple cold…. »

The Water World is a sacred tree that grows in the heart of the continent, especially its fruit. It is known to be an excellent revitalizer.

It was a medicine capable of making an eighty year old man stronger, it was a simple cold medicine for the emperor of the empire. Every year, the imperial palace received ten fruits as an offering. He had few. That’s why it surprised her that the emperor gave some to Philomel.

When she knew nothing about her future, she would have been delighted to think that this gift was the result of her father’s love and interest.  But now she had the unpleasant feeling that it was Count Polan who had sent the fruit and put the emperor’s name on it. The Count’s heart was generous, and this generosity was directed to the Emperor’s daughter, not to Philomel. The little girl replied with a business smile.

She replied with a business smile.

« All right. Tell him that I appreciate the thoughtfulness. For the fruit and the medicine. »

« Oh, is that all? «

« Why? What else do you need? «

« Nothing. »

The nanny seemed suspicious by the princess’ lukewarm reaction. However, she continued

« Oh, on hearing the news that the princess is ill, His Grace the Duke of Abriden has asked to visit you. »

Prince Abriden. Nassar Abriden. The fiancé of Philomel.

« Really? »

« When do you think he can come and visit you? »

Thanks to yesterday’s rest day, Philomel was in better shape.  She had had a long cold.

« Can you arrange that for this afternoon if you can?  But if they already have something planned, I’ll see it tomorrow. » Philomel replied, remembering the boy standing in the rain.

Shortly after, she received an answer from Duke Abriden that he would come to visit her this afternoon. Thinking of Nassar Abriden’s handsome, well-groomed face, Philomel grabbed her nightgown and clenched her firmly in her fists.  This is an opportunity for her to understand Nassar’s feelings towards her. He who had always behaved kindly towards her.

When she found out that her fiancé, Nassar, was the male protagonist who would follow Ellencia into the novel, she was shocked to the core.  As if taking her father away from her was not enough, Ellencia had also taken her fiancé away from her. In the novel, Nassar, as a stereotype of a male lead, was carefree, romantic and devoted. But only in front of the main character, Ellencia.

He was so different from the Nassar she knew.

‘He wasn’t mine to begin with, so…’

If it’s inevitable, it was better to face it now.  The pain would only hit her once instead of taking several blows over several days. Philomel went to her appointment.

« Nassar, straighten your face. His imperial highness will arrive soon. You wouldn’t want her to see you with such a face. »

Philomel stopped walking when she heard the duke’s voice escaping from her private drawing room.  Philomel stopped the maid who was about to announce her arrival with a gesture of the hand. As Philomel was accustomed to arriving late for appointments, Nassar and the duke were having a little chat, no doubt thinking that she would be late again as usual.

‘Until now, I was always late because I was thinking about what to wear.‘

She didn’t need to do that anymore, she was just dressed.

« But father, I’m disappointed that I couldn’t go to my appointment with my friends because I’m visiting a sick person. »

« But you have to do this because it’s your duty. Have you forgotten who you are? »

« ….. No, I’m well aware of that. »

As the Duke screamed silently, Nassar could not speak and closed his mouth. Philomel entered the private salon after counting to ten.

« It’s been a while since I said hello to the princess. How do you feel? »

When the duke greeted her first, Nassar straightened up his childlike appearance and faced Philomel.

« I couldn’t help worrying about your illness. »

« It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. Duke and …Nassar, my cold is almost over. Thank you for your concern. »

When the Duke had finished his greeting, he informed them that he had a meeting to attend. Before leaving the drawing room, he did not forget to catch his son’s gaze and silently warn him.  This meant that he should not offend her. Even though the princess was obsessed with his son anyway, he did not want his son to neglect her attention.

After sitting on the sofa in front of the boy, Philomel opened her mouth.

« Nassar »

« Yes, My Lady? »

She remembered the first time she had met Nassar. Philomel fell in love at first sight. She fell in love with this beautiful boy with a mature atmosphere. There was a mysterious atmosphere surrounding this boy with shiny platinum hair, which undoubtedly attracted her. She also loved his red eyes that others found creepy.

« Your Highness… »

« …….. »

« Your Imperial Highness? Is everything all right? »

« Oh yes, I’m fine »

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Nassar gave her a worried look. She had been lost in thought for a while.

« I’m worried you’re overdoing it. »

Sweet Nassar.

In the past, she sincerely believed in his kindness and that he was in the same disposition as her. In fact, Nassar was the person who had shown her the most courtesy and kindness from everyone around her. However, after reading « The Empress Ellencia », her beliefs were shattered. Philomel called out his name again.