Chapter 11

As Lirika had expected, her mother was very upset, but after Lirika reassured her several times that she was fine, her mother calmed down. Then she whispered,

"Don't worry, Liri. Artil will surely regret this day later."

"Huh?"

Lirika was startled and looked at her mother. Regret?

Lirika didn't wish for such a thing at all, but if it would ease her mother's mind, a little story like this would be fine.

She didn't think her mother had the power to make the Crown Prince regret, but to boost her mother's spirits, Lirika nodded.

"Alright."

At her words, Rudia smiled and hugged her daughter tightly before letting her go.

"Liri, I've ordered something new to cheer you up."

Seeing the long gift box, Lirika's eyes widened. She couldn't guess what was inside.

When she opened the gift box, an umbrella was inside.

It was a small umbrella adorned with lace and jewels.

"It's so beautiful."

Lirika marveled. Beside her, Brin gasped.

"Could it be Elzerk lace?"

"Indeed, real Elzerk lace."

Rudia smiled, and Lirika tilted her head.

"Elzerk lace?"

Brin quickly explained.

"It's lace from the Elzerk region. It's incredibly delicate, takes a long time to weave, and is very expensive, but it's renowned for its beauty."

"I see."

The umbrella handle was made of ivory, and the grip was gold. It seemed like this umbrella alone could buy a castle.

Most umbrellas were large and held by attendants, but Rudia had popularized the more active bustle dress over the crinoline and brought out the umbrella to match.

She had also ordered a smaller umbrella for Lirika.

People might say it was too luxurious for a child, but Rudia paid no attention.

The most important thing for her was to do something for her daughter.

Lirika's eyes sparkled as she asked,

"Can I go for a walk now?"

"Of course."

Lirika smiled broadly and picked up the umbrella.

"?"

The umbrella was much heavier than she expected. She was thinner than most girls her age, which made it even more so.

But she didn't want to disappoint her mother, so Lirika pretended it was no problem.

"I'll go out right away."

"Alright, alright."

Rudia nodded with a satisfied smile. Lirika held the umbrella with both hands and went outside.

When she opened the umbrella, the crystal decorations scattered the sunlight into rainbow fragments.

"Wow."

Lirika held the umbrella over her shoulder, and it felt a bit lighter.

She strolled leisurely through the sunlit garden, twirling her umbrella. Light fragments danced around.

Her new kid's leather shoes made a cheerful clacking sound, and her heart was light.

If only the spring breeze hadn't blown. The already heavy umbrella was caught by the wind, and Lirika felt herself being pulled along.

"Princess."

Brin cried out in alarm.

"I'm fine!"

Lirika shouted back, but the strong spring wind quickly carried her umbrella away.

"No!"

Thinking the castle was flying away, Lirika's vision went black, and she started running after the umbrella.

She abandoned the idea of following the garden path and leaped over the grass and a small stream.

"Princess! Don't run!"

Brin shouted from behind, but Lirika's eyes were fixed on the umbrella.

Fortunately, the wind stopped, and the umbrella fell to the ground, so Lirika sprinted to it.

"Ah?!"

She tumbled just in front of the umbrella.

"Hehe, did you ride the umbrella and fall?"

Hearing the laughter, she realized she had fallen into someone. She quickly pressed down her skirt and got up.

"Really, I'm so sorry..."

Her words were a beat slow because the person in front of her was incredibly handsome.

In Lirika's heart, her mother was always the most beautiful person, but this person took second place.

She had never seen anyone like him.

His silver hair shone like moonlight, and his features were coldly beautiful.

His beauty was like a finely crafted silver blade.

Twelve? Thirteen?

The boy smiled.

"Are you okay?"

"Huh? Yes, I'm fine. I'm sorry!"

Lirika finally regained her composure and apologized quickly. The boy smiled again. He picked up the fallen umbrella and twirled it.

The sunlight, shining in various colors, reflected off his silver hair, and Lirika stared in a daze.

"Isn't it too heavy for you to carry? A lighter one would be better."

His gaze moved to the back and then returned to Lirika.

"I see. So you're the princess who's been the subject of recent rumors. Well, you're the only one who carries such an umbrella."

Even though she was right in front of him, he spoke as if he were talking about a third person.

"I thought you were a luxurious and wicked woman, but I'm surprised."

Lirika frowned at his words. If he had said this about her mother, she would have been angry, but about herself, well.

But to maintain the dignity of a princess, she stood up straight and lectured him.

"You shouldn't judge people by rumors without seeing them yourself."

"Yeah, but gossip and slander are really fun, aren't they?"

The boy smiled and stood up. He extended his hand, and Lirika took it to get up. Only then did she notice his attire.

It was as splendid as his appearance. He wore a blouse with decorative sleeves and a vest.

It was an informal outfit for the palace, but his appearance didn't suffer at all, which amazed Lirika.

"Barat Young Duke, please show some respect."

Brin's voice came from behind. The boy grinned and elegantly placed the umbrella on her shoulder, then bowed.

Lirika's mouth opened in surprise. It was the most elegant and handsome bow she had ever seen. Even Lady Glendrin couldn't bow like that.

The bow, performed in trousers, was unique but captivating.

"Is this good?"

Brin frowned at his playful words. Lirika, purely in admiration, said,

"Really, it's so elegant... No, really, it's elegant."

At her words, the boy tilted his head and then laughed.

He stopped laughing and spoke softly.

"Are you being sincere?"

His actions could have been seen as mocking, but she was admiring something else.

"But it's true, isn't it?"

At her words, he chuckled again.

"My name is Fjord Barat. I'm Barat's greatest masterpiece."

The last words were full of sarcasm, but it was unclear if he was talking to himself.

Lirika responded.

"Pleased to meet you, Duke Barat."

"Just call me Fjord."

"Fjord."

Muttering the name in her mouth, Lirika suddenly said,

"Will you teach me how to bow?"

"Teach the princess how to bow?"

"Yes, I've never seen anyone bow so beautifully. I really want to learn."

At her earnest words, he scratched his cheek and said,

"To teach the princess, I would need the royal family's permission. Why don't you get it first?"

"Oh, I see. I didn't know. I'm sorry for the sudden request."

Seeing the young princess sincerely apologize, Fjord had a strange expression. He smiled wryly and folded the umbrella, handing it to her.

"It seems my plan to tease you won't work. Let's go back. If you say you met Barat here, you won't hear good things."

"Huh?"

"Princess, it's best to do so."

Brin agreed, and Lirika nodded. Looking back, Brin seemed eager to leave.

As Lirika followed her out of the forest, she looked back. Fjord, standing there, bowed again, and Lirika waved without thinking.

When they emerged from the forest, Brin sighed.

"I didn't expect to meet Barat here."

"What about Barat?"

Brin frowned and thought for a moment before saying,

"I can't really tell you. Lady Glendrin can't either. Maybe you should ask the Empress."

The political dynamics between families were not something a maid should explain, nor was it something a etiquette teacher, who wasn't of noble birth, should discuss.

"Yes, but he was incredibly beautiful."

Lirika sighed. Brin smiled and asked,

"More beautiful than the Empress?"

"No, Mom is always the best! There's no one more beautiful than her."

But he was the second most beautiful. The rainbow fragments and silver hair still lingered in her mind.

Curious, Lirika hurried to her mother. Fortunately, the audience had just ended, and Rudia welcomed her daughter warmly.

"Mother, he's called Fjord Barat?"

"Of course, I know."

Rudia knew the name well.

Isn't he Barat Duke's masterpiece?

'He should be around twelve now. In three years, he'll die.'

Fjord Barat will die mysteriously, and Barat Duke will become even more erratic.

"Why Fjord Barat?"

"I met him in the garden. He picked up my umbrella."

At her daughter's words, Rudia frowned.

"Fjord Barat? In the Sun Palace garden?"

"Yes."

"I see."

Rudia fell into thought.

The Barat family was always eyeing the throne. Barat Duke was the leader of the noble faction, which was completely opposed to the imperial faction.

But he wasn't satisfied with being the leader of the noble faction and aimed for the