Chapter 18

Noah seemed to have sensed it, even though it wasn't explicitly stated. He quietly glared at Karlheinz.

"Are you saying that you leaked the fact that the princess has magical power to the royal family?"

Though his voice was controlled, a strong sense of vigilance towards Karlheinz was evident.

Dealing with the head magician, Noah's courage was remarkable for a nine-year-old boy. Since he had sworn to be Claudia's servant, he had been protecting her in every situation.

Karlheinz, apparently sensing this, answered Noah sincerely.

"I have already reported to His Majesty that 'Her Highness is unwell and is not in a condition to be measured for magic or transferred to the capital.' I myself am cautious not to take any suspicious actions."

"…I can't fully trust you. There's a possibility that you are trying to get the princess to go to the capital by inciting the queen."

"That is something I swear is impossible."

"Really? You are…"

"Alright, Noah."

While gripping Noah's clothes to stop him, Claudia calmly said,

"My stepmother probably wants to get rid of me before I recover."

Karlheinz's eyes widened. However, Noah, who had almost been killed by his real uncle, nodded as if it were a common occurrence.

"Then, what should we do?"

"Hmm. We could turn them away, you know."

The magicians from earlier were likely the queen's private soldiers.

Their strength was far inferior to Claudia's, and even Karlheinz's subordinate magicians.

With that level, they could be subdued in a few seconds.

However, what Claudia disliked was that they were trying to interfere with the villagers.

"…Your Highness?"

"Karlheinz. I really, really like this playground."

After all, the sheep were fluffy.

The villagers were cheerful, doted on Claudia and Noah, and shared many delicious foods with them.

"I hate it when my garden is messed up. …So, you know?"

"―!?"

Claudia smiled with a superior grin.

Karlheinz stiffened, and Noah pressed his forehead. Ignoring these reactions, she declared the decision.

"I'm going. To Father's place."

"Your Highness…"

Though it was troublesome, there was no other way.

Claudia, looking down, giggled and declared,

"I will prove to you that I am a princess who is 'pretending' to have no magic."

***

That day, a large number of attendees gathered at the royal castle.

The six-year-old Princess Claudia, who had never appeared in public since she was born, was to undergo a second magic assessment.

This time, the assessment was to be held in the castle's chapel, with many third parties present.

A certain priest had suggested, "To ensure there is no cheating in the measurement, it should be done in public."

Especially in the case of Princess Claudia, as her initial assessment was conducted in secret immediately after her birth, it was decided that the re-assessment should be done with caution.

The king agreed and gathered the nobles with high ranks in the country, along with the queen, princes, and princesses, in the chapel.

More than thirty nobles who had taken their seats whispered to each other cautiously, making sure their voices were not heard by the royal family in the second-tier seats.

"To come here specifically for a magic assessment of a six-year-old princess… It seems the king is very serious about the next war."

"Even if he needs more troops, does he really need to look for them among the royal family? My son would be much more useful to His Majesty."

Some nobles were spreading rumors about the king's actions.

However, most of the rumors were mixed with contempt and ridicule towards Princess Claudia.

"Princess Claudia's mother is said to be an orphan and a dancer. Or was she a singer? Regardless, her low status remains. No matter that she is the king's child, her blood is tainted."

"According to the maids, she is said to be an ugly, emaciated, and pitiful princess. She rarely speaks and is always dazed…"

"Haha, I feel sorry for her. A princess who doesn't even know proper etiquette, being dragged into such a place. She has no real support, does she?"

"That's right. I have been telling my son to be kind to Princess Claudia at the children's tea party later. Even if she can't greet properly, he shouldn't laugh."

As the first door of the chapel opened, these whispers grew quieter.

"Here she comes. What will this 'deficient' princess be like?"

"I hope she doesn't embarrass herself by crying and screaming. Well, let's see…"

However, the moment the inner door of the chapel opened, the nobles were taken aback by the girl who appeared.

"―Is that Princess Claudia…?"