Chapter 19

### Chapter 5

The young girl's small lips were a pale rose color.

Her white cheeks formed a perfect curve, and small earrings dangled from her ears. Her dress, predominantly white, fluttered softly at the hem, elegant yet endearing.

Her hair, a translucent milky tea color, flowed smoothly with her movements, clearly well-maintained, as if it shimmered with a moistened light.

The simple braids she wore harmonized beautifully with the floral hair accessories.

Her eyes were large and wide, framed by long lashes.

Claudia lowered her gaze, pinched the hem of her dress, and curtsied, drawing one foot back.

It was a perfect ladylike bow.

The attendees were surprised, exhaling in awe and whispering to each other.

"That's... not what we were told. Where is the ill-mannered, ugly princess?"

"How composed she is, surrounded by so many people."

Their surprise only grew when they saw the figure that followed Claudia.

"That's..."

The man had long silver hair and ruby-colored eyes.

He usually wore a neutral, indifferent expression, which only highlighted his perfectly chiseled features. The embroidery on his robe indicated his high status.

"Lord Karlheinz...!"

The country's chief magician stood behind the young Claudia, as if protecting her and pledging his loyalty.

Karlheinz was not only renowned for his magical prowess but also for his cleanliness.

Despite the many high-society women who sought him as a bodyguard, Karlheinz had never agreed to such requests, treating no one, not even nobles, with special favor.

For Karlheinz, who had never shown interest in the princess, to be by her side was a shock to the nobles.

"Why is the chief magician by Princess Claudia's side?"

"Could it be...?"

Karlheinz began his declaration calmly.

"Karlheinz Rinaldo Exner. ...This time, I have brought Princess Claudia as her temporary guardian."

His words caused a stir in the cathedral.

"The guardian of a princess with no magic is the country's chief magician...!?"

"Karlheinz is a powerful figure that everyone wants. Why would he serve a princess with no magic?"

Despite their questions, they all focused on Claudia.

None of them noticed that Claudia, as she walked to the altar, was gathering information using non-verbal magic.

(---The reactions are as expected.)

Claudia smiled and walked step by step to the altar in her polished shoes.

She had performed a mature bow earlier, but her basic strategy remained unchanged. She intended to act like an innocent and young princess, avoiding unnecessary trouble.

That's why she was gathering the necessary information using non-verbal magic.

(They are a distinguished group, but most are insignificant. ---They believe their impolite gazes, expressions, and whispers go unnoticed by me and the other royals.)

While pretending to walk diligently, Claudia glanced at the special seats set up behind the altar.

These seats were covered by a thin canopy.

Through the canopy, the figures of the royals appeared like a hazy mirage.

(One woman with moderate magical power.)

She was likely the queen.

(And three children with strong magical power. Their ages are probably similar to mine. ...And the one with the most powerful magic, on par with Karlheinz, is...)

Claudia focused on the figure in the center of the special seats.

(---That must be my 'father.')

Claudia stopped in front of the altar.

At that moment, she thought she heard her father laugh from behind the canopy.

"You have done well, Karlheinz."

The moment the king spoke, the cathedral fell silent.

The nobles, who had been chatting, fell silent as if on cue, and a tense atmosphere filled the vast cathedral.

Karlheinz, standing behind Claudia, bowed deeply and spoke.

"It is my honor. All of this is to repay the great kindness of Her Majesty and Princess Dorothea, who saved me when I was a child."

"Indeed, I did not expect you to have such a deep connection with her mother."

"When I was a child and on the verge of homelessness, Princess Dorothea happened to pass by and offered me her own meal. I have never forgotten that taste."

(I told Karlheinz to tell this fabricated story with emotion...)

Claudia thought to herself.

(He seems quite emotional. ...Perhaps it's not entirely a fabrication.)

But the details didn't matter.

"Now. ---Princess."

The king called out to Claudia.

"I have only one command for you. Touch the crystal."

"Crystal?"

"Come forward."

At his command, a priest stepped forward.

Holding the pedestal with the crystal, the priest knelt respectfully, not daring to look at Claudia.

"From this moment, the youngest princess's magical assessment will begin."

The king's voice echoed throughout the cathedral.

"No deception is allowed. Nor will it be tolerated. No one is to look away."

Claudia could feel the king's authoritative gaze on her.

However, the one who tensed the most was the queen standing next to the king.

"Princess, please extend your hand."

Claudia first reached out to Karlheinz, gripping his clothing.

The method the queen used to falsify the magical assessment results when Claudia was born was simple: using a fake crystal.

At that time, the king had no interest in Claudia, and no one considered the results important. With her memories from her previous life, Claudia could clearly recall the scene from her early days.

But this time, the king had a clear purpose in measuring Claudia's magic.

(He has prepared a genuine crystal and is having everyone monitor the results. He is somewhat confident that I have magic.)

While thinking this, Claudia looked up at Karlheinz with a worried expression.

Her eyes glistened, and she clutched Karlheinz's clothing tightly. Even Karlheinz, who knew Claudia's true nature, showed a worried expression.

To the attendees, she must have appeared even more fragile.

None of them suspected that the six-year-old princess had any ulterior motives.

"Karlheinz..."

"Princess, there is nothing to fear. Can you touch this crystal?"

Claudia nodded.

The tension in the room heightened, and the king's gaze became sharper. Claudia chanted silently in her mind.

(---'Nullification')

At that moment, the vast magical power circulating within Claudia pulsed quietly.

The power that filled her fingertips changed its flow for a moment.

This caused Claudia's hair and eyes to shimmer, but it would have appeared as if the sunlight filtering through the stained glass was the cause.

(Now. Show them.)

Claudia extended her small, delicate hand straight toward the transparent crystal.

(---That I am the 'deficient princess'!)