Chapter 24

"Y-Your Highness!! To say such things to His Majesty...!!"

"That's right, you brat! How dare you speak to Father like that!"

While the attendants and her brother were in an uproar, her father remained silent, looking down at her. Claudia, maintaining her innocent smile, spoke to her father.

"Because, I don't know this person. Father? What's that?"

"Your Highness!!"

"......"

"Claudia, I've never met anyone with such a name in my life."

Then, she narrowed her eyes slightly and declared with a smile.

"The only one who can hold Claudia is Noah."

"......Oh?"

Her father's lips twisted into an amused smile.

"Your Majesty, please... Princess doesn't know how great Your Majesty is yet."

"Enough. Be silent."

Her father dismissed the attendant's advice with a frown. Then, he knelt down to meet Claudia's eyes, which caused the attendants to show signs of distress again.

"Indeed, I am someone you have never met in your life. Even by blood, it's hard to think of me as your father."

"That's strange, Father."

Claudia said to her father, still maintaining her innocent smile.

"You don't think of me as your daughter either."

"..."

"Your Highness!!"

Folchart laughed and then grabbed Claudia's neck.

His hand was large. A child's neck could easily be crushed in one hand. As if to imply this, Folchart applied a little force, mimicking the act of choking.

"......"

Noah, who was watching the scene, clenched his fists tightly. He was keeping the command to "behave" that he had been given earlier.

Claudia maintained her innocent smile and looked straight at her father.

"......Hmm?"

After holding Claudia's neck for a few seconds, her father began to chuckle.

"I see. You might be the first person who doesn't show any fear towards me."

"Claudia isn't afraid of Father?"

"That seems to be the case. My daughter has grown quite strong in that tower."

Saying that, Folchart released his hand. Then, he called her by name, something he had only referred to her as "Princess" until now.

"Well, Claudia."

Folchart then turned his gaze to Noah.

Noah, who was standing by the hedge, bowed his head quietly. His manners, which he had learned during his time as a royal and which Claudia had drilled into him over the past month, were beautiful even without favoritism.

"Is this your servant?"

"Yes, Noah! Noah is super strong and kind!"

"That's interesting. It's said that people with obsidian eyes have a lot of magic. --Let's see, I'll have your servant tested with a crystal later."

"Wow, that's great, Noah."

"...Princess..."

Noah started to say something but quickly bowed his head again. Her father stood up and then called her two brothers.

"Wilhelm. Erenfried."

"Y-Yes!!"

"What is it, Father...!"

Her brothers, who jumped at the sound, immediately took a bow. The other children also bowed their heads, looking frightened.

"Have Claudia attend the party tomorrow night."

"The night party?"

"Prepare a room for Claudia. As her brothers, you should help her."

(Ah, I thought I would be sent back to the tower right after this tea party.)

Her brothers, who seemed to have the same question, showed signs of confusion but quickly nodded.

"Yes, Father! I'll help my sister!"

"Father. I'll be kind to Claudia."

"That's good."

Then, her father looked down at Claudia one last time.

"Enjoy yourself. ...Alright?"

(He's acting as if he recognizes me as his daughter.)

Turning on his heel, Folchart returned to the main castle.

(---I can tell that he's trying to use me for some purpose.)

The courtyard, left with only the children and the guards, was enveloped in a sigh of relief.

"That... was scary."

"Prince Wilhelm! That was His Majesty, the King, right?"

"Y-Yes... H-He's a great person, isn't he? Father is amazing!"

Amid the commotion, Noah immediately ran to Claudia and touched the part of her neck that had been grabbed by her father.

"Princess, are you hurt?"

"Hehe. I'm fine, Noah."

"...You deliberately provoked him, didn't you?"

Hearing this, Claudia smiled.

"I'm sorry for making you endure it. But, I got the information."

"Information?"

"The reason Father called me to the castle."

"!"

Claudia tightly held Noah's hand, which was surprised.

"Come on, Noah. Let's tidy up your clothes."

"..."

She led Noah out of the courtyard. While walking, she thought to herself.

(Carlheinz's explanation alone didn't fully convince me of Father's purpose. Even if he's considering a war with another country, there's no reason to suddenly and grandly test my magic after ignoring it for six years.)

Moreover, Claudia was only six years old. Even if the retest showed that she had powerful magic, it was questionable whether she could be used in a war.

(He's not just aiming for war. Besides, there's no need to focus on the royal family for military power. ...So, Father must have wanted to prove that Claudia has magic...)

However, after the exchange just now, she had a hunch.

(Father's true purpose is---)