Chapter 32

I've arrived at the capital city!

There are so many shops! So many people! There are so many things I've never seen before!

"Let's go sightseeing! Kirie! Let's go sightseeing! Oh, that shop looks cute! I wonder what kind of shop it is?"

"That's a candle shop. They have scented ones and various types."

Through the carriage window, I excitedly pointed things out, and Jin told me about them. Aromatherapy candles! I want one!

"Princess Shina, I'm sorry, but we need to meet with His Majesty after the sightseeing. We've already sent a messenger, so they should be waiting for us."

"Uh..."

When Prince Alan said that, I was brought back to reality. I didn't want to think about it! Meeting the king! No way.

"Shina, after the audience, we can go sightseeing, okay?"

As I clung to Kirie's knee, refusing to go, Jin spoke to me nervously. I glared at him.

"I won't go with Jin. I won't play with you until you make up with my brother."

"We'll make up! I've already promised to meet him after the audience!"

Apparently, he sent a message to my brother after a few years. It seems he wants to make up.

"Is that so? That's good."

I smiled, and Jin teared up, reaching out to me. I waved him off.

"I'll let you carry me after we make up."

Since Jin can't carry me anymore, he's been showing withdrawal symptoms. He says his whole body shakes. Is he an alcoholic? I think it's just in his head.

When the First Knight Regiment led by Prince Alan arrived at the royal castle, cheers erupted from the crowd. It's a victory parade, after all. The soldiers all looked proud.

When Prince Alan and Jin got out of the carriage, the cheers grew louder. They waved and smiled at the people. The royal family is very popular among the Marita citizens. They are all handsome and focus on politics for the people. Like idols from my previous life?

I was told not to get out of the carriage in a conspicuous place this time. It's known that someone contributed to the monster extermination in Kylart Street, but the details haven't spread yet. Since my reputation in the neighboring Daido Kingdom is so bad, they want to keep it under wraps until the royal family officially announces it to avoid confusion.

I want to keep it a secret for as long as possible. I don't like being in the spotlight.

We arrived at the royal castle. It's huge! It's a Western-style castle. The ceilings are high, and there are sculptures and paintings everywhere. It feels elegant.

By the way, I also went to the Daido Kingdom's royal castle when I was 10. I don't remember the interior at all. I was dragged along and only remember meeting Prince Lector in a room. After that, I was immediately put into the Glass Forest extermination team.

While walking through the castle, looking around, I got separated from Prince Alan and Jin. Their steps are about three times mine, so I can't keep up unless I run. Kirie walks behind me, so we're always together.

Maybe because I was too slow, I was carried by Barry. Kirie gave him a stern look, but it's necessary to keep up. I've given up on my height suddenly increasing.

"This is the audience chamber."

The soldier standing in front of the grand door opened it for us. Barry put me down at this point.

I entered and, following Prince Alan and Jin, bowed to the empty throne. Then, I sensed someone sitting in the throne in front of me. It's finally the meeting. My heart is racing.

"Oh my! You're Shina? How cute! What a darling!"

Before I could raise my head, I was suddenly picked up! What is this?

"Mother!"

"Mother! Stop it!"

Prince Alan and Jin's attempts to stop her were ignored. The woman was spinning me around. Ah, my head is spinning!

"Olivia, that's enough."

At the troubled tenor voice, the woman stopped. Facing her, I saw a stunningly beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. Her smile was gentle.

"You're really cute. Let's change your clothes later. I've prepared many dresses for you! And do you like sweets? I have many rare ones, so let's eat them together!"

"Olivia, put Princess Shina down. She must be uncomfortable."

At the tenor voice, Olivia reluctantly put me down. Then, she returned to the seat next to the throne. Wait, she's the queen? She looks like she's in her early 20s, but she's Jin and Prince Alan's mother? Then, the tenor voice is the king? Ah, I shouldn't have raised my head without permission.

I tried to bow again, but the tenor voice gently stopped me.

"That's fine. This atmosphere is already too formal."

A red-haired, brown-eyed man, who looked a lot like Jin, waved his hand.

"Thank you for coming, Princess Shina. Welcome to the Kingdom of Marita. I am King Grayson of Marita. I welcome you with all my heart."

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"But you're so small. Are you eating enough? Have you tried our country's specialty, the Malta fruit? It's sweet and very nutritious. It's good for children in their growth period. Hey, someone, prepare some Malta fruit!"

"Oh, and Kilgus juice too! It's delicious with the Malta fruit. Please prepare it."

At the king and queen's words, the attendants silently left the audience chamber.

"Father, Mother, we should talk first. We asked Princess Shina to come here for that."

Prince Alan held his forehead and groaned.

"But are you not hungry? We can talk after you eat. Oh, right! There's a popular cake in the city too!"

If I don't say anything, more and more food will keep coming? It's like visiting my grandparents in the countryside. Eat this, eat that, endlessly.

"Originally, I was against meeting in the audience chamber! We'll just sit here while Shina gets tired. Look, let's move to the next room."

"That's a good idea. Here, let me help."

The king got off the throne and casually picked me up. Oh my!

"You're so light. Hmm, what kind of food do you like? Do you have any preferences?"

While asking me various questions, the king carried me to the next room, with the queen walking beside us, talking about what to feed me.

I looked to Prince Alan and Jin for help, but they were both slumped on the floor. Help!

I was gently placed on a fluffy sofa in the next room, with the king and queen on either side of me. The table in front of us was piled high with treats. No, it's too early for lunch, and I can't eat all of this. Queen, I can feed myself without you saying "Ahn." King, I can peel fruit myself.

"Sorry, Princess Shina. Our parents always wanted a daughter, but they only had four boys. And their grandchildren are all boys too, so I think they're overexcited to see you."

"Father, Mother, Shina is uncomfortable, so please give her some space."

I managed to escape the royal couple and sit next to Kirie. Kirie was disappointed that he couldn't help me. No, no one could have stopped them.

I now understand what Jin and Prince Alan meant when they said the royal family is friendly and easy to talk to. They are very friendly, like grandparents (who look young).

"Princess Shina, I want to thank you for saving Kylart Street and my son and soldiers."

The king of Marita knelt in front of me, making eye contact, and thanked me.

"In my name, I swear that the Kingdom of Marita will protect you for life. You have done so much for us. You saved my son, my soldiers, and my people. I am truly grateful."

The king's sincere voice made my chest hurt.

"Normally, I would grant you a title or position. But if you find that a burden, I won't force it. I just want you to be a good friend and stay by my side. This is my heartfelt wish. I want to protect you and be your support."

The king smiled and patted my head.

"Well, that's enough serious talk. Princess Shina, would you like to spend some time having tea with us? As Alan said, we only have sons. When they grow up, they don't spend time with us. Even our grandchildren prefer playing with their friends to playing with us. It's lonely."

"After tea, we'll try on dresses. Oh my, you're so cute! I should have prepared more dresses!"

"No, no, we still need to report on Kylart and discuss the new possibilities of Zaros and the monster repellent incense! Both of you, do your work!"

Prince Alan was frowning, clearly a serious person.

"Well, you're too rigid. You'll make your fiancée dislike you."

"A man without composure is unattractive."

"Father, Mother!"

The king scratched his head and reluctantly looked at the documents Prince Alan thrust at him.

"Hmm. S-class and A-class monsters in Kylart. What about the other towns?"

"Along the border, especially near the Glass Forest, there have been many sightings and attacks. We haven't figured out the reason yet."

"Hmm."

The king glanced at me.

"Princess Shina, what do you think? There have been more monster attacks on towns and villages in recent months. Did you notice anything unusual in the Glass Forest before you left the extermination team?"

Hmm, the Glass Forest. I don't think anything changed during the five years I was there.

"Um..."

I was thinking, but Kirie broke the silence hesitantly.

"Forgive me, but I have a suspicion."

"Hmm, you're Kirie, Princess Shina's maid. What is it?"

"Yes. The monster attacks have increased in recent months, right?"

"Yes, around the time the harvest season begins."

"That coincides with when Princess Shina left the Glass Forest extermination team."

At Kirie's calm voice, the room fell silent.

"Hmm? Why would the monster attacks increase because Princess Shina left the team?"

"The Glass Forest extermination team has about 500 members. Princess Shina was the only one responsible for their recovery. To fill the gap left by Princess Shina, at least 50 recovery mages are needed. If it's a mage like the Duke Ruruk's daughter, who took over after Princess Shina, 100 are needed. Additionally, the stock of monster repellent incense that Princess Shina made alone is probably gone, so almost all the mages who were previously focused on monster extermination had to switch to recovery, reducing the main force of the extermination team.

The team had reached the monster caves, so it's possible that the movement of monsters, which were previously contained in the forest, has become more active. It's likely that the monsters that were previously suppressed are now appearing in towns and villages."

Wow. Do I really need that many recovery mages to replace me? But I could recover everyone by myself.

"500 members' recovery was handled by just one person?"

The king was wide-eyed. Is that so surprising?

"Normally, a squad of 10 has a recovery mage. And recovery uses magic power, so at least 2 are needed per squad."

Prince Alan's explanation. He looked at me with a surprised expression. What's that look for?

"I knew from Alan's report that Princess Shina was exceptional, but to this extent... Not valuing a mage with such recovery power, is the Kingdom of Daido foolish?"

"To make a small child recover for 500 people! How could they! It's unacceptable! Poor Shina! You're overworking yourself, and you'll die if you keep this up!"

I was hugged by the teary-eyed queen. I realized how much I had been working.

"I tried to improve Princess Shina's situation with Prince Lector, but he wouldn't listen! Princess Shina had dark circles under her eyes, a thin body, and her growth had stopped! I couldn't do anything... I was worried that her breathing would stop one day while she was resting."

Kirie was crying. I'm sorry for worrying you.

"Princess Shina is growing a little now. I'm relieved."

That's right! I'm growing! The dress I bought in Aile Street is getting tight. I might not be able to wear it soon. It's tight in many places. During the growth period, it's best to buy clothes a size larger. I'm a bit disappointed because it was my favorite, but I'm glad the growth period isn't over yet.

"But I really liked that dress. It's a shame I can't wear it anymore."

When I complained, Jin quickly came over.

"Shina! I'll buy you a new dress! I will!"

"Make up with me first."

"I know! After we make up, we'll go shopping together!"

"I don't want to go with just the two of us. Kirie should come too."

If I go shopping with just Jin, I might be misunderstood by some noble ladies and get attacked. That happened in Kylart Street too.

"...Kirie can come too."

"I'll come along too."

Jin's tone dropped, and Barry, who had been invisible, joined in. I see through your intentions! Kirie sighed and made a face.

The queen looked at me and Jin with interest, then at Prince Alan, who nodded. The queen looked at Jin with sparkling eyes. What kind of eye contact is that?