Previously
Cecilia experiences another vivid dream of the boy with red eyes, witnessing him being verbally and physically abused by a man and another boy in a derelict room. After waking, she questions Baroness Rentil about the rarity of red eyes and learns they are stigmatized as 'devil's eyes' linked to the Sea of No Return.
“Your Highness, you're nervous, aren't you?”
“Today, we are going to make you prettier than ever before.”
“Word has it that the young master of the Ornbach family is quite adorable, so Your Highness simply must be the most lovely.”
“And what is the point of competing in looks with a little boy?”
“Oh, my goodness, Your Highness! He might become your future husband, so you must establish the upper hand from the start.”
“Quite right, quite right. Even dressed in rags, Your Highness would look like a fairy, but there is no greater folly than having an ace and failing to play it.”
Watching Mary and Batisha chatter away through the mirror, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
‘They can only say such things because they know nothing.’
In any case, Leoport—who was destined to star in a legendary romance—would never be anything more to me than a celebrity friend.
As the two buzzed with excitement, their job satisfaction seemingly soaring each time they dressed me up, I watched them with half-closed eyes.
Honestly… what would have happened if Cecilia hadn't turned out this pretty?
“Your Highness, shall we tie your hair in a single ponytail? Or braid it into two?”
“Will you wear the chick-yellow dress, or the cherry blossom one?”
“Do you prefer lace stockings, or velvet ones?”
“And what about the hair ribbon? This red lace one, or the black elastic band?”
There was no need for me to answer a single one of these questions; in the end, they would simply do as they pleased.
“Do whatever you like. I'll look like an angel either way.”
Only one thought occupied my mind: I was finally about to see the male lead of my favorite novel.
Leoport was scheduled to visit Freesia Palace, where I resided, accompanied by his grandmother, Duchess Ornbach.
The moment I heard their carriage had entered the palace grounds, I stepped out into the front courtyard. I was far too excited to remain seated in the reception room.
“Ah, despite what you said earlier…”
“You're truly excited.”
Mary and Batisha giggled behind me.
‘I am excited, but certainly not in the way you think.’
The instant my foot touched the pathway leading into the garden, a small open-top carriage came into view in the distance.
Beside a middle-aged lady whose light brown hair from her youth had half-turned gray, soft golden strands fluttered in the breeze.
The young boy, clad in an elegant suit and a herringbone vest, tightly clutched the hem of his grandmother's skirt, looking nervous as if riding an open carriage for the first time.
‘What a little angel!’
The moment his green eyes met mine, the reality sank in. Years of waiting had finally paid off!
I held back my fluttering heart and waited for the carriage to draw up to the palace entrance.
A servant lifted Leoport down, holding him by the armpits. He looked so much like a little angel while dangling there… that I nearly squealed out loud in delight.
“Greetings to the little star of the empire, Your Highness the Fourth Princess. We previously met at Her Majesty the Empress's tea party; do you recall?”
The Duchess stepped down with practiced elegance, as if setting an example for her grandson, and curtsied politely.
I decided to present a mature front before the grandmother of my favorite hero, hoping she would comfortably allow me to spend time with her grandson in the future.
“Welcome, Your Grace. Have you been keeping well? The strawberry tart you recommended was so lovely that my mother's chef even transferred to Freesia Palace on its account.”
“I had heard of Your Highness's brilliance from Her Majesty the Empress, and it seems the rumors were true. I am honored that you remember our past acquaintance.”
Despite the humility of her words, an unmistakable dignity and poise surrounded her.
“Then this must be…”
“Yes, this is my grandson, Leoport. He was born in the same year as Your Highness. He is still rather naive, so I ask that you guide him well.”
The moment I heard his name, a rush of emotion nearly overwhelmed me.
‘Everyone… I’ve met the hero of my favorite novel!’
I kept that scream strictly confined to my head, preserving the composure I had cultivated over seven years as a princess.
“Rather, it is I who should thank you for bringing your grandson to keep me company. I have had no friends my age within the palace.”
“Your Highness is far too gracious. Come now, Leo, greet Her Highness.”
The Duchess stepped aside slightly, and Leoport looked up at me with hesitant eyes, still clutching the edge of her skirt.
‘…Is he going to cry?’
It wasn't that he was frail… perhaps he was simply very shy?
As I observed his bewildered gaze, I noticed he was looking at something behind me.
‘Ah… the two guards, of course.’
Having guards standing behind me was everyday life to me, but to a seven-year-old child, it could easily look terrifying.
‘Goodness, I didn’t think of that.’
I offered him the kindest smile I could muster.
“I…”
Leoport struggled to open his mouth. I held my breath, watching him move right in front of me as though he had walked straight off the pages of the novel.
“Leoport of House Ornbach greets the little star of the empire.”
He bowed with his small arms, placing a hand over his chest, which brought his soft, cotton-candy-like hair into full view.
‘He is so adorable!’
My cheeks nearly ached from how hard I was trying not to beam.
‘Is this how Mary and Batisha felt whenever I practiced my etiquette? It seems I was too hard on them.’
Concealing those feelings behind imperial dignity, I answered with practiced composure,
“Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“The… the honor is mine…”
He murmured so softly that his grandmother offered an apologetic smile and patted his shoulder.
Yes, I had seen plenty of shy children in my past life.
It was fine; life truly began after adolescence, and he would grow up to become the splendid nobleman from the novel.
“In that case, I shall take my leave to greet Her Majesty the Empress. Leo, share some delightful conversation with Her Highness.”
“Yes, Grandmother.”
‘Don't worry, go ahead.’
Leoport bowed to her, then turned toward me as though awaiting my orders.
His eyes were still trembling with nervous tension… It seemed I would have to be the one to break the ice.
“Come with me.”
Feeling the solemn duty of a dedicated fan, I led the way forward.
“Your Highness, if anything happens, be sure to pull the bell cord, understood?”
“And let us know if you run short of ice.”
“The kettle is hot, so you must be very, very careful.”
“You have dinner later, so do not eat too many cakes.”
“Yes, yes. Off you go, quickly.”
I shot a side-glance at Mary and Batisha as they fussed over me.
The two of them pressed hands over their mouths as if finding even that gesture adorable, before bowing themselves backward out of the playroom.
‘Ugh, what a handful.’
Once I made sure the door was shut, I turned toward the tea table, only to find Leoport staring with his mouth hanging wide open.
‘He looks like he might drool any second… and yet, he's still cute.’
Fair, tender skin, soft golden hair, and warm green eyes reminiscent of spring grass.
‘What a lovely sight—the absolute picture of a handsome boy's childhood.’
Without realizing it, I adopted the very same doting expression the two maids had worn before leaving.
‘Oh, I shouldn't be doing that.’
Catching myself, I quickly tried to regain my imperial poise, straightening my posture slightly.
…Even if such dignity looked rather awkward on this tiny body.
I sat across the tea table facing him, and Leoport hesitantly spoke up.
“You seem to share a wonderful bond with your maids, Your Highness.”
“You could say that.”
I let out a deep sigh.
Even though I was an adult inside, this body belonged to a seven-year-old girl, making even my sigh sound unconvincing.
“My maids just love treating me like a dress-up doll.”
Ah, was that improper speech for a princess?
I glanced worriedly at the little boy sitting across from me, only to find Leoport still gaping at me, mouth agape.
Even with such a silly expression on his face, he was far too endearing to be annoying.
“Well, he is the male lead, so it's only natural he was cute from a young age.”
As he continued to stare blankly at my face, I grew a bit self-conscious and snapped,
“Why are you staring like that?”
“I-I apologize.”
“Was your journey pleasant?”
“Yes, though it was my first time traveling so far by carriage.”
“How long did it take?”
“About an hour…”
“Did you get motion sickness?”
“No, fortunately.”
…It felt like I was firing off questions just to salvage a failing blind date.
Still, Leoport was only seven; it was only natural that his conversational skills were lacking.
“What have you been studying these days?”
“These days…”
At my somewhat resigned question, the look on Leoport's face shifted, his eyes lighting up.
“I am reading governance theory from the Early Holy Era. I wanted to read Altis Geometry, but my parents said I shouldn't study only mathematics and must learn across various disciplines…”
Ah. As he rattled off the book titles, a chill ran down the nape of my neck.
‘Those are textbooks used at the academy.’
I had assumed he was still a beginner because of his innocent appearance, but he had already embarked on serious study.
Given that he would later be hailed as a genius, it was expected, but living in the same era with him made his brilliance hit home all the more clearly.
‘On top of that, he possesses immense Holy Power and martial talent, enough to join the Holy Knights later.’
Of course, his academic progress was slower than mine, but I possessed memories of a previous life and the drive of an adult.
Considering that, Leoport, who was on his very first life, truly belonged to an entirely different tier of hero from the start.
‘This is a little irritating.’
When I looked at him with narrowed eyes, he tilted his head slightly and beamed a bright smile.
Cute… but even for a seven-year-old, was it really fine for the heir of a duchy to be this naive?
“Which subject do you prefer the most? Mathematics?”
“Yes. I like numbers because they never betray you.”
As an ardent math-hater, I pulled an unconvinced face.
Seeming to misread my expression, he quickly added,
“A-and what about you, Your Highness?”
Right, one ought to be good at asking questions. After all, your very first spoken line will be ‘Are you all right?’
“I like history best. My dream is to go on an expedition to the Sea of No Return someday.”
“The Sea of No Return? Then… will you be joining the Holy Knights as well?”
“There is no need for that. My sister is going to become the commander of the Holy Knights.”
“That's true. You are amazing, Your Highness.”
As he said that, his face flushed red.
‘Don't tell me… Has he taken a liking to me? Or is he just flustered?’
Your first love is supposed to be Emily.
At that moment, I recalled countless transmigration novels I had read in my past life where romantic pairings went off the rails after someone jumped dimensions.
‘That would be troublesome.’
I merely wanted to watch my favorite ship court each other from the best seat in the house.
To dispel that faint worry, I frowned slightly and asked,
“You… aren't falling for my face, are you?”