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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: An Overprotective Knight
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Not just Jusielia, but Sophie and Uni too were so taken aback by Xaviet’s unexpected reaction that they could only gape, unable to respond.
*What the hell!*
*Sir Xaviet, what's wrong with him?*
*I have no idea!*
It was the first time they had seen the ever-composed and gently smiling Xaviet react so fiercely.
As everyone watched him cautiously, he gripped his sword, ready to draw it at any moment, and declared with grim determination.
“Absolutely not! Our princess will not hold the hand of any other man until she comes of age!”
A heavy silence fell in the room after his proclamation.
*What kind of absurd nonsense is this?*
After a moment of hesitation, Jusielia cautiously called out to him.
“Xaviet?”
“Do not worry, Your Highness! I am your knight.”
“Yes. I-I know that.”
“I will be your escort! I am the son of the Skoten family, one of the most prestigious houses in the Penterin Empire. I shall perform the duty splendidly.”
Meeting his dark green eyes, which shone with unwavering resolve, Jusielia’s mouth fell open in surprise.
*To think the always dazed-looking Sir Xaviet had such a side to him.*
Then again, she had heard that Xaviet was the son of the Green Anaconda family, one of the four great beastman clans of the Penterin Empire, and one of the finest knights in the realm.
*Had he been deliberately acting soft with them all this time?*
While she was lost in thought, staring blankly at Xaviet, Uni had a different reaction.
“Honestly.”
Her yellow eyes flashed fiercely.
She was thoroughly furious.
*What is this meddlesome nonsense now?*
Unlike Jusielia, who was seeing Xaviet in a new light, this was the only thought on Uni’s mind.
Uni’s eyes narrowed as she targeted Xaviet’s back.
She moved with a speed that even Xaviet couldn’t match, approaching without a single footstep or any sign of her presence.
It was thanks to her ‘Stealth’ ability, a trait befitting her lineage from the renowned Jaguar beastman family.
“Honestly, really!”
*Smack, smack!*
“Agh! Oof!!”
Uni joyfully smacked Xaviet’s broad back again today.
Xaviet’s stern expression crumbled in an instant.
“Ow! Uni Meriata! That actually hurts!”
Thinking Xaviet was just being dramatic as he rubbed his back, Uni shifted her weight to one leg.
“Hmph, you’d better watch your mouth before I decide to make it *really* hurt.”
Xaviet felt wronged.
“Watch my mouth? *Sob*, what did I do?”
“You keep crossing the line!”
Uni growled, threatening Xaviet.
He flinched, terrified she was about to transform into her jaguar form.
Seeing his reaction, Uni crossed her arms and let out a smirk.
“Anyone would think you were the princess’s older brother, Sir Xaviet. Why are you meddling?”
Her words carried several warnings, and Xaviet’s mind snapped to attention.
Uni was making a threat that was not quite a threat.
*Are you daring to act like the princess’s ‘one and only’ brother, just like Crown Prince Ijeten?*
*My lips are looser than a magpie’s, so if you value your life, you’d better be careful, hohoho.*
If Ijeten were to find out, Xaviet would likely be sliced to ribbons on the spot.
The Crown Prince would surely rage, *How dare you covet my ‘place’.*
Xaviet paled, vividly imagining the Crown Prince’s reaction.
“Ah, I understand. I’ll watch my mouth.”
Xaviet’s face was deathly pale as he pleaded with Uni, who was smiling like a witch.
Jusielia watched their exchange with great interest, thinking.
*Hmm, is that what they call taming?*
It was as if a small jaguar were skillfully handling and subduing a giant anaconda.
“Yes, yes, I must have been crazy for a moment.”
“That’s right. The princess’s life is her own. Let her enjoy it freely. Understand?”
“…”
“Answer me.”
“Yes.”
After forcing a response from the sullen Xaviet with a stern look, Uni patted his head as if in praise.
Then, Xaviet was dragged away by Uni once more, signaling the start of a nagging session that would last over thirty minutes.
Sophie brought a plate of fruit to Jusielia and whispered.
“Those two get along so well, don’t they?”
“They certainly do.”
Today’s fruit was strawberries, Jusielia’s favorite.
Jusielia first placed the most plump and perfect strawberry into Sophie’s mouth before she began to munch on one herself.
Sophie gently combed the lovely princess’s long hair.
In these moments, combing Jusielia’s beautiful hair and placing ornaments in it, Sophie felt happy.
*This is the happiness my sister should have known. Is it alright for me to experience it in her place?*
The corners of Sophie’s eyes grew slightly red, feeling the sweet pulp of the strawberry in her mouth and the soft, snow-white hair in her hands.
*It’s okay. Thank you.*
It was as if she could hear a voice from somewhere.
Sophie closed her eyes and nodded. *Then I will gladly enjoy it.*
*And just like my sister, I will protect the princess with my life.*
“Sophie.”
“Ah, yes.”
Jusielia’s call brought Sophie back to her senses.
Jusielia tilted her head back to meet Sophie’s eyes and asked.
“Sophie. I know I’m supposed to, but do I really have to ask someone to be my escort?”
Sophie realized Jusielia was deliberately pouting.
*My adorable princess.*
She always pretends to be mature, but every now and then, she acts like a child.
She tries so hard not to be childish, even though it’s only natural for her age.
*My precious child, who had to train every day, unable to fully enjoy her childhood simply because she is the reincarnation of Anash.*
It was impossible not to feel sorry for her.
However, in place of Empress Brianna, Sophie had a duty to ensure Jusielia grew up to be an exemplary princess.
Sophie spoke gently as she continued to comb Jusielia’s hair.
“Yes. It would be best. If you find it too difficult to ask someone else, it would be acceptable to enter with Sir Skoten.”
“Hmm. I’ll think about it.”
“Yes, please do. There is still plenty of time.”
Sophie lightly tied Jusielia’s hair and then left the study.
Troubled, Jusielia rose from her seat and began to pace around the study.
*Should I ask Ekiel after all?*
Jusielia was certain that Ekiel was the person closest to her.
He was her precious collaborator, partner, and teacher.
And she felt good whenever they met.
It was fun being with him.
He was a wonderful boy who was always striving to be better, even though he was already perfect.
Jusielia activated the magical communication device on her desk.
She was about to connect to the number for the device that would be in Ekiel’s study.
“Ah, right…”
But Jusielia soon hesitated and pulled her hand back.
Just as she was about to contact him, she remembered Ekiel’s reaction when he saw her for the first time in human form…
It bothered her.
She had hoped he would congratulate her more enthusiastically, tell her she was pretty, and give her a bright smile.
But how had Ekiel been?
He had seemed bewildered.
He barely met her eyes and acted even more awkward than usual.
As if he were seeing a stranger.
*Was it awkward because an animal had turned into a person? Or was he just surprised?*
Of course, it was possible to feel a sense of unfamiliarity when someone’s appearance suddenly changed.
But Jusielia thought that Ekiel, of all people, wouldn’t be like that.
Ekiel always wore the magical translation bracelet.
So he had always heard her voice.
So he should have known it was her just from her voice. He should have known that the ‘White Tiger’ and ‘me’ were one and the same!
Jusielia pouted.
*I’m so disappointed.*
She couldn’t help but feel this way. They had trained so hard and worked together for her humanization.
So why did he have to show such an ambiguous reaction?
*It’s so annoying.*
Suddenly getting heated, Jusielia gripped the round magical crystal tightly.
The crystal trembled as if it were about to shatter.
“Sigh.”
Jusielia relaxed her grip and sighed, when another thought suddenly occurred to her.
*Maybe he didn’t like how I look? Did he like me better as a white tiger?*
Stroking her cheek, Jusielia grew worried and quickly ran to a large mirror.
She carefully examined her reflection.
In the mirror stood a girl with striking blue eyes. With her snow-white hair and pretty face, she was someone anyone would find charming.
*My maids might be overly doting, but they all said I was the most beautiful girl in the world!*
Jusielia huffed before another thought came to her.
*Am I not Ekiel’s type?*
Jusielia tilted her head, then decided to accept it.
*Right, I should respect his personal taste.*
