The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 69

“Wow! It looks exactly the same!”

 

“I’m so jealous… I wish you’d sketch me too.”

 

The boy holding the drawing beamed with joy, while the other children looked glum.

 

“There’s always tomorrow and the day after, so I’ll take my time and draw each one of you.”

 

“Really? You’re really going to draw all of us? Wow!”

 

The Armento cheered with excitement. It reminded her of when she used to draw for the servants in the mansion. Grace smiled, thinking about how adorable the children were, when she noticed one girl standing alone in a corner.

 

“……”

 

It was the same girl who was always by herself in the training yard. She never had anyone to talk to during meals, and during breaks, she would just stare off into space. Even now, she stood at a distance, looking elsewhere.

 

“Does she not have anyone to hang out with?”

 

“Oh, she’s a commoner. That’s why.”

 

Grace asked quietly, almost in a whisper. A brown-haired girl responded cheerfully, as if it were only natural that the girl was alone.

 

It was true that commoners were seen as different. Armento usually emerged from noble bloodlines and were passed down within them.

 

“……”

 

Grace’s heart ached. That girl reminded her of her younger self. After watching her for a while, Grace stood up.

 

“Where are you going, ma’am?”

 

“I’m going to her. I want to talk to her.”

 

“Ma’am, why would you want to talk to a commoner?”

 

One child asked, clearly confused.

 

“She’s an Armento just like the rest of you.”

 

Grace answered without hesitation. After all, she had been worse off than a commoner—she had been a despised illegitimate child.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Grace approached the girl and gently spoke to her. The girl looked at her with wide eyes. She seemed surprised that someone was talking to her, since no one ever did.

 

“Um… I’m Julia Ivan.”

 

“That’s a pretty name. How old are you?”

 

“Four… fourteen.”

 

Though she seemed awkward, Julia answered shyly. It looked like she didn’t mind the attention for the first time in a while.

 

“Why aren’t you playing with the others?”

 

“With someone like you, ma’am?”

 

“Do you know who I am?”

 

“Of course… I do! You’re the Duchess of Winstaine. Someone really important…”

 

Her voice gradually trailed off.

 

“They don’t… want to play with me. Because I’m a commoner. They don’t like me.”

 

“That’s not true. They’re just not used to you yet.”

 

Grace didn’t think the noble kids were shunning Julia out of malice. It was probably just the atmosphere that kept them distant, without bad intent.

 

“Come, let’s go.”

 

Grace held out her hand to Julia. After a brief pause, Julia took it. Her small hand felt warm. Grace held her hand and brought her back to where the other Armento were gathered.

 

“I don’t think she’s had the chance to introduce herself yet.”

 

Grace had Julia stand closer to the group.

 

“Shall we all introduce ourselves?”

 

“Julia… Ivan. I’m an Aquan.”

 

“Marce Hamilton. I’m an Ignite.”

 

“Julius Gaian. Terra.”

 

Just as Grace had expected, once they were prompted, the children awkwardly but kindly introduced themselves. There wasn’t a trace of hostility or contempt in their eyes.

 

“I actually saw you earlier… you made ten water droplets float in the air one after another. It was so pretty.”

 

The boy named Marce stepped forward and spoke to Julia.

 

“Would you mind showing us again?”

 

“Like this…?”

 

Julia raised her hand and summoned floating water droplets into the air.

 

“Whoa, amazing. That’s so cool. I can’t do that yet.”

 

“How many can you do in a row?”

 

The other kids began speaking to Julia one by one.

 

See? Setting the tone from the beginning really matters. Grace smiled with satisfaction. She was relieved that the girl wasn’t left out anymore.

 

 

That night, Frederick came home looking unusually tired.

 

“Did something happen, Frederick?”

 

Concerned, Grace asked him right away. But he just gave a simple answer.

 

“Nothing really.”

 

“No one’s giving you a hard time or anything, right?”

 

“No, nothing like that.”

 

Frederick shook his head as he held Grace tightly in his arms.

 

“Just being like this makes me feel better. I’m fine.”

 

“If something ever comes up, you have to tell me, okay?”

 

“Don’t worry. I won’t give you anything to worry about.”

 

Frederick gently pulled back a little, meeting her eyes.

 

“Everything fine at Panbion today?”

 

“Yes. Oh, and they said I’ve gotten better at controlling energy.”

 

“Looks like training suits you well.”

 

“It does. It’s fun, and kind of amazing.”

 

Lately, Grace had made a habit of bragging to Frederick every night about what she’d learned at Panbion and how much she’d improved.

 

“Don’t you want to draw again?”

 

“I do think about it. But there aren’t really any art supplies here.”

 

“Well, we can just buy some.”

 

Frederick brushed her hair behind her ear.

 

“Tomorrow’s a holiday. Want to go into town?”

 

“Really?”

 

Grace’s face lit up.

 

“It must get boring staying in the palace all the time.”

 

“That sounds wonderful. I’ve actually been wanting to look around the city…”

 

Grace wrapped her arms tightly around Frederick’s waist.

 

“Oh, and people talk about you a lot, Frederick.”

 

“Me? I wonder why.”

 

Frederick tilted his head.

 

“When I’m at Panbion, the younger Armento tell me all sorts of things they’ve heard about you. Some even say you’re super handsome.”

 

“Well, I’m not so sure about that.”

 

Frederick replied with a typically indifferent look.

 

“I kind of wish you were only handsome in my eyes, though. It’s a bit disappointing.”

 

“Are you being cute with me right now?”

 

“Think whatever you want.”

 

Grace looped her arms around Frederick’s neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist and gave her a light kiss on the lips.

 

“Let’s hope the room is well soundproofed.”

 

He whispered between their parted lips.

 

“It should be fine. Doesn’t seem like anyone else is nearby.”

 

“Then… let’s do it.”

 

A blush spread across Grace’s cheeks.

 

Frederick gently leaned over her. The moonlight poured in through the window, casting a soft glow over their entwined hands.

 

 

Grace was buzzing with excitement for their rare outing.

 

She eagerly held Frederick’s hand as they walked around the city together. Seeing all the different people and shops was so much fun.

 

They had come out to buy art supplies, but that was just part of it. They stopped by a flower shop to admire the blooms and visited a café for tea.

 

“Oh, look, they’re selling prints.”

 

While walking, Grace paused in front of a store selling artwork. Traditional print-style illustrations were displayed on the shelves.

 

‘I’d heard prints were popular in the capital, but seeing them like this…’

 

Seeing them in person felt surreal. Grace stood still for a moment, admiring them through the window.

 

Looking at the various styles reminded her of working with printing plates back in Winstaine.

 

“Your Grace. Madam.”

 

“Letius?”

 

“It’s been a while.”

 

It was Letius. He bowed politely to Frederick and Grace.

 

“I heard you were in the capital. Enjoying the city, I see.”

 

“Yes. Were you here to see the artwork?”

 

“I was. What brings you here, Madam?”

 

“I was just passing by and saw they were selling prints…”

 

Grace gestured to the stand selling the artwork.

 

“Ah, yes. The prints you originally developed are a huge hit here in the capital.”

 

Letius beamed as he spoke.

 

“The temples especially love them. They used to draw the same scripture scenes over and over by hand, but now that’s no longer necessary.”

 

“I see…”

 

To think that her work had spread this far… Grace couldn’t have been happier. Her heart swelled with emotion.

 

“Are you doing well, Your Grace?”

 

“No major problems.”

 

“That’s the best kind of news. Then I’ll leave you to enjoy your day. Please have a lovely time.”

 

“See you next time, Letius.”

 

After bowing again, Letius left.

 

“I feel kind of proud, somehow.”

 

“Well, you did something amazing.”

 

“Oh, come on. Compared to all of Frederick’s accomplishments, this is nothing.”

 

“No, what you’ve done is even greater. You bring richness to people’s lives.”

 

At Frederick’s words, Grace burst out laughing.

 

“Do you know how funny it is when you say such cheesy things with a straight face?”

 

“Is that so.”

 

Frederick replied dryly.

 

“Yes, and I’m hungry now. Let’s go eat dinner.”

 

Grace linked arms with Frederick as they walked off together.