Baby Pharmacist Princess

With a bright smile, I praised Elise and subtly glanced at Idsys.

Idsys seemed to have understood as well, his lips curving slightly.

‘So, someone who wandered poor traveling troupes to the point of losing her father to illness could recognize at a glance that this is a platinum accessory?’

Interesting and amusing.

Especially since platinum and silver are the same color.

Their shine differs subtly, so unless someone has seen jewelry for many years, it’s hard to tell at a glance.

Being able to recognize it immediately with just a look means she must have lived as a noble for a long time or been a royal maid who handled precious jewelry extensively.

“Oh, I just thought it was platinum! I only know about platinum…”

“I see.”

“It’s silver…?”

“Of course, it’s platinum. I don’t own any silver items.”

The moment I replied coldly.

Just a blink of an eye.

Elise’s gaze changed.

‘Envy. Jealousy. Disbelief. Anger?’

If I noticed it, there’s no way Idsys or Gergys didn’t catch it.

Realizing her mistake, Elise quickly lowered her head and whispered sadly.

“This is the only keepsake I have… I hope no one takes it from me.”

Hmm, I see. Anyone would think I’m trying to snatch it away.

I’ve heard enough for now.

The rest can wait until tomorrow.

“I’m too tired today; I think I need to sleep. Goodnight, Elise.”

I didn’t reply with ‘Alright’ or ‘Sure.’ That would sound like I’m agreeing with her about ‘taking it away.’

Instead, I said what I needed and intended to see Elise out.

Uninvited guests, please leave now.

But Elise hesitated and didn’t leave, fidgeting.

“Um, Cherishe, you know…”

“Yes, Elise.”

“I… I want to sleep with you…! I want to get closer to you!”

“Oh.”

That was close.

I almost lost my composure for a moment.

‘She’s not an easy opponent.’

Quickly assessing the situation, I swayed slightly.

“Cheri!”

Startled, Gergys caught me.

‘Nice.’

If things go on like this, Dad will sort out the situation.

Saying that means she’ll pester even if refused. She might even burst into tears.

Saying something like, ‘I guess someone like me can’t be considered family.’

So cliché.

At times like this, I’ll act like a child and just faint.

“Lady Elise. It seems you’re not yet familiar with palace etiquette, so I’ll tell you now.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Royalty never shares a bed with others. That’s something commoners do.”

As I pretended to faint, I heard Idsys’s gentle voice.

“Also, you should knock and get permission before entering. It would be best not to repeat the same mistake next time. I really dislike people who make mistakes.”

Wow, as expected! I knew I could trust Brother Idsys!

Peeking through narrowed eyes while being carried by Gergys, I saw Elise’s bewildered expression.

“I… I was just so happy…”

“I don’t know where you picked up the bad habit of trailing off your sentences. Speaking like that to superiors in the palace will be seen as ill-mannered.”

“……”

“I don’t know how it was in the South palace, but it’s different here in the North. Keep that in mind. Not only with the heirs to the throne but also in the presence of the Prince, you shouldn’t show rudeness due to your personal excitement.”

“Y-Yes.”

“I’m tired now, so please leave.”

A clear dismissal.

I am Idsys’s sister, but Elise is not.

Idsys made that fact clear, drawing a line.

As elegantly as possible.

Naturally, Elise hesitated and then retreated.

“I-I’m sorry!”

That was the end.

Dad and Idsys didn’t respond.

In noble etiquette, silence is the strongest form of rejection.

With no reply, it’s natural she couldn’t stay any longer.

Realizing she’d been ignored, Elise’s face flushed with embarrassment as she ran out, and Gergys smirked as he watched her go.

“Hey, Id. Sorry about cursing at you earlier.”

“It’s fine. Lay Cheri down and go to bed.”

“Sure. A smart guy like you will handle everything. Haha! That felt refreshing!”

Gergys, seeming genuinely delighted, almost danced as he laid me on the bed.

“Sleep well, my daughter.”

“Don’t worry about anything.”

Dad and Idsys each said a word and left.

I heard sounds suggesting that Idsys was taking away the guard who failed to stop Elise from entering, but I decided to ignore it.

I was also a bit annoyed and surprised by her sudden entrance.

“Princess, shall I sing you a lullaby?”

Shami, who had been watching, quietly entered and asked.

Usually, I would have said no, but today, I felt like being pampered.

So I nodded, and Shami hummed a popular lullaby, gently patting my back.

‘Where did Sihat go…?’

My eyes slowly closed.

I was too sleepy to think further.

* * *

The next morning at breakfast time.

When I went down to the dining hall, Emperor Liclaz wasn’t there. Idsys and Dad weren’t there either.

Only a grumpy-looking Gergys.

And Elise and Luon.

“Good morning, Cherishe!”

Elise beamed as soon as she saw me, and I nearly stumbled.

‘Pigtails?’

Even with cherry-shaped hair ties.

She must have copied what I wore yesterday.

“Oh, this… Does it look strange on me after all?”

Noticing my gaze, Elise fidgeted with her hair ties.

When she acts like that, there’s only one thing I can say.

“No, it suits you.”

“Really?”

It would be silly to say it doesn’t suit her and tell her not to do it.

It’s not like I have a patent on hairstyles.

“You look good with any hairstyle, my lady. The pigtails are very cute too.”

“Thank you, Luon. I like how you’re always so kind.”

“You deserve to be treated kindly, my lady.”

My seat was next to Gergys.

Gergys pulled out a chair to make it easy for me to sit and muttered loud enough for all to hear.

“Well, look at them having fun.”

“Brother, don’t be jealous. Lady Elise only plays with me like this.”

“Who’s jealous? Don’t be ridiculous.”

The atmosphere was tense even before breakfast started.

“Where are Dad and Brother Id?”

Before Gergys could act up, I intervened, asking about the missing people.

“Oh, they mentioned going somewhere last night. I don’t know where.”

“Ah.”

“Let’s just eat. I feel sick enough to throw up.”

Throughout the meal, Gergys glared as hard as he could.

Luon chuckled, and Elise was restless.

And I…

‘Well, look at this?’

When I picked up some bread, Elise picked up bread too.

When I cut my meat, Elise also cut hers.

‘She’s copying everything I do like a mirror?’

Realizing this, I deliberately dropped my knife.

Clang!

The knife hit the stone floor with a sharp noise.

A servant standing by the wall approached and replaced it with a new knife.

“Not copying this?”

“!”

“Oh, the food is delicious.”

I know you’re imitating me.

Letting her know that, Elise lowered her head deeply.

Luon looked at her and tilted his head.

“Do you have to point it out like that? So mean. Lady Elise is trying hard right now.”

“Trying at what?”

“Of course, trying to become the perfect Princess.”

Luon said, lifting his chin.

I exhaled softly and put on a genuinely puzzled expression.

Then, tilting my head slightly, not forgetting to look confused.

“So, what does she need to try at? Elise is already perfect as she is. Are you saying Elise is lacking, Luon?”

“!”

“You shouldn’t speak like that, Luon.”

In situations like this, people usually think the same thing.

That I dislike Elise.

That I could never truly like her, and that I’m pretending out of hypocrisy.

‘It is hypocrisy.’

But there’s a difference in acting skills.

No matter how clever Luon is, a child is still a child.

There were definitely points to pick on.

“D-Don’t fight because of me, okay?”

Then Elise intervened.

Saying not to fight because of her, her sparkling eyes seemed quite satisfied.

‘I’m starting to wonder how far she’ll go.’

I smiled and finished my meal.

Gergys claimed he had no appetite but waited until I was done eating.

“Cheri, where are you going now?”

“Hey, Cheri is coming with me, so back off.”

Elise hurriedly stood up to follow, but Gergys was faster.

He picked me up and dashed away.

Neither Elise nor Luon could keep up.

* * *

At that time.

Sihat was at none other than the northern Castalia palace.

He was here to find the Dragon Lord.

‘If he’s nowhere else, he must be here.’

He’d wandered all night, but all places where he sensed the Dragon Lord’s aura turned out empty.

As morning came, Sihat, considering overturning even the lair if he couldn’t find him, suddenly sensed a strong aura.

It was emanating from the northern Castalia palace.

‘Proving that Elise is a fake is simple.’

Just reveal how Cherishe was born.

If that’s not a good idea, the Dragon Lord can just show up pretending to be her real father.

Either way, it can be resolved quickly.

Sihat had no intention of watching that charade any longer.

That grotesque, foul figure wearing the face of the girl he loves.

So now, Sihat stood in front of Emperor Raerhod’s office.

Of course, he hadn’t made any appointment.

“Wait, you can’t just enter!”

“Stop!”

The knights drew their swords, but in his urgency, Sihat ignored those who tried to stop him.

No, he sent them flying.

Bang!

Highly concentrated divine power becomes a formidable weapon.

Even without holding a sword or blade, divine power alone is enough to defeat enemies.

Sihat learned this in his past life.

When he was isolated among monsters with a broken sword and nothing in hand.

“Well, how noisy.”

Pushing away the knights and opening the door, Raerhod spoke in a displeased tone.

Sitting behind his desk, Raerhod had aged quite a bit since last seen.

If his previous appearance was like a man in his forties, now he clearly looked to be in his late fifties.

“Now you finally look fitting for the term ‘grandfather.'”

“Such insults upon meeting. Can’t you do something about that attitude?”

“Why should I?”

“Sigh. How did my precious great-granddaughter get involved with such an ill-mannered fellow?”

Tsk.

Raerhod clicked his tongue, but Sihat ignored him and stated his business.

“Dragon Lord. Is he here?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Let’s go now.”

Striding in, Sihat spotted the pink-haired boy lounging on the sofa and grabbed him by the collar.

Raerhod was aging, and the dragon Hiskarilin seemed to be getting younger.

Now appearing to be only about eight years old, Hiskarilin dangled in Sihat’s grasp.

“Wait a moment, Pope. There’s someone else coming.”

Hiskarilin waved lazily at Sihat, greeting him.

His nonchalant attitude made Sihat frown.

“Who’s coming?”

“The Saintess’s adoptive father and brother? They should be here soon.”

“Ah.”

Thud.

Sihat released his grip.

He could roughly understand the situation.

Reading Sihat’s thoughts, Hiskarilin smiled.

“Yes, that’s right. They’re coming to ask me to untie the knot of memory. Then things will be clear.”

“So, will you release it?”

“Isn’t it about time? There aren’t many years left.”

Hop.

A rabbit suddenly appeared among the tense group.

Wearing a clown-like ruffle around its neck and a heart pattern over one eye.

Having been a familiar for so long, it had evolved beyond a mere animal, walking on two legs and even speaking.

“Time! Passing! Fast!”

The rabbit with red fur and slanted eyes pointed to the clock it held and shouted.

Tick-tock.

The time rapidly decreasing now was certainly less than when first seen.

Emperor Raerhod’s familiar, Kuron.

The clock it held showed the time remaining until the outbreak of the First Monster War.

“Faster! Keep going!”

Kuron placed a paw on what could be considered its waist and shouted.

Hiskarilin patted Kuron’s head and murmured lazily.

“Yes, it’s getting faster. Seems Pabel is getting bored.”

“It’s a pity your special eyes can’t see what the demons are up to.”

“Can’t be helped. Demons, dragons, and gods. Initially, these three were mutually untouchable realms. My special eyes can only see humans.”

Hiskarilin flopped back down, lazing around. Raerhod beckoned Kuron back and gave it a carrot.

Sihat looked around at them and then leaned against the window.

And silence.

Though they had shared the immense magic of time travel, they weren’t bound by any strong camaraderie.

Each had different purposes.

Sihat was solely to reunite with Cherishe, Hiskarilin wanted to prevent the destruction of the country he loved.

As for Raerhod, it was a kind of responsibility.

An atonement for not fully grasping the demons’ schemes during his long reign as Emperor.

The demons’ tricks. Liclaz, installed as the South Emperor.

He had figured all that out but failed to notice what the demons’ true goal was.

Again, the Monster War was nothing.

Compared to what happened afterward.

And Raerhod’s failure to realize that Pabel and the demons’ true target was [….] was his mistake.

“They’ve arrived.”

Finally, the three of them spoke simultaneously.

A powerful aura, strong enough to raise goosebumps, was rushing toward this place.

Still, to be polite, they didn’t just drop into the office but announced their arrival.

As Raerhod’s great-grandson and great-great-grandson opened the office door, Raerhod activated the magic he had prepared.

“Separation.”

A simple word, but the result was brilliant.

Raerhod, Hiskarilin, Sihat, and Vikal and Idsys.

An isolated space where only the five of them existed was created.

No one could overhear or see what was discussed here.

They had created a parallel world separated from reality and installed an isolated space there.

But what they were about to discuss required such measures.

“Pope?”

Idsys looked puzzled upon seeing Sihat.

According to Idsys’s calculations, Sihat shouldn’t be here.

No, he hadn’t even considered the possibility.

This was an unforeseen situation for Idsys.

“We’re gathered for the same purpose, so don’t be surprised.”

“I see.”

At Sihat’s words, Idsys replied lightly.

Right now, why the Pope was here wasn’t the important issue.

“Allow me to introduce. This is the Dragon Lord.”

“Hello.”

“Don’t be fooled by his youthful appearance. He’s a monster who’s lived several times longer than me.”

“Wow, saying hurtful things as you please. Sob, an old man is sad.”

As Hiskarilin pretended to cry, Raerhod chuckled.

But Vikal did not laugh.

Dragon Lord.

“…Ugh.”

The moment he heard those words, Vikal felt a sharp headache.

A pain as if his head was being crushed.

At the same time, his vision turned white, and a voice was heard.

‘You’ve done well. The contract is now fulfilled.

‘Don’t worry; I’ll take good care of it. I promise in the name of the Dragon Lord.’

Memories that had been fragmented.

They suddenly connected, causing a chain reaction in his mind like fireworks exploding.

It felt like sparks flying or a whirlwind blowing.

“I’ll first release the bound memories, and then we can talk.”

Hiskarilin tapped the air, and Vikal was drawn into his memories.

* * *

“Kienna!”

Vikal saw himself moving urgently.

As his memories were unlocked, he could now see himself both subjectively and objectively.

“Kienna, please!”

He felt like his throat was tightening with anxiety. That Kienna was dead. Already dead, unable to see or talk to her anymore.

He didn’t want to believe it. Couldn’t believe it.

Death.

It was a word that had gripped Vikal’s life for a long time.

A soldier he talked to yesterday would have his neck broken and die the next day.

When stabbed by a sword, blood flows, and when blood flows, death follows.

No matter how many times he witnessed that process, he couldn’t get used to it. It was painful not being able to become numb.

They said an Emperor must be a person without a heart.

In that case, Vikal was unfit to be Emperor.

He couldn’t help but grieve over the death of an unknown soldier.

But Kienna, of all people.

At the news of his long-suffering sister’s death, Vikal felt like he was losing his mind.

‘Who are you?’

Ah, right.

What he witnessed there was none other than the Dragon Lord.

With three horns protruding from his forehead.

Not the childlike appearance of now, but the Dragon Lord in his adult form.

His hair was long, dragging on the floor, and his attire was of an unfamiliar style.

The Dragon Lord stood beside the pale Kienna, holding something precious in his arms.

‘What did he do to Kienna?’

And Vikal lunged at the Dragon Lord.

‘Wait, I haven’t attached the heart yet…!’

At that time, his vision had gone red, and he couldn’t see anything.

Now, Vikal could see everything objectively.

The Dragon Lord hadn’t intended to harm Kienna. Rather, he had made some kind of contract with her.

If there’s anything curious, it’s why he now looks like a child when back then he was in his adult form with much longer horns.

“Ugh.”

Having seen all the unlocked memories, Vikal held his head, regaining his composure.

Raerhod spoke quietly to Vikal.

“Now that we’re all here, shall we begin the discussion?”

“What kind of contract did the Dragon Lord make with Kienna?”

“I should explain that first. Kienna knew she was destined to die young. So she wanted to do something meaningful with the time she had left.”

All eyes turned to Raerhod.

A secret he had never revealed before.

The secret about the existence of Cherishe was now flowing from Raerhod’s lips.

Without further hesitation, Raerhod confessed the truth he had been hiding.

“Cherishe is not a child born from Kienna.”

“…!”

“It would be more accurate to say Kienna created her. Cherishe is a masterpiece that Kienna created by burning her last life force.”

“What do you mean…?”

Idsys frowned.

Princess Kienna created a human through magic?