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nThe drum rang again.

nWith anticipation for the competition, people’s shouts grew louder again.

nUntil even the sound of the drums was buried.

nThe Emperor drew his sword and raised it high.

nIt was the signal for departure.

nThose who participated in the competition began to run in a line into the forest.

nGabriella stared at them in vain.

n* * *

n“Father!”

nShe finally grabbed her father’s arm as he was about to depart for the hunting grounds.

nThere were the gazes of many other nobles, so this behavior was not right, but she couldn’t stand it today.

n“You promised. You will give me a chance!”

n“That’s why I am leaving this place to you, Gabi.”

nThis place?

nGabriella looked around where she was standing.

nShe had no desire to undermine the ladies’ embroidery group, but she stayed here every year for sixteen years.

nAnd now it was time to go where she wanted to go.

n“Father, I have been trying to attend today’s competition for months . . .”

n“If it’s hunting, you can do whatever you want in a safe place afterwards. Don’t worry.”

n“This is the royal hunting ground. You don’t even allow me here. Where in the world would you allow it?”

n“You will be able to come back on a quiet day. Anyway, Gabi.”

nThe Emperor patted her shoulders.

n“I want you to fill in your mother’s vacancy. Without you, the wives would be in great trouble.”

nThat was probably . . .

nAn excuse that her father desperately found.

nEven without the Empress, there was rank and culture among nobles.

nThere were no difficulties or problems.

n“Above all, we must take care of the Princess of Liz. She might have been left alone in a house full of men.”

n“. . .”

nThere was no other excuse for the Princess of Liz.

nThe Princess of Liz seemed to have been plagued by strange rumors since her birthday.

nIt was said that she was poor enough to choose such a gift for Gabriella.

nOf course, it was a true rumor.

nIn any case, it was true that it was somewhat ostentatious among the aristocrats.

n“All right.”

nGabriella nodded her head to her father’s will.

nIn fact, she had no choice but to do so, though.

n“My good daughter.”

nThe Emperor patted her head lightly and smiled in relief.

n“Don’t worry about the competition. I will give you victory so that your practice time is not wasted.”

nHe bragged and jumped onto the horse at once and disappeared into the hunting grounds.

nI should have said more.

nAs she gazed at her father’s distant appearance, she thought of the words left behind like regret.

nWinning is not what I wanted. I just . . .

nShe just wanted to spend the day a little more like him.

nShe has been waiting for sixteen years, for that alone. She waited still.

n* * *

nAfter the Emperor left for the hunting grounds, Gabriella was approached by an attendant.

n“Princess, would you like to change into a dress?”

n“It’s okay, I didn’t even bring one.”

n“Don’t worry, His Majesty has prepared it for you.”

n“. . . Why?”

nEven though the Princess knew that the attendant was not guilty of any kind, she furrowed her brows and asked.

n“It must be because the royal family of another country is here. Although she is the Princess of Liz, it is right to be polite.”

n“. . .”

nAt this point, she is dying of disgust because of a girl called the Princess of Liz .

nWhy was the Princess mentioned in all of Gabriella’s behavioral restrictions?

n“I am not young enough to be able to decide on my own clothes.”

nGabriella nodded a little nervously, pressing her throbbing head.

n“But, Princess. Nobles will show respect no matter what the Princess does. But the Princess of Liz is different.”

n“It’s okay.”

nGabriella answered, holding back her desire to scream.

n“Because I don’t care about the respect of living in expensive clothes.”

n“But—”

nAs the attendant did not give up and tried to refute, she immediately moved on her steps.

nBecause they won’t be able to force her to anyway.

nAt that moment, her eyes met with a group of nobles.

nGabriella smiled perfectly.

nHello, I’m really glad the weather is nice. Nice to meet you. How are you doing? I was worried about you last time you said your knee hurt. Oh my, your son has already learned to write? He must be a genius. You must feel reassured, Madam.

nThey never forgot to waste endless words hinting at what they wanted for her to hear.

nEven Gabriella.

nWhat she wanted to hear hadn’t been heard in a single word today.

n* * *

nGabriella perfectly portrayed the gentle Princess who was loved by nobles.

nDuring the conversation, she was careful not to show any dissatisfaction with not being able to go to the hunting grounds.

nEither way, she has to be faithful to your work.

n“Come to think of it.”

nA woman spoke anxiously.

n“The Princess of Liz is nowhere to be seen. I think she was here today. Is she somewhere else?”

nGabriella thought about the big and small embroidery gatherings she had visited.

nBut she had no memory of seeing Rieta anywhere.

nThe truth is, Gabriella should have been actively taking care of the Princess . . .

nSomehow, she didn’t want to.

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