Chapter 48 Unexpected Attacker
Rifine's birthday party was being planned, but whether anyone would actually attend if invitations were sent out... it was a bit uncertain.
Sure, she was a princess, so there would undoubtedly be a few who'd show up.
But considering Rifine's past behavior, it wasn't likely that people would be lining up to celebrate.
Some would inevitably find excuses to decline.
If we wanted people to attend willingly, the first step was to spread the word that Rifine had changed—for the better—not just at the Detached Palace but across noble society.
"That's why I invited my friend first. Monica Belmont... you know her, right?"
"Ah, she's the famous young lady known for her strong magic, of course I know her. When I tried to hit her, she panicked and ran away."
"Ah, ahaha..."
She has changed... hasn't she?
I silently reassured myself.
Monica 'probably' wouldn't randomly attack anyone now.
It'd be fine.
"Princess!! Lady Yumieーー!!"
"Hm? Mei, what's wrong?"
Before I could dwell on it further, Mei, Rifine's dedicated maid, came rushing in, looking pale and frantic.
Lisa trailed close behind her, wearing an expression caught between concern and frustration.
Their urgency put me on edge.
"It's terrible! There's an attacker at the Royal Palace!!"
"An attacker!? What do you mean!?"
I'd just been worrying about someone targeting Rifine, so hearing this sent my heart racing.
Could it be that someone was after Sigurt? Either way, the thought was alarming.
As I stood up, ready to act, the next words Mei shouted left me completely deflated.
"The Granbell family has come demanding their daughter back!! They brought knights with them, and it feels like they're ready for war! Right now, the prince is in a fierce argument with them, shouting, 'Give us back our daughter!!'...!"
"...Huh?"
Still stunned, I glanced at Lisa for confirmation.
She nodded, exasperated, and I crumbled to my knees in embarrassment.
"Prince!! Where is my daughter!?"
"Well, she's at the Detached Palace right now... It has nothing to do with me."
"That's so disingenuous!! No matter how much I adore my daughter... I won't let her go!!"
"Lord Granbell, we're not on the same page here..."
Even from a distance, my father's booming voice echoed through the courtyard, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
In front of the main gate leading to the Royal Palace, the busiest spot, witnessing my father's loud and proud declaration of being a doting parent made me feel like I could burst into flames from embarrassment.
"Father, what are you doing!?"
"Oh, Yumie, your dad came to pick you up!"
As I ran toward him, shouting, my father spread his arms wide as if expecting me to leap into them.
Refusing to humor him, I went for a tackle instead.
Unfortunately, my smaller frame had no real impact, and he caught me with ease, grinning like I'd just made his day.
Ugh.
"Oh, were you that lonely? There, there."
"Father, your beard hurts..."
I muttered as he rubbed his cheek against mine.
He wasn't even listening.
Moments earlier, this man had been in a heated argument with Sigurt, but now he was reduced to mush.
The contrast was enough to make passersby stare like they'd witnessed a miracle—or a disaster.
Seriously, Father, could you not?
"Yumie, are you okay? You're not hurt anywhere, right?"
"Ms. Yumie, I came to help you!"
My Elder Brother and Monica appeared then, rushing over from behind Father.
I blinked in surprise at the unlikely pairing.
"Wait, Ms. Monica, were you with my father and the others?"
"Of course! I was staying with the Granbell family until Ms. Yumie comes back."
"...Yeah."
Is that really okay, Belmont family?
Incidentally, I had sent Monica's invitation to the Belmont estate.
If not for this 'invasion', she could've attended the Royal Palace without any drama.
"And Elder Brother, what do you mean by 'injured'?"
"I heard from Monica that the princess is someone who punches people without hesitation. I was really worried about whether Yumie was okay..."
"Huh? I thought I sent a letter about that too."
I had written that Rifine was actually a good kid now, so everything should have been fine.
"Huh? I didn't get it. Maybe it didn't arrive due to an accident or mistake?"
"What!?"
Was that even possible!?
...Then again, with monsters, thieves, and no modern conveniences like cars, things like that probably happened more often than I'd like to think.
Ugh, I had forgotten about that...
"Um, so, lastly, father... you brought the knights all the way here... is your work okay?"
"Don't worry, I've left it to Riffia. He sent me off happily."
"Motherrr──!?"
I groaned.
My family was hopeless.
I needed to fix this, fast.
I think that, but right now, more than anything, I need to settle this situation before I can talk calmly.
"For now, Sig... Prince. I will clear up the misunderstanding with father, so may I be allowed inside?"
"Ah, that's fine. However, since this is such a sudden visit, I can't let you through to the Royal Palace. Take her to the Detached Palace."
"Yes, thank you."
Mindful of the crowd around us, I addressed him formally as "Prince," and Sigurt responded like a true royal, issuing his instructions with calm authority.
I sighed.
Really... how had it come to this?
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