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That
was exactly why they hadn't been able to bring it up until now, considering Candice's
feelings. And thinking that Candice had been making the two of them hold
back gave her an indescribable feeling.
（Did I make Eva and Rose
suffer because of me? What if they end up hating me like this……!）
Things
that were taken for granted would suddenly disappear. It was like that with Louise
too. The ordinary things in front of Candice changed one after another,
and in the blink of an eye, everything became hers. Called the Evil Princess, Candice,
who died, saw hell. Candice, who now knew the value of her current life,
had gradually learned patience and begun to consider people's feelings a
little, but it seemed she still had a long way to go.
（What would a "good Imperial
Princess" say at a time like this, I wonder……）
Candice desperately pushed down her own
feelings and raised her face. Seeing the two who looked like they were about to
cry, she nodded firmly before opening her mouth.
「Eva, Rose…… I will be fine.」
「「Eh……?」」
「Please go and see your family!」
Saying
that, Eva and Rose's eyes moistened and they hugged Candice
around her waist. Looking down at them crying and clinging to her while
expressing their thanks wasn't half bad. She somehow started to feel better.
（Fufu, because I am a good Imperial
Princess! It's only natural to permit this much.）
Candice felt proud seeing the two's
gratitude, but as expected, anxiety remained at the thought of her maids being
temporarily swapped out. Thereupon, Candice thought of something.
「That's it, I've thought of a good
idea!」
「Candice, Imperial Princess-sama?」
「I just have to go along together
with Eva and Rose!」
At
Candice's proposal, the two widened their eyes as much as possible.
「If we do that, we won't have to be
separated, right!?」
Candice thought it was such a great idea,
but Eva and Rose were shaking their heads side to side vigorously
in a panic. Luca's book placed on the table caught her eye.
（Besides, even Letty, the
protagonist of this book, went to various places, didn't she. I want to see
life in the town just once too!）
For
sixteen years, Candice had barely ever left the White Palace. Of
course, there was the fact that she was busy with studies and training, but it
was also because she had heavily inherited Duke Radziwill's influence
and thoroughly looked down on those of lower status. That was why she
unilaterally despised and treated Arthur, Hugo, and even the White
Palace staff serving Candice like trash. But now, such thoughts had
completely disappeared, and curiosity won out.
「You cannot! Because Candice, Imperial
Princess-sama is an Imperial Princess!」
「Oh my, I at least know that I am an Imperial
Princess.」
「That's right! Besides, it's
dangerous, and there's no way Duke Radziwill would permit it…… we are no
longer nobles.」
「We can just leave Ojiisama alone. It
doesn't matter whether you are nobles or not.」
Although
Candice was full of motivation, it seemed Eva and Rose
were not.
（I wonder what kind of place the town
Letty lives in is like……! I want to see it quickly.）
Candice's eyes sparkled with excitement.
「It is not a place suitable for Candice,
Imperial Princess-sama, and we cannot offer you proper hospitality!」
「You don't need to worry about such
things! When are we departing?」
「Candice, Imperial Princess-sama,
please reconsider~!」
Letting
Eva and Rose's persuasion go in one ear and out the other, Candice's
heart swelled with imagination.
While
having such an exchange, there was the sound of a light knock on the door. When
the door opened, the angelic Arthur came running over to Candice.
「Arthur?」
「Candice-oneesama, I'm ready! We're eating a
huge cake, right!」
「Has it already become that time!?」
It
seemed that while opening presents and talking with the two of them, it had
become time for tea with Arthur and Luca. At noon, they were
planning to hold a small birthday party in the courtyard where they usually had
tea. It was said the chefs would make a super-sized birthday cake for Candice.
Jeanne was standing dumbfounded, looking at the messy state of the room
where the presents were still not cleared away.
「Eva, Rose…… what in the world is
this?」
「「Please listen, Jeanne-san!」」
Eva and Rose clung to Jeanne
as if seeking help. Then, as they explained that Candice wanted to go
along with Eva and Rose, Jeanne's expression grew stern.
「Candice, Imperial Princess-sama, Duke
Radziwill will not permit this.」
Because
Jeanne also said the same thing as Eva and Rose, she
opened her mouth to argue back.
「Ojiisama has nothing to do with this
right now. Isn't he with Okaa-sama right now?」
「……!」
「He couldn't care less about what I am doing.」
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