Chapter 29

Elliana raised her chubby arm and pointed at Ian.

“Why awe you here?”

“Why are you pretending to sleep when you’re not asleep?”

The perplexed Ian looked at her and responded dryly.

“What awe you saying! This is my pwalace, after all.”

Elliana felt unjustly accused in that moment. She had made thorough preparations for her nap, and yet he distubed her. He was indeed a strange and ill-tempered kid, she thought, shaking her head with mild exasperation. However, Ian unexpectedly spoke again.

“I’m here because I have something to tell you. It’s not to see you.”

Ian having something to tell her was surprising. Elliana perked up her ears, her black eyes filled with curiosity.

“To me?”

Ian swept his short silver hair and continued, “Be cautious around a girl named Lenea.”

Upon hearing that name, Elliana envisioned the face of the kind girl who had always been friendly. Even her brother, Zaka, seemed more dangerous than her.

“Oh, that Lenea. She’s a gwentle soul.”

Suddenly, Ian’s annoyed expression turned concerned as he spoke, “Stupid, if I said careful, just be careful. Your weakness can lead to real danger.”

Elliana had never expected Ian, who had always seemed indifferent to others, to show such concern.

“Okay. Dwo you cawe about me now? (Do you care about me now?)”

With a creased brow, Ian retorted.

“What nonsense. It’s because of Father’s request, obviously. Don’t bother people without reason.”

“…I gwet it.”

Elliana heaved a slight sigh, her head swaying gently. At that moment, Ian pinched her cheek.

“Ah, dwon’t, it huwts!”

“See, even this much is painful for you. You really don’t seem lion-like, no matter how I look at it.”

Upon seeing his violet eyes, which regarded the matter with an air of triviality, Elliana narrowed her eyes slightly and thought, ‘What a waste of his handsome face.’

As Elliana squinted her eyes and spoke, Ian remained silent for a while. Then, he threw a single comment and disappeared.

“…You’re ugly.”

“Huh?!”

Even though Ian was gone, Elliana found herself lost in thought.

Be cautious around Lenea, he had said. What could that possibly mean? She wanted to inquire further, but Ian wasn’t likely to provide more information in his usual unhelpful manner.

She would have to investigate on her own. Meanwhile, her nap had completely escaped her. Perhaps she should visit the High Priest and inquire about harnessing the power of the sun. She wanted to amplify its power. Despite often basking in the sunlight, when would she truly be able to unleash the sun’s full potential? Elliana sprang from the canopy and slipped on her furry indoor shoes. Ian had gone, but Sarah soon returned.

“Lady, is everything alright?”

“Hmm?”

“Sir Ian has been here, hasn’t he?”

“Yes, he stwopped by, he told me to be wary of someone.”

“Who is he talking about?”

“A girl named Lenea. Do you know her, Sarah?”

“I know her. If it’s Lady Lenea, she’s one of the noticeable heirs among the noble children.”

“Who is her fwather?”

“It’s Count Quelley. He’s the lord of the Quelley territory. He’s also the uncle of your father.”

With Sarah’s kind explanation, Elliana tilted her head. She needed to learn about the various relatives within the Crovache family. It was important to know who might challenge her at any given time.

“Sarah, please fewtch the book about Crovache lineage from the library. I’m going to visit Gwanpa for now.”

“Oh, are you referring to High Priest Julius? Understood. I’ll prepare for your visit.”

“Okay.” Elliana replied, taking Sarah’s hand as they entered the inner chambers of the palace.

“Just wait a moment.” Elliana entered the playroom, and said, “I’ll be going in for a while. I nweed some time alone.”

Rustle, rustle.

Her tiny chubby hands attempted to close the door, but it didn’t shut easily. Due to frustration, Elliana pouted, and a sound resembling a fart escaped from Elliana’s cheeks, “Pop!”

An embarrassed Sarah chuckled softly and closed the door, her gentle laughter fading.

“Please have a safe journey, young lady.”

“…It’s, it’s not a fawt.”

Though it was mortifying, it was better to let her think it was bodily functions rather than realize she was hiding precious fragments of the Sun Scroll beneath the toys.

? ? ?

As she walked towards the dignified reception room in front of the High Priest’s chamber, Elliana could be seen clutching the Sun Scroll close to her chest. Upon seeing the cheeks of the chubby child, Julius couldn’t help but smile, even with his polite expression. He had discovered that someone could bring a smile to his weary daily life just by looking at them.

“Lady, I’ve been waiting for your arrival.”

“Good day.”

Elliana greeted him with a slight nod and a bow of respect, a gesture reserved especially for the High Priest. While others might not know, it was a necessary show of respect to impress the High Priest.

‘I need to make a good impression on the High Priest. After all, he promised to teach me how to harness the power of the sun.’

“It’s the first time I’ve seen a courteous Crovache like you, young lady. You have truly learned well. From whom did you learn your manners?”

Children who greeted adults with respect were bound to be favored. In her first life, she had been scolded by the head maid Demeter for not knowing proper etiquette. Memories of that moment gently resurfaced. Thanks to dream fragments given by the dreamcatcher, she had been uncovering fragments of her past memories one by one. Back then, she had been too naive, and perhaps it was just frustration that she felt. However, in retrospect, her words had been true.

Head Maid Demeter. She had been the only one who didn’t ignore Elliana, even when scolding her for her lack of courtesy. She had even taught Elliana the imperial etiquette. Looking back, she had been the only teacher in Elliana’s life. She wished she could meet her again one day.

“Gwanpa is smart and kind-hearted. I hwave to wespect the elderly.”

“Haha, did you just mispronounce ‘respect’?”

With a tongue as young as three years old, her pronunciation wasn’t perfect yet. Elliana blushed slightly, nodding as she extended the Sun Scroll towards him.

“Gwanpa. I want to unlock this. Can you teach me how?”

“As I mentioned before, the Sun Scroll must be unsealed by you, lady. However, it will take some time. For today, let’s practice harnessing the power of the sun together.”

“Okay. Pwease guide me.”

Her words, though brief, held determination.

“I will humbly guide you. Firstly, it would be wise to purify your entire body in the holy water.”

“How should I do that?”

“Well, let me help you.”

High Priest Julius raised his flowing sleeve and produced a silver staff. This staff, adorned with a transparent crystal at its tip, symbolized his role as the High Priest and the conduit of his divine power. As he briefly immersed the crystal-topped tip of the staff into the holy water, a remarkable phenomenon unfolded. A radiant white light accompanied by a resonating sound filled the air as holy water was drawn into the circular crystal at the staff’s tip.

“Wow.”

Elliana’s dark eyes shimmered with awe and wonder. Soon, Julius approached her, gently bringing the crystal close to her head and shoulders. A soothing warmth radiated from the crystal, enveloping her body. Her mind cleared, and a sense of lightness washed away all worries and unease.

“How do you feel?”

“My mind feels clear. Comfowted.”

“Ah, I see. Proper purification seems to have taken place. Excellent. Now, let’s gauge the extent of the sun power you possess using my divine energy.”

With a gracious smile, Julius led Elliana to another room within the room. The room was unique, its doors connected like a fan, able to be pushed to the side. It exuded an otherworldly aura, both serene and exotic.