Baby Pharmacist Princess

“Amons, are they scary?”

I pretended not to know, tilting my head, even though I was well aware of them.

“No, they’re fun.”

…This crazy guy.

I almost cursed at Idsys’s response but managed to hold my tongue.

“It’s dangerous for you, so even if you go, don’t leave the camp.”

“Y-yes.”

“We can’t avoid it, so we’ll have to finish it quickly this year.”

That’s right.

During the Amons hunting season, Gergys and Idsys went wild.

It was the perfect way to unleash their power.

Perhaps that’s why the Emperor didn’t bother closing the gate connecting to the demon world.

They needed a place to release their energy.

‘I guess it’s considered a necessary evil.’

Shaking my head, I chose white shoes to go with my dress and selected a few accessories.

“Princess, would you like to take off your ring and necklace while changing?”

“No, I’ll keep them on.”

It was time to change clothes!

I wore the ring Dad had given me on a leather string around my neck.

I just didn’t want to take it off.

It felt like Dad was always with me.

“Are you busy, brother?”

“Yes, I’m busy.”

“Then why are you staying when I’ve already chosen my clothes?”

I figured it was okay to ask this.

After changing into the dress for the Pope’s coronation celebration, I ran over to Idsys, who patted my head.

“You look beautiful. I stayed because it seemed like you wanted me to see the whole outfit.”

“How kind!”

“Really? You think this is kind?”

“Yes, I love it!”

When I blinked my eyes in delight, Idsys tilted his head as if contemplating something and then smiled.

“I see. I’ll do this more often then.”

Idsys seemed happy.

Could this be the right moment to ask about his familiar?

Swallowing hard, I looked up at Idsys, tapping my toes on the floor.

“Hey, brother. I want to see your familiar.”

“My familiar?”

“Yes. I’m really curious!”

“I’ll show you.”

Wow, that easily?

Gergys had made me wait a long time, driving me crazy with anticipation…

“But this counts as your wish, right?”

“No way. I’m your sister! You should show your familiar to your sister.”

“Really?”

“Yes! Absolutely!”

Seeing a familiar is tough.

I clasped my hands together and gave Idsys my best puppy-dog eyes.

I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I hoped he’d show me for free!

“Alright, alright. I can’t ignore my little sister’s pleading, can I?”

Oh, Idsys, you’re a good one.

I watched as Idsys elegantly raised a finger into the air.

“Come here, Byul.”

“Byul is your name?”

“I named it to match Dyu.”

“Cute!”

What kind of familiar would Idsys have?

A fox? Maybe a rabbit?

Or…

“Ah!”

A small creature scurried up my dress and perched on my shoulder, startling me.

“A flying squirrel?!”

“Oh, you know this animal? Byul can glide from high places for a short distance.”

With the patagium connecting its front and back legs, it can fly, sure.

But that wasn’t what surprised me.

‘This insanely cute creature is a piece of Idsys’s soul?’

Unbelievable.

Pure white fur, red eyes, and even a red clover-shaped mark over one eye.

If Gergys’s Dyu was imposing and majestic, Byul was just pretty. Just incredibly pretty.

I gently petted Byul’s head with my fingertips.

So soft!

‘Wait, Sophia. Why aren’t you asking to see the familiar this time?’

She had asked Gergys to show his.

I looked up at Sophia and realized.

Her lips were tightly pressed together, and her expression was…

‘Ah, she really wants to see it but can’t bring herself to ask.’

I never knew Sophia found Idsys intimidating.

“Brother, can you let everyone see Byul?”

“Everyone?”

“They must be curious… it’s so cute, I feel bad keeping it to myself.”

“Hm…”

Idsys hummed, as if pondering it.

“But no, it’s a secret.”

But then he quickly refused, smiling.

“It’s enough that you see it. It’s best not to show familiars. No other royals have them.”

Maybe that’s why Gergys had refused so adamantly. It must have been Idsys’s advice.

I scratched my cheek and had to admit Idsys was right.

After all, I was stepping back from the throne fight, but the other royals weren’t.

‘Byul, unlike Dyu, is perfect for gathering information secretly, isn’t it?’

Understanding the clear reason for not showing Byul to others made me less upset or feel Idsys was being cold.

Sophia might be disappointed, but I could draw a picture of Byul for her later.

“Nice to meet you, Byul. I’m Cherishe.”

I tried to befriend Byul, tickling its chubby cheeks.

How long had it been?

Footsteps echoed, followed by a knock on the closed inner door.

“Your Highness, Prince Genovia is here. What should I do…?”

???

Why is he here?

“Let him in.”

The one who answered wasn’t me.

Idsys was calm, as if he had been expecting this. He crossed his legs, a slight smile playing on his lips.

‘Oh, he did something?’

Considering Genovia’s remarks during Agricultural Day had crossed a line, it made sense.

Even if he was scared of the upcoming qualification assessment, there are things one shouldn’t say.

It was time for Genovia to face consequences.

“Should I wear the veil again?”

“No need. He should have understood by now.”

Idsys’s tone was chilling.

‘I don’t want to imagine what he did to make him understand.’

“Um, come in…?”

Although he was technically my guest, the dynamic felt off.

As I resumed choosing accessories, I gestured to Shami to step outside.

The maids left, leaving only Sophia with me.

I wasn’t sure what conversation would ensue, but it seemed prudent to send the maids away.

Is he here to apologize for his rudeness?

“…”

However, the state of Genovia upon entering was unusual.

He looked pale, almost ghostly, with dark circles under his eyes and a hollow gaze.

He didn’t seem this drained and delirious when I saw him through the veil before.

“Would you like to sit? Since you came all this way, I’ll offer you tea. Why are you here?”

I offered Genovia a seat as the host of the room.

Sophia immediately started brewing tea.

The aroma of the tea filled the room, but Genovia remained silent.

“I…”

Clink.

Even after placing the teacups in front of us, the uncomfortable silence persisted.

Despite Sophia’s effort, no one touched their tea.

“I…”

Genovia muttered something, but it was almost inaudible.

‘Shouldn’t he look more resentful if he’s here to apologize?’

Sitting beside Idsys, I scrutinized Genovia.

A boy with tawny hair, muscular yet youthful at fifteen.

“I…”

His lips quivered, his head twisting unnaturally.

As if having a seizure.

I glanced at Idsys.

What did he do to make him like this?

“Wait.”

At that moment, Idsys’s expression changed. I heard a strange sound.

A chilling, inhuman sound, like nails scraping a chalkboard.

“Grrah, grrr…!”

A sound that made my skin crawl.

Genovia’s neck bulged with green veins. His pupils dilated, and the whites of his eyes turned red.

This isn’t normal.

I know exactly what this state is…

“Gyaaaaah!”

In an instant, Genovia screamed and clutched his head, releasing a surge of power.

The oppressive force spread through the air. Before I could react, Idsys grabbed me and threw me behind the sofa.

A clash erupted above my head.

“Ah!”

Contrary to my expectations of immense impact, I was unharmed.

‘Byul?’

The tiny flying squirrel had grown to shield me.

But it wasn’t safe yet.

Crackle.

Sparks flew, and the smell of sulfur filled the air.

Genovia’s mouth emitted steam like a true demon.

The intense killing intent pricked my skin painfully.

“Princess!”

Crash!

The sound of the teapot breaking echoed.

Sophia, quick on her feet, tossed the teapot away, grabbed me, and ran for the door.

Everything blurred, but one thing was clear. Idsys was blocking Genovia’s power, preventing him from reaching me.

“I… I will become Emperor. Not you, but me!”

“Hope heard loud and clear, brother. But your tone has changed since yesterday.”

“If only you… if only you didn’t exist! Die!!!”