Baby Pharmacist Princess

Sihat noticed that Prince Vikal intended to dismiss him and immediately conjured a ball of light in the air.

A minor trick, but it bought him one minute.

One minute was enough for Cherishe to remember him.

“Follow this light orb with your eyes.”

“Um…”

Sihat intentionally brought the orb close to his face, closely observing her pupils and the slight parting of her lips, noting her surprised expression.

His conclusion was clear.

‘She remembers meeting me at the Dragon Market.’

His effort to find her there had paid off.

“We’ll stop here. I’ll repay you for waking my daughter later.”

“I’ll be visiting soon to check on Princess Cherishe’s well-being.”

Prince Vikal raised an eyebrow, likely thinking Sihat was being arrogant.

But it didn’t matter.

He had to see her again at the upcoming party.

Sihat had once heard that Cherishe had spent this week in some strange place, not because she was ill but because she was waiting to fully recover.

Neither doctors nor holy power could wake her.

‘This time, she must have been choosing her familiar.’

If the Dragon Lord’s new plan had worked.

“Visiting? Do you mean… His Holiness?!”

Before the tension could escalate, Cherishe suddenly interjected loudly.

Sihat exhaled slowly and smiled.

Watching his cold, glassy expression soften, Cherishe’s mouth fell open again.

Sihat knew how to use his appearance effectively now.

She had taught him well.

“Is it really the Pope?”

“Yes.”

“Wow…!”

Prince Vikal, clearly uncomfortable, tapped his thigh with his fingers.

Sihat, pretending not to notice, knelt beside Cherishe’s bed, maintaining eye contact and offering a warm smile.

It was time to say something that would ensure she would come to his enthronement party.

In a gentle tone, Sihat asked softly.

“So, have you chosen your familiar?”

Both Cherishe and Prince Vikal’s eyes widened in surprise.

—

‘How did he know?’

The day I woke up after a week, White Night Palace was in an uproar.

“Boohoo, Princess!”

“Princess Cherishe, we were so worried about you.”

Shami and Hanna, crying uncontrollably, collapsed to the floor.

Their faces were already swollen beyond recognition.

“I missed you too, everyone.”

“Boohoo, we were useless… We let you inhale so much smoke… Boohoo!”

Shami sobbed, tears and snot mixing together.

I hugged them tightly to calm them down, then finally heard what had happened.

“Miss Sophia is still bedridden.”

“We thought we were really… going to lose you…”

Tears fell thick and fast from Hanna’s eyes.

They had been injured trying to open the hot door and banging their bodies against it to save me.

But Dad had used holy power to ensure they received urgent treatment, so they were okay now.

Sophia, however, had inhaled too much smoke and was still in bad condition.

“It’s because I have the Dragon Heart that I managed.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I muttered softly, realizing the Dragon Heart wasn’t as useless as I had thought. It made me more resilient than most.

I wanted to get up to see Sophia.

“You mustn’t!”

“Please stay here, Princess. Miss Sophia will come to you when she’s fully recovered.”

“Yes, Princess, it’s crucial you stay in bed!”

“Please!”

Shami and Hanna blocked the door with their arms, not letting me leave.

But an hour later, everyone started coming to me instead.

Sophia, having heard the news, rushed in crying despite not being fully recovered. Madam Maya entered soon after.

The kitchen staff brought snacks every hour.

Tombi Grandpa decorated my room with topiaries made by the gardeners, shaped like squirrels and rabbits, which were cute and delightful.

The knights gathered outside the window, singing military songs to cheer me up until they were chased away.

And Dad…

Dad treated me as if I would break if he even set me down, which made me feel guilty.

‘I just used emergency self-recovery.’

I didn’t mind the overwhelming attention and affection, but it felt wrong to worry them so much.

The twins were no different.

“We need to repay the Pope.”

Idsys said as he fed me some night soup.

I quickly swallowed the sweet and mild soup and nodded vigorously.

“Yes, a pure white light guided me.”

It wasn’t a complete lie. It had actually happened.

But I needed to exaggerate the truth.

I had to see him again.

‘Because he’s really suspicious.’

How close were we in the future?

‘He even knew I took a long time to choose my familiar.’

Being with him, I might learn everything that happens in the future.

My curiosity was natural.

“Before repayment, you need a bodyguard. A knight could have quickly gotten Cherishe out of that situation.”

Gergys fed me an orange peel covered in chocolate after every three spoonfuls of soup, to boost my energy.

I chewed on the orangette, listening intently.

“How about choosing from the White Night Knights, Father?”

Idsys, having placed the half-empty soup bowl down, turned to Dad.

Dad responded quietly.

“Originally, the reason for not having a bodyguard during childhood is to signify that the Emperor’s decree of ten years old is being upheld.”

It showed that no one would defy the Emperor’s orders.

A broader implication of obedience to the Emperor.

“Therefore, no royal under ten years old outside White Night Palace can have an official bodyguard. It would imply someone is defying the Emperor’s command.”

“Yes, Father.”

“When Cherishe attends external events, you must protect her.”

“Understood.”

“However, while she is in White Night Palace, she should have a dedicated bodyguard.”

“Among those Gergys is considering, there should be someone suitable as an external bodyguard. They can be her playmate.”

“That’s a good idea, Idsys.”

Listening quietly, I tilted my head.

Something felt different.

‘Idsys seems different.’

Previously, it felt like a solid, high wall was between us.

He considered me family but didn’t genuinely care.

But now it felt different.

Like he was genuinely trying to take care of me.

Could he be feeling guilty, thinking it was his fault for bringing Genovia, who then went berserk and injured me?

“The Pope’s official visit is in two days. Choosing a bodyguard before then will be difficult… Perhaps you should skip this party.”

Dad looked at me and suggested calmly. The twins added their thoughts.

“Yes, little bird, you probably wouldn’t enjoy it much.”

“It’s safer to stay in the palace.”

But I was healthy now…

And most importantly, I had to see him again. I needed to talk to him.

“But I already got a dress for the party.”

“That dress…”

Idsys’s face darkened.

Oh, right. It probably burned up.

‘Darn it.’

I needed a different approach.

“I’m scared!”

The ‘I don’t want to be alone without Dad and my brothers’ strategy!

“What if someone else comes? It’s safer to be together at the party.”

“That’s…”

They couldn’t deny that.

Gergys stuttered, “Uh, uh…” while I pouted and reached out to Dad.

“Dad. Let’s go to the party together. Please?”

“Cherishe.”

“I don’t want to be alone in the palace. And I’m curious about the party. Please?”

Pouting, I snuggled into Dad’s arms.

He sighed, seeming to think it was better not to go.

‘So this is how it’s going to be.’

If I hadn’t met him at the Dragon Market, I would have stayed in White Night Palace.

But he was a significant figure, a Pope, and my future friend.

He knew all my secrets.

‘A Pope is the highest in the church.’

The church was a major obstacle in completing the ointment distribution quest!

‘I need to ask what our relationship is and if he can help me.’

So I had to go to the Pope’s enthronement party!

“If I can’t go to the party, I’ll like Harpd more than Dad from today!”

“…!”

Dad’s expression turned heartbroken as if his heart had sunk.

“I’ll only like Harpd.”

“That’s…”

Such a small threat worked because Dad cherished me.

Knowing this made me happy.

Being loved was always nice.

“…You’ve left me no choice. We will attend the party. But you must stay with Idsys or Gergys at all times.”

“Okay, I promise!”

I smiled brightly, feeling triumphant. I would see him again and find out everything.

Now, I just had to wait for the party.