Baby Pharmacist Princess

Actually, it was something everyone knew but pretended not to because they didn’t want to acknowledge it.

Children couldn’t handle the difficult weaving, so they were probably doing the simplest task of dyeing.

But make no mistake.

The ‘children doing the dyeing’ weren’t the children of the weavers.

Most of the time, they picked up orphans and locked them up to work.

Most of the workshops in Absinthe reduced labor costs that way.

“Kids doing what? Is that true?”

The one who reacted strongly to my story was Gergys.

I glanced at Alexandra’s teal dress with a sad and pitiful look.

“Yeah, I heard Dad talking about it.”

“…I won’t leave them alone. Those bastards.”

Goodbye, Absinthe region.

Gergys wouldn’t let it go if he knew, and now that he does, he won’t stay quiet.

‘Actually, saying I heard Dad talking about it is a complete lie.’

This was something I learned while playing the game.

Alexandra particularly liked dresses made in the Absinthe region.

Their specialty was lace woven with golden thread.

The dress itself was splendid.

Gold lace over teal fabric.

It was fit for a Princess and suited Alexandra well.

‘But… the events in Absinthe were wrong. Even if such things happened countless times in history.’

Alexandra shouldn’t keep buying fabrics from Absinthe.

‘Originally, this was one of the Emperor’s trials. Uproot the wrongdoings in Absinthe. So it was something that would come up much later.’

Since it’s come up, I’ll expose the child labor practices and eradicate them.

I circled around Alexandra and clasped my hands together.

“It’s really sad, right? They say their hands swell up from the dyeing. Do you really like wearing clothes made in such places, Alexandra?”

One of the best ways to drive someone mad is to act as if you’re completely oblivious.

I kept talking, pretending to be a clueless child with a head full of flowers.

“I wouldn’t be able to wear such clothes because it would break my heart! Although it does look good on you, Alexandra…”

“How would I know about such things happening in Absinthe? I wore it because I didn’t know…”

“So you won’t wear them in the future? That’s a relief!”

I brightly smiled and grabbed Alexandra’s hand.

Then, looking straight into her eyes, I spoke clearly.

“My bag is a medical kit! When I hear about such sick and unfortunate children, I want to help them!”

“That’s because you’re vulgar! Why would a Princess treat commoners?”

Alexandra sharply retorted, pulling her hand away.

Marchioness Alister was pressing her fan against her forehead, another silent signal.

She was signaling the Jen faction noblewomen to retreat.

“Yes, you’re right. But I think it’s the Emperor’s duty to protect the people.”

So you’re unfit to be an heir to the throne.

Alexandra’s cheeks turned red, understanding my insinuation.

It was humiliating.

‘Well, at least she feels shame.’

She still had some softness left, unlike the grown-up Alexandra.

“You’re draped in a fine result of someone’s exploitation. Must feel good.”

Gergys’s sarcastic remark put the finishing touch on the argument.

“Right now…!”

Just as Alexandra, who had turned into a thoughtless Princess, was about to shout.

“The unique light guiding Castalia, the one who became a dragon in human form! Our great Emperor is arriving…!”

Perfect timing!

“How unfortunate, your words got cut off.”

I smirked at Alexandra, not at the unknown young lady, as evilly and maliciously as possible.

Alexandra’s thick brows twitched, but that was as far as it went.

The Emperor had already arrived.

At this moment, all the royals and nobles had to stay silent and pay their respects.

Unless she wanted to create a scene, Alexandra had to endure.

“Just you wait.”

“No one who says ‘just you wait’ is ever really scary.”

Serves you right.

But I had to stop teasing Alexandra now.

Because… that boy was behind my grandfather.

I thought he was pretty the last time I saw him, but… dressed in white robes with the Pope’s hat and adorned with various ornaments, he looked chillingly beautiful today.

Despite being only four years older than me, he stood there without trembling.

So calm and serene, like a single orchid blooming in a bamboo forest.

“Enjoy the party today, everyone. Let’s celebrate the new Pope’s inauguration.”

The adults made a toast. I cheerfully raised another jelly stick.

I hoped he would notice me, and just as I thought, Sihat looked in my direction.

Ah.

Our eyes met.

The look of boredom on his face changed instantly.

As a butterfly unfolds its wings, a smile spread across Sihat’s face, doubling his beauty.

The contrast between his neatly combed black hair and the white robes was striking. The reddish tint around his eyes made it seem like he had been crying before coming here, but I knew better.

His eyes were naturally red.

‘Seeing you normally like this after always meeting in messy situations…’

It’s nice to meet you like this, Sihat.

Sihat didn’t take his eyes off me until the Emperor asked him something, reluctantly turning his head.

“Did you see that? The Pope looked at Princess Alexandra!”

“And he even smiled at her!”

“Wow, I’ve never seen such a beautiful boy in my life. Oh my God. He’s really pretty!”

“Was black hair always this beautiful? Anyway, the Pope was definitely looking at Princess Alexandra!”

Free to misunderstand, there was a commotion next to me.

I didn’t bother correcting them.

Alexandra, on the other hand…

Her usually haughty face had a dreamy expression.

Or maybe she was trying to cover up the embarrassment from earlier.

‘How can I ditch Gergys and talk to Sihat alone?’

I was pondering when lively music filled the party hall.

Several instruments played a fast-paced tune.

The first dance should be led by the Emperor.

But my grandfather, still engrossed in conversation with the Pope, showed no interest in dancing.

Then the next in line should be… Dad, right?

“Daughter.”

…Just as I thought, Dad appeared!

“Would you honor me with the first dance?”

“Of course!”

But there was a huge height difference… how do we dance?

‘I learned about the dances of this world while playing the game.’

These short arms and legs can’t dance!

But contrary to my expectation that he’d just pick me up and spin me around, Dad treated me with the utmost respect, as if I were a lady.

“Shall we, little lady?”

“Yes!”

I answered confidently, and Dad gently held my hand.

Even bowing his back.

I could hear the murmurs around us.

“Did you see that? Th-the Prince…!”

“Ha ha, is this the same man who slaughtered demons alive 18 years ago?”

“I still vividly remember his ruthless fighting style… But it seems he can’t help it in front of his daughter.”

“He’s just a father after all.”

What did Dad do 18 years ago?

The music grew louder, and I couldn’t hear the rest.

I stood with Dad at the center of the stage, and it seemed he would bow until the short dance was over.

“Cherry. In the future, only meet men who will match your height like this.”

“Huh…?”

“Men who will bow for you. Not just when alone, but in front of everyone. Only meet such men.”

“O-okay…?”

Dad’s expression was so serious that I couldn’t ask why he suddenly said that.

I’m only four years old, so it’ll be a long time before I meet any men…

But I didn’t dislike Dad’s early concern.

Dancing with Dad was so much fun.

Before I knew it, my cheeks had turned rosy like ripe apples, and Idsys politely asked for the next dance.

“Sister, would you dance with me?”

“Yes!”

Oh my, Idsys too?

I thought he wouldn’t have time for me, given his serious conversations with the officials!

‘I’m touched.’

When Dad stepped aside, other nobles also started dancing.

I held Idsys’s hand and spun around, making sure not to dance too well.

It would be strange if I knew all the steps without having ever learned them.

“Thanks for saving me.”

As we moved close and pressed our palms together, Idsys whispered in my ear.

“Saved you?”

“Yes. The young ladies are always watching to see who I’ll ask for the first dance. Now I can just say I’ll dance only with you.”

“Oh?”

That makes it convenient.

No young lady can object if he says he’ll dance with his sister.

“Then when I give grandfather his gift later… will you help me?”

“Sure. The wine you made?”

“Yes.”

I couldn’t taste it, so the kitchen staff vouched for the plum wine.

They said it was very refreshing and cool, with a tangy kick.

So much so that it didn’t even need a separate snack.

Dad had arranged for Solip to bring the gift in another carriage, so my job was to time it right.

After dancing two songs in a row, my legs hurt.

Gergys looked like he wanted to dance with me, but I shook my head slightly.

“I want to rest.”

“Pfft, what? Dad and Idsys get to dance, but not me?”

“I’ll dance with you later, Gergys.”

“It’s brother, not Gergys.”

“Okay.”

Oops, I forgot the proper address because I was tired.

I laughed and pointed to the chair by the dessert table.

“Help me sit down.”