Looking at Lian’s clear eyes, Milin felt as if the entire world had quieted down.
I’ve only known him for a week, haven’t I? Yet the feeling this person gives me is so familiar, as if he had been by my side for a long time.
The gentlest Mother, Feiyin who took care of her like a sister, the strictest but most caring Teacher Vera, the most indulgent and doting Teacher Sephy…
These people were the most important figures in her life.
The feeling Lian gave her was very similar to theirs… but it was also decisively different in some way.
Milin didn’t know the true nature of this feeling, but she felt she liked it very much—liked it so much she was almost obsessed with it.
It was because this was a feeling that filled a certain intense void and longing in her heart.
The more she confirmed its existence, the warmer her heart became… to the point that it now felt as if it were about to catch fire.
“Why haven’t you stepped down yet! Do you need someone to drag you away?”
“Ahem!”
As several indignant nobles stepped forward to pull Lian away, Milin gave a clear and loud cough at them.
“The Princess doesn’t need to bother herself. We will help you chase away this rude maid right now!”
Seeing Milin pay attention to them, these nobles immediately responded with flattering smiles.
They grabbed Lian’s arms, intending to see their “righteous deed” through to the end in front of the master of this place.
“Could you please let go immediately? It is not the place of outsiders to deal with the servants in this Miss’s palace.”
Their movements froze instantly. Although the Princess was smiling, there was not a trace of a smile in her eyes.
Furthermore, compared to demonstrating a master’s majesty, the content of her words felt more like a simple threat—
“Are you all deaf?! Let go of her!”
Under this shout that echoed throughout the Banquet Hall, the nobles hurriedly released their grip on Lian’s arms.
They looked at the Princess, who was famous for being approachable and unceremonious, with stunned eyes:
“Princess, we were just trying to help you…”
“Did I ask for your help? Before I even spoke, you took it upon yourselves to handle things for me… I shouldn’t have to remind you how rude such behavior is, right? Why are you still standing there in everyone’s way? If you don’t want to be kicked out, then get out of my sight!”
Most of the nobles who spoke up were young aristocrats who had come from within Yilansiya, admiring the grace of the Crimsonflame Princess—Milin.
They had thought this was a great opportunity to show off in front of Milin, but they hadn’t expected to make fools of themselves and draw a merciless scolding.
Several people slunk away dejectedly, but the remaining two were still red-faced and ready to snap—
“While this maid was indeed rude, your actions have certainly overstepped your bounds.”
Chief Steward Wright stepped forward, placing his large palms on the shoulders of those two men.
“You two are the sons of Viscount Niels and Marquis Philip, aren’t you? Your fathers are both friends and close business partners of the Duchess. I heard they were unable to attend in person due to official business, which is truly a pity.”
“Since you know who we are, then why are you—”
“Please don’t misunderstand. I wanted to remind you both—the Lady is the master here now. If she gives the order to kick you out, then as a subordinate, I can only comply. If your fathers heard you were making fools of yourselves here… how crushed would they be?”
Feeling the grip on their shoulders suddenly intensified, both of their expressions changed at once.
“…Yes. Apologies for the rudeness.”
“…I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Chief Steward.”
This damned old man… he’s serious!
If they tried to hold their ground, they would only be tossed out by this old man, who was stronger than an ox, like two little chicks—the moment they realized this, the two young men could only swallow their anger.
They bowed deeply in apology to Milin at the main seat and retreated, hiding their twisted expressions of rage.
Meanwhile, Lian was also led away from the Banquet Hall by people arranged by Chief Steward Wright, who wore a bitter smile.
But before she left, she took another deep look at Milin.
You can set your heart at ease!
Milin winked at her and then scanned the guests in the Banquet Hall.
After the farce just now, her every word and action were being closely watched by these nobles from all over the Empire, and even from across the Empire—their eyes and whispers were filled with emotions and judgments far more complex than before.
“Ah, sorry for making a scene,”
But Milin felt it didn’t matter at all now. She cleared her throat and then began to speak formally:
“I’m sure you have all noticed that my Mother and Teacher are not here? That is because they aren’t feeling very well. On their behalf, I apologize to all the grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters here.”
Like a girl who could be found on any street corner or village alley, she gave a playful smile to the guests in the Banquet Hall and then bowed deeply.
“No matter how poor her upbringing was, this phrasing is too much…!”
“Young Duke… you…”
Many guests frowned, even including those local Northland nobles who viewed her as their young lord.
Unlike the outsiders who thought her words lacked noble grace, they mostly knew that Milin usually had this personality and way of speaking—but the problem was that in this formal social setting, she was still being a bit too excessive.
“I understand everyone might think I’m being rude or unrefined… but this Miss is just like this normally. You should have all heard by now… I’m a famous tomboy. But because of that, I know better than anyone what’s good to eat, fun to play, or nice to see in this city. Even if Mother and Teacher aren’t here, I will fulfill my duties as host and ensure those of you who have come from afar eat and play well!—So please trust me, and forgive me?”
She acted cute toward the nobles under her mother’s command with a pitiful look.
Being looked at like that, an old Northland noble who treated her like his own daughter finally couldn’t help but let out a laugh:
“Sigh… as expected, no matter how much time passes, our Princess is still our Princess.”
“Uncle Edmund, don’t you like Milin like this? I can change, you know.”
She stuck her tongue out slightly at the old noble, whose hair and beard were completely white, and who wore a dark green hunter’s long coat and brown high boots even on such an occasion.
“How could that be? I want nothing more than for you to always be as happy, free, and unrestrained as you are now. I still remember the adorable way you ran behind my horse while hunting in the pine forest… I didn’t expect seven years to have passed already.”
The old noble named Edmund had a look in his eyes that could not hide his nostalgia and sentiment for past memories. He bowed slightly to Milin, then knelt on one knee with his right fist over his chest, declaring:
“I truly hope that after your Coming of Age, I can lead you to hunt in the pine forest just like before. I swear to you by the bow and arrow, and by the honor of my family: the House of Pinewood will forever be loyal to the Duchess and her heir, which is you—we are your hunters.”