ITHMF 15🏠

Chapter 15

After that day, the maids never left me alone for a moment, as if they had received some kind of order. Furthermore, knights stood guard at my door twenty-four hours a day, so I couldn’t even leave through the secret passage.

So this is what being grounded really feels like.

It was frustrating and uncomfortable knowing someone was watching me, but it was my own doing, so I couldn’t complain.

As I let out heavy sighs in my gloomy mood, the maids exchanged glances with each other.

“Princess, instead of staying like this, how about going out for a walk?”

“That’s right! Don’t just stay in your room—come out with us!”

“I don’t really feel like moving.”

Having lost all motivation, I didn’t want to do anything.

But unable to just leave me be, even May joined in urging me to go for a walk.

Unable to ignore their efforts any longer, I reluctantly left my room.

The walkway, filled with white pebbles and flowers made by magic, was one of our castle’s proudest features. But perhaps because my heart felt so dry, it didn’t move me much.

Making my annoyance obvious, I walked along the path and turned to look at the knight following me.

“Could you stay a little farther away?”

There’s no need to go this far.

Frustrated, I wanted at least a little distance, but they firmly shook their heads.

“It’s Lord Roahim’s orders.”

“I see…”

Since it was Father’s command, I had nothing to say.

No, I understand you’re worried I might run away, but isn’t this too close for escort duty?

Having gained an escort I never had before, everything from A to Z bothered me. Noticing my mood sinking even further, May tried to divert my attention elsewhere.

“Come to think of it, Princess, I heard the gardener planted new flowers here. Have you seen them?”

“New flowers?”

“Yes. They say it’s an improved variety of Redflower. Like Redflower, when it blooms, it bears small jewel-like fruits, but apparently they’re blue.”

“So the name is Blueflower, then.”

“Exactly!”

Easy-to-remember names are nice.

I looked toward where May was pointing and saw Blueflowers growing vigorously. Flowers that bear jewels… I could make some money if I sold them on land. When I eventually go to live on land, I’ll take a whole bunch.

Thinking about the land, even for a moment, lifted my spirits slightly. As I was already imagining that distant future, I looked up at the large shadow falling over my head.

And there I met eyes with a very handsome middle-aged man.

“Greetings, Princess.”

“Who are you?”

I’ve never seen him before?

On guard, I took a step back, and the man smiled gently as if to say it was alright.

He was clearly a person of noble bearing from head to toe. The maids who saw the man in front of me were startled, then quickly greeted him respectfully.

Given their polite attitude, he seemed to be of quite high status.

A high-ranking mermaid? But why are you in human form even here in the sea?

Just as I was about to deduce his identity on my own, he met my gaze at eye level.

“My name is Tanteon. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Hmm? I’ve heard that name somewhere before.

Feeling a sense of familiarity and curiosity, I returned the greeting.

“Yeah. I’m Serinel Edmund.”

“Just as I’ve heard, you have very beautiful eyes.”

“You know about me?”

“Of course. I’ve heard a great deal.”

Despite receiving a compliment, I felt uneasy first.

I didn’t know him, but he knew me, so I wasn’t sure how to act. Ignoring him seemed rude, but striking up a conversation felt too awkward.

Plus, I didn’t really know who this person was.

Watching me deliberate, Tanteon smiled warmly.

“You don’t need to be so wary. I’m practically a close friend of Roahim’s.”

“…You’re Father’s friend?”

Hearing he knew my father, I felt a little relieved. He must have come to see Father, spotted me, and approached to exchange greetings.

“Yes. Don’t you have friends too, Princess?”

At that moment, Tanteon asked with a gentle smile.

It was no different from his smile just moments ago, but for some reason, I felt like he was testing me.

Still… it’s not like it was a question I couldn’t answer. Though puzzled, I answered casually.

“Of course I have friends. But, mister… ah, would it be rude to call you ‘mister’?”

I caught myself mid-sentence and covered my mouth with my hand.

But he didn’t tell me anything other than his name, and since he’s a friend of Father’s, calling him by name without permission felt awkward… As I hesitated, flustered, Tanteon laughed heartily.

“You may call me whatever you like.”

“Oh, okay. Then I’ll just call you ‘mister.’ But how did you become friends with my father? It must have been hard to get close to him.”

“Our interests aligned, so we became friends.”

Tanteon seemed to be a mermaid who shared political interests with my father. It’s rare for people to become friends purely based on shared interests, after all.

Father was colder than anyone when it came to ruling the kingdom. And he’s close friends with someone who appears to be of high rank? Whether they liked it or not, they were clearly politically entangled.

“You are friends with the young master Sepneon, aren’t you?”

“…How do you know that?!”

I was so shocked by the unexpected name that I yelled out. I could feel the servants, who had been standing at a slight distance, all turn to look at me at the sound of my raised voice.

I was so surprised that I forgot I should have denied it.

Tanteon smiled awkwardly.

“I was the one who told Roahim that the Princess had left the sea.”

As if confessing a crime, Tanteon spoke cautiously and subtly gauged my reaction.

I could only stare up at him blankly, speechless.

Even though it was a short sentence, I was so shocked that I couldn’t process it at once. So, this man told Father, and that’s how I got caught sneaking onto land.

And now I’m even grounded.

As soon as I understood his words, the only thought that came to mind was that I’d finally found the culprit. Not only was I wronged, but anger surged, and without thinking, I grabbed Tanteon by the collar with both hands.

“So it was you who told him?!”

“Oh my.”

“H-Hic, Princess! If you grab him like that…”

The maids, witnessing my sudden outburst, fidgeted and drew closer. I glared at May, who was approaching to stop me, with a fearsome look.

She seemed to understand my silent warning not to come closer and hesitated.

Leaving the maids behind, who could neither come nor go, I turned back to Tanteon. But even under my reproachful gaze, he only laughed heartily.

“What a spirited Princess.”

“You should have just pretended not to know! Then I wouldn’t have been grounded like this!”

Of course, it was my fault too, but still!

“That’s why I’m here to help.”

“Help with what now?!”

“Must be frustrating, not being able to contact Kairaan, right?”

At that moment, I stopped shaking him by the collar.

Just as he said, I couldn’t go to the land, nor could I send a single letter freely. I’d had no contact with Kairaan at all.

And since the timing coincided with right after my true identity was revealed, I was constantly worried he might think I was deliberately going silent.

Tanteon, who had been quietly watching me say nothing, gently pried my hands off.

“If you want, I’ll deliver it. A letter, or anything else.”

“…You’re not going to intercept it, are you? Be honest—are you a spy sent by Father? Did he tell you to tempt me like this? To see if I’d fall for it?”

“While I did unintentionally reveal your secret, I’m no spy. I’m genuinely sorry and want to help.”

Tanteon raised both hands as if to prove his innocence.

My suspicions weren’t completely gone, but this was a good opportunity for me. I’d wanted to explain the situation to Kairaan before any misunderstandings grew bigger anyway.

Right, nothing ventured, nothing gained. This is no time for me to be picky.

“Then, follow me for a moment.”

I stopped my walk and immediately returned to my room with Tanteon.

I had so much to say, but I couldn’t write everything, so I briefly summarized the current situation in the letter.

This should be enough, right?

Handing the hastily scribbled note to Tanteon, I warned him firmly.

“You have to deliver it for sure. I’ll check with Kairaan later!”

“Of course.”

Tanteon smiled leisurely and left the castle with the note.

I hope it reaches him safely…

Watching him disappear into the distance, all I could do was wish that the note was delivered well.

Fortunately, contrary to my suspicions, Tanteon faithfully delivered the letter. He even brought back a reply a few days later, which I hadn’t even expected.

I quickly tore open the letter Tanteon handed me.

[I heard from His Majesty. I hope your grounding ends soon. If they never let you come to land again, then I’ll come find you.]

His indifferent yet tender eyes flickered above the letter.

But how could he possibly come here?

I knew it was an impossible promise, but it touched my heart that he seemed to miss me that much. Even though it was a short time, we really did become friends.

Feeling a new sense of realization, I gazed at the letter silently when Tanteon asked what was written. I hid the letter and shook my head.

“Thanks for delivering it. But the contents are a secret.”

“Then I won’t pry further.”

Having asked, Tanteon backed off cleanly, as if he wasn’t even that curious.

But wait… Didn’t the letter say ‘His Majesty’?

Just in case, I unfolded the letter again. And as soon as I confirmed I hadn’t misread it, my mind went blank.

So, right now…

“What’s wrong?”

Tanteon tilted his head, seeing me turn pale.

No, so he really *is* ‘His Majesty’?

I scrutinized his face, which was looking at me curiously, in detail.

The Emperor would be the father of the sub-male lead, Pheron. Now that I realized it and looked again, his face was exactly like the sub-male lead’s appearance on the cover.

Why is this person here?

As Tanteon’s identity became almost certain, I couldn’t hide my fluster.

“Are you… the Emperor of Arheldia?”

Even though I could anticipate the answer, the tension remained the same.

I think I’ve been treating this man too rudely all this time…

I tried to make excuses to myself internally, saying it was because I was so angry, but the uneasy feeling didn’t go away.

*’He won’t hold a grudge when I go to land later, will he?’*

However, unlike my anxious self, Tanteon was perfectly calm.

“Seems like that’s what the letter said, then.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“Because you didn’t ask?”

I was at a loss for words. Of course, it would be strange for him to just blurt out “I’m the Emperor!” without being asked, but…

My reckless actions flashed through my mind like a lantern slide.