Baby Pharmacist Princess

With a bright smile, I complimented Elise, then casually glanced at Idsys.

It seemed Idsys had also caught on, as his lips curved into a faint smirk.

‘For someone who wandered among traveling troupes so impoverished that they lost their father to illness, she recognized a platinum accessory at first glance?’

Interesting. Amusing, even.

Especially since platinum and silver share the same color. Their shine differs subtly, but unless one had spent years discerning jewels—or handled expensive trinkets as a noble or a royal handmaiden—it would be nearly impossible to tell at a glance.

“Oh, I assumed it was platinum! I don’t really know anything else…”

“Is that so?”

“It’s… silver?”

“Of course not. It’s platinum. I don’t own silver items,” I replied coldly.

It was at that moment—a fleeting, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it instant—Elise’s gaze shifted.

‘Envy. Jealousy. Resentment. Anger?’

If I noticed, there was no way Idsys or Gergys hadn’t.

Realizing her misstep, Elise quickly lowered her head and murmured in a sorrowful tone.

“This is the only keepsake I have… I hope no one takes it from me.”

Well, isn’t that something? Anyone overhearing might think I was planning to steal it.

That was enough. I’d heard all I needed.

The rest could wait until tomorrow.

“I’m too tired today; I think I need to sleep. Goodnight, Elise.”

I didn’t bother replying with an “Alright” or “Sure.” That might make it seem like I was agreeing with her comment about “taking it away.”

Instead, I said what I needed and prepared to send Elise on her way.

Uninvited guests should take their leave now.

But Elise hesitated, standing there awkwardly.

“Um, Cherishe. You know…”

“Yes, Elise?”

“I… I want to sleep with you tonight! I want to get closer to you!”

“Oh.”

That was dangerous.

For a moment, I almost lost my composure.

‘She’s no pushover.’

Quickly assessing the situation, I swayed dramatically.

“Cherishe!”

It was Gergys who caught me in alarm.

‘Nice.’

Now Dad would come and sort out the situation.

The way Elise spoke meant she wouldn’t take no for an answer, and she might even cry, claiming, “I guess I’ll never be considered family…”

Such a predictable move.

At times like this, I could afford to act like a child—collapsing was a perfect response.

“Lady Elise. It seems you’re still unfamiliar with palace etiquette, so let me explain now,” Idsys’s gentle voice rang out as I pretended to faint.

“Y-yes?”

“Royals never share a bed with others. That’s something only commoners in civilian households do.”

Lying limp as if unconscious, I silently cheered for Idsys.

“And,” he continued, “knocking and waiting for permission before entering is also a rule of decorum. I strongly suggest you avoid repeating this mistake in the future. I have no patience for those who lack manners.”

Oh, Idsys, my dear brother, you’re amazing!

Peeking through narrowed eyes, I watched Elise’s face turn pale with shock.

“I… I was just so happy to see her…”

“I don’t know where you picked up the bad habit of trailing off sentences, but in the palace, such behavior towards a superior is considered highly disrespectful.”

“…”

“Perhaps things were different in the South, but the North is not the same. You should remember this: not even your personal excitement can excuse rudeness in the presence of the Prince or the Crown’s successors.”

“Yes… yes, sir.”

“Now, I’m tired. Leave.”

A clear dismissal.

While I was Idsys’s sibling, Elise was not.

Idsys drew a line in the sand, clarifying that fact with effortless elegance.

It was only natural that Elise, overwhelmed, retreated timidly.

“I-I’m sorry!”

And that was the end of it.

Neither Dad nor Idsys responded further.

In aristocratic circles, silence is the strongest expression of rejection.

With no reply forthcoming, Elise had no choice but to accept her dismissal.

Humiliated, her face turned crimson as she fled the room. Gergys, watching her retreat, smirked mischievously.

“Hey, Id. Sorry about earlier.”

“It’s fine. Put Cherishe to bed and get some rest yourself.”

“Sure thing. You’ve got it all figured out, huh? Ha! That was satisfying!”

Practically dancing with glee, Gergys laid me down on the bed.

“Sleep well, my daughter.”

“Don’t worry about a thing.”

Dad and Idsys each said their part and left.

From the sounds of it, Idsys might’ve dragged off the knight who failed to stop Elise from barging in, but I chose to ignore it.

After all, her intrusion had annoyed and flustered me too.

“Princess, shall I sing you a lullaby?”

Shami peeked in, asking timidly.

Usually, I’d say no, but tonight, I felt like being pampered.

So I nodded, and Shami hummed a popular lullaby while gently patting my back.

Sihat… where could you be…

Sleep tugged at my eyelids, and I couldn’t think anymore.

The next morning at breakfast, Emperor Liclaz was absent. So were Idsys and Dad.

Only Gergys, Elise, and Luon were present.

“Good morning, Cherishe!”

Elise beamed as soon as she saw me, and I nearly stumbled mid-step.

‘Pigtails?’

Even the cherry-shaped hair ties—she’d clearly copied what I wore yesterday.

“Oh, this… Do you think it looks strange on me?”

Noticing my gaze, Elise fidgeted nervously with the ties.

There was only one thing to say in such a situation.

“No, it suits you.”

“Really?”

Saying it didn’t suit her would be ridiculous, right? It’s not like I had a patent on hairstyles.

“You look good no matter how you style your hair, my lady. The pigtails are especially adorable,” Luon chimed in.

“Thank you, Luon. You’re always so kind.”

“My lady deserves nothing less.”

I sat down beside Gergys, who pulled out a chair for me, muttering loudly enough for all to hear, “What a lively bunch.”

“Brother, don’t be jealous. Lady Elise only plays with me like this.”

“Jealous? Don’t flatter yourself.”

The atmosphere was tense even before breakfast started.

“Where are Dad and Idsys?”

Before Gergys could escalate things, I interrupted, asking about the others.

“Oh, they mentioned going somewhere last night. I don’t know where.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Let’s just eat. I feel sick just thinking about it.”

Throughout the meal, Gergys shot daggers with his eyes, Luon chuckled, and Elise fidgeted nervously.

As for me…

‘Hmm, what’s this?’

When I picked up a piece of bread, Elise grabbed bread too.

When I cut into meat, she did the same.

‘Is she copying everything I do?’

Noticing this, I dropped my knife with a loud clang!

The sharp sound echoed as the blade hit the stone floor.

A servant immediately replaced it with a fresh knife.

“She didn’t copy that, did she?”

“!”

“Oh, this dish is delicious.”

I know you’re imitating me.

Elise ducked her head, clearly embarrassed.

Noticing this, Luon tilted his head, his expression critical.

“Did you have to point that out? That’s so mean. Lady Elise is trying her best.”

“Trying? At what?”

“To become the perfect Princess, of course.”

Luon spoke with confidence, raising his chin as if he’d just declared something profound.

I let out a soft sigh, tilting my head quizzically.

“What does she need to try for? Elise is already perfect as she is. Are you saying she’s lacking, Luon?”

“!”

“You shouldn’t speak like that, Luon.”

In situations like this, people usually assume one thing: that I dislike Elise.

They’d say I’d never truly like her and that any kindness I showed was purely an act.

‘And they’d be right.’

But there’s a difference in skill when it comes to acting.

No matter how sharp Luon thought he was, he was still just a child.

There were bound to be weak points to exploit.

“P-please don’t fight because of me, okay?”

Elise intervened, her eyes shimmering with satisfaction as if she had achieved her goal.

‘How far is she planning to take this?’

I finished my meal with a smile.

Despite claiming to have no appetite, Gergys waited until I was done before leaving the table.

“Cherishe, where are you headed next?”

“Hey, Cherishe’s coming with me, so back off.”

Before Elise could follow me, Gergys scooped me up and bolted, running so fast neither Elise nor Luon could keep up.

Meanwhile, in the northern Castalia palace, Sihat stood before the Emperor’s office.

He had come here in search of the Dragon Lord.

‘If he’s nowhere else, then he must be here.’

Sihat had searched through the night, only to find no trace of the Dragon Lord’s presence.

At dawn, he’d sensed a powerful aura emanating from the northern palace.

‘Proving Elise is a fraud is simple.’

All he had to do was reveal the truth about Cherishe’s birth.

If the truth wasn’t enough, the Dragon Lord could simply claim paternity.

Either way, the matter would be resolved swiftly.

Sihat had no intention of tolerating this charade any longer.

The grotesque and stinking facade pretending to wear the face of the girl he loved was an insult he couldn’t endure.

And so, without an appointment, Sihat stood boldly at the doors of Emperor Raerhod’s office.