I was trying to pick the sword from the fake knight previously, but it got out of balance, and I was nearly hit by it.
If it weren't for my father, I guess I'd have my wounds tonight.
"Your Majesty, we were informed by the palace maids that you were injured. I've got the physicians here to treat your wound."
In brief, his loyal subordinate, the Knight General, who has always been devoted to him since then, is here.
I was peeping at the side of the pillow. I couldn't sleep. I was to fault for what happened to my father and those things will be here tonight.
I watched the physicians that were treating my father's back. I saw the bits of cotton that they were using were coated in blood.
"..." I spotted him looking in the bed direction, so I buried my face and claimed to be sleeping.
"Your Majesty, is it painful?"
"Continue what you were doing. You don't have to ask me."
He sounds serious, I hope he's not upset at me—Mother, where could you be. You should come here and save my soul. I can feel the chills down my spine.
My problem wasn't only that but also the creatures. If father were to see them, I'm sure he would question me who let them in. The ministers will blame my mother because she already is who they considered as part of the wicked, cursed, and everything with an ill omen.
"Please Your Majesty. You must relax now, the wound cuts weren't that severe but I suggest you rest down."
Are they already done treating him? It sounds like that. If it is the case, then Father will sleep now, and I can converse with the creatures.
I don't have anything in mind, but I shouldn't breach the vow. I don't want to put my life in danger.
"No. I still have something to do. You may leave. I don't need your advice."
I was a bit startled by what I just heard. Does that indicate he will remain awake? No, he shouldn't. He can't be awake!
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
I heard the sound of the door closing shut. There's no other sound any longer. Even the Knight General probably went out. It is only my father and me.
"Scarlet. I know you are still awake."
Snap- I feel like sweating. He spotted me. I assume he was monitoring me all this time.
"Scarlet. If you don't talk to me, I shall have to punish you."
"Yes, Father! I am quite awake!" I hurriedly responded. I was very scared when I heard the word 'Punish' straight from his mouth.
"Come here."
His study table was only a few meters away from his bed, such a huge room. I now think why in the world his study table was in his bedroom too.
Due to terror, I forced myself to walk ahead, where he sits firmly and powerful. I came to him but yet kept my distance.
"What are you keeping from me?"
"..."
I shook my head obediently.
"Scarlet. You know that I loathe liars."
"..."
What should I exactly have to say? He might punish Mother for surreptitiously letting the creatures from entering the palace.
"I will count one to three. If you don't spit anything that you were hiding, I will instruct the servants to put you in your room for one week."
Huh? Isn't that good? If I were trapped in the chamber, the creatures wouldn't be able to grab me, perhaps. Mother will be protected, and we'll be happy again.
"One."
I should consider this punishment as a blessing.
"Two."
But if I were to be confined, would I get sweets or even read books? I won't be able to protect my mother!
"Three."
On the other side, the creatures are also a threat.
"Scarlet?"
I bit my lips. I can't tell whether this will be beneficial for me or not. But this is what I decided.
"Lock me, father. I don't have anything to say to you."
My eyes caught his, and without a sign of hesitancy. I didn't back out from my words.
"Is that what you truly wish?"
I nodded instead of including the other people in the problem I caused. I'll keep it to myself.
***
Like my father's condition, I was locked, and he instructed the servants that they shall not let me out for a week.
I was now seated in my bed. I was waiting for the creatures to get me.
If I aim to refuse them, I shall get a punishment, life, and death.
Yesterday night, the moon was shining brightly. Tonight, the moon was a bit shallow.
Thud thud, my throbbing heart continues racing hard. It is almost time for them to have me.
I don't have any weapon with me, but I have a pointy ornament in my hair. It was a hairclip.
Ding dong~ the chime of the great bell clang in the silent night. It is a notification that it is exactly twelve in the morning.
I was staring at nowhere, and then a light suddenly flared in front of me. Little by little, they are multiplying.
"Your Highness."
"The Princess is waiting for us, Horray!"
And the small voices are ringing inside my ears. It's them, they are here.
"Come to the balcony. We shall lead you to the abode of the gods." They commented with such excitement that they could hear each of them.
I clenched my fist, crumpled the bedsheet exasperatedly.
"Hurry, Your Highness!"
"Yes. Please hurry!"
I'm worried that I merely stood there, hesitating to take steps toward the balcony.
I should negotiate a bargain before heading to that place they were talking about.
"H-hey." I murmured anxiously, "Yes?" They reacted quickly.
"You guys will bring me back here once I meet your kind, right?" I grinned weakly, "Of course!" They said in chorus.
"Then Promise me." I continued from the conversation.
"Eh? But why do we need to promise you?"
What, why do they sound like they are not interested in making promises this time? Are they planning something else?
It can be. I can't trust them, not even an inch.
"Then if you people won't promise me that. I shall contact the royal knights and report you from breaching this royal ground." I aggressively threatened them.
"Heh? But it was your mother who let us in. What would the human king do if he got to know that?"
They are absolutely blackmailing me. They are up to something that may put me in a difficult scenario.
"Fine. If you guys implicate my mother here. Let me involve everything! If you guys would report it to my father, I will order the royal knights to burn the abode of the gods into ashes and shall fend you away in my kingdom forever."
*Gasped*
I heard the sound of terror from them. They probably didn't believe I would scheme like that. They were pointing in the deep forest, so I'm very confident that the abode of the gods that they were talking to was simply right there.
"Fine. We assure you that we will bring you home safely. Now, please. Come with us."
Oh, you know. I'm smart, so stop outsmarting me, my tiny creatures.
"Promise shall not be broken. If the Promise were to be destroyed. Then all of you will become my servants indefinitely."
*Gasped!*
I'm dead serious right now.
"Oh my, what a ruthless Princess. Just like her father. She is truly the Princess!"
"Yes! I can sense her father in her!"
"Alright. We have an agreement, Princess."