The Exhausting Reality of Novel Transmigration

me.

She said that she’d like to thank Diana for all her help during the hunting festival.

“Alicia!”

I saw Alicia staring blankly into the air for a moment, but as I called to beckon her, she flinched a little and walked over here.

“Good afternoon, Your Ladyship.”

As Diana bowed deeply, Alicia waved her arms.

“Oh, no, you’re not feeling well.
You don’t have to greet me that way.
I’m the one who’s come to see you…”

“Yes?”

After hearing Alicia’s gentle dissuasion, Diana raised her head and blinked.

Alicia took Diana’s hands into her own and continued.

“Um, thank you for helping me during the hunting festival.
You even got hurt while protecting me, but it’s been bothering me that I haven’t thanked you properly until now.

“It was my duty, Your Ladyship.”

“Still, it’s thanks to you that I’m completely unharmed.
Thank you very much, Miss Diana.”

Alicia bowed to Diana.

“Y…You don’t have to do this, Lady Alicia!”

This time, it was Diana who’s waving her arms to dissuade the other.

It’s not very common for a noble to bow before a commoner, to say the least.

I didn’t intervene.

Diana glanced at me, silently asking for help, but I merely turned away as if I didn’t see her.

I laughed gratuitously.

It’s so peaceful for the first time in a long while.
It didn’t feel so bad.

Soon, the two of them were finished with their back and forth.

“Um…”

And the silence brought forth a small voice.

The owner of that voice was Ria, who was hiding behind Diana’s legs, looking around her.

“Ah, Ria!”

Diana had momentarily forgotten that her little sister was here because of the sudden situation.
She leaned down, cupped her hand to Ria’s ear, then whispered.

“Come on, say hello.”

Clutching Diana’s sleeve tightly, Ria glanced up at Alicia.

And, she bowed her head.

“H…Hello.”

Alicia’s eyes widened.

It must be her first time meeting a child since she lived most of her life trapped in this residence.

A smile bubbled up on her lips, which she couldn’t hide.

Indeed.
Alicia naturally liked cute things, and Ria was a really cute kid.

Alicia leaned down and made eye contact with Ria.

And, she gently patted the child’s head, greeting her face to face.

“It’s nice to meet you.
I’m Alicia.”

Ria blinked with her wide, doe eyes.

Alicia’s similarly wide, doe eyes also blinked.

With two cute people together like this, it felt as if the atmosphere instantly brightened up.

Ria mumbled, answering cautiously.

“Um… Are you, um, a princess?”

That one word from the child made everyone around her freeze.

It’s certainly unexpected that the word ‘princess’ would be said here.

“Oh my, Ria.
What… What are you saying.”

Diana’s face turned pale at once, and she tried to stop Ria from saying more.
Still, Alicia’s cheeks turned bright red as she didn’t know what to do.

Ria looked around her quizzically.

Then, her big eyes quickly brimmed with tears.

Even though she’s still a child, Ria was certainly quick at reading the room.

The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward because of what she said, so she must be wondering if she had done something wrong.

“S…Sorr…”

“You’re right.
She’s a princess.”

I spoke up before she could finish saying sorry.

The three other people here turned to me in unison.

Regardless, I faced them nonchalantly.

“Sister?”

Alicia whispered to me, but I answered with only a wink.

Somehow, Alicia’s cheeks became even redder.

Oh my, you can’t do that.

Anyway.

Shrugging lightly, I strode over to Ria and leaned down, then I tapped her cheek with an index finger.

“You want to play together with our dear princess, don’t you?”

“…Yes!”

Ria hesitated for a second there, but soon answered with sparkling eyes.

To children, princesses were a thing of fantasy.

To adults though, dreaming of becoming one was like dreaming of winning the lottery.

I smiled at Ria, then I pulled Alicia closer to me and whispered.

“Alicia, is it okay if you play together with Ria?”

“Huh? Me?”

Cheeks still flushed, Alicia asked back in surprise.

I nodded in response.

“I’m going to the clinic with Diana for a little while.
I have to check on Ria, Diana and Maxwell’s medicine.”

Of course, it didn’t matter if Ria and Alicia would come as well.

However, when I saw how Alicia’s expression brightened as she looked at Ria, I figured I should let these two people spend some time together.

Forget everything.
You can go back to your childhood and have a fun time.

She couldn’t sleep last night either, and her expression remained dark the whole time.

But as soon as she talked to Ria, didn’t her face brighten up for a moment?

If she could play with a child without having to think, perhaps she could forget about what’s making her nervous, even a little.

Alicia’s pupils quivered briefly, but she nodded.

“If so… Alright, I’ll take care of her.
You can go ahead.”

Fortunately, it didn’t look like she’s forcing herself.