**Chapter Sixty-One: The Fortress Called Home (Part One)**
I still care a lot about pies.
Walked out of the store with my head in the clouds and forgot all about the ashes from the oven. Hopefully, the stuff in the paper bag didn’t get ruined, after all, pies are sweet and a bit fragrant.
Once I hopped onto the waiting War Chariot at the workshop entrance, Pasifal told me he would head back later and let me go first. The massive War Chariot started moving slowly, and I sat in the pitch-black cabin, leisurely opening the bag to check inside. Thankfully, it seemed that not too much ash had fallen in.
This War Chariot was entirely black—from the cabin to the wheel hubs, even the brawny warhorn pulling it, the driver in his dark uniform, everything was in a dreary color, just accented with golden trimming. The carriage curtains boasted a beautifully embossed crescent moon over a splendid cloud, making it instantly recognizable as the imperial royal War Chariot from Shanter Castle, the exclusive ride of the “National Princess.”
The whole ensemble, including the driver, Clarence, an elite Workshop Hunter, former member of the Shanter Army’s third squad, and now the captain of the National Princess’s guard, along with the fully-staffed twenty-person princess guard, was a generous gift from the new emperor Skarlij—aka my father—on the day I was bestowed the title of National Princess.
During the bestowal ceremony, I had officially named my guard squad the “Vanilla Cheese Guard.” A super cute name that I’m quite proud of, took me ten minutes to come up with it! I even personally put on each of them a guard badge adorned with a vanilla cheese design, but I remember that apart from me, everyone else had somewhat strained smiles that day.
Apart from the War Chariot and the guards, the new emperor also showered me with an array of expensive jewelry, gems, chests of lovely silk, dresses, a nearby estate not far from Shanter Castle, and some feudal lands in the Northern Region, and so on and so forth… so now I’m basically a little lord, even though there’s no way I would actually manage those lands. I’m not even sure where they are.
Anyway, I’m pretty sure someone else is managing it for me. There’s no need for a rookie like me to stir up trouble and worry about it.
On that day, the new emperor rewarded many people—those from Erin Castle, New City of Kaliye, Uncle Hoover, Uncle Pagos, and many more. After that, the following few days were a whirlwind of these happenings. He even awarded Anna the Frostmoon Medal, the highest honor for imperial warriors that comes with a salary, food, and a cozy little mansion in Winter City. Dad clearly wanted to win her over, but I have no idea if Anna showed any intention of claiming it. I just saw her at the workshop fortress earlier, and when I casually chatted with her, I learned she’d been hanging around there for the past few days, likely not visiting her own place. Other than her sword, she didn’t seem interested in anything else…
Oh.
Should I start calling him ‘Father Emperor’ now?
Whoooosh—
The War Chariot sped quickly, with the wind and snow howling outside, like a chorus of ghosts wailing in the night. I peeked out from a corner of the curtain, looking at the familiar yet strange streets outside, it was already pretty dark; the smoke was curling up from chimneys, the cozy glow of fires along the roadside, and I saw a peacekeeper in a black trench coat and round hat standing by the light, tipping his hat to the War Chariot—just a blink, and the sound of wheels crunching over snow tugged at my memory, taking me back to the first time I rode this War Chariot here.
Back then, I…
What kind of feelings did I have when I looked at this world?
I can’t remember at all…
Time flies, and the past is but smoke in my eyes. In the blink of an eye, everything has changed already.
But nonetheless, the days I’ve been spending in the castle recently might be… the long-awaited ease and comfort I’ve missed. Those familiar rooms, familiar people and things, it feels like I’ve found a little bit of the curiosity I once had for everything—nothing was more important than eating, living carefree and easy days passing by.
That was probably the happiest time since I came to this world…
It’s a pity I can’t feel those emotions anymore.
Upon returning to the castle, I hopped off the chariot and made my way through the enormous fortress garden towards the inner keep. Back then, it felt like a maze of endless Gothic halls, but now it’s truly familiar like home.
I dashed up to the top floor with the paper bag, and all the servants I passed hurriedly bowed. As I approached the restaurant door, smelling something delicious, I finally paused, rubbed my face, took a deep breath, and then kicked the big door open: “I’m! Hungry!—”
A huge smile was already plastered on my face.
“Ouch!”
“Ah!”
A few busy maids jumped in fright, and even my mom, who seemed to be tying an apron, turned around in shock. Upon seeing me, she said with a roll of her eyes, “This silly girl…”, then waved her hand dismissively, “Who are you trying to scare? You’re a princess now, do you still not know how to hold yourself… Go on now, dinner isn’t ready yet. Sit over there and wait… What do you have in your arms?”
“Mom, why are you cooking again?”
I scrunched up my nose, walking over to my mother: “Pasifal won’t be back, I got these pies for him, found them delicious, so I bought another bag. You take a break, try some, it definitely can’t be as good as the desserts you make.”
I tugged my mom, who was heading to the kitchen, to the dining table, pushed her down into a chair, and set the brown paper bag on the table. I took out a piece, inspected it for ash, and then grabbed her arm, stuffing it into her hands: “Mom, you have so many things to do, don’t bother with this. Just eat a pie and take a little break. Tonight, let me do the cooking!”
I said with pride, wearing an expression waiting for praise.
“You?”
However, my mom, clutching the pie, didn’t eat it and looked at me doubtfully: “What can you cook? Don’t show off here… And in front of others, you should call me ‘Mother Empress,’ you know how many eyes are on us right now…”
“Oh come on, we’re just in our own dining room.”
I pouted like a kid, and seeing Mom trying to get up again, I quickly pressed her down: “You really underestimate me. I’ve lived in the Royal City all by myself! Back then, I had to do everything by myself; my skills are pretty good now! Even Xi said the things I make are delicious, hmph! Just sit tight, Mother!”
I emphasized the title *Mother* with a little too much gusto; it felt a bit awkward, yet I still proceeded to unfasten her apron and put it on myself while sticking my tongue out at her, and without waiting for a retort, I dashed off to the kitchen.
“This child… just don’t burn down the kitchen later…”
Mom’s murmurs followed me, but she didn’t get up. She was probably just too curious to see what I would make…
Since returning to Winter City, there’s been a whirlwind of tedious tasks—seemingly never-ending. And since Mom just became the Empress, there’s a constant stream of guests to meet and entertain, making it impossible for her to be the leisurely noblewoman she used to be. She has to gradually get the hang of everything; still, she sticks to making a hearty dinner for me and Dad—mostly for me—every day.
Mom believes the dishes made by the maids don’t quite compare to what she makes, especially Captain Gray’s dish; she wants me to enjoy my favorites every day at home, and no one can convince her otherwise.
So tonight, I plan to show her that I don’t need such meticulous care from others anymore.
