The Grand Duke’s Fox Princess

Episode 52: Why Did the Princess Disappear? (III)

“I don’t know how many accidents she has had since she came here. How often did she come again?”

But nonetheless.

“Ugh, her real personality is no joke.”

“You don’t know how nervous we were every time she came. Because we didn’t know what would happen this time.”

“It was terrible. very.”

Everyone shook their heads.

‘That’s right.’

He had been looking for another side of Eristella, just in case. But again, it seemed like it was a misunderstanding.

Heinricion sighed unconsciously.

While he was hesitating because he could not tell whether he was relieved or sorry to confirm that Eristela was not as selfish as he knew, the one next to him, who was most excitedly complaining about the princess, let out a low sigh.

“By the way, I don’t think she really died.”

“Don’t say such a thing. I don’t believe in the funeral or anything. I’m sure she’s alive somewhere.”

“Same here. I still have what the Princess ordered half a year ago. I’m sure she’ll come to pick it up.”

“Me too. The wine left by her Highness is still in my storage.”

“Ha… It’s been a long time since I saw her, so I feel a little empty.”

“I think about her three or four times a day.”

“I know, ugh.”

People gathered together and spoke of missing Eristella.

They were all complaining about the princess until a while ago. But at the same time, they were hoping she would come back.

“That’s true. I was tired when she kept coming. I don’t think I actually was… I miss her.”

“She should come back safely…”

*******

That day, when Heinricion returned to the mansion, Eristella ran towards him.

‘Hey? Where have you been all day?’

Heinricion looked at Eristella, who welcomed him as if she was complaining.

At this point, Heinricion seemed to understand.

The  real reason Eristella didn’t tell him the truth until the end.

‘It must have been because she didn’t want to get the child involved.’

No matter how Adelesia tried to protect the child. she did not want to create even the slightest possibility that the child would be in danger.

He now understood Eristella’s thinking.

‘Looking back, she used to be…’

In the mind of Heinricion, the memories, which had been pushed aside for a long time, flashed to mind.

A story worthy of being called a memory between young Heinricion and Eristella.

*******

The child told the truth of the day at the official event Heinricion had prepared.

The voice of a child who trembled in fear but spoke with courage had the power to make people listen.

In addition, the story of that day flowing out of the child’s mouth was so beautifully and wonderfully adapted that it made Eristella embarrassed.

She wondered if Heinricion did it, but seeing his astonished reaction, it wasn’t.

It just seemed to be true to the child.

It was revealed that Princess Eristella had gone missing while protecting the child from a black wizard.

It was impossible to describe how much people’s expressions change from moment to moment when the truth was revealed.

There was a storm.

Of course, it was the worst situation for those who had raised doubts about the intentions of Princess Eristella.

They had distorted the noble sacrifice of her princess, so no excuses would work.

They had to hold their breaths for a while, and they had no other choice but to watch their mouths.

This fact spread beyond the imperial palace and nobility to the capital, and circulated throughout the empire immediately.

It was a bonus that Heinricion secretly used his hand to spread the rumors faster.

The effect was prompt. The entire empire was in a tumultuous uproar and people constantly argued about the princess.

Those who had new evaluations of the princess, and those who nevertheless still viewed her negatively.

As a result, disputes arose and new rumors emerged.

But anyway, if there’s one thing that was not debated… It was the fact that no one could say Princess Eristella had colluded with black magic anymore.

Also, no matter what Eristella’s reputation was, her final moments would be remembered for her actions that graced the empire.

Additionally, this incident added to the belief that Princess Eristella was really dead.

On the other hand, unlike the noisy world, the Grand Duchy of Adelasia was surprisingly peaceful.

Rather, it was indifferent to public commotion, as if it were interested in something else.

*******

Heinricion was reviewing a report that had been put off due to the issue of Eristella’s disappearance.

While examining the piled-up reports, he noticed something, and immediately glanced at Eristella.

‘Yes? Why are you suddenly…?’

At the same time as the fox was bewildered, Heinricion’s large hand grabbed it by the neck. Then he hurriedly kicked open the door and started walking.

‘Huh? Where are you suddenly dragging me?’

Eristella struggled, but Heinricion ignored her, entering his bedroom and putting her down on the couch.

And shortly, he glared fiercely at Eristella and opened his mouth questioningly.

“The commotion at the opera banquet. What did you do?”

The report he just read was about the opera banquet.

Heinricion immediately realized that Eristella had done something.

[Did you notice?]

“Because there is no one other than you who uses such useless magic.”

[…….]

‘Darn it. I have nothing to say.’

It was when Eristella affirmed in silence. Heinricion raised one corner of his mouth and said with a satisfied smile.

“I think your magic has gotten to a pretty decent level.”

[Yes. Does it look like that to you?]

Eristella, who was instantly excited as if she had been waiting for such an answer, ran round and round, revealing her joy.

“That’s good. It’s a necessary condition.”

[Condition?]

Eristella tilted her head.

“I found a way for you to return to your original form.”

He spoke very casually as though they were simply going to go out for a while tomorrow.

So Eristella, who could not understand, stiffened.

[Really?]

Eristella’s eyes lost their focus and trembled.

[Isn’t that a joke? If you’re joking like this…]

But Heinricion quietly uttered.

“You’ll have to try it, but I think it’s possible.”

The fox ran at full speed and snuggled into his arms.

[Finally!]

“I found a similar case a long time ago. My father studied and analyzed it.”

The former Grand Duke Adelasia was an outstanding wizard, but his achievements as a researcher were even greater.

Heinricion found the solution his father studied.

[What should I do? I’ll do anything!]

“There are some necessary conditions. A large amount of magic stones and powerful wizards.”

[Uh… If that’s the case…?]

“I already have both.”

A large amount of magic stones purchased by Heinricion, and Heinricion, a powerful wizard.

“And the party must also have enough magical power to some extent. Otherwise, there is a great risk that your body will not be able to handle the magic.”

[That’s fine.]

Eristella replied resolutely. If necessary, she could absorb more magic than this.

As long as she could go back.

“But there is one more thing. I don’t know if this is the perfect way.”

[It isn’t perfect?]

Then, maybe… It might be such a strange combination that only the upper body would return, or only the eyes and nose would return and the rest would be the same!?

Heinricion, noticing Eristella’s bizarre imagination, twisted his face.

“It’s not like that.”

[Ah, it isn’t. Then what is it?]

“It’s limited to being able to change temporarily. I don’t know exactly how long you can keep it. You will turn back into a fox again.”

[Who cares? I can go back even for a moment.]

—If only I could go back to my original form for just 5 minutes. She didn’t know how many times she had thought that way.

It wasn’t a pity for Eristella to return to her original form for a limited time.

That alone was a huge improvement and hope.

*******

Time to return to Princess Eristella. It was the moment she had been eagerly awaiting. 

Eristella had only one thought.

‘Will it be okay? It’ll be fine.’

Eristella was as nervous as expected.

Only Eristella and Heinricion were secretly preparing for it. Of course, all the preparations were good since Heinricion planned them.

“It’s ready.”

At Heinricion’s signal, Eristella moved.

“It will take a long time.”

The order alone was huge. It was when Heinricion earnestly reached out towards Eristella to perform magic.

‘Wait a minute.’

Suddenly, Eristella stretched her front paws and pushed Heinricion.

“What’s the matter?”

[Just… Wait a minute.]

Even Eristella could not understand why she was suddenly hesitating at this moment.

‘What do I have to worry about? Of course, I should return to my original form as soon as possible.’

‘To be honest… My time as a fox wasn’t bad.’

It’s been a long time. Being loved by someone.

Surrounded by friendly people, she was able to spend a happy time completely forgetting her former lonely life.

‘If I go back to the way things were, this will all be over.’

The thought was a bit sad.

‘It’s been fun so far. Sometimes I feel like I want to live like this.’