The Invincible Aloof Yandere Princess Falls in Love with Her Younger Court Mage's Fatherly Warmth! ~She Clung to Him So Much That the King Fired Him. When He Made Marriage His Official Reason for Resigning Under Royal Order, the Light Vanished from the Princess's Eyes~ - Volume 2 - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Dependence

Karen’s point of view.

———

This is bad. Karen felt the blood drain from her entire body.

Right in front of her stood a single man who had defeated the kingdom’s top knight and the highest combat power of the court mage division.

Well… whether Albert could really be called defeated was debatable. Still, how carelessly he had played right into this…

What filled Karen’s heart right now wasn’t so much the obvious threat of that giant, but rather her master—whose only sound through the magic tool was a dry, ragged breath.

“—……Ah. ……? H-ha, h-haa. ……Ha, a……!”

Oh no, oh no, this is really bad. Karen felt the blood drain from her body even more intensely than before.

It had been like this in the past too, but lately Killriera had started directing thoughts toward Albert that were a little unhinged. Just hearing that he would be away on a mission for a short time had made her throw terrible tantrums, and her sobbing voice could be heard crying through the night.

In the end, she had barely—barely—accepted it by sending Karen in her place since she couldn’t move due to work. Even that only happened after that man patiently explained things to Killriera and the princess judged that it would also benefit him.

And the result of that was—

“You filthy womanizer. He’s probably fine after something like that anyway, but because of you, my lord is…”

Ah, what should she do.

The giant had chanted the spell 【Transfer】. If so, wherever he had been sent, with that man’s strength there was no need to worry… But Killriera wasn’t the type to listen to such reasoning.

Karen thought: What if… what if my master takes some rash action before he returns?

A-Anyway, right now she had to calm Killriera down somehow.

It was exactly when Karen hardened her tragic resolve that—

“—Papa… said……!”

“Huh…?”

“He said he wouldn’t leave me behind anymore… That I could leave the palace in his care while he’s gone… That I’m a good girl, right…?”

“…!”

The voice coming from the other side of the magic tool trembled, and Karen could tell tears were mixed in.

It sounded just like a child left at home, anxiously waiting for a parent to return. Like an innocent little kid who believed that if they followed the rules, their parent would come back.

The complete difference from the usual strong, dignified princess image—

“…!!”

So this was how far it had gone. Karen bit her lip in regret. Surely this was the result of so many people—including Karen herself—having neglected Killriera’s heart all this time.

Because she was strong, because she was smart, because she was a genius who could do anything. Using those words as an excuse, plenty of people served her, but not a single one ever thought to support her weaknesses. No one had even noticed she had any weaknesses in the first place.

And this was the result.

An excessive—far too excessive—dependence on Albert, that astonishingly talented and kind individual.

“Yes, yes, that’s right… So I have to be a good girl. Like always, I’ll solve the kingdom’s problems, deal with those vulgar nobles, train the next generation. And then, and then… —I’ll make sure the one who put Papa through this, Jekyll… and that bitch in heat, Scarlet—”

That dependence sometimes warped Killriera’s judgment, even though she held power that could sway the entire nation, and it threatened her own safety. But still.

“After that… how much will Papa praise me, I wonder?”

Her voice sounded dazed and dreamy. And faintly, the sound of tears dripping onto the desk could be heard.

Should Karen be relieved that the separation-anxiety-like tantrum had been held back, or should she worry that she might go completely off the rails again?

In any case, what Karen needed to do right now was—

“Hmm. Of the thirty-six strategies, running away is best—”

“—Absolutely get some clue about where Papa went”

“Ah, yes… Your order has been firmly received, my lord…”

But still. In practical terms, Karen didn’t think the remaining forces—including herself—could do anything about that giant who had just fought such an incredible battle against Scarlet…

Karen secretly activated her unique magic 【Silence】, hid her presence, and tried to approach.

But what was that man doing now?

“—Haa. These guys are so damn heavy…”

Without even glancing in their direction, he was gathering up his scattered comrades. He had piled the unconscious ones in one spot—probably planning to 【Transfer】 them to safety.

“Still… that woman was quite the find. Never thought I’d get my hands on a ki user of such high quality… This brings me one step closer to the goal.”

“This filthy bastard. So his aim was that bitch’s body…?”

“All right… that should do it. Then—”

Oh, he’s using that unique magic again. Ignoring the fallen kingdom knights completely, he spent even longer channeling mana this time and created an outrageously huge magic circle…!

Was there any other clue? Something that would satisfy Killriera…?

Karen kept her impatience hidden while still invisible and moved closer to the giant, but by chance—or maybe not—the man’s gaze flicked in her direction for a moment.

And then, as he casually opened his mouth,

“—You’ve been spotted, little lady. Don’t come any closer.”

“…!!”

No way. Karen instinctively checked behind her, thinking someone else might be there, but of course there wasn’t any convenient person.

What she learned was that this man, despite being a master who handled both ki and magic at an extremely high level, also possessed surprisingly delicate perception abilities that belied his appearance.

And he was collecting ki users for some purpose. That meant Albert, who got caught up in it, probably hadn’t been 【Transferred】 somewhere just to die instantly.

Since further approach had been blocked, Karen took only that information and tearfully let her master’s nonstop shouting in her ear fade into the background.

“Stop him! Get more information about Papa from him…!”

“Umm, that’s impossible… My lord, I’m terribly sorry, but this little one truly lacks the strength to stop him…”

While that was going on, the giant’s magic circle began to shine blindingly bright and looked ready to erase his form at any second.

“—Stop hiiiim! Take him down!”

That’s obviously impossible. That kind of thing is Albert’s specialty.

No one picked up on Karen’s inner voice.

Finally, in front of her eyes, the man left behind just one word—

“【Transfer】”

—and then

—in front of Karen and the others, only a perfectly clean, empty patch of bare ground remained.

“—Aaaah!? Quick, analyze the magic circle…! While the mana is still there! Papa’s clue!!”

Th-this setting makes sure the people around can’t hear her voice, right…?