The Reincarnated Princess Makes a Request

Sir Leonhart clasped his hands together between his knees and arched his back. Intimidated by the serious look in his eyes, I instinctively recoiled, but the seat’s backrest prevented me from securing much distance.

“Your Highness,” he called out to me. The tone of his voice was one step lower than it’d been earlier, and I sat up straight at the sound of it.

“Yes...?”

My worries had proven true. No doubt about it—he was angry with me.

Since I’d been reborn into this world, had I ever been told off by anyone? I could hardly remember even one instance, but I could recall my past life and what a scolding felt like back then. The look in Sir Leonhart’s eyes and the timbre of his voice mirrored those of my elders, like my parents and teachers, when they’d chastise and admonish me.

But I couldn’t concentrate enough to take a sentimental stroll down memory lane. All that I could do was hunch my shoulders and wait for Sir Leonhart to speak.

Honestly, I was a little frightened... Okay, a lot.

“I’m aware that this is improper, but I would like your permission to speak my mind. Is that all right?”

“Yesss.” My voice sounded pathetic.

“Yes” has been the only thing to leave my lips for the last few minutes. Who knew I could demonstrate my full vocal range with just that one word? I thought about this, hoping to distract myself from the present predicament.

But I couldn’t keep it up. How could I? Sir Leonhart had asked “is that all right?” but the words were a question in form only. It’d been a declaration, a statement of fact. I could practically hear a second voice dubbed over his, announcing, “I’m gonna say something, do you mind? Don’t bother answering.”

“You said earlier that you wouldn’t tell Prince Christoph,” he started. “I judge that this means I’m the only one able to directly assist you with this matter.” His eyes prompted me for confirmation, and I nodded.

He looked at me as my head bounced up and down like a bobblehead toy and then squinted his eyes shrewdly. “And yet, you’re still keeping things to yourself. I am the only one who knows your circumstances. If you won’t turn to me for help, then who will you turn to?”

My whole body jumped after being exposed to his sharp gaze. Sir Leonhart noticed me gasp, but he maintained his rigid expression.

“You are obviously industrious, but when you encounter a difficult problem, you are inclined to try and persevere by yourself before enlisting the assistance of others. Perhaps you find a request like that to be insincere, or you think that asking for aid conflicts with your sense of virtue. However, virtue is not always the correct answer. Do you understand?” He again asked me for confirmation.

I gave a small, silent nod. Strangely, I didn’t feel resentful. Maybe it was because his words carried the weight of life experience, or perhaps it was because, on the inside, I was too old for childish indignation. Whichever it was, Sir Leonhart’s words sank in.

I’d stayed perfectly still for a few moments, continuing to look down, but Sir Leonhart didn’t try to rush my answer. He only stared at me intently with those jet-black eyes. It would’ve been easier to respond if he’d just growled, “We’ve already been over this!” I could’ve used his angry tone as an excuse to not feel so guilty. But that wouldn’t do.

“C-Could I a—” I bit my tongue, then paused and took a deep breath. It was a little late to be worrying about the impression I was exuding, but I was concerned that my point wouldn’t come across clearly.

I continued slowly, my voice trembling. “Could I ask something selfish?”

“Go on.” A gentle smile crept into his eyes.

I’d appreciate your acquiescence more if you could stop beaming so joyfully, like you’re talking to a small child. It was sad, but this was my reality nonetheless. At the moment, all that I amounted to was an awkward kid who couldn’t even ask for a favor properly.

If this is the case, then I’d better take full advantage of it.

“I’d like you to treat me more crudely.”

Sir Leonhart froze for about ten seconds.

Hmm, that’s not quite it. This isn’t as easy to put into words as I thought it would be.

“Pardon?” He asked me to repeat myself, his face still rigid.

Looks like I did mess up the phrasing.

“As in, a rougher manner... No, that’s not quite it. Sloppily... Carelessly?”

After hearing that succession of rather haphazard words come spewing out of my mouth, Sir Leonhart pressed a hand to his forehead and cast his gaze downward.

“Those all mean more or less the same thing...” he responded, trailing off. “Your Highness, could you let me in on what you’re thinking?”

His subsequent sigh was brimming with exasperation, and he peered at me through the gaps in his fingers with a look of disbelief.

“I feel that your treatment of me is far too courteous, Sir Leon.”

I thought that might annoy him even more, but Sir Leonhart’s almond eyes shot wide open. He was taken aback by my words, like they’d caught him completely by surprise.

“It’s standard for the royal guard captain to treat a princess with courtesy,” I stated. “I know that. But I can’t help but feel a sense of distance between us.”

“Your Highness...”

I hung my head, hearing the hesitation that had seeped into Sir Leonhart’s voice, but nonetheless continued to explain myself.

“You chastised me earlier. While it was somewhat frightening because nobody’s ever gotten mad at me before...it’s much preferable to just being pampered. I want you to chastise me when I make mistakes from now on. And I don’t want you to preface what you say with ‘I’m aware that this is improper,’ either. You could flick me on the forehead too. That wouldn’t bother me at all.”

“I could never!” exclaimed Sir Leonhart.

“That’s what I’m saying I don’t like.” I looked up at him reproachfully after his immediate refusal. He went quiet, appearing ashamed. “Nobody ever comments on anything I do. So, from time to time, I feel like I lose track of whether I’m even doing the right thing. I want someone to criticize and compliment me, like I’m a normal girl... And if possible, I want that someone to be you.”

He looked stunned. I could see the desperate look on my face reflected in his wide-open eyes. Though he was acting bewildered, I wasn’t about to let up. I couldn’t relax this assault, or else my desired outcome would slip through my fingers.

It’s time to make it or break it. Go for it, Rose!

“When we’re in public, I don’t mind you treating me the same way that you always have. But I’d like you to be yourself, even if it’s just when we’re alone together. Please, let me get to know you, just a little bit more.”

Sir Leonhart stayed frozen, his eyes still fixed on me.

Well, can’t blame him for that. It’s only natural to be thrown into disarray when a little princess lavishes you with what essentially amounts to a confession of love. No one would know how to react.

After a few seconds, Sir Leonhart returned to his senses and covered his face with his large hands. I had no idea what he was thinking, since he was looking down and I couldn’t see his expression.

“Sir Leon?”

“Argh...” He lifted his head up with a groan.

“Hm?”

His brows were furrowed in a look of displeasure, but his cheeks had a slight red tint, so I wasn’t particularly afraid. Sir Leonhart ruffled his hair violently and let out a deep sigh.

Uh-oh, did I piss him off? I thought, turning pale.

“I’m not angry.” Sir Leonhart looked at me and smiled wryly.

Thank God, I thought, but a different doubt crept into my mind at the last moment, preventing me from feeling relieved. “Huh? Did I say that last thought out loud?”

“It was written all over your face,” remarked Sir Leonhart. “You’re not terribly good at hiding your emotions.”

No way... And there I was, convinced of my identity as a blank-faced girl.

When I hurriedly grabbed at my cheeks, Sir Leonhart laughed like the energy to stop himself had drained away. “You’re an unusual one. Women tend to appreciate courteous treatment. I never would’ve thought that you’d ask me to treat you carelessly... You really do have a gift for leading me around by the nose.”

“W-Well...”

“You should be proud. You’re about the only one who can wrap me around your finger.” His features spread into a sweet, mischievous grin. His large hand then patted my head.

For a moment, I failed to grasp what had happened. My eyes opened as wide as they could, and he gave an amused chuckle.

“Please spare me from having to flick your forehead though, Princess.”

At that moment, I could say with confidence that I was the happiest person in the world.