Baby Pharmacist Princess

Solip looked extremely awkward, caught between not knowing how to react and what to say, eventually casting a puzzled look at Sophia.

Seeing the look of help in his eyes, Sophia stepped in.

“Well, His Highness the Prince usually wakes up at around 4 in the morning.”

“…That early?”

“Yes. He has a quick meal before dawn and attends to his duties. Then he trains with the knights.”

His Highness the Prince is indeed a diligent person.

Even when we met, I didn’t think he was an easygoing person, but I never expected him to be this diligent!

‘Even though maintaining energy must be uncomfortable, he still trains.’

Lost in thought for a moment, I decided to just eat alone for now and visit him separately later.

But just then, Solip approached me with a suggestion.

“Um, would you like to visit the training grounds?”

“…Sure, why not?”

“Probably. Since Princess will grow up here at the White Night Palace, it’s good for you to interact with the knights.”

Well, if it’s okay, I’m fine with it!

Feeling a bit more energized by Solip’s suggestion, I quietly decided to eat my meal.

Right on time, Mrs. Nania brought in steaming clam soup and baked salmon.

“Even though it feels a bit strange to eat alone at this large table…”

I’ll get used to it.

This will be my routine until I log out.

“Oh, wait a minute.”

As expected, good ideas come to mind when my stomach is half full.

Since I’m going to the training grounds, why not give plum drinks to all the knights too?

***

Clatter clatter.

What is a training ground?

It’s a place filled with rugged men, covered in dirt and sweat.

But today, amidst such a place, there were bundles of cuteness in the form of golden-haired little ones, even just looking at them made one’s heart melt.

Their faces might not look gentle, but they had eyes that seemed kind.

Cheeks as round and rosy as ripe fruit.

With dainty little shoes that looked like they should only step on precious marble, their two feet moved around, disturbing the knights’ focus.

The knights, who were busy polishing their swords or oiling their armor, suddenly saw the babies and couldn’t close their mouths in surprise.

“W-who is that? Who’s so adorable like that?”

“Is that Princess Alexandra?”

“No, she’s smaller than that. She seems like another Princess. With crimson eyes.”

“Hmm, she’s so tiny for nobility? Can I lift her on my shoulders?”

The knights couldn’t take their eyes off the little ones, almost reaching the point of passing out.

“Whew, my heart. My heart!”

“Too cute, beyond limits…!”

The knights were so overwhelmed that they accidentally dropped what they were holding.

In their distracted state, they couldn’t even tell who the baby was running towards.

“Dad!”

And with that, she shouted so adorably!

“Oh, my heart. My heart!”

“Oh, did you come to see me?”

A gentle voice that sounded like it had been coated with honey. The same person who had just trained the knights to the point of exhaustion spoke in such a soft and tender tone.

“Oh, I wanted to see you today too, I’m upset I couldn’t.”

“Oh, sorry.”

Having never seen anyone do that to His Highness the Prince, the knights were at a loss for words.

‘Wait, but… when did you have a child?’

They had heard that he had been in seclusion, so the sudden appearance of a baby left the knights bewildered.

“By the way, Cherry brought a gift.”

“A gift?”

“Yeah. This will take the pain away~.”

Cough!

With cheeks like marshmallows, the baby pointed to His Highness the Prince’s ample belly.

Even if she hit him with all her might, his stomach looked like it could handle it.

Seeing that irresistibly cute scene, I couldn’t help but think I wanted to hold her and see her.

But at the same time, a chilling aura enveloped the training ground.

A clear warning as if my life were in danger descended upon the knights.

‘Impossible.’

Holding the baby Princess firmly in his arms, the Prince looked down at the knights, his lips twisting.

The meaning contained therein was so clear that the knights collectively lost their words.

‘You guys don’t have a daughter like this, do you?’

Wait, when did he have a daughter!?

* * *

Vikal, an expression of extreme satisfaction and a deeply discontented look, simultaneously crossed his face. The situation had turned around.

“Princess, what is this mysterious drink!”

The knights grumbled.

In front of his daughter.

“It’s sweet and sour, very delicious!”

“You’re sharing such a precious thing with us. And Princess, you’re not drinking it all.”

“Right. And you said it’s medicine, can we knights drink this?”

Not a single one of those ox-like beings, in both stature and appearance, murmuring in front of his daughter pleased Vikal. But what was more unpleasant was that they were sneakily stealing the precious drink that even he thought was too precious to drink in one go.

A natural digestive made from Uslum.

What Cherishe brought was indeed that astonishing drink.

At first, it was hot tea, so I was wondering what it was, but when she said it was medicine, I understood.

After drinking it and some time passing, it felt like the boiling feeling in my stomach completely subsided.

“Princess says if you have an upset stomach or feel unwell, you should drink it warm.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Drinking too much isn’t good, she says one or two glasses a day is the maximum.”

That was Mrs. Nania’s explanation, distinguishing between warm tea and cold drinks.

So Vikal became the only one among the knights gathered here who drank warm tea.

In other words, it meant that he was curious about the cold drink but hadn’t even had a sip.

“Ow, my stomach hurts again.”

Trying to secretly grab the cup from a knight, Cherishe caught him and gave a very stern look.

The little guy, who looked like he could be turned to gold with just a touch, put his hand on his waist, which was also adorable, so Vikal didn’t get angry.

“Huff…”

Vikal sighed deeply as he looked at Cherishe, who was now sitting on the knights’ shoulders.

‘My goodness, so cute.’

Vikal had a small secret.

Only Solip knew about this secret.

Even when riding, if a small and cute cat appeared, he would risk stopping the horse just to look at it.

If he found a cat in the palace, he always made sure to bring it food.

He had been moving secretly, even using Dragon Heart, and no one had witnessed him in such a state.

Cats.

There are many animals in the world, but Vikal was particularly fond of cats.

But Cherishe looked like a baby cat with cheese-colored fur.

He had to restrain himself in front of such a tiny and fragile creature.

He tried to keep his expression firm and not laugh recklessly.

“Dad!”

…But it was difficult in front of Cherishe.

This was why he tried not to see her often…

“Dad, lift me higher.”

“Oops! Princess! Let me carry you higher. Hop on my back!”

When Cherishe ran to him, the knights followed suit, eager to carry him.

His personal knights, the White Nights.

Among the seven knight orders representing the Castalia Palace, they had the most combat experience.

The sight of such a knight order was truly worth seeing.

‘My daughter.’

Although adoption papers had been submitted to the Emperor but had not yet been approved, so he couldn’t officially call her his daughter, in his heart, Vikal had come to think of himself as her father.

Even though he’s a stepfather, he would treat her better than her real father.

That’s why he studied until 3 in the morning.

Books about ordinary families.

“I’ll do something more fun. Let’s jump high, how about that!”

“Okay.”

“Should I carry you and run?”

“…Okay.”

Vikal seemed to be a bit intrigued by the latter response. The answer was about 2 seconds slower than before.

Vikal felt a slight sense of disillusionment with himself for naturally analyzing things like this.

This was why he shouldn’t cherish anyone.

The moment he liked something, he found himself analyzing their breathing, heart rate, even the tremble in their voice.

“Cherishe.”

Vikal forced himself to think of this as a meeting with diplomatic envoys.

It was time to send Cherishe away now.

The knights had rested enough, and they could have a group duel with her.

Vikal had no intention of showing his daughter how he defeated the knights.

That wasn’t good for education, as the books said.

“Not Cherishe, it’s Cherry.”

“Cherry?”

“As a nickname… can you call me that?”

He shouldn’t have casually asked.

Vikal felt like a volcano erupting inside him, causing earthquakes, flipping the earth, and causing tidal waves to sweep over him.

Of course, none of that showed on the surface.

Years of practicing his poker face helped at times like this.

“Hmm? Okay, Cherry it is.”

“Sigh.”

She’s really too cute.

Thinking that, Vikal let out a sigh, but Cherishe flinched and lowered her head.

“No, Your Highness! If you ask to be called by a nickname and then sigh like that, what will happen?”

“Yes, she’s cold-blooded!”

“Don’t treat your daughter like that. What will you do if she gets upset?”

As Cherishe looked sulky, the knights went into a frenzy.

Vikal gave each of them a cold glance.

He would have to teach a few of them a lesson later.

“Alright, Cherry.”

“…!”

“I asked Sophia to show you some fun places. Go sightseeing and have fun.”

It was time for Vikal to take retribution on the arrogant knights.