Baby Pharmacist Princess

“Take it easy, Vikal. It simply means Kienna had another child,” Rikraz said with deliberate calm.

“You call that nonsense an explanation?”
Dad’s voice cut sharp, like the edge of a blade, and I froze on the spot.

What?

What exactly had I just heard?

“It’s the truth. Kienna secretly married a commoner and had two children. But our dear great-grandfather only brought the blonde-haired one to the palace.”

“Lies.”

“You can decide whether it’s a lie or not once you see the face,” Rikraz said with maddening confidence.

No sooner had he finished than there was a rustling near the doorway. A piece of fabric peeked out as if someone were hiding.

“Come in, Elise. It’s time to meet your sister.”

“But… I’m scared,” came a timid reply.

“Being scared won’t do. You’re her older sister, after all,” Rikraz insisted, his tone patronizing.

“But still…”

The child, introduced as Elise, hesitated and fidgeted nervously.

I couldn’t even process words at this point. I was too stunned, and the situation felt utterly absurd.

A twin? Me? Impossible.

I’d played this game countless times, dying over and over again. Each time, I had searched for anyone resembling me—a decoy who could take my place.

If I had a twin, surely, it would’ve been revealed in the game.

She’s a fake.

Whoever Mom married and however I came into existence, this Elise was undoubtedly a fabrication.

It wasn’t fear I felt, but a swelling sense of disbelief.

And then, after what felt like an eternity, the girl timidly stepped forward.

She had my face.

“This is a trap, Dad!”

The plan to return to Northern Castalia the next day was immediately scrapped.

We couldn’t leave—not until this unprecedented crisis was resolved.

“She’s a fake! Why are we even debating this?” Gergys fumed, pacing the room like a caged animal.

Dad and Idsys sat silently, lost in thought.

“How can you even consider this? She appeared out of nowhere, at such a convenient time! She’s obviously fake!” Gergys growled, clutching his head in frustration.

“Calm down, Gergys,” Idsys finally spoke, frowning at the escalating volume.

“We’re thinking.”

“What’s there to think about? Are we really going to bring her into the palace?”

“Whether it’s magic or something else, her face is identical. That alone makes ignoring her impossible,” Idsys said, his tone composed but resolute.

It was a rational conclusion, even if it felt unfair.
If she had looked even slightly different, it might’ve been easier to dismiss her. But Elise and I looked exactly alike.

The only differences were her brown hair and eyes, compared to my blonde hair and crimson gaze.

“But she doesn’t have a Dragon Heart! How can someone without a Dragon Heart be considered a Princess, just because she has the same face?” Gergys snapped.

“First, we need to investigate whether there have been cases of royals born without a Dragon Heart. Until then, we’ll have to treat her as a Princess,” Idsys said evenly.

“You’re just going to let this happen? I’m the only one outraged by this?!”

“And throwing a tantrum—will that solve anything?”

“What did you just say?”

Bang!

“Enough.”

Dad slammed the table with his palm, silencing the room instantly.

I flinched at the sound, startled, but Dad’s gaze softened immediately.

“Come here, Cherishe,” he said, opening his arms.

Without hesitation, I went to him, burying myself in his comforting embrace.

“This is my mistake. I expected fake fathers to appear, not a fake sister,” he murmured apologetically.

“It’s not your fault. Who could’ve predicted this?” I said, shaking my head slightly.

Even Sihat hadn’t seen this coming.

Earlier, Sihat had woken from his deep sleep and come to my room. Upon hearing about Elise, he’d looked troubled and left, saying he needed to confirm something.

As I rested my cheek against Dad’s shoulder, I glanced at the clock and closed my eyes.
There was no way to prove Elise was a fraud today. I might as well rest.

“Gergys,” Dad said firmly, “Idsys and I are well aware that Elise is likely a fake. Her aura faintly carries demonic energy.”

“Then why tolerate her?”

“Because we have no evidence.”

South Emperor Rikraz vouched for Elise’s identity. Discrediting her without solid proof would only backfire.

The real issue was that Rikraz had likely fabricated plenty of evidence and witnesses to support Elise’s claim, while we had nothing to counter it yet.

“Your Highness.”

The quiet knock was followed by the creak of the door opening.

Elise peeked inside hesitantly, her small face etched with unease.

“Forgive me, Your Highness. The young lady wished to present something,” the guard outside explained awkwardly.

Dad sighed and waved him off. “Very well. Come in, Elise. What do you want to give?”

Elise stepped in, holding something behind her back.

“I’ve been waiting for the day I’d meet my sister. So… I made this for her,” she said timidly, extending her hands.

It was a pressed-flower bookmark.

“You probably have lots of nice things already, so this might not mean much… but I put my heart into it. Cherishe.”

She said my name. When did we become so familiar?

Swallowing my irritation, I forced myself to stay calm. Losing my temper now would only backfire.

If someone orchestrated this, I need to figure out their goal.

“Thank you, Elise. But how are you so sure you’re the older sister?” I asked with a bright smile.

“W-What?”

“The gift is lovely. But I could just as easily be the older one, don’t you think?”

“Well… Dad said… I’m the older one,” Elise stammered, shrinking back slightly.

“Oh? Did Dad see you being born?”

“N-No. But there was a midwife. She told Dad I was born first.”

“And where is this midwife?”

“She… passed away a few years ago. She was sick.”

Of course. That would be the story.

Suppressing a bitter laugh, I slipped out of Dad’s arms and took Elise’s hand in mine.

Her eyes widened at the gesture.

“It must’ve been hard for you, Elise. You know, Gergys and Idsys are twins too, but they don’t fuss over who’s older. I think we should be like them.”

No way was I letting her act superior to me.

I smiled sweetly, locking eyes with her.

“Can you do that for me?”

“O-Of course! I’ll try.”

“Thank you, Elise. You’re so kind and considerate,” I said warmly, even as exhaustion weighed me down.

Elise seemed flustered, as if my reaction wasn’t what she’d expected.

What, were you hoping I’d throw a fit and deny knowing you?

Not happening.

Her awkward smile mirrored my own as I continued to play the part.

“Well, since we’ve met, I’m happy. Let’s get along, okay?” I added.

“Yes…” Elise replied hesitantly.

“Oh, by the way, I’d love to meet your Dad. Where is he?”

“…He passed away recently. That’s why I’m here. He told me to go to the palace.”

Her phrasing was deliberate—“my Dad.”

I smiled again, this time sharper.
“Oh no, you’ve been through so much. Where did you live before this?”

“We wandered from place to place. Dad worked for a traveling troupe.”

Ah. I could see the setup now.

A child taken by her father immediately after birth. No fixed home, no one to verify her past—perfect for a fabricated story.

“Actually, I have something for you,” Elise said, pulling a necklace from around her neck.

It was a locket.

“Can I have it?” I asked, my tone soft.

“Y-You want this?”

“Of course. In exchange, I’ll give you something even better.”

I grabbed a jewelry box from the table.

“Here, take this.”

Inside were four necklaces adorned with pearls and emeralds, modest by royal standards but still far beyond anything Elise could’ve owned.

“Are… are these all for me?” Elise gasped.

“Of course. You deserve them, Elise,” I said with a smile as sharp as a blade.