The Two Babies Changing the Original Story Chapter 17

“It was an honor to meet you today, Your Highness.”

“We will see you again at the coronation.”

“You were absolutely beautiful today. I truly hope we may meet again.”

Today’s gathering ended with another shower of compliments.

Ellie had become fairly dignified in how she received praise.

At first, she was so happy that she squealed “Kyaa!” but now she lifted her chin like a grown-up and looked down elegantly.

Then people bowed even lower and said even nicer things.

“It seems you enjoyed today’s meeting as well.”

“Yeah!”

Ever since Ellie had met people her own age, her schedule had been packed full of meetings, meetings, and more meetings.

“Tomorrow, five noble ladies are scheduled to visit.”

“Ooong.”

“Since they’re adult ladies, we’ll need to pay a bit more attention to your dress than today.”

After meeting so many people these past few days, Ellie had learned how important outward appearance was.

People came to meet her dressed in dazzling outfits, as if competing not to be outdone by each other.

They checked what the others wore, how they decorated themselves—Ellie could see it clearly.

Naturally, Ellie began paying more attention to her dresses and decorations as well.

That alone kept her busy enough that she hardly had time to think about anything else.

“After your nap, the tailor will come show you some ribbon designs.”

“Okay.”

“I asked them to prepare options for your favorite royal ribbon.”

“Great!”

Thinking about the royal ribbon made Ellie answer with energy.

Madam Laval and the attendants around them smiled as well.

At first, Ellie had only kept Madam Laval at her side, but the number of followers had steadily grown.

“Oh my, a royal ribbon! How wonderful for you, Your Highness.”

“I think I’ll try wearing a royal ribbon next time too.”

“Should we all wear royal ribbons and go on a picnic together?”

With more people came more opinions.

They were people who filled Ellie’s every day with fun.

Is this really okay?

Having fun was nice, but as she kept going along with whatever people pushed her into, she felt like she was walking the same path Princess Ellia once took.

But there was nothing Ellie could do right now.

She was too young, and she didn’t know enough.

There was no one like her brother who taught her things.

What am I supposed to do?

Whenever she asked, all she heard was, “Your Highness only needs to enjoy each day happily!”

She knew that wasn’t right, but she didn’t know how to get out.

“Your Highness!”

As Ellie followed the crowd while worrying, a middle-aged man blocked her path.

“Eeek!”

He looked scary.

A big build, fierce eyes. Unlike the other nobles, he wore simple, neat clothing instead of fancy ones.

“Marquis Simon.”

People recognized him and called his name first.

“Yes. I am Marquis Simon, Your Highness.”

Marquis Simon stepped forward and bowed politely to Ellie.

He was more than three times Ellie’s size. Even bowing politely, his presence was intimidating enough to make her flinch.

On top of that, his expression was frightening.

Ellie was scared out of her wits. But she did not hide behind Madam Laval.

I’m the king!

Her jaw trembled in fear, but she clenched her fists and stood firm.

Seeing that, Marquis Simon showed an unexpected reaction.

“I apologize, Your Highness. Did I frighten you?”

He looked like the type who would yell even at Ellie if necessary, but what came instead was a respectful apology.

Ellie was so startled that she couldn’t speak—she only blinked.

“Of course she was frightened!”

“If you wanted to see Her Highness, you should have sent word ahead and requested a proper visit! What is this nonsense!”

People scolded him harshly in Ellie’s place.

They had all stood in line and waited long just to meet Ellie. Anyone would be angry about someone cutting in like this.

“You people line up for useless things like this, and that leaves no time to discuss anything important! Yet you dare raise your voices, when you’re the ones blocking Her Highness’s insight!”

Marquis Simon did not back down.

His deep, booming voice roared down the corridor like it would split the walls apart.

Ellie’s shoulders flinched and curled in.

“W-what?! Blocking insight? Could you watch your language? How can you speak like that in front of our young Highness!”

“These people are bad people, Your Highness!”

Marquis Simon immediately took the protests in stride and rephrased his words in gentler language, adjusted to Ellie’s eye level.

“……”

He said it more politely… but people felt like they’d somehow been insulted twice as much. Their expressions went blank.

In that moment, Marquis Simon swiftly dropped to one knee before Ellie.

“I apologize. I believed it was urgent, so I behaved rudely to speak with you. Please forgive me.”

“U-uhm… okay….”

Ellie nodded because she felt like he might not leave her alone if she didn’t forgive him.

“…Oh? Marquis Simon?”

Then something clicked.

She had heard that name before—was he that Marquis Simon?!

Marquis Simon was the one who held the key to Ellie’s survival.

“Marquis Simon?!”

“Yes, I am Marquis Simon.”

Marquis Simon was, in short, “the man who always said harsh truths.”

He appeared throughout the entire novel, never failing to scold someone.

Princess Ellia always let his words go in one ear and out the other. And later, she regretted it.

‘If only I’d listened to Marquis Simon then…’

Which meant, in reverse—

If I just listen to Marquis Simon, I’ll survive safely!

If she wanted to stop the world’s destruction someday, she first needed to survive the throne without getting thrown out.

Ellie’s eyes shone like a cat seeing a fish.

Her fear of the man who suddenly appeared shouting vanished instantly.

If keeping Marquis Simon close and listening to him meant she’d make it to the end, then who cared about a loud voice?

You’re mine now, mister!

Marquis Simon, unaware of Ellie’s inner plotting, spoke seriously and solemnly.

“May I, with great humility, offer one piece of advice.”

“Yes! Anything!”

Ellie was ready to listen to absolutely everything.

Her eager reaction startled Marquis Simon.

What is this…?

Whenever the words “with humility” and “advice” showed up, people normally tensed up. Naturally—they expected unpleasant truths.

Marquis Simon had addressed Princess Ellia like this only once before.

On her sixth birthday—when she had thrown a tantrum demanding another child’s pretty hairpin, crying, screaming, rolling on the ground and swimming her arms and legs across the floor.

And that happened during the exact moment the king and queen stepped away for an urgent report.

‘It’s Elliaaaa’s!’

‘No, it’s mineee!’

Among kids, status didn’t matter as much as it did to adults.

Even if she was a princess, the other kid refused to hand over their favorite thing.

The parents tried persuading their child to give it up, but it didn’t work.

Marquis Simon, unable to watch any longer, said only one sentence:

“Taking something you want from someone else doesn’t make you a princess—it makes you a thief.”

Princess Ellia had been so shocked she nearly fainted.

After that, whenever she saw even Marquis Simon’s shadow, she ran.

And Marquis Simon, feeling he had been too harsh with a child, hid himself whenever possible.

But today, he could not avoid this.

Those damn scheming snakes!

She was only newly seven. A child far too young to run a nation.

It was still an age where playing was more important—yet she was someone who would be king.

He could not allow her to be surrounded by people feeding her only sweets and flattery.

So he gathered courage, prepared to be chased out if necessary!

But to his confusion, the princess was ready—eager—to listen.

Still baffled, he opened his mouth.

He tried to aim for gentle words. Soften them. Make them less painful.

“Your Highness, while you spend your days playing, eating, and resting… who do you think is governing this country?”

Why did his mouth always run in the same direction as his heart?!

As soon as he spoke, Marquis Simon felt despair.

This mouth! This cursed mouth!

“So, what I mean is—Your Highness must now bear the weight of this nation… No, that sounds too heavy. All the citizens of this country rely on your guidance. …No, that sounds too burdensome too, doesn’t it?”

Marquis Simon began sweating coldly.

“Marquis Simon… even I think that was a bit harsh. Our princess has only just finished the funeral. Her injuries from the accident haven’t fully healed either. For now, it is important she rests both body and heart.”

Madam Laval stepped forward to scold him.

If another noble had said it, he would’ve scoffed, but Madam Laval cherished Ellie more than anyone.

Marquis Simon was defenseless against Madam Laval.

“…My impatience got the better of me.”

“She has only just turned seven. Everything has its time. Rushing won’t make a newborn walk, after all.”

“Yes… that is true…”

Marquis Simon seemed to shrink with every word.

Madam Laval also looked like she was getting angrier as she spoke; she seemed ready to step forward completely—

“No. Marquis Simon is right.”

At that moment, Ellie lifted her hand and stopped Madam Laval.