The Two Babies Changing the Original Story Chapter 18

“Your Highness…?”

“Oh my, Princess?”

“I’m the king now.”

Ellie lifted her chin, clenching both fists tightly.

“I’m going to take responsibility.”

Ellie knew what responsibility meant.

She had never been responsible for anything in her life so far. But she could learn from now on.

Princess Ellia had been chased off the throne because she lacked that responsibility. Responsibility was extremely important.

Lately she had no choice but to focus on dresses and decorations because she had been meeting so many people. But hearing Marquis Simon’s words reminded her that something far more important existed.

“What should I do first!”

Ellie overflowed with enthusiasm.

And the one who told her all this was Marquis Simon. Whatever he said wouldn’t harm her.

“Y-Your Highness…!”

Marquis Simon was once again deeply moved by Ellie’s fiery determination.

Long years of hearing things like, “Do you even have emotions?”, “If you keep talking like that, someone’s going to stab you someday.”

People who spoke the truth were always hated.

Yet this tiny little princess was sincerely listening to his words.

Loyalty flared up inside him.

“I am moved that Your Highness understands my intentions. However, Madam Laval is also correct. I was impatient and failed to consider Your Highness’s condition properly.”

“I already said I’m fine!”

Ellie thumped her chest, urging him on.

She had only been wandering because no one guided her—but she had always been desperately seeking the path to becoming a good king.

She couldn’t end up ruined like Princess Ellia, who spent her days playing and doing nothing.

If Marquis Simon disappeared now because he was pushed out by bad people, she would lose a precious opportunity.

“B-but…”

Already shrunken from everyone’s scolding, Marquis Simon hesitated to speak.

He looked like he might run away, and Ellie panicked.

She reached out and grabbed his thick forearm with both hands.

You’re not getting away!

Marquis Simon jolted as if he’d been rammed by an ox.

Thump.

That was the sound of his heart dropping.

“I’m eating snacks with Marquis Simon!”

Ellie even proposed a dramatic private audience.

“Eat snacks with me and talk!”

Marquis Simon was so moved—and overwhelmed by her cuteness—that he nearly cried.

“It is the greatest honor!”

 

 

****

 

 

“So, what should I do?”

Marquis Simon felt a fresh wave of emotion at Ellie’s enthusiasm.

“There is no need to rush. One thing at a time, step by step…”

“But I want to become a cool, amazing king quickly!”

Ellie clenched her fists again.

In truth, Ellie had another reason besides surviving in this world—she wanted to establish herself splendidly.

‘I’ll be as cool as Duke Bernd!’

Creating a mage corps was a distant dream.

But even being king was as cool as leading a knight order.

Maybe then Duke Bernd would say Ellie was amazing too.

‘If I become king, I can apologize to Cleus again as a king.’

Maybe that would thaw his frozen heart.

Ellie had a plan.

Marquis Simon, who had no way of knowing any of this, teared up at how admirable she was.

“To think Your Highness is already so outstanding… The future of Nerendis is bright!”

“Mmh…”

Her conscience pricked her—just a little.

“First, instead of meeting just anyone and playing, you must meet the people involved in the coronation and the Minister of Justice.”

“Minister of Justice?”

“Yes. For Your Highness to become king, legal procedures are required.”

“…Hmm?”

It was time for an explanation at her level.

Seeing Ellie’s blank stare, Marquis Simon tried again.

“You may lose the throne.”

“What?!”

His explanation at her level was a success.

Ellie jumped up in shock, shouting.

“What are you saying? Treason?! Is that what you mean?!”

Madam Laval, who had been listening beside her, became furious as well.

“N-no, not quite to that extent…”

He had tried to simplify things and ended up skipping too much.

Flustered, Marquis Simon waved his hands.

“Then what is it?! If our princess, the only heir of the late king, is not allowed to become king, that is treason!”

“She will sit on the throne. But if someone else ends up acting as king, isn’t that the same as losing it?”

“!”

Madam Laval, who had been raging, fell silent.

That was entirely possible.

While the two adults argued, Ellie was recalling the novel’s plot on her own.

‘Princess Ellia didn’t know anything, so she thought she had to leave everything to others.’

Because of that, her life as king had been peaceful and fun.

Just like her childhood, she only received what people gave her, and whenever something important needed to be done, others helped her.

Otherwise, she chose pretty dresses, received praise, ate delicious things, and had fun.

Her brother had sighed heavily while reading that part.

‘You have to secure your own position. If you leave it to others, one day you’ll lose it.’

He had said it understandingly—he was a kid too, so he knew that was just how she was—but the frustration hadn’t left him, and he had sighed more than usual.

‘It’s now!’

Ellie realized this was the moment she had to secure her own place.

“The throne is mine.”

Ellie declared greedily.

Pure desire—like a child eyeing the strawberry on top of a cake. It burned hot and bright.

“Of course!”

Marquis Simon was fired up as well.

“Naturally!”

Madam Laval glared fiercely in agreement.

These two, at least, were not the type to steal Princess Ellia’s things.

They could be trusted… though not quite as much as her brother.

“Then let’s ask the Minister of Justice for a meeting!”

Ellie jumped up, full of energy.

“Let us do so!”

Marquis Simon was the type who charged ahead once the fire was lit.

Madam Laval was no less intense.

“I’ll pick a dress fit for receiving an official!”

Everyone steeled their resolve in their own roles.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

“Is he sick?”

But an unexpected reply returned from the Minister of Justice.

Ellie thought he would come running the moment she asked to see him, but instead a letter arrived saying, “I’m ill and cannot enter the palace for the time being.”

“That’s impossible. Just yesterday he was drinking himself silly and partying at Lady Welluna’s—”

“Marquis Simon.”

Madam Laval pressed her foot firmly onto his to warn him.

Her voice was gentle, but the weight behind her foot was anything but.

“…My apologies. I heard that he was having a grand time at a party yesterday. So he cannot possibly be sick.”

Marquis Simon quickly corrected his words.

But the behavior of the Minister of Justice—clearly avoiding them—still made his jaw clench in anger.

“He could be sick even if he played yesterday.”

A person could suddenly fall ill.

At Ellie’s innocent remark, Marquis Simon shook his head gloomily.

“I doubt that is the case. It seems he’s stalling for time so he can try something before the coronation.”

“Try something?”

“It means bad people are already gathering to take the throne from Your Highness.”

That’s what it meant?!

“Then we should hurry too!”

“Yes… we must also quickly find allies who will strongly support Your Highness.”

From an adult’s perspective, the situation was a tangled power struggle filled with shifting factions.

Ellie existed, but the throne was still empty. Possibilities were wide open.

Deals were surely being made in secret, and people were choosing sides based on gain and loss.

But a child’s eyes were simple.

“Huh? Before the bad people gather, we can just go to the Minister of Justice’s house first.”

“…Ah…?”

Marquis Simon, who had been overthinking everything, froze on the spot.

“He’s sick, right? We can visit him and talk. Or… is he at the hospital?”

“H-heh! Such a method existed!”

“?”

Marquis Simon burst into laughter at Ellie’s clear, simple solution.

A princess visiting a sick official was something to be honored, not criticized.

And if the Minister of Justice became moved and leaned toward Ellie’s side, even better.

His grown-up, crooked thinking had almost made the situation needlessly complicated.

“It’s a splendid idea! And surprises are always best without warning, so how about we don’t send notice and just barge in?”

Marquis Simon took her idea and pushed it even further.

 

 

 

*****

 

 

 

Ellie stepped out of the carriage holding a bouquet as big as her torso.

She stood in front of the carriage and stared up at the thin, bespectacled man who had come out to greet her.

“Are you the Minister of Justice?”

The Minister of Justice, Marundial, hurriedly bowed his head.

“Huh—yes! I never imagined Your Highness would personally come. Marundial, Minister of Justice, at your service.”

A hot, nervous sweat streamed down Marundial’s back as he bowed.