Chapter 14

The time system in the child-rearing simulation game, Snow White Princess, was divided into four main phases.

The system was structured around the growth of Snow White, progressing in order from spring, summer, fall, and winter.

From age 5 to 10 was spring.

From age 10 to 15 was summer.

From age 15 to 20 was fall.

And finally, after age 20, came winter, which marked the ending.

Thus, except for the ending phase, ‘winter,’ each 5-year interval was named after a season.

In each season, there were ‘main events’ that had to be completed, with the goal of clearing these events as Snow White grew up.

Currently, the princess was 6 years old.

And soon, she was to turn 7 on her upcoming birthday.

Although the ‘main event’ for spring would happen on her 7th birthday, there was no need to worry about it. It was an early game event that could be cleared regardless of her progress.

Rather than an event, it was closer to a ‘declaration.’

What was more concerning than that event right now was…

…the princess’s ‘shy personality.’

In the original game, the princess was a mischievous one who had to play a prank daily, or she’d feel restless. But the princess I’d seen so far didn’t seem that way.

Perhaps due to the unusual circumstances absent from the game or the oppressive nature of the Marchioness, the princess’s ‘shy personality’ seemed quite severe. I wanted to help her become at least a little less timid before the summer phase, which started at age 10…

“Princess, don’t be afraid; come on up.”

I held out my hand to the princess from atop the boat, ready for a boat ride, but she shook her head furiously, hiding behind Ellie’s skirt.

Normally, if the princess was that unwilling, I’d have given up, but today, I couldn’t. This lake was the perfect place to test what Ainsel and I had practiced all night.

The princess, burying her face in Ellie’s skirt, wouldn’t even glance at me. I sighed softly, stepped off the boat, and approached her.

“Princess, do you dislike the idea of going on a boat ride with me?”

“N-No…”

“Then, are you scared of the boat? Or is it the lake?”

The princess glanced cautiously at the small boat. Holding Ellie’s skirt tightly, her grip seemed to tighten even more.

“Well, I suppose I have no choice.”

“Ah, ack!”

I slid my hands under her armpits, lifting her up in one quick motion. Startled, her eyes went wide with shock.

“I-I don’t want to! Ellie! Ellie..!!”

Dangling from my hands, the princess squirmed with tears in her eyes, calling for Ellie. Ellie, hearing the faint voice of the petite princess, flailed her hands anxiously.

“Y-Your Majesty…must we really go on the boat?”

“What would happen if she always let her fears rule her? Don’t worry, we’re not going far today.”

The princess squirmed so vigorously that I had to hug her tightly.

Perched on my arm, with her legs wrapped around my waist, she clung to me with her arms around my neck, as if to avoid looking at the lake altogether.

With each of her sniffles, I felt her tears wetting my shoulder.

Hugging her close, I climbed back onto the boat and seated her between my legs. Usually, people sat face-to-face, but given how scared she was, this arrangement was necessary.

“Ellie, we’ll be back soon, so please have something ready for the princess to drink later.”

“Are you sure it’s okay for just the two of you to go?”

Smiling slightly at Ellie’s worried expression, I glanced down at the princess. Curled up like a pill bug, she didn’t make any effort to move.

“Princess, shouldn’t you wave to Ellie before we go?”

Though she didn’t look up, she extended a hand from her tightly held knees and waved lightly to Ellie, who waved back.

“Well, then, let’s set off.”

“Ugh—”

The boat jolted as I started rowing, and I guided us to a spot far enough that others couldn’t overhear our conversation.

Rowing slowly, I parted the waters, reducing the rocking of the boat. Looking down at the princess nestled between my legs, I asked,

“Princess, would you lift your head? The scenery is beautiful.”

Having soaked her dress with tears on the way here, the princess slowly lifted her head, blinking her tear-filled eyes as if her vision was blurry.

“Take your time; it’s alright. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

I gently wiped her tear-streaked cheeks. She’d cried so much that my hand was damp, and I almost needed a handkerchief.

Taking a deep breath, she sat up straight and took in the scenery. Even though the lake was small, the view was still lovely.

The cool lake breeze brushed her skin, and the soft sound of the boat cutting through the water filled her ears. Her wide eyes took in the slowly shifting landscape and clear sky.

The princess no longer clutched her knees.

Relaxing her legs, she leaned against me and looked up at the sky as if trying to capture the slowly moving scenery.

“How is it? Not so scary, right?”

I smiled warmly, looking down at her. Blushing slightly from embarrassment at having just cried, she turned away, focusing on the surroundings instead.

Eventually, I rowed us to the ideal spot, not quite in the center of the lake but far enough from the shore to avoid any interruptions.

Now…it was time for the lesson.

“Princess, don’t lean out of the boat, but take a good look at the lake.”

-You remember what we practiced last night, don’t you?

Recalling everything Ainsel had taught me, I nodded slightly. Reaching my hand over the edge of the boat, I lightly tapped the still surface of the water with my finger.

Splash.

Something circulating within me flowed out through my fingers and into the lake. As it did, ripples spread outward from where my fingers touched, disturbing the reflected sky.

With each gentle splash, I felt something rise from my fingertips. Gradually, the water began forming into a small shape.

The figure that climbed up my arm from the water resembled a tiny mermaid, with the lower body of a fish and an adorable humanoid upper body.

-Did you call me?

“Yes, I did, Undine.”

As I stroked the tiny Undine with my finger, she giggled and rolled around on my palm. Placing her onto the princess’s hand, the princess looked up at me in awe.

“Your Majesty…are you a witch?”

“Huh?”

Caught off guard by her unexpected question, I tilted my head, looking down at the princess. Normally, I’d expect her to say, “You can see them too, Your Majesty!” or perhaps, “I…don’t know anything about this.”

But the princess, glancing up with a slight trace of anxiety, looked at me. Smiling gently, I held her hand in mine, observing Undine playing on her palm.

“Why do you think that?”

“It’s just…because the Marchioness said so…that things like this appear because I was cursed by a witch…that you cast a curse on me…so that’s why I see these things…”

“……”

Even now, she was trying to hold me back, that Marchioness.

Gently patting the princess’s head, I continued speaking.

“First of all, you’re not seeing these things because of a curse.”

“Really…?”

“Of course. It’s more like a blessing. Not just anyone can see these ‘beings.’ In this vast royal palace, only you and I can see them.”

As if to affirm my words, the Undine in her palm jumped excitedly. The princess watched her in delight, a soft smile gracing her lips.

“And besides, there aren’t only bad witches in the world. There are plenty of good ones, too.”

“…I can’t imagine it.”

Honestly, I can’t either.

I’d never met other witches, and the ones in the game were all somewhat…peculiar. But surely, there must be a kind witch out there somewhere.

Clearing my throat, I smiled warmly at the princess.

“Anyway, being able to see these isn’t some curse. And, why would I place a curse on you? What reason would I have to trouble a young child like you?”

“But…you did call me a ‘brat’ the other day…”

Vivian, you wretch.

To say such things to a six-year-old! Though I hadn’t said it myself, the situation left me at a loss for words, and I sighed slightly.

Turning the princess to face me, I saw her cheeks puff up in a pout, recalling that moment clearly.

“I’m…really sorry about that. Can you forgive me?”

I gently poked her puffy cheek with my finger, and with a soft “pfft,” the air rushed out. Her expression instantly wrinkled in a frown.

Though she seemed to have a lot to say, I pressed my finger to the furrow between her brows, smoothing it out as if indifferent to her scowl.

Maybe it tickled a bit, as her mouth gradually relaxed into a slight smile. Not missing the moment, I asked,

“Will you forgive me?”

“…Just this once.”

“Thank you.”

The princess reluctantly turned away from me and refocused on the Undine on her hand.

Undine, seemingly eager to cheer her up, spun and flipped across her palm, doing anything to entertain her.

Pointing at Undine, I resumed my lesson.

“Back to our topic…what do you think these beings are, Princess?”

“I’m not sure…The Marchioness called them evil spirits or demons.”

At her reply, I placed my hand on the lake’s surface again, releasing the ‘magic’ coursing through me into the lake. This time, clusters of small Undines clambered up my arm and spilled over onto the boat.

One, two, three—soon, over a dozen Undines gathered, each performing various little tricks, to the princess’s delighted “Wow!”

“These are fairies.”

As one of the bouncing Undines landed on her shoulder, she listened to my explanation, watching the fairy with rapt attention.

“In the future, I’ll teach you about ‘fairies’ in our lessons.”

Until the day you meet the Seven Dwarves.