A Transmigrated Princess's Guide To A Fluffy Royal Life!
Chapter 24: Speak Freely, No formalities

Chapter 24: Speak Freely, No formalities

Marcus studied her face. "Because you’re the only one who wouldn’t misuse it."

That made her blink.

"I know our brothers love you. But Leo would experiment on it, Lance would try to weaponize it, Jared would write a song about it, and Lucien... would probably try to report it to the royal council."

Evelisse gave a tiny nod. "I’d keep it safe."

"I know you would." Marcus held out his pinky.

Her eyes sparkled as she wrapped hers around his. "Pinky promise?"

"Pinky promise."

They shook gently, solemn as royals swearing an oath.

Then Marcus leaned in. "You can’t tell them yet. Not until I figure it out. Promise?"

"Promise," she whispered.

He looked relieved. "Besides, if anyone asks, you were just in the music wing looking for choir practice schedules."

"I was?" she asked, confused.

"You are now."

She smirked. "You’re really good at covering my tracks."

Marcus chuckled. "It’s part of the older brother contract. Comes with the territory."

"Is there a sibling tax?"

"Yes," he said gravely. "Emotional support isn’t free."

Evelisse reached into her sleeve and pulled out a candy-wrapped ribbon. "Payment, my liege."

[♡ Affection Points Increased: +10]

[Total points accumulated so far: 740♡]

He took it solemnly and tucked it into his pocket. "Accepted."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment. The sunlight caught in Evelisse’s hair like spun flames.

"I still can’t believe I *heard* that," she muttered.

Marcus coughed. "Yeah... sorry about that."

"They didn’t even lock the door!"

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "You think locking a door stops true love?"

She turned slowly to stare at him.

He blinked. "Okay, yes, I hate myself for saying that too."

Fluffy wheezed. "I’m going to make a trauma scrapbook. Page one: this day."

Marcus stood and offered her his hand. "Come on. Let’s get you back before brother Lucien sends in a search party with smoke bombs."

"Would he really?"

"Brother Lucien? Probably with backup plans and marching formations."

Evelisse groaned but accepted his hand and stood. "Let’s go."

"And remember—"

"I *was* looking for choir schedules."

"Exactly."

Just then, the distant chime of a bell rang through the palace—a soft melodic tone, polite but firm.

"Oh no," Evelisse groaned. "That’s the dinner bell, isn’t it?"

Marcus rose and offered her a hand. "Let’s go before Lucien sends a rescue party armed with moral lectures and curfews."

"I hope not, if he brings another scroll of etiquette, I’m going to hide in the pastry closet."

Together, they walked toward the grand hall.

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

And as they turned the final corner—

They saw it.

The long table. Candles glowing.

Every sibling seated in place.

Queen Seraphina sat at one end, dressed in a completely different gown, looking utterly composed as if she hadn’t just been—

King Aldric sat at the other.

Tall. Regal. Stoic.

And his eyes—sharp and curious—turned directly to Evelisse.

Marcus whispered, "Smile. You look like you saw a ghost."

"I saw worse."

"Don’t say ’horizontal diplomacy’ at dinner." Fluffy coughed.

’Ewww! I wasn’t going to!’

Their parents watched them approach.

Everyone went quiet.

Fluffy whispered, "I’m not ready for this."

Evelisse stood straighter, brushing her hair back.

King Aldric raised his goblet slowly... and smiled.

His smile was not wide, but it held weight—like a gate slowly easing open after being locked too long. The sharp lines of his face softened just a touch as he lowered his goblet.

"Welcome," he said simply.

Queen Seraphina offered a small, approving nod, her hands folded gracefully on the table. She wore a flowing lilac gown now, no trace of earlier fluster, no crease out of place. If not for the faint glow to her cheeks, Evelisse might’ve wondered if she imagined the entire... incident.

Marcus gave Evelisse the smallest nudge. She straightened, squared her shoulders, and bowed her head.

"Good evening, Father. Good evening, Mother."

Her voice was delicate, respectful—how a princess of seven summers should speak.

Marcus gave a small half-bow, then guided Evelisse to her seat. The table was long and grand, candles flickering in crystal holders.

Queen Seraphina smiled faintly as Evelisse sat beside Felix.

Felix leaned in and whispered, "Snugglewuff is being treated to a royal spa session. Apparently, the veteran royal groomer wanted to make sure his fur glows like the moon."

Evelisse blinked. "A spa?"

"Yup. The works. Brushed, bathed, perfumed. We can visit him after dinner. I’ll take you."

She smiled. "Thank you, Brother Felix."

"Anything for the Royal Fluff and our princess."

Across the table, Leo leaned toward Lance and whispered something. Lance snorted.

"Let the meal begin," Queen Seraphina said gently.

Servants moved like clockwork, placing polished silver platters along the long obsidian table. Aromas of roasted lavender duck, honey-glazed carrots, and steaming white sage rice filled the hall. Crystal goblets caught the candlelight like rainbow prisms.

Her father didn’t match the shadowy figure she’d overheard. No harsh edge. No cold detachment. Instead, he watched her mother with quiet softness. Every now and then, he’d glance down the table, his gaze lingering on each of his children. When his eyes met Evelisse’s again, he gave a faint nod.

She nodded back shyly. ’So he really is my father. This doesn’t feel fake... but then, what was that version of him from earlier?’

Fluffy whispered inside her mind, ’Two people can exist in one. The one who rules, and the one who eats dinner with family.’

She twitched slightly, almost smiling. ’That’s wise. Who taught you that?’

’Probably a teacup. Or the diary of a traumatized butler. I read a lot.’

Felix offered her another bread roll. She accepted.

Evelisse took a peek on her father again. There was something behind King Aldric’s eyes now. Something softer. Wariness, maybe. Or effort.

He reached for the bread basket, hesitated, and instead cleared his throat.

"I believe I’ve missed... quite a lot."

No one answered at first. Jared coughed into his goblet.

Aldric continued, "So. I would hear from each of you. Tell me what I’ve missed. Speak freely. No need for formalities."

Seraphina smiled faintly at that. "You’ll regret saying that."