Baby Pharmacist Princess

“Just be yourself.”

“But I want to get along well…”

I lowered my head slightly, fiddling with my small fingers.

Then the Prince let out another of his frequent sighs.

“They are not the kind to dislike you just because they suddenly have a younger sibling. They are not that childish.”

“Dad, what if they feel like Cherry has been taken away from them?”

“I’ve never thought of that… Those boys are only interested in each other, so don’t worry.”

“Oh.”

He was basically saying they were too self-absorbed to care about me.

‘I get it now.’

That’s a relief.

I had been worried, but now I feel more at ease.

‘But why hasn’t he said he’ll adopt me yet?’

With everything that’s been said, it seems certain he wants to adopt me.

‘Maybe he’s planning a surprise party or something?’

Oh no, if that’s the case, I’ve been so clueless!

I’m not sure if my guess is right, but if it is, I have to act really surprised when it happens.

Until then, I’ll keep quiet and wait.

‘Because a surprise party loses its fun if the surprise is ruined!’

Thinking that, I played with my teddy bear until the Prince quietly asked me a question.

“What does Dad mean to you?”

“Um…”

Let’s see.

I wasn’t sure how to answer since he asked so suddenly.

In my memories, Dad was always someone in a smelly and unpleasant space.

I remember him smiling kindly at me, but I’m not even sure if that’s real.

It could be a fantasy created by my mind wanting to believe that.

Anyway, I tilted my head and spoke.

“He brushes my hair.”

“Your hair?”

“Yes. He braids it into two pigtails. And he buys me delicious things…”

“I see. What else?”

“He lets me sit on his lap. Like this. And he hugs me tight.”

What I was saying were just things I envied.

When I heard stories from girls who were close to their dads, they said their dads did these things.

Of course, now I was already sitting on the Prince’s lap, so I wasn’t envious of that.

“Oh, and we go shopping.”

“Shopping?”

“We go to the amusement park too…”

“I don’t even know what that is.”

As he listened seriously, the Prince’s brows furrowed more deeply.

It’s true that it’s rare for a dad to walk around the shopping district with his daughter so cheerfully.

Going to the amusement park might be something a little girl could do, but only if her mom was around.

Dad and daughter going alone seems unlikely.

‘I don’t think there’s even an amusement park in this world.’

After thinking for a while, I simply said,

“He’s nice and pretty. He does a lot for me.”

“I see. A father must do all these difficult things.”

The Prince sighed again.

It seemed I had listed too many unrealistic things.

‘Someone who didn’t even do these things for his own children.’

The Prince now looked very displeased.

He was frowning and stroking his chin.

Today he wore a crisp white shirt and neatly pressed trousers, with a stylish jacket draped over his broad shoulders.

His wine-colored hair was casually brushed back, and his deep eyes held a cool expression.

Not words like passion or ardor, but chic and autumn-like.

Watching him, it almost felt like I could smell the scent of fallen leaves.

“But you don’t have to do all that.”

I hugged the teddy bear tightly and glanced at the Prince.

“Just be on my side… even if I do something wrong. That’s enough.”

“That’s easy.”

“Really?”

“You never do wrong. Everything the Princess does is right.”

Ah, so that’s how it is.

What an arrogant and very royal statement.

I nodded and raised another finger.

“If anyone bullies me, could you punish them?”

“Bullies you?”

Life is full of unfair moments.

Situations where it’s hard to complain but you feel deeply upset.

I have dealt with them alone, venting with my friends, but still.

Maybe it’s because I never had a dad, but I used to dream about it.

A dream where Dad shows up and punishes those who bully me.

I manage fine on my own, but sometimes you need someone to lean on.

‘Not necessarily a boyfriend coming to my rescue.’

Dad would be… different.

“If something like that happens.”

“Yes.”

“Alright. It’s not a pleasant thought.”

The Prince seemed to be about to say something but stopped.

From his expression, I had a good idea of what he was thinking.

‘Probably something like ‘unsuitable for children under 15,’ right?’

Imagining this made me feel a bit better, and I giggled.

The Prince looked at me with a blank face.

“Anything else?”

“Hmm, well…”

“You have a lot to say.”

Geez.

He’s the one who told me to speak, and now he’s making fun of me.

I puffed up my cheeks and folded another finger.

“Don’t die before me.”

“Well, that’s a bit difficult. I don’t want to become a monster like my great-grandfather.”

True, in the natural order of things, parents pass away before their children.

But still.

“Then, at least not too early…”

There are so many medicines in the world, but none for Dad.

If there had been proper medicine, could he have lived a bit longer?

What can a doctor do when there is no cure?

‘The reason I became a pharmacist and entered the Parthas Research Institute.’

I wanted to create a cure for the rare disease my Dad had.

“That’s not a face a child should be making.”

It was then.

“Eek!”

The Prince lifted his finger, and my body floated in the air!

Before I knew it, I wasn’t on his knee anymore but snugly in his arms.

“Stay there.”

“…?”

Could it be?

Did he hug me because I said Dad hugs his daughter tight?!

“It’s cold.”

“…Oh, yes.”

No, it’s just to use me as a human heater.

Or a warm water bottle.

‘But there’s a roaring fireplace over there.’

It’s not cold at all!

‘The Prince must get cold easily.’

Winter is coming soon, so what will he do then?

‘When winter comes… maybe I should make him some ginger honey tea.’

I want to give back since I’ve received so much.

I stared blankly at the mesmerizing, flickering orange flames, then settled into a comfortable position in his arms.

Since I’m already being held, I might as well get cozy.

Pat, pat.

The Prince’s hand gently patted my back, careful and soft.

His gaze seemed indifferent, but I could see he was trying not to hurt me with too much pressure.

‘If only this were real.’

If I had no reason to go back…

Maybe I’d stay here as Princess Cherishe.

“Your Highness, there’s an urgent matter that requires your attention…”

How long had I been there?

Half-asleep, I caught the faint sound of a tiny voice.

Someone was outside the door.

“Your Highness, please… You must see this matter. Ugh.”

Poor thing.

If I can hear it, there’s no way the Prince can’t.

But he was completely and perfectly ignoring his attendants.

Flip.

The pages of the book turned indifferently.

With each turn, the attendants made desperate noises.

“Dad.”

“…”

“Dad! Aren’t you going to work?”

I daringly leaned my head against the Prince’s chest.

His gaze shifted toward me.

But I’m not scared of his eyes anymore.

“Cool Dad is good at work too.”

“Tch.”

With a slight scowl, the Prince clicked his tongue.

“Your Highness, please! Please just look at this… Huh?!”

Bang!

At that moment, the door swung open, and the waiting attendants tumbled in.

No, they actually piled up.

‘A human sandwich…’

I was so startled that I dropped the teddy bear I was holding.

The attendants, upon seeing me, started hiccuping in unison.

“Hiccup, hic!”

“She’s… alive, hic!”

“This is… hic! Unbelievable! Hic!”

Why are they acting like this?

The attendants were so shocked their eyes looked like they might pop out.

They couldn’t even speak properly.

I couldn’t understand them.

Tilting my head, I called out to them.

“Uncles…?”

Get a grip, guys.

“Ugh, a nosebleed! A nosebleed!”

“To meet the Princess who calls us uncles…!”

“My goodness, how can someone be this adorable just by breathing?!”

“Inhale cuteness! Exhale adorableness!”

Hey.

Uncles, your flattery is over the top.

Too much fawning can backfire.

I shook my head and clicked my tongue.

I know I’m cute, but not to the point where it causes this much fuss…?

‘But why does the Prince look so pleased…?’

Resting my head on his chest, I lifted my gaze, seeing his sharp chin and mouth.

Watching the corners of the Prince’s mouth twitch, I was convinced.

Your Highness, you really like flattery, don’t you?

* * *

A while later.

Prince Vikal looked down at the child who had fallen asleep in his arms, drooling slightly with her mouth open.

Her sleeping face was so cute it was almost comical.

She was so at ease in his arms, completely defenseless.

His sons were never this innocent, so for Vikal, this was a new and unfamiliar happiness.

‘After all, it’s best to sleep in Dad’s arms.’

Even the books on parenting, often referred to as ‘childcare manuals,’ said so.

The baby should be held and put to sleep by Dad.

And Vikal nearly worshiped those books.