Duke Shanen’s Residence
Lianne Shanen, all dressed up, came out to board the carriage that was waiting for her as usual.
“Are you going to the imperial palace?”
The Duke of Shanen called out as she prepared to leave.
“It’s a day for lessons today.”
“You must be doing well. You need to make sure she follows only you.”
“I know. If there are no people around the princess, she’ll rely more on me. For now, it’s important to have time alone with her.”
“Be careful not to cause any problems, even if things don’t go well.”
This was all about taking advantage of the emperor’s absence.
If they could capture the princess’s heart during this time, they could push forward. But if not, they would have to quietly bury it, as if nothing had happened.
“The emperor cherishes the princess deeply, so if she says she needs a mother, he won’t be able to turn a blind eye. No matter what happens, you need to completely win the princess over before the emperor returns.”
It would be far too dangerous to irritate the emperor in a half-done situation.
“…We need to finish this before the emperor returns.”
Making the princess follow her completely within such a limited time was not an easy task.
“Don’t worry. I always make sure of it whenever I go.”
This is why the duke went to such lengths to acquire the hairpin.
“It seems to be working.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
“Lianne.”
She turned around when the duke called out to her just before boarding the carriage. His advice was getting long and bothersome.
“Don’t expect the emperor’s heart. Just gaining the princess’s heart will be enough for you to get everything you want.”
Lianne had always garnered attention since childhood, but even now, she had yet to marry and was growing older.
The duke had warned that if she delayed any longer, she wouldn’t be able to show her face in society, but she didn’t want to marry someone unsatisfactory.
“Do you really think I still want that?”
Lianne chuckled bitterly and climbed into the carriage.
In her younger days, she had admired the emperor.
But now, no such innocent feelings remained.
All she desired now was the honor of becoming empress, nothing more.
“It took me too long to find my way back.”
If that woman hadn’t suddenly intervened…
If she hadn’t proposed an alliance to the Emperor on the condition of marriage, she wouldn’t have ended up like this.
She would have already become the Empress and held her position.
The thought of her, who only got in her way but ended up dying anyway, still makes her feel uncomfortable every time she recall it.
Although it’s too late, she must reclaim her place now.
In truth, she never had any feelings for Violyana, the daughter of the former Empress. But if it means she can become Empress, she can tolerate that much.
“Tsk. What can I do? Even so, once I become Empress, I must embrace her.”
That’s the dignity required of an Empress.
***
Lianne had completely taken over the imperial palace within just a few days.
Monia still took care of me, but Lianne watched from the side, criticizing every little thing.
How can you serve the princess so poorly?
You have no taste; that’s why this is all you can manage.
She eventually intervened herself, bossing Monia around as if she were her maid.
Whenever I tried to say something, Monia would give an awkward smile and simply say it was her own fault, that it was fine.
The changes that came after Lianne appeared weren’t limited to that.
“Monia, isn’t Serdin coming today?”
I hadn’t seen Serdin recently.
Even when he couldn’t stay long, he used to at least stop by to show his face briefly.
And if that wasn’t possible, he would always contact Monia through Hugo.
There was hardly a time when Serdin couldn’t come to see me.
“That’s not the case, but he probably won’t come today.”
Monia’s response was vague. When she answered like that, it often meant there was something difficult to tell me.
Hmm. I crossed my arms and watched her rolling eyes carefully.
“Did Lianne say something?”
“Not exactly…”
She definitely did say something.
It seemed Lianne intended to isolate me by pushing everyone around me away.
“From now on, Prince Serdin won’t be meeting with the princess. Even if he comes, just send him back. Understood?”
It was obvious she had made some sort of threat.
I was sure Monia didn’t agree with her, but because I followed Lianne, she probably couldn’t speak out against her.
Serdin also hadn’t been able to visit because of Lianne.
“Would you like to go see Prince Serdin?”
Monia cautiously asked for my opinion.
“Well, I do miss him since he hasn’t been around… but…”
I pretended to hesitate for a moment, then shook my head.
“No, if Lianne said so, there’s nothing I can do.”
“Huh? Really?”
“Lianne did it for me, didn’t she?”
“……”
Monia’s expression became rather complicated at my reaction.
It was at that moment.
“As expected, the princess understands my intentions well.”
Lianne entered just then, whether she had just arrived or had been listening by the door, it was perfectly timed.
She approached with a triumphant expression and wrapped her arms around my shoulders.
Her interference in my life had only just begun.
“Why is Lady Shanen with you?”
“I thought it was necessary to discuss the princess’s lessons.”
Lightly, who was in charge of my language lessons, showed discomfort when Lianne appeared.
However, Lianne casually took the seat beside me.
Lightly gazed at Lianne for a moment before closing the book he had opened, and then spoke.
“No one except His Majesty is allowed to attend the princess’s lessons.”
It was a polite way of telling her to leave, but Lianne lightly ignored it.
Instead, she deflected Lightly’s sharp gaze with a smooth smile.
“Since I’m in charge of the princess’s etiquette and refinement lessons, I feel that it’s too early for her to have academic classes. Right now, it’s important for her to master the basics.”
Lianne began to interfere with other lessons besides the etiquette class she was in charge of, all while pretending to act in my best interest with seemingly reasonable explanations.
Of course, I scoffed inwardly.
This was all just to show how clever I was.
Besides, every time I was taught something, I felt a great sense of accomplishment, as I absorbed knowledge beyond what was taught.
“My lessons have already been approved by His Majesty. You can’t just intervene as you please.”
“Hmm, then why don’t we ask the princess?”
Lianne turned to me and suddenly held my face in her hands.
Lianne’s grip was so strong that my face got squished like dough.
Ugh. Move your hands away.
I tried flailing my arms, but instead of pulling back, Lianne leaned in even closer.
“Oh dear, are you okay, Princess? Don’t be scared. It seems like I might have sounded harsh.”
Lianne spoke with a serious, concerned tone.
Of course, it was all fake.
She was just trying to scold Lightly and make him feel uneasy.
“How could you speak so harshly? You’ve frightened the princess.”
Lianne gave him a sharp glance as she scolded him.
“Ahem.”
Lightly awkwardly cleared his throat.
Lianne had blocked his view, so he couldn’t see my face.
‘She’s trying to steer things in her favor like this.’
Still sticking close to me, Lianne continued to speak.
“Princess, would you like to rest for a bit? I’ll handle everything here. Don’t worry.”
She probably planned to pressure Lightly as soon as I left the room.
I could see through her intentions clearly.
But having some time alone wasn’t so bad.
Lightly, I’ll explain everything to you later, I promise!
“Okay!”
I cheerfully nodded and left the room, just as Lianne wanted.
***
Phew. Finally, I can breathe.
“Faking it like I’m happy is such hard work.”
Lately, she had been trying not to leave my side at all.
At least she went home in the evenings, thank goodness.
Lightly wouldn’t easily give in to Lianne’s nonsense.
Naturally, their argument would drag on… so I thought I’d have plenty of time to stroll around leisurely when…
“As I thought, you’re alone today.”
“Ah! You scared me!”
Suddenly, Serdin appeared.
“What? How did you get here?”
“I just waited.”
Serdin rolled his eyes, then cautiously asked.
“You’re not just going to let her be, are you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re going to get rid of her, right?”
Serdin wasn’t asking for my opinion; he was sure of it. Somehow, I felt like admitting it now would make me seem really mean.
“What do you think of me!”
It’s like he was saying I’ve been watching and enjoying the show just to kick her out in the end!
“Huh? Well, you…”
Serdin started to say something as if it were obvious, then hurriedly shut his mouth.
“What do you mean, me?”
You better give the right answer. I shot him a fierce look with my eyes.
He rolled his eyes again before shamelessly flashing an innocent smile.
“You’re the only princess of this country, precious and valuable, smart and capable.”
“And?”
I wasn’t going to let it slide that easily.
“Hmm. And…”
His eyes spun as he tried hard to come up with something. Seriously, after all that thinking, you still couldn’t come up with anything?
“Hmph.”
I turned my head sharply, sticking out my lips in a pout. I glanced at Serdin, who was nervously watching me, and finally spoke up.
“Still, it’s true I don’t want to see her anymore.”
Just as Serdin had guessed, I never intended to accept Lianne in the first place. I was just watching to see how far she would go.
“I don’t like how she treats Monia, who I care about.”
“That’s it?”
“Hmm?”
“Is Monia the only reason you don’t like her? No other reason?”
When I looked back, Serdin was staring at me with bright, expectant eyes. Why was he looking at me like that? What was he expecting?
Ah, he’s such a child. I guess there’s no helping it.
I had to give him a little sweet candy, like a kid needing attention.
“I also don’t like that she keeps me from playing with you.”
“Right?”
Serdin’s face lit up immediately. He can be surprisingly simple at times like this.
“I’ll help too.”
Serdin was brimming with enthusiasm.
