“…”
What the. I almost lost my grip for a moment without realizing it.
He’s very natural.
The original story was even more chaotic after Redian’s identity was revealed. Even the ladies who passed by the crown prince fell ill with lovesickness… Of course.
Even though he lived in this basement without knowing anything, he was like this. I, who even have lived N lives and have a heart of steel, almost lost my mind for a moment.
“Would you believe me if I told you this place is better than that?”
“…”
“Right. It’s gorgeous there. It’s so dazzling that I can only think of a few things.”
I reminded myself of this every time I stood under the hot lights.
“There’s something my nanny has always said to me since I was young.”
“…”
“You should never cry, Lady.”
The memories that remained in Siani’s head.
“Even if you feel unfair, don’t make any excuses.”
A cold look on the nanny’s face. The cold atmosphere.
“Bite your tongue, straighten your back, and lift your chin.”
It was dawn when no one came.
“Even if someone whispers to the Princess that you’re a cursed witch…”
I smiled slightly at Redian.
“Please endure it until the end.”
There was a moment of silence. Redian’s blue eyes stayed with me for a long time.
“That’s what I think under those fancy lights. How fun and enjoyable can life be?”
Fortunately, the black leather gloves fit Redian perfectly. His fingers were straight and long, making him look even more attractive. Even though the design wasn’t that great, it’s still this cool. What would he be like to wear the emperor’s golden ring on this hand in the future?
“What are you thinking now?”
“Hmm…”
I looked down at the hand that looked amazingly good in gloves and said, “As expected, I have a good eye.”
Then I chuckled. I said it myself, but it seemed like my thoughts were becoming quite straightforward here.
“It looks good on you.”
“Thank you,” Redian replied briefly.
“So you know how to say thank you?”
“…Sometimes.”
When I asked as if I was surprised, Redian’s eyes narrowed.
“Do you forget my age?”
Oh, did I treat him like a child too much? I thought I was a bit like that. But I can’t help it. From my POV, having been possessed several times, he’s at a cute and adorable age.
“I don’t think there’s much age difference between us anyway,” Redian added.
How much of a difference is there? If I put all my life together, I was at an age where I could be promoted to god. I thought I was going to be on par with them, but…
“Anyway, train hard.” I turned around.
In fact, Siani and Redian were only one or two years apart. As he said, showing off about one’s age wasn’t the situation.
“Yes.” Redian nodded.
I almost said he was cute, but I don’t think he likes it, so I shouldn’t.
“Ah, and by the way.”
“…”
Redian looked down at my gloved hand and looked up.
“You’re probably more shining than me.”
“Pardon?”
“And you’re much better than me.”
He would have to endure a long list of things. Those words came out all the way to my throat.
This boy I’m talking to now will later become Redian Hyu Rixon. After overturning the noble council, destroying Duke Felicite and Grand Duke Benio, he placed them under his feet…
There was a lot of talk about whether he loved Luna.
The original <Summer Night’s Dance> was a completely impoverished novel, even the ending. It seemed like they wouldn’t tolerate a sudden happy ending, so they nailed it right until the end.
<You’re a monster that can’t love anyone. So, what’s good about being a crown princess to me?>
<You knew everything and started it anyway.>
That Redian never loved anyone with all his heart.
Well, me too.
I cursed at the crazy male lead throughout the novel. Still, when I actually got into it, I started to understand. The things that Redian has experienced since he was born. The torture in the basement. The bullying he suffered from Siani. When it came to love, it was natural he couldn’t feel that normal emotion. The real me in this body was broken a long time ago…
“I told you from the beginning.”
You could change anything.
“If you serve me as your master, I will not let anyone bother you anymore.”
However,
“I’ll get you out of here.”
Even though he might have waited for this, Redian didn’t answer. Instead, with an expressionless face… He was just looking at me.
* * *
“Hmm…”
I turned over the documents I received from Maze. Even though it was about Norma, there wasn’t much information, so I was able to go through them all in one go.
Francis, Inein, Vallentin, and Redian. I saw familiar names. Their childhoods were written next to them. Some were expelled from the royal family, and others survived after being pushed off a cliff.
“How is Vallentin these days?”
“Vallentin? He doesn’t have any training, so he spends most of his time behind bars.”
Maze groaned. “Princess saw him last time, didn’t you? He’s also a very temperamental guy.”
“That’s true, but…”
Vallentin was said to be a descendant of the royal family, and the image of Vallentin, who had unusual manners, came to mind. Even though he was violent, he quickly understood what I was saying and humbled himself. I didn’t think he would step forward and cause trouble unless I deliberately provoked him. Of course, this applies not only to Vallentin but also to everyone here.
“Release him.”
“…Pardon?”
“Isn’t there a medicine room inside this lab stocked with magic solutions and reagents?”
“Ah, yes. In addition to the medicine room used by researchers, several other places were created to spare us.”
“Let him play there.”
“P-play?”
Maze creaked as if he was broken. The expression ‘let him play’ was completely out of touch.
Vallentin was a man with a genius talent for mixing medicines. Especially a magic solution that even I, with a few hundred years of life experience, couldn’t handle. Didn’t he try to assassinate his brothers by making poison all by himself? If he used it for something other than assassination, it could be a sufficient ability.
“But if he causes an accident or does something unexpectedly…”
“You just need to put up a barrier around the medicine room. Don’t remove his restraints yet, but keep them on his wrists, not his neck.”
“Hm, I understand.” Maze, who was pondering for a moment, nodded to me as if he didn’t want to criticize my words.
“Ah, by the way, Princess. Did something happen inside?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your wrist…”
I looked down at my wrist. Red mark still remained, no matter how strong Redian’s power was, even though only for a moment.
“It’s not a big deal.” That’s what I said.
“I have no strength in my hands.”
It suddenly came to mind. He said he couldn’t even put on gloves with his own hands because he had no strength…
What is this?
* * *
“Cough.”
“Hmm.”
Their shoulders shook at the sound of the cup being put down.
“How have you all been?”
“Yes, yes, Princess. Your face seems to be getting better and better.”
“Haha, the capital was buzzing with interest in Princess.”
It was the head table of a vassal meeting, a place I had attended several times. However, the vassals were smiling for the first time in their lives.
“That, how did you make such a friendship with His Majesty again?”
“It’s an honor for our family to serve Duke Felicite.”
“You smile really well.”
“Yes?” I looked at the vassals whose attitude changed overnight and said, You should have comforted me with that look when I was young.”
“…Kegh.”
“If that was the case, I wouldn’t have to be here.”
They cleared their throats here and there as if their saliva was getting clogged.
“C-cough. But Princess, we were responsible for protecting your family while His Grace was away.”
One of the vassals opened his mouth to see what excuse he would make.
“Oh my, it’s been a while, Sir.”
After reading Siani’s memories, I immediately recognized that face.
“Is this the first time you’ve seen me since you called me when I was only twelve, a disgrace to my family?”
“M-Me? That’s, Princess—”
“Enough.” I put my hand up and cut off his words. “ I heard that my father gave me the power to punish his vassals.”
Then, I crossed my arms and leaned on the back of the chair. They’re so quick at times like this. As soon as our eyes met, the eyes of vassals darted around.
“However, how can I really punish the vassals who have worked hard for our family for a long time?”
“Oh my God. You’re merciful, Princess.”
“But it’s an authority my father gave, so I cannot ignore it.”
That doesn’t mean I won’t use it.
“I also hope that the day will not come when I use such ruthless authority.”
“Cough.”
It just means that you should act accordingly.
“But on the subject of bearing the name Felicite, I cannot ignore the fact that you dared to insult me, the Princess of Felicite.”
While there was a cold silence, I cast my gaze away. The table was long, so I couldn’t even see the faces of the people sitting at the end.
“Change seats.”
“Yes, yes?”
The vassals were immediately agitated. All the people sitting around the head of the family at the table were old vassals. It would be great if they were people as wise as their old age, but they weren’t. They were like rotten old vassals with only the intention of pleasing people and walking on a tightrope…Those are just the forces that support Irik as the successor.
But at the end. There was a gathering of young, determined people who had just entered the political world.
I smiled at Roshin sitting next to me. “Sir…”
It was the fact that he got angry at me not long ago, spitting at me and asking what kind of accident I had caused this time.
“Go back.”
“Princess!”
Then, I gestured towards those whose form I couldn’t even clearly see. “Gentlemen, please come forward.”
