IBMILRFL | Chapter 84

Episode 84

If the crown prince’s words were true, then it meant one of my siblings was targeting me.

‘But who on earth?’

Maybe in the Empire, but at least in Onz, I hadn’t formed any notable grudges. Especially not with my siblings.

From the beginning, I was nothing more than a powerless princess without backing. Because of my un-royal personality, I had been excluded from the succession struggle from the start. That meant none of my siblings had any reason to target me.

Moreover, the crown prince had already been chosen.

Three years ago, my third brother, Victor Onz, had been officially appointed as the crown prince.

That meant the fight among siblings had already ceased. There was no reason to target me anymore.

‘Why would they go after someone like me, who’s just been living in the Empire?’

That’s why it was hard to believe Leo’s words so easily.

But discerning the truth wouldn’t be too late even after checking the letter thoroughly.

I steadied the trembling in my fingertips and picked up the letter.

A shade of red all too familiar to me.

The Onz royal family loved deep red. It resembled blood, or perhaps rubies—that was because it was the eye color of the founding king.

That’s why the royal family often used this color for their stationery.

As I nervously opened the letter, I soon gasped.

It contained an order to kill me by any means necessary. What shocked me even more was that the sender was the last person I would’ve expected.

‘…Victor Onz.’

The current crown prince of Onz, and in my weaker days, the brother I had feared most.

After confirming the culprit, I was thrown further into confusion.

If it had been someone else, I could have understood.

But Victor?

He was already the widely accepted next king. What possible gain could he have from killing me that would make him do such a thing?

I wondered if the letter had been forged, but seeing the familiar handwriting and the unique seal that only he used, the chances of that seemed slim.

“Do you understand now? Why I suggested you become the crown princess?”

“……”

“Did you do something to offend the crown prince? Until now, he hadn’t outright ordered your death like this.”

“That almost sounds like you’re saying all the interference with the Winder family and me wasn’t really your will.”

“Finally, you understand my position. That’s right, about seven years ago, when you first came to this country, the crown prince asked me to obstruct you. At the time, I had no choice but to obey… but now, I find myself wanting you for myself. So? Useful information, isn’t it?”

Don’t be swayed. Not by this nonsense.

The only part worth trusting was that Victor had been wary of me for a long time.

Though he blamed others, it was clear the crown prince had tormented me of his own accord. Leo was the type who wouldn’t do anything unless it suited him.

‘Still… if it just happened to align with Victor’s wishes, he might’ve pretended to go along.’

Of course, he wouldn’t have done it for free.

I asked coldly.

“I didn’t know you were the type to grant favors so willingly. You must have exchanged something with my brother.”

“…Hah. That’s a trivial matter. What matters is that I need a justification to reject the crown prince’s request.”

“And you intend to use an engagement with me as that justification.”

“Exactly. Even Victor Onz couldn’t order the death of my fiancée.”

Leo clasped his fingers together and rested his chin on them.

“So all you need to do is accept my proposal. Not a bad offer, right? With just one choice, I could give you so much.”

“……”

“We’ve grown close enough to share some affection, haven’t we? Isn’t it time we reconciled? I’ll ask one last time. Will you not become the crown princess?”

Leo smiled slyly, lifting the corners of his lips as high as they could go.

The time to decide had arrived.

Even knowing he might be seen as insane, Leo had confidently made this proposal to Vanessa because of something that happened seven years ago.

When he first received a discreet letter from Victor back then, he didn’t think much of it.

The Onz royalty were known for their cruelty. So he’d simply considered it an act of venting frustration on a half-sister.

Besides, Leo himself had been displeased with the Winder family’s persistent neutrality.

If he could interfere with Vanessa as Victor wanted, and be compensated accordingly… it was obviously a worthwhile deal.

That’s why he had followed Victor’s wishes until now… but when a new letter arrived recently, Leo became puzzled.

Until then, Victor had only ordered him to prevent Vanessa from gaining influence—but now, he wanted her eliminated entirely.

At that point, he began to wonder.

‘Why?’

Victor held absolute power in his country. Why would he be so fixated on a mere widow who wouldn’t even return to Onz? What about Vanessa made Victor so on edge?

‘According to the background check, she used to be a quiet and fragile princess.’

But… Victor’s wariness toward her felt different from merely dealing with a younger sister who’d lost her place in the succession.

As someone in a similar position of authority, Leo could sense it even more clearly.

From Victor… he sensed obsession and fear toward someone who might one day usurp his position. Leo could recognize it—he felt the same toward Dais.

‘It’s strange. To show such a reaction toward a princess who was once so weak and passive.’

So Leo instinctively realized—

Vanessa had some other hidden secret.

And whatever it was… it was clearly a weapon strong enough to strike fear even into Victor Onz.

Leo wanted to know what that secret was.

That’s why he had proposed the position of crown princess to her.

There was no better way to uncover her secret than to keep her close and observe.

He didn’t know what weapon she possessed, but he wanted to watch her and make it his.

‘If it turns out to be nothing… I’ll just kill her then.’

After all, she was infamous for her cruelty. No matter where or when she died or whose blade it was, no one would dare suspect Leo was behind it. They’d simply see it as the fate of a villainess.

All he had to do was keep her close and uncover that secret.

That was the only reason he had proposed the position of crown princess.

‘She wouldn’t dare refuse anyway.’

From any perspective—political or circumstantial—accepting the proposal was the smart choice.

Though long-time enemies, Leo acknowledged her exceptional nature. A sharp mind like hers would never make a foolish decision.

So Leo, brimming with confidence, urged her for an answer again.

“I’ll ask one last time. Will you not become the crown princess?”

“……”

“No need to hesitate. Just stamp your seal on this engagement document, and I’ll take care of everything.”

Vanessa, who had been silent, suddenly smiled softly.

She had always shown nothing but fierce expressions, but now that she smiled gently, it felt completely different.

The beauty hidden beneath her vicious gaze began to emerge.

“…It’s an honor, Your Highness. To offer me the place of the Empire’s most noble woman.”

A favorable response. As expected, she didn’t seem intent on rejecting the proposal.

A subtle sense of triumph tickled his gut.

The woman who had always defied him was finally yielding.

As she toyed with the engagement document in her delicate, pale hands, she suddenly rose from her seat and approached him.

Watching Vanessa walk toward him step by step, the crown prince unconsciously swallowed dryly.

Before he knew it, she stood right in front of him, looking down with an alluring smile.