GDNDILBF Chapter 16

Chapter 16. How Dare a Little Brat Talk to the Prince Like That?

 

“Wouldn’t it be better for the maids too, since short hair feels cool and makes washing easier?”

I gathered my long hair in one hand and tied it up to show her.

“This is called a poop bun, and it’s seriously convenient and trendy.”

“Where is that trendy?”

“I’ll make it trendy.”

“No. Not allowed.”

“Tch. So mean. Casey, didn’t you say you’d be nice to me?”

“I’m doing this because I’m trying to be nice.”

What is that even supposed to mean?

They just do whatever they want. Nothing ever goes my way.

Judging by the way things were going, I knew arguing wouldn’t work, so I just let it go. When my hair gets a bit longer, I’ll show them a truly fabulous poop bun.

***

Just as the sun that had lit the world since morning hid behind the clouds and the sky grew overcast, as if rain were coming, the Emperor arrived.

Markello Luark, Emperor of the Ailen Empire.

He was the 24th emperor since the new era of the Ailen Empire began. Everyone, including Grand Duke Arcades, bowed their heads to him.

“Your Majesty! You’ve arrived.”

“Grand Duke. It’s been a while.”

“I’ve been remiss in paying my respects.”

“My thoughts exactly. I hope we can meet more often.”

Behind the Emperor stood a woman who appeared to be the Empress, two boys, and one girl. One of the boys had blond hair, the other red.

The blond one must be Crown Prince Leo, and the red-haired one would be Ramel.

Because Crown Prince Leo dies by the hand of a prince, I had always assumed he would have a gentle and soft appearance.

The author had even described him as a fair, angelic beauty with innocent eyes. But seeing him now, his gaze was sharper and more intense than Ramel’s.

I stared at Ramel with a glare.

Nice to see you, you pig head. With that pretty face, you look like a gigolo.

If he not only took a woman for his own pleasure but also used her to kill his own blood, then he wasn’t just some ordinary villain.

I concluded that Ramel was beyond redemption.

“Isn’t this the first time we’re having lunch together with the whole Grand Duke’s family?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Perfect timing, indeed!”

“Haha! Thank you for the invitation. It would be even better if Duke Arcades accepted the position of Minister of Finance.”

The current Emperor was indecisive. Even with the help of Duke Solere, the Queen Dowager’s brother, the imperial authority remained weak.

That’s why he hoped Duke Kaizen Arcades would become Minister of Finance to strengthen the government.

He even hurriedly granted Kaizen the title of duke, citing his achievements in the northern war, in anticipation of him eventually inheriting the grand duke title.

But even when his wife was alive, the Duke had shown no interest in such matters. Now, grieving his deceased wife and drowning in alcohol, he cared even less.

Of course, the public was mostly unaware of the Duke’s state. Since the Arcades family had always distanced itself from central politics, everyone just assumed it was the same this time.

“I’ve told you several times that simply managing our family is enough work already, Your Majesty.”

The Grand Duke answered on his behalf.

Up to that point, the Duke showed no interest in the conversation and simply kept sipping wine beside his steak.

“Yes, I know. That’s precisely why I’m asking you.”

The Emperor emphasized that it was a request, not a command. His soft nature made it clear he lacked authority, even in his voice.

Looking at my fiancé’s family, I had to admit they were quite something. Even before the Emperor, they were confident and unyielding. I really liked this strong and combative family—except for one guy.

I glared disapprovingly at Rikael. He was looking at me, but when he noticed my expression was strange, he furrowed his brows and shot me a sharp glare.

In that instant, a chill hit me hard. Surprised, I quickly looked down.

No opening at all, as expected. Avoiding his fierce gaze, I looked across the table at Ramel.

He looked back and smirked. But at least that pig head was easier to handle.

I glared at him pointedly and gave a dry laugh. He seemed to think I was smiling out of affection, and his grin deepened.

What a ridiculous guy.

 

***

 

After the meal, the Empress followed Marchioness Peltro’s lead and headed to the glass greenhouse with the children.

If the world outside the greenhouse was a pale green of new sprouts, this place was a lush, deep green, fragrant with the scent of trees and flowers.

Refreshments for the children were prepared at a table to the right of the pond and swing.

Just as I was about to take my seat, the Empress approached me.

“You must be Ludia. I’ve heard some things. It was fascinating to hear that you got engaged at such a young age, and even more so that you’re now living at the ducal estate.”

“I didn’t know my engagement was such a fascinating subject.”

She found my engagement fascinating? Was that even a compliment?

Did she think I wouldn’t catch her subtle sarcasm? Well, maybe Ludia wouldn’t, but I was the type to say what needed to be said, no matter what.

“You speak… quite well, don’t you?”

“She’s only five, so maybe she doesn’t understand everything. Her tongue’s a bit slow, but she still says everything she wants to.”

“Hohoho, what a funny child.”

“I wasn’t trying to entertain anyone, but I’m glad you were amused.”

The Empress chuckled, and I smiled faintly, never breaking eye contact.

Imperial Consort/Concubine Audrey.

She wished to be Empress Consort, but due to the indecisive Emperor, she hadn’t achieved her goal.

The Empress Dowager, the Emperor’s biological mother, strongly opposed her, so she remained merely the imperial consort.

Looking down at me as if to say, How amusing, the Imperial Consort soon turned toward the Marchioness.

Apparently, the idea of confronting a five-year-old felt a bit ridiculous to her.

“It’s lovely having everyone together like this. Thank you for the invitation.”

“Not at all. It was His Grace the Grand Duke who extended the invitation personally. I did nothing.”

“It wouldn’t have been possible without your thoughtful arrangements.”

“You flatter me.”

The Marchioness bowed deeply, slightly flustered.

True to her sly and cunning reputation, the Empress was exceptionally good at charming people.

Readers often referred to her as a fox, but to me, she felt more like a snake. A fox wouldn’t do her justice.

“Let the Crown Prince and Prince mingle with the young masters and lady here. I’d like to look around the greenhouse. I’ve heard it’s enormous and beautiful.”

“I’ll guide you.”

The Empress and the Marchioness walked off together. At the same time, Rikael and the Crown Prince moved to another seat, and Jake, who had been hesitating nearby, followed them a moment later.

I debated whether to follow or not, when suddenly, Ramel approached me. He tilted his head and grinned.

“I heard the young master wants to break off the engagement. What didn’t he like about you?”

Wow! He really threw that straight at me on our first meeting? This pig head was overflowing with sleazy energy from the start.¹Ehem. The pig head part is from me. I just got tired of always censoring the bad words, so I did something more fun.

Who the hell is spreading that kind of gossip?

He had been whispering with those kids from the North earlier…it must’ve been then.

“That’s none of your business.” I shot back coldly.

That’s when a sharp voice of a girl rang out.

“Did you just use ‘you’ to address him?”

The girl staring at me had piercing red eyes. With her ordinary brown hair and red eyes, it was clear, she was Princess Sienna.

They said she resembled her mother: wicked and violent. Apparently, she even beat up her maids sometimes.

I remembered reading how the palace staff feared her as an adult due to that very cruelty.

“How dare a little brat talk to the Prince like that? Don’t you know my brother’s a Prince?”

“Really? I didn’t know. What’s a Prince?”

I asked innocently.

I was five, so this excuse always worked. And if not? Then it was time to throw down.

“Hey! Stop it. What would a five-year-old know? She’s just saying whatever pops into her head.”

Surprisingly, Ramel took my side.

“Then she needs to be taught properly.”

“Her Highness is right. She’s not normal. First thing she did when we met was call us idiots and told us not to treat her carelessly.”

Elena, who had been nearby, suddenly cut in. But just because one more useless pest joined didn’t mean I’d back down.

“Well, I was right. And Erlena, you can’t call me ‘she.’”

“It’s Elena, not ‘Erlena.’ And how dare you act so cheeky, you little brat?”

Elena glared at me with a twisted expression.

Sienna, clearly enjoying this, chimed in to support her. Her heavy, oppressive gaze seemed soaked in entitlement, even at just seven years old.

“Elena’s right. She’s not normal. Hey, what kind of five-year-old has such bad manners? You’re younger than us, so of course you should speak politely. This girl needs to be taught a lesson.”

Just as Sienna and Elena stepped forward threateningly…

“Don’t gang up on my Sister-in-law!”

Andy suddenly appeared and shouted at the top of his lungs.

I didn’t expect Andy to step in again.

Yes, you saw it too, huh? You knew they were bullying me. Smart kid, as always.