The Mad Princess's Tale of Doom and Survival

  ‘He’s making an effort.’

 

  Of course, he couldn’t show any vulnerability to his younger sister, who had essentially been his source of torment throughout his life.

 

  “A crazy girl becoming a Hunter. It’s not that big of a deal, really.”

 

  “Well, it’s no big deal. Even someone like you can become one.”

 

  “…How dare you talk like that to your older brother!”

 

  Finally, Alex lost his temper and forcefully slammed the table.

 

  The exquisite table, made of ivory and glass, shattered completely.

 

  “My cookies!”

 

  The smile vanished as I stared at the crushed remnants of the cookies, now tragically scattered.

 

  These were cookies that our slightly deficient culinary expert had dedicated their efforts to baking for me.

 

  “They were so delicious! I purposely saved them to savor!”

 

  I tightly clenched my teeth and muttered.

 

  “Do you have a problem with the way I speak?”

 

  “A problem? Wow, you really have no shame. Astel, did you forget that I was born two years before you? Maybe you’re not in your right mind and forgot about that too?”

 

  “If someone hears that, they might think you worked harder and were born before me.”

 

  “What nonsense are you spouting? Is that something you achieve through effort?”

 

  “Then don’t act all high and mighty for something you obtained by luck. It’s pathetic.”

 

  “Pa-pathetic?”

 

  Alex’s face turned beet red as he lunged forward.

 

  I stood up from the sofa and approached him.

 

  I gently grasped his square shoulders, lifted my heels, bringing my face close to his, causing him to scrunch his face in annoyance.

 

  “You dislike me, don’t you? Do you really want special treatment from someone you dislike?”

 

  As I spoke those words, I applied pressure with my hand.

 

  My fingers sank into his strong shoulder muscles, causing Alex, who was on the brink of exploding in anger, to abruptly fall silent.

 

  Lines of pain formed on his forehead, and his complexion turned pale in an instant.

 

  ‘It’s pretty good. It hurts quite a bit, but he doesn’t even show it.’

 

  Well, it’s true that he possesses exceptional skill in swordsmanship.

 

  He simply hasn’t had the opportunity to shine under the overshadowing presence of the Duke of Luteous.

 

  “Alex, smashing things in fits of anger or boasting about your strength to others, even children find such behavior embarrassing. If you wish to hear the title ‘older brother’ from me, you should be willing to pay the price. Begin by addressing your own feelings of inferiority.”

 

  “In-inferiority complex? I don’t have such a thing…”

 

  “No matter how hard you strive, if the Duke fails to acknowledge you, I understand that it may feel unjust. I understand it quite well. However, it’s because you have a father like the Duke, not because of any fault of mine, you fool.”

 

  “…!”

 

  “Do not trifle with me. If I become irritated, I have the power to strip away all the positions of the Holy See.”

 

  “How is that even considered a threat?”

 

  While I couldn’t completely eradicate the viewers, there existed a means to diminish their numbers.

 

  I placed my hand over Alex’s mouth, silencing him.

 

  And as I gazed into his eyes, I whispered.

 

  “Alex, Holy Sees in your room, this individual is a failure who couldn’t earn his father’s approval and projected his feelings of inferiority onto his younger sister. I suppose you all enjoy that sort of thing, don’t you?”

 

“….”

 

  “Well, what do you say? Have the viewers remained the same?”

 

  A crimson vigor began to spread from Alex’s neck to his forehead. Observing his face, now completely flushed, it appeared that indeed some of them had left the room.

 

I lightly tapped Alex’s shoulder.

 

  “My esteemed elder brother, it won’t be long before I embark on my own broadcasting journey. Please don’t be so disheartened. If I feel inclined, I’ll have a meaningful conversation with the Holy Sees on your behalf.”

 

  Alex embodied the characteristics of a typical nobleman.

 

  Quick-tempered, self-centered, and arrogant, yet harboring inner conflicts.

 

  However, he wasn’t devoid of intelligence.

 

  Instead of causing a scene, he observed me with a composed expression.

 

  Naturally, he lacked the awareness and remorse for his own mistakes. His hesitation stemmed from a recognition that I might possess greater strength, rather than a genuine desire for self-reflection.

 

  Alex curled the corner of his mouth.

 

  “Don’t put on airs of superiority. Did the number of viewers decline slightly? I can swiftly bolster it once more. You see, the Holy Sees don’t favor the righteous, but the mighty.”

 

  “Well, I will still emerge victorious.”

 

  “…You believe you are stronger than me?”

 

  “If you cannot even perceive your opponent’s power, then your skill truly lacks. It’s disheartening to witness my beloved elder brother broadcasting alone, but it won’t be long before your downfall.”

 

  “This is truly…!”

 

  Alex clenched his fist, as if preparing to strike.

 

  “Give it a try, at the very least. I shall make you dine with your left hand for an entire month.”

 

  I erupted into laughter.

 

  Duke Luteous made an appearance in the reception room.

 

  “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such foolish behavior at his age, engaging in conflicts with his younger sister.”

 

  “Father, it’s not what you think…”

 

  Alex, unable to provide an explanation, bowed his head deeply under the piercing gaze of Duke Luteous.

 

‘He boasted so much about being a hunter…’

 

  In front of Duke Luteous, he remained the same as always.

 

  Observing that scene, both amusing and poignant, I silently reprimanded myself. Astel was no different from Alex.

 

  Even after being abandoned in the annex, she yearned for Duke Luteous without a day’s respite.

 

  ‘They are both so foolish.’

 

  Duke Luteous shifted his gaze towards me.

 

  “Come with me.”

 

  “Why?”

 

  “I have discovered those who have been misappropriating the items assigned to the annex.”

 

  “Misappropriation? Ah…”

 

  I casually mentioned the ingredients sent to the annex this morning, but it seemed that Duke Luteous had taken notice without overlooking it.

 

  In a fluster, I followed Duke Luteous as we descended the stairs.

 

  All the estate employees had gathered in the lobby. Perhaps they hadn’t been replenished since the monster attack incident, as their numbers were not large.

 

  The employees maintained a rigid, stony composure, constantly aware of Frank’s gaze.

 

  Though they didn’t understand the conversation, they seemed to sense that something unpleasant was about to unfold.

 

  The lobby was hushed, as quiet as a mouse.

 

  As Duke Luteous, Alex, and I made our appearance, everyone lowered their heads.

 

  Frank, upon meeting Duke Luteous’s gaze, tightly shut his eyes and spoke.

 

  “Hans and Arthur, step forward.”

 

  Hans took on the responsibility of procuring and distributing the necessary items for the mansion, while Arthur was in charge of relocating those items to their designated places.

 

  Aside from being the butler, Frank, and the housekeeper, Marilyn, they were the most long-standing employees.

 

  “These two individuals have been engaging in embezzlement within the mansion, gradually pilfering items or substituting them with lower-quality goods. They have also been tampering with various other items, including the ingredients assigned to the annex.”

 

  As Frank’s words carried on, the expressions of Hans and Arthur became increasingly guilty.

 

  Duke Luteous directed a pitiful gaze towards Frank and Marilyn.

 

  “What have all of you been doing until the household reached this state? How foolish you must have appeared for the employees to resort to such actions!”

 

  “We have no excuse, Your Grace.”

 

  “We apologize, Your Grace.”

 

  “How dare you lay your hands on the possessions of the Luteous lineage? Are you all out of your mind?”

 

  Duke Luteous’s resounding voice echoed throughout the mansion.

 

  The employees stood frozen, unable to even raise their heads, while Frank and Marilyn wore desolate expressions.

 

  It was an incident that would be unimaginable in any other noble family.

 

  Even Alex couldn’t help but release a bitter laugh, as if pondering, ‘Who stole these items? Did they even consume them as medicine?’

 

  However, to me, it was merely amusing.

 

  The fact that this entire situation felt like a comedy might be due to my own distorted perspective.

 

  The reason they were able to commit such acts was because Duke Luteous showed no interest in Astel.

 

  It was natural for the employees to belittle those who were considered unworthy in the eyes of the noble family.

 

  ‘Did Duke Luteous truly not foresee these consequences?’

 

  This is the outcome of everyone erasing Astel’s existence from their minds.

 

  They likely didn’t even contemplate how their actions would impact Astel.

 

  And yet, they now come forward, leaping forward with feigned innocence.

 

  Not even a hint of laughter escapes their lips.

 

  ‘What makes them think they can torment only me?’

 

  Duke Luteous’s frustration becomes apparent. After all, Astel is a direct descendant of the Luteous family.

 

  Although they may hear rumors of a mad princess, Astel also carries the blood of the Luteous lineage.

 

  Only Duke Luteous has the authority to lay a hand on Astel.

 

  But being deceived by a mere employee is something his noble pride cannot tolerate.

 

  “Astel, it is your responsibility to punish them.”

 

  Upon Duke Luteous’s command, I step forward.

 

  In an instant, the employees hurriedly bow their heads. Those who once regarded me as insignificant insects can no longer meet my gaze.

 

  Genia informed me that there’s a circulating rumor among the employees, proclaiming the Luteous family as the safest in the empire.

 

  At present, there are only two hunters in the Luteous family.

 

  Out of those, the employees have directly witnessed my power.

 

  That’s why they desperately yearn to remain connected to the Luteous mansion.

 

  How remorseful they must be now that Astel, whom they used to scorn, holds their lives in his hands.

 

  ‘If I had known it would be like this, I would have been a little nicer.’

 

 ‘If only we hadn’t ignored her in such a manner.’

 

  It’s as if I can glimpse the thoughts of the employees.

 

 ‘It’s already too late.’

 

  I openly ridiculed them.