There is a problem with Chapter 33. You’ve probably noticed that when you click on Chapter 33 or “Next,” Chapter 32 appears instead. That’s why I uploaded Chapter 33 again under the name “33.5.”
“But surely there must have been some misunderstanding, and eventually the other party realized their mistake after a long time and did their best to beg for forgiveness.”
“There’s no need for you to beg for forgiveness, Your Highness. This is how it should’ve been from the beginning.”
Kayan replied stiffly.
“No one should ever treat Your Highness like that. For your sake, it’s only right to keep a reasonable distance.”
His determination not to cross the line was firm. It was truly absurd.
‘And yet, in our past life, you kept secretly saving me. Is that your idea of a “reasonable distance”? Seriously? That’s just blatantly being a foolish pushover.’
He was really someone whose outer appearance and inner thoughts didn’t match at all.
As I muttered internally, Kayan bowed his head with a composed expression.
“I’m aware that I am not worthy of serving Your Highness. If there’s anything that makes you uncomfortable, please let me know. I will correct it immediately.”
“Oh my, really? Actually, I’m a little bored.”
“Are you? Then… hmm, shall I bring in a pianoforte right away?”
The pianoforte was a keyboard instrument played by high-ranking nobles. The volume could be adjusted using the aura in the fingers, so its sound was richer than other instruments.
“Wow, Iv. What is this? The sound is really beautiful.”
I started learning it as soon as I entered the imperial palace.
Later, when I played the melody for Kayan, he raised his eyebrows and said:
“Iv, can you punch my eyes real quick?”
“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”
“I think my ears and eyes are getting confused. Why do you look beautiful just because the sound is beautiful?”
“Oh my, really? That sounds like a serious problem! Come here, I’ll punch you really hard with all I’ve got.”
I had always been told I was pretty since I was a child. But that was the only time Kayan ever said something along those lines.
To be exact, he said “you look pretty,” not “you are pretty.”
Nothing good had happened since I came to the palace, but at least that moment was quite nice.
Anyway, it seemed Kayan remembered how I had enthusiastically practiced the pianoforte early in my palace life.
“I can’t practice swordsmanship here, but playing the pianoforte seems like a good hobby. Even if it’s no longer trendy among the nobles, I don’t care about that.”
Up until right before our falling out, I used to play the pianoforte often in the princess’s palace.
But I shook my head right away.
“No, thanks. I’d rather you just play with me.”
“Me? What exactly are we supposed to do…?”
“Come on, you know exactly how we play. That’s how we always spent time as kids. Sparring, training together, sneaking out for secret late-night hunts…”
Then Kayan’s face turned serious.
“Crossing swords with Your Highness is unacceptable.”
Even my desperate smile didn’t move him as he immediately changed the subject.
“I actually came to report something.”
“A report?”
“There’s a strange energy being detected near the Viscount Barcklith estate.”
So he hadn’t just come to chat after all.
My shoulders slumped without me realizing it.
Kayan sneaking over my window and talking all night felt like something from a past life.
‘Oh right, it was a past life…’
As I pouted, Kayan continued.
“To be specific, two individuals with different energies seem to be lying in wait near the estate. Their presence wasn’t detectable until yesterday, so I suspect it has something to do with Your Highness.”
“Hmmm.”
“One of them gives off the familiar, bright aura often seen in the palace. The other… gives off a strangely ominous and indescribable energy.”
“So, to sum it up: two new people suddenly appeared near the estate and are now hiding. And yes, that’s definitely because of me.”
I nodded casually.
“The first one is probably an imperial intelligence agent. Did you really think they’d let a princess leave the palace without sending someone to keep watch?”
“Ah.”
Kayan nodded, now understanding.
“I see.”
As expected, Kayan was impressive.
The intelligence agents sent by the Imperial Knights were all seasoned veterans skilled at hiding their presence. Yet Kayan noticed them right away.
“Then what about the other one?”
“The other…”
That murky, hard-to-pin-down, ominous energy. Something Kayan probably never felt before in this life.
‘I may not be as sensitive to aura as Kayan, but… even in our past life, he felt this presence and protected me.’
This one was a dark mage’s assassin, sponsored by Anna.
‘Their organization is still weak. The dark mage’s power is limited. That’s why they could only send one person.’
But the defenses around the Barcklith estate were unexpectedly strong, so the assassin hadn’t even managed to break in.
“Kayan.”
I slowly erased my smile and spoke seriously.
“Fancy clothes and a nice mansion — those are just the basics for any noble family. Having them doesn’t automatically earn you prestige.”
“I expected as much.”
“To gain recognition from the emperor is just the starting point. You also need support from other noble houses. If not that, then you need to earn the favor of the common people through achievements.”
As I explained gently, Kayan nodded.
The conquest of the northern land had been impressive to my grandfather, but it wasn’t the kind of feat that gained fame among the general populace.
“So here’s what I’m thinking.”
I smiled and proposed a plan.
“How about we take down an illegal dark magic organization and boost Barcklith’s reputation?”
“Dark magic…? What’s that?”
Kayan’s eyes widened.
Well, it made sense that he didn’t know yet.
“It’s a criminal organization that’s been causing trouble in the empire for a long time. They’ve been behind many kidnappings and abductions, and they keep spreading fear in the capital. Recently, they’ve become more active.”
After my brief explanation, Kayan frowned.
“But… they’re still not that strong. If we hit their base directly, you alone could probably take care of it.”
That was true.
At this point in time, dark mages weren’t flourishing, and they were physically very weak.
They didn’t have a strong military force either — no match for the battle-hardened Barcklith knights.
“So, if you and the knights go and destroy that illegal group with as much flare and noise as possible…”
I met his eyes and spoke sweetly, almost like I was luring him in.
“You’ll quickly gain fame among the commoners of the capital.”
It would also hurt Anna, but I chose not to mention that part yet.
“Besides, the Emperor has staked his life on eradicating dark magic. You might even earn his favor at once.”
It was a strategy to raise our status before building connections.
“More than anything, as a member of the imperial family, I want to eliminate them for the peace of the empire.”
At my words, Kayan tapped the table with his fingers.
“Even if it’s officially Barcklith’s success, since it was my plan, it’ll be considered my achievement too.”
I smiled confidently and declared,
“It’s a win-win for both of us.”
I had planned this from the moment I left the palace.
‘When I return to the palace, I won’t be just some powerless princess anymore.’
I intended to return as the princess who had taken down a dark magic group with her own hands.
But honestly, going to the Barcklith estate didn’t seem like the smartest choice. This wasn’t the time for “playing around with friends.”
Even without that smug no-name guy’s advice, I knew this wasn’t just a playdate.
“You’ll do it, right?”
Of course, I could already tell the answer just by looking at his face.
“Yes. There’s no reason not to.”
Kayan answered coolly.
“So, where’s their base?”
“I don’t know. That’s the problem.”
I narrowed my eyes and said,
“We’ll have to use our brains a bit — to lure them out, that is.”
Then, I gave him a confident order.
“First, withdraw all guards from around the estate. And then you and I will spar.”
“…Spar?”
“That’ll draw them right in. Just wait and see.”
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