BCOM 05

Chapter 5

Be Careful With Me

As if someone had flicked a switch, Agnes’s eyelids, which had been tightly shut in sleep, suddenly opened wide.

She woke up, but she couldn’t move a muscle, as if someone had bound her tightly.

She already knew where she was just by seeing the ceiling, but she didn’t want to turn her head to confirm it.

Yesterday… I woke up not in the place I lived before, but in a new world. That day happened to be the day the young lady whose body I had entered lost her mother. Her father had left home to honor her memory and, answering the emperor’s summons, went to the palace, where I met my future husband, the crown prince, who seemed to dislike me.

It seemed that Agnes becoming the “ruin” that would destroy the empire was somehow connected to the crown prince… I had even suggested a way to break off the marriage to the crown prince to prevent that, only to be thoroughly rejected.

Even though my suggestion had been inspired by his apparent dislike of me…

“Ah… I suppose this is the time to enjoy freedom before marriage.”

On the way home from the palace yesterday, I had poured out all my allotted sadness. Now it was time to be cheerful.

“First, let’s start with breakfast…”

Surprisingly, Agnes found herself looking forward to breakfast. She quickly changed clothes and went downstairs, where, as expected, Marquis Rizern was already seated at the table.

“Father, did you sleep well?”

He looked at her with a slightly surprised expression. Seeing her walk over gracefully with a bright smile to take a seat next to him was simply beautiful.

He had always worried about her on her mother’s death anniversary, when she would cry until her eyes swelled. But unlike last year, she had grown just a little over the past year, and he felt proud of his daughter.

“Yes, I slept well. It seems you didn’t cry this year either.”

Agnes didn’t know the specifics about last year. She simply smiled. Still, she was glad that he appreciated the fact she hadn’t cried this time.

“Sorry for making you worry. I’m not any less sad, but from this year on, I’ve decided not to trouble you with it.”

Confidently answering, Agnes took her seat diagonally across from the marquis, just as she had yesterday.

Though she usually spoke calmly and cautiously, she was actually very tender inside—unlike the Agnes who had always cried sadly for not being able to fill her mother’s place.

“That’s a good idea. Next year, let’s climb the mountain together.”

The difference in Agnes was striking even to him. She smiled subtly and began eating as she glanced at the marquis’s still hand.

“Actually, I wanted to do this yesterday… but it seemed too sudden, so I let it go. Next year, let’s go together, Father.”

The thoughtfulness of his daughter warmed Rizern’s heart.

“So, Father, please eat more too. You need to stay healthy to come with me.”

With a caring word from Agnes, the two shared a warm smile and continued their meal.

“Ah, by the way, I have to report to the palace every day now. The commander of the Royal Knights has fallen ill, and his post is vacant. Since there’s no suitable candidate yet, I’ve been asked to supervise them temporarily and train the potential candidates to see who fits best.”

The Royal Knights… I remembered hearing that the crown prince manages them. Just like His Majesty, who had looked like a skilled fighter in his prime, Crown Prince Teowin had trained in swordsmanship with the knights, so he was said to have above-average skills.

“I wanted to spend some time with you before the marriage, but it seems that’s not going to happen.”

She truly wished to spend time together, but the timing was off. Even in another world, there were things she could not enjoy.

Seeing the marquis’s slightly saddened expression, Agnes swallowed her inner pain and smiled.

“I wasn’t just a swordsman; I was born with something called mana, used by magicians. But after retiring, I stopped using it, and now it seems to be causing some problems.”

The marquis began explaining calmly, probably hoping she would understand. Agnes stopped her thoughts and looked at him.

This story had begun with the magicians when discussing the empire for the first time. Apparently… it wasn’t a story completely unrelated to her.

“So, because of that, Father… are you sick?”

“If I do nothing in this state, it could lead to that.”

Apparently, this wasn’t news he had just received. He must have been figuring out how to resolve it.

“It’s best to use it periodically, but until now, it was difficult to find a way. There’s no safe place in our mansion to practice magic freely.”

“Oh… With this, you’ll be able to use it freely in the Royal Knights’ training grounds.”

Agnes immediately understood his words. She had felt silly earlier, whining in her heart that he wouldn’t have time for her.

“This is perfect timing. I’m glad, Father.”

She didn’t want to see him fall ill and die. She wanted him to live long and healthy.

Now that she had truly gained a father figure, she felt this kind of desire. Even if it was only in name, someone precious was still precious.

Because she wanted someone precious… she couldn’t become the ruin that would destroy the empire.

“It’s a huge relief that this wasn’t inherited by you. Mana can be passed genetically, and we were very worried when you were born.”

The marquis’s words suddenly struck her mind. If mana was truly that dangerous… could it be the key?

The hidden mana within her might erupt and run rampant. That would eat away at her body and spread enough destructive force to bring down the empire.

Huh… that actually makes sense.

Although the likelihood seemed low since it had never been discovered, destroying such a large empire would indeed require an explosive power.

“Did you go to the palace yesterday?”

The marquis spoke, breaking her thoughts. Of course, the only thing she could possibly talk about was her visit to the palace yesterday.

“Yes, I did. I met His Majesty… and the crown prince.”

He kept looking at her, perhaps expecting more details, but she couldn’t think of anything else to add.

“Well… His Majesty asked me to take care of the crown prince, and… it seemed the crown prince is also looking forward to the marriage.”

She strained her mind to convey something positive and not a lie. Including her personal feelings would either make it negative or dishonest, so she left them out.

“Yes. The marriage is only two months away, so His Majesty must be anxious. The crown prince is very picky… so the engagement was pushed through.”

I see. So that was why. She hadn’t read that part yet. Whatever “this and that” the crown prince disliked, she ended up being the one affected.

“I’m worried about you too. I noticed you had become quieter whenever the crown prince was mentioned… I’m concerned this marriage might hurt you.”

All this information was overwhelming. She hadn’t read much, so everything felt new and shocking.

But the only thing she needed to remember now was to control herself.

Wait… Did that mean she had actually liked the crown prince before? Like other young ladies…?

Seeing him made her heart race, and it seemed her reaction wasn’t just her own. Could feelings really linger in the body like that?

If so, as Father said, it was unfortunate. Liking a man who treated her that way, and marrying him… of course, not for her, though.

Her heart racing wasn’t anything more than a reaction to a handsome man in front of her.

She barely held back a sigh. She couldn’t sigh openly in front of the father who was worried about her.

“It’s really okay, Father. You don’t need love to get married. There’s no problem.”

She performed a confident act, easing his worry. His priority was recovering his health.

“I want you to be happy, Agnes.”

“I want both Father and I to be happy too.”

At least here, she had someone else she wanted to protect, which gave her strength.

Perhaps that was why she was given a father—so she wouldn’t fight alone, and so she could gain comfort and strength in her heart. And… if caring for the empire becomes too heavy, she could fight to protect her family instead.

What kind of god calculates so carefully… hmph.

Agnes snapped irritably at a god she didn’t even know or trust, for bringing her here.