ORHML 15

Chapter 15

“How do you feel now that I’m not dead? Disappointed, huh? That must really suck.”

Her face looked shocked, but I remembered the expression she had when she pushed me, and I didn’t want to see it. I hadn’t realized I was this starved for affection.

Thinking about how ridiculous I must have seemed to her, my words came out sharp.

“What are you saying, Gracie?”

“You pushed me off that ship, Sister.”

Behind her, Leonil Graham, that clingy shadow, appeared. From his grim expression, it seemed he’d heard what I said. Looking at him now, he really did seem to suit my sister. What was that again? That he’d make all her wishes come true? Ha! Let’s see him try!

“Hey, Clayton.”

Clayton had been staring this way for a while now. You’re always watching me, aren’t you?

That feeling will change soon enough, though.

“What do you think? Do you also believe I staged some kind of suicide attempt?”

He just looked at me in silence. His lips parted as if he was about to say something, but I quickly turned to someone else. If it were Clayton, I was sure he would’ve said no.

“Sir Francis, what about you? Do you think I faked it?”

“……”

“Not to mention Adrian. And Joshua, you?”

It was like everyone’s mouths had been sealed shut with glue. They all looked at me but said nothing.

Well, considering the past behavior of Princess Gracie, I couldn’t blame them for reacting like this. Still, it stung.

“Wow. You’re really amazing, Sister. Everyone just thinks exactly how you want them to.”

“Gracie…”

“Apologize to me, Sister.”

This is your last chance. Take it, Kiira, if you want.

“For my face, and for all the times you tried to kill me. Everything.”

“……”

“Apologize sincerely.”

She bit her lips and sighed. Her pale face and dark expression made me, foolishly, expect something.

Her affection score matched Father’s, but her actions didn’t. That meant I should trust actions, not numbers.

“How can I apologize for something I didn’t do, Gracie?”

“……”

“I tried to understand you. Even when you humiliated me in front of others, I tried. Because you’re my sister. Even when you got engaged to Adrian Russell, I tried.”

“No, you didn’t understand. You just wanted Clayton for yourself, so you discarded him.”

For the first time, I felt like I was seeing her true face.

Her eyes, which I’d thought were the same as mine, were in fact a deeper, more vivid crimson than mine. It suited her—she wasn’t just the sweet, innocent heroine.

“I gave you a chance. I’m done now.”

Her eyes burned with rage, her fists trembled, her face twisted with contempt.

It felt strange, like maybe the one wearing the mask all along hadn’t been me, but my sister, Kiira Fletcher Gabriella Bastian.

3. Kiira Fletcher Gabriella Bastian sincerely apologizes to you.

That option no longer exists, Sister.

After that, I didn’t return to my palace.

Maybe this game really was on my side. But which choice did it want me to complete—1, 2, or 3?

“Here, eat this.”

The Emperor cut up my steak for me and placed it on my plate. Even while cutting his own, he kept glancing at me. My chest tickled—it really felt like I was being loved as his daughter.

“I want to meet the strategists.”

“Then come with me to the council meeting.”

“That’s something I still have much to learn before joining. My memory isn’t even fully intact yet.”

I quickly continued before he could summon the court physician again.

“But I’d like to stay with you in the audience hall. Before your afternoon rest, you always receive the petitions of the citizens, don’t you?”

“Very well.”

I chewed on the piece of meat he’d cut. I’d never tasted something so tender before. It was veal, soft and flavorful, and the sauce was unique.

“It seems you’ve truly come to your senses now.”

“Yes. I need to inherit the throne, after all.”

It seemed I’d said exactly what he wanted to hear, yet he still looked on the verge of tears. Then, wiping at the corners of his eyes with curled fingers, he spoke in a damp voice:

“Then you’ve decided to become Crown Princess?”

Right, that came first—Crown Princess, then Emperor.

“Yes.”

“Good. I’ll make the announcement on the day of the victory celebration.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“Would you like to have tea together later, before I nap?”

We’d been spending so much time together lately, and yet he never seemed to tire of it. Maybe the real Princess Gracie had always trusted him, but never expressed it properly?

“Yes, I’d like that.”

“I’ll also have the lists of maids and attendants redrawn. You can replace everyone with whoever you want.”

“I like the current maid. Please promote her to lady-in-waiting. And assign me a different guard than the Captain of the Guard.”

“Understood.”

I couldn’t avoid Francis no matter what, but every meeting was unpleasant. Even if he never spoke a word, I didn’t want to see him.

“And assign me some scholars again. I need to study.”

“I’ll handpick the best for you.”

“And let’s go to the training yard together in the mornings. I’m too weak like this.”

“I’ll have everything prepared.”

“And also, teach me horseback riding.”

“I’ll find you an instructor.”

“I want to learn from you, Father.”

His hand, which had been gesturing to the steward for orders, stilled. Then he smiled—a bright, beautiful smile, like he was truly happy.

“Very well. I’ll teach you everything myself, from start to finish.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

It made me want to say pretty words to him.

Later, I stopped by the private library. Sister surely had one too, being royalty.

Mine was connected to Father’s personal library and was four stories tall.

I’d left the guards outside. I was here to prepare for the upcoming audience session with the citizens. Hearing their petitions was a way to resolve grievances—and to show that the Emperor wasn’t indifferent to his people.

That’s why the strategists would be there, to strengthen political standing.

All of them, except Leonil, were staunchly pro-Emperor.

“Why did you follow me in here?”

I didn’t even say anything, yet his affection score rose. Are you crazy, like Clayton?

“I was worried.”

“There’s nothing to worry about here. It’s safe. Leave.”

I’d come here to be alone, but with him around, it was uncomfortable.

The book I wanted wasn’t here. Ignoring him, I moved toward the next floor. But suddenly, I staggered—his hand caught me.

“I believe in you, Your Highness.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

I tried to shake his hand off, but his grip was too strong—he was a knight, after all. Unable to break free, I reluctantly turned to face him. Even though he stood lower on the steps, we were still eye-level. It made me realize just how tall Francis really was.

“That day, you asked me.”

“Oh, you mean the day my sister pushed me?”

Liar.

You think I don’t know you came to spy on me?

What, you’re trying to impress her by playing loyal here? Did you really think I wouldn’t see through that?

“Sorry, but I can’t trust you, Sir Francis.”

Now that I had Father’s backing, you had no useful information for me. And if my goal was to clear the game, being tied to you would only be a disadvantage.

I didn’t need you to become Emperor.

“Then what must I do for you to trust me?”

Oh? Then I want to make him wear tights and do tricks like a bear!

Of course, that option doesn’t exist. Figures.

This game really is R-rated.

I knew it the moment it started obsessing over kisses.

And what’s with option 3? That one feels the most ominous.

Alright then, I’ll go with option 2.