Chapter 18
“I wanted to see how far Rihart could go in resisting Rishian—
to see how strong his will actually was.
Risse showing up halfway was… unexpected, but entertaining.”
Lillith shrugged and added lightly,
“Thanks to you, I got to watch a very interesting show.”
“Was there really a need to test Rihart’s will? He was being hurt so badly.”
“Yes. I needed to confirm something.”
“…Why?”
“Mm. It’s a bit of a long story.”
“I’ve got plenty of time.”
At Alina’s answer, Lillith wrinkled her nose.
“Then can I take one bite first? I’ve been suffering because the scones smell too good.”
Alina, who had been glaring, sighed.
It was cruel to ask someone to sit in front of warm, buttery scones and not eat.
And Kaden beside them looked like he was practically drooling—he couldn’t eat before Lillith did.
So Alina set aside her curiosity for now.
“Go ahead.”
“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”
Lillith took a scone.
Golden-brown on the outside, soft ivory on the inside—
and dotted with ruby-red pieces like pomegranate seeds.
Lillith narrowed her eyes.
“Cranberries?”
“Yes. They’re cranberry scones. If you don’t like dried fruit, I also brought regular cream scones.”
“No, I like it. This looks delicious.”
She broke off a fluffy piece, spooned on a bit of glossy ruby strawberry jam, and tasted it.
The slightly dry texture of the scone mixed with chewy, fruit-filled jam—
and her expression melted.
She sipped the Earl Grey tea.
“Perfect. Kaden, have some.”
“Yes!”
Kaden eagerly split his scone.
It crumbled beautifully in his hands, releasing a warm buttery aroma.
“Wow… the smell alone is incredible. Risse, you shouldn’t be a cooking assistant. You should open a shop!”
“That’s too much praise.”
“If you ever want to open a bakery, tell me. I’ll invest. Please—let me invest.”
“If Risse opens a shop, I’ll invest,” Lillith cut in.
Kaden shook his head fiercely.
“No! This time I’m not giving in—even if it’s Princess Lillith! Risse, please rob my wallet!”
Alina laughed shyly.
“Maybe one day… For now, please enjoy.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
While Kaden carefully chose which jam to try first, Alina turned back to Lillith.
“If it’s alright… could you continue what you were saying?”
Seeing Alina’s worried expression, Lillith let out a small “Ah.”
“Right—Rihart. Sorry, the scones distracted me.”
She wiped her fingers neatly before continuing.
“And that’s your fault too, Risse. They’re too delicious.”
“Depending on your answer, I might accept that apology. I still don’t understand why you just watched while Rishian beat him. What kind of ‘story’ justifies that?”
“Where should I start…”
Lillith stared off for a moment, then abruptly asked:
“Risse, you know our empire has an Academy, right?”
“Huh?”
“All imperial family members and nobles study at the Empire’s Academy from age twelve to twenty. Top scholars teach there, the facilities are perfect… it’s a school for the upper class.”
She suddenly began bragging about the Academy.
Alina felt like she’d accidentally walked into a school promotion seminar.
“What does that have to do with—”
“Listen.”
Lillith lifted a hand to stop her.
“Then don’t you find it strange that a prince like Rihart is already fourteen and still hasn’t gone to the Academy?”
“Well… Rihart told me a little.”
“What did he say?”
“That his guardian beast is weak. No dragon—just a bird. And… this might be rude, but he said His Majesty isn’t very interested in him.”
Lillith listened with a serious expression and popped the rest of her scone into her mouth.
The buttery dough and sweet cranberries satisfied her enough that she sighed.
“Ugh. Too delicious.”
“…What?”
“Anyway, that explanation is half right, half wrong.”
She smirked and raised a hand.
“Here, look.”
She curled her fingers gently—
and soft green smoke rose from her palm.
It resembled the black smoke Rishian used, but instead of sinister, it looked dreamy and beautiful.
Sssss—
“Say hello. This is Mar.”
As the mist thinned, a white snake revealed itself, coiled around Lillith’s wrist.
Its split tongue flicked out, but it wasn’t frightening—
it was elegant, almost mythical.
Alina hesitated, then whispered,
“H-hello, Mar.”
The little snake dipped its head politely.
Lillith beamed.
“My lovely Mar is a White Dragon. I’d show you its true form, but that takes too much mana.”
She closed her fist—
the smoke vanished, and with it, Mar’s figure.
Alina, startled, hiccupped.
Lillith offered her some tea.
“See? Even showing a guardian beast for a moment costs mana.
But think about Rihart. Tiel is with him all the time. Almost constantly.”
Alina blinked.
Come to think of it… that was true.
She drank her lukewarm tea and nodded.
Lillith tapped her chin thoughtfully.
“Rihart’s mana isn’t weak. He’s just exhausted all the time because he keeps pouring mana into that bird.”
“Then… the Academy—?”
“He isn’t not going because he’s weak.
He’s not going because he’s shrunk himself down and refuses to claim anything.
If a prince won’t stand up for himself, who’s going to stand up for him?”
“But he said His Majesty hates him.”
“Of course Father hates him.”
Alina stared. Lillith shrugged casually.
“I’m not thrilled about him either, honestly. Because of Mother.”
So she’d been ignoring him out of resentment.
Alina sighed sharply.
“But that isn’t Rihart’s fault.”
“I know. I know it in my head.”
Lillith gave a sheepish smile.
“But people don’t always act rationally. Even royal families.”
Hearing her admit it so openly made it hard to scold her.
Alina pressed her lips tightly.
“Anyway,” Lillith continued, “Rihart started acting strange recently. Suddenly appearing to ask for a mana stone? Saying he won’t eat Rishian’s food? That boy used to live like he was dead.”
Alina tightened her grip on her teacup.
Everything Lillith mentioned—
he did because of her.
Lillith poured more tea for her.
“I wanted to know if that change was temporary or real. If he finally has the will to live, then I should pay attention to him. That’s why I tested him.”
“…Did he pass?”
“Perfectly.”
Lillith smiled brightly.
Alina swallowed.
“Actually… the reason I came today is also because of Rihart.”
“Oh? You said you wanted to ask me something. So it’s about him?”
“Yes. I wanted to ask if you could… send him to the Academy.”
“Ahahaha! Risse!”
Lillith burst out laughing immediately.
“How far are you planning to change that boy?”
Then she said with a satisfied look:
“I’ll help. From my perspective, it’s better than letting that bastard Rishian inherit the throne. And honestly, I’d rather Rihart be emperor than me.”
“You don’t want the throne?”
Kaden, who had been half-listening while munching, gasped.
“It sounds tiring.”
Lillith groaned and slumped back.
“I only fight Rishian because if he becomes emperor, the whole empire will be ruined.”
“How can you say that!”
Kaden clenched his fists.
“You must become emperor! Who else could rule if not you?!”
“My point exactly,” Lillith muttered, pressing her temples.
Alina fiddled with her teacup and asked,
“Then… the thing you prepared for me—
was it about helping Rihart go to the academy?”
But would that really require calling her here before receiving guests?
As Alina tilted her head, Lillith smiled.
“No. I prepared something for you.”
She picked up the small silver bell on the table and rang it.
A clear chime echoed across the room.
Before the sound fully faded, the door opened.
“Rihart…?”
Alina rose to her feet.
Standing in the doorway—
was a boy she barely recognized.
Rihart, who always wore worn-out shirts inside-out, was now spotless and neat from head to toe.
He wore a black formal uniform tailored perfectly to his long limbs.
Silver embroidery—matching his hair—decorated the dark fabric.
The buttons were fastened all the way to the neck, and his cravat was tied impeccably.
And somehow—
He looked… dignified.
