#2.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”
“Hm? What is it?”
“You know, Princess Veronica… just how gifted do you think she’ll be?”
“Well… I’m not sure. But why ask all of a sudden?”
“It’s not sudden at all!”
The maid clapped her hands together in an excited motion. Her bright red hair spilled down beneath her freckles in a lively cascade.
Beneath it, eyes of the same color sparkled with affection.
“Just look at her. Isn’t she so lovely and clever-looking?”
“Meri, honestly…”
“Do you think maybe—just maybe—she can already understand what I’m saying?”
Meri pressed a fingertip gently to Veronica’s cheek.
It was the kind of delicate touch one might use when handling a soft, freshly baked loaf of bread—careful not to leave a dent.
So soft…
With a happy “Heh~” Meri opened her other hand and asked,
“Your Highness, how many fingers do you see here? Can you copy me?”
“You’re expecting too much, Meri.”
The emperor, who had been reading documents beside her, gave a small chuckle and turned his head.
“Watching you two play so sweetly together makes it hard to concentrate.”
“Then why don’t you take a break?”
“Take a break from running the country?”
“Ah…”
“I’m joking. In fact, I was thinking of doing that anyway.”
When the emperor smiled brightly, her golden, elegant eyebrows curved into a graceful arc.
With refined movements, she gathered the documents she’d been reading, then rose from her seat.
Her red eyes, filled with affection, turned toward the cradle.
“No matter how much she bears the blood of the Sloran royal family, there’s never been anyone that exceptional in our empire’s history.”
“I see…”
“Well, there are a few exceptions. For example…”
The emperor gently brushed Veronica’s cheek as she murmured,
“I could read relatively early in life, and as for Sion—he was a bit stronger than other children his age.”
“Oh, right. That’s true.”
“Yes. But even so, both Sion and I liked toys and rattles when we were this age.”
“Even if I don’t know about Your Majesty, His Highness certainly did. I used to play with him myself.”
“And now you’ve switched over to Veronica?”
“Oh, don’t say it like that…”
“Hehe, I’m teasing. Anyway, Veronica is just an ordinary baby for now—probably not what you’re imagining, Meri.”
Nope. You’re wrong, Mom.
Veronica, who had been quietly listening, wriggled and turned her gaze away.
Big sparkling eyes, a killer smile, chubby cheeks, soft springy skin, plump lips—
From the outside, she was just an ordinary—no, slightly more than ordinary—adorable baby.
That’s how it looked from the outside.
But Veronica slowly recalled the events of a few days ago.
“So this is… being a baby?”
When the darkness lifted from her vision, the first thing she saw—and heard—was Sion, along with that single line.
“Gasp, Your Majesty! The princess has opened her eyes!”
“Oh my, so she has.”
First the flustered maid, then beside her the radiant golden-haired emperor, smiling warmly.
“Veronica. Sweetheart, your name is Veronica.”
But Veronica, as if she had known it all along, quickly grasped the situation she was in.
It was strange.
A newborn doesn’t guess their fate.
They don’t analyze everything around them with precision.
They don’t comprehend complicated words and sentences with an adult’s mind.
That’s what normal babies are like.
But Veronica was different.
There are limits, even to talent.
In her previous life, Veronica hadn’t stood out this much at this age.
Compared to before, her abilities now were extraordinary.
And another surprising thing—Sion’s presence.
Sion, who had been quick to grow jealous the moment she was born.
Sion, who should have been busy with his studies.
That Sion had taken the time to come and see her in person.
When that fact sank in, the icy chill that had coiled around her neck at their first meeting eased, just a little.
Maybe things could be different this time, she thought.
“Could you be quiet?”
Sion’s irritated voice pulled Veronica out of her thoughts.
Meri patted Veronica’s chest lightly, embarrassed.
“Y-your Highness… you’ll scare the princess.”
“Who was in this room first?”
“Well… that’s true, but…”
“But what?”
His deep crimson eyes, tinged heavily with black, flashed sharply—so different from Veronica’s own.
She gave Meri a silent look of sympathy and turned her gaze to Sion.
Having an adult’s mind—this much had been true for the Veronica of her previous life as well.
But back then, she hadn’t known her fate, nor had she doubted the family she loved.
So she had freely nurtured her talents, inherited from both the emperor and the high priest, to make her parents proud.
Never imagining that this would stir her beloved brother’s jealousy and lead to her death.
A frightening boy.
A devil with two faces.
Veronica bit her soft lips as she looked at Sion.
She must not stand out recklessly.
She must not let anything exceptional reach Sion’s ears.
In her previous life, she had surpassed Sion around the age of five, reaching the height of her magical prowess.
To survive now, she would need to remain just competent enough for the dignity of the Sloran royal family—nothing more.
After that…
Veronica reached out her tiny hand toward Sion.
Her little palm blocked out the sight of him flipping through a book, his cold gaze fixed on the pages.
Five—maybe six. By then, she could defeat Sion for sure.
“Honestly…”
Just then, Meri, still sulking after Sion had scolded her, approached.
“When you were little, I played with you so much, and now you don’t even remember.”
Yes, yes. I know, I know. You went through a lot, big sis.
“In any case, don’t forget how good I was to you. Later, when you’re older and more talented, you have to get revenge for me, okay? Promise!”
She whispered with a mischievous smile, making sure the emperor and Sion couldn’t hear.
Revenge, huh…
Veronica glanced sidelong at Sion and thought it might not be possible.
After all, she had been killed by Sion at the age of five—
the very time when she had reached the peak of her childhood talent.
Unlike Sion, whose bloodline was unstable on one side, Veronica had inherited the pure, noble blood of both the high priest and the emperor.
If she’d wanted, she could have easily overpowered him then and survived.
If she’d wanted.
But I couldn’t… kill my brother.
No matter how hateful or flawed he was, he was still her beloved family.
She guessed that, in her past life, she had chosen a short, peaceful death over an eternity of guilt for killing the brother she loved.
But in this life, Veronica had no intention of dying so easily.
Sorry, Meri, but there won’t be any revenge. I’m going to be the cute little sister instead.
“Meri? What are you doing there?”
“N-nothing at all!”
Startled, Meri stood up when the emperor called her. The emperor, soothing Sion, gestured toward the stack of parchment on the desk.
“I’d like to stay longer, but unfortunately, I have a lot to do. Urgently.”
“Oh…”
“Could you carry those and follow me? And Sion?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Can I trust you to look after Veronica?”
“…”
Sion hesitated before finally lowering his gaze back to his book and murmuring flatly,
“Yes. That’s fine.”
“Good. Then…”
The emperor rose and, on her way out, glanced back at Sion.
Her golden hair swayed, making her red eyes and gentle smile look even more refined.
“I’ll leave her in your care.”
“Please take good care of her, Your Highness!”
“Got it. Just go.”
Sion grumbled.
The quiet click of the door closing signaled their departure.
Finally, freedom! Veronica cheered inwardly, wriggling in the cradle.
But then…
“What is this…”
Contrary to her expectations, Sion got up from his seat and walked toward her.
He stood before the cradle, staring down at her with cold, expressionless crimson eyes.
Then, frowning slightly, he muttered,
“You look… weird.”
Excuse me, what?
“Your eyes are too big…”
Shows what you know. Big eyes are a blessing!
No, this wouldn’t do.
Veronica wiggled her bottom and shifted sideways.
It was earlier than she’d planned, but now was the perfect time to try this technique.
She reached out her tiny hand and grabbed Sion’s finger tightly.
“What—wait…”
First, Sion reacted with discomfort.
Then, surprise.
“Let go…?”
Her hand was softer and warmer than he had expected—
so warm it felt as if the gentle heat was wrapping his entire body.
He stared at her in a daze.
Veronica, looking right back at him, smiled inwardly.
Feels nice, right? Don’t want to let go, do you?
Of course not.
In her past life, even before her regression, Veronica had been the darling of the palace—
and now, she was in the most adorable stage of all: babyhood.
No way you can ignore me now.
She gave him a gurgling laugh.
So? Do I look cute now?
“…D-don’t… smile.”
Shaking his head sharply, Sion stammered—something rare for him—
then suddenly covered her eyes with his other hand.
Hey! Move your hand! I can’t see!
“Don’t smile. Got it?”
I got it, now move your hand!
Although she was only thinking it, not saying it, he eventually removed his hand.
But something about this… felt odd.
“Hehe.”
It was strange.
The sudden switch from darkness to seeing Sion’s face again—
it was… fun.
“I said don’t smile.”
Flustered, Sion covered her eyes again.
But this time, Veronica thought differently.
Come on, big brother. Move it again.
“If you smile one more time, I won’t let you off.”
And then—light flooded back in, and Sion’s face reappeared.
“Ehehe~!”
It was fun. So much fun.
Despite having an adult’s mind, Veronica found herself giggling like any normal baby, flailing her little arms and babbling.
Again! Hurry!
Sion looked at her for a moment, then, without a word, reached his hand toward her eyes again.
Her heart raced with anticipation.
And when he finally uncovered her eyes, there he was—no longer frowning or flustered.
Instead, looking around nervously as if caught stealing, he whispered softly—
“Peekaboo.”
