IBRIP l CH 90

Chapter 90 

***

The Next Day.

“You seem distracted today, daughter.”

At the Emperor’s words, I quickly lowered my gaze. I had been sneaking glances out the window.

He was reading me a children’s book titled “Who Peed on My Head?”.

If that sounds familiar, yes—it’s that book. The story is almost the same too.
People really do think alike, no matter where they’re from.

“Where did I leave off just now?” he asked.

“I think… the mole was asking the cow if she peed on his head?”

“Wrong.”

The Emperor looked at me with a serious face.

“It was the pig, not the cow. The cow part already passed. Izana, you’re not paying attention at all.”

To be fair, I had a reason for being distracted.

First, Oscar, who was supposed to meet me today, still hadn’t shown up—and it was nearly 3 p.m.!

I needed to meet him today so I could enter his mind like Winter said… but he was nowhere to be found.

Second…

“Your Majesty, why are you suddenly reading children’s books to me?”

He brought out a whole bunch and insisted on reading them.

“Reading to your child is a parent’s duty, or so I’ve heard.”

…Not wrong, but still.

These were books for toddlers—like “Cat Poop” and “Who Peed on My Head?”
I’m ten years old, and mentally I’m over thirty.

“He’s trying, but…”

Looking at him, proudly holding all those storybooks, I scratched my cheek and asked,

“Your Majesty, would it be okay if I picked a book instead?”

“These ones aren’t fun for you?”

If I said “no,” he’d probably keep reading “The Dung Beetle’s Adventure” or something worse.

So I gave him a small nod. He looked disappointed as he glanced down at the books he brought.

“Kids usually love these, or so I was told.”

“Give me a minute. I’ll pick a really great one!”

I quickly ran to the bookshelf and pulled out a book I’d set aside for Loti:
“Lady Fairfax’s Diary.”

The first sentence was so intense that I’d planned to read it myself someday.

The Emperor frowned and read the first line aloud:

“Help! A man I’ve never seen before is pretending to be my husband!”

Thud.
He shut the book hard and looked at me with an unreadable expression.

I stared longingly at the cover.

“The second sentence is even better…”

My lips pouted in disappointment.

The Emperor, still flustered, said,
“…I’m not sure that book is suitable for you.”

“But Your Majesty, your deep, piano-like voice really made me want to focus…”

“That kind of flattery won’t work anymore.”

Sigh… guess I’ll read it on my own later.

I nodded obediently.

“If you didn’t like that one, let’s try another.”

And just like that, he picked up another childish book.
This one was about a grape trying to escape being eaten by animals.
Eventually, the grape gets swallowed by a bird and comes out the other end as just a seed.

At that moment, Count Linton Hester entered, saying something urgent had come up and whisked the Emperor away.

Finally! I’m free!

I decided to go find Oscar again.

But first—I went to get “Lady Fairfax’s Diary.”

…Wait. Where did it go?

It had been right there a moment ago.

Unable to find it, I left the library empty-handed—only to find Winter waiting for me, holding the (former) sweet potato baby.

“Izana, a servant from Oscar Tradi came looking for you.”

“A servant? Did something happen to Oscar?”

I had a bad feeling.

And of course… it was right.

“Oscar has a high fever and won’t be able to come today—or tomorrow, for that matter.”

Wait, then…

“That means the next time we meet will be… the day of the duel!”

I gasped in horror.

“That’s right, Izana.”

Just then, a calm voice came from behind Winter.

We both turned our heads—and saw Joseph standing there.

Sunlight shone behind him, hiding his face for a moment, but as he walked closer, I could clearly see his calm, gentle smile.

“Oscar seems to be burning up. But did you know?”

“…”

“Boris is also suddenly down with a high fever. He can’t even get out of bed.
Looks like they both overworked themselves training.”

Wait—both Oscar and Boris are suddenly sick?

That’s… strange.
They say fools never catch colds, and Boris is definitely a fool.

I waved slightly, trying to hide my unease.

“…Hi, brother.”

“Hello, Izana.”

Joseph smiled warmly.

“Rumors about a dragon, a baby with a sprout growing from its head, and a talking bracelet…
You really surprise me every time. I can never guess what you’re thinking.”

His eyes moved to Winter.

Even though he smiled, I could feel his curiosity beneath it.

“So it’s true—the Grand Duke Winter Orsirus is with you. Seeing it in person is even more surprising.”

I glanced nervously at Winter.

He remained calm and expressionless as usual.
Even with his old enemy standing right there, he didn’t seem bothered at all.

“Nice to meet you, Grand Duke Orsirus. I’m Joseph Rohiya.”

“…Baron Illin,” Winter replied coolly.

Joseph blinked.

I smiled and shrugged.

“Yep. This is Baron Illin. Not the Grand Duke Winter Orsirus.”

Joseph narrowed his eyes.

“…Really?”

I nodded.

He looked like he wanted to say “Are you serious?” but didn’t push further—probably because Winter looked so confident.

“What brings you here?” I asked.

“To make a wish.”

Joseph played along with my little act and nodded.

Then he pulled something from his pocket.

“Remember how I won our last game of tag?”

What he pulled out was a small statue of a woman, with a black hole where the mouth should be.

My eyes widened.

“What kind of wish?”

“Let’s play a new game, Izana.”

The statue’s eyes began to glow green.

“This game is simple—if you lie, you lose.”

I knew what that statue was.
And it wasn’t supposed to exist at this point in the timeline.

When I looked at Winter, his brows were furrowed in concern.

“You recognize this statue?” Joseph asked, raising an eyebrow.

“How do you know about it? It’s from our mother’s side of the family.”

“I’ve never seen—mmph!”

Before I could finish, Winter covered my mouth.

Oops.

I saw the statue’s glowing eyes and felt a chill run down my spine.

You can’t lie in front of it. I’d forgotten.

I took a deep breath and removed Winter’s hand.

I swallowed my words and clenched my fists.

“That’s not fair, brother. You can’t just start a game by throwing that thing at me.”

Joseph nodded, turning the statue to face himself.

“You’re right. That was my mistake. So, you get to ask me one question.”

I clicked my tongue without thinking.

“…You said Oscar told you something important. What was it?”

“Ah, yes. He did say something.”

Joseph nodded and replied calmly.

“Oscar told me I’m different.”

“Different how?”

“He said I need different things to become a good person.
That I’m not like him, or anyone else, really.”

Joseph smiled and raised the statue to his eye level.

“That’s why I’m always thankful to Oscar.
He’s my most precious friend.”

A short silence followed.

The statue stayed still. Nothing happened.

Which meant… he was telling the truth.

And so… the real truth game of this world had begun.

If you think this is just some innocent game of truth or dare, you’re terribly wrong.

Because very soon…
I’m going to die again.