The incident didn’t exactly become a big issue, but there were a few images that remained burned into my memory.
“Didn’t you say you would be a good mother?”
There wasn’t even a shred of warmth in Depelto’s eyes or demeanor.
That look was like a trauma to me. Even though his attitude wasn’t directed at me, I still felt my chest tighten painfully.
A man without blood or tears.
Yes, the outcome had turned in my favor. But Depelto didn’t show me the slightest bit of human concern or comfort.
Somewhere deep in my chest, there was this instinctive yearning—just a simple “Are you okay? Were you very startled?” would have been enough.
Wow, and you’re still expecting that?
I shook my head.
The instinct of this body, endlessly craving a father’s love, was truly tenacious.
“Are you all right? You weren’t too shaken, were you?”
Instead, it was Lady Rachel who comforted me.
“I’m fine.”
“You carried yourself bravely.”
“Yes, it wasn’t something that would surprise me much.”
I was curious.
Why had Rachel come in person? And why had she gifted me this ring?
“Ah, it’s because the other side kept pestering me endlessly, so I did a little investigation.”
“The other… side?”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
Even the great Rachel referred to Lord Temanon as the other side. Somehow, it felt strangely human.
“Yes. The other side. These days, I don’t know if he’s on my side or yours.”
“For me, it’s something I’m grateful for.”
“In any case, since you have a constitution quite similar to the prince, he insisted and insisted that I secure your safety.”
Did she just call it whining?
Perhaps because she was away from her home, House Quaybeck, Rachel seemed a little more honest and daring.
I didn’t dislike it.
“I also looked into the woman who’s to be your new stepmother.”
“…I see.”
“But there’s something I want to ask you. Do you think the Empire didn’t know about the poison Rantuane used?”
I flinched at her words.
Rachel’s gaze was gentle, but inside it hid sharp thorns.
It felt like she was testing me—to see whether I had realized the truth behind this whole affair.
Yes, through these events she had shown care for me, but at her core, Rachel was a person who stood for Quaybeck. In the end, she would continue to test me relentlessly…
“Don’t misunderstand. If you don’t know, it’s so that I can tell you.”
“….”
“In other words, I’m not testing you.”
“…I apologize.”
“No need. I understand your situation.”
Rachel smiled softly.
It was a smile rarely seen within the Quaybeck family.
“Speak, child. I wasn’t lying when I said I’d treat you sincerely.”
“The Imperial investigators must have already known about the ‘Yellow Serpent’s Curse.’”
But they had to hide the true nature of the poison.
Because generations ago, when the great-great-grand emperor was still a prince, he had used the Yellow Serpent’s Curse to murder his brother and usurp the throne.
Since then, the curse had been tightly controlled by the imperial family, known only to very few.
“But they had to keep silent. That’s why they declared Rantuane innocent.”
“Do you think the whole world was truly ignorant of it?”
It felt like Rachel was asking me.
Would I really believe that something even a fifteen-year-old child knew could be hidden from the authorities of this world?
She wasn’t testing me—but then, what exactly was she trying to say?
I couldn’t read her intentions.
“I knew about it too. And if I knew, then of course the Vice-Palace Lord knew as well.”
“….”
“Then think about it. Do you really believe Lord Depelto didn’t know?”
Her words struck me like a revelation.
Depelto… knew?
He knew everything, and yet he still tried to go through with a contract marriage with Rantuane?
Why?
Depelto’s words to Rantuane came back to me.
“Didn’t you say you would be a good mother?”
Did he really think his children needed a good mother?
Now, after all this time?
Then… was Rachel trying to defend him?
Rachel leaned in and whispered.
“Don’t be fooled by that appearance.”
“…Sorry?”
“That wasn’t kindness. It wasn’t love.”
She had seen right through me.
She knew exactly what my instincts longed for, how I wanted to see things, what I was hoping for.
She knew that my instincts were desperate to see the good in Depelto, and even more, to yearn for his affection.
Rachel seemed worried that I might make a misguided judgment.
“If he truly meant to care for you, he wouldn’t be bringing in a good mother. He himself should be a good father. He shouldn’t be pursuing vengeance on your behalf, but rather learning how to love you.”
“….”
“I have no intention of driving a wedge between father and daughter.”
Rachel spoke with eyes that seemed cold at first glance, yet with a voice that was undeniably warm.
“I only don’t want you to get hurt.”
Her hand rested gently on my head.
She patted me, though it didn’t look entirely natural.
In truth, Rachel didn’t seem accustomed to such things either.
She’s pretending it’s natural, but it’s so clumsy, isn’t it?
Still, I was grateful for the sentiment.
“Thank you for your concern.”
When I bowed my head, Rachel had already vanished.
Her footwork was like that of a ghost.
Or maybe… she ran away out of embarrassment?
I could have sworn I saw the tips of her ears turning red. Was I imagining it?
Either way, it was a night filled with many thoughts.
✦✦✦
The magical photographer Pictures was one of the most in-demand photographers of recent times.
He was the man who had taken the picture that the Empire’s greatest news outlet, Pulitzer, had chosen as “The Most Beautiful Photograph of the Year.”
His shot of Seira in the Molita region had shaken the entire photography world.
His reputation skyrocketed, and he was eventually invited to a central imperial court event.
This can’t be real…!
When he saw Leon astride a white horse, he couldn’t stop pressing the shutter.
Magnificent!
It was as shocking as the first time he saw Seira.
As if to bless Prince Leon’s great success, the sunlight shone warmly.
Returning from the expedition, leading his men back into the capital, Leon looked every bit the hero.
“Ah, so you are the photographer who captured Lady Seira?”
“Y-yes, Your Highness. Congratulations on your great victory!”
“Good. Then let us proceed with the interview.”
“May I take photographs as well?”
“Of course. Capture me well.”
“I will do my utmost.”
Pictures swallowed hard.
What glory is this, for me!
Prince Leon had never liked being photographed.
Not once had he ever summoned a photographer for an official event.
This was the first time he had allowed it, and Pictures was deeply moved.
I really must have been good at photography after all!
Capturing Seira had been the greatest stroke of luck in his life. Thanks to that fortune, he had now become the first to photograph the prince himself.
Right after the interview, Pictures cautiously asked:
“Why did you choose me, Your Highness?”
“Because Lady Seira chose you.”
The interviewer’s hand flew quickly across the page, determined not to miss a single word.
Pictures, who had always taken great pride in his own skill, felt slightly shocked.
Not because of my talent, but simply because of Lady Seira?
“M-my skill… wasn’t the reason?”
“What nonsense are you saying?”
“I mean, because I captured Lady Seira’s beauty so perfectly…”
Leon frowned.
“Lady Seira is prettier in person.”
Before the official interview was published in the news,
the story of Leon’s expeditionary success was already setting the continent ablaze.
While countless citizens cheered with fervor, Seira herself was overjoyed.
Finally! My stocks have skyrocketed, everyone!!!
Even though her family had taken ten billion from her (?)—well, that hardly mattered anymore.
Life is all about the big moments!
Even if the official figures weren’t out yet, the shares had risen by hundreds of percent at least.
It would take some time, but eventually she’d be guaranteed at least several billion in dividends.
Hehehe!
Feeling like the richest person alive, Seira flopped onto her bed, kicking her feet.
Tonight even the thought of kicking the air—though of course she couldn’t actually do such a thing, for the sake of dignity—was pure bliss.
“A happy night indeed, everyone.”
Luckily no one was watching, or they surely would have whispered she’d lost her mind.
But in a calm, elegant sort of way!
“Prince Leon’s success is truly a blessing.”
It was hailed as the greatest achievement in the Empire’s history, with priceless research materials on magical civilization and countless treasures acquired, raising the honor of the imperial family.
Mars! I’m going to Mars!
Finally! My stocks have exploded!
Trying to stay composed, Seira read through the news, though her fingertips trembled with excitement.
“An unprecedented interview with Prince Leon…”
Apparently, he even allowed himself to be photographed.
He really is handsome, though.
The definitive male lead face.
The definitive center face.
The definitive handsome face.
Basically, he fit every good category possible.
No one but Leon could look that perfect in uniform on a white horse.
Rumor had it that ever since his face was revealed, countless noble ladies had fallen into lovesick swoons.
Sorry, everyone. The prince belongs to the heroine.
Seira also looked again at Leon’s photo.
Yes, she could fully understand why shallow fans might fall in love from just a picture. But in the world of <HerAndHim>, anyone who tried to come between the heroine and hero… well, it never ended well.
This world already had its predetermined protagonists.
Huh?
But then, the contents of the interview struck her as strange.
…What is this?
Why was her name mentioned so many times?
