ORHML 19

Chapter 19

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was a flat chest—it was oddly striking. The chest stood out even more clearly as sunlight streamed in, but what really dazzled me were the green eyes already open and staring at me.

“Did you have a good dream?”

Damn it. This blasted beauty trap!

“Master! Y-your nose is bleeding!”

At first, I couldn’t even understand what he was saying. Joshua, wearing nothing but his drawers, looked so much like a sculpted statue that I’d been staring instead.

“Wow, you’re having a nosebleed.”

My nose felt tingly and sure enough, blood was trickling out. The white negligee was staining red while Joshua, without even noticing his own hands getting dirty, was wiping my nose.

“Are you alright?”

“This is your fault.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re too beautiful this morning, that’s why.”

I must still be half-asleep—why am I talking like some middle-aged man?

“I’m beautiful?”

He said that as he pulled the sheet over and began wiping my face with it.

“Yes, you’re really beautiful.”

“I’ll become even prettier. So please love me more.”

The nosebleed stopped quickly, but Joshua’s hands were stained red. The metallic smell made me dizzy, and here and there on the white sheets it looked like red flowers had bloomed.

“Anyone seeing this would think this is our wedding night.”

“Ahahaha.”

It felt like the first time I’d seen him laugh. I stared blankly and he froze mid-laugh, which made it feel even less real. I suddenly remembered how much he liked having his head patted, just like me, so I firmly stroked his head the way the Emperor had done to me.

“Your hair is like spun gold. Your eyes are like jewels. Your lips are pretty too. Your body’s firm.”

“You, Master, have eyes like rubellite.”

【Joshua Deyrid
    : Crown Prince of the Deyrid Kingdom / Political Hostage
    ▼ Affection for Gracie Fletcher Gabriella Bastian: 30%】

That’s a lie. We didn’t even do anything but sleep—there’s no way it could’ve gone up. Looks like this system window has to be taken with a grain of salt.

Knock knock.

I hadn’t said “come in,” but the door opened anyway.

Thus the servants saw Joshua, dressed only in drawers, lying in bed with me, wearing only a negligee, wrapped in his arms.

I didn’t mind; I was going to show them anyway.

“Your Highness…”

Francis’s face was grim. Maybe he hadn’t known someone was here, or maybe he was worried because he’d failed to report something to my sister.

“Why is he in Your Highness’s room?”

“Why else? He’s mine, so I keep him in my room.”

I’m not a fair player. If things aren’t going to go like the original story, it’s better to control the pieces myself.

If I can make Joshua—my sister’s weakest link—mine, then maybe I can watch her the way Keira watched me.

And if I can win the support of the Deyrid people, all the better.

“Master.”

“Shall we bathe together?”

Absolutely not. I’m not bathing with you!

I only said it out of politeness because he was covered in my blood.

“Ah, I’m fine.”

“I’m joking. I’m just tired.”

【Francis Patella
    : Captain of the Royal Guard
    ▼ Affection for Gracie Fletcher Gabriella Bastian: 38%】

Yeah, right. How could his affection go up in this situation?

“Why did you open the door?”

“You told me to wake you at this time for training at the practice yard.”

So his affection rising really must be a lie. Otherwise, why would his tone be even colder than usual?

“Oh, that’s right.”

Still stroking Joshua’s hair as he held my waist, I gestured for him to move aside. He withdrew nervously. I caught sight of the marks on his neck—they looked like insect bites. There were even faint teeth marks.

“Pretty.”

“You too, Master.”

Even without wearing my mask, he said such things—maybe it’s thanks to my sister.

Feeling uncomfortable with the marks on my own neck, I brushed at them with my hand. Francis stared obsessively at the gesture, but I ignored him and spoke to Joshua.

“Tonight.”

“Yes, I’ll wait for you.”

There were more maids now. Lilfey had become one too, though she was of lower status than the others. Still, she seemed to have some trust, so she wasn’t ignored. I took the clothes and sword she’d prepared for me.

Wearing a mask and holding a sword felt awkward. The outfit wasn’t a dress but pants, and though it felt strange, it wasn’t completely foreign—I had worn pants often in my old life.

“If you hold a sword like that, you’ll hurt yourself.”

It was only a wooden practice sword, but since it was my first time gripping one, I obediently followed his instructions.

“Like this?”

“Yes.”

“Your Majesty!”

Just as I was about to spend some quality father-daughter time, an annoying intruder ran up. It was one of the imperial advisors, Balontia.

“The Imperial Consort has collapsed.”

“I’m not going.”

I’d seen the Consort before in the audience hall. The Emperor had no other concubines—just the Empress and the Consort. The Consort had no children, and for some reason, she was out of favor. Every time they met in the hall, the Emperor didn’t even greet her.

【Quest! Send the Emperor to the Consort to solidify your position as Princess!】

“Dad.”

“Yes, Father is here. Don’t worry.”

From his demeanor, it seemed the Consort also had some history with Princess Gracie.

“Please go see the Consort, Dad.”

“Is your memory still not whole?”

“No. But I’d like you to go. I always monopolize you anyway. So please.”

I don’t know what connection there is, but a quest’s a quest.

“How are you so soft-hearted?”

“Tell me the details when you return. I’ll wait here.”

He let out a heavy sigh, looking at me with worried eyes. It made my chest ache for some reason.

“Alright, I’ll be back soon.”

【Quest complete! The period to fully view the status window has been extended!】

As he kept glancing back, I waved as if to say I was fine. Francis approached.

“I’ll teach you swordsmanship.”

“Being taught by the Captain of the Guard—what an honor.”

I smiled when our eyes met, but he looked away. Maybe he was still angry about something. Could it be because of that incident with Clayton?

He had seemed fine at the time, though.

He sighed and showed me how to grip the sword again. With gloves on, it was slippery. Suddenly, I wanted to see Francis’s hands. I wanted him to take off his gloves.

“Show me your hands.”

“Why do you want to see my hands?”

“I’m curious what the hands of someone who grips a sword every day look like. I’ve been holding a pen every day and I’ve got calluses on my right index and middle fingers.”

He naturally took off his gloves and showed me. His face was softer than before. I stared into his gray eyes as he slowly revealed his hands.

They were covered with thick calluses—it was fascinating.

“Come to think of it, your body has a lot of calluses too.”

I said it without thinking, and he dropped the sword.

“I thought a knight’s sword was his life. You can just drop it like that?”

“Your Highness is saying strange things…”

“You’re mad because of that incident, right?”

“…No.”

If not Clayton, then what? My sister?

“Keira is beautiful, isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is.”

He picked up the sword and handed it back to me. Because of his tall height, a shadow fell over me from behind. He gripped my hands firmly this time to keep them from slipping.

“So do you like her?”

“W-what!”

I tried to turn but bumped my forehead into his chin.

“Ugh!”

I clutched my sore forehead, holding the sword awkwardly in one hand. He seemed perfectly fine—somehow that annoyed me.

“Are you alright?”

“No, it hurts.”

I’d said it out of spite, and his hand hovered uncertainly in the air—it was funny.

“What are you doing? Can’t you see I’m hurt?”

“I…I don’t know what to do.”

“What do you mean? You should check for a bump.”

He took a deep breath and approached. The way he gently touched the spot with his fingers was amusing, but his face was flushed red, whether from heat or embarrassment.

“So what do you like about my sister? Her pretty face? Her sweet voice?”

“She’s not my type.”

Liar.

“Then what kind of person do you like, Sir Francis?”

I looked straight at him, and the way the wind blew through his hair was beautiful. I wondered if the red would look deeper when wet with rain.

“I like silver hair. And pink eyes.”

“And the voice?”

“I like a clear voice. Pleasant to listen to…”

Yep. That’s Keira.

“I see. Good luck with that.”

“Yes. I’ll try.”

His hand fell from my head, and I missed it. Maybe I’ve gotten spoiled from the Emperor patting my head every day.

I have to get out of here,
take back my body,
get that 7 billion,
and repay the people who helped me.

That’s my goal.

“Does your head feel better now?”

“Yes, it’s fine now.”

I’d been staring blankly, but his voice brought me back. He stood with the sun at his back, as if to give me shade. The sunlight made the tips of his red hair look like they were melting.

“Then…”

“…”

“Then please touch my head too.”

He bent over. He was close enough for me to touch, so I didn’t feel like refusing.

“Why?”

“I’d like Your Highness to touch me.”

I stroked his hair. It was as soft as it looked. I brushed it one way, then the other. He stayed still even when I tousled it completely.

【Francis Patella
    : Captain of the Royal Guard
    ▼ Affection for Gracie Fletcher Gabriella Bastian: 40%】

Yeah, I don’t buy it.

“Is that enough?”

“No, please do more.”

His face was bright red, and for some reason his eyes were moist, like he was about to cry.