TVMS 26

CHAPTER 26

Wow. It actually worked.

I could hardly believe it myself.

How hard is it to make people see your true feelings? Especially when you’re a disgraced noblewoman known for lying and putting on performances like it’s second nature.

And yet, here’s the Grand Spirit, stepping in at just the right moment?

Now it’s undeniable proof that I wasn’t lying.

So conveniently, and so clearly that no one would dare doubt it.

“Even those who had shut their eyes and ears can’t help but believe me now.”

Exactly.

The look on those brothers’ faces—completely short-circuited, like “Really? Seriously?”—was proof enough. And it felt incredibly satisfying.

Aldensis and Zikren had watched me striving throughout the competition, likely thinking I’d get filtered out by the Grand Spirit without question. They never imagined things would end like this—not even in their dreams.

“This doesn’t make sense.”

Zikren, still trapped in cognitive dissonance, finally spoke.

“This just isn’t right. Do you even know who Lady Aristina is? She chased after my brother every single day since she was seven. She was obsessed with him—completely obsessed…”

“So are you saying I’m wrong?”

A sharp light flashed in the Grand Spirit’s eyes.

“Maybe that was true in the past, but right now, her heart is filled only with a pure, untainted greed for profit. There’s no trace of the Crown Prince or Second Prince in there.”

“She said the same kind of thing before, but…”

“Ha! Still can’t believe it? Looking at this situation, I can’t tell who’s obsessed with who.”

The Grand Spirit clicked his tongue.

“Do you still not get it? People’s hearts don’t stay the same forever. Haven’t you heard that love changes? Even after more than ten years of pining, if nothing comes back in return, of course you grow tired.”

How is he this good with words?

Every sentence from the Grand Spirit was like a hammer to the skull—in the best way. Even I felt lighter hearing him speak.

He explained it all so clearly, I didn’t need to say a word.

“I see.”

The Crown Prince slowly turned his head. Our gazes met in the air.

“……”

He only ever looked me in the eyes when he was angry. Normally, he wouldn’t even glance at me.

But now he was looking directly at me. And in those clear blue eyes, I saw… doubt.

He seemed unsure about something he thought he had understood completely—me.

“So now you’re finally thinking of listening to me?”

I wasn’t even sure this was something I had to make a statement about, but since I had the floor… I might as well say what I needed to.

“Since the Grand Spirit has explained things so clearly, I trust the two of you no longer misunderstand me…”

I said coolly.

“I sincerely apologize for having been so shameless as to dream of becoming the Crown Princess. I understand now how much trouble I caused both Your Highnesses. I vow never to repeat such disrespect again, and I genuinely wish Your Highness happiness with Lady Serene. As long as I live, I will bless your union from afar.”

Even I felt a little emotional at the sincerity of my last words.

No one in the world wants the Crown Prince’s happiness more than I do.

Because if he’s happy, then maybe I won’t feel like killing anyone.

Please, just have a beautiful and eternal love with Serene…

“So this is goodbye. Aristina will now disappear completely from Your Highness’s life.”

With that, I curtseyed deeply, holding my skirt with both hands.

When I looked up again, my eyes met Aldensis’s once more.

“……”

And I could tell—he finally saw it too.

That all the feelings that had once existed in this foolish girl’s eyes, the ones directed at him for so long… were completely, irreversibly gone.

“Aris…”

He opened his mouth unconsciously, but stopped.

Maybe for the first time, he felt a flicker of confusion—as he saw me standing tall, no longer clinging, no longer begging.

But that flicker quickly vanished from his blue eyes.

“I understand.”

The Crown Prince gave a small nod.

“I apologize for misunderstanding your intentions and doubting you. Especially for what happened last night. Please forgive me, Lady Aristina.”

“Oh, of course.”

As we exchanged those final words—

“……”

Zikren was still floundering in cognitive dissonance.

Idiot.

I gave him a quick glance and walked past.

“Well then, goodbye!”

With a heart light enough to float away, I gave my farewell…

“Ah, wait!”

“You’re not just leaving like that, are you?!”

The Grand Spirit and my Royal Aunt called out in a panic.

Oops. I was caught off guard too.

The relief of finally shedding the “13-year one-sided crush” title had made me forget about them entirely.

“Right. I still need to wrap this up properly.”

I turned back with a spin.

“Hey now, Lady Aristina. You passed our test and were chosen as the new contractor. Don’t forget—we still need to sign the contract.”

Smiling brightly, the two elders waited in front of me.

I bowed politely.

“I’m deeply honored and thankful for being chosen, however…”

Their expressions changed.

“‘However’?”

“Unlike the other merchants, I didn’t choose the music box business because I saw the promising projections in the pamphlet. I just guessed based on instinct…”

“That is business acumen! Regardless, you passed the test!”

“Yes. At least my intentions were real. I truly did want to pursue the music box sales business.”

“……”

Sensing something was off, the two glanced at each other.

“I really did study hard for this interview.”

I pulled a thick stack of papers from my bag and showed them.

“Honestly, I wasn’t that interested in music boxes before, but while preparing for this, I found them charming. Your products are beautiful, Royal Aunt. I truly believed I could sell them well…”

“Princess! I’m so sorry! Truly!”

Royal Aunt grabbed my hands, her voice pained.

“But as I said, the story about looking for a merchant to sell the music boxes was a total lie. I promised them to the maid who’s cared for me all her life.”

“That’s fine. I wasn’t being greedy—I just wanted you to see how serious I was.”

I shook my head.

“Even if it’s not music boxes, I’d like to do something similar. A small but stable, profitable business.”

My voice, filled with conviction, rang out clearly.

“Our merchant group needs something like that right now. As for supplying the stabilizers for the Crown Prince and the Second Prince… I’m sorry, but I’m not interested.”

Anything tied to those brothers feels like a landmine to me. I’d really like to never see them again.

Sending that silent message from my heart, I held out the wooden piece to the Grand Spirit and my Royal Aunt.

“I’m returning this. I’m truly sorry I can’t accept the honor you bestowed upon me. Please pass it on to someone far more deserving.”

“Ah…!”

The Grand Spirit clutched his chest.

I was worried he was having a heart attack—but no, that wasn’t it.

“How can every word out of your mouth be so perfect? You’re saying that whether you were chosen or not, your only priority is your own benefit and safety! You really are the ideal candidate that appears once in centuries! My heart is pounding!”

This time, he grabbed my hand.

“Don’t turn us down yet, Princess. Don’t you know the saying—never refuse a spirit before hearing the full story? Think about it! Would I really ask a profit-hungry merchant to sacrifice herself for world peace? That would make no sense! Do I look like that kind of guy?”

Well… now that he says it, it would be weird to pick someone like me and then expect selflessness.

“That’s true.”

But… could I really be convinced?

The Grand Spirit, as if reading my thoughts, gave me a gentle smile.

“Just hear us out first. We haven’t even explained the terms yet.”

“Right, right. Let’s at least talk it through.”

My aunt agreed and turned to look at the Crown Prince brothers standing side by side.

“Let’s have a little chat—just the three of us.”

“Yes, Royal Aunt.”

As Aldensis and Zikren stepped out, the Grand Spirit and my aunt exchanged glances. She spoke first.

“We thought you’d accept this contract without hesitation. So there were things we figured you’d just come to understand on your own… but seeing your hesitation, I suppose we need to tell you upfront.”

The Grand Spirit added,

“There’s one thing we, well… downplayed.”

“Pardon?”

I lowered my voice, startled.

“What do you mean, downplayed?”

My aunt lowered her voice even further.

“In truth, the ‘World Tree’s Lullaby’ isn’t just a stabilizer.”

Ruelian had said the same, and so had they, so I believed it. But it wasn’t true?

“Then what is it?”

“It’s… something much more important.”

She glanced nervously toward the tightly shut door before continuing.

“Even those two don’t know its true meaning yet. But…”