WICE 46

Chapter 46

“Am I supposed to be curious?”

Allen opened his eyes and answered dryly. His violet gaze fixed steadily on Roni.

Right, there’s no reason to be curious. But why do I feel so upset?

Roni didn’t understand why Allen’s dry reaction made her feel sad, so she simply gave a bitter smile.

“There’s no need to be.”

A heavy silence settled between them. Unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere, Roni suddenly stood up.

“Then I’ll be going.”

“I won’t see you off. I’m a bit tired.”

“As you wish.”

Roni gave Allen, who continued responding politely, a sharp look before spinning on her heel and leaving the tent. She shivered at the cold indifference she had just received.

Although her mind understood why Allen behaved that way, her heart felt tangled. Her body and mind seemed to act independently, swinging between understanding Allen and getting frustrated with him.

It was when she returned to Ron’s camp with Jack.

“Roni?”

Just as she was about to enter the tent, a familiar voice stopped her. Turning around, she saw Biana, her ash-white hair neatly tied up.

“So I was right.”

Biana came forward, startled.

“Roni. Why did you come to such a dangerous place?”

This reaction is only natural…

Thinking about Allen’s indifferent behavior left Roni feeling conflicted.

Has he already given up on me? That would be good, but why does it feel so bad?

Pressing her uneasy stomach with her palm, Roni greeted Biana.

“As you can see, I came at Prince Kansio’s request to paint.”

She pointed to the royal emblem on her clothes. The moment Biana heard the name Kansio, her eyes widened in surprise.

Although royal family members generally didn’t know each other well, it seemed Biana knew Kansio. He had never been mentioned in the manga, but it seemed he wasn’t entirely unrelated to Biana.

“Roni, did you know Prince Kansio?”

“I just happened to meet him. Oh, and this time Prince Freddy came along as well.”

At the mention of Freddy, Biana’s expression immediately hardened. Naturally, the relationship between Biana, the daughter of the Empress, and Freddy, the Empress’s child, was tense.

In the manga, Biana hadn’t gotten along well with the Empress’s side. Being the daughter of the Empress, she had been monitored and challenged by Freddy since childhood. Her mother had been dethroned by the Empress, and she had to live apart from her mother at a young age.

Now, under the pretext of attending magic school, she was free to visit the Armis household to meet her mother.

Roni worried she might have said something wrong, so she carefully observed Biana’s expression. But Biana smiled gently as if nothing had happened.

“Since you said you wanted to become a painter, it may be dangerous, but ultimately, it’s a good thing.”

“Yes, I didn’t expect to get this kind of help.”

This world never leaves me alone… the thought rose in her throat, but she held it back, knowing they wouldn’t understand even if she said it.

Roni simply smiled, happy to have such a good opportunity. Biana clapped her hands, recalling something.

“Oh, by the way, have you met Allen? I was on my way back after looking for him.”

“Yes, but… we didn’t really talk much.”

“Allen must have been very surprised to see you. This place is a bit dangerous, after all.”

“No, he didn’t seem to care at all.”

Roni’s sharp response was immediate, and she quickly realized it, awkwardly smiling. Biana, seeing this, looked slightly surprised, then smiled knowingly.

“Allen’s been avoiding you lately, hasn’t he?”

If Biana knows, then my hunch was right.

Roni’s expression fell. Seeing her mood dampened, Biana seemed to think for a moment before a mischievous smile spread across her face.

“Ah, seeing your expression makes me not want to tell you.”

“Huh? Tell me what?”

Roni tilted her head at Biana’s cryptic words. Biana laughed at her reaction.

“Hehe. I’ll tell you next time we meet. So make sure to come to the Armis camp before the hunting festival ends. And come alone.”

With that, Biana gave an inscrutable smile and left. Roni had no idea what her intentions were.

Did I make some mistake with Biana?

Normally, she would have spoken directly if she had something to say. The added enigmatic smile only made Roni more curious.

Roni watched Biana’s departing figure. Her steps were no different than usual.

Why does everyone keep smiling at me today? Is there something written on my back?

Roni felt increasingly isolated. When she arrived at the tent, she checked her back and body in a mirror.

Nothing seemed wrong with her outfit. It felt like everyone was hiding something, and she was the only one unaware.

Allen ignored her entirely, and those who met her only smiled enigmatically without explaining anything—it was frustrating.

Just then, Sasha, who had been missing, entered the barracks.

“Sasha, where were you alone? I told you to stay next to your mom.”

Grrr.

Sasha growled, seemingly offended. It was as if the divine beast refused to be defeated by mere monsters. Her fur was covered in grass from roaming around.

“Where did you roll around this time…”

Roni sighed, brushing the grass off Sasha’s fur.

In the dead of night, someone quietly entered Roni’s room. Bathed in moonlight, it was Allen.

Seeing the bandaged wrist, he decided it needed to be more visible. He brought his lips to Roni’s right hand and kissed it.

Having sensed her energy and followed her since she arrived in Molden, he had found Roni enjoying herself with unfamiliar men nearby. He considered intervening immediately but stopped, remembering that she was with Prince Ron Kansio, the seventh prince.

Where on earth had she met the prince this time?

Allen gently touched Roni’s cheek, subtly reproaching her. She, always making him restless, gathered people around her—it frustrated him.

Recently, he had found amusement in teasing her and thus treated her coldly. In a way, it was a small rebellion against the unease she had caused him.

From the moment she had unconsciously allowed her lips to meet his that day, Allen’s heart had rapidly leaned toward Roni.

She had told him not to hate her. To Allen, “don’t hate me” felt like permission to come closer.

Allen looked at the handkerchief bound in his hand. Roni, who constantly made him hopeful, was adorable. Of course, he didn’t know her true feelings well enough to fully respond.

He kissed the mark on her hand again and got up. This would prevent unnecessary interference.

Then,

“So, you have this hobby, do you?”

“You should keep it a secret.”

Allen spoke casually as Freddy emerged from the shadows. He had sensed Freddy’s presence before.

Freddy thought he had hidden well, but seeing Allen unflustered, he realized he had already been found out. It made him even more interested. He wanted to make this extraordinary talent his own.

“If Roni knew how cunning you are, she’d run away.”

“I’m confident I can hold her back.”

A faint smile curved Allen’s lips. If the princess ever tried to escape, he would certainly find her and keep her by his side.

Freddy found it refreshing to see the usually cold Allen act with such affection and obsession around Roni. To him, the princess was just a pampered girl from a good family.

Even if this was a potential weakness, Allen remained confident, as if certain he could protect her from anyone. Remembering how he had done so perfectly in recent days made Freddy chuckle.

“Oh? If the princess realized she was raising a beast, that would be worth seeing too.”

“Do not concern yourself. She belongs to me.”

“You know that’s what I’m interested in.”

“…I don’t enjoy indigo.”

“Haha, that’s quite a joke. Always being rejected like this is bad for the crown prince’s pride.”

Freddy laughed at Allen’s stiff response. During the last magic school tour, he had seen Allen’s swordsmanship and wanted him as his own.

Freddy, like Allen, had an intense desire to obtain what he wanted. And he thought Allen’s proposal wasn’t bad.

Yet, Allen’s refusal without hearing him out provoked Freddy’s competitive streak. He spoke gently.

“I can give you the best treatment. Seems like unrequited love, but if you wish, I could arrange marriage with the princess by imperial decree.”

“An enticing offer, but I will refuse.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want anyone interfering between Roni and me. She will be mine anyway, so there’s no reason to set conditions.”