Chapter 10 (10화):
Sniffling, I handed Roel the bread I had taken out of my bag, and he ate it as if it was the most delicious thing in the world. Of course, it was no wonder—he must have gone hungry all day.
The belongings I had already packed were given to Roel to carry.
What I had barely managed to lift while staggering, he hoisted onto his back with ease.
Maybe it was thanks to the male-lead buff, or maybe his natural build was just good. Still, I suspected it also had to do with the fact that he sometimes sneaked out to work as an errand boy for mercenaries, picking up skills here and there.
The novel had mentioned that the combat techniques and swordsmanship taught to Roel by mercenaries became very helpful to him later on.
Anyway, after Roel left, I touched the system window with trembling hands. He had been beaten to a pulp like that—what if the system decided to retaliate against me?
I had called for help to save Roel, but what if I had missed some kind of penalty?
Please, please…!
With my heart pounding, I peeked at the window—only to see that my Death Points had dropped by 2p instead.
What’s going on? I didn’t do anything.
I stared at the “87p” for a long time before rummaging through the menus.
“Oh my! Am I a villainess?”
Before I knew it, my Villainess Points had passed 45p, which automatically deducted 40p from Death Points.
In other words, for every 20 Villainess Points gained, 1 Death Point was reduced—so I had just lost 2 Death Points in total.
Wow. The only thing I did today was fight with Aymon until I collapsed.
Ah, so that’s it.
According to Roel, the Crown Prince had been summoned by the Emperor and the Empress had also scolded him. That alone must have caused quite a butterfly effect, huh?
Seems like everyone spent their day gossiping about me again.
Hmm. To raise Villainess Points, it looks like picking fights with the Crown Prince is the most effective method.
The problem, though, is that Aymon always takes his anger out on others. Earlier, he even tore into his attendants. Seriously, what kind of delinquent is that guy?
He needs to be sent to Dr. Oh X-Young for a complete personality overhaul.
I shook my head in exasperation.
The next day, the first thing I did upon seeing my nanny was ask about the museum event. It had been nagging at me.
Since the Crown Prince himself had come to invite me, it probably wasn’t just some ordinary exhibition.
“Nanny, do I really have to go to that history museum event?”
“Well, I think it would be good if you did, Your Highness. We actually received a request late last night as well. His Majesty the Emperor sent it directly, along with lots of gifts as an apology for what happened yesterday.”
“Gifts?”
“Yes, Princess.”
I checked them myself.
Inside the jewelry box were accessories that girls my age would absolutely love—overflowing, sparkling. The Emperor really knew how to impress.
“What’s so special about this museum?”
“Oh, this year marks the 400th anniversary of Setrit’s founding. The museum was built to commemorate that. And as you know, Lespris is also celebrating its 400th anniversary this year.”
The two empires had butted heads plenty of times in the past, but they had reconciled just as often.
Now they were at peace. That was why I was even able to come here in the first place.
“I see.”
“So, they built two memorial halls inside—one for each empire. It seems Lespris also wants Your Highness to attend.”
Of course, we weren’t the only ones here.
To promote communication, Setrit had a Lespris deputy minister of foreign affairs stationed here, and conversely, a Setrit diplomat was dispatched to Lespris.
“But isn’t it already too late?”
“No. The museum won’t open for another week. They only wanted to take some photographs of you with the Crown Prince.”
“Well, in that case, maybe I should go tomorrow.”
“With the Crown Prince, Your Highness?”
“No, by myself.”
The cooldown with Aymon hadn’t expired yet. Once a year—or better yet, once every two years—seemed to be the ideal frequency to see him.
“Uh… Are you sure? The thing is…”
My nanny made a strange face. What now? What’s the problem?
With an awkward smile, she whispered,
“His Highness the Crown Prince insists on apologizing to you personally for what happened that day.”
“Not necessary.”
The instant I heard that, I frowned deeply.
There’s no way he actually feels sorry. If I think back to the original story, this is obviously someone else’s idea—100%!
He was never the type to reflect on his actions.
He was the kind who relieved stress by hitting or pinching others—what kind of moral compass could a person like that possibly have?
“I’ll just go alo—”
“…The deputy minister of foreign affairs has been asked to persuade Your Highness to attend together…”
“Ughhhh!”
Being born a royal didn’t mean I could do whatever I wanted. See? Even if I didn’t want to, I had to do it.
I let out a long sigh.
“Fine. I won’t accept his apology. I’ll just go with him, that’s all.”
My nanny gave me a sheepish smile.
Apparently, they had already worked it out, because the Crown Prince was waiting for me out front.
What a refreshing way to start the morning. Just great.
“Good morning, Your Highness.”
I still greeted him politely. Just because he was rude didn’t mean I had to be—I was a naturally well-mannered person.
As soon as Aymon and I faced each other, I could feel the tension from the attendants. They were scared we’d start fighting again.
Relax, I’m not going to this time.
“…Are you feeling better?”
Aymon asked in a strangely subdued tone. Now that was unexpected.
“Well, thanks to your… concern, I’m fine.”
“…Why are you suddenly being so polite?”
“Because I don’t want to stoop to your level.”
He tilted his head.
Didn’t understand me, huh? Well, good for you.
“I’m sorry about that day.”
He actually apologized—like a normal person.
If only he had stopped there. But no, his cursed mouth just had to ruin it.
“Of course, if you had been this polite with me from the start, none of that would’ve happened. But since you seem to have reflected, I’ll forgive you. From now on, when I call you out or suggest something, just do as you did today. Understand?”
Ah.
So the reason he thought I was behaving meekly was because I had finally decided to follow his lead? And since I had ‘reflected,’ he would graciously forgive me?
I felt the attendants’ nerves spike around us.
If I started a brawl right here, it would work in my favor. I’d only gain more Villainess Points, nothing to lose.
But today, I wanted a peaceful outing. I would go with the “silent treatment” approach. Not a single word wasted on this guy.
…Come to think of it, I hadn’t told Roel that I’d be going out today. He might be waiting for me. What should I do?
Meanwhile, Roel had been preparing since early morning. He wanted to visit Sienna.
Though he knew she had recovered enough to get out of bed, he couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
She was the first person who had ever promised to stand by his side. Since the death of his mother, she was the first to show him kindness.
The moment he heard she had collapsed, it felt as if his own heart had collapsed with her.
Roel quietly walked through the secret passage, already imagining what he would say to her and what they might do together. Just thinking about it kept him from being bored.
But when he arrived at her chambers, she was nowhere to be found.
‘Where could she have gone?’
His confinement hadn’t been lifted yet.
In fact, it had been extended. He had been told to stay put until the injuries from Aymon’s beating fully healed.
A maid from the Empress’s palace had even brought him some medicine and proper food—as if it were a favor.
The real message was clear: eat this and keep quiet. Don’t let the Emperor hear a word.
Of course, confinement didn’t mean he couldn’t sneak out through the balcony, but it did carry risks.
The last time he had been imprisoned, hunger had driven him to climb over the wall. He had been caught, and beaten so badly that he’d fractured his leg.
He didn’t want that happening again.
Besides, this time at least, he had food.
Truthfully, though… he was simply curious about what Sienna was doing.
He wanted to talk with her.
Whenever he lingered around her, she hardly had time to go anywhere else.
Roel looked around her empty room with a crestfallen face, then leaned against the secret passage. He left the door slightly open and held his breath.
When she returned, he wanted to talk with her, to share a meal.
More and more, he found himself wanting to steal a little more of Sienna’s time.
