How much time had passed since Estelle had taken Reb away?
Standing and waiting began to feel rather awkward, so I sat down on a nearby bench. A cool breeze passed through the trees, brushing against my face.
My fringe fluttered slightly, obstructing a corner of my vision.
For some reason, my heart felt at peace, and I gently closed my eyes. As time passed, the wind grew quieter. When I opened my eyes again, I suddenly noticed a necklace with a red gemstone.
“I thought it had some magic on it.”
If the High Mage’s words were true, this necklace isn’t just imbued with defensive magic, but also detection, teleportation, and even curse magic.
Touching it lightly, I sensed no traces of mana, which likely means it’s an intricate piece of magic.
“Abel…”
This morning, Abel briefly touched my necklace. Back then, I thought he was just admiring it, but in truth, that was likely a ploy to cast a spell.
“Was I truly that concerning?”
While defensive and teleportation spells are understandable, the presence of a curse spell made me slightly irritated. Despite my reluctance to admit it, the High Mage was right; it felt overly protective.
Of course, reflecting on my behavior so far…
“Thinking back on it, it’s natural he was worried.”
At the auction, I almost took a direct hit from an unknown knight’s attack while trying to protect Lily.
During the Hunting Festival, I faced a Catastrophe-level monster, nearly suffering a fatal fall with my shield shattered.
Abel doesn’t know this, but I died three times in the Imperial Library’s simulation alone. As I reflected on these moments, I realized just how reckless I had been.
From an outside perspective, it was understandable to think, “Does this person even fear death?”
I sighed.
It was strange how I acted as if I had multiple lives, making it almost natural to worry others.
“Next time, I’ll be more careful.”
Tap. Tap.
Familiar footsteps reached my ears. Turning my head, I saw Estelle, who was giving an awkward smile. Reb was nowhere to be seen, probably sent back.
Well, having the High Mage present at a tea party wouldn’t be ideal. And for Estelle, avoiding unnecessary gossip would be preferable.
“I’m sorry for the trouble Reb caused.”
She bowed her head deeply, so I waved my hands to dismiss her apology. I wasn’t the type to dwell on trifles, and it wasn’t her fault anyway.
If anything, it was Reb’s fault for barging in so rudely.
“It’s fine. I’m okay.”
“Still, it’s a relief to hear that.”
Estelle continued to bow her head awkwardly, standing uneasily. Her demeanor made me feel uncomfortable, so I tapped the space beside me and spoke up.
“You seem uncomfortable. Would you mind sitting next to me?”
“If it’s not a bother, I’d be glad to.”
After nodding, she gracefully sat down beside me on the bench.
Then came a period of silence. Estelle didn’t seem particularly bothered by the quiet and remained lost in thought.
Just as the atmosphere was starting to become slightly awkward, Estelle broke the silence:
“What do you think of Mr. Reb, Miss Adelle?”
“What do I think… Well, it’s still too early to say.”
Actually, I’m not too fond of him.
I merely refrain from talking ill of others. Unaware of my thoughts, Estelle seemed to be lost in contemplation again.
“I see.”
But the meaningful smile on her face made me tilt my head in curiosity. Could she possibly think I have feelings for him?
If so, she’s mistaken. Since she didn’t press the issue, it seemed her question wasn’t intended that way.
Then why had she asked?
No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t come up with a proper reason.
As I was lost in thought, Estelle asked another question:
“What do you think of the Crown Prince?”
The Crown Prince.
The one the original Adelle used to adore.
And the garbage who caused me so much trouble.
“In the original story, what happened to him again?”
The Evil Female Lead, Adelle von Este.
The only daughter of Duke Este and the Crown Prince’s fiancée. She grew jealous when the Crown Prince started to like Estelle and, driven by that jealousy, committed countless misdeeds against her, earning her the label of the Villainous Aristocratic Lady.
Perhaps due to her actions, the Este dukedom was demoted to a barony. With her family’s fall and her infamy spreading across the imperial capital, she was banished from high society and eventually…
chose an extreme path.
The Crown Prince didn’t pity her in the slightest; instead, he mocked her in front of Estelle, calling her foolish for being so obsessed with love.
This was the incident that made my friend, who loved the original story, detest the Crown Prince more than any other male lead.
“Why did the original Adelle ever fall for someone like him?”
The person who could have answered that is long gone. Since I merged with her soul, no response ever came no matter how many times I called out.
Though I inherited her body, I ironically never held any interest in the Crown Prince.
The story changed slightly after I befriended Estelle and got closer to her.
“Things are just… okay now.”
I once resented the Crown Prince.
For trying to corner and kill me when I attempted to approach Estelle. In the throes of death, I harbored hatred for him.
But during the first ball I attended with Abel, I witnessed the Crown Prince’s misconduct again, and I felt regret for ever hating such a pitiful man.
The decisive moment came when Abel said a phrase.
Something like, “What an idiot.”
Objectively speaking, the Crown Prince really was an imbecile. His sword may have looked threatening, but swinging it around made him seem no better than a child.
Thanks to Abel, I realized this truth. Otherwise, I might have continued to fear and resent him.
Dealing with someone who is essentially just a tantrum-throwing child.
“I’m relieved. I was a little concerned.”
“Huh?”
In response to my query, she momentarily stroked her wrist and then slowly spoke.
“I learned about what the Crown Prince did to you.”
With a hint of bitterness, Estelle sighed. Her amber eyes locked onto mine, filled with concern and guilt.
“You were treated very harshly.”
“Harsh” wasn’t an incorrect term.
Assassination and poisoning attempts were commonplace, and in severe cases, they used bandits to cover their tracks.
Of course, most of these attempts became irrelevant due to my repeated regresses. However, the scars I endured weren’t so easily erased.
“I didn’t know that protecting me meant he’d resort to such things.”
… Did I really say that to Estelle?
What a ridiculous thing to say. Did I not want to be disliked by the person I admired?
“I’ll apologize on his behalf.”
It’s only now that I understand why Estelle has shown me such kindness. Even though it wasn’t her intention, people suffered threats to their lives due to her association.
My wariness towards her waned a little.
“No, there’s no need for you to apologize.”
But this was between me and the Crown Prince. It’s not something she could apologize for, nor should she have to.
“Because apologies from the person involved have no meaning.”
“..You’re right. I was wrong to think that.”
When I spoke, Estelle looked surprised for a moment before nodding her assent.
“It’s not your fault, Estelle.”
Shaking my head and saying so, she simply smiled faintly and didn’t say anything more. Was she feeling guilty about me?
It’s the Crown Prince who should feel that guilt, not her. An uncomfortable silence filled the air. Amidst the tense atmosphere, Estelle seemed to ponder something quietly.
To change the subject, I asked this time:
“So, what do you think of His Majesty the Emperor?”
“His Majesty, you say?”
Her slightly furrowed brow made me flinch momentarily. The topic I tried to divert to turned out to be a minefield.
I was about to try changing the subject again when Estelle looked me directly in the eye.
In her amber eyes was an indescribable emotion.
It wasn’t anger, not intense enough. It wasn’t hatred, too calm and quiet. It wasn’t sadness, too composed.
Somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to speak first. Estelle broke the silence.
“Do you know where His Majesty’s homeland was?”
“Not quite.”
“The capital of the Prilecha Kingdom, Ark.”
I recognized the name. I must have heard it in history class.
“Was that kingdom…?”
“Yes. It’s been a long time since it was destroyed by the Arie Empire.”
I recalled something from the history lessons Alan gave me. Among the nations outside the Arie Empire, the strongest was the Prilecha Kingdom.
If my memory serves, the fall of the Prilecha Kingdom occurred in the Imperial year 1014, and the current Emperor ascended the throne in the Imperial year 1002.
An unsettling thought then struck me.
The current Emperor’s homeland is the Prilecha Kingdom. The Prilecha Kingdom was destroyed by the Arie Empire, the same empire the current Emperor ruled over, 12 years after he ascended the throne.
“Did you realize?”
Estelle’s smile when she said this sent a shiver down my spine.
“Wait, what?”
Did the Emperor destroy his own homeland? What reason could there be?
No, it’s strange to begin with that someone born in the Prilecha Kingdom ended up as the Emperor of the Arie Empire.
“Impossible…”
“Shh.”
“…Estelle?”
“Did I give you a hint?”
Her face bore a sly smile as she spoke.
