“The 17th Princess Just Wants to Live

The people I had been watching with shining eyes?

“For example, Melissa Ilverne.”

The moment Rudolf said that name, I understood exactly what he was getting at.

“She’s the second daughter of Count Ilverne. She recently entered the Mage Tower. Do you know people mocked her for it? Entering the Mage Tower as the youngest member at the age of thirty—they said it took incredible courage.”

“No…”

I didn’t know that much. What I knew was that Melissa Ilverne had fought her older sister over the position of family head, lost, and had no choice but to enter the Mage Tower.

“Then do you know that she has genius-level magical talent?”

And that she would later evolve into a mad mage who would turn the Mage Tower upside down.

That wasn’t the only reason I had watched her so closely. Melissa Ilverne would one day save Imelda’s life. I loved that scene, so I had just been watching her like a fan spotting a celebrity.

Rudolf’s mother was the Archmage of the Mage Tower. Most of Rudolf’s political funds came from there.

Maybe because of that, Rudolf was well informed about the Mage Tower even while living in the imperial palace—enough to remember the talent of a mage who had joined just a few months ago.

“I really didn’t know.”

It didn’t seem convincing, but I tried to defend myself anyway.

“I just thought Lady Ilverne was interesting to listen to…”

“Robert Sellon. Everyone looks down on him because he’s just a merchant without a title. But you listened closely to everything he said.”

This time, I couldn’t say anything.

Sellon Trading Company was already fairly large, but Robert’s low status kept him from getting much attention. In a few years, when he married the youngest daughter of a marquis family and entered as a matrilocal husband, everything would change.

Robert Sellon had an extraordinary ability to read the flow of money. I thought it would be wise to pay attention to what he said, just in case.

But how was I supposed to know Rudolf was watching?

“Esmeralda Wood. Everyone says she’s empty-headed, but you didn’t seem to think so. Layton van Archibald. The young master of a prestigious family. People say he refuses to support the imperial family because he’s foolish, but I disagree. Karina Bellias. She harbors deep resentment toward her mother and brother. Right now she pretends to be a good daughter, but in a few years, House Bellias will fall into her hands.”

Were you only watching my face the whole time?!

Honestly, I couldn’t even remember everyone I’d paid attention to. Seeing Rudolf list them one by one left me speechless.

“Isn’t it interesting? The people you watched overlap quite a bit with the ones I was keeping an eye on.”

That was shocking too.

Everyone I had noticed today were characters from the original story. Each would succeed for their own reasons—but that success was at least three years in the future.

Yet Rudolf had already noticed them without having read the original story. Even with good intelligence, his insight was impressive.

“So today, I became certain.”

Rudolf drained his champagne in one go and set the empty glass down.

“That you’re a very smart child.”

I finally realized something I’d been wondering about.

Rudolf invited me here for this.

He had been testing me—releasing me into a tank full of nobles and tracking where my gaze went.

“Why you noticed them. How you knew…”

He drew out his words, then added meaningfully,

“I won’t ask who you are.”

That was basically a declaration that he suspected my identity. Cold sweat ran down my back.

“What matters is that you’re useful to me.”

Rudolf refilled his glass and slid it toward me.

“So come to me, Lucillia. I’ll help you too.”

This was the second recruitment offer—after Richart.

Until now, Rudolf had hidden his intentions. This time, his offer was clear and direct.

So I had to answer—even if that answer was postponement.

“Brother Richart made me the same offer.”

I said it while watching Rudolf’s reaction. Richart would have exploded, but Rudolf didn’t seem bothered.

“But you didn’t accept.”

“He said my opinion didn’t matter much.”

“Why wouldn’t your opinion matter? Only you can choose your own life.”

Then Rudolf added quietly,

“At the crossroads between life and death, the one who chooses the path must always be yourself.”

Life and death. Life… and death.

“So if I don’t choose your side, you’ll kill me?”

I stopped pretending and threw the question straight at him.

Rudolf’s eyes widened slightly. Then he covered his mouth and bent forward.

“Kuh—hah—!”

An undignified laugh spilled through his fingers.

Unbelievable. I was witnessing Rudolf Sol Esperusa laughing out loud.

I’d seen him laugh loudly once before, but never like this. Right now, he looked like someone who had completely thrown away his dignity.

This wasn’t the Rudolf from the original story.

“You… pfft—don’t look like royalty at all.”

I flinched, but he just kept laughing. After a long while, Rudolf lifted his head and looked at me.

“If you choose no one’s side, I can respect that. But if you choose someone other than me…”

His winter-sky-blue eyes matched his gentle yet icy words perfectly.

“Then yes, just like you said—I might kill you. I’d have to.”

What a terrifying family.

But I already knew that, so it wasn’t especially frightening. In fact, it was easier now that Rudolf clearly stated what he wanted.

A very clear choice stood before me—too important to decide right now.

“I need time to think.”

“That makes sense.”

Surprisingly, Rudolf nodded easily.

“Think carefully. About where you truly belong.”

Then he pointed at my plate.

“Want to eat more?”

My appetite was gone. When I shook my head, Rudolf continued,

“Then why don’t you head back? I’ll stay here longer, but you must be tired—and you have a lot to think about.”

That was welcome news. I thought I’d have to stay until the end of the party.

I popped the last cream puff into my mouth and stood up. Rudolf pulled aside the curtain to make space for me to leave.

That was when—

“Prince Rudolf.”

A deep voice stopped us.

Normally I’d have found it annoying, but the moment I heard it, my gaze snapped over. It was a voice with the power to draw people in like a black hole.

A middle-aged man dressed in black approached us and greeted us.

“A night full of imperial grace.”

He was incredibly tall, with broad, solid shoulders—clearly a warrior at first glance.

His rough, stone-carved face was unexpectedly handsome. Especially his golden eyes, shining like the lights filling the garden.

Golden eyes…?

Unease washed over me.

Wait—no way. There can’t be only one person with golden eyes here, right?

I tried to reassure myself, but Rudolf smiled brightly and greeted him.

“Duke Assenbach. You’re a bit late.”

Silent shock hit me.

Right. I shouldn’t have only been worried about the heroine.

Wilhelm Assenbach. One of only two dukes in the empire. Known as the Black Lion of the Northeast.

And the male lead’s father.

I had run straight into an extremely important figure.

“Elena isn’t feeling well, so we were delayed.”

He frowned as he spoke.

“Oh dear. What happened to the Duchess?”

“It’s my fault for not managing her health on such an important day.”

His tone was oddly irritated—not worried about his wife, but displeased about missing the event. His attitude made me stiffen slightly.

Something felt off.

My first impression of Duke Assenbach wasn’t good. His voice was nice and he was handsome, but the pressure from his expression and manner was unpleasant.

Like he’d cut you down if you picked up the wrong spoon at the table.

It didn’t match the original story at all. The sense of discomfort lingered.

No, maybe it just looks that way. I recalled the original setting.

The male lead, Tristan, grew up in a loving, harmonious family. Duke Assenbach was described as a warm father who loved his wife and cherished his son.

Cold on the outside, warm to his family—or so I reasoned. A male lead’s father had to be like that.

Just then, after finishing his greeting with Rudolf, the duke gestured behind him. Two men who had been waiting at a distance walked toward us.

Wait—hold on.

“These are my sons.”

So suddenly?!

I had only been worried about meeting the heroine—and now I was about to meet the male lead instead. Before her!

“A night full of imperial grace, Prince Fifth, Princess Seventeenth. I am Ludwig Assenbach, heir of House Assenbach.”

The tall young man greeted us formally, then gestured to the person beside him.

“And this is my younger brother, Anton.”

That was it.

I stared at them blankly, forgetting to respond.

Why only two?

“Lucillia?”

Rudolf whispered, snapping me back to my senses.

“Nice to meet you, Duke. And the young duke and your brother as well.”

I greeted them awkwardly. The duke didn’t seem to care, and the two sons looked so tense they barely noticed me.

Was Tristan not here today? That was strange. As a duke’s son, he should have been present. If something unavoidable had happened, Rudolf would have asked about him.

“Then I hope you enjoy the evening, Duke.”

While I was still confused, Rudolf had already finished the brief exchange. He turned with the children to leave.

“Um.”

The words slipped out before I could stop myself.

“Is your youngest son not attending today?”

The duke slowly turned his head.

The moment his gaze landed on me, my breath caught. His expression was frightening—if I weren’t a princess, it felt like he might have cut me down on the spot.

“I have—”

His golden eyes flashed as he spat the words out.

“Only two sons.”