Chapter 27
The First Prince didn’t notice that I was acting strangely and instead stepped closer to the magical beast encased in crystal before him.
An intimidating shadow fell over the First Prince’s head.
“Storing it in crystal like this… kind of fascinating.”
It was a natural remark, but the First Prince seemed completely fearless in front of the taxidermied beast.
To my eyes, though, it looked like he could be swallowed whole by the beast at any moment.
“It looks almost alive.”
As the First Prince brought his fingers to touch the crystal, I inhaled sharply.
‘I know how much he hates me.’
It was a memory I truly didn’t want to recall—one I had managed to forget until now—but at that moment, I couldn’t help it.
Seeing the First Prince standing before the beast, old memories I had buried deep in my heart began to unravel on their own.
‘I won’t bother you to like me anymore. Even if you never see me again, I don’t care.’
Back in my first possession of the story, I had foolishly liked every character in the novel.
But it was also the period when the invasion of Rosantina by the beasts left little time before total catastrophe.
It had been quite a long time, yet the memory came back in unnerving clarity.
Back then, everything was happening much sooner than I expected, and I was in a panic.
So, to prevent the forces controlling the beast, I almost begged the First Prince, who was heading toward the place where he had originally died in the story, to follow my instructions.
‘Please… just this once, follow what I say.’
The First Prince rarely listened to me, but I hoped he would this time.
I even thought there might be a chance he wouldn’t ignore me this time.
After all, this was about his life. Having heard the prophecy of death, feeling even a little unease would be natural, wouldn’t it?
But what returned to me was a chillingly cold gaze that froze me in place.
‘Even in a situation like this, you’re still spouting nonsense? Don’t you realize how ridiculous what you’re saying is?’
His words pierced me sharply, as if trying to kill me.
‘If you truly know the future, then why did your father die the way he did not long ago?’
The First Prince tried to shake off my hand, but seeing my face, he froze mid-motion.
The cold edge in his eyes twitched slightly.
‘…It’s not a matter of trusting or not trusting you.’
After a moment, he quietly released my hand.
His back, as he walked away, showed not an ounce of hesitation.
‘Even if I die, I must go. It’s my duty as royalty.’
Eventually, he returned as a corpse.
Seeing the First Prince in such a state, I couldn’t help but sneer at him.
Serves you right, you foolish fool.
You drove a nail into my heart so many times, and now you die like this—good riddance.
I shouted, laughing and crying at the same time.
“Hm, alright, Asphodel. I’ll respect your taste. Hmmm… though it’s quite unusual.”
After inspecting the white magical beast here and there, the First Prince finally looked at me with an awkward smile.
Shimmering blonde hair, green eyes with the scent of the forest, a refined and noble face.
Yet, his gaze and expression directed at me were unfamiliar.
“…Ma.”
I impulsively spoke.
“What?”
The First Prince, not hearing me clearly, stopped in his tracks upon seeing my face, just like in a memory from the past.
His green eyes widened.
“Forget it, don’t come here.”
I spoke again toward him.
“I’m canceling what I said before. Don’t ever come to our palace again.”
“Asphodel…”
“I don’t want to see your face.”
After saying what I wanted, I turned away, leaving the First Prince looking shocked.
His flustered voice calling after me was drowned out by the rain pouring into the corridor and the sound of my footsteps as I ran.
Later, he and Margaret came to check on me in my room, but I didn’t open the door.
When Father returned from his outing, he looked at me worriedly.
Like the young magical beasts in their nests, I nestled against him, comforted, and went to bed early.
But that night, I couldn’t sleep easily, feeling like I might have a bad dream.
9
No matter what happens in the world, regardless of my mood, the sun rose the next day.
“Hmph, alright!”
Two days later, I got up early and did my morning stretches under the bed, then gently slapped my cheeks to wake myself up.
Yes, today I’d start fresh and have a productive day.
The day before, I had a nightmare and barely slept.
But yesterday, exhausted, I had slept soundly.
Though I’d briefly wallowed in gloom, I wasn’t the type to dig my head in the ground forever.
‘Mental management, mental management!’
After patting my cheeks again, gently, I washed and changed with Margaret’s help.
“Princess, could you step outside for a moment? Lord Roxhan has prepared a gift.”
“Father?”
After breakfast, Margaret led me to the study.
Oh dear, I must have worried him.
I excused myself by claiming I had a cold, but he didn’t seem convinced.
Apparently, my mood over the past two days had looked bad enough.
Seeing Father suddenly prepare a surprise gift for me…
“Adel, my daughter! Look at this.”
And what he proudly gave me in the study was…
“Father went to the western beast nests early this morning and caught a Maracus for you. I picked the one with the most splendid tail. Do you like it?”
“Waaaaa…”
It was a fearsome red magical beast.
Its body looked like it was entirely aflame.
Its imposing fangs and rugged muscular form were extremely impressive.
‘Ugh!’
I almost cried out in frustration.
‘This isn’t my taste!’
I preferred cute, tiny magical creatures like our baby beasts!
If I liked beasts, I would have read grim stories, not child-rearing ones!
No wonder Margaret had worn that ambiguous expression while bringing me here.
Still, I couldn’t dampen my precious Father’s spirit.
“I love your gift, Father! Wow, it’s perfect! Thank you!”
Damn, but I could only spout meaningless words to pretend.
Gathering my lost spirit, I praised Father and the gift. He smiled, stroking the beast’s head.
“Let’s put this in crystal for Adel’s playroom as well.”
Thus, my playroom gained a second taxidermied magical beast.
And every time I entered the playroom, Margaret’s and my eyes seemed twice as shiny.
Outside, a new rumor began circulating that day.
The Third Princess, instead of fearing the beast, loved it and played with it like a toy.
An exaggerated rumor even claimed that at the birthday banquet, the Third Princess caught a flying beast mid-air with one hand.
I scoffed at it, knowing the rumor would soon die down.
Little did I know, this would be the origin of my future terrifying reputation as the “reckless princess.”
“Gone again?”
“Yes, First Prince. The Princess went out a short while ago.”
The First Prince came looking for me again today.
Even after I had told him in person I didn’t want to see him, he was persistent.
I pretended I wasn’t in the palace and didn’t meet him.
Hearing Margaret’s explanation, the First Prince’s eyes narrowed.
“Seems like you’re never here whenever I come.”
“Hoho… she’s quite active, so she’s rarely in the palace before sunset.”
Good job, Margaret!
Sorry for making you lie—just a bit more patience.
“First Prince, as I mentioned this morning, wouldn’t it be better to formally schedule a meeting next time? Since the dedicated attendant knows the Third Princess’s schedule, it’s best to fix a time now.”
Tsk.
At that moment, an attendant behind the First Prince gave unnecessary advice.
Judging by his sharp gaze, he was annoyed that his master was being stood up at the door by me.
I felt uneasy.
If the First Prince wanted to formally schedule a meeting, refusing him indefinitely like now would be difficult.
Margaret also seemed unsure how to handle it if the First Prince agreed to her suggestion.
The reckless princess’s reckless life plan continues.
