Chapter 14
Richard glared at my left hand—more precisely, the diamond ring shining on my finger—as if he wanted to kill it.
But for a moment, my mind was elsewhere.
No matter what, it was strange for him to come this quickly.
Richard himself might not know, but at least one of his close aides—say, Luke—must be making deals with the seventh princess.
I was thinking about the seventh princess, the best information broker among my siblings, and because I had no answer, Richard growled again.
“Take it off.”
Ah, forget the seventh princess for now. I have to deal with the mad dog in front of me first.
“I’m not taking it off.”
I said that and gave Richard my firmest expression.
“If I try to remove it, my finger will be cut off. The same goes if I break the promise.”
The air around us instantly grew sharp as a blade.
Richard’s blood-red eyes began to radiate a murderous aura, and a light—something other than his usual glare—flickered around them.
…Richard, have you reached the level where you can shoot a sword’s edge from your eyes?
I couldn’t meet that gaze sober. I gave up trying to pull my hand away and buried my eyes in the soup bowl.
“Why on earth did you agree?”
Richard spoke from above me.
“You said you were mine. Don’t you know you have a bad relationship with that guy? Even if you don’t, you should have asked me. If you wanted to live quietly without dying from spies, you should have been careful!”
He certainly looked upset.
But the feeling was mutual. The more Richard spoke, the worse I felt.
He was speaking as if I had a choice. As if all of this could have been avoided if only I had acted ‘properly.’
Where is the sense in shifting responsibility like that?
And because of Richard, the food on the table was getting cold.
“I had no choice! You said you’d kill your own men if I didn’t agree…”
“Then why the hell did you agree!? He’s killing his own people, not yours! How could you be happy about it?”
Richard’s eyes flashed.
“Are you… on Rudolf’s side?”
A horribly childish way of speaking. Like a kindergartener picking sides.
“Did you approach me deliberately from the start? Is that it?”
But there was a life at stake in this childish game. That fact, which I knew all too well, felt especially unbearable today.
Just last night, I risked my life answering three questions from Carlisle. I woke up and ended up putting a ticking bomb on my finger to save someone else’s life.
And now Richard comes here, asking whose side I’m on, ready to kill if he has to.
I had the same thought again.
Being powerless is truly miserable.
“Did I approach you deliberately?”
I put down my spoon and raised my head to look at Richard. I’d have to give up on eating.
“You may not remember, but I almost died because of you, brother.”
“But you didn’t die.”
Was that part of my plan too? How am I supposed to explain your whims?
I forced strength into my face so I wouldn’t look annoyed, and as a result, my expression twisted like I was about to cry.
“Then kill me now.”
Richard paused.
I looked down and spoke slowly.
“You said it yourself. The powerless cannot control their own lives… That’s true.”
Richard, who I expected to cut me off in anger, was surprisingly quiet. I could feign misery freely without interference.
“You’re lucky, brother. Because you’re strong, you can protect yourself and those around you. But I’m not. When you threatened to kill my servants, the only thing I could do was dine with you. When Rudolf threatened me with his men’s lives, the only thing I could do was obey. I’m powerless.”
Well… it wasn’t exactly feigned. I really felt pathetic, and genuine sorrow crept into my words.
“So if you don’t want me to go with Rudolf to the birthday celebration, just kill me now. I have no choice anyway.”
Richard ground his teeth.
“So you’re saying I’m no different from him?”
Of course, Richard and Rudolf are completely different in character. I knew that well, but…
“Think from my perspective. What’s the difference between the two of you?”
From my point of view, isn’t he completely the same—a brother trying to kill me?
Richard didn’t answer. Or maybe he couldn’t.
I had delivered a verbal blow to him, but it didn’t feel satisfying.
At first, I just wanted to look pitiful. But the more I spoke, the gloomier I felt.
I didn’t lose my appetite… in fact, I was still hungry.
But I wasn’t shameless enough to shove food in my mouth in front of Richard, in this uncomfortable situation.
I stood up.
“I won’t see you off. Goodbye, brother.”
Surprisingly, Richard didn’t stop me. Not even when I returned to my room and closed the door.
He didn’t kill my servants, break down the door, yell, cut my finger, or force me to declare my allegiance… He didn’t do anything I could imagine.
Richard simply left my palace quietly.
“Phew.”
I only exhaled in relief after checking through the window that Richard and his group had left Opal Palace.
“What is even going on…”
Once the tension left me, I groaned.
Rudolf Sol Esperusa, that madman. Sending an invitation so openly?
In the original story, Rudolf didn’t approach Imelda for a while after their Q&A. I thought I’d be safe for some time, so how did this happen?
Was it the last question that caused this?
Could it be…? My face went pale.
Had he realized I’m the possessed one?
Would impersonating the princess be punishable by death after all?
“No!”
“Huh?!”
I tore at my hair and shouted, and from outside the door, a voice cried out.
“Ah, Your Highness, I haven’t even said anything yet!”
Miriam’s flustered figure was visible even through the door. I snapped in an irritated voice.
“Why! What!”
“Your Highness, you stopped eating… aren’t you hungry?”
Growl.
Perfect timing—my stomach responded immediately.
“Bring it to my room. I’ll eat here.”
Right, I might die at any moment, but I should at least eat first. They say ghosts who eat before dying look better.
Contrary to my worries, Opal Palace remained peaceful until the birthday celebration.
My life was still intact, and my brothers didn’t return.
I had wanted to see Rudolf once more before the celebration, but he valued his time too much to set foot in my palace.
Instead, Rudolf sent a teacher to teach me etiquette. An elderly woman named Maria Rudin, apparently a famous etiquette teacher in the capital.
She lamented the lack of time and taught me all manners intensively. There was too much to memorize, and even more to practice physically.
I ended up in cram-student mode, fully focused on studying, without time to worry about Rudolf or Richard.
Weeks passed in a blur, and finally, the day of the birthday celebration arrived.
Early in the morning, familiar faces came.
“A morning full of blessings, Your Highness. Have you been well?”
“Welcome, Viscount Klein.”
Rachel Klein smiled happily when she heard me reply.
“It’s an honor that you remember my insignificant name.”
I didn’t meet many people…
I gave a bitter smile and looked at Rachel and her group.
Today too, she brought several gift boxes using magic. And she came with a few others.
“Shall we start with the gifts sent by Prince Rudolf?”
Rachel flicked her fingers, and the largest box opened by itself, revealing a dress.
She continued moving her fingers as if playing a piano. One by one, boxes opened, revealing a necklace, earrings, and finally a tiara.
“If you like them, the prince asks that you wear them to today’s party.”
“The ‘if you like’ part was added by the viscountess, right?”
I asked confidently. Rudolf wouldn’t care about my feelings.
“…It seems you don’t have a maid, so I’ve brought someone to help with your appearance. Is that acceptable?”
Rachel didn’t answer me and turned toward the person behind her.
Of course, your life isn’t easy either. I won’t press further.
And someone to help with my appearance is welcome. I didn’t want Miriam doing my hair and makeup on such an important day.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
I spoke sincerely to those behind her.
“The pleasure is ours, Your Highness.”
They bowed deeply, very seriously.
“But it seems you came very early. You should eat something and rest…”
“What are you saying!”
They were worried because they had been moving since before dawn, but the maids raised their heads and looked at me.
A strange glow flashed in their eyes, and I felt a sudden sense of intimidation.
“You are not early at all. We have to start with what should have been prepared last night, so we’re actually pressed for time!”
The maid then asked Matilda, who was behind me.
“The bathwater is warm, I assume?”
“Of course.”
Matilda answered solemnly.
Why are we taking a bath so seriously?
“Then let’s begin.”
The three maids approached me with fierce looks.
I had a very strong premonition.
This… is definitely not going to be easy.
The birthday celebration in the imperial year 515.
Two years and seven months before the New Year festival when the original story begins in 518.
Also, though the original story barely mentions it, this is Imelda’s first social debut.
First question: What are the chances of meeting the original heroine at today’s birthday celebration?
Answer: Yes. Being in the same place doesn’t make the probability zero. But it’s very low.
Since no one spoke to her, she was like a ghost and left early. So at the party, she’s likely to stay tucked away in a corner.
Second question: Could Imelda remain locked in her palace, unaware of any rumors, pay no attention to the party gossip, not see me, and quietly leave?
Answer: Yes.
But even that is limited by probability.
Winning the lottery three times in a row, or being run over by a suddenly charging ostrich—technically, these aren’t zero probability either.
Considering that, the answer is: “Will it work?”
My eyes feel wet. In fact, my face is already soaking.
“Sis, I did my best…”
“Your Highness, you mustn’t move!”
As I tilted my head and groaned, someone dashed over.
“Please bear with it a little longer.”
She put more on my face, already covered with stuff, and disappeared.
