Episode 33
Defend me? He was clearly making fun of me. Cardian chimed in,
“Is that so? You seem to be enjoying yourself.”
Despite his seemingly kind words, his eyes held a look of disdain.
“How much do you know about the history of the Empire?”
At his condescending question, as if he was looking at a child, I forced a smile. I knew why he was here. He must have come to check me out since I suddenly appeared and the Crown Prince was taking care of me.
Seeing me struggle to even walk and lacking common sense, he was bound to be suspicious. He was probably trying to figure out why the Crown Prince was suddenly taking care of a clumsy person like me, wondering if there was a special reason.
“I’m learning slowly. I’m lacking in many areas since I came from another country.”
“But you speak the Imperial language fluently. Interesting.”
‘I don’t want to be interesting to you. Don’t come near me. Go away. Shoo!’
His slowly approaching face made me uncomfortable. My own future was uncertain; I had no intention of getting caught between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince.
As I tried to step back, Arenz blocked my path.
“Please don’t come any closer.”
“Why are you ordering me around?”
“It’s His Highness the Crown Prince’s order.”
“My brother’s order… Is there something special about her?”
‘There’s nothing special. Nothing. Don’t be interested in me.’
I had a bad feeling that I was about to get caught up in something complicated. I quickly spoke,
“I’m only staying here temporarily because His Highness the Crown Prince entrusted me with a task. He’s treating me as a guest, so there’s nothing special.”
“If my brother summoned someone from another country and entrusted them with a task, she must be quite competent?”
“Not at all.”
I denied it, but the Second Prince ignored me.
“Valerie, I would like you to visit my palace next time. I have some matters to deal with, and I think your help would be beneficial.”
His green eyes, gleaming dangerously like a viper’s tongue, made me hold my breath. Arenz, seeing that this was going too far, drew a line again.
“She’s His Highness the Crown Prince’s guest.”
“I asked the lady in front of me, not my brother’s dog. Well, fine. I can visit again later.”
I froze at his words.
‘Don’t come. I don’t want an ending where I get involved with the villain and fall from grace!’
“Then I’ll see you next time, Valerie.”
His cheerful parting words sent shivers down my spine. I felt like I needed to scatter salt in front of my door. And I needed to find a way to eliminate the monster and get out of the Imperial Palace as soon as possible.
After the Second Prince left, I gasped for breath. Pona, who had been standing stiffly with her head lowered, also sighed and looked up.
“I didn’t expect His Highness the Second Prince to come. Judging by his attitude, he’ll probably visit Lady Valerie often…”
“Will I be safe if I stay in my room?”
“Ah, it doesn’t matter… If His Highness the Second Prince invites you, you can’t refuse.”
So I couldn’t avoid him even if I stayed in my room. I felt a headache coming on.
I had been taking my time learning about the Empire and getting used to my human body, since the monster extermination wasn’t urgent.
But the Second Prince’s approach felt like it was ruining all my plans. I thought he would just show a brief interest, but he said he would see me again. I was afraid of getting involved with him and becoming as vulnerable as a fly.
Moreover, I still didn’t know how to use my power. I thought it would be necessary to eliminate the monster, but the Tower Master, who I had hoped would contact me, had gone completely silent.
Pona, seeing my face, carefully took my hand.
“I see you’ve also noticed the strange atmosphere of the Imperial Palace, Lady Valerie.”
“Yes, well…”
‘I know because I’ve read the novel.’
“It seems peaceful, but it’s a dangerous place due to the struggle for the throne. It feels like it could explode at any moment. You’ll be leaving after dealing with the monster, Lady Valerie, but… I hope you’ll remember that it’s His Highness the Crown Prince who’s showing you this kindness.”
She seemed to be comforting me, but her words were clearly a warning not to side with the Second Prince.
‘This isn’t how you treat a temporary guest.’
I glanced at Arenz, who was standing behind me, and he nodded, seemingly sharing my thoughts.
It seemed like I had gotten myself into a real mess. I felt a chill down my spine, as if I was already in too deep. I needed to take what I could and escape quickly.
I smiled and held Pona’s hand. She was probably also one of the Crown Prince’s people.
“Yes. I’m grateful to His Highness for taking care of me after I appeared out of nowhere. And I also find the Second Prince… unpleasant.”
“His Highness the Second Prince is a bit creepy and shady, like he has a hundred snakes inside him.”
“I-I wouldn’t go that far…”
“His Highness the Crown Prince will appreciate your feelings. Then shall we continue with what you were curious about? You asked about the Empire’s currency, and I’ve recently explained its history. Ah, how about learning about etiquette?”
“…As you wish.”
“Yes. His Highness the Crown Prince will summon you soon, so let’s do our best until then.”
I nodded, feeling a bit troubled. It would be good to learn enough to make my stay in the Imperial Palace comfortable.
After the chaos of becoming human and being threatened in the Imperial Palace, I could finally examine myself. My gait, my speech, and even my way of thinking. I had been a bird for less than a year, yet my human body felt unfamiliar.
And after running down the hallway, I couldn’t feel any strength in my body when I woke up. I was startled and absorbed a mana stone, and my strength returned, but I understood what it meant to be unstable.
“But I think I’ll be fine since I’m working hard with you, Pona. I’ll make sure not to be carried again… so…”
I looked at Arenz, rolling my eyes. I could see him trying to suppress his laughter.
After spending a few days with him, I realized that Arenz found joy in teasing me.
‘Sigh. Where did the polite knight from the novel go?’
As I lamented and rested, Pona dropped a bombshell.
“Ah, everyone will help you with etiquette.”
“Everyone?”
“Yes. We’ll be assisting you from now on.”
I tried to run, recognizing the familiar voices. But the Imperial maids surrounded and blocked me.
I was reminded of the situation at the Dukedom.
‘Why is everyone tormenting me even after I’ve become human?!’
“Don’t run away, Lady Valerie. You can spend some quality time with us now.”
“No!”
“You have no choice.”
The maids simply ignored my protests.
After diligently walking, learning, and resting in the Imperial Palace for a while, I was now sitting in the reception room, summoned by the Crown Prince. I had pushed the ominous-looking tea to the side.
‘Yes, accidents happen once, but twice, and I’ll die.’
While waiting, I tried to guess what the Crown Prince would say.
‘Will he mention the Second Prince approaching me, or will he bring up Cesar, whom he was questioning me about before?’
He had deduced my connection to Cesar after just a brief conversation, so he must have found out more in the past few days.
“You’re here.”
At the sudden voice from behind, I smiled brightly and replied,
“Yes, I was waiting.”
I didn’t make the mistake of badmouthing him like last time. As I breathed a sigh of relief, the Crown Prince’s gaze fell on the teacup on the table.
“It seems you have no intention of spitting out your tea today. You haven’t even touched it.”
‘Vengeful Crown Prince. To think he still remembers that. But it was my fault, so I can’t complain.’
“Don’t worry, I don’t think I’ll be drinking tea in front of Your Highness again.”
“That’s good news.”
The Crown Prince smiled at me. Even his smile was scary.
I suppressed my urge to speak and waited for him to start the conversation. Soon, he opened his mouth.
“First, we need to talk about the Duke.”
“I have nothing to do with the Duke…”
“The Duke requested my approval to issue a search warrant. He’s looking for a woman with pink hair that fades to white at the tips. It’s different from your hair color. Did you change your hair color?”
My heart sank.
‘Cesar doesn’t know I became human. Why would he issue a search warrant for a woman with the same hair color as me?’
My throat went dry. I denied it in a small voice,
“No…”
“Magic doesn’t work within the Imperial Palace, but the Tower Master is an exception. Your hair currently appears light brown, but I have ways to reveal your true hair color.”
The Crown Prince was getting close to the truth. I had been feeling safe because he only had suspicions, but now I felt like a trapped rat.
“…The Tower Master changed it.”
“Did he change your eye color as well?”
I touched my eyes. They were green when I checked in the mirror.
“Yes.”
“I’ve blocked the search warrant. However, anyone who knows the Duke’s personality would know he won’t give up so easily.”
I flinched at his words.
Knowing Cesar’s personality, giving up wasn’t an option. Like a child unwilling to let go of a toy, he wouldn’t tolerate losing something he considered his.
‘Haha, I might have picked the wrong owner.’
It was chilling that he was looking for a woman with similar hair to mine, even though he didn’t know I was human.
“I intend to do my best to prevent him from finding you. Because I’d love to see the Duke frustrated.”
‘They’re definitely exhibiting signs of schadenfreude.’
I swallowed the words rising in my throat.