CFCF 06

Episode 6

Finally, after practically shooing the Crown Prince of Flavi away, I could properly ponder the situation.

‘Anyway, Ernst was the only one who was informed in advance about Louise’s pregnancy.’

Thinking that way, it seemed natural for Ernst to be the father, but the thing that bothered me was, of course, Ren’s existence.

“I will protect you. You won’t suffer any pain. Understand?”

I clearly remembered those serious amethyst eyes when he said that… and he’s not the father?

“Phew…….”

I was heaving deep sighs when Phoebe entered.

“Your Highness, Lord Ren from the Magic Tower has sent an urgent delivery.”

Speak of the devil, it seemed Ren had sent the medicine.

“Shall I call for more guards?”

“Huh? Why?”

At that, Phoebe also sighed.

“Why, you ask? Something might explode or catch fire, like back in the dormitory…”

Oh, Ren, what have you done…

But what Ren sent this time was undoubtedly the morning sickness medicine.

‘He all but claimed to be the father; if he played a crazy prank like that on top of it, he’d be a lunatic.’

Of course, he might be a lunatic…

Still, with only two of the tea bags he gave me left, I desperately needed the morning sickness medicine.

“It’s fine. Just put it down here and step out.”

The box looked very ordinary, but Phoebe handled it as if it were a bomb, carefully placing it on the table before retreating.

When I approached and opened the box, another box was inside.

“Hmm……?”

I placed my hand on the palm shape on the lid, and the lock opened by itself.
Inside, about a dozen labeled glass bottles were lined up.

「Vomiting, Nausea. 1~2 tsp, increase dosage as needed.」
「Indigestion. 1~2 tsp, increase dosage as needed.」
「Insomnia, Sleep Disorders. 3 tsp.」
「Cold Extremities, Blood Circulation. 1 tsp.」
「Tinnitus. 1.5 tsp.」
「Headache. 1 tsp.」

I was checking the labels on the bottles of potions—white, black, brown, or strangely colored—when I spotted one bottle filled with colorful candies.

The label on the candy bottle read:

「When you miss Ren」

I chuckled and picked out one of the medicine bottles.
I took two spoonfuls of the ‘Nausea’ medicine and then opened the colorful bottle to take out a candy too.
Of course, it wasn’t because I missed Ren, but just because the medicine was bitter.

‘Obviously.’

No matter how much of a looks-oriented, quick-to-fall person I am, I can’t possibly miss a man I’ve only seen once.
Moreover, I still haven’t figured out who the real father is between the magic-wielding and the pretty girl.

‘And Cal, who said he was coming to propose…….’

It seemed highly likely he wouldn’t come.

“Phew.”

Of course, that was actually a good thing.

The next day, the imperial palace was bustling from the morning, and even the normally quiet detached palace was unusually abuzz.
In the afternoon, Phoebe changed my dress and did my hair, beaming.

“His Highness Rurik has achieved another great military feat, hasn’t he? Perhaps this time he’ll finally receive a title, and it would be good if your residences were moved to the main palace as well.”

I smiled wryly.
As the original author, I was certain that was a reward he would never receive until after he went on a rampage and slaughtered his siblings.

“Do you want to go to the main palace?”

When I asked that, Phoebe blinked, her expression turning serious.

“It’s not that……!”

She pouted her lips for a moment, looking wronged, then replied.

“Even if I entered the main palace, would things be easier for me? For our gentle youngest princess, there would be many more suitors, and it’s probably better for you to stay here without having to mind Her Majesty the Empress or His Highness the Crown Prince. But His Highness Rurik’s situation is different.”

She was right.
Despite being twenty-seven, Rurik had no title other than his status as the Second Prince.

‘While Cyril, the Empress’s daughter, and Princess Zenais, the First Consort’s daughter, even had the title of Tata Viscountess prepared for them…’

Rurik hadn’t even been granted the Dukedom of Ostia, which the imperial second son rightfully should have received upon coming of age.
That was, of course, because the Emperor and Crown Prince were well aware of the demonic sword’s side effects.
In short, they knew Rurik wouldn’t live long.

‘The imperial family used Rurik thoroughly.’

Rurik had endured hardship since childhood, steeling his resolve to protect Louise and himself, and rose to become the empire’s youngest Sword Master, proving his ability.
But the Emperor had given the demonic sword, with its obvious side effects, to that young boy and left him to live as its host.

‘Since he was just twelve years old.’

I shook my head, recalling the gloomy past I had personally bestowed upon Rurik.

‘Hold on just a little longer, Rurik.’

Soon, he would meet the female lead, Helena, and be healed in body and soul, becoming a new person.

‘Wait a minute.’

If Rurik doesn’t go on a rampage, won’t he meet Helena?
A ominous thought briefly crossed my mind, but I soon shook my head.

‘It’ll be fine. Because “Mad Dog” is a regression story.’

The female lead I created, Helena, is a capable regressor.
She might find it strange that I’m alive, contrary to the future she knows, but Louise has such an insignificant role in both the novel and the imperial family that it probably won’t matter much.

‘As long as I don’t specially interfere, Helena will manage just fine on her own.’

Fortunately, since I’m Rurik’s biological sister, there’s no risk of this suddenly veering into a weird quasi-incest ending.
So, I’ll leave the scary brother alone and just focus on finding the father of my child, that’s the plan.

Finally, the western sky turned red.
I went down to the imperial palace gardens with Phoebe to wait for Rurik’s return.
A black sea of people had come out to welcome Rurik, but I was the only member of the imperial family among them.

‘Of course.’

Still, there were quite a few nobles present, so I could hear firsthand accounts of Rurik’s exploits.

“This year’s harvest wasn’t good; supplies might have been cut off this winter.”
“My head maid fainted when she heard the news of the war’s end. Her youngest son was deployed.”
“There are many this and that rumors about His Highness the Second Prince, but it’s still him who upholds the empire’s prestige, isn’t it?”

Of course, they were only saying such things because no other imperial family members were present except me.
The lady who had spoken that last part shrewdly acknowledged me.

“Congratulations, Your Highness the Youngest Princess.”

“……Thank you.”

I replied, but I wasn’t foolish enough to genuinely rejoice over pleasantries they wouldn’t dare offer in front of real, major imperial family members.

‘Even after possessing this body for just a week, I know that much.’

Just then, a standard-bearer came galloping, waving a flag bearing the imperial crest.

“The Sword of the Empire, His Highness Rurik Sylderic Frisland Brentania, the Second Prince, returns with news of victory after three years!”

The protagonist had finally arrived.

‘Thank goodness the pregnancy isn’t showing yet.’

Bless you, Tower Master Ren.

Feeling my heart pound, I waited for Rurik.
He’s my biological brother in this world, so it’s not like I have any other feelings for him, but anyway, he’s the male lead I created.

‘In other words, I’m meeting my ideal type.’

A male lead who has gone mad, whom only the female lead can heal.

‘How delicious is that?’

From a black horse much taller than the others, the male lead leaped down lightly.
The hem of the blood-red cloak he wore billowed like an overflowing wine glass.

‘Gulp.’

I had thought the combination of red hair and red eyes was a bit much even for a male lead, but seeing it in person, its destructive power was immense.

‘Insane…! He’s too handsome…!’

He was different from the porcelain-doll beautiful Crown Prince or the untamable wild horse that was the Tower Master.
Rurik seemed to wear the evening glow like a halo, and his face, which showed no sign of joy for a victor, looked sublime, beyond just handsome.