#21. When You Open the Prince’s Head (2)
“Maya, why is it so noisy outside?”
“It seems they’re preparing for a banquet.”
At the maid’s answer, Liliana frowned.
“My brother must be wasting the national treasury again.”
Her grip on the book tightened.
‘Useless bastard.’
She hated her brother.
‘Not an ounce of royal dignity or responsibility to be found.’
Royalty are a privileged class.
From the moment they are born, they are granted the most honorable status in the country.
That means they must act and dedicate themselves accordingly.
What kind of right exists in this world without duty?
If one is born into royalty and lives enjoying every privilege, it is only right to serve the people who suffer. That was Liliana’s idea of kingship.
But what about Diold?
He was a complete disgrace.
He threw parties daily using the people’s hard-earned tax money, assaulted women, and not long ago, even beat someone to death while drunk. Rumor had it he was now secretly involved in illegal slave trading.
‘That kind of man isn’t a crown prince!’
She didn’t mind that she couldn’t inherit the throne because she was born a woman. She understood the weight and responsibility, and so she never envied Diold.
He had been brilliant as a child.
He handled magic with ease—magic she herself couldn’t control—and excelled in both academics and swordsmanship. He was a gifted royal.
But at some point, he changed.
He began showing a lax attitude, falsely accused his mentor of an absurd crime and drove him out, then suddenly became obsessed with women and idled his time away.
As if he were a completely different person.
“This banquet was ordered by His Majesty, the King,” Maya added.
“What?”
Liliana, lost in thought, turned her head.
“Father?”
“Yes. It seems the Saintess of Aegis suddenly sent a letter of visitation.”
“…The Saintess?”
She blinked.
Saintess Eustinas.
She knew the name.
Unforgettable.
She was the benefactor who had appeared out of nowhere ten years ago and healed her mother.
Had she not shown up just then, they would have surely lost her mother, and the entire region would have drowned in a plague, suffering immense loss. That’s why Liliana always felt gratitude and deep respect toward the Saintess.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.
“His Majesty promised you wealth and noble title, I heard. Why did you refuse?”
“The Lord teaches us to do good from the lowest places. I simply strive to follow that teaching.”
Back then, in her prideful youth, Liliana couldn’t understand Eustinas’ words.
‘Do good from the lowest places? With that kind of power?’
Eustinas’ power was overwhelming.
She could bring someone back from the brink of death with just one prayer—clearly beyond the realm of human capability. She was a living god.
If she used that power, she could gain wealth and fame. She could become one of the privileged in a heartbeat and claim all she was never able to enjoy.
But the girl refused.
It was shocking.
At the time, Liliana believed that some people were simply born exceptional—and that it was only natural for them to enjoy the benefits.
Now, she’s ashamed of that thought. There was nothing wrong in what the Saintess had said.
“Then I suppose I must attend the banquet as well.”
“Shall I prepare your usual simple attire?”
At Maya’s question, Liliana paused.
She always avoided extravagance. She believed in carrying the dignity of a princess, but never tried to dress more lavishly than necessary.
But just this once—
“Put some effort into it today.”
Clutching the odd flutter in her chest, Liliana asked plainly.
*
“It’s huge!”
Izumi exclaimed, standing before the royal palace. He had his holy sword slung at his waist.
For reference, the sword sheath was made by Mars. He had also crafted my staff and rosary. He’s quite the artisan.
“Don’t act so carelessly. You’re with the Saintess.”
“Geez, sorry for being a country bumpkin.”
Even as Cedric scolded him, Izumi just grinned cheekily. Cedric’s thick brows twitched.
I began walking, watching the two bicker. Their heads snapped toward me immediately.
“We’ll escort you.”
“Let me help!”
They spoke at the same time.
“This is my duty.”
“There’s no such thing!”
“I’m the Saintess’s knight.”
“I’m the Hero, you know?”
Spark. Sparks flew.
I felt awkward.
‘What’s with them?’
It was uncomfortable how they both scrambled to assist me from each side. Honestly, I didn’t even need the help.
Izumi, especially, had become more careful and kind since realizing I was blind. It felt oddly unsettling.
‘Well, he is the protagonist, after all. He’s supposed to be nice.’
Fell in love at first sight?
…Probably not.
Like a typical shonen protagonist, Izumi was clueless about romance. Even when Liliana in the original story made her feelings blatantly obvious, he never caught on.
‘His goal is to return home.’
The title says it all: “I Reincarnated as an Extra in Another World and Defeated the Demon King to Get Back Home” (Special: Unnecessarily long title).
I don’t know how it ends, but at least until the later parts, he was dedicated to going home—and to protecting the world he had grown to love.
That’s what I liked about him.
He was a king.
But unlike a chess king who must be protected, he stood at the front lines and broke through adversity himself.
“His Majesty the King has commanded that I escort the Saintess’s party. Please come this way.”
As we were chatting, a royal guard approached.
We entered the palace under his guidance.
‘It’s nice and spacious.’
Unlike the suffocatingly white temples, Terra’s royal palace was luxurious and elegant—reminded me of Buckingham Palace in my previous life.
As we admired the place—
“Hmph. Are these the invited guests Father mentioned?”
A flashy, blond playboy emerged from an inner room.
Wearing a red ceremonial outfit, he looked me up and down and pointed.
“You’re pretty. How about joining me in bed tonight?”
“…Excuse me?”
Sching.
Cedric silently drew his sword.
“Wait!”
I stopped him.
“Don’t.”
He whispered low.
“He insulted the Saintess.”
“It’s fine.”
I smiled gently.
“The only ones who can disgrace me are myself and the Lord.”
In short, I didn’t give a damn about that dog barking nonsense.
Well, besides—
“Your Highness!”
“Huh? Who’re you?”
“Th-this is the Saintess of Aegis!”
“The Saintess?!”
A guard, now pale as a sheet, rushed over to stop the man.
Izumi muttered in disbelief.
“…The Crown Prince?”
That guy?
His omitted words were obvious.
‘Same here, honestly…’
But still, I couldn’t just cut him down on the spot.
My eyes narrowed.
‘Should I do it now?’
Diold Edwin Terrario.
He was currently completely brainwashed by demons. His indulgence in drink, women, and idiocy—all the demon’s doing.
My fingers twitched.
‘It’s worth trying a Full Heal. Low chance, but…’
My skill “Full Heal” only works on physical injuries. It can’t heal emotional trauma.
‘But Diold’s condition is different from normal mental illness.’
A demon had implanted a small insect in his brain, controlling him. The parasite disabled his thinking.
In the original story, Izumi killed the demon host and freed Diold from control.
But does it have to go that way? Seems like a hassle.
‘Maybe I can remove the parasite with my healing ability… or—’
I tilted my head.
‘Why not just open his skull?’
Just crack it a little, pull the bug out, and heal him before he dies.
I’d lose some blood, sure.
But I’ve got the no pain skill. It’ll be fine.
“So what if she’s the Saintess? I’m the Crown Prince of this country.”
My gaze remained fixed on the spewing idiot.
Not Diold.
Just a shell.
That’s a demon.
Demons have no human rights.
Naturally. Human rights are for humans.
“Surely you won’t refuse. Bear my child, and you might become the Crown Princess. Come to my room tonight.”
Hmm. I’ve decided.
“Shall I?”
“…Saintess?”
“What are you saying?!”
Just as Cedric and Izumi were about to draw their swords again, I smiled.
“I belong to Lord Aether. I cannot share a bed, but if Your Highness seeks confession, I’d gladly listen.”
“Saintess.”
Cedric grabbed my arm.
My closed eyes sharpened.
Ah, just hold still for a moment.
‘We need to be alone… so I can crack that skull without anyone noticing.’
