Episode 3
Even though Lucy was undeniably a member of the imperial family, she resided in a modest annex far removed from the main palace.
This was because, unlike her sister Elisha who enjoyed the emperor’s favor, Lucy had incurred his hatred.
Both Lucy and the servants of the annex had long believed that living quietly and keeping their heads down was the only way to prolong her life.
However, after the accident where Lucy fell from the terrace railing, strange rumors began to circulate in the usually quiet annex.
And now, several days after Lucy had awakened thanks to Cecil’s healing yet still couldn’t leave her bed, a new rumor was spreading.
“Princess Lucy.”
Lucy’s private tutor, Veronica, adjusted her glasses as she looked at Lucy.
Veronica had originally come for a light visit to check on her well-being, but her expression turned grave, forcing her to summon the imperial physician.
To the bewildered physician who had been dragged along, Veronica gave a meaningful glance as if to say “watch carefully” before speaking.
“Would you summarize Chapter 1 of the history of the Akane Empire?”
“I don’t know.”
The physician’s eyes widened in surprise at Lucy’s answer.
Unfazed, Veronica continued with her questions.
“What are the three great taboos of the Akane Empire?”
“I don’t know.”
Veronica scribbled something in her notebook and showed it to Lucy.
“Would you solve this basic arithmetic problem?”
“I don’t know.”
Veronica swallowed dryly.
She led the physician to the window and whispered.
“Did you notice? Just talking to her makes me feel like my own intelligence is dropping. That’s how the princess is answering.”
“Isn’t it possible she simply doesn’t know?”
“Absolutely not!”
Realizing her voice had risen, Veronica cleared her throat and lowered it again.
“She’s someone who studied desperately under the pressure of being the abandoned princess. There’s no way she would answer ‘I don’t know’ to such basic questions.”
Lucy had always been timid and withdrawn, to the point that just looking at her made others feel depressed.
The only time she ever showed confidence was during Veronica’s lessons.
“Her only redeeming qualities were impeccable etiquette and sharp intellect… but look at her now.”
Veronica glanced back at Lucy.
Lucy was scratching at the bandage wrapped around her head and letting out a long, lazy yawn.
Veronica covered her mouth with her hand as if witnessing something utterly shocking.
“Even the light in her eyes has changed completely. There’s not a trace of her former sharpness left.”
The physician nodded in agreement with Veronica.
“I heard she fell headfirst from the terrace railing.”
The physician let out a low groan before continuing cautiously.
“It seems that’s the reason for the princess’s current condition…”
“Are you saying Princess Lucy has become an idiot?”
“Watch your tongue! Don’t use such crude words so carelessly!”
At the physician’s sharp rebuke, Veronica quickly shut her mouth.
“Still… it’s truly unfortunate. No misfortune could be worse than this.”
“Indeed. Of all things, to injure her head…”
To become an idiot.
Veronica couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence and swallowed the words inwardly.
Both the physician and Veronica looked at Lucy with eyes full of pity.
From that day on, the rumor that Lucy had become an idiot after the fall shook the annex and eventually reached the emperor’s ears.
* * *
Heh heh. A little pathetic, but it’s going according to plan.
Lucy inwardly praised herself.
As long as the situation wasn’t tied to an important part of the game’s story, she could speak simple words without the system window interfering.
‘Of course, thanks to the negative intelligence and reputation, all I can manage are foolish, undignified answers.’
But even that was something.
Lucy was doing her best to progress in the game under the worst possible conditions.
Especially when she learned that the rumor of her having injured her head and become an idiot had reached the emperor, she inwardly cheered.
‘Now I just have to wait patiently…’
That was what Lucy was thinking when—
Knock knock.
Someone came to visit her.
‘Already?’
Lucy quickly schooled her expression into something that looked convincingly stupid—only to widen her eyes in shock when she saw who entered after the door opened.
Luscious, flowing golden hair and slightly upturned emerald-green eyes.
Every step she took exuded refined elegance.
Lucy’s mouth fell open slightly.
‘Elisha.’
Elisha Adelstein.
Lucy’s beautiful yet cruel half-sister.
Sitting with her back against the headboard, Lucy straightened her spine.
Seeing her in person, the oppressive aura was on a completely different level from what she’d felt in the game.
Elisha was practically the final boss of this game.
She was also the main culprit who had driven Lucy to the execution ending in her previous life.
Elisha smiled as she looked at Lucy, whose body had stiffened in poorly concealed shock.
“Lucy. Seeing you awake and safe brings me joy.”
Elisha lightly sat on the edge of the bed and gazed at Lucy.
After staring silently for a moment, Elisha reached out.
Her hand gently stroked Lucy’s head.
As if pitying an injured younger sister.
The hand that had been caressing Lucy’s hair slowly slid down to her chin.
In an instant, the touch turned rough.
Elisha gripped Lucy’s chin forcefully.
“Cunning little thing.”
With her head forcibly held in place, Lucy had no choice but to meet Elisha’s cold, glaring eyes.
“Did you want Father’s attention so badly that you resorted to such tricks?”
“…….”
“Rumors are spreading. That you deliberately fell, trying to end your life.”
That otherwise, there was no reason for someone who used the terrace every day to suddenly fall from it.
The corner of Elisha’s mouth lifted crookedly.
“But that’s what people say because they don’t know you.”
The hand holding Lucy’s chin tightened even more.
In contrast, her voice grew quieter, almost a whisper.
“You’re the kind of fool who stumbles even in familiar spaces.”
Blatant mockery curled Elisha’s lips.
“The guts to die? If you had that, you would’ve begged Father long ago to let you leave this trash heap of an annex.”
Elisha narrowed her eyes as she looked at Lucy.
“You woke up perfectly fine after receiving healing, yet you pretend you can’t even support yourself. And now you’re even pretending to be a fool?”
Elisha snorted in disbelief.
“No matter how much you crave Father’s attention, isn’t this move far too reckless?”
“…….”
“Father is furious, you know.”
Lucy swallowed dryly.
“In any case, congratulations. Even Father can’t ignore a scandal that tarnishes the imperial family’s reputation. It seems he’ll start paying attention to you from now on. How long that attention will last, though, I can’t say.”
With a twisted smile, Elisha tilted her head when Lucy gave no response.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Usually you’d be crying and whining, ‘No, sister, it’s a misunderstanding, I’m innocent!’”
When Lucy remained silent, Elisha furrowed her brows for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter.
She released Lucy’s chin, crossed her arms, bent forward, and laughed for a long while.
Even after the hand was gone, Lucy quietly watched Elisha while feeling the lingering sting on her jaw.
“Watching your clumsy performance is entertaining, I’ll give you that.”
Though a smile still lingered on Elisha’s lips, her eyes held no warmth.
“But what are you going to do from now on?”
Elisha let out a soft hum through her nose.
“The imperial palace banquet is coming up soon.”
The imperial palace banquet.
It was the very first quest in ‘Heart-Pounding Love in Akane♡’.
You had to attend the banquet, perform on an instrument or display elegant dancing, and earn the emperor’s recognition of your skill.
“Are you going to keep your mouth shut and just stare blankly like you are now—even at an event where you need to impress Father?”
Elisha tilted her head.
“Maybe it would be better to give up attending the banquet altogether this time. I can just tell Father for you.”
As if contemplating, Elisha rolled her eyes and then shook her head.
“No. I think I’ll just let it be.”
Releasing her crossed arms, Elisha reached out to Lucy again.
Seeing Lucy flinch instinctively, Elisha’s smile deepened.
“I don’t know what you’re scheming…”
This time, instead of grabbing her chin, she gently stroked Lucy’s cheek.
“But I don’t want to miss the fun of watching you become the laughingstock of everyone.”
“…….”
“Rest well, then.”
With that kind parting remark, Elisha left the bedroom.
Left alone, Lucy slowly brought her hand to her chest.
‘That was close.’
I completely forgot about the first quest.
‘Thanks, Elisha.’
Thanks to Elisha rambling on by herself, Lucy was able to remember the quest.
Ding!
[First quest unlocked!]
[You, the ugly duckling of the imperial family. The upcoming imperial palace banquet might be a golden opportunity to finally gain the emperor’s recognition.]
[Show your full capabilities!]
My full capabilities?
When all I have are negative stats? Who are you mocking?
[Will you accept the quest?]
[-Yes]
[-No]
In her previous life, Lucy had participated in the imperial palace banquet event after building up some stats—and still failed.
‘If I attend in my current state, just like Elisha said, I’ll only become a laughingstock.’
But.
Lucy glanced at the system window.
[Failure: Reputation -20]
‘However.’
[Success: Reputation +20]
Lucy’s gaze drifted a little lower.
[※Special reward: Soft Sticky Rice Red Bean Mochi Puppy]
‘Soft… sticky rice… red bean mochi puppy…!’
Yes.
Reputation could wait.
For Lucy—then and now—the pet given as a special reward was absolutely essential.
