Chapter 11
At this point, it seemed more appropriate for Taeri to support Bridget rather than stop her.
Supporter, huh.
Normally, a supporter is someone who heals damage taken by the attacker and assists their actions.
But what about a supporter of the highest tier?
Not just healing damage—but removing the cause of the damage entirely.
With that thought, Taeri lightly slapped her palm onto the table.
Instantly, every object on it lifted into the air.
The man who had been pointing at Bridget and making a fuss turned pale at the sight unfolding before him.
Wow… what a ridiculous ability. As expected of a descendant of a kingdom that rose and fell by madness—even a simple performance produced overwhelming results.
I only meant to lift one glass… but I ended up lifting everything.
It exceeded her expectations, but either way, she had now become a princess who wasn’t so easy to underestimate.
They might call her a toothless tiger—but she wondered if they’d still talk like that after getting their spine snapped in that tiger’s jaws.
As if giving him a choice—back down or keep pushing—Taeri, now bearing the air of the head of an ancient mage lineage, smiled faintly and warned:
“I’m starting to get angry. Don’t treat my people carelessly.”
“M-Magic…!”
Yes. Magic—the very power that had filled them with fear and awe.
Taeri twirled a floating fork in the air, reviving the fear he had long forgotten.
“You should leave now. If you’re still not afraid at this point, that’s not bravery—it’s recklessness. I’m giving you a chance to remember your place.”
Anyone with common sense would retreat here.
And those without it… would learn that life is not so forgiving.
Besides—she was itching to test just how far this newly attempted magic could go.
“You insult knighthood with such—”
“What, are you going to throw down a glove and challenge me? A knight who doesn’t even show respect to a princess doesn’t deserve an honorable duel.”
Crushed under both logic and power, the man couldn’t respond.
Perhaps embarrassed by the watching crowd, his companions stepped forward one by one in protest.
“Your words go too far! Even as a princess, have you not benefited from His Majesty the Emperor’s grace? Who do you think stabilized this land after it fell into chaos?!”
“The former princess failed to protect this place and fled, did she not?”
So they wanted her to bow her head and stay quiet in gratitude to the Emperor of Valoran?
As Taeri watched to see how far they’d go, another man stepped in, condemning all mages at once.
“Since ancient times, mages have been shameless and arrogant. That’s why Izariss incurred the wrath of the gods!”
An interesting angle.
Everything they said—was gaslighting.
They must have been tormenting the people of Izariss like this all along. Those who believed they were at fault would have been consumed by guilt and unable to respond properly.
That subtle imbalance had allowed these shameless men to grow bold.
“How ridiculous. So what do you want?”
“…Pardon?”
“I said, so what?”
Unfortunately for them, they’d picked the wrong target this time.
Taeri wasn’t delicate enough to be hurt by such words—nor was she even the real princess. She wasn’t inexperienced enough to lose her composure over something that wasn’t even her own burden.
“Yes, Izariss was cursed. It fell apart. So what? Did that ruin your life? Did our tragedy harm Valoran in any way?”
“That—!”
“You’re right—I failed to protect this place. So what? Why should I apologize to you for that? I feel deep guilt for it, but you are not the ones I owe that to. I’ve done nothing to warrant apologizing to you.”
At this point, it wasn’t just arrogance—it was delusion.
“You people really don’t learn.”
Their tactic—digging into old wounds—was low.
So she would respond with something far more effective.
Inspired by how Ansi had enlarged her staff, Taeri condensed mana into the fork she had been playing with, enlarging it.
Then she drove it down like a greatsword before them.
Even she had doubted it would work—but when the massive, trident-like fork pierced the marble floor and stone fragments scattered, she was genuinely surprised.
Screams erupted. People dropped to the ground.
Well… there goes my reputation again.
It was a bit awkward—but once a sword is drawn, it has to cut something.
To finish it, she stood up, gripping the armrest.
The chair creaked—an ordinary sound, but now it carried a chilling weight.
“I am the Princess of Izariss—the sole bloodline of Soneti who first set foot on this land. That means I am its owner. Not your Emperor.”
She tapped the shattered floor lightly with her shoe. Dust swirled unnaturally.
“I have never granted foreigners the right to act so freely on my land. Nor will I. Remember this—every step you take here is only possible because I allow it.”
Her calm, quiet tone was more terrifying than any shout.
“The new city—I saw it on my way here. You’ve built it quite well… But destroying it like a midsummer night’s dream wouldn’t be difficult. I’ve done it before—you all know that. So I’d prefer if you didn’t provoke me. For now, let’s remain… uncomfortable neighbors.”
The sheer momentum of her actions made her words feel real.
To the onlookers, she no longer looked like a bluffing princess—but a queen capable of anything if provoked.
Heavy silence, thick with fear, filled the space.
Taeri, exhausted from the performance, thought—
Okay… I want to rest now.
And right then—
As if by magic, the entire hall fell silent again.
Amid the frozen crowd, steady footsteps echoed.
A man walked forward in a straight line, not even glancing around.
“To meet you again, Princess.”
An open collar, a loosely tucked white shirt, a coat thrown on without care—
Yet he carried the cold aura of a conqueror.
The chandelier light traced his sharp jawline as he tilted his head toward the trembling men.
“Get out.”
“G-Governor…!”
“Now. Unless you want to be beaten more.”
With a dismissive gesture toward the exit, the men fled.
Only after confirming they were gone did Claude extend his hand before the princess.
As if to prove “The governor didn’t mind”, he lightly brushed his lips against the back of her hand.
“Seems we meet again.”
To others, things might look different—
But to Taeri, he was still the beloved protagonist.
The only man in this world who could save her.
She smiled warmly.
And that alone sent ripples through the room.
A pair that should never match—yet standing side by side, they looked perfectly suited.
Though the truth lay hidden in their hearts…
That image alone was like a happy ending.
After confirming the teahouse was closed, Claude had rushed into the wine bar.
At first, he hadn’t intended to reveal himself.
If the princess wasn’t here, he’d only draw attention and get stuck dealing with talkative nobles.
But the moment he entered, that concern became meaningless.
Because someone else was already commanding everyone’s attention.
An unseen force surged. Sounds of breaking and shattering filled the air.
Amid the crowd of flashy dresses and suits, a lone woman in a simple coat stood like a solitary executioner.
—I’d prefer if you didn’t provoke me. For now, let’s remain uncomfortable neighbors.
Her words were ice-cold.
But likely a bluff.
At least, that’s how it looked to Claude.
Though she appeared angry, her emotions felt exaggerated.
From a distance, she seemed composed—confident.
Like someone who already knew how the story would end.
That overwhelming sense of superiority gave the impression she ruled over everyone completely.
I can see your futures like the palm of my hand—so stop acting out.
If intentional, it was an impressive strategy.
Unexpected… I didn’t take her for that type.
Yesterday, she hadn’t shown this kind of passion.
If anything, she’d seemed indifferent.
Yet now, she stepped forward to protect her people.
Given her position, it made sense—but still.
Why had such a fire ignited in just one day?
Claude shifted his gaze from the princess—who still looked at him with unwavering trust—
And pointed, with a deeply displeased expression, at the troublemaker who had brought her here.
“Princess. How do you know this woman?”
“Who? Oh—”
Tilting her head, she answered casually:
“She’s a friend I knew when I was young.”
“…A friend?”
Claude couldn’t hide the tremor in his eyes.
Then—
A cheerful voice stuck itself to the princess’s side.
“Oh my, who’s this? What brings a fruit with no seeds and a well that won’t flow to a crowded place like this? I’m the princess’s friend! Hehe!”
Damn it.
Out of all the troublemakers in the world—
why did it have to be that loud one stuck to her side?
How do I get rid of her?
He absolutely had to separate them.
That annoying, buzzing pest…
