Chapter 26
Sibling? Princess Marcella?
‘No, that’s not it.’
Looking into the Crown Princess’s eyes just now, Celia thought of someone else.
“I’m not sure what Your Highness means…”
The Crown Princess traced her fingers along the terrace railing as she replied,
“I trust that a wise young lady like you will come to me willingly.”
She spoke as though she already knew Celia had met with Krondel. There was no point in hiding it. Celia quickly made her decision and spoke.
“I don’t believe I’m close enough to the Second Prince for it to matter.”
“Is that so?”
The next thing she said made Celia freeze in surprise.
“If you truly think so, then leaving him and switching over to me shouldn’t be difficult.”
Her face remained expressionless, yet her tone wasn’t particularly forceful.
‘Is she… actually making an open offer?’
To join her side, that is.
The Crown Princess was the kingdom’s next ruler, no matter what anyone said. Unlike the Second Prince, she had a powerful background and strong influence from her mother’s side. However…
Celia recalled the two royal guards who’d accompanied Krondel — the same ones the Crown Princess had assigned him. Guards who’d allowed him to get injured, even risk his life, without lifting a finger.
“……”
She was the kind of person who’d lay traps even for her own brother if he could become a rival. Someone who couldn’t stand anything outside her control.
The problem was, Celia had already decided she would never again be controlled by anyone.
‘Would she like it if I slipped out of her control?’
And if she ever lost her usefulness…
‘I need to remember this power won’t last forever.’
If she aligned herself with the Crown Princess, she’d be risking being discarded the moment she lost value. It was an opportunity, yes—but a dangerous one.
And there was also the puppet sorcerer’s warning to consider. Something was happening inside the palace. Which meant Celia couldn’t blindly trust the word of someone with royal power—especially since the Crown Princess might well be behind whatever was going on.
After running through all her calculations, Celia finally spoke.
“First of all, thank you sincerely, Your Highness. I don’t quite understand what you see in me that prompted such a proposal, but…”
The Crown Princess’s gaze seemed to ask whether she was really pretending not to know.
Celia chose her words carefully.
“I fear that I am still someone who falls far short of Your Highness.”
“A refusal, then.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Celia straightened her posture and met the Crown Princess’s eyes squarely.
“I’d like to speak again after I’ve earned a bit more of a proper reputation.”
“So you intend to raise your value before negotiating.”
Celia nodded. Once she proved her worth, the other side would likely make a better offer. It also bought her time without giving a clear answer.
But then, the Crown Princess gave another unexpected response.
“Even if, in the meantime, you were to form a betrothal with my brother, I wouldn’t mind. It would actually make it easier to keep you close under the guise of family.”
“…Pardon?”
Celia stared, not sure she’d heard right. The Crown Princess continued coolly,
“If that fool gets desperate enough to propose, it only means he’s still in the palm of my hand.”
Huh. So that’s how it was.
‘The siblings are competing over me.’
No wonder. Krondel’s attitude made sense now — the eagerness, the helpfulness, the friendliness.
Even the vague discomfort she’d felt around him suddenly had a reason. He hadn’t approached her purely out of goodwill.
Everything he’d done was to pull her into his political camp—to make her his person.
She didn’t feel hurt by the realization. The supposedly naive prince was more cunning than Julin.
Still, Celia couldn’t help but admire the Crown Princess’s confidence. Even if it was bravado, most would have shut down such a match before it started. Yet she acted as though there was no need.
Not that Celia and Krondel would ever reach that point anyway.
‘He’s got his hands full chasing that runaway. Marriage is the least of his worries.’
And really, she’d rather the prince pursue a love marriage than a political one he didn’t want.
It was the kind of conclusion only Celia would reach—someone who’d never once been seen as a romantic prospect. In her past life, the only looks she’d gotten were from debtors sizing her up to see how much they could sell her for.
That was a world far removed from affection.
Celia collected her thoughts and gave a polite bow. The Crown Princess inclined her head in return.
“I look forward to seeing how high you can raise your worth.”
“You flatter me, Your Highness.”
“You may go. The boy should be in the garden. I imagine that’s what Marcella wanted to tell you.”
“……”
She already knew Celia and Krondel planned to meet that evening. Celia hid a wry smile.
* * *
“Looks like there’s always a tiger flying above a clever fox.”
As the Crown Princess had said, Celia found Krondel in the garden, dressed as a servant in a waiter’s uniform and wig.
‘Even so, that face still stands out…’
He wasn’t wearing the magical item that blurred his features this time. At least she could read his expression clearly.
If he was a fox, then better to be one whose thoughts were visible. Now that she knew his motives, it was easier to deal with him. She could play along and drop him if needed.
‘Hopefully this guy turns out to be my retirement fund—or at least my getaway sponsor.’
“Over here,” he called, beckoning her.
As Celia followed, she decided to test him a bit.
“The Crown Princess knows you’re here, you know.”
“I never thought I could hide it from her anyway.”
“What if she decides to report that you robbed the royal treasury?”
“She won’t. If anything, she’ll use it as leverage.”
Celia almost laughed. He called her “sister,” but their relationship was anything but warm. Anyone hearing that would think they were close.
She looked him straight in the eye and said,
“Your guards were her spies.”
“I know. I figured you’d notice quickly, but you were even faster than I expected. That’s why I have to shake them off every time.”
“……”
What a life, with no privacy at all. Celia suppressed the flicker of sympathy. She couldn’t afford sentiment.
Krondel continued matter-of-factly,
“I knew my sister would approach you sooner or later, once you started getting attention.”
“So you knew and still helped me build my reputation?”
“You wanted it, didn’t you?”
That caught her off guard. If he’d really meant to recruit her, he could have hidden her away and used her as a secret weapon later. Not that she would’ve allowed that.
‘Does he have ambition or not?’
Then the prince lowered his voice.
“About the treasury… there are other magical items in there. I’ve made a list. If you’re going in anyway, maybe grab a few extras?”
…Yeah, he definitely had ambition—at least where magic was concerned.
“You’re a prince. You might get a scolding, but I’d be executed.”
Shaking her head, Celia followed him to the royal lake — the same one she’d visited with Fleur before.
It was off-limits at night, but they hadn’t run into any guards. Thanks to the prince, of course.
“I’ve memorized all the palace’s secret passages, traps, and guard shifts. Makes it easier to avoid other royals.”
“……”
No sympathy, Celia reminded herself. Not for schemers.
“So the treasury’s here? Odd place for it.”
“Right nearby.”
As he said that, Celia began tearing off the lower half of her voluminous dress.
Krondel gasped as she revealed riding pants and boots beneath. She’d modified the dress to separate easily.
Hidden under the skirt was her blade, Periot, without its scabbard.
“I didn’t think you’d hide Periot like that,” he murmured in admiration.
“It’s actually convenient being broken in two—it’s smaller now.”
Since attendants usually checked for weapons, hiding it inside a noblewoman’s dress had been the safest choice. Celia tucked the torn fabric carefully into the bushes—it was an expensive dress, after all.
Krondel stripped off his own disguise, revealing flexible clothes underneath.
“Look who’s talking. You were layered up too. So, the entrance?”
“Well…”
He drew a dagger and tried to cut his palm, but his movements were stiff—probably due to the curse still clinging to him.
Celia clicked her tongue, snatched the dagger, and said,
“You need this done, right?”
“Yeah.”
She made a quick, precise cut—just enough to draw blood without real injury. As his blood dripped into the lake, the water began to shimmer with faint red light, forming glowing steps across the surface.
“……”
“The steps are visible only to those of royal blood,” he explained.
“How unusual.”
“Right? That’s how I proved it.”
“Proved… oh.”
He must’ve meant his official recognition as a royal. No wonder he’d been able to legitimize himself despite being born out of wedlock.
Celia thought his expression looked a little lonely—right before a shining door appeared at the end of the glowing path.
“Once we open that, we’re in the treasury.”
They crossed the steps quickly and pushed the door open. White light flooded their vision.
Just as they stepped through, Krondel spoke again, almost as an afterthought.
“We’ll need to hurry. We have to be out before midnight.”
“What?”
“After midnight, it seals shut—you’d be trapped.”
“And you’re telling me that now—”
When her vision cleared, Celia found herself standing alone in an empty corridor.
