Chapter 54
The only mystery left unresolved in the original story was none other than my existence as the fake princess.
Unlike Killian and Adele’s “situation”—which could be improved depending on how the story was twisted—Celestia was a being already set with the “fake princess DNA.”
That meant that, when the time came, I had to step out of the story without hesitation.
To disappear perfectly, as if I had never existed at all, I used my wish ticket.
As for the portraits painted for this Crown Princess investiture ceremony—I decided to keep every single one of them.
I figured I could just hold onto them and burn them right before I left. But Father still seemed reluctant.
Sigh. Well, it can’t be helped.
“Instead, I’ll give up just one portrait—the one you like the most, Father.”
“Really? Truly?”
“Yes. But only one.”
“Wow, that’s a life-or-death decision. I might have to stay up a whole week to think it through.”
Father nodded resolutely.
To have a real daughter, a real son, must be a dream come true for a father who loves me this much.
I think Sir Briven once said the Empress was unwell… Is she too sick to bear any more heirs?
If not, maybe I could even use my wish ticket to create a younger sibling for him.
Half-formed thoughts drifted around in my head.
Father isn’t my real father,
The Empress isn’t my real mother,
But Father sees me as his real daughter?
Is that even possible? Isn’t that a plot hole?
My head started to ache.
I need some almond chocolate…
Pooooo!
A trumpet sounded. The promised hour had passed. Before I knew it, the platform where I sat was piled high with children’s acrostics and portraits.
Who on earth is supposed to judge all this…?
The mere thought gave me a headache. I shut my eyes tight, then opened them again.
At that moment, Father rose from his seat.
“All right, children! Is everyone gathered?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Yeees!”
“Yay!”
One word from him came back as a hundred shouts. I was already sweating.
Father cleared his throat and spoke.
“Very well. As already announced, we will now hold a quiz contest about the Crown Princess!”
“Waaah!!!”
I clapped along with them, but inwardly, I was skeptical.
How much could these children really know about me to even hold a quiz?
Was there even material for questions? And if so, would anyone be able to answer?
“The quiz about Crown Princess Celestia will be won by whoever answers the most questions posed by Sir Ain. The answers will be confirmed by Celestia herself with an O or X.”
As Father finished his explanation, Sir Ain handed me placards with handles marked O and X.
“Just raise O if it’s correct, X if it’s wrong, Your Highness.”
Hmm…
So, it’s basically a true-or-false quiz.
I nodded and let my gaze wander.
Far behind the children, I spotted Adele and Killian whispering to each other with their heads bowed.
Well, don’t they look cozy.
As if sensing my eyes, Killian glanced up at me first, followed by Adele.
I beamed at them, mouthing silently: Tia!
“There are attendants nearby to help with the contest, so let’s finish the explanations here. From now on, we begin the Crown Princess Celestia quiz contest!”
Pooooo!
Can someone please do something about that trumpet?
The children screamed with excitement. I clenched my teeth discreetly. Father, looking far too exhilarated, stepped down from the platform…?
Huh? Father? Where are you going?
“I shall also participate in the quiz contest. But don’t be too discouraged— even if I come in first place, I won’t claim any prize.”
One reckless child, unaware of the value of his own life, started to boo—only to have his mouth quickly covered by a maid.
Phew. Thank goodness.
That could’ve ended tragically.
“All right, since everyone is ready—let’s begin. Sir Ain.”
“Yes! Then, let the quiz contest begin!”
At Sir Ain’s declaration, the crowd roared again.
“The first question. The birthday of Crown Princess Celestia is in April. O if true, X if false!”
At this, the children all rushed toward the O side.
Well, it was an easy question. My birthday banquet had been held just a few months ago—just before I possessed this body.
Sir Ain repeated the instructions:
“O if it’s April, X if not. I’ll count down. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Now, the answer?”
I raised the O placard high.
“Yes! The answer is O! Crown Princess Celestia’s birthday is April 28!”
“Yaaay!”
The correct children cheered, and only a few were eliminated.
“The second question. The Crown Princess’s lady-in-waiting is named Ribbon. O if true, X if false!”
The answer: X.
“The lady-in-waiting’s name is not Ribbon, but Liz.”
Next! Next! Next!
As the questions gradually became harder, eliminations piled up. Soon, only about twenty participants remained.
“Now, we’ll have a revival round for those eliminated.”
As expected, this world.
The author must definitely be Korean.
“The revival round will be decided by rock-paper-scissors with the Crown Princess. Each child gets three tries—win just once, and you’re back in. Everyone, raise your hands above your heads. Your Highness, are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Here we go—rock, paper, scissors!”
After three rounds, about twenty children rejoined the quiz.
Some of the questions were trickier, but Killian and Adele tackled them hand in hand, whispering to each other. Meanwhile, my father was…
“Yes! The answer is X! That one was easy as pie!”
“Sir Ain, aren’t the questions too easy? They lack discernment.”
“Stop following me around, child. Answer with your own judgment.”
He’s way too invested. Tsk.
Before long, Sir Ain’s prepared questions were almost exhausted. Only six contestants remained—including one adult.
Naturally, Killian and Adele were still standing. Of the remaining children, three had survived through sheer luck and clever guessing.
“Now. Only a few questions left. From this point, they’ll be much harder, so focus.”
“Yes!”
“Let’s go!”
“Fighting!”
Each readied themselves for the next round.
“The twenty-eighth question: Crown Princess Celestia’s favorite color is green. O if true, X if false!”
Hmm… My favorite color?
Father and two children stood on O, while Killian, Adele, and one child stood on X.
For the first time, Father’s answer clashed with Killian and Adele’s, causing murmurs among the crowd.
“Oh! We can’t miss the chance for an interview here!”
Sir Ain definitely had the soul of an MC.
“This is the first time His Majesty and the Crown Princess’s companions, Young Lord Killian Märchen and Lady Adelaide Leuwendif, have disagreed! Your Majesty, why are you certain that her favorite color is green?”
“Well, my Tia loves wearing green dresses. Look at her now—she’s wearing a soft green gown. No other child in the world suits green so well.”
“Ah! So you mean, since the Crown Princess often wears green, her favorite color must be green?”
“Exactly.”
“That makes sense. Then, let’s ask Young Lord Killian. What are your thoughts?”
“Uh, well… Her Highness hasn’t directly said so, but…”
Poor Killian. It must’ve been his first time being the center of attention. He looked awkward, embarrassed. Seeing him falter, Adele opened her mouth as if to help, unable to endure the silence—
But just before she could—
“Her Highness loves the blue sky. She also loves the cool sea.”
“Oh-ho! And furthermore…?”
“When she draws, the first color pencil she always reaches for is blue. Sometimes, she sends letters in blue envelopes. And she occasionally wears a bracelet made of blue sapphires.”
“So then, Young Lord—what is the color you believe the Crown Princess loves most?”
“Blue.”
Listening to Killian’s answer made me realize my own preferences in a new light—things even I hadn’t noticed.
Actually, it made sense. My favorite Killian’s eyes were blue.
The color I thought of most, the one I always gazed into—was blue.
“Now that you mention it, the young lord’s eye color is also blue, isn’t it?”
Ha, ha, ha.
Sir Ain’s little joke made Killian’s face flare crimson, blood rushing to it so fast it seemed almost dangerous. Just watching him, my own cheeks began to heat up.
Regardless—
Sir Ain wrapped up the interview and turned back toward me.
“So, what is Crown Princess Celestia’s favorite color? If it’s green, the answer is O. If not, X. Will it be Father, or her companions? Companions, or Father? Now, the answer is…?”
