Chapter 79
“Do you like the atmosphere of Wisellan?”
“The clear sky is so dazzling—it’s like looking at Wisellan’s bright future.”
“Haha! Is that so? But no matter how bright the sky, it can’t compare to Your Highness’s beauty…”
“Ahaha…”
Even as the prince laid on the compliments thick, Eglenn struggled to maintain a polite smile.
Her companion was Dovellen, the first prince of Wisellan.
As a princess from another kingdom, her duty was to minimize unnecessary friction.
Moreover, he was an unmarried man—a potential marriage candidate.
‘Ugh, I can’t stand guys like him.’
All fancy words and no substance.
Eglenn despised men like her older brother, Gallen—arrogant and selfish to the core.
Though Dovellen wasn’t quite as vile, she had no desire to marry someone who strutted around relying only on their royal blood.
But what could she do? A princess’s life had its limits.
Besides, Eglenn knew very well—her father, Eron Gold, wouldn’t hesitate to hand his daughter over if it benefited the kingdom.
“Waaah!”
“And there it is! The winner of the first match of the Grand Tournament!”
Just as Eglenn was drowning in gloomy thoughts, the first match ended.
The victor was Lenny Benart from the Frostlands—one of the strongest contenders, a favorite to win the entire tournament.
His opponent hadn’t even been able to put up a decent fight; he’d coughed up blood and collapsed moments after the duel began.
“As expected, Lenny Benart wins again.”
“Indeed. Rank 6s are on another level.”
“Haha! Maybe so—but if you ask me, he’s a bit… savage, don’t you think? Heh heh!”
“…”
“…Just a joke! Haha!”
Sure, Lenny’s swordsmanship was more aggressive than most knights’.
But that was boldness and power—not savagery.
Only someone ignorant about swordsmanship would make such a stupid remark.
Which perfectly fit Dovellen’s level.
“Hehe, what a funny joke.”
“Is that so? Hahaha! To think my joke brought a smile to your lips—what an honor!”
“Ahaha…”
She wanted nothing more than to punch him in the face—but she restrained herself.
“And for the next match…”
As the announcer began to introduce the next contestants, the princess felt suffocated.
“Ah, I think I’ll step out for some air…”
“Oh dear! I should’ve realized sooner. A beautiful flower must rest from time to time, after all.”
“…Then please, enjoy the tournament.”
“Of course! Haha!”
With that, Eglenn finally escaped the noisy arena.
She thought she might as well splash some cool water on her face while she was at it.
“Your Highness? Forgive me, but where are you going?”
A burly man called after her—it was Fitz Light, her bodyguard and one of the knights scheduled for the first-round matches.
“Ah. I think I drank a bit too much wine during the opening ceremony.”
“Ah… I see…”
He trailed off awkwardly, clearly assuming she was headed to the restroom.
“I’ll be right back, so focus on preparing for your match.”
“Yes, Your Highness! I will! I shall bring glory to Aisother!”
“Ahaha… yes, I’ll be cheering for you.”
“Heheh, thank you, Princess!”
Fitz grinned and ran back toward the arena.
People were bustling about, but all eyes were fixed on the tournament—no one paid any attention to the princess slipping away.
“Hm…”
No one would notice her absence for a while.
“Maybe I’ll go feel the sea breeze.”
She pulled a scarf from her cloak and wrapped it tightly around her head before heading out.
Eglenn had spent almost her entire life within palace walls, so ever since arriving in Wisellan, she’d wanted to see the sea.
She’d glimpsed it once as a child while traveling with her mother, but had never actually stepped into it.
‘…Would it be okay?’
Her conscience pricked at her for the sudden act of rebellion—but what did it matter?
No stern father watching her every move, no nitpicking brother waiting to find fault.
Surely she deserved at least this small freedom on a rare trip abroad.
“It’s just a little sightseeing. Nothing more.”
Soon enough, her absence would be noticed, and her bodyguards would be scrambling in a panic.
Until then, she was free.
“Hehe.”
The sense of freedom made her heart flutter.
The salty air, the soft sunshine—it was all wonderful.
Rustle.
“Wow…”
Eglenn took off her shoes and let the sand brush against her bare feet.
The coarse yet soft texture fascinated her.
“Maybe I should ask Fitz to scoop up a bottle of sand for me.”
She shook her head immediately at the thought.
Fitz Light, her new escort knight—he was young, maybe a bit easier to talk to than others, but his loyalty to the king bordered on fanaticism.
If she asked him to do something like that, he’d probably run straight to Eron Gold to report it.
“Haah… what a life.”
A bird trapped in a cage—that was her life.
But she also knew she was lucky in a way; a caged bird still had it better than a beast struggling to survive in the wild.
“…Huh?”
While walking barefoot along the shore, she noticed something strange—neatly folded clothes lying on the sand.
Her heart skipped.
Some people, before taking their own lives, were known to fold their clothes just like that…
“No way.”
Eglenn ran toward the clothes.
They were elaborate—expensive garments fit for a nobleman.
Which could only mean…
“A suicide?”
“What are you doing?”
“Kyaaah!”
“So you thought I was trying to kill myself.”
“Y-yes…”
Her voice was barely a whisper, her face red from embarrassment.
Even with her scarf covering her face, her shame was obvious.
“Well, no worries. I’m not planning to die just yet.”
“R-right…”
She flushed even deeper, unable to lift her head.
Then I realized why she was so startled—
I was standing there practically in my underwear, tattered from scraping against rocks.
Still, I had to admit—the body looked a lot better than when I’d first ended up in Ian’s body.
More muscle, a bit of weight—healthy enough.
“Ahem.”
Feeling awkward, I hurried to remove my soaked clothes.
They were drenched in seawater—couldn’t wear them like that.
I just needed to dry them a bit—
“W-what are you doing?!”
“Hm? Oh, just turn around for a sec. Even I’m not shameless enough to change in front of a lady.”
“Ah…”
She spun around instantly, hiding her face.
Meanwhile, I wrapped my underwear around Yongrin, my dragon-scale sword, like a skewer.
Chiik!
Infusing mana into the blade, I began to dry the fabric.
Sure, it might damage the cloth a little, but I could afford new ones.
Once they were dry, I started dressing again.
“D-done?”
“Yes, you can turn around now.”
“…”
She turned back, watching me with wide eyes.
Her face looked oddly familiar—irritatingly so.
‘Where have I seen her before…? Oh right, she looks like that bastard Gallen.’
It felt wrong to compare such a pretty woman to a piece of trash like him, but the resemblance was there.
“…Huh?”
“…Yeah?”
Then it hit me who she was.
“Princess Eglenn of—”
“Your Highness!”
A voice shouted from beyond the dunes.
The speaker’s face twisted in rage the moment he saw me.
“You bastard!”
“Huh?”
Shing!
He drew his sword and charged straight at me.
Judging by the armor and insignia, he was clearly a knight—Eglenn’s bodyguard.
“Trying to kidnap the princess, are you?! You’ll die for this, villain!”
He looked like a gorilla without fur—thick neck, huge frame. Definitely a strong one.
“Fitz! Stop!”
“Y-your Highness?! What are you saying! This man tried to harm—!”
“I said stop!”
“Ah…”
Her firm command made Fitz freeze on the spot, sword half-raised.
“This man didn’t harm me. We just happened to meet here. In fact, this is—”
“Ian Impera. I never expected to meet the Princess of Aisother under such circumstances.”
“I-Ian Impera?”
Fitz’s eyes widened.
Then, instantly suspicious, he glared at me like I was an enemy spy.
“Your Highness! This man—no, this noble—he’s—”
“Yes. If you win your first match, Fitz, he’ll be your next opponent.”
“Well, that’s… true, but…”
Fitz fell silent, clearly uneasy.
Whether it was my reputation or Eron Gold’s actions that made him wary, I couldn’t tell—probably both.
“Name?”
I asked casually. Fitz’s brow twitched at the tone.
Bodyguards were treated like nobles, but technically, they weren’t.
Meanwhile, I was a legitimate count—a real noble.
“I’m Fitz Light, my lord.”
“Hmm. Interesting name.”
“…Sorry?”
“Never mind.”
His expression soured, but I didn’t care.
Why should I be nice to someone who’d tried to attack me on sight?
“Anyway, isn’t the first round still going? You sure you should be out here slacking?”
“…Nothing’s more important than protecting the princess.”
“Good attitude.”
That softened him a little.
People like Fitz—and even Priyana—tended to be simple-minded.
Must be something about graduates from Zenith Knight Academy.
“Anyway, good luck. Maybe we’ll meet in the second round.”
“Yes, Count. Let’s go, Your Highness.”
“Ah… yes, of course.”
Eglenn blushed, clearly embarrassed that her little escape had been discovered.
It was obvious—she’d spent her whole life confined to the castle, so of course she’d snuck out to breathe some fresh air.
Her guard’s frantic rush made perfect sense.
And yet… thinking about what was to come, this visit to Wisellan might be one of her last pleasant memories.
“Poor thing… being a princess.”
Her fate was already sealed.
Because of this tournament, Eglenn would form a connection with the Prince of Wisellan.
They’d become engaged—but just before the wedding, her brother Gallen would seize the throne.
Instead of strengthening ties, the marriage would spark disaster.
Once crowned, no one could restrain Gallen anymore.
He’d accuse Eglenn of treason and send word to Wisellan:
“Hand her over—or face war.”
Unwilling to risk conflict, Wisellan would annul the engagement a month before the wedding.
Eglenn, left at her brother’s mercy, would be saved by sympathetic nobles—
but only so they could use her as a pawn in their claim to royal legitimacy.
The turmoil would ignite into a full-scale civil war.
And Eglenn would end up dying alone on a desolate plain.
That was the fate awaiting Princess Eglenn of Aisother.
“….”
If only I hadn’t met her.
Now I couldn’t help but worry.
But still—nothing was certain yet.
Whether she’d meet the same tragic end as in the novel,
or carve out a new path like Isbart and Priyana—only time would tell.
“Well… guess we’ll see.”
