Chapter 40
So That’s What It Was!
“Eh?”
Lois just blinked blankly at Himena.
“You heard everything, didn’t you? Now tell me the solution!”
“W-what do I… solve?”
“Oh, for crying out loud! What have you been listening to all this time? You’re Merona, aren’t you! Then you need to do something to fix this! Everyone’s in an uproar saying Merona is bad! That lunatic killer wants to kill Irion, wants to kill the writer! You’ve got to do something about it!”
“Ah… right. I am Merona! Let’s see… Wait a second, my lady. That killer… what’s his connection to Merona? Why’s he so desperate about her?”
“Well… I don’t really know either, but apparently he was once obsessed with someone the way he thinks Merona was. He was locked up or something like that. Seems like he can’t stand seeing it happen. Anyway, he’s not normal, that’s why they call him a crazy murderer.”
“Ah, I see. So… Merona torments Irion out of obsession… Irion locks Merona away… the writer sells the story… the people all say Merona’s bad… the crazy killer decides to kill the writer for Merona’s sake, and also kill Irion….”
Lois murmured slowly, piecing the situation together. Himena, despairing again, collapsed onto the floor with a groan.
“Sigh… yeah… so where am I even supposed to start fixing this? You see? Even you have no idea. I’m really losing my mind here… How did I even end up like this….”
“Wait a second! My lady, isn’t this… just a simple problem?”
“Yeah, real simple… so simple I’d rather take it straight with me into the grave….”
“No, I mean—if Irion and Merona truly fall in love… wouldn’t that fix everything?”
“Yeah… if they love each other, everything works out… then it’s simple… if the two of them are really in love, who could complain—wait, what did you just say?”
Repeating his words absentmindedly, Himena suddenly shot upright.
“Think about it. This Lois, who has become Merona, isn’t violent, doesn’t scheme—he’s a good Merona.”
“Th-that’s right. A good Merona. Sure, he’s hot-tempered sometimes, a bit impatient, but he’s also just, cheerful, sociable, caring….”
“Hey, what do you mean impatient? I’m plenty steady! And on top of that, I’m gentle, considerate, kind, handsome—wow, I really do have a lot of good points! Hehe. So even though you always scold me, deep down you actually think well of me, don’t you? It’s true, people like me aren’t easy to find.”
I was… talking about Merona, not you…
“Anyway! If I show Irion my true, changed self, let her see my charms, wouldn’t she see me differently? Wouldn’t she like me? If Irion and I really fall in love, then people’s misunderstandings will clear up, that greedy writer will have no choice but to write me as a good person. Then the crazy killer won’t need to kill the writer or Irion. Doesn’t that solve everything? Right?”
“Th-that’s it… that’s it…!”
As Lois explained, Himena felt as though a beam of salvation shone down from the heavens.
Suddenly her eyes burned hot, tears welling with emotion. She grabbed both his hands, trembling.
“Lois… you… you’re really… really…!”
“My lady, I… I’m feeling strange too.”
“Huh, what?”
Lois pressed a hand to his chest, his eyes moist as if overwhelmed.
“Here—it’s hot, my lady! It feels like love is springing up inside me! I have to go see Irion right now! I have to show her my good side, confess my feelings—tell her I love her, I really love her…!”
Thwack!
“Ow!”
“They say there’s no cure for crazy—looks like you’ve lost your mind completely!”
“Uh… uh…”
Lois just scratched his head where she’d smacked him, dazed.
“Anyway, good! We finally found the solution!”
Like she’d seen the light, Himena clenched her fists, then suddenly grabbed Lois’s cheeks.
“You brat! You pretty brat! You were so useless all this time, but at the decisive moment you come through like this! Come here! I’ll give you a kiss!”
“Whaat? Let go! Are you crazy?”
Terrified, Lois jerked away and jumped to his feet.
“Come here! I’m just happy, that’s all! You pretty brat, let me hug you once!”
Himena hopped on the table, chasing him around as he ran with his arms clutched around himself, screaming.
“Stay away! Don’t be lewd! I have to meet Irion! Don’t stand in the way of our love!”
“Come here, Lois! Gotcha!”
Just then, Mari entered carrying tea—and froze at the sight of Himena hugging Lois.
“M-Mari! Help me! Stop my lady, she’s lost her mind!”
But Mari quietly set down the tray, grabbed a vase, and her eyes gleamed dangerously as she lunged at Lois.
“You sly knight! How dare you lay hands on my lady!”
“Waaah! Mari, why—why are you after me? Grab her, not me! Her!”
“Get over here! I warned you! Touch my lady and I won’t forgive you!”
“Uwaaagh!”
“Hahaha…”
While the two ran around the room, Himena giggled, then noticed a white envelope on the tray Mari had brought. She picked it up.
“Hm? An imperial invitation?”
“Huh?”
Lois and Mari stopped squabbling and came over.
“Yes, my lady. Someone from the palace just came and asked me to deliver it to you.”
“What is this?”
Himena opened it.
**[How have you been, Lady Silvestre?
After that hot and secret tea time, I have not been able to forget you, so I send you this invitation again.
Please come once more to the palace, so we can share a special time to grow closer.
The sooner, the better.
I’ll be waiting only for that day.
Yours, Diego.]**
“Y-yours… Diego? That man!”
Himena’s hand trembled furiously holding the invitation.
“This way, my lady. His Highness the Prince awaits you.”
Dressed not in a gown but in knight’s attire, her hair tied up roughly with no makeup, Himena entered the palace to meet Diego.
Damn it, take care of one mess, another explodes. Block this, and that bursts open…
She was seething, ready to blow at the slightest touch.
After all the rumors, even acting like a pervert, ready to die a spinster—and still he won’t give up? Does he really want to go head-to-head with me?
“My lady, please leave your sword with your escort knight.”
The attendant stopped her at the drawing room.
“Lois, take this and wait outside.”
“Yes, my lady.”
She unbuckled the sword Kyliean had given her and handed it to him.
“Your Highness, Lady Himena Silvestre has arrived.”
“Good, show her in.”
“Please enter, my lady.”
At Diego’s word from inside, she strode into the reception room.
Huh?
But she froze.
Last time, Diego had been neatly dressed, reading a book by the window. This time his hair was wild, his shirt open wide exposing his chest, one foot propped up on the sill as he leaned there cockily.
“You’ve come, my lady. But today… your thighs look strangely bare. Hoo!”
He blew a puff of air to flick his bangs aside as he eyed her.
What the hell is this?
His greasy, over-the-top act left her blinking in disbelief.
Heh, Alonso was right. Look at her, losing herself at the sight of me. So she really does go for men like me.
Smirking, Diego stroked his chin, clearly pleased.
“That night… the adult nightlife game you showed me was quite… refreshing. You were so aggressive I was a little surprised, but as you said, it’s important for a couple to know each other’s tastes before marriage.”
“R-refreshing… you say?”
He slicked his messy hair back, grabbed an apple from the table, and chomped into it roughly as he strode toward her.
“What, did you think I’d be so shocked by that little game that I’d call off my proposal?”
Himena swallowed hard.
Did I underestimate him? He may be a side character, but a prince is still a prince? Now that I think about it, even the crown prince Felix, who had more weight in the story, was depicted as a fool. Damn, I was too careless.
“My lady, why so quiet? Where’s that boldness from the other day? You’re suddenly as silent as a mute.”
He tossed the half-eaten apple aside, wiped his mouth, then grabbed her chin and tilted her face up.
“So… what fun game did you prepare today, my lady?”
Himena seized his wrist and smiled coldly.
“Wasn’t it Your Highness who invited me here today? Then you should be the one prepared. I’m curious what kind of game you’ve prepared for me.”
Diego just smirked wider, then suddenly licked the back of her hand.
Ugh, this pervert!
She yanked her hand back in disgust.
“Heh, figured it out already? Of course I’ve prepared something. Last time you taught me the nighttime games, so this time I’ll teach you some daytime games. It’s good for a couple to share hobbies, don’t you think?”
“Daytime… games?”
Frowning, she stared at him suspiciously. He looked her over and smiled in satisfaction.
“Looks like you dressed just right for it. Shall we go? Anyone outside?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The attendant stepped in.
“Prepare it. I’m taking the lady to the training grounds right now!”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
