EXTRA SIDE STORY 01………………………………….
The Empire’s one and only princess.
The princess with red eyes that bring good fortune.
The princess who was born with the envy of all people from the moment of her birth.
All these titles referred to Ivelina Reize Lutzfeld.
She was the only princess of the Lutzfeld imperial family.
Right before Ivelina was born, an oracle had been delivered.
The goddess herself had spoken.
“A red-eyed princess blessed by me will be born. There will be no child more blessed than that one.”
The goddess herself had delivered the prophecy and bestowed her blessing.
Naturally, the Empire celebrated.
The child blessed by the goddess was none other than a member of the imperial family.
Not long after, a baby with red eyes was truly born, and she was named Ivelina.
From a young age, she showed exceptional promise.
Perhaps because of the blessing, she had never suffered any serious illness and was incredibly intelligent.
Moreover, when a deadly epidemic swept across the entire world, the Aireta Empire alone suffered no damage.
The people of the Empire unanimously said that it was all thanks to Ivelina.
Thus, surrounded by everyone’s love, Ivelina grew up safely and reached the age of ten.
As usual, Ivelina was working on the homework her tutor had assigned.
Suddenly, the door burst open without a knock.
Startled, Ivelina widened her eyes and looked toward the door.
“Brother!”
“Still doing that boring homework?”
The one who had entered was her older brother, Jonas Reize Lutzfeld.
Jonas, four years older than her, had already been officially appointed Crown Prince.
The Emperor hated succession disputes with a passion, so he had settled the matter early.
Since Ivelina had no intention of becoming emperor anyway, she had no complaints.
She puffed out her cheeks and said,
“Brother, I told you to knock before coming in.”
“What’s the problem? It’s not like we’re strangers.”
“Brother, don’t you know that the closer people are, the more they should keep their manners?”
Ivelina spoke firmly.
But Jonas didn’t even pretend to listen and quickly sat down across from her.
His violet eyes sparkled mischievously.
“Ivelina, want to sneak out with me?”
“…Are you really the Crown Prince?”
“Oh, you little—”
Jonas reached out and lightly flicked her head.
It didn’t hurt, but Ivelina still felt wronged and pouted while rubbing the top of her head.
“Last time you snuck out, Father scolded you badly.”
“Ugh… that was…”
Jonas frowned.
Truthfully, he often skipped his crown prince lessons.
In a few years he would become an adult and begin participating in state affairs, yet he kept skipping class, giving the Emperor constant headaches.
Ivelina turned her head away and said,
“I can’t make Father upset too. Mother even told me to tell her immediately if you look like you’re about to sneak out again.”
“Ha… but think about it. Aren’t you sick of the palace? There’s so much fun outside! The night market opens every other day. And there’s delicious food you can’t taste here.”
“Brother, that’s what people call having cheap taste.”
Jonas’s mouth fell open.
“Ch-cheap? Where did you learn words like that?”
“I read it in a book.”
“What? What kind of book says something like that?!”
Jonas jumped up and demanded she bring the book immediately.
He scolded her, saying she had learned strange things from reading too much.
Ivelina shook her head, finished writing the last line of her homework, and closed her book.
“Brother, did you finish your homework?”
“……”
“Even your tutor is worried. So hurry up and do it.”
Ivelina grabbed Jonas’s hand and dragged him along.
Jonas followed with a dazed expression.
The maids passing by struggled to hold back their laughter as they bowed and walked past.
Finally snapping back to his senses, Jonas hurried to walk beside her.
“Why do you always live so by the book? Doesn’t it get boring?”
“I enjoy studying. Gaining new knowledge is always exciting.”
Jonas looked at her as if she were some strange creature.
But Ivelina simply giggled and hugged the book in her arms.
Beside her, Jonas kept trying to persuade her.
“Just once. Let’s go out together just once. Okay?”
“Brother.”
“Please. When have I ever begged you like this?”
Ivelina looked troubled.
It was true.
Usually, if she said no, Jonas would immediately back off.
But today he was unusually persistent, making things difficult for her.
“If you go out with me just once, I won’t ask again.”
“…Just once?”
Jonas nodded with a bright grin.
“Yes. Just once! After that, I’ll never ask you again.”
“Hmm…”
After letting out a long sigh, Ivelina said,
“Then let’s go in two days. Okay?”
“Great! That’s a wonderful idea.”
Jonas chuckled.
Ivelina felt a little uneasy, but since she had already agreed, she couldn’t take it back.
As a princess, she believed that once she gave her word, she had to keep it.
After soothing Jonas like one would calm a child and sending him away, she returned to her room.
“The outside…”
Listening to Jonas talk about it so passionately made her curious.
Just how fun could it be outside that he tried so hard to persuade her?
If it turned out to be boring, she decided she would pinch his arm.
With that thought, she ended her day.
Two days later, the day finally arrived.
Their outing was a secret from everyone.
The reason they had chosen that day was because it was the only day when their lessons ended early.
“Berry, I’m tired today. I think I’ll go to bed early.”
“Oh my, are you feeling unwell?”
“No, it’s nothing like that.”
“Yes, Princess. I’ll help you get ready.”
Hearing she was tired, Berry hurried more than usual with the preparations.
Once everything was ready, Berry went to close the curtains and turn off the lights.
But Ivelina stopped her.
“I want to sleep with one light on tonight.”
“Of course, Princess.”
Though surprised by the unusual request, Berry assumed it was simply the whim of a child and didn’t ask further.
“See you tomorrow, Princess.”
“Good night, Berry.”
It was the first lie Ivelina had ever told.
Her heart pounded nervously.
Berry left the room without any suspicion.
Ivelina, who had been lying quietly with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them wide.
The surroundings were silent; no footsteps could be heard.
After lying there for a while, she slowly got up.
Moving quietly, she changed out of her pajamas into a simple indoor dress.
She had chosen one beforehand that she could easily change into by herself.
“Brother said he’d prepare the robe…”
Jonas had repeatedly warned her not to get caught and to come through the passage used for delivering ingredients.
Startled by even the smallest sounds, she hurried toward the passage.
She carried her shoes in her hands to avoid making noise.
When she reached the meeting place, Jonas was already there.
He looked anxious, but when he saw her running toward him, relief spread across his face.
Then he noticed she wasn’t wearing shoes and gasped.
“You came without shoes?!”
“I brought them.”
Ivelina quickly put them on.
“I was afraid someone might hear my footsteps…”
“You seem even more serious about this than I am.”
“W-well, I promised! I always keep my word!”
“Alright, alright.”
Jonas smirked affectionately and ruffled her hair.
Ivelina complained about her messy hair and hurriedly fixed it with her fingers.
“Here, put this on, kid.”
“I’m not a kid!”
“I can’t call you Ivelina outside, can I?”
She had no response to that.
So Ivelina pouted while Jonas helped her put on the robe.
“Make sure your hair and eyes aren’t visible, okay?”
“Yes.”
She pulled the hood down as much as possible.
It blocked half her vision, making it uncomfortable.
Jonas suddenly held out his hand.
“You probably can’t see well. Hold my hand.”
“Okay!”
Ivelina grabbed his hand without hesitation.
After checking that no one was around, Jonas carefully opened the passage door.
The old wooden door creaked.
Ivelina flinched nervously.
Though magic stones lit the corridor faintly, the dark passage was still frightening.
She swallowed hard.
Feeling her grip tighten, Jonas chuckled.
“Don’t worry. I’m here, kid.”
“I know you’re scared of ghosts too! And I’m not scared at all.”
“Sure, sure.”
“I’m serious!”
When she raised her voice, Jonas quickly signaled for silence.
Realizing too late, Ivelina covered her mouth and looked around.
Fortunately, it seemed no one had heard.
“Let’s go. If we’re late, the night market might close.”
“The night market?”
“Yeah. A place you’ll absolutely love.”
Jonas grinned.
Then he led Ivelina into the passage.
Behind them, the wooden door creaked shut.
Startled by the sound, Ivelina turned back.
She stared at the closed door for a few seconds before facing forward again.
She had met people during birthday parties before, but she had never once left the palace.
This was her first unofficial outing in ten years.
