Chapter 13
I couldn’t fall asleep until late that night, so I ended up sleeping in the next morning.
“Ugh…”
Even after waking up, I kept my eyes closed and tossed and turned in bed. I’d slept for a long time, but I still felt tired because of the restless dreams.
The loud chirping of birds outside the window suggested that the sun was already high in the sky.
I really had to get up now. I cracked one eye open and slowly sat up.
“Ow.”
I bumped into something.
What…?
Still groggy, I saw a flicker of gold in my blurry vision before it disappeared.
“You’re awake, Princess?”
A now-familiar cheerful voice greeted me.
“Miriam?”
“Yes, Princess. Good morning! Shall I prepare your wash water?”
Lifting my head, I saw Miriam standing right next to the bed. I thought I bumped into something, but there was nothing on the bed and no one else in the room.
“Just now…”
“Yes?”
Miriam tilted her head, puzzled. When I gestured, she leaned in closer.
“What’s wrong?”
I stared into her eyes. Beneath her neatly cut blond hair were ordinary brown eyes.
“No, it’s nothing.”
Maybe I wasn’t fully awake yet. Golden eyes? If someone had that feature, I’d remember.
And if those really were eyes, that means someone was staring at me right in front of my face while I slept…
“Were you watching me sleep?”
Just in case, I asked.
“Yes! I wanted to bring your wash water as soon as you woke up!”
“Right in front of my face?”
“Pardon?”
Miriam blinked, looking confused. Nothing seemed off about her demeanor.
I must really still be half-asleep. I shook my head.
“Never mind. What time is it?”
“Around eleven.”
Closer to lunchtime than breakfast. I sighed.
“Tell them I’ll wash up and eat right after, so be ready.”
It might sound silly to talk about eating as soon as I wake up, but I was serious.
If I didn’t gain weight soon, Richard might actually kill our palace chef next time…
Hmm. Wouldn’t they send over Ruby Palace’s chef then? Tempting…
Miriam hurried out, and I tried to suppress my desire for Ruby Palace’s cooking.
Breathe in, breathe out. I shouldn’t lose my humanity.
I looked out the window to clear my mind of whipped cream cake. That’s when I noticed something unexpected.
A procession was approaching Opal Palace.
Though the trees blocked most of the view, I could catch glimpses of an extravagant line of people, like the one Richard had sent with trays of food yesterday.
That jerk Richard—now he’s showing up without notice?
“Princess!”
Thud-thud-thud. Miriam came running at full speed and flung the door open.
“You have to come down! His Highness sent you a gift!”
“Again?”
He already sent me a ton of dresses and jewelry yesterday. What now? At least it sounded like he wasn’t coming in person, so I replied indifferently.
“Just leave it at the door.”
“But, Princess…”
Miriam’s eyes sparkled strangely.
“There’s a letter from the Fifth Prince too!”
Wait—who?
“Miriam, who did you say?”
“Prince Rudolf, the Fifth Prince, sent a letter and a gift.”
What the hell?! Why didn’t you say that from the start?!
“Miriam! Bring me a dress!”
After hurriedly throwing on a dress, I rushed downstairs to the first floor, where a scene similar—but not quite the same—as yesterday unfolded.
There were gifts galore, but only one person present.
No one was carrying them—boxes of gifts floated on their own and stacked themselves inside the first floor of Opal Palace.
The only person standing among the mountain of presents was a woman with long brown hair, holding a silver tray.
She bowed gracefully as I approached.
“Blessed morning to you, Princess. Rachel Klein, Baroness, presents herself to the 17th Princess Lucillia El Esperusa.”
She spoke more nobly than anyone I’d ever met. And I didn’t recognize her name.
Must be a side character or extra. I greeted her accordingly.
“Welcome to Opal Palace, Baroness.”
I tried to match her formal tone, though I probably sounded clumsy. I never had proper etiquette training.
“What brings you here today?”
“I’ve brought a gift and a letter from the Fifth Prince.”
She extended the silver tray. On it was a wax-sealed envelope.
Everything about it was elegant—so very Rudolf. Which made me even more reluctant to read it.
Still, I had to check the contents. I picked up the envelope with a grim face.
Inside was a card. It read:
“Lucillia, would you accompany me to the Imperial Birthday Festival? I believe it will be a joyous time. I await your kind reply.”
I read the card.
At first, I didn’t understand. Then, after realizing what it meant, I reread it because I couldn’t accept it.
The Imperial Birthday…
It’s the Emperor’s birthday celebration, of course.
Though in reality, it’s far more than a simple birthday party.
During the week—three days before and after the actual birthday—the entire Empire shuts down for celebration. Citizens receive gifts in the Emperor’s name, some criminals are pardoned, and various events take place.
But it had nothing to do with me.
Royal descendants were usually required to attend, but I was under fifteen, so I wasn’t obligated.
In the original story, Imelda—the heroine—was fifteen this year, so it was her debut into high society.
But that scene was never shown. It was just mentioned briefly that no one spoke to her at the party.
And now I’m supposed to go? With Rudolf?
What kind of situation is this?
“I…”
I slowly opened my mouth.
“I don’t want to attend.”
“It’s fine if you go with His Highness.”
“No, I mean I simply don’t want to.”
“His Highness commanded me to return only with your agreement.”
Esperusa royals… They never care about others’ feelings.
Indirect refusals wouldn’t work, so I hardened my expression and spoke firmly.
“The only answer you’ll be taking back is ‘no.’ Whatever your orders may be, you can’t force my response.”
Rachel, who’d been reciting lines like a machine, flinched for the first time.
“…I didn’t mean to threaten you, Princess.”
“Then please leave.”
“Princess…”
Her voice trembled slightly.
“If I return like this… I’ll die.”
…What?
I couldn’t understand. Was she threatening to kill herself?
Such an innocent thought on my part.
“If I deliver an answer His Highness dislikes, I’ll die. And my body will likely be sent to Opal Palace. Then someone else will be sent. If rejected, they’ll die too.”
I knew what kind of person Rudolf was in the original story, but for a moment I forgot—and thought naively.
“This will continue… until Your Highness finally agrees.”
I tightly closed my eyes.
Why are there so many people around here who treat human lives so lightly? And why are they all my brothers?
I looked at the baroness.
A name and face I didn’t recognize—she must be a supporting character or extra.
Is this what it’s like to be someone standing beside the villain? So dangerous, so exhausting.
Just like me.
Do you know what it means to have no power? It means you can’t control your own life.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
Of all times, Richard’s words came to mind.
Right, I have no power. So, in the end, I have no choice but to comply with Rudolf. No matter how I refuse, he won’t stop—he’ll just pile corpses at my door.
“Tell him I’ll go.”
But honestly, my decision wasn’t even a calculated move.
Even if someone’s just a side character, or an extra—I couldn’t let them die because of me.
“…Thank you, Princess.”
Rachel responded with a voice choked in emotion.
“Then…”
She gestured toward the floating boxes. One small box flew over—small enough to fit in the palm of a hand.
Kneeling on one knee, she opened the box.
“Please accept this ring.”
“…Are you proposing to me, Baroness?”
For the first time since stepping into Opal Palace, Rachel smiled. It only lasted a few seconds before her expression returned to neutral, but her smile was beautiful.
“It’s a gift from His Highness. He asks that you wear it until the party.”
I looked down at the ring.
A thin, white band—probably platinum, since Rudolf wouldn’t bother with silver.
In the center, a large diamond, flanked by two smaller ones. Simple, but elegant.
But it looked too big. Even by sight, I could tell it wouldn’t fit.
“This ring seems too large for me.”
Rachel lowered her head.
“Once you wear it, it will adjust to your finger.”
A magic spell, huh. So Rudolf.
I suddenly had a terrible suspicion. Without touching the ring, I asked:
“Baroness, what happens when I put it on?”
“It’ll resize to fit your finger.”
“And besides that?”
Rachel looked up at me, clearly troubled.
“If you fail to attend the festival—or even try to skip it—your finger will be cut off.”
It was so typical of Rudolf, it didn’t even shock me.
“Haha… Amazing magic.”
But it felt awful. Really awful.
Rachel said nothing, just bowed.
It might seem silly to say this, given my position—but I felt sorry for her.
Well, what’s a ring if it saves someone’s life?
I picked it up and slipped it on.
As my small act of rebellion, I chose the left middle finger.
The ring shrunk instantly to fit perfectly.
I tried to take it off, but it didn’t budge at all.
I let out a deep, long sigh.
“It fits perfectly.”
