Chapter 18
I stepped back, putting some distance between myself and the villain.
His gaze looked far too dangerous.
“Yulia. You don’t have to be so wary.”
“……”
“If someone saw us now, they might think I’m trying to hurt you.”
Not right now, maybe.
But I couldn’t afford to let my guard down even for a single moment.
“There’s no need to be so tense. We have plenty of time, after all.”
“……”
Huh. He really was brimming with confidence.
Well, I guess with that kind of mindset, it’s no wonder he became the final boss in the original story.
“Yulia.”
“What.”
“I heard you’ll be attending the New Year’s Festival.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
How did he even find out?
I never told him anything about that.
And why was he smiling at me like that — a smile that only made me feel uneasy?
When normal people smile, it’s supposed to make you feel relaxed, but with him, all I felt was dread.
My anxiety started to creep up.
“You seem to be hiding quite a bit from me.”
“I’m not hiding anything. I just… forgot to mention it.”
“Let’s say that’s true.”
The look in his eyes made it clear — he didn’t believe a word I said.
It wasn’t even a complete lie, but that reaction was so irritating.
If I’d known he’d respond like this, I might as well have just lied from start to finish.
“Yulia, I’ll overlook your secrets for now. But once I return, there had better be nothing you’re keeping from me.”
“I don’t have anything to hide.”
“Good. Because I’d rather you not secretly take a lover while thinking I might die or lose the war.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
Because there’s no way you’ll return victorious from that war.
“If I come back and find someone else by your side, I’ll take that as a request to kill him.”
“W-what did you just say?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
How could someone say they’d kill a person so casually?
“I said, if you have a lover when I return, I’ll kill him.”
“……”
“Because the only person allowed to stay by your side… is me.”
Why was this obsessive fixation — which was supposed to be directed at the heroine — suddenly aimed at me?
It made no sense.
Ever since I stopped chasing after him, the story had started to shift little by little.
But if this was how that shift manifested… then it was becoming a serious problem.
He hadn’t done anything yet, but at any moment he might draw his sword and slaughter members of the imperial family.
After all, in the original story, his rebellion had erupted without any warning —
and he’d killed every royal after their power weakened from losing the war.
So I couldn’t relax.
If anything, things might end even worse than in the original plot.
“If you do take a lover, just make sure he’s gone before I return. Then I’ll say nothing.”
“……”
“Please don’t make me dirty my hands with blood when I come back.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that.”
“Yes. Once the war is over, please make sure I have no reason to stain my hands with blood, my lady.”
“We’re not even married! Why are you acting like we are already?”
“Because we will be. And you wouldn’t want to be the wife of a man who returns in defeat, would you?”
“Haah…”
Maybe I really should find someone who can protect me.
This level of anxiety was unbearable.
Or… should I just hire an assassin to quietly take him out?
No, that wouldn’t work.
He’s the villain after all — he’d just capture the assassin, torture him, and find out I was behind it.
“You should go back.”
“Yulia. I’ll bring you the glory of victory.”
“I don’t need it, thank you very much.”
“You don’t? I thought you’d like that.”
“I really don’t!”
Then he took my hand and pressed a brief kiss on the back of it.
“It’s a shame to part so soon, but I’ll be going now. If you ever miss me, you’re welcome to visit anytime.”
“I won’t ever be visiting you!”
“When you come to my duchy, you can see me freely, without restrictions. Remember that.”
“I’d rather not remember that!”
What a useless thing to say.
As if I’d ever even go near that place.
“So go already!”
“No need to rush me, Yulia.”
“I’m not rushing you.”
“It’s just… a shame to leave so soon.”
A shame? What’s that supposed to mean?
What kind of nonsense are you planning this time? Can’t you just leave quietly for once?
Then something brushed my lips — and was gone.
What…?
When I looked up, he was wearing an expression like it hadn’t been enough.
I instinctively took two steps back.
“There’s no need to run from me like that.”
“Go back. Now!”
“I was going to.”
“Then why did you lick your lips?”
He didn’t answer.
He just smiled in silence — which only made it more terrifying.
“I’ll be satisfied with this much for today. Though to be honest, even yesterday wasn’t enough. But I’m a kind man, you see.”
Kind?
If you’re kind, then every kind person in the world must’ve frozen to death.
I was speechless — but I kept my mouth shut.
I’d learned that arguing with this man only made things worse.
“See you next time, Yulia.”
“…I’d really rather not.”
* * *
The New Year’s Festival was fast approaching.
It would be my first time ever participating in one — no, in any public event — so I was nervous.
I’d never been anywhere with large crowds before.
The only gathering I’d experienced was Cecil’s birthday party, and this was going to be much, much bigger.
A national event, after all — full of people.
While I was anxious, my maids seemed to be practically buzzing with excitement.
“Your Highness! We finally get to show the world what we’re capable of!”
“Shall we use the dress His Majesty sent for you to wear at the festival?”
“I’ll go fetch the jewels that shine as beautifully as Your Highness’s eyes!”
They were the ones rushing around —
so why was I the one feeling tired?
Maybe it was just my imagination.
After the long morning bath, fatigue was already setting in.
“Your Highness! Please don’t move! It’ll smudge!”
“…Okay.”
How much longer did I have to keep my eyes closed?
My eyelashes fluttered from the ticklish feeling.
By the time I was about to doze off, I finally heard—
“Your Highness! It’s done!”
“Wow… you girls are really good at this!”
“Now let’s pick earrings and a necklace to go with the dress!”
They began laying out sets of jewelry — necklaces and earrings of every kind.
About a third were from the villain,
another third from Father,
and the rest from my brother.
A nightmare of choices.
I didn’t remember who had given me what!
My memory wasn’t exactly stellar.
But as long as I didn’t pick the ones from the villain, I’d be fine.
“Since it’s the New Year’s Festival, maybe I should wear the ones Father gave me?”
“Then how about this set?”
The maid probably had better taste than I did anyway.
I decided to trust her eyes, not mine — my sense of fashion was utterly unreliable.
“Your Highness…!”
Their voices trembled with emotion.
My hair, usually left loose, was elegantly pinned up.
I wore silver and clear crystal jewelry — earrings and a necklace in a perfectly matching set.
And the dress: a delicate blend of lavender and deep purple, showing just the right amount of skin.
The girl in the mirror was definitely me… yet somehow, she looked like a stranger.
“Of course the star of the New Year’s Festival will be you, Your Highness! There’s no woman of higher status in the world!”
“…Thank you.”
Compliments like that still made me feel awkward.
“Yulia.”
It was my brother’s voice outside the door — he’d arrived right on time to escort me.
“Brother!”
“Yuli—…”
He froze.
I’d seen him dressed up many times, but he’d never seen me like this before.
Maybe my appearance reminded him of Mother.
“Yulia… you look beautiful. Like an angel fallen from the sky.”
He extended his hand to escort me.
I knew it was flattery, but hearing it still made me feel good.
He always told me I was pretty… but those words never lost their charm.
“If Mother were alive to see you now, she would have been so proud.”
“Brother…”
I held onto his hand tightly as we walked.
When we reached the entrance, I started to regret coming —
but I still held his hand and stepped inside.
It was my first official appearance at a public event, after all.
“And Yulia, Father will join us once he finishes his duties. He might arrive a bit later than us.”
“…Okay.”
“Don’t be nervous. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
“Mm-hm!”
The doors opened.
And the moment I stepped inside, I felt it — every gaze turning toward me.
I nearly froze in place.
There were so many people… I couldn’t help tightening my grip on my brother’s hand.
All those eyes on me made it hard to breathe.
“Yulia. If it’s too much—”
“No, Brother. I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine, that’s why I’m saying this.”
“…I’ll be fine. Once Father comes, I’ll feel better.”
“Alright. I’ll stay right beside you. So don’t look so scared — you’re the star today, remember?”
Guided by his hand, I followed him to the seats of honor.
Having him there did help, even just a little.
“Yulia, maybe you’ll meet the person you’ve been waiting for here.”
“…I really hope so.”
That boy had definitely been a noble.
The fabric of his clothes back then was far too fine for a commoner.
“I just… want to see him once more.”
I wouldn’t say anything.
Not unless he approached first.
If the villain saw me talking to someone like that… he’d probably kill him.
“Well, most of the nobles will be here for the festival, so keep your eyes open.”
“Yeah.”
Then I heard the herald’s voice.
“His Imperial Majesty, the Sun of the Empire, makes his entrance!”
The doors opened — Father stepped in.
And following right behind him—
I froze.
Why… was the villain entering with him?
I wasn’t the only one shocked. The nobles all began whispering in confusion.
Of all people, why was he walking with my father?
A wave of dread washed over me — though I tried to tell myself I was worrying for nothing.
Father took the seat at the head table, and the villain knelt on one knee before him.
But something about that gesture felt ominous.
My heart pounded — thump, thump, thump — a terrible unease rising in my chest.
Then his eyes met mine.
He smiled.
And somehow, that smile felt… like the beginning of something dreadful.
“I, Chester Ziegbert, swear my eternal loyalty to the Imperial Family.”
…Was there ever a scene like this in the original story?
