TVS 07

Chapter 07…

This Is… Really Bad

“This dress incorporates the latest trends.”
“This cake’s delicious.”
“Where did you get that hair ornament?”
“Oh, I’ve been there too!”

Dozens of boys and girls—probably between five and ten years old—were gathered in groups, chatting happily.
Judging by their clothes, they were all clearly nobles.
Cakes, cookies, and chocolates lined the tables around them, every single one looking mouth-wateringly good.
The walls were as white as snow, and the ceiling stretched high above.

— Wow… this is amazing.

In that dazzling place, I, Yuliana, had come together with Eliana.
It all started a week ago, when an invitation from the royal family arrived.
Apparently, Prince Bright, the first prince, and his twin brother, Prince Noble, the second prince, were turning ten—and this party was being held to celebrate their birthday.
But that was just the official reason.
In truth, this party was being held to decide their future fiancées.

Naturally, becoming engaged to royalty meant landing the ultimate prize.
There wasn’t a noble alive who wouldn’t want that.
Of course, I had absolutely no interest in attending such a party and wanted to decline.
But the invitation had come from the royal family itself.
Even though I was from a ducal house, refusing was simply not an option.

— Right about now, I should be enjoying my reading time…

I couldn’t help feeling a simmering irritation at having my precious hours of blissful reading interrupted.
Still, I wasn’t foolish enough to defy royalty just to keep reading my books.

Then—

“Kyaaa!”

Several shrill, rosy screams rang out from further inside the hall.
It seemed the stars of today’s party had arrived.

— So that’s them…

Golden hair that reminded one of sunlight.
Eyes as blue and sparkling as precious gems.
A sweet smile as he cast his gaze across the crowd.

— That must be Prince Bright, the first prince…

And beside him stood another boy.
Hair the color of the night sky.
Eyes of silvery gray that gleamed like the first evening star.
A gaze as cold as ice.

— And that’s Prince Noble, the second prince.

There are a few common “types” of princes:

1. The hot-blooded muscle-brained idiot.

2. The classic perfect prince.

3. The tsundere ice prince.

4. The mysterious eccentric.

5. The soft and fluffy mood maker.

Those are the usual ones.
Their personality often matches their hair color—typically red, gold, blue, purple, and green, in that order.
Birth order also influences their type.
The first prince tends to be Type 1, 2, or 3.
The second prince—Type 2, 3, or 4.
The third prince is often Type 5.

The relationship between the first and second princes is especially key.
If the first prince is perfect, the second often despairs over his own lack of talent and turns yandere (possessively obsessed).
(The reverse can also happen.)
Sometimes the first is the hot-headed idiot and the second is the level-headed perfectionist who reins him in—but judging by their appearances, that didn’t seem to be the case here.

Both wore royal white garments with intricate embroidery on their sashes.
There was no mistaking it—these were the twin princes.

“Prince Bright…”

— Ah, this is bad.

Eliana’s eyes had turned into those of a lovestruck maiden.
She was utterly captivated.
True, both princes had dazzling good looks worthy of admiration, but to someone like me—completely uninterested—it meant nothing.
I decided I’d just fade into the background like air and wait for the party to end quietly.

At least, that’s what I intended—

“—!”

— Our eyes… met.

And not just with anyone—with the first prince!

— This could be really bad…

Looking away would be dangerous.
If someone accused me of “defying the royal family,” that would be an instant death sentence.
And that would mean no more reading time.
So I couldn’t avert my gaze.

— But what should I do…?

“—!”

Suddenly, Prince Bright smiled.
The crowd erupted in squeals.
Then—he began walking toward me.

— This is seriously bad.

Please let it be a misunderstanding.
But as a duke’s daughter, even if he wasn’t coming for me, it was only a matter of time before we’d cross paths.
Still, having that moment be today of all days was terrible.
Once words were exchanged, I’d be considered a potential fiancée.
After all, I was a duke’s daughter.
And there is nothing more terrifying than power.

All I wanted was to live peacefully and read my books.
That was all!

Prince Bright stopped right in front of me.
Then—

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Bright Coltred Anlirill.”
“……”

He greeted me politely.

My bad feeling… had come true.