Chapter 09…
The Brothers’ Quarrel Has Begun…
“Noble…”
Tap, tap—the sound of footsteps echoed.
Murmurs spread through the crowd as all eyes turned toward the twin princes.
Of course, I was also one of the causes of this scene.
“Can’t you see she doesn’t want this, Bright? When royalty speaks, it’s nearly the same as a command. You still don’t understand that.”
“But Noble, taking in talented people is how a nation grows stronger. This girl could even become the Court’s Chief Magician someday—”
“Massive magic outbursts caused by mana overload are rare. But that doesn’t mean she can wield magic at will. And yet you say she could be Chief Magician? Giving others false hope for something so unlikely—this is your bad habit, Bright. It’s time to stop.”
—And just like that, a brotherly quarrel had begun…
Still, I was glad Prince Noble had come.
Thanks to him, I’d be freed from this situation.
From now on, Prince Bright’s invitations to the royal palace would probably lessen.
I felt a small sense of relief.
And then—
“Yuri!”
“! Sister…!”
Elianna threw her arms around me.
She was trembling slightly—unlike her usual self.
Earning the ire of royalty could lead to execution.
Her reaction was understandable.
“I’m so sorry, Yuri… I’m so sorry…”
Seeing Elianna’s tearful eyes made me realize what I had just done.
Normally, this would be an opportunity too good to pass up—a matter of political advantage.
Going to the royal palace meant a guaranteed future.
And since the invitation came directly from the First Prince, it would even make things smoother politically.
If anyone asked why I was there, I could simply say, “Because the First Prince invited me.”
But I had turned down the prince’s offer purely for selfish reasons—
—to enjoy my peaceful reading time.
Even if it was to avoid getting involved with major story characters,
it could very well have led me straight to the execution route.
—And worst of all, I’d made Elianna worry.
That was the one thing I should never have done.
“This happened because I wasn’t by your side…”
“That’s not true, Sister.”
Elianna probably hadn’t had the courage to step into the conversation between me and Prince Bright.
She was only ten years old, after all.
Interrupting a conversation between royalty would be an act of grave disrespect.
In fact, keeping quiet and observing was the correct choice this time.
Elianna had chosen wisely.
I offered her a small apology.
“I should be the one to apologize—for monopolizing Prince Bright’s attention, even though I knew you held affection for him…”
“! But it’s not like you spoke to him first, right? Then there’s nothing for you to apologize for. Besides, even now, you’re worrying about me in a situation like this… You really are an angel, Yuri!”
“Sister, I understand. I understand, so please let go.”
Her second hug was, as usual, suffocating.
But it was a relief to see she’d returned to her usual “sister-loving” self.
“Lady Yuliana.”
It seemed the twin princes’ quarrel had finally come to an end.
“I sincerely apologize for disregarding your wishes and for repeatedly pressuring you to join the palace.”
“! Please, raise your head, Prince Bright!”
“I truly am sorry.”
“N-no, please don’t—”
—Please stop drawing attention to me!
Of course, my inner plea went unheard.
“Still, my desire to have you at the palace hasn’t changed. If you ever change your mind, please let me know.”
“…Understood.”
—Though I doubt that will ever happen.
And with that, my conversation with Prince Bright came to an end.
