TMLOH 19

Chapter : 19 

There’s nothing in this world that’s truly impossible.

If something seems impossible, it just means you lack enough money or power!

“Is it really not possible?”

“Yes, I’m afraid it isn’t.”

Damn it. My insufficient wealth and lack of power are to blame.

“Ughhhh…”

As I sank into despair, Empress Azennie looked at me with concern.

“Is something wrong? Is someone bullying you?”

Yes—the whole world is bullying me.

“No, nothing’s wrong.”

Though your precious son is the problem.

“I’m glad to hear everything’s going well.”

Apparently, in the eyes of someone so high up, it really does seem like things are going well between us.

Adults. Tch.

I shouldn’t have underestimated this “childhood friends” group. Aside from the Crown Prince’s clique, the subtle power struggles and rivalry among the other kids could put the adult social scene to shame.

‘Not that any of it concerns me.’

I was excluded from all of that.

Or rather, the better word would be ostracized.

Since I was going to die anyway.

“Is there anything else you’d like to ask?”

“…Not really.”

Although I was curious. Was it okay to ask?

As I hesitated, Empress Azennie gave a small smile and nodded first.

“By the way, Your Majesty… why did you include me in this group?”

I may be Halbern’s only bloodline, but I’m not a genius, and it’s not even certain that I’ll inherit the family title. Was there really a compelling reason to include me?

When I finally voiced a question I’d long kept inside, the Empress blinked in surprise. Then she let out a soft laugh.

“That’s…”

“?”

Another day, another “collection” meeting.

It’s only twice a week, so why does it feel like it happens constantly?

Feels like we have one every single day.

Thanks to my weak constitution, every outing knocks me out for at least two days. I guess that’s why time feels like it flies.

I’ve been showing up regularly so far, but I was approaching my limit.

‘I came here to watch the romance play out from the front row, not to be the main character!’

“Seriously, why is he still interested in me?”

What I’d thought was a passing curiosity from Pession was dragging on far too long.

Why?

Even though I kept my distance and acted cold, he was still being weirdly kind to me. I couldn’t understand it at all.

It’s annoying. It’s exhausting. It’s tiring.

‘This is why I wanted to be excluded from the childhood friends group.’

But according to Her Majesty the Empress, that was absolutely not an option.

When I asked her why she added me to the group, Empress Azennie had a simple answer:

“That’s a secret.”

Then why even bother setting up a dramatic mood?! I felt so duped, but couldn’t protest—status is power, after all.

‘I thought there was more to it than that…’

That look in her eyes—a wistful gaze.

The way she seemed to see something else when she looked at me made me wonder.

Maybe there was something between Duke Halbern and the Empress?

Could it be that my hopeless intuition had finally picked up on something?

“…No.”

I really don’t want to get dragged into this world’s soap opera.

It might be fun to watch, but being involved? No thanks.

I just want to sit back and munch popcorn while enjoying the drama from afar!

In the first place, the “Five Pillars of the Empire”—the heirs of the five great ducal houses—were required members of this collection group.

Though right now, it’s just me, the heir of Mübisk, and the twin heirs of Spherom.

‘Why did Halbern have to be one of the five ducal houses…’

It’s too much for someone like me.

“I want to be alone. Everyone log out, please.”

That’s when it happened.

“Ah!”

“Target acquired!”

Out of nowhere, I became a target.

The offenders? Two dazzling boys with silver hair and golden eyes—pretty enough to make your jaw drop.

One look was enough to tell you: Oh, these two are definitely not background characters.

“Arelliririn~!”

“Arelelelel~!”

For the record, my name is Arellin.

Suddenly, the twin terrors of Spherom surrounded me.

“Arelelelel, you came early today!”

“Earlier than His Highness!”

“But still later than us!”

“Because we’re the best!”

Clap!

The twins high-fived.

You two are so carefree. Must be nice.

“Arelliririn, why did you come early?”

“Like, thirty minutes early!”

Because I went to see the Empress, duh.

But I didn’t owe them any explanations.

I tried to ignore them and walk past, but the twins followed me around like ducklings.

“Arelelelel~”

“Arelliriririn~”

At this point, anyone else would’ve given up and walked away. But not them. Their energy was relentless.

The infamous little devils of Spherom. No wonder they were so notorious.

“Arelelelel~!”

They clearly weren’t going to leave me alone until I responded. I had no choice but to face them.

How do I know this?

Experience.

‘They did this all of last week, too.’

Just remembering it gave me chills.

“What’re you thinking about, Arelliririn?”

One of the twins tilted his head. What was this one’s name again…?

“Uh, what were your names again?”

“Arelliriririn, you don’t know our names?!”

“……”

Sorry. That happened.

I always just called them “the twins” or “the little devils.” And since they were always together, it was hard to tell them apart.

As I hesitated, the twins confidently declared:

“I’m Ciel!”

“I’m Noel!”

“People call us the angel twins!”

“……You mean devil twins.”

Top-tier childcare difficulty.

Just looking at them drained my energy.

Knowing the future from the novel, facing these growing “buds” gave me a weird feeling.

“Arelliririn, what’s my name again?”

“Ciel.”

The one born five minutes earlier—the older brother.

“Arelelelel, and me?”

“Noel.”

The unlucky one who was born five minutes later. Noel nodded proudly.

“Now you can’t forget our names, okay, Arelelelel?”

“My name is Arellin.”

“Sure, Arelelelel!”

“Could you at least say my name right?”

“Of course, Arelelelel!”

“….”

I’d been forcefully renamed.

I tried all last week to correct them, but they found my frustration amusing, so it only made things worse. Clearly, they were still enjoying it.

“Arelliririn, do you really collapse if you run? Can you show us?”

“……”

What do they think I am, some kind of circus act?

“I’ll give you this!”

“What is it?”

“My allowance!”

He pulled out—a platinum coin. Worth the same as a thousand gold coins.

“Put that away.”

Of course. This is Spherom. The twins probably get a couple in advance to dodge inheritance taxes or something.

Truly rulers of imperial wealth. The twins spent money like it was nothing.

“This is super valuable, though!”

“Want another one?”

Maybe they’re just insane.

This generation’s Spherom might go down in flames. The family got unlucky with their child lottery.

“Even if you gave me a hundred of those, I’m not running. Put it away.”

“Hing.”

“You’re so mean.”

“No, you guys are the mean ones.”

“Boo hoo~”

They pouted dramatically.

Their snow-white hair and gold eyes, shining like they were made of pure metal…

Like Pession, the twins were absurdly good-looking.

If the Crown Prince looked like some divine embodiment of beauty, then these two were like literal angels.

‘The exterior is flawless, at least.’

But don’t be fooled. Inside, they’re little demons.

Was I staring too much?

“What, what?”

“Whaaat, what?”

“Arelliririn, did you fall for us?”

The twins caught on quickly.

“We’re cute, right?”

“Adorable, right? Irresistible?”

“You can touch my eyelashes if you want!”

“I’ll let you touch my cheek!”

Their sudden switch-up was impressive. A moment ago, they were sulking. Now, they were full-on flirting.

They leaned in with their finely sculpted, mischievous little faces.

Ah. I remember this.

‘If the other person blushes, they tease them to death. That’s their whole game.’

Using their angelic faces to torment people—truly little demons. Even Satan would be impressed.

“……”

“……”

“…?”

When they didn’t get the reaction they wanted, the twins tilted their heads.

They were angelic and stunningly beautiful—but I’d seen beauty like this all my life.

It wasn’t anything new.

“?!”

They looked at each other and exchanged glances.

Suddenly, their eyes sparkled as they turned back to me.

What was that glint? That madness? Why did I have the feeling my life was about to get a lot harder?

“Go away.”

I’m sorry, Pession. I completely misjudged you.

I thought you were the most annoying, but it turns out I was wrong. Compared to these twins, the Crown Prince is a saint.

At least he can be reasoned with.

“Ugh. Move.”

No matter how hard I pushed, my feeble strength couldn’t budge them.

“You’re the first to be this cold to us, Arelliriririn!”

“Is this your plan to catch our attention, Arelelelel?”

Do you think?!

“Arelliririn, you’re so cute!”

“Arelelelel, you’re adorable!”

Not one bit happy about that. Get away from me.

I tried to escape, but it was impossible with my strength.

I want to get stronger. I’ve never wanted to be strong before, but now I do.

Usually, this is when some mysterious voice whispers, “Do you desire power?”

That’s when it happened.

“Hey! Twins!”

Bang!

The door burst open, and in stormed Pession.

“Get away from Arellin!”

He rushed over and separated the twins from me, shielding me like a protective wall.

“Pession…!”

Is this what they mean by a prince on a white horse?

I swear on my name and pride: never in my life have I been so happy to see him.