Chapter 4
“I packed the holy water, wrote letters in case something happens to me…”
On the day I was supposed to go to the Imperial Palace, I had already been told what time the carriage would arrive, so I finished preparing on time.
I had made backup plans for every situation I could think of.
That should be enough.
Knock, knock.
“Are you inside? The carriage has arrived to escort our honored guest.”
“Yes! I’m coming!”
I quickly gathered my things and opened the door.
“…Huh?”
What…
…is that?
The moment I saw the enormous golden carriage covered in jewels, my mind went completely blank.
For several seconds, I simply stared at it with my mouth hanging open.
Then someone calmly walked toward me.
His long silver hair shimmered under the sunlight shining between the buildings.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Astell.”
“My name is Vanel Feist.”
“I serve His Highness.”
“I have come under his orders to escort you.”
Vanel greeted me with flawless manners.
Not only did I know who he was…
I was actually happy to see him.
Whenever I followed Ivan to official events just to admire him from afar, Vanel was always by his side.
“Sir Feist…”
“What… is this?”
“This is the carriage His Highness personally chose for you.”
“It is the newest model released in Imperial Year 377, Fall/Winter edition.”
“It features the red spider lily, the symbol of His Highness, and the golden mane of the Imperial Lion crafted from pure gold and topaz.”
“It is truly a masterpiece.”
The moment I asked about the carriage, Vanel enthusiastically began explaining it with obvious pride.
Good thing I asked…
“New model or not… it’s so flashy that everyone is staring over here!”
People had already noticed me after the little scene with Ivan at my front door a few days ago.
Now this dazzling carriage had made things even worse.
It was basically a giant sign saying:
“A noble lives here!”
Just as expected…
Everyone on the street was staring.
“There goes my peaceful life again…”
“I guess I can’t keep living here.”
“I’ll have to move back to my family estate.”
I quietly muttered to myself.
Somehow, Vanel still heard it.
“You’ve made a wise decision.”
“His Highness has been quite worried.”
“His Highness?”
“Yes.”
“He felt it was far too dangerous for a noble lady to live alone on the outskirts of the capital.”
Hearing that reminded me of something Ivan had said before.
“Are you really planning to keep living here?”
Back then, he had looked strangely dissatisfied.
I had ignored it, thinking I was imagining things.
“Wait…”
“Did he deliberately send this ridiculous carriage just to force me to move out?”
“Because he didn’t like me living here?”
Rumors spread wherever people lived.
If everyone learned that a noble lady…
Especially the woman the Crown Prince had proposed to…
Was living here…
It would obviously become dangerous for me.
“Aren’t masterminds supposed to be powerful but stupid enough to destroy themselves?”
“Then why is Ivan…”
Once again…
Everything had gone exactly the way Ivan wanted.
Ever since our encounter in the forest…
It felt like every event had been unfolding according to his plans.
I was supposed to be the reincarnated person.
So why did it feel like he was controlling everything?
“It feels like I’ve been bewitched by a demon.”
“Cough! Cough!”
The instant I finished speaking, Vanel suddenly burst into violent coughing.
His face turned pale as if he had been shocked.
“Sir Feist!”
“Are you alright?”
“Ah… forgive me.”
“I swallowed wrong.”
He quickly straightened his clothes and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
What was that about?
“Please, this way.”
The coachman opened the carriage door.
Vanel politely offered me his hand.
Even the steps leading into the carriage were decorated with gold and topaz.
“I’d rather run all the way to the Imperial Palace…”
“Can I go there on my own?”
Vanel smiled kindly.
“Absolutely not.”
Tch.
The moment I climbed inside, I immediately closed every curtain over the windows.
I didn’t want anyone knowing I was inside.
“Although everyone will know once I arrive at the palace anyway.”
I had already accepted that.
Still, my head started hurting.
If the Magic Association found out I existed again…
I’d be forced to stop all my research.
“Even Rion couldn’t protect me if the Association itself got involved.”
“I’ll have to handle this somehow.”
Feeling hopeless, I rubbed my forehead and secretly glanced at Vanel sitting across from me.
His long silver hair was so beautiful it could make any fan scream.
Even his eyes were a mysterious pale blue with a silver glow.
“Ivan overshadows him, but Vanel is unbelievably handsome too.”
Vanel Feist.
The eldest son of Marquis Feist.
As a child, he had nearly died several times because of his poor health.
Then one day…
He suddenly recovered.
He immediately dropped out of the Magic Academy and joined the Imperial Knights.
After that, he won tournament after tournament.
His talent was quickly recognized.
Before long, he became Crown Prince Ivan’s personal aide.
People even said it would take all night to list every one of his achievements.
“I don’t remember every character from the novel…”
“But Vanel was Ivan’s closest subordinate.”
“I remember him well enough.”
That meant I had to be even more careful.
Just like Ivan looked like an angel while secretly being the mastermind…
Vanel’s gentle appearance might also hide something.
Still…
I should greet him properly.
I had been too shocked by the carriage earlier.
“I’m sorry for not introducing myself before.”
“I’m Rine Astell.”
“I’m sure you’ve never heard of me…”
“No.”
“I know who you are.”
“…You do?”
My eyes widened.
Almost no one knew me.
Besides my childhood friend Dayard and my family…
That was about it.
Looking at him in confusion, Vanel smiled warmly.
“Of course.”
“You’re Rion’s younger sister.”
“…My brother talked about me?”
Long ago, I had repeatedly begged Rion never to mention me outside the family.
Luckily…
Or perhaps unfortunately…
Rion was something of a sister fanatic.
He avoided talking about his family because he didn’t want anyone becoming interested in me.
“We attended the Magic Academy together.”
“I often heard him quietly say he missed his younger sister.”
“And once…”
“He even showed me the photo of you inside his locket.”
“Oh.”
“So you and my brother were classmates.”
“I never imagined someone with his personality would have friends.”
Hearing my completely honest opinion, Vanel covered his mouth and laughed softly.
Judging from his reaction…
He seemed to think the same thing.
Rion had no friends.
Neither did I.
But unlike me…
He genuinely had none.
He was rigid.
Stubborn.
And completely unwilling to make exceptions for anyone.
It would’ve been stranger if he actually had friends.
“I left the academy early to join the Knights, so we didn’t graduate together.”
“But we still keep in touch from time to time.”
While talking about Rion…
We arrived at the Imperial Palace.
The carriage stopped.
Vanel got out first and offered me his hand.
“His Highness is waiting in the Ruby Palace Garden.”
“I’ll escort you there.”
Taking his hand, I stepped out of the carriage.
Immediately, several maids gathered behind me.
A number of knights also surrounded us.
The security was even tighter than I’d expected.
When we reached the garden…
I saw Ivan sitting alone in the white pavilion.
Red spider lilies bloomed all around him.
“I was planning to splash holy water on him by ‘accident’ when we met…”
“But with so many people watching, that’s impossible.”
Now that I knew he was the mastermind…
I couldn’t simply ignore it.
“If the Empire falls, I’ll die too.”
“At least everything has to stay peaceful until I finish my dimensional magic.”
Reluctantly putting the small bottle of holy water back into my sleeve…
I took a deep breath.
Then slowly walked toward Ivan.
“For now…”
“Don’t get distracted by my former favorite’s ridiculously handsome, beautiful, dazzling, radiant, gorgeous face.”
“He’s especially dangerous under bright sunlight.”
“Your Highness.”
“Lady Astell has arrived.”
At Vanel’s announcement, Ivan turned his head.
Bathed in warm sunlight…
His already perfect features looked even more breathtaking.
His green eyes shone like fresh spring leaves.
His long eyelashes cast elegant shadows like ash tree blossoms.
His lips carried the warmth of the afternoon sun.
He was unbelievably beautiful.
“At this rate…”
“Maybe I should be the one drinking the holy water.”
Somehow managing to gather my senses…
I lifted my skirt slightly and bowed.
“I greet the Star of the Empire, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Welcome, Lady Astell.”
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
Smiling politely, Ivan pushed a table full of desserts toward me.
“Help yourself.”
“There’s plenty.”
“Th-Thank you.”
After a maid poured fragrant tea into my cup and quietly stepped away…
Ivan began speaking.
“Before we start…”
“There’s something you should know.”
“Yes.”
“Please go ahead.”
No matter what he says…
Stay focused.
Don’t let that sweet face…
No, those sweet desserts distract you.
“I…”
“I’m actually a demon.”
“Yes.”
“I thought so.”
That’s quite a funny joke.
…
Ah.
I wonder how many people will come to my funeral.
