Chapter 7
The place Ivan showed me was the Marine Palace, located not far from the Ruby Palace where he lived.
Normally, only the official Crown Princess was allowed to live there.
It was far more luxurious than someone like me deserved.
“But it was just too good to refuse…”
When I saw the winter herbs growing all over one side of the garden…
…research materials…
No.
Winter herbs.
I decided I could be a little shameless.
“If someone offers it to me, refusing would be rude.”
The bedroom was bright with sunlight and decorated in elegant white tones.
It was perfect.
Ivan also said he would personally choose trustworthy guards and maids to serve me.
Knock, knock.
That should be them.
I told them to come in.
Two people with very striking appearances entered.
Both had bright red hair like the sun and dark black eyes.
They looked so alike that anyone could tell they were siblings.
“We, the children of House Villoze, greet the future Crown Princess.”
“It is an honor to serve the future Moon of the Empire.”
They introduced themselves as Khan and Sis.
Both belonged to the famous House Villoze, a family that had served the Imperial Family for generations.
Wait…
I thought he’d just send some ordinary palace staff.
“These two…”
“They’re the very guards Ivan assigns to the heroine, Shana, in the original novel!”
Khan, with his long red hair tied back, became my personal knight.
Sis, with her neatly cut short hair, became my personal maid.
“Wow.”
“I already feel much safer.”
“It’s nice to meet both of you.”
“I will do everything I can to ensure your safety.”
Khan placed his right hand over his chest and bowed perfectly.
Having members of House Villoze assigned to me is honestly too much…
…But they’re too reliable to refuse.
I already knew why the Imperial Family trusted them so much.
They were incredibly capable.
“Lady Rine!”
“I’ll serve you with all my heart!”
Sis smiled warmly and bowed.
Although she was technically a maid…
House Villoze was famous for swordsmanship.
She was an excellent swordswoman herself.
Well…
At least nobody was going to assassinate me.
That’s a relief.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll only be staying here for a little while…”
“So please take care of me.”
“…A little while?”
Khan and Sis looked at each other.
Only for a moment.
But they both seemed confused.
Didn’t Ivan tell them I’d leave once the trust issue was settled?
I tilted my head.
Honestly…
Proving my trust wasn’t difficult.
Magic was magic.
There were plenty of spells that punished people for revealing secrets.
As long as I learned the spell…
It would only take about two weeks.
A month at most.
Afterward…
Both of them immediately started working.
“We’ll do our best while you’re here.”
Khan left to begin guarding the palace.
Sis excused herself to prepare my bath.
Several other maids had also been assigned to me.
It looked like I wouldn’t have any problems during my stay.
“Now it finally feels like I’ve actually been reincarnated into this novel…”
I’d spent over ten years living far away from the main story.
Now I was suddenly surrounded by the main characters.
It felt strange.
“Where exactly are we in the story?”
Since I’d be staying near Ivan for a while…
I needed to remember the plot.
Knowing the future was the greatest advantage of being reincarnated.
“Sis.”
“Could you bring me today’s newspaper?”
“Of course!”
“I’ll be right back!”
After my bath…
Sis brought me the newspaper.
As expected…
Most of the headlines were still about the Butcher.
“Who Is the Unprecedented Butcher?”
“Sixty-six Victims in Just One Month. The Imperial Police Still Have No Leads.”
“How Long Will the Headless Bodies Continue to Terrify the Empire?”
The front page also reported that the Emperor’s army had captured a strategic fortress during the war against the Kingdom of Tarant.
The war had ended in victory.
“Wow…”
I carefully read every article, trying to organize everything that had happened so far.
Then I finally realized…
“I don’t remember anything…”
Absolutely nothing.
Even though I had hoped otherwise…
No reincarnated person could remember every detail of a novel they had read only once.
Even the author probably couldn’t.
“Besides…”
“I’ve already lived in this world for over ten years.”
“How do other reincarnated people remember everything so perfectly?”
They always recognized the story immediately.
I had honestly wondered whether reincarnated people gained some kind of special memory.
Turns out…
Not at all.
My mind was completely blank.
Judging from the number of victims…
It seemed we were still near the beginning of the story.
That was all I could figure out.
“Well…”
“It’s not like I have no options.”
I wasn’t helpless.
After all…
I was a mage.
If something seemed impossible…
Magic found a way.
“I think I once read a recipe for a potion that restores forgotten memories…”
I slowly stood up.
If I wanted to survive as someone reincarnated into a novel…
I needed to recover my memories.
At least that was something I could do.
“Sis.”
“I’m going to the Imperial Library.”
“Yes, Lady.”
“I’ll guide you there.”
When Ivan and I parted earlier…
He had given me something.
I searched inside my sleeve.
There it was.
A small ruby ring.
He had said showing it to the librarian would allow me to enter.
After changing clothes…
I followed Sis to the library.
Since she didn’t have permission, only I was allowed inside.
“Wow…”
“It’s enormous.”
“The Imperial Library really is amazing.”
If someone gave me enough time…
I could happily spend an entire day there.
Forbidden books.
Ancient magic books.
Books of every imaginable genre.
Everything was neatly organized.
“Mm…”
While searching for books about memory magic…
I heard a small groan somewhere nearby.
Huh?
I thought I was alone.
The Emperor is still away at war…
And Ivan is busy acting as Regent…
Curious…
I followed the sound.
Soon I spotted someone standing on a small silver ladder, reaching toward a high shelf.
Black hair.
Eyes as blue as water.
A small child.
Thin for his age.
“Ah…”
“I know him.”
Ate Pell Erzette.
In the original story…
He suffered from a mysterious illness.
Eventually…
He died while still very young.
The heroine, Shana, tried to save him with holy power.
But she was already too late.
“Because of that…”
“People began doubting whether Shana truly deserved to be called a saint.”
“Then the male lead stepped in and rescued her.”
Ate had existed only to bring the heroine and male lead closer together.
Even though my memories were vague…
I still remembered him.
He was the Empire’s only prince.
“He’s trying to get that book.”
“Maybe I should help.”
It was too high for me to reach too.
So I simply used magic to pull the book off the shelf and handed it to him.
Then…
“What are you?”
Instead of thanking me…
The little boy glared at me with a deep frown.
This wasn’t shyness.
He was openly hostile.
“Haha…”
“I’m…”
“Why are you smiling like that?”
“It’s creepy.”
I only smiled because you’re Ivan’s younger brother…
I wanted to make a good first impression…
That definitely didn’t work.
“You somehow managed to charm Father or my brother enough to get in here.”
“So once you’re finished…”
“Get out.”
He even waved his hand impatiently.
Clearly telling me to leave.
“Is he a demon too?”
He talks exactly like a little demon.
Seriously.
“That book is really interesting.”
Ignoring his rude attitude…
I smiled and pointed at the book in his arms.
Honestly…
I didn’t expect this to work.
But Ate’s blue eyes suddenly widened.
“You’ve read this?”
“Yes.”
“Every chapter is fascinating.”
“But I especially liked Chapter Three.”
“The story about the curse on the ancient holy relic.”
“You mean the part where Goddess Arnosil restored the corrupted relic?”
The moment I mentioned the contents…
His face lit up with excitement.
Don’t tell me…
He actually read the whole thing?
Even adults struggled with that magic book.
“Exactly.”
“I loved how it challenged the idea that holy relics couldn’t contain demonic power.”
“Right!”
“Holy power and demonic power only become complete when they’re together.”
“But those stupid people at the temple don’t understand that…”
“Gah!”
He suddenly covered his own mouth.
His ears turned bright red.
He looked completely shocked that he’d gotten so carried away talking.
“Y-You…”
“Who are you?”
Only now did he finally become curious about me.
Just as I was about to answer…
His eyebrows suddenly drew together.
“Wait…”
“Your face…”
“It looks familiar.”
“I’ve definitely seen you somewhere…”
He counted silently on his fingers.
Then his big blue eyes suddenly lit up.
“Ah!”
“I remember!”
“You’re that heartless woman who mercilessly ignored the proposal from our angelic Crown Prince!”
…I think I seriously need to fix my public image.
