TIRS 62

CHAPTER 62……………

. Bean Pod vs. Ego Inflation

“Even so, I’ve been quietly and subtly active in the Ajester social scene as a minor princess for a long time.”

I took a deep breath and shouted confidently,

“I’m going to infiltrate the Luenhart social circle and clear Anselot’s name!”

But then a problem arose.

“Why…?”

I looked at the empty mail tray and exclaimed in frustration.

“Why hasn’t a single invitation arrived?”

Even though I had been here for over a week, aside from the royal ball invitation, not a single social event invitation had come.

I was being treated as a VIP enough that the king personally attended to me.

Yet, not a single invitation had arrived…

“So, that’s why.”

Something clicked.

Anselot!

It made sense when I thought of the people who avoided me, claiming he was their lover.

Even though ignoring a royal guest was considered impolite, those old-fashioned nobles apparently preferred breaking etiquette rather than attending to Anselot’s reputation.

“No, it’s not Anselot’s fault. It’s the king’s children who slandered him and spread vicious rumors,” I sighed.

“On top of that… because of that weak palace servant who fainted just by being glared at, a rumor spread that I’m a witch who kills people with my gaze.”

But I couldn’t just stay idle.

“Maybe I should just attend a tea party myself.”

Since it was festival season, social events were happening more actively than ever all over Luenhart.

The royal palace was no exception.

Even now, somewhere in the palace, a tea party hosted by a royal lady was likely underway.

“Mini-map.”

I muttered quietly, and a mini-map appeared in the air.

I crossed my arms and stared at the mini-map, mostly covered in gray.

About 90% of the map was gray, but I could see my location and the lanterns.

“First, let’s activate the mini-map.”

Finding the lantern wasn’t difficult.

I left the royal palace and started walking toward the lantern indicated on the mini-map.

Soon, I found the lantern deep in the palace garden.

“Of all places…”

My expression soured.

The palace fountain was the Luenhart lantern, and the crown prince Enzer happened to be sitting on it.

“Princess Ruibel…?”

Enzer, recognizing me, greeted me.

“Alone today, I see.”

“Yes, well…”

I replied reluctantly and approached the fountain.

[SYSTEM] You have found the Guide Lantern!
[SYSTEM] Mini-map of is now activated!

The mini-map lit up instantly, showing every corner of the palace.

“Something’s happening over there.”

I glanced at the clustered dots on the mini-map.

The names attached to the dots belonged to the young ladies who had recently bullied Maria.

“Looks like they’re having tea and gossiping…”

I pondered how to intrude.

“Should I just barge in? Or pretend to be lost and stumble upon them?”

At that moment, Enzer sidled up to me.

“If you like, I could show you around the palace.”

“….”

I glanced at him.

Crown Prince of Luenhart,

Affection Level: -39

Not meaningful numerically, but closer to disliking me than liking me.

“What’s his angle?”

Enzer, seemingly innocent, smiled charmingly and asked,

“Would you grant me the opportunity to escort you through the palace?”

“No thanks. I toured the palace on the second day.”

“There are places only the king’s heir is allowed to see. Even Anselot’s uncle couldn’t show you those.”

Despite my sharp refusal, Enzer persisted.

Feigning consideration, I glanced at his details panel.

[Crown Prince of Luenhart. Second son of King Titarus. Contended for the heirship with Arno I and, after Arno’s death, became engaged to Princess Helena Azeline, receiving the right of succession. (Support Level: 35)]

Receiving recognition for succession through marriage was a unique custom of the Luenhart royal family.

It felt appropriate for a kingdom devoted to the goddess of love.

I had heard that Anselot had been repeatedly broken off from engagements as an adult, losing his right of succession.

“To be honest, I didn’t believe it when I heard Princess Ajester had become Anselot’s uncle’s lover. I thought it might be a distorted rumor.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Although the story of Anselot and me being lovers was false, I replied vaguely.

“Tell me honestly, Princess. Why someone like Anselot’s uncle…”

“Why Anselot?”

“You are destined to be the Hero of the Oracle. Being involved with a madman like Anselot’s uncle benefits you nothing.”

Enzer subtly—or rather, openly—spoke ill of Anselot.

‘Oh, really?’

For someone rumored to be Anselot’s lover, he was speaking openly against him.

“You must not know much about the situation as an outsider.”

“The situation?”

I crossed my arms, leaning in with interest to hear more.

“Do you know what happened to Anselot’s uncle’s past fiancées?”

It caught my attention, so I perked up my ears.

“They all died. Very cruelly.”

Hearing this, my expression stiffened.

A few months ago, at Elizabeth’s tea party, a young lady had said something similar:

‘All the women who became engaged to the prince died mysteriously. And the culprit was that Prince Salto…’

At the time, I had dismissed it as unrelated.

“The first fiancée died from poison, the second fell from a tall tower while he was at war, the third drowned during a boat ride in the palace lake, and…”

Enzer’s tone sounded almost gleeful, though the story was horrific.

“Strange, isn’t it?”

“Thanks to that, Anselot lost his right of succession. I suppose that works in your favor, Crown Prince.”

“I won’t deny that.”

I frowned openly at his answer.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Just… out of concern.”

Enzer smiled faintly at me.

Ding!

[SYSTEM] is now in a flirtatious state.

“It’s somewhat regrettable.”

He stepped closer.

“Regrettable?”

“I regret that someone as beautiful and noble as you fell for a schemer like Anselot’s uncle.”

Enzer whispered seductively, his voice intense.

“Would you not give me a chance? I can prove I am better than Anselot’s uncle.”

I was dumbfounded at his attempt to seduce me despite not liking me.

It reminded me of Hezen’s persistent advances, which just annoyed me.

‘So he doesn’t like me being involved with Anselot, huh?’

I was the princess of the Ajester Empire, a continent-spanning power.

Moreover, I was now recognized as a hero destined to fulfill the Oracle.

My existence would surely be a great help to Anselot.

‘And if I were suddenly engaged to Anselot, he’d immediately gain succession rights.’

Even if he was already the appointed crown prince, he couldn’t stop being wary of Anselot.

Though labeled a murderous lunatic, Anselot was undeniably Luenhart’s war hero.

‘I don’t know if his goal is to drive a wedge between Anselot and me, or to seduce me for Ajester’s gain…’

Having made up my mind, I elegantly lifted my chin and called him out.

“Crown Prince Enzer. Did I ask why you chose Anselot?”

My gaze met his.

“If I had to pick one reason, it would be this.”

I smirked, letting a faint eye-smile curl.

“Prince Anselot’s face.”

“Eh…?”

“Anselot’s face is so perfect that even if his personality is lacking, it’s enough to compensate.”

Enzer looked confused.

“Anselot’s uncle is handsome, I admit. But I am confident I can match him in appearance. No, I boldly claim I’m even better.”

“Whoa?”

What kind of confidence is this?

For the first time since meeting him, I showed visible bewilderment.

“No matter how handsome Anselot’s uncle is, next to me, his looks fade.”

Yet Enzer, oblivious or pretending not to notice my bewilderment, spoke boldly.

His expression was serious and sincere, not boastful.

“…Crown Prince Enzer, you are poor at self-objectivity.”

Enzer looked genuinely insulted.

“Princess Ruibel, it is your eyes that lack objectivity.”

“My eyes are wrong?”

“Ask passersby. Who is more handsome: me or Anselot’s uncle?”

“Hmph. There’s no need to ask.”

I scoffed.

Enzer was undeniably good-looking, rivaling Hezen.

But never as much as Anselot.

Anselot was even more striking than Hezen, who was already decked out with all buffs and player-only items.

[SYSTEM] ’s pride increased by +300.

“Ha, shall we make it a wager?”

[SYSTEM] Your pride increased by +350.

“Fine. Let’s wager.”