☀ Chapter 4 ☀
“I packed the holy water, and I also wrote some letters just in case something happens to me…”
On the day I was supposed to enter the Imperial Palace, I finished getting ready right on time since I already knew when the carriage would arrive. I had prepared backup plans for all kinds of situations, so there shouldn’t be any major problems.
Knock, knock.
“Are you inside? The carriage to escort our honored guest has arrived.”
“Yes! I’m coming!”
Right as the coachman knocked, I picked up my luggage and immediately opened the door.
“Uh…?”
…What’s this?
The moment I opened the door, my mind completely froze at the sight of an enormous golden carriage covered in jewels. I could only stare at it with my mouth hanging open, unable to speak.
Just then, someone calmly walked toward me. His long silver hair shimmered like rippling water under the sunlight filtering between the buildings.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Astel. I am Vanel Feist, the aide who serves His Highness. I have come under his orders to escort you.”
With flawless manners, Vanel greeted me.
He was someone I knew very well—in fact, I was happy to see him.
Whenever I secretly attended official events just to catch a glimpse of my favorite character, Ivan, Vanel was always by his side.
“Sir Feist… what… is this?”
“This is the carriage His Highness personally selected to escort you. It is the new FW model of Imperial Year 377. It features the elegant red spider lily, the symbol of the Crown Prince, and the golden mane of the Imperial Family’s lion is crafted from pure gold and topaz. Truly a masterpiece.”
As if he were proud of his master’s excellent taste, Vanel passionately explained everything about the carriage the moment I asked.
Good thing I asked…
New model or not… it’s so flashy that everyone is staring at it!
People were already paying attention because of the little incident Ivan and I caused at my front door a few days ago.
Now this sparkling carriage had arrived.
This was basically the same as hanging a sign in the middle of a commoner’s neighborhood saying:
“A noble lives here!”
Just as I expected, everyone on the street was staring this way.
Haha…
There goes my peaceful life again.
“I can’t keep living in this house anymore. I should just go back to my family’s estate…”
I quietly muttered those words while still in shock.
Somehow, Vanel heard me and smiled.
“I think you’ve made the right decision. His Highness has been quite worried.”
“His Highness?”
“Yes. He was concerned because it’s too dangerous for a noble lady to live alone on the outskirts of the capital.”
The moment I heard that, I remembered something Ivan had said a few days ago.
“Are you planning to keep living here?”
Back then, his expression had looked like he wasn’t pleased about something.
At the time, I thought I was just imagining it.
So… he intentionally sent this carriage because he wanted me to return home? He didn’t want me living here?
Wherever people live, rumors are unavoidable.
Once everyone learned that a noble lived here—
And that she was the woman the Crown Prince had proposed to—
Of course my life would become dangerous.
Isn’t the hidden mastermind supposed to be powerful but not very smart, and that’s why they always fail? Then why is Ivan…
Once again…
Everything had gone exactly the way Ivan wanted.
Ever since that terrible meeting in the forest, everything had been happening according to his plans.
I was supposed to be the transmigrator.
So why did it feel like Ivan was the one controlling everything?
It was almost like…
“I’m under a demon’s spell.”
“Cough! Cough…!”
The moment I finished muttering to myself, Vanel suddenly started coughing violently.
His face instantly turned pale as if he had been shocked.
“Sir Feist! Are you alright?”
“Ah… my apologies. Something went down the wrong way.”
Vanel quickly straightened his clothes and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
What was that about?
“This way, please.”
The coachman opened the carriage door while Vanel politely offered me his hand.
Even the steps leading into the carriage were decorated with pure gold and topaz.
I’d rather run all the way to the Imperial Palace…
“Can I go there by myself instead?”
I asked weakly.
Vanel gave me a gentle smile.
“Of course not.”
Tch.
As soon as I got inside the carriage, I pulled all the curtains shut.
I didn’t want anyone to know I was inside.
Although… once I arrive at the Imperial Palace, everyone will find out anyway.
I already knew that.
Even so, it still gave me a headache.
If the Magic Association discovered my existence again…
I’d have no choice but to stop all my research.
Even Rion wouldn’t be able to help me if the Magic Association got involved directly.
I’ll have to deal with it somehow…
Sighing, I rested my hand against my forehead and secretly looked at Vanel sitting across from me.
His long silver hair looked unbelievably pure.
Even his eyes were a mysterious shade of blue with a silver glow.
Ivan overshadows him, but… Vanel is unbelievably handsome too.
Vanel Feist.
He was the eldest son of Marquis Feist.
When he was young, he was so sickly that he nearly died several times.
But one day, he suddenly recovered.
He dropped out of the Magic Academy and immediately joined the Imperial Knights.
After joining, he dominated every tournament and sparring match, proving his talent.
He was promoted at incredible speed until he became Crown Prince Ivan’s personal aide.
People even said it would take an entire night just to list all of his achievements.
Even though I’m a transmigrator, I don’t remember every character…
But Vanel was Ivan’s closest subordinate, so I remember him fairly well.
That was exactly why I had to be careful.
Just as Ivan hid behind the face of an angel while secretly being the final mastermind…
There was a good chance Vanel had been helping him all along.
Still…
There was something I should do first.
I had been so shocked by the carriage that I hadn’t greeted him properly.
“My apologies for greeting you so late. I’m Rine Astel. I’m sure you’ve never heard of me…”
“No.”
“I know who you are.”
“Huh? You know me?”
My eyes widened.
Almost nobody knew I existed.
Aside from my childhood friend Dayad and my family, there was hardly anyone else.
Looking at him in confusion, Vanel smiled warmly.
“Of course. You’re Rion’s younger sister.”
“You’re Rion’s younger sister.”
“…My brother talked about me?”
Long ago, I had repeatedly told Rion never to mention me outside the family.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—
Rion was secretly a siscon.
He rarely talked about his family because he didn’t want other people becoming interested in me.
“We attended the Magic Academy together. Sometimes I heard him quietly saying he missed his younger sister…”
“And once, he even showed me your picture inside a locket.”
“Oh… so you and my brother were classmates.”
“I never imagined someone with his personality would have friends.”
Vanel covered his mouth and laughed softly.
Judging from his reaction…
It seemed he thought the same thing I did.
Rion had no friends.
Well…
Neither did I.
But he seriously had none.
He was far too stubborn, overly strict, and completely unwilling to consider other people’s circumstances.
It would’ve been stranger if he actually had friends.
“I transferred to the Imperial Knights before graduation, so we didn’t graduate together.”
“But we still occasionally keep in touch.”
While chatting about Rion, we eventually arrived at the Imperial Palace.
After 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.”
The moment I stepped out of the carriage holding Vanel’s hand, several maids immediately lined up behind me.
There were also a number of knights standing guard on both sides.
The security was much tighter than I expected.
Soon, we arrived at the garden.
Ivan was sitting alone in the white pavilion surrounded by blooming red spider lilies.
I was planning to accidentally splash him with holy water the moment we met…
But with so many people watching, that’s impossible.
Now that I knew he was the hidden mastermind…
I couldn’t simply ignore him.
If the Empire falls, I’ll die too.
At the very least, it has to survive until I finish my dimensional magic.
Reluctantly lowering the small bottle of holy water hidden inside my sleeve, I took a deep breath and slowly walked toward Ivan.
For now…
Don’t let your former favorite character’s unbelievably handsome, beautiful, dazzling, breathtaking face fool you again.
His face under the bright afternoon sunlight is especially dangerous.
“Your Highness, Lady Astel has arrived.”
At Vanel’s announcement, Ivan turned toward us.
Perhaps because of the warm sunlight…
His perfectly sculpted features looked even more dazzling than usual.
His green eyes shone like newly sprouted leaves.
His long eyelashes, delicate like ash tree blossoms, cast elegant shadows.
His lips, warmed by the midday sun, carried a lazy, gentle smile.
He was unbelievably beautiful.
…Maybe I’m the one who should be splashed with holy water.
Barely pulling myself together, I lifted the hem of my dress slightly and bowed.
“I greet the Star of the Empire, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Welcome, Lady Astel.”
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
After greeting me politely, Ivan pushed the table full of desserts toward me.
“Please, eat as much as you like.”
“There is plenty.”
“Ah… thank you.”
A maid poured fragrant tea into my cup before quietly stepping away.
Then Ivan spoke in his gentle voice.
“Before we begin our conversation, there’s something you should know.”
“Yes. Please tell me.”
No matter what Ivan says…
I have to stay calm.
If he thinks these sweet desserts—
No, this sweet face—
Can distract me…
He’s mistaken.
“I am actually a demon.”
“I am actually a demon.”
“Yes… I thought so.”
That’s a pretty funny joke.
Ah.
I wonder how many people will come to my funeral.
