TVS 08

Chapter 08…

Seriously, he’s so persistent…!

Prince Bright, the First Prince, is considered one of the most popular prospective marriage candidates—even compared to Prince Noble, the Second Prince.
People say they fall in love with the way he treats everyone kindly and without discrimination.
And what Prince Bright loves most is magic.
He favors beautiful, refined magic and is said to be deeply interested in those who excel in it.
Apparently, this has influenced this year’s crop of nobles, resulting in a higher number of talented individuals than usual.

— Maybe that’s why.

I had a good idea why Prince Bright came to see me first.
It all started three years ago.
When I turned four, I began seriously practicing magic.
I’d already been training a bit before then to ensure I could have stable reading time, so I was fairly confident in my abilities.
I thought I was being careful not to draw too much attention—gradually increasing the scale of my spells while gauging the reactions of the court magicians—but…

“Magnificent, Lady Yuliana! For someone your age to display such scale, precision, and speed… becoming the kingdom’s chief magician one day is not a dream!”

That’s what they said to me.
Apparently, controlling the scale of magic—making it larger or smaller—is not something easily done.
In other words, trying to adjust it based on others’ reactions was a bad move.
Before I knew it, word had reached the royal palace—and even made it into the newspapers.
By trying too hard to avoid the “strongest route,” I’d ended up stepping right into it.
Too late for regrets now.

— My goal is to avoid getting involved with the main story characters and secure peaceful reading time.

That meant there was only one thing to do right now:

— Escape, as quickly as possible, from Prince Bright—the main character himself…!

I greeted him with the dignity expected of a duke’s daughter.

“It is an honor to make your acquaintance. I am Yuliana Lindor.”

White hair is rare, and often the object of curiosity.
Sometimes it even becomes a target for bullying—but that’s only because those people fail to appreciate its beauty.
There’s no way this glossy, smooth white hair could be considered ugly.
Especially when its owner is dressed up like a doll.

“I’ve heard rumors about you,” he said. “A prodigy who performed large-scale magic at the age of four.”
“Large-scale magic… oh no, it wasn’t anything so grand. It was more of an accident—what you could call a magical power surge. I’m embarrassed to think of it.”
“Even a magical surge rarely produces magic on such a scale. That’s your talent. There’s nothing to be ashamed of—rather, you should be proud.”
“You honor me too greatly, Prince Bright.”
“I’m merely giving you the praise you deserve.”

And so the polite exchange between the ten-year-old First Prince and the seven-year-old duke’s daughter continued.
I wanted to call for help, but Prince Bright left me no opportunity.

— Please, just let this end already…

My desperate inner plea went unheard.

“I would love for you to visit the royal palace sometime. It would be an excellent experience. I’ve heard your magic power and control are both exceptional.”
“A mere half-trained girl like me is unworthy of such a place. There are many far more talented than I. It would be improper for a duke’s daughter with no accomplishments to intrude.”

Let’s be honest.

— He’s seriously so persistent…!

How many times have I hinted at it already?
That I don’t want to go to the palace?
And that I really, really don’t want to get involved with a main character like Prince Bright?
(I mean, of course he can’t hear the screaming inside my head, but still!)

— Please, take a hint already… seriously…

If this keeps going, the other young ladies will start hating me.
I can already feel their jealousy and resentment burning holes in my back.
And I’m a colored-hair duke’s daughter!
Not black hair, not black eyes—so that basically confirms I’m a main character in this story!

— I don’t want to stand out anymore… I want to go home… I want to read my books…

I gave up my precious reading time to be here.
And now I’m being subjected to this nightmare? Cruel doesn’t even begin to cover it.

— Someone, please… anyone, help me…!

Usually when a main character says that line, someone rushes in to help.
That’s how these things go.
If someone does come, that means I’m doomed to be a main character.
I wanted help, but I also didn’t—I was torn as I prayed for a miracle.

Then—

“Bright.”

The sharp, slightly angry voice was clear and easy to hear.
And there’s only one person in this room who could call Prince Bright by name without a title.

“Stop pestering her. She doesn’t like it.”

It was none other than Prince Noble, the Second Prince.