TVWRDWMEHHSL 10

10: The Reincarnated Young Lady Encounters the Crown Prince for the First Time in This Life

The three noble young ladies who had tried to harass me…

Of all people, we were caught in the act by none other than His Highness, Crown Prince Kistahrt. Pitifully, they were immediately ordered to leave.

“Leave!?”

“What? But we came here tonight to become the Crown Prince’s bride…!”

I watched them as if they were someone else’s problem. So they, too, were candidates for the Crown Prince’s selection.

His Highness, however, remained cold and unflinching.

“From seeing you here, hesitating instead of entering the hall, I take it you have no intention of becoming the Crown Prince’s bride,” he said.

“That’s because… you dared to bully someone weaker despite being ‘without magic’…”

“You chose to harass those weaker than you instead of focusing on becoming the Crown Prince’s bride. On top of that, you were so thoroughly outmatched by someone you belittled as ‘without magic,’ you clearly lack the ability to hold the title. Don’t waste any more time—withdraw immediately.”

When the Crown Prince gives an order, there’s no choice but to obey.

The three, who had tried to intimidate me at first, slumped their shoulders and meekly retreated.

As they left, the Crown Prince added another remark.

“Rest assured. My memory is far too valuable to remember deeds as trivial as yours. In six months, you’ll be completely forgotten, and we may even meet again with smiles on our faces.”

Effectively, that was a six-month ban.

It meant they would have difficulty entering any place the Crown Prince might be, including the royal palace and other important facilities.

For ambitious young nobles, this was a harsh penalty.

“Wait!”

I interrupted, not ready for things to end just like that.

The noble ladies’ faces lit up.

Why, I wonder? Did they expect me to plead on their behalf?

In stories, there’s often a scene where a kind young lady begs a harsh prince for mercy—but how naive.

I am the villainess of my previous life, a woman who committed every atrocity imaginable.

“You are from the Arpan, Mitwell, and Sesamint households, correct?”

“Huh?”

The Crown Prince had just named their houses.

“All three of your families use the trade ports within my Eldenvark territory to import and export various goods, correct?”

“Eh?”

They underestimated me just because I am a young lady. At my age, I already help my father with his work and have every port user’s name memorized.

“All of these imports and exports are vital to your livelihood, and you earn substantial profits using the ports in my territory…”

“You don’t mean…!?”

“Indeed. As you said, my father dotes on me excessively… If I tell him what happened tonight, he will surely be furious.”

The noble ladies’ faces turned an even paler shade of blue. Eventually, they froze in place, too intimidated to speak, and fled with tearful expressions while the Crown Prince glared at them.

With the threat gone, it was just the Crown Prince and me outside the royal grounds… no, Noa was here too.

“You threaten them harshly. Cutting off their trade and blocking the flow of goods would devastate their territories faster than royal displeasure ever could.”

“I never explicitly said anything like that. It’s up to them what they imagine.”

Of course, actually blocking trade routes would be a serious issue, drawing in neighboring nobles and even royalty.

“My goal was only to make them realize the danger themselves. If they fear even a one-in-a-thousand possibility, they shouldn’t have bothered me in the first place.”

They shouldn’t underestimate me for being “without magic.” There are plenty of ways to stop someone that don’t involve magic.

“You are intelligent, and thoughtful as well. Quite different from the rumors.”

“What kind of rumors?”

No need to ask. Until I regained memories of my previous life, I had been seen as the powerless, spoiled, stubborn, and capricious daughter of a duke—a child whose personality had been warped by the lack of magical ability.

Those ten years preserved that image in the capital, as I withdrew to my territory immediately after regaining my memories.

But that is irrelevant now.

“…Should I even be thanking you?”

I realized it now. After all, it was this Crown Prince who drove away the three noble ladies who had harassed me. A truly dashing entrance, as expected of a prince.

“No need. You had almost handled it yourself. I only took the final touch,” he said.

“I apologize for showing such improper behavior.”

“No, your actions were excellent. How many royal guards can strike a troublesome opponent so decisively? I heard the Eldenvark heiress cannot use magic, yet she does not neglect her efforts.”

“I can’t tell if that’s praise or criticism,” I muttered, a little sharp.

What is this situation? Facing the Crown Prince directly before even entering the palace? I had planned to blend in with the other ladies and leave unnoticed.

“…I truly did not expect you to come.”

“To participate in tonight’s selection of a bride, I assume?”

What is he saying all of a sudden? His words made my tone sharper in response.

“The royal family ordered you to participate. I simply followed their command. Serving the royal family is a noble’s duty.”

“Yet, given this kingdom’s values, it is extremely difficult for someone without magic to become the Crown Prince’s bride. You undertake the impossible merely because it is the royal family’s command?”

“Your Highness, I do not hold such grand notions. I understand that I am insignificant.”

“Then why?”

“To avoid being chosen, if I had to say.”

I would certainly fail the initial selection.

But the fact that I “followed the royal family’s command” and participated, only to fail, would remain.

“I may be embarrassed, but that proves the Eldenvark family’s loyalty. I hope Your Highness keeps this in mind.”

“Ah… yes!”

“I am not alone. Tonight’s gathering calls young ladies from across the kingdom, but only one will achieve the honor of being the Crown Prince’s bride. All others will share my embarrassment. I hope Your Highness will reward them accordingly.”

“Of course,” the Crown Prince said, slightly taken aback.

“Then, Miss Eltriede, despite the earlier fuss, enter the palace and enjoy the evening. Though tonight has the purpose of selecting a bride, it is still a banquet. Forget the daily burdens and have a good time.”

“As Your Highness wishes,” I bowed and passed with Noa at my side.

Noa seemed frozen, unable to speak after so many unexpected events. Well, it’s understandable. Facing the Crown Prince while in danger could leave even a seasoned noble or servant stunned.

I had intended to remain silent, yet I ended up talking with the Crown Prince more than expected. I may not have handled it perfectly.

Still, compared to my first meeting in my previous life, I think I managed better this time. Back then, I was determined to become the Crown Prince’s bride and needed to win his favor—making the tension far greater.

This life, however, I have no ambitions to become the Crown Prince’s bride. I need not earn his favor, so I can speak freely. How liberating.

Yes, there is no need to be liked by the Crown Prince anymore. I will not become his bride; I need neither love him nor be loved by him.

Though plans have shifted slightly, I will drop out early and return to my territory quickly.

Upon entering the palace, the interior was magnificent.

A grand hall, vast beyond imagination, was filled with people—mostly beautifully dressed young ladies, which made the palace all the more dazzling.

“Still as extravagant as ever. Would it look like this if butterflies built a nest?” I murmured.

The dresses were exceptionally elaborate. One young lady’s gown had fine threads extending from the shoulders, tipped with lights like candles. Another wore a shawl made of water that reflected light with a glossy shimmer.

All were magical creations, showcasing not just beauty but also their magical power. Maintaining such magical phenomena effortlessly was a demonstration of skill.

Since magic aptitude was a key criterion for selecting the Crown Prince’s bride, such displays were natural.

…and me? I wore an ordinary, plain dress.

With no magic, there was no other choice than a standard dress.

The chapter ends here.