[Chapter 5] Rival Confrontation

The Crown Prince and I moved to a different location for lunch.

We were now in his private quarters.

Attendants and maids bustled around swiftly, ensuring everything was prepared. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince and I sat alone, sharing a meal.

My dress was navy blue, so there were no concerns about stains. But the Crown Prince’s attire was white, which had been bothering me for a while now.

‘This is our first meeting, and regardless, he did help me earlier.’

Out of courtesy, I decided to ask.

“Your Highness, your clothes must have gotten dirty when you helped me earlier. Are they alright?”

“It’s fine. The gardeners maintain the area well, so there was no dirt on them. Rather, I should have been more considerate of Lady Elach. I wasn’t thinking. Are you alright?”

“My dress is dark-colored, so it’s no issue at all. Thank you for your concern.”

Poke. Chew, chew.

Even with just a simple petticoat, dining was uncomfortable. How do romance fantasy ladies manage corsets and panniers while eating?

‘Yeah, I’m never doing that.’

My health comes first, no matter what.

“What are your thoughts on visiting the capital for the first time?”

Lost in thought, I was brought back to reality by the Crown Prince’s voice.

“It was stunning, vast, and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. But I was also surprised by the complete opposite scenery.”

“…And what opposite scenery would that be?”

He set his fork down quietly and listened attentively.

“The slums.”

“…….”

A brief silence followed.

“You have seen the empire’s greatest wound.”

“Your Highness, even if they can’t be wealthy, I hope they can at least eat properly. Whether it’s the Founding Festival or not, whether it’s the slums or the orphanages—they shouldn’t have to starve.”

“…You are different from most. I will take your words to heart.”

“If it’s not too presumptuous, may I ask about current affairs?”

“Of course. Lady Elach, what would you like to know?”

The Crown Prince smiled warmly, signaling that he was open to conversation.

“I’d like to know the current relations between the Kingdom of Embrace, the Great Temple, the Magic Tower, and the Empire.”

“The Marquis of Elach must be very proud of you. The West remains as dependable as ever.”

The Crown Prince smiled approvingly at my question.

“The Kingdom of Embrace maintains a firm alliance with the empire. Due to the ongoing monster subjugations, our two nations share the same interests.”

He paused briefly, as if recalling something.

“I have not yet met with the royal family of Embrace, but there are rumors that the First Princess is the strongest candidate for the throne. She is widely praised for her outstanding abilities.”

“…….”

“In contrast, there is little information about the Second Princess—and the Third Princess as well.”

‘Good. As expected, the Crown Prince and the female lead haven’t met yet.’

The Second Princess was the heroine of the original story.

Hearing that things were progressing as they did in the novel put my mind at ease.

The Crown Prince continued his explanation.

“The Great Temple and the Magic Tower were said to have been built directly by the main god, according to the empire’s founding myths. However, despite being blessed, they have failed to properly fulfill their responsibilities.”

“……”

“They are both the cause of the chaos brought upon the world by monsters, yet at the same time, they hold immense power in subjugating them. That is why the empire continues to oversee and support them. If you think about it, the existence of orphanages and slums—those painful reminders—stems from them as well.”

As I listened to the Crown Prince’s words, the original novel’s backstory resurfaced in my mind.

[The Iron-Walled Princess] exists in both the physical and relative realms. In the beginning, only love existed. However, the first saint and first mage, created by the main god, were born demigods, and thus, they developed human emotions. From love, its opposite—hatred, jealousy, and violence—were born. In the end, the two fought… and perished.

The Crown Prince continued his explanation.

“In monster subjugations, divine power, magic, and aura are ranked in descending order of effectiveness. However, their awakening periods are reversed. Divine power and magic are innate abilities, usually manifesting in one’s teens, peaking in one’s twenties, and declining from the thirties onward.”

‘That’s right. That’s why the imperial army was so desperate to examine teenagers.’

Monster subjugations often meant certain death, making nobles strongly oppose participation.

Thus, the main targets became the orphans and slum dwellers.

“Lady Elach, unfortunately, it’s time for our meeting to come to an end.”

Lost in thought, I was brought back to reality by the Crown Prince’s voice.

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you for the wonderful luncheon.”

“I hope we’ll meet again.”

The Crown Prince, maintaining eye contact, lowered his head and kissed the back of my hand.

‘The height difference must be over 20 centimeters… That must’ve hurt his back.’

After exchanging farewells, I turned and headed toward my assigned guest room.

Step, step.

“Did you hear? They’re conducting ability manifestation tests during the Founding Festival?”

“Yes, I just came from the main assembly and heard the announcement.”

“Hah, usually, they hold it after the festival, at the end of the year.”

“The capital is going to be in an uproar.”

As I walked past, I overheard nobles whispering among themselves.

‘…Ability manifestation tests?’

A sudden wave of anxiety crashed over me.

‘No. My baby!’

* * *

After returning from the Imperial Palace, it was now dinnertime at the townhouse.

I had been looking for the right moment to ask before finally turning to Marquis Pater Elach.

“Dad, what is the ability manifestation test?”

“You heard about it at the palace?”

Slice, slice.

My father, who had been cutting into his sirloin steak, responded to me.

“Yes, I overheard some nobles talking while I was walking around.”

Sensing my curiosity, Dad smiled gently and explained in a calm voice.

“The ability manifestation test determines whether one possesses divine power, magic, or aura. The test is simple—if you place your hand on one of the crystal orbs, and it emits light, then you possess that power.”

“Oh, I heard that it’s usually held at the end of the year, after the Founding Festival. But this year, they’re conducting it during the festival.”

“That’s right. You paid close attention. It seems they plan to open the imperial treasury to ease public sentiment while holding the tests.”

“I see. Thank you for explaining, Dad. Did anything eventful happen at the palace today?”

With my curiosity satisfied, I switched into affectionate mode.

‘He feeds me, shelters me, and takes care of me—he’s a good dad, so I should treat him well!’

“Not at all. Because I was with my lovely daughter.”

“Hehe, me too! I had such a great time with you today, Dad.”

“…My precious daughter, how can you say such sweet things? Can I get a hug?”

Pounce!

Without hesitation, I dashed over and hugged him tightly.

His familiar warm scent filled my senses.

And so, after a night filled with a father-daughter bonding moment, the next morning arrived.

Smirk.

“Good morning, Sir Walter.”

I had gone to find my knight escort, the one who had accompanied me to meet my favorite.

“A-Ah! Good morning, my lady! But, wait… How do you know my name…?”

Sir Walter looked startled when I confidently addressed him.

“I asked the head maid.”

I responded with a bright smile before continuing.

“Sir Walter, do you remember what I said before? That we would pretend nothing happened?”

“Uh… Y-Yes.”

The young knight, with his short, dark brown wolf-cut hair, looked increasingly uneasy. His brown eyes flickered with uncertainty.

“Good. Let’s go.”

I declared my verdict.

“…Yes, my lady.”

And, Sir Walter obeyed.

Tap, tap, tap.

“My lady!”

A familiar voice called from behind me.

It was Meril.

“What about me?!”

‘Oh. Crap.’

“Meril, we’ll go together next time.”

“That’s not fair! My lady, you promised you’d take me along last time!”

Her orange eyes gleamed with betrayal.

‘I need to calm her down fast before she gets too excited.’

“Of course, I remember! I was planning to take you when I go to a boutique.”

“Oh my goodness!”

“That’s right. I’ve been thinking about bringing you somewhere nice.”

“My lady, really! I was so close to being heartbroken!”

Meril threw herself at me, nuzzling against my cheek.

Then—

“Sir Walter, if anything happens to my lady, I will bite you.”

Still clinging to me, Meril shot a fierce glare at my knight.

“…Understood. Do not worry.”

Walter responded calmly.

“Alright then, Meril, I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes, my lady. Please have a safe trip.”

And so, after finishing my preparations, I set off for the slums.

‘Whew, that was a close one.’

* * *

Once again, I donned a full-body cloak and carried a bag filled with supplies for Leon before stepping out at the slums’ entrance.

Step, step.

As I neared the spot where I had first met my favorite, a sharp voice pierced the air.

“…Don’t! I said, don’t touch me!”

‘…Leon?’

There was no mistaking it. That voice—
Once you heard it, you could never forget its delicate, beautiful tone.

It was definitely my baby.

I quickened my pace, heading toward the source of the commotion.

Sensing my urgency, Sir Walter followed suit, keeping up with my steps.

Stride, stride.

When I entered the dead-end alley, I saw three boys, slightly bigger than Leon, struggling to snatch his necklace away.

“You stole this, didn’t you? It’s obvious.”

“Yeah! You’re just a thief who goes around mugging people all the time.”

“If you can do it, why can’t we?”

“Ugh…! Give it back!”

‘…You dare lay a hand on my baby?
You’re dead.’

“Sir Walter, restrain them.”

“Yes, my lady.”

In an instant, my knight subdued all three boys.

“You little punks. Bullying your friend isn’t right.”

Sir Walter easily grabbed two boys with one hand and held the third with his other.

But the three struggled violently in his grasp.

One of them, determined to escape, sank his teeth into Walter’s hand.

“Ugh—!”

Seeing their chance, the boys bolted.

“Run!”

Tap, tap, tap!

“…Those little brats.”

“It’s fine. You did well, Sir Walter.”

I watched them disappear into the distance before turning my head.

Swish!

Leon was already staring at me, but the moment our eyes met, he whipped his head away.

‘Hehe, I saw that.’

The thrill of knowing he had been looking at me was exhilarating.

Slowly, I walked toward him.

“Hey. My favorite, have you been well?”