The First Princess's Invasion
The residence bestowed by the Emperor was gorgeously luxurious and comfortable enough to leave one's jaw on the floor.
After a full day of nerve-wracking tension in a grueling one-on-one with the Emperor yesterday—and before that, hours riding horseback across the continent—my stamina had hit rock bottom.
I collapsed onto the fluffy premium goose-down bed and plunged straight into a deep sleep, out cold like I'd fainted.
"Ugh."
"Did you cough, Your Highness? We'll prepare your bath and breakfast shortly."
The next morning, I woke to dazzling sunlight filtering through the window cracks, nearly forgetting for a moment that I was a hostage in enemy territory.
The Emperor's decree to treat me on par with imperial royalty was no mere lip service.
No sooner had I opened my eyes than attendants waiting at the ready bathed me in warm water. Breakfast was a lavish feast prepared with the empire's finest ingredients.
This is twice as opulent as life as the second son of a baron back in the Sterling Kingdom.
As I savored the fragrant black tea served afterward, relaxing in leisure, there came a knock-knock at the door. A familiar face from yesterday entered the room.
"Did you sleep well, Your Highness?"
"Ah, Knight. Come in. I slept deeply, thanks to you."
Amber White, impeccably dressed in her silver officer's armor, flashed a refreshing smile and gave a light bow.
"From today onward, I'll be your dedicated escort."
"Escort, huh."
I set down my teacup, thinking to myself.
Nice word for it—escort. In truth, it's code for surveilling my every move, who I meet, everything.
I was just about to nod with an enigmatic smile when—
"It's called an escort, but it's an imperial order meaning outright surveillance."
"Pfft!"
Her bold, innocent fastball nearly made me spit out my black tea.
She shrugged and continued.
"Can't beat around the bush with my personality. Anyway, you can roam anywhere inside the capital freely with me. The shopping districts outside the palace are fine, parks or the library too. If there's anything you want to buy or eat, just tell me. The palace has given me plenty of expense money from the imperial funds."
I stroked my chin, pondering. How could I turn this goodwill into a chance to get closer to this knight?
"Something to buy... Nothing materialistic comes to mind right now."
"Really? But it's your first outing—feels a shame to return empty-handed."
"Then, may I ask the reverse: What's your favorite spot in the imperial capital? I don't know the lay of the land, and a local's recommendation is the surest bet against disappointment."
Amber's eyes widened like a rabbit's at my words.
"My favorite place?"
"Yes. Didn't you mention a delicious dessert shop on the way here?"
In that instant, her face lit up.
The cold-blooded knight who sliced enemy throats on the battlefield was nowhere to be seen.
"Ah, Madame Rene's bakery! They have the empire's best pudding and tarts. If Your Highness desires, I'll guide you there right now!"
"Perfect. Let's go there."
"Haha! After years stuck with drab guys in blood-soaked warzones, I never dreamed escorting Your Highness would be this sweet. Feels like a real vacation for once!"
Leading the way with Amber practically bouncing in joy, I stepped outside the palace with light footsteps.
True to its reputation as the empire's top dessert spot, the shop brimmed with crowds and intoxicating sweet aromas.
We generously bought the most popular caramel pudding and freshly baked fruit tarts.
"Normally, these are best enjoyed at the outdoor tables under the sunlight."
Holding the boxed treats, I said it with a hint of regret. Amber looked puzzled.
"Why not eat there before leaving? I could've secured a spot."
"No, no. If word got out I'm royalty from an enemy nation, it'd draw nosy crowds. I don't want to burden a knight enjoying her vacation vibe with tiresome bodyguard duties. Better to eat comfortably in my safe, quiet room at the palace."
Touched by my thoughtfulness, Amber placed a hand on her chest and bowed deeply.
We returned to my palace quarters in a peaceful, joyful mood.
"Alright, now for a taste of the empire's finest pudding..."
I'd just set the mouthwatering pudding and tarts on the parlor table and reached for a silver spoon when—
BOOM!!!
Suddenly, the door to my quarters—the entire thick wooden panel—ripped free from its hinges and shattered.
A massive crash echoed as dust billowed, and from beyond it strode a pitch-black shadow dripping with murderous intent.
"Which bastard's flapping their tongue!?"
Her black hair disheveled, one hand gripping a razor-sharp longsword, the snarling woman was none other than Victoria von Arzenheim, the First Imperial Princess who had single-handedly brought the Sterling Kingdom to its knees.
"Pri—Princess! Please calm down! No matter how displeased, he's the prince of Sterling! Sheathe your sword, I beg you!"
Amber, pale-faced outside the door, tried grabbing her waist to intervene, but it seemed to fail.
Victoria lightly shoved her aside and swept the room with fierce purple eyes.
The situation clicked in my head.
Shit, did the Emperor scold her because of me yesterday?
It was half-certain: Yesterday, the Emperor had likely rebuked her harshly for lacking judgment, underestimating Sterling because of me.
Instead of reflecting, the prideful First Princess—undefeated on battlefields her whole life—had stormed here to smash the root cause: me.
"Tricked Father with that mouth of yours! Rat bastard, let's see if that sly tongue rolls before my blade! You're the Sterling—"
Striding right up to me, Victoria's voice cut off abruptly.
"..."
"Ah, hello."
The tip of her sword, raised menacingly, lost its path in midair and hesitated.
Her furrowed brow slowly relaxed, and those savage purple eyes locked onto my face, entranced as if spellbound.
"...?"
I wondered what was up for a moment, but soon understood.
Ah, this damn handsome face.
In my past life, I had an utterly average mug, but this vessel I'd possessed—Ian Harper's shell—was, by my objective standards, ridiculously, absurdly refined and beautifully sculpted.
In modern society, it'd be worth billions in taxes.
"...Uh."
Her mouth half-open, Victoria's pupils began quaking wildly.
Her cheeks flushed tomato-red in an instant.
Seeing the First Princess speechless and mumbling, I recalled one great truth from my past life.
When facing an extremely pissed-off woman, first stuff something sweet in her mouth.
I quietly set down my silver spoon and slid the plate of sweet, jiggly caramel pudding we'd bought with Amber toward Victoria.
Donning my specialty—gentle, harmless smile—I opened my mouth softly.
"They say it's the most delicious pudding in the capital, Your Highness. Thanks to His Majesty's generosity allowing me out, and on Amber White's recommendation, we just bought it. Quite a lot for one person, actually."
My silky voice made her shoulders twitch.
"Would you... join me?"
Silence fell.
Amber, watching worriedly from the door, stared at me in stunned disbelief.
But the princess who'd been growling like she wanted to dismember someone moments ago? She glanced between my face and the proffered pudding, then hastily hid her longsword behind her back.
And in a thin, timid voice utterly unlike her savage self—like an ant crawling in—she mumbled,
"...I'll eat."
Clang.
She all but flung her sword to the floor and knelt primly opposite me, knees together, oh-so-docile.
I handed her the tiny spoon—comically mismatched with her callused hand—awkwardly extended, and inwardly cheered.
This is why being handsome matters...!
It was a universal truth, no matter where you went.