Something's Gone Terribly Wrong
Something felt off.
In the original story, the Holy Sword had delivered a fatal wound to the Worst Evil Magic Dragon. Using that same blade to pierce the princess’s heart before her awakening seemed like a perfectly viable plan. She hadn’t completed her transformation yet, after all. And I could aim straight for her vital point—the heart.
I thought I had driven the aura-infused Holy Sword in perfectly. But maybe it was because her awakening had only just begun?
‘I’m fucked.’
A variable had appeared. And not just any variable—this one was completely twisted.
“If it hadn’t been for you, I would’ve been stuck in bed for days, writhing in agony…”
Thank you.
The princess stabbed by the Holy Sword was expressing gratitude. Violetta looked perfectly fine. Not a single drop of blood had come from her chest. The dragon wearing human skin was instead smiling with clear relief, as if she had been cleanly freed from a long-term illness.
‘Did the Holy Sword malfunction? No, that can’t be. I definitely channeled aura into it.’
I poured power into the Holy Sword once more. It was still buried deep in the princess’s heart.
Whoooong.
The Holy Sword clad in aura burned pure white. The blade of light glowed softly. As expected, the sword was perfectly normal. It was responding properly to my aura.
This Holy Sword was originally supposed to fall into the hands of the story’s protagonist. But since I knew the plot, I had found it before the future hero could. I didn’t care if the original storyline got twisted. The hero party’s annihilation was already set in stone. I could never trust them. In a world teetering on the brink of destruction, the only one I could rely on was myself.
That was why I had planned to deal with the Magic Dragon ahead of schedule. It was a plan I had prepared my entire life for… and yet.
“What are you doing? Don’t tell me you’re still not done? Was my condition more serious than I thought?”
For some reason, the princess was completely fine. In fact, she looked more vibrant than before. The languid expression that had always lingered on her face was gone. She looked like someone who had escaped a terminal illness and been granted a brand-new second life.
I had no idea what was happening, but she seemed to think being stabbed by the Holy Sword was some kind of ‘treatment.’ As expected, the person I had taken over was not mentally sound.
“A-are you alright, Your Highness?”
I immediately switched gears and asked after her well-being. Even though I was still putting all my strength into stabbing her heart.
It was unfortunate, but I had no choice. No matter the reason, the plan had failed. If I pushed any further here, my own head might fly off. It was time for flexible crisis management.
For now, I had to step back and wait for another opportunity—
“Yeah, I’m fine. So could you pull it out now? It’s starting to feel a bit heavy.”
The princess pointed at the Holy Sword with an indifferent expression. There wasn’t the slightest hint of pain on her face. It was strange. She had been properly stabbed by a Holy Sword created to destroy evil.
“Ah, my apologies. The situation was rather urgent…”
I decided to put understanding the situation on hold and retrieved the sword first.
Shluk.
The Holy Sword slowly slid free. Even then, the princess’s expression didn’t twitch. She didn’t seem to feel any pain at all.
“It’s fine. Thanks to you, my stuffy chest feels much lighter now.”
I finally feel like I can breathe.
The princess rubbed her left breast and spoke calmly. Her condition was shockingly normal. There wasn’t even a trace of blood, let alone a scar. Only the clothes she had been wearing were torn.
“Then… are you completely healed now?”
“I’m not sure about that. But my body definitely feels lighter than before.”
“T-that’s truly wonderful.”
I’m screwed.
Her body feels lighter? Don’t tell me her awakening got accelerated? What the hell is going on?
My mouth and brain were operating on completely different wavelengths. I was in full panic mode. What was I supposed to do now? At least the princess didn’t seem to suspect my actions, which was a relief—
“More importantly, how did you do it? Even Mother couldn’t do anything about it.”
Ah, damn it.
Of course she’s going to press the issue.
“That is…”
My words suddenly caught in my throat. Because it hadn’t been treatment—it had been an assassination attempt. I had no idea what excuse I could give.
My unstable mental state caused my aura to weaken.
—Shhhht…
At the same time, the Holy Sword in my hand reacted. Once the aura was withdrawn, it reverted back into a cross-shaped dagger.
“Hmm?”
The princess’s gaze shifted at the noticeable change. A spark of interest flashed in her quartz-like purple eyes as they locked onto the Holy Sword.
“Aha, that’s holy power, isn’t it? Are you from a priestly family by any chance?”
The princess nodded as if she understood and asked the question.
“Pardon? It’s not holy power, it’s aura.”
“Right, holy power steeped in aura. What was your name again?”
“Armand Elios. I am the eldest son of the Elios family.”
“My guess was correct. It’s only possible because you inherited a priest’s bloodline.”
Having resolved her own questions, the princess smiled brightly. Then she lowered her head and stared intently at her left breast once more.
“You felt a curse when you looked at my chest, didn’t you?”
“……???”
The sudden, completely out-of-left-field remark left me speechless. The princess’s chest was by no means cursed. If anything, it had been blessed by the Goddess of Abundance. It was certainly not small or—
“Since you carry a priest’s bloodline, you must have sensed something from me. So you stabbed me to remove the curse engraved on my chest. Isn’t that right?”
Ah, so that’s what she meant by curse?
“That is correct. Precisely so.”
I quickly jumped on the misunderstanding the princess had offered. The very person I had tried to kill was now saving my life.
“Hmmm~. As expected, my eyes are never wrong.”
“But how did you know I came from a priestly family?”
“How? Your aura was practically screaming with holy power. That’s why the inside of my chest still feels a little sore.”
How interesting…
Still lying on the bed, the princess continued to knead her own chest. It was hardly behavior befitting royalty. Anyway, despite her indifferent expression, it seemed she had felt some pain when stabbed by the Holy Sword. Though from the look of it, it was no more than a mosquito bite.
“In any case, I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
“But you’re quite insane yourself, aren’t you?”
“…Pardon?”
“No matter how strongly you sensed the curse, to suddenly stab a sword into my chest—”
You’re completely crazy.
The princess looked at me and giggled. It was clearly a playful laugh. Even so, cold sweat poured down my back. I was terrified she might have seen through my true intentions.
“Don’t make that dumb face. I’m saying I like it.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Much better. A serious expression suits you.”
With a noticeably lighter voice, the princess gestured. It seemed she had something to say and wanted me to come closer. Still frozen in shock, I bent down at her beckoning. I was still straddling her on the bed.
“What you just did is something even the royal physicians couldn’t manage. They’re all cowards who won’t even touch my body. Yet all it took was directly injecting holy power into my heart.”
Her coquettish voice tickled my ear. The content, however, was anything but.
“So…”
Her strangely excited voice continued as she grabbed my chin and made me meet her eyes.
“Could you stab me like that periodically from now on?”
“???”
“The feeling of my chest being completely opened up was surprisingly thrilling. Ah, I might start craving it again soon?”
This princess… really isn’t mentally sound.
"Could you stab me like that periodically from now on?"
⟨ Violetta's Request ⟩
The princess whispered in a sticky voice, staring straight into Armand’s eyes. Playfulness overflowed from her purple irises.
Once again, Armand had no choice but to freeze.
“Why is your face like that? I clearly told you not to make that dumb expression, didn’t I?”
“Ahem. Please choose your words more carefully.”
“Carefully? I was simply saying things as they are… What exactly did you imagine when I said ‘stab me’?”
Hehe.
The corner of the princess’s lips curled up. Her face as she looked at Armand was openly filled with intense curiosity. It was hard to believe this was the same person who had been yawning with a bored expression.
That was when it happened.
Bang!
The door burst open violently.
“Your Highness! Are you alright?!”
“There was no guard outside, so we had to commit this discourtesy and enter!”
It was a two-man team of imperial guards in uniform. They always followed protocol to the letter. This time was no different. While patrolling the imperial palace, they had noticed no one was stationed at the princess’s quarters and acted according to regulations.
“Huh? Look at this guy.”
“You there, rookie! What the hell do you think you’re doing…?!”
The imperial guards who entered the princess’s bedroom froze on the spot. And for good reason—Armand was straddling the princess on her bed. Beneath him, the princess lay with her chest exposed.
“Get down from there right now!”
“How dare you do this to Her Highness…!”
Srrrng!
Without hesitation, they drew their swords.
“Wait, seniors, it’s not what it looks like. There’s been a misunderstanding—”
“Shut up!”
“If you resist, we’ll take your head!”
Armand couldn’t even finish his excuses before he was dragged away. There wasn’t even time for the princess to stop them. The imperial guards’ response was that swift. They were, after all, an elite unit made up of the empire’s finest.
“Pfft, this is actually hilarious.”
The princess watched the door through which Armand had been hauled away and let out a light laugh.
‘Another human who could look into my eyes and remain perfectly fine?’
And he wasn’t even a saint or a member of the imperial family—
A smile refused to leave the princess’s lips.
Dark magic stone lighting. Cigarette smoke drifting beneath it. Limbs bound by specially crafted restraints.
‘…I didn’t die, at least.’
When I opened my eyes, I was in an interrogation room.
“What the hell is this on your very first day as a knight? You assaulted the princess?”
Hoo—.
Captain of the Imperial Guard Darkhan exhaled a long plume of smoke and frowned.
“It’s a misunderstanding. I was doing it for Her Highness.”
It was only after being dragged to the interrogation room that I was finally allowed to explain myself.
“What? So you’re saying Her Highness ordered you to attend her in bed or something?”
Sizzle.
Darkhan ground out the cigarette he had barely smoked and sharpened his tone.
“That is not the case. I was trying to cure Her Highness’s illness.”
“Cure Her Highness’s illness? You, a knight?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Ridiculous. The men who brought you in said Her Highness’s clothes had been torn by some sharp object—like a blade or aura. Was that also part of the treatment?”
“Precisely.”
“Ha! You’re a complete lunatic.”
Darkhan slammed his fist on the desk, then pulled out a new cigarette.
He must have been getting a headache thanks to one damn rookie.
“You’d better start talking straight while you still can. At least then I’ll make sure your corpse stays intact.”
Darkhan offered me a cigarette as a not-quite-negotiation. I naturally shook my head and refused.
“I am innocent. I only acted that way to treat Her Highness’s condition.”
“This is fucking insane.”
“……”
I completely agreed with that statement. Not only had I failed to assassinate the princess, but now I had no choice but to rely on her to survive.
“Got any proof?”
“There is a witness.”
“A witness?”
“Yes. Her Highness herself.”
“Tsk, you’ve completely lost it. Calling the victim a witness—”
Darkhan clicked his tongue and stood up.
—Clank.
Apparently deciding words weren’t enough, he grabbed one of the torture devices hanging on the wall. It was a pair of pliers for ripping out fingernails. The most basic torture tool.
“You will regret this.”
“Regret?”
“Yes. Her Highness said she took a liking to me.”
“Hah! Armand, don’t tell me you ignored my warning and looked into the princess’s eyes?”
“Ah…?”
My mind went blank for a moment. Come to think of it, I had met her gaze. For quite a long time, continuously. But how was I still fine? Or had I simply not noticed it myself?
But that didn’t seem right—there had been no change in my feelings toward Violetta.
“As expected. Even after I warned you so clearly—”
Darkhan approached with a disappointed look, ready to rip out every one of my fingernails.
“I’ll help you come to your senses. I won’t stop until you confess properly.”
‘…Damn it.’
Tap.
Just as I felt the cold touch against my fingertip—
“Captain! A message from His Majesty the Emperor!”
One of the imperial guards burst into the interrogation room with an urgent voice.
“What? His Majesty?”
“He says to bring Armand to the audience chamber immediately for his reward!”
“Reward? Did I hear that wrong?”
“Her Highness has proven Armand’s innocence. It seems he will be receiving a medal.”
“……?”
Darkhan stared at me with a dazed face. He didn’t even notice the cigarette ash falling and singeing his brown beard.
“See? I told you that you would regret it.”
I brushed the ash off my shoulder and stood up.
“…You will regret this.”
I had managed to save my life for now, but I didn’t exactly feel good about it. To think I was being helped by the very princess I had tried to kill—
Something had gone seriously, horribly wrong.