Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Clearing Misunderstandings
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"A misunderstanding?"
Of course, people bit the bait perfectly. The love triangle between me, Ryan, and Resuan had always been a hot topic in high society.
"Yes, I cleared up the rumors that I've been pining for His Highness all this time. And he accepted it."
It doesn't take much to convey my intentions. A calm voice and a quiet tone of relief.
I have nothing to worry about. I'd already told Ryan outright that I was going to dispel the misunderstandings spreading among people.
Whether he accepted it was up to him, and whether I respected that choice was up to me.
There was just one thing nagging at me. The moment I realized my feelings had truly changed, his eyes had flickered oddly.
"You don't really love me."
'...That was weird at the time.'
It seemed he hadn't loved me either, yet he never saw my feelings changing coming.
So the best move was to distance myself even more!
Better to settle it before Ryan could backtrack. Striking first was to my advantage.
I wasn't close to Resuan anymore either, so I hoped we wouldn't have to cross paths and blush over Ryan anymore.
"There were so many rumors that I was jealous of Lady Resuan. But that wasn't true, and His Highness finally acknowledged it."
I blabbed to everyone about the sweet talk Ryan had used to persuade me.
"Now I just want the two of you to be happy."
"Then that disappearance of yours..."
Some seemed to think my vanishing act was to sort out my feelings and start a new life. I didn't bother correcting them.
It wasn't wrong, was it? It was for a new life, after all.
They pressed for more details on other conversations, begging me to spill, but I was already relieved to have said my piece.
"His Highness hasn't arrived yet, so it would be rude for me to say more. It's not just my business anyway."
I subtly emphasized Resuan and Ryan's presence.
Now go pester Ryan instead. Leave me alone and trail after him diligently...
People readily agreed when I brought up Ryan. Everyone knew how much he doted on Resuan.
"But what's your relationship with Prince Darsi?"
"Yeah, it's like you already know each other on first meeting..."
"You watched a play together, right?"
The questions soon shifted entirely to Darsi.
"He's so handsome..."
"He has this decadent charm, different from Prince Ryan."
Those who hadn't even spoken properly to Darsi spun fantasies about him. I nodded unconsciously.
Darsi was way more handsome.
Realizing I was fangirling like that, I clamped my lips shut.
'...I'm bad too.'
But talk of his looks didn't last. Soon, his sudden origins became the hot topic.
"Where did he even come from...?"
"That decadent vibe doesn't seem natural, does it?"
Words first used to praise his appearance turned into nitpicking.
The bold critics were Ryan's followers.
Look at them acting so pure.
I swirled my glass once and spoke in a nonchalant tone.
"He's someone who helped me greatly."
I'd heard from Darsi himself about his activities as a mage.
The real hero behind battles recorded as the Emperor's achievements would gradually come to light.
That said, his battles with other mages would stay quiet for now. Darsi didn't want them revealed.
Either way, the one who'd exterminated pirates, repelled foreign invasions, and quelled domestic strife was Darsi.
"...And for this country too."
My hint would slowly shift Darsi's image, spreading with the rumors.
"He's exceptional in every way, so I can't hide my awe at him being made a prince."
Smiling brightly, I made it blatantly clear I was Team Darsi.
I know Darsi well? And the guy's pretty amazing?
"If anyone doesn't know, I could tell you..."
I trailed off deliberately and took a sip of my drink. Fear of what I might not finish hung in the air.
These people, like Ryan, couldn't believe I'd changed completely.
The Marso before my possession was a villainess who knew how to wield her power properly.
Having lived in the modern world, I wasn't used to that, and I'd worked to change this image alongside mending ties with the protagonists.
But now it was all pointless.
I couldn't live like her, but I could at least make use of the image.
I clinked glasses with them and continued.
"I've also brought a gift to celebrate the new prince. Have you set it down?"
I asked the maid assigned to me as I entered the hall. She nodded.
"Yes."
There were many gifts for Darsi, but mine was the largest box.
Wow, heartwarming. People realized it was mine and looked shocked.
"Lady Marso, what did you prepare?"
"We're dying to know too."
"A Magic Crystal."
"...Pardon?"
They all asked again, as if they'd misheard.
"You heard right. I gifted a Magic Crystal."
I could practically hear their brains spinning.
You can get a Magic Crystal as a gift?
Then I want in line too!
This is a jackpot!
"Lady Marso, this time—"
"Lady Marso, at our estate—"
Their momentum now was intimidating, a total shift from before.
"Speaking of, where's Prince Ryan..."
Speak of the devil. No sooner had the words left than the hall doors opened, and Ryan strode in.
His eyes were murderous, like he wanted to kill someone. He marched straight toward Darsi.
Was he going to grab him by the collar? Thankfully, Darsi dodged first.
A conversation followed between heaving Ryan and relaxed Darsi. Moments later, Ryan glared daggers at him before heading to Resuan.
Like a pair of cockroaches...
I kept a straight face, picturing Resuan and his lovey-dovey antics.
'...Huh?'
But Resuan didn't engage in her usual long chat with Ryan.
Instead, she gave an ambiguous smile mid-conversation and went to her grandfather, with Kaisen following.
Ryan blinked blankly. Like a dog chasing a chicken, coming up empty.
That scene suggested two things.
First, things weren't the same between them.
Second, Ryan hadn't realized it until now.
My gaze met Ryan's as we both watched them.
Ryan's eyes narrowed warily. I scowled at the sight.
He opened his mouth and approached me, looking like he wanted to talk more, but Ryan couldn't.
The young ladies who'd heard my earlier words and craved the truth swarmed him. Even Ryan couldn't push through that crowd.
And finally!
Darsi's investiture as prince began.
Holding a prince's ceremony before the crown prince's was unprecedented. Everyone knew it. There wasn't even such a thing as a prince investiture to begin with.
But no one voiced complaints about an event led by Emperor Kies.
If even Ryan was fine with it, what could they say?
This was surely Darsi's way of imprinting himself on everyone.
I thought it was the right choice. No need to visit people one by one—gathering everyone to introduce himself was perfect.
Emperor Kies, out for this occasion, looked even more gaunt.
"The reason I've gathered you all today... is to celebrate the birth of a new prince."
His slow words and face showed no difference from usual.
He approached Darsi, kneeling impassively, and placed the crown on his head.
Calm, as if everything today unfolded by his will.
"I've pondered long, but I felt having a second prince would aid Ryan's growth."
Even then, his words flowed smoothly.
Making you a prince, but that's as far as you go.
"Now you are a prince."
Kies spoke in an emotionless tone, then stepped away and returned to his throne.
No further cheers or welcomes followed.
His chilling glare over Darsi's shoulder, as if he'd kill us all, burned vividly in my mind.
Everyone read the hatred in Kies.
Unless Kies or Darsi killed someone, that malice would persist—it faintly showed.
Darsi slowly rose, took the crown from his head, and spun it once.
Then, turning fully from Kies, he said flatly.
"Doesn't know if it'll just be growth or something more."
"You..."
"Ah, talking to myself."
People gasped as he cut off Kies.
Darsi, spotting me amid the crowd at last, grinned. His captivating allure drew all eyes. No one dared speak carelessly to him.
Darsi opened his mouth.
"Whatever the intentions, I thank all who attended today."
His eyes curved like crescent moons.
"I hope you make choices without regret."
Darsi declared.
Choose Kies, Ryan, or him—choose wisely.