Chapter 99
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A villainess locked away in a desolate tower—I had possessed her body. Chapter 99 "Sigh... I'm exhausted."
Is this what it feels like when your body is about to crumble? My rapidly deteriorating frame kept betraying my will, threatening to collapse onto the floor at any moment. Yet I couldn't possibly ride in a carriage within the Imperial Palace. After the tea party finally ended, I walked to where the carriage was waiting, rubbing my numb legs the entire way. The only silver lining was that the surroundings were completely empty, so I didn't have to worry about being seen. Not wanting to encounter anyone else on my way out, I had hidden myself in a corner toward the end of the tea party and waited for everyone to leave. I heard Kettler Countess searching for me at one point, but I had no choice but to pretend not to notice. I was simply far too exhausted! 'I really hate people...' Then a forgotten truth suddenly came back to me. It was the fact that for an extreme homebody like myself, being forced to interact with strangers was incredibly painful and draining.
"Oh, my poor legs."
But that wasn't the only problem. I glared resentfully at the rigid heels that had been gradually constricting my feet. My feet, accustomed to comfortable indoor slippers and low-heeled sandals, had swollen considerably. I managed to endure all this—how impressive of me. Crack!
"Ow!"
As I stumbled from the pain in my feet, one of the heels finally snapped clean off. 'These were the shoes Blaire Grand Duke gave me...' With a flustered expression, I picked up the heel rolling away and let out a deep sigh. Well, I hadn't worn high heels in so long that I wasn't used to them, so I'd been dragging them around like slippers anyway. Since they were hidden under my dress anyway, I should have just worn fuzzy slippers instead. Though I felt sorry for the shoes that were now retiring from my life, I couldn't subject my already aching feet to further torture, so I chose to walk barefoot instead. Just as I removed my shoes and held them in each hand.
"What kind of new etiquette is that supposed to be?"
A voice came from behind me. And I didn't need to turn around to know who the owner of that voice was. A young man with an arrogant tone of voice, accustomed to speaking casually even to strangers... well, how predictable. This was pure cliché.
"I greet the Empire's little sun."
Unlike my usual careless demeanor, I bent my knee and performed a noble's proper courtesy, then slowly looked up at him. Crown Prince Lyden Kletan—the original work's male protagonist. 'Hmm?' But something about him seemed different now. His upright posture, golden hair gleaming in the sunset, and delicate yet sharp features remained the same, but somehow... 'He looks dark, beyond just being tired.' Moreover, before I had found him unsettling because I worried he might employ me and exploit my labor, but now I felt like a mouse before a cat—every hair on my body standing on end. A strange unease crept over me, and I unconsciously took a step backward.
"It's been a while."
"...Yes, I hope you've been well?"
On the surface, it was an ordinary exchange, yet I detected something subtly twisted beneath the words. Though I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, an eerie sense of discord unsettled me. 'Could it be that the madness mentioned in the original story is beginning to manifest?' I couldn't ignore the original narrative at this juncture. In the original "Forced Empress," Lyden obtained Lemeia from the King of Salt, but upon realizing he could never earn her love, he gradually descended into madness. He even imprisoned Lemeia and committed countless tyrannies, yet he gained only pity or compassion—never the affection he desired. In the end, Lyden was consumed by the madness that tormented him. Naturally, his previous tyrannies proved to be merely a prelude, as he grew increasingly cruel without hesitation. 'But hasn't everything changed from the original now? Besides, Lemeia hasn't even arrived yet....' After experiencing so much, I found myself half-believing and half-doubting the original story. This was because the world I now inhabited both paralleled and diverged completely from the original. The most obvious example was Lemeia herself. Whereas the original depicted her as renowned for her beauty and wisdom, the Lemeia I knew was utterly hollow. So I reasoned that the original Lyden and the Lyden I actually encountered must differ to some degree. Yet.... 'I'm confused. What's real and what's false anymore?' As I sank into this unexpected turmoil, the Crown Prince's voice reached me once more.
"Are you lost in thought while standing before me?"
"Ah, I... I apologize..."
"I told you before—drop that absurd act."
At his words, I stupidly glanced down at the shoes in my hands. Surely he didn't think even this was an act? A sudden surge of indignation welled up, and I muttered in an aggrieved tone.
"It's just... the heel actually broke by accident. If I keep wearing them like this, my ankle will hurt, so...."
"You truly give no thought to dignity."
Of course, none of it registered with him! I was left speechless by his rebuke, whether criticism or something else. 'I simply didn't want to drain someone's energy.' But if I said it plainly, I'd seem too pathetic. I might be scolded for lacking courtesy before the Crown Prince. Sighing—I'd lost count of how many times—I answered in the most respectful tone I could muster.
"I merely believed that practicality was more important than appearances."
"Heh."
Did he just scoff? Just as an unguarded glint flickered in my eyes, he spoke again.
"So practicality matters more than propriety, does it?"
Had he gleaned some revelation from a conversation I'd deemed meaningless? He stood beside me, still barefoot, gazing quietly at the sun sinking beyond the western hills.
"...Perhaps what I truly need right now is something like that."
Unable to comprehend what he was trying to say, I decided to end the conversation here. Prolonged encounters with the Crown Prince only worked against my interests.
"I see. Then I wish Crown Prince Lyden Cletan a productive day ahead."
Just as I bowed and turned to leave.
"Crown Prince Lyden, there is an urgent matter regarding Salt that I must report...."
A young nobleman who appeared to be an Aide came rushing over from somewhere. Salt? At the familiar name, my ears perked up, but when I glanced back, he gestured dismissively for me to leave. Curious as I was, I couldn't openly eavesdrop on the Crown Prince's conversation. Suppressing my disappointment, I had barely taken a step when a dry voice reached my ears.
"Speak freely. After all, any citizen of the Empire will know of this soon enough."
"...Yes, understood."
The Aide, who had been watching my reaction for a moment, began his report.
"The Princess of Salt will arrive in the Imperial Capital within four days."
"Is that so? Excellent."
What did that mean? Lemeia... coming to the Imperial Capital? I barely managed to relax my expression before it could stiffen, turning my body so the awkward movement wouldn't show. Even as I did, the Crown Prince's voice continued without pause.
"The moment the Princess arrives in the Imperial Capital, ensure you obtain 'that document' from the King."
"I shall obey your command, Crown Prince Lyden Cletan."
My feet ached from the hard stone path, but that was hardly the priority now. He had used the euphemism 'that document' perhaps out of awareness of my presence, but I understood immediately what he meant. 'Already? Has it come to this so soon?' So 'that document' referred to the surrender document he intended to extract from Berga, the King of Salt.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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