Ch.31. Born in the Wrong Era (3)

I thought I might have misheard something.

“I would like to formally announce the engagement between my daughter Elhermina and Kariel here today.”

Engagement? With Elhermina?

Me?

“Mind your expression and posture.”

The voice from beside me snapped me back to reality.

That illustrious Imperial Princess was calmly observing the shocked audience without the slightest change in her complexion.

‘Did she know about this?’

If not, that composed reaction makes absolutely no sense.

Why? For what reason?

“……”

Is this also part of that damn political calculation?

The Hero Emperor.

And my father, the leader of the Nine Heroes.

There aren’t many who receive such complete support from more than two factions within the Empire.

Because of that.

The established powers didn’t particularly welcome such absolute authorities.

Even during the times when the Demon King emerged and the era was engulfed in chaos and war, the high nobles of the Empire firmly maintained their positions.

Not all survived, but rather than diminishing, their bonds grew even stronger as their numbers decreased.

However, that’s not enough reason to stand in the way of the prevailing trend.

“Not a single word of warning, what is this…?”

“You probably wouldn’t have listened anyway. Isn’t that right?”

“……”

When I unconsciously glanced toward my father and mother, I caught my father’s detestable face smiling awkwardly as soon as our eyes met.

My mother was relatively composed, though.

“It wasn’t a coincidence that you sought me out on the terrace, was it?”

“…There are no coincidences in our movements.”

The Imperial Princess calmly admitted.

A small murmur.

Almost a whisper, but none of us failed to hear it.

“Even without involving me, wasn’t the bond between my father and His Majesty already strong?”

“The world doesn’t believe that.”

What?

“Showing isn’t enough. The most definitive way is to create a connection that cannot be severed.”

That is.

“Blood ties. It’s also the greatest weapon possessed by the imperial family.”

“……”

This woman.

Does she even consider herself as merely a tool?

“……”

As the Emperor just finished his announcement and speech, she too closed her mouth as if she had been waiting for this moment.

The commotion continues.

However, no one openly expresses dissatisfaction or shows negative reactions.

Though there’s confusion following the sudden announcement.

“Isn’t this truly a joyous occasion?”

“Another reason to congratulate you!”

“Hahaha! Isn’t this the very prosperity of the Empire?”

So nonchalantly, as if it had always been this way.

Clapping their hands with smiles, nodding their heads vigorously as if everything had unfolded naturally.

The sheer audacity of them casually offering words of blessing as if all this were perfectly normal.

It made me feel sick to my stomach.

Above all.

Even those esteemed descendants of heroes, who apparently hadn’t been informed of this in advance, were displaying shock and bewilderment, with some even expressing anger.

However, they too didn’t clumsily show it.

They just.

With fire in their eyes.

Stared at me intensely.

If a certain someone who isn’t here had heard this news, they would have quietly dragged me somewhere.

Even now, the Imperial Prince, two years younger than the Princess, is glaring at me as if he wants to tear me apart.

All kinds of flowery words are exchanged.

Even some nobles who were badmouthing me just moments ago.

Watching them approach so casually and spout nonsense about blessing us for eternity.

It was so disgusting, as if my insides were rotting.

====

Red hair, black eyes.

A handsome appearance that evenly inherited the characteristics of the Emperor and Empress.

Even the demonic aura that settled on his face seemed fitting—is this a simple observation or malicious disparagement?

“Wow! I really didn’t see this coming.”

“……”

“You disgusting bastard. Did you think your filth would be washed away by pretending to be noble? And to do this to my sister…”

“Your Highness. Please calm yourself.”

“Calm? Did you say calm?!”

…They’re putting on quite a show.

There was a time when I would have been overwhelmed by such intensity and atmosphere, unable to do anything.

But now, even this, though it may be a raging storm, no longer shakes me.

And perhaps this composure irks them.

“I’m truly amazed at how long you can keep up that noble, shameless face. How on earth did they come to such an inappropriate decision…”

“Your Highness. That’s going too far.”

A boy with a cool expression actively restrains the Prince.

However, even this feels more like moderation to keep him from crossing a line rather than a complete shutdown.

And.

Several boys and girls standing behind him still burned with hostility toward me.

Rather than being my peers, they’re all two or three years younger than me.

The only one close to my age is the boy restraining the Prince.

“……”

Among them, one girl sighs with a face that seems more troubled than hostile.

“Have you finished what you wanted to say?”

“What? What did you just say?”

“……”

Indeed, dealing with them only brings more trouble.

That’s why I’ve consistently ignored them, and kept ignoring them.

Though, it’s not like ignoring them solves anything either.

“Say that again. What? What did you say?”

“Your Highness.”

“Don’t stop me, Ryunan. As if I would kill him. The only child of a Great Hero… ah, I guess that’s not even true anymore?”

A blatant sneer spreads across his face.

And even that.

I accept it calmly, without wavering.

“You must have felt threatened. So you resorted to such a filthy scheme—that explanation fits perfectly.”

“Standing here like this will only spread rumors of your poor conduct. Shouldn’t we head back inside?”

“Why should we get involved in the adults’ games? To be mere accessories?”

What an unusually perceptive kid.

As if to say he wasn’t born a prince just for fun.

“Let me, in my generosity, offer you the best option, you dullard. Go to His Majesty yourself and request to cancel this engagement. Then everything can be resolved peacefully. How dare someone like you… my sister…”

“Your Highness.”

Both the one trying to stop him and the one running his mouth are equally hateful, beyond mere dislike.

Still, I don’t engage.

Dogs bark, cats meow, and even chickens crow.

What could be more cruel than telling a creature with a mouth not to speak?

“……”

Perhaps because the crowd in the ballroom has thinned out, despite being in a secluded corner of the imperial garden.

I notice the attention of some nobles, their attendants, and other staff members beginning to focus on us.

Quite an interesting topic of conversation, isn’t it?

“…I warned you. Put it into action as early as tomorrow.”

“Why don’t you do it yourself?”

“What?”

“When has my opinion ever mattered?”

At the mere age of seven.

I don’t remember what I was thinking back then, but I voluntarily left the Imperial Capital and entrusted my safety to allied and even hostile nations for three years.

It was a form of diplomacy, half sacrifice and half dedication, but I barely remember it now.

Somehow, after returning at the age of twelve.

I still couldn’t adapt to life in the Imperial Capital.

“I am a figurehead. You all know it well, and I myself know it better than anyone.”

Therefore.

“Don’t confront me; go confront the decision-makers. Even if a child begs for candy, it’s up to the guardian with the means to buy it. You know this well.”

“Again! Again with that pretentious talk! You hollow shell of a person. What makes you so special that you always…”

“Have I ever… been special? Me?”

It’s strange.

They’re the ones who are more accomplished, so why are they always so desperate to pick fights with me?

If anything, I should be the one feeling inferior, so why do they always act like this?

But even thinking about this leads nowhere.

There was a time when I truly blamed myself, wondering if there was something wrong with me.

But that was the wrong answer.

They simply.

…use me as a target for their resentment and hatred, nothing more than an outlet for their emotions.

I realized this too late, and it caused me so much heartache.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

“I didn’t give you permission! Who do you think you are to just leave as you please…!”

“Your Highness.”

“…Kuk!”

No wonder he was born a man yet lost the imperial succession battle to a woman.

“……”

If I were to become the Imperial Princess’s husband, what expression would that bastard make?

A twisted curiosity arose, but I dismissed it with a snort.

It’s impossible.

Even if it were to happen.

What lies ahead would only be hell.

As I was about to leave the palace.

“Huh? What’s that?”

That presence, invisible yet clearly felt by me.

That voice.

It guided me somewhere.

Desperately.

Urging my curiosity.

As if entranced, I crossed the vast imperial palace.

Before I knew it, I had arrived here.

“The, the treasury?”

Why am I here…?

Being discovered here could cause an unimaginably serious problem.

Just being found in this area would be a major issue…

“???”

But why is there no one here?

This area is known for its strict security.

The entrance has triple doors, and they are never opened without an imperial order.

For some reason.

It was wide open.

Entering as if entranced, among countless treasures, my gaze fixed on one in particular.

“No, this is wrong.”

I immediately rejected the invitation to approach and tried to turn away, but.

-Are you just going to leave?

That voice held my ankle in place.

“What?”

-Yes. You can hear my voice.

A feeling as if my entire body was being consumed by an inexplicable anxiety.

Chewing on my stiffening lips and tongue with effort.

I turned around.

And then.

-Quite a familiar face. Hmm, let me guess. Black hair is her characteristic, golden eyes. Add to that a handsome appearance that could make women cry despite its simplicity… You’re their child, aren’t you?

Their?

-Rueld. Ermina. Yes, it was those two. Right. Such nostalgic names.

Speaking as if reminiscing, as if recalling memories, it was.

A woman cast in gold.

Ancient white garments covering essential parts.

Skin like white jade, and abundant golden hair spreading out magnificently over everything.

Above all.

Even her eyes, which seemed to draw one in, emitted.

A brilliant golden light, intense and familiar.

The golden woman.

No better expression came to mind.

As if the concepts of beauty and splendor had been condensed into one being.

It was something that seemed to grip not just the gaze, but the very soul of the beholder.

Such charm.

Such magical power… I couldn’t help but feel it.

“Who… are you?”

Following the desperate cry and resonance of the spirit, I had arrived here.

-Before wondering about that, don’t you have something you need to do?

“Pardon?”

She said.

-If you stay here any longer, you know. You might cause some serious misunderstandings.

“That’s…”

She’s not wrong.

And then.

“Who’s there?!”

“No! H-how could this happen?!”

“The treasury has been breached! No! Infiltrated!”

By the time I realized.

It was far too late.

I had suddenly become an unauthorized intruder in the Imperial Treasury.