Chapter 16 : Oh, by the way, I saw something interesting recently. A Vtuber… I think it was called that?

An Early Evening Meal

It was still too early for dinner.

If this were the usual Isabella, she would have been caught up in the whirlwind of Ray Volkan’s relentless enthusiasm, preparing for a broadcast.

Isabella closed her eyes briefly and recalled the words she had spoken to Ray Volkan the night before.

“It’s just a family meal, nothing special.”

Not even a passing dog would believe that.

How could a gathering of the five most noble individuals in the Empire be anything but special?

With that thought, Isabella took a sip of the soup prepared by the Empire’s finest chef.

It was deep, rich, and flavorful.

A taste that made her tongue rejoice.

Yet, despite having eaten a soup that was objectively delicious, her hardened expression showed no signs of softening.

The reason why the Emperor, Empress, and their three children were having dinner so early was simple.

Because this wasn’t just a meal.

A gathering that happened only on the rarest of occasions—of course, there were bound to be piles of things to discuss.

For instance…

“I heard you’ve reached the pinnacle of extreme magic through lightning sorcery. I should have congratulated you sooner, but I suppose I’ll say it now.”

“It was merely luck, Brother.”

The First Prince acknowledging and congratulating the Second Prince’s achievement.

The Second Prince humbly responded in kind.

Of course, Isabella was neither naïve nor foolish enough to take those words at face value.

The First Prince’s words meant, ‘I don’t really care that you’ve made progress in magic.’

The Second Prince’s response meant, ‘Don’t think that’s all there is to it.’

Am I overanalyzing?

Perhaps.

But unless you were sitting here, feeling the suffocating tension firsthand, you wouldn’t understand.

The air was so thick with sharpened nerves that it made one lose their appetite.

Compared to this, being at the mercy of Ray Volkan’s whims was a hundred—no, a thousand times better.

This was precisely why Isabella had removed herself from the competition for the throne.

As the dinner conversation continued, Isabella let out an exhausted sigh—silently, of course.

That was when the Emperor turned his gaze toward her.

“Isabella. How has your progress with ice magic been?”

It was a simple inquiry about her achievements.

“I continue to realize that learning has no end.”

A vague response that meant ‘Nothing new to report.’

Of course, the truth was that Isabella had already reached the pinnacle of ice magic a year ago.

But she deliberately kept that fact hidden.

A sharpened dagger would eventually pierce through its sheath.

Being a musical prodigy was different from being a magical prodigy.

A talent for music didn’t influence the battle for the throne.

But a talent for magic did.

Because magic was one of the pillars that upheld the Empire.

The Emperor, seemingly unsatisfied with her brief answer, posed another question.

“And how is life at the academy?”

A simple question, again.

“I am enjoying it within the bounds of maintaining the dignity of the Imperial Family.”

Which really meant ‘I am wholeheartedly embracing the life of a loner.’

Was there a need to phrase it that way?

Absolutely.

Several people at this table had an unhealthy interest in Isabella’s friendships at the academy.

The First Prince smiled as he responded to her words.

“I’d like to meet your friends sometime.”

Of course, he understood what she meant.

He was merely pretending not to.

His real message was, ‘I’m keeping an eye on you to make sure you’re not up to anything at the academy.’

Just as Isabella was about to click her tongue and retort, the Second Prince spoke first.

“Brother, wouldn’t that put unnecessary pressure on Isabella’s friends?”

What he really meant was, ‘Why don’t you reconsider and join the competition for the throne?’

He had likely judged that, in order to defeat the eldest prince—who was both the firstborn and competent—he needed a new variable.

Isabella’s response was already decided.

“I’ll be sure to let them know in advance so they aren’t startled.”

Which meant ‘I have absolutely no intention of getting involved in the fight for the throne, so you can all leave me alone.’

Family dinners were always like this.

A constant effort to emphasize her disinterest in the throne.

She had grown used to it, but that didn’t mean it was any less exhausting.

‘No wonder I started pretending to be a maid. The only reason Ray Volkan caught me was because of this goddamn succession war.’

Just as she was justifying herself internally—

“…Ah, that reminds me. I came across something rather amusing recently. A Virtual NewTuber, was it?”

“—Kehup!”

The words struck her like a bolt of lightning.

For the first time that evening, Isabella was too stunned to even decipher the meaning behind the First Prince’s words.

…No, seriously. Why?

As the person running the broadcasts, she should have known better than anyone.

But why—of all people—was he bringing up those highly unrefined, overly provocative streams?!

Struggling to maintain her expression, Isabella watched as the First Prince, wearing a perfectly serious face, began discussing VTubers.

A Rising Profession in the Empire

“I believe it won’t be long before this becomes a newly emerging profession in the Empire.”

…It seemed the First Prince was serious.

“Oh? Is that so?”

And the Emperor was taking it just as seriously.

Watching the two of them, Isabella felt a strange emotion stir within her.

A VTuber had been acknowledged by the First Prince.

A man with an impeccable eye for talent had recognized its worth.

And the one who first noticed, nurtured, and led this movement?

Was mine.

The one who reached out to them first.

The one who discovered them first.

The one who claimed them first.

For a brief moment, Isabella almost failed to keep her expression in check due to an odd sense of pride.

“If Kasar speaks so highly of it… I suppose I should take a look at myself.”

And just like that, the Emperor poured a bucket of ice-cold water over Isabella’s head.

Her mind snapped back to reality.

Who was going to watch what now?

The Emperor of the Empire was going to watch Lily’s streams.

In that instant, Isabella’s entire history with VTubing flashed through her mind like a cursed slideshow of regret.

…She wanted to pass out on the spot.

Of course, regardless of whether Isabella silently writhed in agony, the conversation about VTubers continued.

“I’m merely keeping an eye on things for now… but if handled properly, this could be utilized for the benefit of the Imperial Family.”

Translation: I’ve already marked this as a project for my future accomplishments.

“…Brother, are you considering creating one yourself?”

Translation: Please, for the love of all things holy, jump in recklessly and fail.

“There’s no need to rush. I intend to observe a little longer.”

Translation: I have time. You, on the other hand, need achievements sooner than I do.

Of course, the Second Prince wasn’t foolish enough to take the bait and jump into the VTuber world ahead of the First Prince.

If he rushed in to steal the credit and failed, the First Prince would use his failure as a stepping stone.

Even if the Second Prince succeeded, the First Prince’s foresight would still be proven right.

No matter what, the First Prince would never be at a disadvantage.

Isabella focused on analyzing their subtle battle of words—anything to forcibly erase the Emperor’s horrifying statement from her mind.

But the world was cruel to Isabella.

“Hmm… is this the Virtual NewTuber we’re talking about?”

The Empress had pulled up NewTube and begun searching.

“…Ah, yes, that’s the one.”

“Lily, huh. She looks quite… unique.”

“There’s an avatar function that tracks the user’s movements and converts them into an illustration. Apparently, there are limitations on the available artistic styles.”

“Hmm… the more I look, the cuter she seems.”

Judging from her tone, the Empress was soon going to be watching Lily’s streams as well.

The Second Prince, though silent, would inevitably check at least one video to see what all the fuss was about.

The Emperor.

The Empress.

The First Prince.

The Second Prince.

All watching a VTuber.

Isabella was too far gone for even a hollow laugh.

If Ray Volkan found out about this, what would his reaction be?

Would he be thrilled?

Or would he say it was inevitable?

Half-dazed, Isabella gazed at the bizarre scene unfolding before her and wondered:

What is that lunatic up to now?

No doubt, he was already planning something outrageous.

For VTubers, for Lily, for Isabella.

Meanwhile, Elsewhere…

“And what I can give you right now is… done! This is now holy water! Holy water is great for the skin, so be sure to apply it every night before bed. Got it?”

“N-No, that’s— I mean, I don’t really need—”

“I’ll bring you more when you run out! You must become a handsome man and win the heart of Her Highness, the Princess!”

“…Ah, y-yes. Thank you.”