The Princess Who Dug Her Own Grave

Suddenly, an earthquake erupted in Kyle’s pupils at the appearance of his older brother, Hessel.

Why was Hessel in the Imperial Palace? He’d clearly heard that he had other engagements and had left Kaintreche Castle.

Or did ‘other engagements’ mean visiting the Imperial Palace?

,Hessel is what? Shamelessly calling your brother, who is like the sky, by his name.”

,I apologize, hyung-nim. But what brings you to the Imperial Palace?”

,I dropped by Artas and heard you were here, so I just came to see you.”

,Is that so?”

He visited the capital and heard that his younger brother was in the Imperial Palace, so he came to see him. There was nothing strange about those words themselves, but Kyle somehow felt a strange awkwardness in Hessel’s words.

From the moment Kyle regressed and tasted defeat in the battle for the family head position, Hessel’s attitude towards Kyle had been nothing short of icy.

Even though they lived in the same castle, they barely ran into each other during meals, and if they did happen to meet, Hessel would click his tongue, ‘Tsk,’ as if looking at a bug, and quickly disappear, blatantly expressing his displeasure.

And now Hessel had come all the way to the Imperial Palace just to see him? With no particular business?

Of course, if you called it a whim, it could be, but he couldn’t help but feel a sense of incongruity.

,I heard the story. A serious incident happened at the main house, right?”

,Yes, hyung-nim.”

,Tsk, to think there would be assassins daring to set foot in Kaintreche Castle… Those guys have some nerve. I heard your mother was hurt too, is she alright?”

,She’s fine. I was briefly poisoned too, but I recovered quickly.”

,Hmm, that’s a relief.”

It was somewhat paradoxical that he would ask about Roxanne’s condition, who wasn’t even present, but not ask about the condition of his younger brother, Kyle, who was right in front of him.

So Kyle deliberately added himself to the equation and asserted that they were both safe, and at that moment, he could see the muscles around Hessel’s lips twitch slightly.

,But what business brought hyung-nim to the capital?”

,I just came to meet an acquaintance for a while.”

,You’re as sociable as ever.”

,Do you think I’m just cooped up in my room like you? That’s obvious.”

It was bitter, but Hessel’s words were true.

Of course, regardless of his actual personality, Hessel had a knack for acting like a magnanimous and cheerful man in front of others, gathering people’s favor.

Thanks to that, he was quite sociable, and he knew quite a few people across various families.

It wouldn’t be strange if Kyle didn’t know one or two of his acquaintances, and it wouldn’t be awkward even if that person happened to be living in the capital.

However, there was just one thing that bothered him.

When Hessel left the castle, it was such an urgent matter that he couldn’t even say goodbye properly and left at dawn. But for that, his answer was too bland.

,Is he just not wanting to talk about it?”

Everyone has their own privacy, so it wouldn’t be strange if he didn’t say anything, but Kyle found that point quite strange.

Hessel had always been quite talkative, and he had a habit of exaggerating and rambling on about his own experiences or things he had heard from others.

Besides, maybe he wanted to subtly boast about how sociable he was, but after meeting someone, he would come to Kyle and blurt out, ‘I met the third daughter of the Grand Duke’s family today…’

But today, he was so quiet. It was as if he didn’t want to say who he had met or what had happened there.

,Anyway, we’ll get up first. We just arrived today, so we’re very tired from the journey.”

,Tch, you’re such a heartless guy. Don’t you want to have a drink with your brother, whom you’ve reunited with in the Imperial Palace after all this time?”

Kyle was dumbfounded when Hessel clicked his tongue at him as he tried to get up, holding Sylvia’s hand.

Since when were you close enough to share a drink with me and have a heart-to-heart conversation?

Thinking that he was just using it as an excuse to give him a hard time, Kyle shrugged and replied.

,Yes, if I have the chance, I will.”

,Okay, if you really can’t, I’ll come find you. Which room are you staying in now?”

,It’s the room at the far right end on the third floor of the annex.”

,I understand.”

If he was going to come all the way to find him, maybe he really just needed someone to talk to over a drink, so Kyle put aside his suspicions and turned around with Sylvia.

,Ah, brother-in-law. Then I’ll see you again if I have the chance…!”

,…”

,…”

In the meantime, it’s a small anecdote that Sylvia’s words froze the air, causing a brief cold snap.

***

After returning to their respective rooms, the two of them hardly moved except for mealtimes, focusing on relieving the fatigue that had accumulated throughout the day and falling asleep comfortably in their rooms.

And finally, the next morning arrived.

,Ugh, formal wear is so heavy and uncomfortable. It feels even worse than the dresses I usually wear.”

Kyle couldn’t help but laugh as he looked at the woman in the fancy outfit waddling after him.

Since they were on their way to meet the Emperor, they had both dressed up in formal wear, and the sight was quite a spectacle.

Kyle’s was not too excessive, except for the small ornaments on his shoulders and chest, while Sylvia’s formal wear was heavily armed with fancy decorations that looked like something you would wear to a wedding.

But the clothes themselves were so beautiful that there was nothing to complain about.

Even the hanger was perfect, so what more could he say?

The only downside was that the clothes were so heavy and uncomfortable that the hanger wearing them was groaning.

,But it suits you well, Sylvia. You look very beautiful.”

,Ugh…! You, you only say that at times like this!? That’s too much!”

,…?”

He had been scolded for not praising her outfit a few times, so today he was giving her his best service with a smile, praising her.

But for some reason, he had to wonder at her appearance, which seemed even more sulky after hearing his praise.

He’s damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t, what is he supposed to do?

,I can’t change now if you say that…!”

However, Sylvia had her own reasons.

Originally, she was going to use the excuse that the formal wear was too uncomfortable to change into other clothes she had brought as a spare.

It wasn’t as elaborate as the one she was wearing now, but it was still pretty good and good enough to wear when meeting the Emperor.

But here, Kyle gave her a heartfelt compliment with a sweet smile that he didn’t usually wear, and even that option disappeared.

In the end, Sylvia, who had given up on changing her clothes, decided to find some practical benefit, wiggling her fingers and timidly asking Kyle.

,K, Kyle. Do I really… look pretty?”

That’s right. Since she couldn’t change her clothes anyway, she was going to get more praise from Kyle, even if it meant prostrating herself and receiving a bow.

In fact, she didn’t have high expectations.

Kyle didn’t praise her often in the first place, and she thought he would just slyly avoid it if she asked so blatantly.

But there was something she hadn’t anticipated.

The fact that he was fully prepared to correct his past mistakes, at least for today.

,What is there to say?”

,Me? Or the clothes?”

,That’s a foolish question. No matter how beautiful the clothes are, it’s not possible without a good hanger.”

,Ugh…!”

Thanks to that, Sylvia sank as soon as she heard Kyle’s embarrassing praise in front of her face.

Why does this man act so unpredictably?

It’s to the point where she suspects that he’s doing this on purpose to tease her, knowing her feelings.

,Sometimes I wonder if Kyle does it on purpose.”

,Did I do something wrong?”

,It’s not wrong… I, I don’t know! Why can’t you think that far!?”

,Um, I’m sorry. Sylvia. Did I make another mistake…”

,That’s the point! Ugh, how annoying…!”

Stop it, don’t react so innocently as if you’re making me the bad guy!

Sylvia shouted inwardly and pointed her finger at Kyle.

At this point, she feels that doing it on purpose would be less malicious.

,Was my praise not specific enough?”

Meanwhile, Kyle was seriously reflecting on his actions, wondering why she was so angry again.

Come to think of it, he remembered Sylvia saying in passing, ‘Women like specific praise, you know,’ as if she wanted someone to hear it.

Could it be that he’s being too vague and just praising her for being pretty?

So Kyle was a little embarrassed, but he carefully examined her condition and opened his mouth with an extremely serious attitude.

,Now that I look at it again, the pin in your hair is also very pretty. Maybe it’s because Sylvia’s hair is light, but darker colors seem to suit you better.”

,Y, yes…?”

,Besides, Sylvia’s skin is fair, so wearing a dress of this color seems to add to the radiance.”

,W, wait a minute. Kyle…!”

In the midst of the sudden downpour of praise, Sylvia struggled to get out, waving her arms, but Kyle’s words did not stop.

In the end, Sylvia had to resort to the absurd measure of covering her ears while listening to Kyle’s praise, which she had wanted so much.

And the head maid of the Imperial Palace, who was silently following behind and guiding the way…

,They’re having a good time.”

She smiled contentedly and tried to stay as far away as possible, so as not to disturb the sweet atmosphere.

It seems that enjoying other people’s love lives is the same no matter where you go in the world, regardless of age or gender.