𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟔: 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
Looking around the room.
A private chamber, illuminated only by the pallid light from the narrow vertical window. The room itself is slender and vertically elongated, its purpose as a hidden room clear. While it is small enough to be mistaken for a servant’s quarters, the furniture is clean and dignified.
ㅤ
Backing away, I put some distance between us.
His Highness stands by the door, a silhouette in the shadow, watching me as I feel cornered.
ㅤ
“No one will hear you even if you scream here. There’s thick soundproofing underneath the wallpaper. This is one of the hidden rooms designed for the nobility to hide in case of emergencies, such as monsters or conflicts with neighboring countries.”
“Well, well. . . Thank you for introducing me to your castle.”
ㅤ
I, tossing aside my coquettishness as an eight-year-old, squinted at His Highness with my bare face. If I am accused of disrespect, I could always erase the memory – has the violence of Kami-sama also transferred to me?
ㅤ
“So, Your Highness. . . What is it all about? Isn’t it a bit much to escort a little eight-year-old girl for a private chat?”
“Have you consummated your marriage?”
ㅤ
What a sudden question, this guy.
A hint of discomfort showing in my eyes, I respond.
ㅤ
“. . . .I don’t agree with the values of the nobility. They hide their petty wrongdoings, acting demure while whispering about their first nights, yet are transparent to others about the details.”
“Procreation is our role. And the lineage of the child is most important. Therefore, verifying purity is necessary.”
“Is that so? But isn’t Your Highness a devout follower of Land God Kai? Shouldn’t it be self-evident whether I, recommended by the Saint, am pure or not? The Saint’s supernatural powers could prove it at any time, couldn’t they?”
ㅤ
A saint who isn’t pure can’t use supernatural powers. That’s the doctrine of the church.
But His Highness hides his face and chuckles.
ㅤ
“That’s a lie. As it stands, the current Saint’s dormitory is overflowing with Saints who have known men.”
“What. . .”
“The leading Saint, Lulumia, forced the Saints to entertain nobles and big merchants. Those who refused were banished, exiled, or mentally broke down and disappeared somewhere.”
ㅤ
Shocked by the truth, I feel a chill running from my feet.
While I was away, Lulumia did – what?
ㅤ
“So, what about you? Are you a virgin?”
“Hmph. If anyone can become a Saint, why does Your Highness need to check?”
“It matters. In a different way.”
“What?”
ㅤ
His Highness smirks at the corner of his mouth, taking a smooth step closer to me.
His eyes, peeking from silver hair, are firm.
ㅤ
“I’m not doubting you, Charte. This is a necessary question for making you my fiancée.”
“What?”
“You were sent by my fiancée Charlene to replace her, right? Then it’s logical for you to be engaged to me, the crown prince.”
“Wait a minute, Your Highness. . . What does that mean? You have Lulumia Horsewood, don’t you?”
“I’ve pushed for the termination of our engagement.”
“What. . .”
“I haven’t consulted with my father, the Prime Minister, or anyone else. I decided, on my own judgment.”
“But isn’t that wrong?”
“Listen, Charlene. I’ve made up my mind. I want to choose my own fate, just like you. The one who made me recover. . . who made me awaken as the crown prince was you.”
ㅤ
His Highness calls me Charlene.
His Highness is addressing Charte as Charlene ―― it’s disgusting.
Feeling a chill, I take another step back. His Highness strides two steps with his long male stride, closing the gap.
ㅤ
“Hey, Charte. I want you to become Charlene. It doesn’t matter if the physical appearance is a bit different. If you have the essence of Charlene, I’m sure you can adjust as much as you want with makeup as you grow. Let’s say that Charlene, who went back to the other world, reincarnated and came back as Charte. What do you think?”
“But wouldn’t that mess up her age?”
“Since she comes from another world, we can fabricate whatever we want about her timeline or age. This nation has been exploiting and doting on the mere child Charlene under the pretext that she comes from another world. If you behave as Charlene and make people happy with your saintly abilities, no one will bother about the minor details. No, I won’t let them. After all, I am the crown prince and will ascend to the throne after my father.”
ㅤ
With this, the birth of the worst king is inevitable.
I clench my mouth and rack my brain.
There’s no convincing someone who’s gone this far. But I refuse to indulge in the prince’s rampage.
However, strategically retreating is not an option. If I flee now, the path to storming the headquarters of the church will be closed off.
ㅤ
Backed into a corner, I press my back against the wall. The prince corners me against the wall.
The snake in my stomach writhes, almost as if it’s telling me to rely on it. I caress it over my clothes, saying, “Wait a bit longer.”
ㅤ
At last, with a theatrical gesture, the prince pleads,
“Charte. . . Please, become Charlene.”
ㅤ
The foolish crown prince kneels, forcefully takes my hands, and implores me.
ㅤ
“I beg you. . . save me. Guide me. Without you, I can’t. . .”
ㅤ
――Always spouting selfish nonsense.
A mix of inexpressible chills and anger surged through my body.
ㅤ
“Charlene. . .”
ㅤ
Just as I was about to be swept into his arms, something in me reached its limit.
ㅤ
[Explosion Disperses Mist]
ㅤ
The moment I muttered, the crown prince was blown to the far end of the room like a piece of paper. He hits a luxurious painting, collapses onto the floor, and the blast sends furniture flying.
ㅤ
“Eh. . .”
ㅤ
Dumbfounded, the prince picks himself up, not understanding what just happened.
I approach the prince with his silly face and grab his collar.
ㅤ
“Listen, this is what it means to imprison a weak child and forcefully coerce them, Prince.”
With my free hand, I prepare to cast a fire spell. The prince’s face freezes in fear.
ㅤ
“I could easily burn you to a crisp right now. After torturing you, I could erase all evidence with my saintly abilities. Want me to remove that pimple scar on your neck too? You’re scared, right? This is what you’re doing, pushing people to the edge. Do you understand?”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
The prince can’t utter a word.
I extinguish the flames and glare at him.
ㅤ
“Taking an 8-year-old child away from her guardians, imprisoning her, and then asking her to become Charlene for your sake? Don’t be ridiculous. If you want to court her, do it the right way. Don’t use confinement and fear to control her. Above all, don’t lay hands on a woman of God and consider her a substitute for another woman. Don’t you think that’s disrespectful? Is that what you want? Not as a crown prince, but as a man named Lewis. What do you think?”
ㅤ
While I say things that could easily get me executed for disrespect, I hold onto the prince’s collar. My arm, having the strength of an eight-year-old girl, starts to go numb.
The prince remains stunned, allowing me to manhandle him.
ㅤ
“You wanted to take control of your destiny, didn’t you? It’s commendable and I welcome it. You are a man destined to be a king. But acting impulsively and creating havoc are different things. Think for yourself, consider the consequences, be prepared to take responsibility. Stop clinging to the ghost of Charlene. It’s fine if you want to cry because it’s hard, or if you want to rely on the memory of a dead woman to protect your heart. But I won’t forgive you if you create new victims to escape. Even if I don’t, eventually you will not be forgiven. And. . . when you’re not forgiven, the country will go down with you.”
ㅤ
I pulled my hand away from the crown prince and looked around the room.
ㅤ
[Short-term Playback]
ㅤ
The room seems to rewind, with the furniture being neatly arranged. After resetting everything, I looked down at the prince again.
ㅤ
“Sorry, but I’m already Kami-sama’s wife. I can’t be your saint. I’m a different person from Charlene Hiraes in your heart, even if I can only imitate Charlene’s words a little. You saw it, didn’t you? I’m a badly-raised brat who uses magic that Charlene can’t use to counter you and insults you like this.”
“. . . . . . Charte.”
ㅤ
I squinted at the prince who muttered my name.
ㅤ
“. . . . . . You’re like Charlene.”
“Huh? . . . . . . I told you, I’m different.”
“No. . . . . . The real Charlene would also. . . . . . Scold me. . . . . . Like this.”
ㅤ
The prince smiles powerlessly. Then he looked up at the sky and fell silent to sort out his feelings.
ㅤ
“I’m sorry, give me some time. . . . . . Until I calm down.”
“. . . . . . Okay.”
ㅤ
I sat in a chair nearby and quietly watched the prince.
ㅤ
Then Kami-sama comes into the room. I’ll just ignore the noise when he opened the door.
Kami-sama approached me silently, knelt down, and hugged me. As I felt his warmth with his arms around my back, the prince was looking at us with a drained face.
And he muttered.
ㅤ
“. . . . . . Thinking that Charlene was back. . . . . . I was. . . . . . You even have a husband. I really am sorry.”
“Likewise, we apologize for the various impoliteness. We will accept your decision.”
“You can change your attitude instantly. That’s also like Charlene.”
ㅤ
The prince shrugged his shoulders at my bow.
Then, with a refreshed though tired face, he took a deep breath and bowed to me.
ㅤ
“I should apologize to you for my rudeness. . . . . . I was wrong. Of course, I can’t punish you. Rather, thank you for waking me up.”
“Your Highness. . . . . .”
“I will immediately ask the Margrave family to welcome you to the capital. I don’t think you can trust me, but I hope you will believe me this time.”
“If you do the same thing again, it won’t be easy.”
“Of course. From now on, I will serve my duties thinking always of being burnt, so as not to shame you.”
“That’s not exactly pleasant either.”
“Should I think about being hit or kicked instead?”
“. . . . . .”
“No. . . . . . That wouldn’t be a punishment. . . . . . Then. . . . . .”
“. . . . . . OK Kami-sama, do it.”
ㅤ
Kami-sama hides me behind him.
The next moment ―― the crown prince’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed with a thud.
ㅤ
“I didn’t erase his memory. . . . . . He probably won’t make the same mistake again.”
“. . . . . . Thanks, Kami-sama. . . . . .”
“I raised the level of fear a little. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Kami-sama makes a small gesture with his hand. I was half-closed and amazed.
ㅤ
“. . . . . . Isn’t it bad if the side that scolded [don’t force them to listen with threats] does it?”
“He’s a man who tried to lay a hand on my wife. Originally, I would have cut him.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Secret.”
“There are no secrets between us, right, Kami-sama?”
“Charlene doesn’t need to know.”
“. . . . . . Well, it can’t be helped. It might be necessary to intimidate him a little. . . . . . I have to get along with Charte-chan for a while.”
ㅤ
We looked at each other’s faces. We were exhausted.
Anyway, by the next day, we had made arrangements to depart for the capital on a top-class spirit horse.
ㅤ
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
ㅤ
Meanwhile, the capital was on the verge of an irreparable situation.
Duke Horsewood was summoned by the second prince Keizen and was walking through the corridors of the royal palace.
[insert page=’4633′ display=’content’]
[insert page=’4587′ display=’content’]
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- How to Stop Your Friends From Thinking You’re a Weeb: A Guide for the Anime-Obsessed
- Auntie’s Posting Passive-Aggressive Prayers Again: How to Survive Your Family on Facebook (Without Committing Seppuku)
- Acel World: I Was That Fat Kid
- Novel Review: Emperor’s Domination
- How to Deal with Your Cringey Otaku Classmate (Without Turning into a Weeaboo Yourself)
Leave a Reply