TMLST C2

Chapter 2. A Tedious Life with a Time Limit (2)

There was a time when I thought I was having these dreams because I had been reading too many romance fantasy novels lately.

But as countless nights passed, the scenery before my eyes and the situation I faced never changed. I had no choice but to accept that this was not something that would resolve itself simply by staying silent. People addressed me only as “Your Highness,” without any context, and in a situation where no one volunteered any further explanation, I had to be the one to ask first.

“Your Imperial Highness, how is your condition today?”

“…What is my name?”

Not knowing what else to say, I had remained silent until now, but I finally spoke to the physician who had come to check on my health.

“Y-Your name is Princess Elia Rishar.”

The physician appeared flustered, but quickly regained his composure.

I couldn’t go on living a life of nothing but eating and sleeping, repeating the same routine endlessly. I needed to accept reality. Still—Elia Rishar? It was such a familiar name that I found myself asking again.

“Where… is this place?”

“This is the Rier Empire. The current year is 619 of the Imperial Calendar.”

Princess Elia Rishar of the Rier Empire. A frail body with barely any strength. That alone was enough for me to realize that I was inside the novel The Queen of the Tyrant.

I briefly wondered if I had crossed into this new world while still carrying my sick body—but once I understood who this body belonged to, there was no choice but to accept it.

That this second life, too, was limited.

A few days passed like that.

The physician who had first spoken with Elia reported everything to the Emperor that very same day and received orders to ensure that no information leaked beyond the imperial palace. The reason for informing Elia of this was simple: in case anyone came to see her, she must not reveal anything.

The fact that the princess had amnesia—combined with the already damaging truth that she was living on borrowed time due to an unknown illness—would only further tarnish the Empire’s honor.

To think someone so promising would become such a troublesome princess…

It wasn’t even the imperial family that had revealed her condition in the first place.

Elia had once been highly active in high society, but when she began declining every noble’s invitation, suspicion naturally arose. In the process, rumors spread. That was precisely why her amnesia had to be concealed at all costs.

Suppressing all these unspoken circumstances, the physician merely relayed the Emperor’s command and waited for Elia’s response.

“I understand.”

Elia accepted calmly. If outsiders approached, she was to pretend she hadn’t lost her memory. There was no choice but to try her best.

“Though my knowledge is limited, I will do everything I can to be of help to Your Highness.”

“Thank you, nanny.”

When she had first asked who she was, the middle-aged woman had burst into tears, asking if even she had been forgotten. That reaction alone was a relief. No matter how much she tried, it would be difficult to gather information without anyone’s help—especially when the original story hadn’t even begun yet.

As soon as the physician left, the nanny hurried off, saying she would organize some books. The next day, she returned with several volumes and placed them neatly on the desk. They covered the basics: the Empire’s history and information about major noble families.

Among them was information about the vassal state, the Kingdom of Veronica.

After purging those who had stirred rebellion and thrown the nation into chaos, the Emperor placed Lote—the surviving royal bloodline—on the throne. He ordered the kingdom to prosper under the Rier Empire, making Veronica a vassal state.

The Empire could have absorbed the territory outright, but at the time, it was already expanding its lands on multiple fronts. Rather than risk further instability from a nearby rebellion, the Emperor chose to extinguish the threat quickly without expending more military resources.

Moreover, the Emperor, preoccupied with claiming fertile golden lands, had no interest in the bleak territory of Veronica. Installing the young Lote on the throne and leaving the kingdom as a vassal was merely a precaution.

“Wow…”

There had been little to no interaction with Veronica afterward, so the account ended with brief explanations of Lote and his knight, Aaron.

So the reason Lote had never been granted an audience with the Emperor—no matter how much he wished for it—was simply because he was of no benefit to the Empire.

A question I’d had while reading the novel was finally answered—and yet, the revelation was shocking. Learning the hidden backstory was satisfying, but it also felt as though I had opened Pandora’s box.

Lying in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling as time slipped by, a thought suddenly crossed Elia’s mind.

What if I could change Aaron’s fate?

Changing her own fate—bound as she was by an incurable illness—might be impossible. But this was one year before the original story began. If it was before Lote developed feelings for Llewellyn, then there might still be a chance.

Aaron might have been clumsy at expressing himself, but his feelings for Lote were second to none. If those feelings were conveyed before the original story began, the future might change.

Though Aaron’s role hadn’t been large enough for the novel to explicitly state that he loved Lote, such unwavering devotion could only be rooted in love. After all, he had eyes only for Lote and showed no interest in any other woman.

There was one particularly memorable line he spoke when Lote and Llewellyn’s love came to fruition:

[If you are happy, then I will live to protect that happiness.]

If that wasn’t love, then what was?

“Then…”

Elia had one year. Before the original story began, she resolved to become a cupid for Aaron and Lote.

But first, she had to meet them.

Knock, knock.

“I have come to deliver His Majesty’s command, Your Highness.”

“Come in.”

She had just been thinking about making a request to the Emperor—what timing.

“Your Highness, I greet you. I am the head butler.”

As the door opened, an elderly man entered slowly and bowed in greeting. It was her first time seeing him, but she knew roughly who he was.

The head butler, the Emperor’s closest aide, had been a strong supporter of Elia ascending the throne—and would later be killed alongside the Emperor by Llewellyn. His crime was opposing Llewellyn’s rise.

“As always.”

It was a polite response, but there was little else to say about her health or well-being. Perhaps sensing her thoughts, the butler smiled gently and continued.

“His Majesty wishes for the family to gather for a meal after a long time. Would you be able to attend dinner this evening?”

What power did a sickly princess have? Of course she would agree. In fact, it was an opportunity she couldn’t refuse.

Since arriving in this world, it would be her first time meeting a main character of the novel rather than a mere extra. The thought made her both excited and nervous.

Time passed more quickly than expected, and soon it was evening.

Standing before the doors of the dining hall, Elia took a short breath and signaled the maid to open them. As the doors slowly parted and she stepped inside, a familiar face came into view.

Ugh.

Before she could turn away, their eyes met. The moment she saw the softly curved eyes, her body froze as if she had just seen Medusa.

“It’s been a while, Sister. Do you recognize me?”

Silver hair. Red eyes. With such an uncommon appearance, there was only one person who would address her that way.

Llewellyn Rishar.

According to the original story, the Emperor of the Rier Empire had only two children: Elia and Llewellyn. There was no other possibility.

If there had been more siblings, the novel would have mentioned how Llewellyn eliminated them.

She had seen his face countless times on the novel’s cover—it was impossible not to recognize him. Even when she didn’t want to, she had to look at his fan art to find the rare pieces of Aaron’s.

Yet, unlike the madness-filled red eyes she remembered, he appeared relatively calm. It was… different from what she had imagined.

Whether he truly was or wasn’t who she thought, there was only one answer she could give.

“No.”

She replied simply, forcing an awkward smile. She could feel Llewellyn’s gaze sweeping over her.

She wanted to observe him as well, but she held herself back, knowing it wouldn’t end well.

He’s definitely handsome… but still not my type.

“Elia.”

At the authoritative voice behind her, Elia turned. The owner of the voice—the Emperor—stood there, golden-haired with red eyes, far more imposing than she had imagined.

Since it was a family dinner, there were only a few people who could be present, making it easy to guess.

Elia lowered her head slightly in greeting, while Llewellyn strode past her without hesitation, as though he had never paid her any attention at all.

“Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s gaze shifted from Elia to Llewellyn. Seeing the gentle smile on his face created a strange sense of dissonance—so different from the cold father she had expected.

Perception could vary depending on one’s perspective, but the Emperor’s image as a ruthless father had been so strong that her thoughts momentarily froze.