Chapter 12
The large hand I had admired yesterday came down with a thud on the noble registry. It looked like he had simply placed it there, but perhaps the difference in our strength was so great that the book didn’t budge at all.
What is this? Is it possible that the choices won’t work like this? Even if I pick one?
Startled, I blinked. Percy looked down at me with an expressionless face and asked,
“What are you curious about?”
What am I curious about?
First of all, I’m curious whether you’re sane or not.
If my lips could move freely, that’s what I would have said. But I couldn’t speak. To make matters worse, the system seemed to have frozen again—no choices appeared at all.
Even the system seems flustered.
No, you should be the only one panicking! Why drag me into this too?
After a brief silence, I realized Percy was reading my expression.
Right. Let’s try communicating with my eyes.
I blinked twice, trying to convey: Please step back. You’re making me uncomfortable.
Honestly, I didn’t expect it to work—but as if he understood, Percy removed his hand and took a step back.
Oh? That worked?
Just as my lips formed a small ‘o’ in surprise, Percy spoke in a stiff tone.
“I do not yet harbor any romantic feelings for you, Your Highness. Please refrain from saying things that might be burdensome.”
This guy—he acts normal for a second, then suddenly charges in without warning.
What on earth did he interpret that as?!
Dumbfounded, I ran a hand through my hair and shouted,
“Are you insane? Are you crazy? Are you out of your mind?”
“Aren’t those all the same thing?”
That’s not the point!
I was babbling in confusion when I suddenly snapped back to my senses.
Wait—I can speak now!
With the system down, this was my chance. I grabbed Percy’s sleeve.
This man definitely isn’t normal either. No doubt about it.
Still, he was my only way to escape the original storyline.
I didn’t know when I’d get another chance to say what I wanted, so I rushed,
“I’m fine with marrying you! As long as you agree to a few conditions.”
An emperor who projects a dead woman onto his child is horrifying.
And a crown prince who takes out his frustration on his sibling because of that emperor is just as horrifying.
Even without a dead-end ending, I felt like I’d die if I stayed in this place crawling with lunatics.
“Protect me from danger. And whatever your reason is for wanting to marry me, once your goal is achieved, we’ll part ways safely—”
That was when it happened. My words were abruptly cut off.
※ System has been restored.
Couldn’t it have come back just a little later?!
I still had more to say!
Just as I was about to propose a contract marriage, my mouth snapped shut. Irritated, I glared at the empty air—and then lifted my head.
My gaze naturally met Percy’s red eyes, glinting faintly as he stood before me.
“You speak quite naturally at times…” he muttered curiously, tilting his head.
“But when you hesitate, I wonder why.”
“……!”
He had hit the nail on the head.
How does he know?
About the difference between when I can speak freely and when I’m forced to choose options.
Do you know something?
I wanted to ask—but once again, my lips sealed shut, and two choices appeared.
▶ Stop talking nonsense.
▶ You disgusting hypocrite!
Which of these landmine-like options would get me the answer I wanted?
Let’s go with the first one.
Just as I carefully tried to select it—
Ah, damn it! I messed up!
The screen glitched, crackling, and I ended up selecting the second option. A sharp voice burst from my lips.
“You disgusting hypocrite!”
Wow, Sienna—even your insults are classy.
Thanks to you, my lifespan is getting shaved down by the minute.
After shouting, I let out a hollow laugh. I must look insane—but I couldn’t help it.
Maybe I should change my perspective. Instead of trying to avoid death, I should aim to die as comfortably as possible.
Just as such twisted thoughts crossed my mind—
The corner of Percy’s lips lifted into a smile. Then he said something unexpected.
“You’re quite perceptive.”
Huh? Perceptive?
I just called you a hypocrite, and you’re praising me?
Isn’t this guy seriously dangerous?
There are different kinds of crazy—and this one felt dangerous. Instinctively repulsed, I bit my lip.
Percy braced his hand on the table behind me. His broad chest cast a dark shadow over my face.
“I have been aware of all the abuse you’ve endured, yet chose not to intervene,” he said. “So I understand why you would call me a disgusting hypocrite.”
His words were strange. It felt like he was logically interpreting my meaningless outburst—as if scribbles with no meaning were being turned into an exam question.
He took my hand again and gently kissed the back of it.
“You may criticize me as much as you like. Please, marry me.”
Watching him, a faint sense of hope flickered in my chest.
At least he has some conscience.
Everyone in this palace watched Sienna’s suffering like voyeurs without even realizing it was wrong. At least he knew he was standing by.
Maybe he’s not completely abnormal.
But his next words froze that fragile hope.
His red eyes gleamed as he whispered,
“As long as you remain interesting, I will keep my promises—no matter what you say. From me, and from whatever danger you speak of.”
…In the end, he was just another kind of voyeur.
Isn’t that even worse?
His languid gaze lingered on my stiff face, his crimson eyes filled only with intense curiosity.
“You are fascinating. No one has ever held my attention like this before.”
He stared at me, then curled one corner of his lips in a wolf-like smile.
“Just observing you is entertaining. It seems others simply weren’t interesting enough to catch my interest.”
“…….”
I couldn’t respond. There was only one thought in my mind.
This is terrifying.
Why are there so many strange people here? Is the imperial palace a minefield?
As I trembled, Percy added with a gentle smile,
“I won’t behave like your father or your brother, so rest assured.”
“……?!”
Right. I had forgotten—he was not only insane, but perceptive.
Can he read minds?
Every word he said was so accurate it made me suspect telepathy.
Pale-faced, I clenched my fist tightly. The bones stood out starkly against my thin skin. A single choice appeared above my head.
▶ Then what do you want from me?
It was as if the system itself wanted to ask him.
What was he thinking?
As I listened intently, Percy answered lightly,
“First, let’s have a meal. Your arm looks like it’s about to break.”
Yesterday had already been bizarre—but today was even stranger.
A meal?
Percy, who had suggested eating as if it were nothing, opened the door without concern for the fact that he had snuck in, and called for a maid.
“Prepare a meal for the princess.”
Though startled, the maids bowed obediently and dispersed.
Watching them, I curled my lips slightly.
Come to think of it, what did I eat yesterday? I couldn’t remember at all.
The maids didn’t even ask if I wanted breakfast.
Did Sienna normally eat very little? Or were they deliberately neglecting her?
A villainess who eats proper meals doesn’t really fit the image.
At most, she’d nibble on some bread with a bitter espresso.
Still, thanks to this man, I’ll finally get a proper meal. I should at least be grateful for that.
As I stood up, I hesitated because of what I was wearing.
Isn’t this too casual for a meal?
The clothes the emperor had given me felt repulsive, so I had discarded them carelessly. Since then, I had been lounging around in nothing but a slip.
Ah… so that’s why he said my arm looked like it would break.
My shoulders and arms were completely exposed.
Maybe because I still hadn’t adjusted, it didn’t feel like my body but Sienna’s, so I wasn’t particularly embarrassed.
Still, sitting at a table dressed like this might cause rumors…
As I hesitated, a thick shawl settled over my shoulders.
It was Percy again.
“We won’t be staying long. A simple outfit will suffice.”
Surprised by the unexpected consideration, I widened my eyes. Without meeting my gaze, Percy turned away. His upright posture made him look as cold as a statue.
Even so, he was the kindest person I had encountered so far.
I gave a bitter smile.
How ironic. That a complete stranger—not my fiancé, not my family—is the kindest to me.
