Chapter 19
Who is trying to “correct” whose manners?
So ridiculous I let out a hollow laugh as I looked at the palace attendant. He didn’t even seem to feel the temperature dropping around me; instead, he looked visibly excited. It was obvious he was already imagining how he would deal with me.
“If you see the princess becoming obedient, Her Majesty the Empress will be very pleased— ugh!”
I couldn’t take it anymore. I kicked the attendant’s shin without hesitation.
Then I looked at him as if he were something disgusting and said briefly:
“Shut up.”
“……?!”
I had to see his dumbfounded face with his mouth hanging open.
‘Ah… that’s refreshing.’
Feeling oddly satisfied, I inwardly applauded the system for, surprisingly, not stopping my actions.
‘So you’re actually a bit of a frustrating “buildup type,” huh? That’s why you’re letting me enjoy this “soda moment”?’
If it meant I was being given freedom every time I “exploded,” then—
‘I’ll do my best!’
Just as I was waiting for the system to respond as if I had figured it out correctly—
As if it had been waiting for this moment, another wave of “buildup” came rushing toward me. It was the palace attendants led by Gerard, the chief attendant.
They looked at me, who had just kicked Gerard’s shin, and started murmuring.
“How can she treat Chief Gerard like that?”
“He has devoted his entire life to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Isn’t he the Empress’s blood relative?”
“You all saw it, right? The princess’s disgraceful behavior.”
“We can’t just let this go.”
“She really is the disgrace of the imperial family, the worst of all villains.”
Listening to them act as if everything was entirely my fault, the calm in my stomach started boiling again.
‘Did none of them hear what that guy just said to me? Why am I the only one being blamed?’
He had been spouting all kinds of trash at me, yet they were pointing fingers only at me.
It felt like they were wearing blindfolds—seeing only my faults and nothing of the other side’s.
‘Don’t tell me this is the “villain patch”!’
When the protagonist is a protagonist, they get various benefits called “protagonist buffs.” Then is this some kind of “villain buff” because I’m the villain?
‘That’s ridiculous! If it exists, it’s a scam! Who becomes a villain because they want to?’
Just as I was about to speak out in frustration, the system finally displayed a choice as if it had been waiting.
▶ What punishment will you give?
▶ Return to the palace immediately.
What the hell!!
“Why are you suddenly being so cooperative? Up until now you kept giving me insane choices, so why are you suddenly acting normal now?”
What good is “normal” now? The person in front of me is anything but normal.
“……”
I pressed my lips shut. I didn’t even look at the choices.
Like I’d ever look. I absolutely refused to pick either. I’d rather things get worse.
While I was locked in a silent battle with the choices—
The thing that became worse wasn’t the choices.
It was Gerard.
“Ah, I see. I suppose the princess requires special education.”
Gerard, who had been crouching in pain, finally stood up after groaning for a while. Then he leaned toward me with a disgusting smile.
“Let’s make you a good little child again, Princess.”
Eat crap.
Since I couldn’t say that, I was about to raise my middle finger—
When suddenly, a large figure stepped in front of me.
I blinked in surprise.
“Percy?”
I called his name without thinking, but the man standing in front of me had black hair like jet stone.
Hearing my voice, he turned around slowly.
His deep gray eyes looked at me like a wounded beast. I instinctively gripped my skirt tightly.
‘Daniel Bohanan?!’
The man shielding me from Gerard was none other than Daniel.
‘Why are you here? This is the Stewart ducal estate!’
Why was he here, stepping in to protect me?
‘Don’t tell me he rushed over because I came here yesterday?’
I briefly thought that—but immediately shook my head.
Impossible.
‘Daniel Bohanan’s interest is in Beth, not me. Even if he doesn’t like her yet, the story is supposed to go that way.’
I couldn’t understand why he was here.
In any case, Daniel stood behind me as if shielding me.
Then he said to Gerard in a cold voice:
“As her fiancé, I will handle her education myself. Please step back.”
At Daniel’s words, Gerard quickly hid his madness and put on the mask of a polite gentleman again. He coughed lightly.
“Her Highness’s return to the palace is the Emperor’s will. It is not something you can interfere with, Sir Daniel.”
A brief hesitation passed through Daniel’s face. Without thinking, I grabbed the hem of his clothing tightly.
‘You’re not seriously thinking of handing me over to him because of that, are you?’
If that happened, I couldn’t guarantee my safety on the way back to the palace.
Daniel’s gloomy eyes glanced at my trembling hand gripping his clothes. Then he faced Gerard again and said clearly:
“Then I will escort her to the palace myself. That is my duty as her fiancé.”
“Ugh…”
With no logical flaw in Daniel’s words, Gerard let out a frustrated groan.
Then he continued slowly:
“Very well. Since Sir Daniel is so loyal to the imperial family, there is no chance he would try to smuggle the princess elsewhere.”
Gerard glared at me hiding behind Daniel.
“We will discuss this rudeness later, Princess.”
Flinch.
The original villainess might have scoffed—but I couldn’t help flinching. I wasn’t used to violence; she was, but not me.
Daniel must have sensed my trembling through the grip on his clothes.
His voice dropped low, almost like a growl.
“You….”
What he was about to say—I never got to hear it.
Because Julius suddenly entered the conversation.
“Sorry, but Siena cannot return to the palace today. She’s not feeling well.”
“Your Highness the Crown Prince?”
Gerard looked at Julius in disbelief.
Julius, who had walked in with Percy, casually patted Gerard’s shoulder.
“I personally came with her. Tell His Majesty not to worry. I’m sure you can relay that message, can’t you?”
Gerard’s expression flickered with complicated thoughts.
After much hesitation, he said:
“…Does Her Majesty the Empress know about this?”
Julius shrugged.
“Everything I do is her will.”
“…Even so…”
Just as Gerard tried to object again, he quickly changed his tone and bowed politely.
“I understand. I will step back as the Crown Prince wishes. However, I believe you understand His Majesty cannot allow this for long.”
“Of course, of course.”
Even the Crown Prince had spoken; Gerard had no choice.
As Gerard prepared to leave—
Percy, who had been standing quietly with folded arms, spoke.
“Baron Gerard.”
“Your Grace.”
Percy said expressionlessly:
“Come again next time. We did not properly receive an uninvited guest.”
“…Thank you.”
With those words carrying hidden pressure, Gerard left without another sound.
At last, he was gone.
I sighed in relief. I even wanted to raise my middle finger at his retreating back—but stopped myself.
‘Ugh, that was exhausting.’
Anyway, since the Emperor had even sent an attendant demanding my return, I’d probably have to go back to the palace soon.
‘But return to the imperial palace? Shouldn’t I just run away?’
The thought of escaping the palace came surprisingly naturally. But the more I thought about it, the more it actually seemed like a good idea.
‘If I run away, I won’t get killed by Daniel either. That might actually be better.’
No, what was I even thinking? The system would never allow me to escape.
‘Ugh, this is so annoying.’
No one was listening anyway, so I might as well curse internally.
‘Damn system. If you want a new ending, at least increase my freedom. You don’t give freedom properly, but you’ve got all these useless settings.’
※ ……
Strangely, the system window didn’t ring even once.
While I was still fuming—
Daniel suddenly grabbed my shoulder.
“Are you alright?”
I blinked in surprise.
His gray eyes held something unexpected—concern.
‘Why? Don’t you hate me?’
I couldn’t understand why he had stepped in to protect me.
‘I want him to let go of my shoulder, though.’
Of course, the choices were not so kind.
▶ I don’t need your pity.
▶ Stop making that disgusting face.
……Or is he actually trying to kill me?
