TYHL 82

~Chapter 82~

“Half-blood brat. Too lucky for his own good.”

The princes sneered. Licht was used to it.

He was the Emperor’s illegitimate child—lucky enough to be acknowledged as a prince.

That fact was supposed to be a deep secret. But in the palace, no secret stayed hidden for long.

“So why did you get kidnapped in the first place? What were you doing wandering off alone? Trying to get Father’s attention that badly?”

Licht simply smiled politely and sat down.

“Good afternoon, brothers.”

“Clicking your tongue and not even snapping back, huh?”

Well… it’s only worth reacting if it has value.

He swallowed the thought and turned his head.

Servants brought food to the table.

Once again, Asha Druccan’s voice echoed in his mind like a hallucination.

Was that just my imagination?

But what if it wasn’t?

What if Rubian had a far more complicated reason for hiding her gender—and had known Asha Druccan from the beginning?

Then maybe… Rubian was—

A magician.

Perhaps even the runaway magician the Magic Kingdom was desperately searching for.

But the features don’t match.

The runaway had red eyes.

Rubian’s were blue.

I don’t know.

He couldn’t be sure of anything. That was why he couldn’t bring himself to tell Duke Zebret.

But if Rubian really was a magician—

“Ha. Just seeing this half-blood’s face kills my appetite.”

—then maybe this secret could become his weapon.

“Anyway, is Father still so busy?”

“They say he’s tied up with Arcadia. Some runaway magician or whatever gave him a headache.”

As the princes snickered, Licht’s eyes darkened.

For now… I’ll just keep watching.

He lowered his head and continued eating, calm and composed.

Now wasn’t the time.

Failure!

Braiding Grandpa’s beard had been a huge mistake! Instead of scolding me like Count Camelran would, he’d only gotten stickier than ever.

A total failure!

Late afternoon.

I collapsed on my bed, out of breath. I had used up all my strength just escaping Grandpa’s arms. I couldn’t even remember how I ate or took my medicine.

He had leveled up from “clingy cheese” to “deadly glue.”

“You look so tired, young lady. Why don’t you take a nap?” Hazel said, trying not to laugh.

“Yeah… I think I will.”

With a drained face, I crawled under the blankets.

But honestly, Grandpa wasn’t the only reason I was so exhausted.

“So… since when did you know the Fourth Prince?” Hazel lowered her voice suddenly.

“Oh, um… it just happened…”

“Oho.”

I turned my eyes away awkwardly.

Because earlier, right after lunch, the Fourth Prince had visited me.

“Hello, Rubian.”

“Licht?”

He had come with a mountain of get-well gifts.

“You’re a girl after all, huh? Lady Camelran and Lady Olson were so shocked.”

“Ah… yeah. Things got… complicated. But… you weren’t surprised?”

“…Of course I was.”

“Sorry. For hiding it.”

But Licht shook his head.

“And the others?”

“After the kidnapping, Count Olson returned early to his territory… and Lady Camelran is still unwell.”

“What? Titi…”

I resolved to send Titi a gift and letter like Licht had.

“You okay? You’re still coughing.”

“Mm, just my throat hurts. I’m fine otherwise. But you don’t look well. You’re not sick, are you?”

“Ah… I just haven’t been sleeping. Too much on my mind.”

“What are you worrying about?”

Licht stared at me for a while, then smiled faintly.

“Because of the Verdant Festival. Things are a mess, and Father is worried. Some nobles even left, like Count Olson. I’m thinking what I can do.”

“Ha, Licht. If you keep living like this…”

You’ll end up nothing but Crown Prince…

I swallowed my words. Seriously, worrying about national events right after being kidnapped?

I thought for a moment, then added:

“Well, maybe… add more prizes? That always livens things up.”

“Prizes?”

“Yeah. Nothing boosts the mood of a failed event like prizes.”

“Hm…”

Licht thought deeply, then rushed off as if inspired. That had just been a little while ago.

He really lives so earnestly.

Remembering, I smiled softly and pulled the blanket over myself.

“Nap time.”

“You’re such a good girl,” Hazel said.

After all, children with colds needed proper rest.

She closed the window tightly, straightened my blanket, and left.

“Please, let me remember the next part of the original story in my dream!”

I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed. But I didn’t have much hope.

“Please, at least give me a hint of the truth to come… Huh?”

At that moment, a thought flashed like lightning.

Wait. The Verdant Festival… the prizes… and Licht.

A theory lit up in my head like a bulb.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t they say the herbology professor visited the palace?’

Could it be that he brought that?

I kicked off the blanket, scribbled a quick note, summoned Khalid through the squirrel, and finished my errand before falling sound asleep.

“Young lady, wake up.”

“Mmm…”

“You’ve slept enough, or you won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

I blinked my eyes open. Thanks to the medicine, I had slept deeply.

Stretching wide, I yawned loudly—then Hazel handed me something.

“And this letter just arrived.”

“A letter?”

“From… Lady Asha Druccan.”

“Gasp.”

So fast!

I quickly snatched the letter from Hazel’s hands.

“You two must be close. Why not invite her to the mansion sometime?”

“Asha’s a magician… is that okay?”

Hazel laughed like I’d said something silly.

“She’s the one who saved you. Of course the Duke will allow it.”

Maybe she was right…

Hazel reminded me to get ready for dinner.

“Hazel, before dinner… can I have just one apple jelly?”

“Hmm, snacks before meals aren’t good…”

Cough, cough.

“…I’ll bring a little!”

Watching Hazel dash away, I lowered my hand from my lips and turned back to the letter.

It looked like a normal greeting—but when I poured a little magic into it, hidden writing appeared.

Hello, Rubian. I’m being exploited for labor at the Verdant Festival in Vamilon.

What? Was this an SOS? For a second I almost reported it.

But then came the next line:

Anyway, I just got new info… His Majesty the Emperor is adding a royal treasure as a prize for the Festival’s competition. It was supposed to be for the adults’ martial contest, but after the kidnapping incident, they decided to cheer up the children instead.

Oh! So the Emperor really had accepted Licht’s suggestion.

I hurried to read on.

And, just as you said, that ‘herb’ exists. The academy’s herbology professor presented it to the palace. How did you know?

My grip on the letter tightened, the paper rustling.

Maybe this is how I’ll recall the original story.

The magician who killed my father—the clue to their identity!

My eyes shone brightly.

So, Rubian, if you want that prize, you have to win first place in the Festival’s competition. I’d love to rig the match for you, but sadly that’s beyond me…

The postscript went on and on like a long complaint. I gave up halfway through.

“Alright. I was planning to enter anyway…”

I folded the letter with resolve.

But now, half-joking had turned into a real reason to win first place.

To do that…

I bit my lip hard.

Just then, Hazel burst through the door.

“Young lady, you must be hungry! Here’s your jelly!”

“Sorry, Hazel. I don’t need apple jelly anymore.”

“Huh? Then what do you need?”

I clenched my fists with determination.

“What I need now… is a strategy to win the Festival!”

That was all that mattered!