“What did you just say…?”
Naran blinked his big eyes slowly, and shook her head slightly.
It seems that only then did he realize what he had just said.
He said coldly:
“Enough, now go back to your room. I just said unnecessary nonsense.”
I replied:
"Let me just say one word. Naran, you…"
He interrupted me sharply:
“I told you to go.”
His words came out in an icy tone, his crimson eyes staring at me sternly.
But I didn't back down.
I caught my breath, then opened my mouth in a deep, serious voice:
“If you consider yourself trash...then I am nuclear waste.”
Naran's features became confused, and he furrowed his eyebrows:
"What? What does this mean?"
I smiled lightly:
“I mean, if you're trash, I'm a hundred times worse than you.
“I have seen films in which things were shown to be dirtier than what I saw in that workshop of yours.”
Naran kept looking at me with confused eyes, as if he did not understand what I was saying.
“Do you now confess to me that you have committed sins?”
He asked seriously.
I replied:
“If submitting to desires is a sin, then perhaps yes.”
He shook his head angrily:
“I don't understand a word you're saying.”
'Maybe I'm talking too much about myself.'
I thought, then smiled apologetically:
“Never mind all that. The important thing is one thing: you are not trash, Naran.”
He sighed sarcastic:
“Huh... and you, who know nothing about me, are you certain about this?”
I said lightly:
“Well, consider yourself trash then. And I will remain nuclear waste.”
He laughed lightly, not without sarcasm:
“Really…?”
I nodded:
“Yes, the important thing is for you to understand that you are not the worst. There is someone who is inferior to you.”
He was silent and did not respond.
I smiled while turning my back:
“Then... I ask permission.”
I left him behind and left quietly.
In fact, I was hoping he would yell at me, “I'm not trash!” But he did not, and I found myself led to admit that I was nuclear waste.
However…
'The strange thing is that it doesn't bother me.'
I was returning to my room with light steps, thinking:
'I have to arrive before the servants notice my absence.'
❖ ❖ ❖
After I left, Naran's hand that was quietly wiping the tools stopped.
My words came back to mind, “Naran, you are not the worst.”
'Empty bravado...!'
So he convinced himself.
She knows nothing about me, and it is clear that she has a hidden purpose. Perhaps she is even making fun of me in her secret.
However...why?
Why do I feel like I want to believe her even if she's lying?
‘Could it be that she… likes me? No, impossible. 'This is crazy!'
He began wiping the tools violently, trying to expel that thought.
No human being in this world would love someone like me. It is impossible...and yet...
'I want to hear it again...'
Yes, I wanted to hear those words again.
From that strange saint with silver hair and a bright smile.
'Does it really have no purpose?'
Naran conjured her smiling face.
It did not resemble the features of liars, but rather it looked like a pure smile of a person who had never lied.
"Yes…"
He finally mumbled.
Only now I realize why.
'She is too kind...so naive that even towards her captors she shows benevolence.'
A sarcastic smile widened on his lips:
“What an idiot.”
But a new idea came to his mind:
'Maybe it will be useful one day. I'd better treat her a little better.'
Yes, this may work to his advantage.
The daughter of the Eliheim family, the one who had the ability to heal, might become a trump card on his side.
Then he seriously asked:
‘But… with that much kindness, how will you survive in this palace?’
His features changed to worry without him realizing it.
The image of Lizzie in his mind began to gradually transform into an innocent angel who did not understand anything of the cruelty of life.
“Huh… How are you going to survive in this cruel world?”
He whispered unconsciously, while the illusion of her smile loomed before him.
In the end he made his decision:
“Then… it is enough for me to break the bones and flesh of anyone who dares to approach Lizzie.”
He started humming cheerfully as he continued cleaning his tools, muttering to himself that he was only doing this for future benefit and nothing more.
❖ ❖ ❖
When I returned to my room and walked up the stairs, everything was exactly as I left it.
I sighed, it wasn't time to eat yet.
'good. 'I'll act like I never got out of here.'
I lay quietly on the bed.
After a while, I heard footsteps behind the door.
The door opened, and a maid entered carrying a tray of food.
It was the same red-haired maid I had seen in the kitchen before.
She said sarcastically as she stared at me:
“You must be very happy, right?”
She sat up slowly, and she continued her words bitterly:
“Some people work so hard that their bones are broken to earn a living...while you are fed and given shelter for free as if you were a spoiled princess. I wish I knew what a life like this tastes like from birth.”
She placed the tray in front of me roughly, then gave me a challenging look.
As for me, I just stared at her silently.
And honestly…
'She is somewhat right!'
I thought to myself.
It is true that I am a hostage here, but I live comfortably without work, and eat free food.
No wonder I seemed irritating to her.
It is true that I have not lived this comfortably all my life, but that maid certainly does not know this.
so what?
'The venerable princess...?'
Well, so be it! I will enjoy the title while I can.
Isn't everything in this world an opportunity, and whoever does not seize it is lost forever?
I gave the maid a nice smile.
All she could do was furrow her brow in astonishment.
I said lightly:
“That's right, I'm of high status.”
She said in amazement:
“W-what did you say?”
She continued in an innocent tone:
“Then this high-ranking lady had previously asked for some sweets to be served with her food...don’t you remember?”
She stared at me in amazement, as if she had lost the ability to speak.
She was trembling with anger.
Then she followed with a bright smile:
“It's okay, maybe you forgot. From now on, you can always remember. Excellent! You will never forget after today.”
I clapped my hands excitedly, but she suddenly rushed in and grabbed my collar.
She shouted angrily:
“Are you so bored with your life that you challenge me like this-!”
“Oh?”
I opened my eyes in amazement:
“Do you really intend to kill me? That would be unwise.”
“H-this.”
She stuttered, and only broken words came out.
I said innocently:
“Didn’t Naran himself say that your life alone is not enough price?”
Her face turned red with anger, and she looked like she was going to kill me right away.
“Or perhaps you have two lives?”
I asked her with a slight smile.
I gasped:
“...You...”
I continued quietly, looking at her with the compassionate eyes of a saint:
“I'm just worried about you. Believe me...it's all for you.”
After staring at me for a while with almost murderous eyes, she finally released her grip on the collar of my dress.
Her dark gaze was still fixed on me, while she twisted the side of her lips as if biting her anger.
“…How dare I insult the position of Miss High Saint?
“…….”
“Take care of yourself, miss. “Cain is not like Alheim… it is a lonely place.”
I nodded smiling:
“I know.”
'That's why I love her more.'
She looked at me for a long moment, then muttered:
“You know? And you haven't seen anything yet.”
She turned and left the room, leaving me alone.
I kept staring at the closed door, then sighed:
“Oh my God, I almost had indigestion.”
Then I sat down to eat seriously.
It is true that I was not comfortable, but hunger was irresistible.
As I grabbed a piece of bread, I remembered the fiery looks in her eyes.
'Ah... I wish things would go smoothly.'
I will have to see that maid at least three times a day for three months.
Maybe I should have gone along with it a little instead.
But whatever it was, as soon as I finished eating and lay down on the bed, my eyelids began to get heavy.
No doubt it was because I woke up very early to meet Naran.
'There's no need to rush, let it be a short nap...'
I am after all the venerable princess, aren't I?
The princess has the right to sleep whenever she wants.
❖ ❖ ❖
Sylvia left Lizzie's room panting in anger.
It was not her habit for anyone to provoke her to this extent.
“I'm worried about you… for you.”
Lizzie's words came back to mind, and her teeth trembled with anger.
'Trifle!'
How dare that ignorant girl, who knew nothing about the Dark World, confront me like this?
Killing her only costs me a moment.
But...if I did, my head wouldn't really survive.
I may have lost more than my life.
Sylvia gritted her teeth violently.
'There must be another way...'
Suddenly, a cold smile appeared on her lips.
If I can't break her body, I will break her soul.
From the beginning, Lizzy Alheim didn't meet her eyes.
From her appearance alone, she seemed spoiled and had never known misery, with an innocent face that deceived people with its innocence.
But Sylvia knows well...those who hide behind the mask of holiness, while their hearts are rife with hypocrisy.
She had known this type since her childhood, and lived among them until she hated them.
When she returned to the kitchen, she gathered the servants around her.
She smiled mischievously and said:
“Aren’t you bored these days?”
One of them replied in surprise:
“What do you mean, Sylvia?”
She said with shining eyes:
“Don’t you know? A new girl has joined us in this palace. Shouldn’t we throw her a… special welcome party?”
Sinister smiles began to appear on the faces of the servants one by one.
“Fun idea!”
“And the master will hold us to nothing for it.”
“I wonder, will you tolerate the Saint of the Aliheim Family?”
Muffled laughter rose, while Sylvia raised her eyebrows maliciously:
“Whoever enters Cayenne...must adapt to Cayenne games.”
'Just wait, miss.'
Soon I will have you crawling on the floor with tears in your eyes.
❖ ❖ ❖
Meanwhile, Arkle Cain was riding his horse without stopping, rushing back towards the palace.
Lizzie Alheim…
Will you be okay?
His sister had brought her here by force, and said that she had a strange power... just a touch of her hand erased the pain.
At first he didn't believe this nonsense, and thought it would be best to return it before it brought them trouble.
But now… His brow was furrowed, and his face showed intense suffering.
His beautiful eyes, as if radiating with flames, were immersed in torment.
Why now especially...?
His entire body burned with heat from the “store of magic” surging through his veins.
He could not even complete his work, and had to change his route and return quickly.
He returns to the palace, to where Lizzy Alheim is.
He laughed sarcastically between his shaky breaths.
He mocked her at first, but now he was the first to cling to her presence.
The image of Lizzie reappeared in his mind.
A hot face, intermittent breathing, and red cheeks.
He muttered in a hoarse voice:
“...Live.”
Stay alive until I arrive.
~
Translated by Len Sanada 💕