Translator: Nox

Chapter: 3

Chapter Title: The Dangerous Wizard and a Bold Lie

‘Where am I?’

The space was completely white—ceiling, walls, floor. There were no windows or doors.

“You’ve been through a rough ordeal. I’m glad you’re not hurt.”

The boy approached and untied the ropes binding me.

Now free, I cautiously stepped back and looked at him.

Snow-white, neat hair. Eyes black as night. A doll-like, perfectly sculpted face. A white robe embroidered with silver thread. Black cross earrings dangling from his ears.

There was only one person described like this in the original novel.

‘Though he definitely wasn’t this much of a kid in the book.’

Sensing my gaze, the boy gave a sly, fox-like smile.

“Do you like my face that much?”

I reflexively denied it.

“No, I’m just wondering who you are.”

“I see. Then let me formally introduce myself.”

The boy knelt on one knee before me, hand over his chest, and said respectfully,

“It’s an honor to meet you, Princess. I am Zion, the Mage Who Chases Stars.”

Zion the Mage.

An ally of the protagonist—but secretly a schemer through and through. Smiles while stabbing people in the back. A dangerous man.

‘…I’m doomed.’

Of all people, I got saved by the one I wanted to avoid most.

“Princess?”

Zion tilted his head at my sour reaction. Meeting his pitch-black eyes sent a chill down my spine.

“This is my first time seeing a mage. It’s so amazing!”

Realizing my mistake, I quickly feigned innocence. Zion chuckled.

“I’m glad. So you’ve accepted that you’re the princess.”

“…What?”

“Princess Ella, I’ve come to escort you to a safe place.”

The biggest liar in the original story said sweetly.

Alarm bells rang in my head. I took another step back.

“Did you just say I’m a princess?”

“Yes. You are the Empire’s one and only princess.”

What kind of scam is he trying to pull?

“If I were the imperial princess, I’d be a vampire. But I’m just a normal human.”

“No. You’re a dhampir.”

Dhampir. That word had always been next to my name.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked,

“What’s a dhampir?”

“A half-blood. Born of a vampire and a human. Inherits the blood of vampires but cannot use their powers—a half-being.”

My eyes widened in shock.

“I’m… a vampire?”

“Half, yes.”

Half or not, being a vampire was the problem. In the original, every single vampire… died.

‘Wait—why am I believing this so easily? What if Zion is just lying to me?’

Trying to gather my thoughts, I noticed Spam had updated my status.

[Name: Ella (Half-Vampire)]
Title: Hidden Princess of the Empire

At that moment, a bell seemed to ring in my ears.

‘I’m… a walking death flag?’

I had tried to live thankfully even as a miserable orphan, but not even that was real?

“Princess, you are in grave danger.”

“Yeah, I just found that out too.”

I replied blankly, drained of energy. Zion frowned slightly.

“You don’t understand. Vampires find dhampirs to be extremely enticing prey. Let your guard down and you might die.”

“What? But I’m half-blood!”

Zion replied flatly,

“Vampires don’t see half-bloods as kin. To them, you’re livestock.”

“…Livestock.”

“And since you carry royal blood, you’ll be the top target.”

So I’d reincarnated as the equivalent of premium Wagyu beef. I nodded solemnly.

“So what now?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, why are you telling me all this? What’s your angle?”

Whether I die one way or another didn’t really matter—especially since I knew vampires would be wiped out in the end.

“Princess, take my hand.”

Zion said gently.

“All you have to do is entrust everything to me. I’ll take you somewhere no one can harm you.”

If I were a regular 8-year-old, I would’ve said yes right away. But I was a reincarnator who knew the plot.

“Thanks, but I’ll pass.”

“…Why?”

“No matter where I hide, it’s useless.”

In the original, the protagonist kills the Emperor and destroys the source of vampires.

That wipes out all vampires and their followers. No matter where I hide, I’ll die.

“I don’t understand.”

“You don’t need to. I wasn’t trying to make you understand.”

I stared at my worn-out shoes.

I didn’t live this hard just to die like this. I believed if I endured, a good day would come.

But then my aunt betrayed me, I almost got eaten by wolves, I met the most dangerous character in the story, and now I learn I’ll get drained to death.

And to top it off, I find out I’ll die anyway because of the protagonist’s revenge.

‘The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Why should a model child like me die in someone else’s revenge story?’

As my rage bubbled over, I made a decision.

‘Screw it. Forget the plot—I’ll tear it all down.’

Even if I had to break both the protagonist’s legs, I’d stop him from getting his revenge.

Just then, a white hand reached out to me.

“Princess, it’s still not too late. Take my hand. It’s your best path.”

“…No, I just thought of something better.”

I grabbed Zion’s hand with both of mine.

If I wanted to survive, I’d even borrow a cat’s paw. And Zion was definitely a capable asset.

I just had to watch my back.

“Zion, I’m going to become the true princess that everyone acknowledges. Will you help me?”

“…What?”

A crack formed on Zion’s previously calm expression.

The reason I wanted to become the Empire’s princess was simple:

‘The protagonist is the Empire’s slave!’

He’s imprisoned in the royal palace’s underground for life. If I wanted to meet him, I had to become a real princess.

But Zion didn’t know my grand plan and responded coldly.

“Princess, are you out of your mind?”

“I used to be sane, but someone kept scaring me, so who knows?”

“You’re a half-blood with no backing. They’ll laugh you off.”

“I know. But I still have to try.”

If I do nothing, I’ll just die.

Zion stared at me, then pulled his hand free.

“There’s no choice. I’ll have to confine you until you come to your senses.”

At the same time, Spam popped up.

[Web Message]
Convince the Angry Mage
Ultimate Aegyo Attack °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°
-Reward: EXP 100
-Failure: Imprisonment

Imprisonment?!

Why is *he* angry? Shouldn’t *I* be the mad one here?

Ultimate Aegyo Attack °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

‘Aegyo, seriously?!’

I pushed Spam aside and glared at Zion.

“Zion, me becoming the princess is in *your* best interest too.”

“…What do you mean?”

I didn’t want to go this far, but I had no choice.

With all my might, I shouted,

“Actually, I’m a prophet!”

My voice echoed through the white space.

“In the future I saw, all the vampires die. And the one who screws it all up… is you!”

“…”

“In other words, you’re the failure of the Mage Tower! The shame of your mentor! The disgrace of your peers! I’m trying to stop that!”

[Web Message]
Congratulations!
You gained 100 EXP.
Where was the aegyo? _(:0」∠)_

‘Did… did it work?’

I glanced at Zion.

But he was staring at me with icy eyes.

“Princess, a prophesied future cannot be changed. A prophet claiming to change the future is clearly a fake.”

…He saw right through me?!

As I panicked, Zion gave a cold smile.

“Then tell me—how did you know I’m from the Mage Tower?”