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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: A New Prince
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“A misunderstanding?”
Of course, they took the bait perfectly. The love triangle between me, Ryan, and Reshuan had always been a popular topic in high society.
“Yes, I clarified the rumors that I was still in a one-sided love with His Highness. He accepted it as well.”
It didn't take much to convey my intentions. A calm voice and a quiet, relieved tone.
I had nothing to be ashamed of. I had even told Ryan I would clear up the misunderstanding that had spread among the people.
Whether he accepted it was his choice, and whether I respected that choice was mine.
But one thing did bother me. The way his eyes had flipped the moment he realized my feelings had truly changed.
“‘You really don't love me.’”
*...He was so strange back then.*
He didn't love me, yet he seemed to have never expected my feelings to change.
So, putting more distance between us was the best course of action!
It was better to resolve this before Ryan could change his mind. It was to my advantage to make the first move.
I wasn't close with Reshuan anymore either, so I hoped we wouldn't have to get entangled and blush over Ryan.
“You know how rumors have been circulating that I was jealous of Reshuan. That wasn't the case, and His Highness has finally acknowledged it.”
I blurted out all the sweet nothings Ryan had used to try and persuade me.
“I truly just want the two of them to be happy together now.”
“Then your disappearance…”
Some seemed to think my disappearance was to sort out my feelings and start a new life. I didn't correct them.
It wasn't wrong, was it? It was for a new life, after all.
Requests for more details followed, asking if we had discussed anything else, but I felt relieved, having said all I needed to say.
“His Highness has not yet arrived, so it would be rude of me to say more. This isn't just about me, after all.”
I subtly highlighted the presence of Reshuan and Ryan.
It was my way of telling them to ask Ryan for the rest. I wished they would stop bothering me and just follow him around instead…
At the mention of Ryan, the crowd easily conceded. Everyone knew how much he cherished Reshuan.
“But what is your relationship with Prince Darcy?”
“Exactly. We're seeing him for the first time today, but it seems you two already know each other…”
“I heard you even saw a play together.”
The questions that followed were all about Darcy.
“He's so handsome…”
“He has a sort of decadent charm, different from Prince Ryan, don't you think?”
Those who hadn't even had a proper conversation with Darcy spoke of their fantasies about him. I nodded unconsciously.
Darcy is much more handsome, though.
I realized I was thinking like a doting fool and pressed my lips together.
*...I've got it bad.*
But the talk about his looks didn't last long. Soon, the topic shifted to his sudden appearance and his birth.
“Where did he even come from…”
“That decadent charm doesn't just come from nowhere, does it?”
The words first used to praise his appearance had now become a way to find fault.
The ones speaking out so openly were followers of Ryan.
As if they're so clean themselves.
I swirled the drink in my glass and spoke in an indifferent tone.
“He is someone who has helped me a great deal.”
I had heard from Darcy about the many things he'd done as a mage.
People would gradually learn who the true hero was in the battles recorded as the Emperor's achievements.
However, the stories about his battles with mages were meant to be kept quiet. Darcy himself didn't want to reveal them.
In any case, it was Darcy who had subdued pirates, repelled foreign invasions, and stopped internal conflicts.
“…And to this country as well.”
My hint, along with the rumors that would later spread, would slowly change Darcy's image.
“He is so exceptional in every way that I can't hide my reverence at having him welcomed as a prince.”
Smiling brightly, I made it abundantly clear that I was on Darcy's side.
I know Darcy well, you see? And he's pretty amazing, right?
“If there's anyone who doesn't know this, I could go out of my way to inform them…”
I deliberately trailed off and took a sip of my drink. An air of fear formed around my unfinished sentence.
This was because these people, much like Ryan, couldn't believe I had completely changed.
The Marso before my transmigration was a villainess who knew how to properly wield her power.
Having lived in modern society, I wasn't used to such things, and I had tried to change that image while improving my relationships with the main characters.
But hadn't that all become pointless now?
I may not be able to live like her, but I should at least make proper use of her image.
I clinked glasses with them and continued.
“I also brought a gift to congratulate him on becoming the new prince. Have you moved it?”
I asked the maid who had been assigned to me as I entered the hall. The maid nodded.
“Yes.”
Many gifts had arrived for Darcy. But among them, my gift box was the largest.
Wow, how satisfying. People seemed startled when they realized the biggest box was mine.
“Lady Marso, what gift did you prepare?”
“We're really curious too.”
“Magic stones.”
“…Pardon?”
Everyone asked again, as if they had misheard me.
“You heard correctly. I gifted him magic stones.”
I could practically hear the gears turning in their heads.
You can receive magic stones as a gift?
Then I want to get in line too!
This is like winning the lottery!
“Lady Marso, about this time—”
“Lady Marso, at our estate—”
The change in their demeanor from before was almost frightening.
“By the way, where is Prince Ryan…”
Speak of the devil. No sooner had the words been spoken than the hall doors opened and Ryan entered.
With murderous eyes, as if he would kill someone, he strode toward Darcy.
I thought he might grab Darcy by the collar, but thankfully, Darcy dodged him first.
A conversation ensued between a fuming Ryan and a relaxed Darcy. A moment later, Ryan shot Darcy a glare before heading toward Reshuan.
Like a pair of cockroaches…
I imagined the public display of affection Reshuan and he would show and kept a stoic face.
*...Huh?*
But Reshuan didn't engage in a long conversation with Ryan as she usually would.
Instead, after a brief exchange, she gave him a vague smile and headed toward her grandfather. Kaysen followed her.
Ryan blinked blankly. He was left utterly lost.
From that scene, I could surmise two things.
First, things between them were not what they used to be.
Second, Ryan hadn't known that until now.
My gaze, which had been on them, met Ryan's.
Ryan, who had flinched, narrowed his eyes. I frowned at the sight.
He opened his mouth and started toward me, as if he wanted to say something more, but he couldn't.
The young ladies who wanted to hear the truth about what I'd said earlier had swarmed him. It was a crowd that not even Ryan could get through.
And then, finally!
Darcy's ceremony to become a prince began.
Holding a ceremony for a prince before one for the crown prince was unprecedented. Everyone knew this. In fact, there was no such thing as a prince's investiture ceremony to begin with.
But no one expressed any complaints about an event orchestrated by Kies.
If Ryan was fine with it, what could they say?
This must have been Darcy's way of imprinting himself on everyone.
I thought his choice was a wise one. Instead of seeking people out one by one, gathering everyone in one place to introduce himself was the perfect method.
Emperor Kies, who had appeared for the occasion, looked even more gaunt.
“The reason I have gathered you all here today… is to celebrate the birth of a new prince.”
The Emperor's face, as he spoke slowly, was no different than usual.
He calmly approached the kneeling Darcy and placed a coronet on his head.
He was so composed, as if everything happening today was proceeding according to his will.
“I have deliberated for a long time, but I came to the conclusion that having a second prince would be beneficial to Ryan's development.”
His words flowed like water, even then.
It was also a way of saying, *I'll make you a prince, but that's as far as you'll go.*
“You are a prince now.”
Kies spoke in a toneless voice before moving away from him. He sat back down on the throne.
There were no further congratulations or welcome.
Over Darcy's shoulder, Kies's ghastly glare, as if he wanted to kill us, was seared into my mind.
Everyone could read the hatred Kies held.
It was as if I could faintly see a malice that would continue until one of them, Kies or Darcy, killed the other.
Slowly rising to his feet, Darcy took the coronet from his head and spun it in his hand.
Then, he turned his back completely to Kies and spoke matter-of-factly.
“Who knows if I'll do more than just help him develop.”
“You…”
“Ah, just talking to myself.”
People gasped as he cut Kies off.
Darcy finally found me in the crowd and grinned. All eyes were drawn to his captivating appearance, enough to bewitch anyone. No one dared to speak carelessly to Darcy.
Darcy opened his mouth.
“Whatever the true intentions may be, I thank everyone who has attended today.”
His eyes curved into crescents.
“I hope you all make a choice you won't regret.”
Darcy declared.
Choose Kies, choose Ryan, or choose him—but choose carefully.
