“And why are you laughing like a child? Are you sick?”
'You really do speak ill of me. You damn bastard.'
After I came down the stairs, I stood next to him, puckering my lips at him.
“Just. I was just thinking that maybe you were really my brother, and I just laughed out loud.”
That can't be happening.
But then Barden suddenly touched my forehead.
He muttered to me, who was staring at me with wide eyes in surprise, "You don't have a fever."
"Why are you talking nonsense? Then you're my brother, right? How could someone else be my brother? I was a little embarrassed, but it's my karma, so there's nothing I can do about it."
Barden smiled charmingly and held out his hand.
“Let’s go. I will escort you to the palace.”
"... Yes."
Weird.
Just like my memory, the image of young Barden spreads out before my eyes.
I see a chubby, much cuter young Barden looking at me as I lie down.
- She's my little sister! She looks just like me! She's cute!
What is this memory...?
The image of young Barden, who had been smiling brightly at me, gradually disappeared like waves.
'Oh my god.'
I can't be sure, but after drinking the Thiels magic stone that Rudnine gave me, the process of Yvonne's memories being absorbed into me became very vivid.
Wasn't it simply a cure for magical amnesia?
Really? Could what I just assumed be true? Really?
'For that assumption to be valid, something tremendous must have happened. Something...'
As I rode in the carriage with Barden to the palace, I continued to be deeply troubled.
“Hey, Yvonne.”
But then, Barden, who was sitting across from me, called out to me in a crooked manner with his arms crossed.
"Why?"
“The material you sold me.”
“...Selling it? It’s a gift. Hahaha.”
I laughed, holding the defensive artifact and fan I had brought.
I was already a little concerned that Liana had been receiving too much money from Barden.
You're not going to be like that now, are you? No, I can't give it to you, I have no intention of giving it back!
As if my expression showed what I was thinking, Barden sighed with a frown.
“It’s not because of the money you took from your secretary back then, so don’t laugh so bitterly.”
“Oh my, you too, Uncle. You’re so gross. Hehe.”
I put the debt down again and smiled as usual.
Barden stared at me silently, then opened his mouth.
"Yes, that's fine. Now I'll admit you're much smarter than I am. So you don't have to pass on the data to me like that."
“What are you talking about?”
"Yvonne Argenthoz. Be honest. You knew all along, didn't you? The strange signs of monsters appearing across the continent. And you were secretly giving me hints along the way."
I opened my eyes wide, raised my voice, and asked again.
“Wow. You’re a good actor, too.”
Barden seemed to have no faith in my knowing nothing.
But even while grumbling, he explained the current situation in detail in a very concise manner.
So, I had previously presented the 'Timeline' and 'Map at a Glance' of the monsters' appearances to Barden as symbols of my affection and faith.
No, I gave him a gift and got some pocket money.
Well, anyway, I just gave the data to Barden, the assistant professor of magic at the academy, to use for research or to write papers.
However...
"I'm not as stupid as you think. My offensive magic and artifact-making magic skills may be lacking, but I'm quite competent when it comes to magical statistics and research."
Barden glared at me, his face puffing.
“Oh, yeah, yeah. So?”
I roughly nodded and urged him on.
As a result of his persistent investigation, the capable Professor Barden uncovered a serious situation.
That is, the black magicians who disappeared hundreds of years ago and whose practice was taboo in the empire have recently been deliberately controlling and awakening monsters.
If I hadn't noticed it now, the empire and the continent would have been engulfed in bloodshed from the war with the monsters.
I got goosebumps.
'What?'
That was why monsters I had never seen before appeared so often recently.
The guy continued to speak with a serious expression.
"Of course, Father knows. It's a state secret. However, we've also uncovered several circumstances surrounding families that seem to be connected to those warlocks. That's why we're keeping quiet and secretly developing a defense plan."
“Oh, I see.”
I was so flustered that I even stuttered.
Oh my god.
Was there such a difficult situation in the original? When Yvonne finally quits the mastermind, the group of black magicians ultimately volunteers to take over.
Well, anyway, wouldn't that mastermind be easily defeated if the main characters, Adrian and Cordelia, joined forces?
'No, wait a minute. Just wait.'
I was blaming the main characters for smiling brightly, completely unaware of this fact, when I thought of the black magician who was manipulating this enormous incident.
First of all, the black magician I know.
We'll just have to track down Lady Alentia and the creators of the Well of the Sun. And so on.
Could it be that Empress Giselle is there too...?
This is crazy. Isn't this going to get too big?
'Ugh! That can't be! Tell me, Empress Giselle isn't a warlock!'
Barden noticed my complexion change, as I struggled to hide my expressions, and narrowed his eyes and twisted his lips.
"As expected, you knew everything. I'll believe you now. I'll tell Father that you've definitely matured and changed. Become the strength of the Argenthorz family."
"What! Not even if you become my colleague."
I had a gut feeling that this was going to be a tedious task. I avoided Barden's persistent gaze and smiled awkwardly.
"Hahaha. How could I be of any help? I'm still young, and I want to reflect on myself. And I want to live quietly."
"I said I won't doubt you anymore. And I'll admit that you're smarter than me and your magical abilities are far superior!"
Barden screamed, his face flushed red as if his pride had been hurt by what he had said.
Oh my, my ears are going to fall off.
My hearing is pretty good.
When I covered my ears with my hands and made a face, showing that my ears hurt, the guy coughed in embarrassment.
“Ahem. Well... Yes, let’s just get through today’s birthday party without incident and then head back.”
“Um. Yes, thank you.”
"What."
Barden glanced at the palace he had reached without realizing it and spoke in his characteristically indifferent tone.
"You've decided to go as the Third Prince's partner today. I agree. Father and I have already decided to be on your side. So, do as you wish. The decision has already been made."
“...What are you deciding?”
I felt a sense of awkwardness at Barden's tone, which emphasized the word 'decided', so I asked back, but Barden only smiled faintly and did not give me a proper answer.
"You've been so uncharacteristically quiet all this time. Act as you please. I'll be on your side. What can I do? We came out of our dead mother's womb together. I, your brother, will help you, Yvonne."
"...Ha ha ha."
“Don’t laugh.”
"Ha ha ha."
“Oh my. I tell you not to laugh, but you keep laughing.”
Even though Barden, who was embarrassed after saying it himself, told me not to laugh, I couldn't help but continue laughing.
A smile comes out of my mouth.
I have a family right here in front of me who tells me they are on my side.
It was so reassuring, such a feeling I'd never felt before. The words of Duke Argenthoz I'd heard yesterday came to mind, and my eyes reddened.
'This.'
I didn't want to shed tears in front of Barden, and I didn't want to ruin the makeup the maids had worked so hard to put on while arguing with each other, so I barely held back my tears.
And I made up my mind.
To that end, I reflected on what absolutely had to be done in the Empress's palace today.
Find evidence of the manufacture of the Fountain of the Sun.
We also need to catch the tail that the black magician is involved in.
And... it would be even better if we could find evidence that Yvonne was seriously injured here the year before last.
'Can I do all this?'
I felt overwhelmed by the number of tasks, but I had to do them no matter what.
Because the opportunity to enter the Empress's palace is rare.
'The main gate of the palace.'
I gulped as I rode in a carriage through the grand arched main gate of the palace and down the main road to the Palace of Peace.
I'm starting to feel a sharp thirst from the tension as I think about how much work I have to do.
'Ah...'
As I entered the Verbent Palace, which I had only seen from afar, in the Argenthoz Mansion or the Nasiel District, memories of my previous visits to the palace began to slowly come back to me.
From childhood to growing up.
I've been invited to New Year's parties, National Foundation Day, and various other events.
Fragments, some clear and some blurry, were pieced together, but none of the information was deemed particularly important.
Yvonne's attention was focused solely on one person, Crown Prince Adrian, and she kept looking at him.
I was amazed.
'I told you, she's secretly innocent. In terms of magic and love.'
As Yvonne's stubborn side was being packaged as pure love, the carriage slowly slowed down.
“They’re all here.”
Barden, who had taken off his white gloves and put them back on, got out of the carriage first and extended his hand to me.
I took a deep breath, gripped the fan tightly, and held onto the hem of my burdensome golden skirt.
And then I bent down and took the hand of Barden, who was waiting for me, and got out of the carriage.
'Hmm.'
I was very surprised to see so many people gathered outside the banquet hall, not inside, but I managed to keep it a secret.
“Princess Argenthoz has finally arrived.”
“The Little Duke brought you here himself. This is the first time something like this has happened...”
“This is a dress bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress Giselle... Well, it suits her quite well.”
“Oh my. Was the Princess originally that pretty?”
Listening to the murmuring, I realized they must have been waiting here to see me.
Oh my goodness. I feel like a pretty famous socialite.
'Oh my.'
I looked around at them with a cold smile on my face, not entirely friendly.
Well, Yvonne was famous to begin with, but I didn't know she would become famous like this.
The attitude of the nobles who used to tremble and run away in fear of being harmed if they even made eye contact with me changed strangely.
Although they hesitated and were hesitant to approach, they did not run away.
Rather, they were looking for an opportunity to talk.
'What the heck? This is incredible.'
Are you foolishly believing the ridiculous rumor that I will become the Crown Princess just because I wore the dress that Empress Giselle gave me?
'Have you ever seen such light-hearted people?'
I snorted, unfolded my fan, covered half my face, and whispered to Barden.
'You really do speak ill of me. You damn bastard.'
After I came down the stairs, I stood next to him, puckering my lips at him.
“Just. I was just thinking that maybe you were really my brother, and I just laughed out loud.”
That can't be happening.
But then Barden suddenly touched my forehead.
He muttered to me, who was staring at me with wide eyes in surprise, "You don't have a fever."
"Why are you talking nonsense? Then you're my brother, right? How could someone else be my brother? I was a little embarrassed, but it's my karma, so there's nothing I can do about it."
Barden smiled charmingly and held out his hand.
“Let’s go. I will escort you to the palace.”
"... Yes."
Weird.
Just like my memory, the image of young Barden spreads out before my eyes.
I see a chubby, much cuter young Barden looking at me as I lie down.
- She's my little sister! She looks just like me! She's cute!
What is this memory...?
The image of young Barden, who had been smiling brightly at me, gradually disappeared like waves.
'Oh my god.'
I can't be sure, but after drinking the Thiels magic stone that Rudnine gave me, the process of Yvonne's memories being absorbed into me became very vivid.
Wasn't it simply a cure for magical amnesia?
Really? Could what I just assumed be true? Really?
'For that assumption to be valid, something tremendous must have happened. Something...'
As I rode in the carriage with Barden to the palace, I continued to be deeply troubled.
“Hey, Yvonne.”
But then, Barden, who was sitting across from me, called out to me in a crooked manner with his arms crossed.
"Why?"
“The material you sold me.”
“...Selling it? It’s a gift. Hahaha.”
I laughed, holding the defensive artifact and fan I had brought.
I was already a little concerned that Liana had been receiving too much money from Barden.
You're not going to be like that now, are you? No, I can't give it to you, I have no intention of giving it back!
As if my expression showed what I was thinking, Barden sighed with a frown.
“It’s not because of the money you took from your secretary back then, so don’t laugh so bitterly.”
“Oh my, you too, Uncle. You’re so gross. Hehe.”
I put the debt down again and smiled as usual.
Barden stared at me silently, then opened his mouth.
"Yes, that's fine. Now I'll admit you're much smarter than I am. So you don't have to pass on the data to me like that."
“What are you talking about?”
"Yvonne Argenthoz. Be honest. You knew all along, didn't you? The strange signs of monsters appearing across the continent. And you were secretly giving me hints along the way."
“Huh? Premonitions?!”
“Wow. You’re a good actor, too.”
Barden seemed to have no faith in my knowing nothing.
But even while grumbling, he explained the current situation in detail in a very concise manner.
So, I had previously presented the 'Timeline' and 'Map at a Glance' of the monsters' appearances to Barden as symbols of my affection and faith.
No, I gave him a gift and got some pocket money.
Well, anyway, I just gave the data to Barden, the assistant professor of magic at the academy, to use for research or to write papers.
However...
"I'm not as stupid as you think. My offensive magic and artifact-making magic skills may be lacking, but I'm quite competent when it comes to magical statistics and research."
Barden glared at me, his face puffing.
“Oh, yeah, yeah. So?”
I roughly nodded and urged him on.
As a result of his persistent investigation, the capable Professor Barden uncovered a serious situation.
That is, the black magicians who disappeared hundreds of years ago and whose practice was taboo in the empire have recently been deliberately controlling and awakening monsters.
If I hadn't noticed it now, the empire and the continent would have been engulfed in bloodshed from the war with the monsters.
I got goosebumps.
'What?'
That was why monsters I had never seen before appeared so often recently.
The guy continued to speak with a serious expression.
"Of course, Father knows. It's a state secret. However, we've also uncovered several circumstances surrounding families that seem to be connected to those warlocks. That's why we're keeping quiet and secretly developing a defense plan."
“Oh, I see.”
I was so flustered that I even stuttered.
Oh my god.
Was there such a difficult situation in the original? When Yvonne finally quits the mastermind, the group of black magicians ultimately volunteers to take over.
Well, anyway, wouldn't that mastermind be easily defeated if the main characters, Adrian and Cordelia, joined forces?
'No, wait a minute. Just wait.'
I was blaming the main characters for smiling brightly, completely unaware of this fact, when I thought of the black magician who was manipulating this enormous incident.
First of all, the black magician I know.
We'll just have to track down Lady Alentia and the creators of the Well of the Sun. And so on.
Could it be that Empress Giselle is there too...?
This is crazy. Isn't this going to get too big?
'Ugh! That can't be! Tell me, Empress Giselle isn't a warlock!'
Barden noticed my complexion change, as I struggled to hide my expressions, and narrowed his eyes and twisted his lips.
"As expected, you knew everything. I'll believe you now. I'll tell Father that you've definitely matured and changed. Become the strength of the Argenthorz family."
"What! Not even if you become my colleague."
I had a gut feeling that this was going to be a tedious task. I avoided Barden's persistent gaze and smiled awkwardly.
"Hahaha. How could I be of any help? I'm still young, and I want to reflect on myself. And I want to live quietly."
"I said I won't doubt you anymore. And I'll admit that you're smarter than me and your magical abilities are far superior!"
Barden screamed, his face flushed red as if his pride had been hurt by what he had said.
Oh my, my ears are going to fall off.
My hearing is pretty good.
When I covered my ears with my hands and made a face, showing that my ears hurt, the guy coughed in embarrassment.
“Ahem. Well... Yes, let’s just get through today’s birthday party without incident and then head back.”
“Um. Yes, thank you.”
"What."
Barden glanced at the palace he had reached without realizing it and spoke in his characteristically indifferent tone.
"You've decided to go as the Third Prince's partner today. I agree. Father and I have already decided to be on your side. So, do as you wish. The decision has already been made."
“...What are you deciding?”
I felt a sense of awkwardness at Barden's tone, which emphasized the word 'decided', so I asked back, but Barden only smiled faintly and did not give me a proper answer.
"You've been so uncharacteristically quiet all this time. Act as you please. I'll be on your side. What can I do? We came out of our dead mother's womb together. I, your brother, will help you, Yvonne."
"...Ha ha ha."
“Don’t laugh.”
"Ha ha ha."
“Oh my. I tell you not to laugh, but you keep laughing.”
Even though Barden, who was embarrassed after saying it himself, told me not to laugh, I couldn't help but continue laughing.
A smile comes out of my mouth.
I have a family right here in front of me who tells me they are on my side.
It was so reassuring, such a feeling I'd never felt before. The words of Duke Argenthoz I'd heard yesterday came to mind, and my eyes reddened.
'This.'
I didn't want to shed tears in front of Barden, and I didn't want to ruin the makeup the maids had worked so hard to put on while arguing with each other, so I barely held back my tears.
And I made up my mind.
To that end, I reflected on what absolutely had to be done in the Empress's palace today.
Find evidence of the manufacture of the Fountain of the Sun.
We also need to catch the tail that the black magician is involved in.
And... it would be even better if we could find evidence that Yvonne was seriously injured here the year before last.
'Can I do all this?'
I felt overwhelmed by the number of tasks, but I had to do them no matter what.
Because the opportunity to enter the Empress's palace is rare.
'The main gate of the palace.'
I gulped as I rode in a carriage through the grand arched main gate of the palace and down the main road to the Palace of Peace.
I'm starting to feel a sharp thirst from the tension as I think about how much work I have to do.
'Ah...'
As I entered the Verbent Palace, which I had only seen from afar, in the Argenthoz Mansion or the Nasiel District, memories of my previous visits to the palace began to slowly come back to me.
From childhood to growing up.
I've been invited to New Year's parties, National Foundation Day, and various other events.
Fragments, some clear and some blurry, were pieced together, but none of the information was deemed particularly important.
Yvonne's attention was focused solely on one person, Crown Prince Adrian, and she kept looking at him.
I was amazed.
'I told you, she's secretly innocent. In terms of magic and love.'
As Yvonne's stubborn side was being packaged as pure love, the carriage slowly slowed down.
“They’re all here.”
Barden, who had taken off his white gloves and put them back on, got out of the carriage first and extended his hand to me.
I took a deep breath, gripped the fan tightly, and held onto the hem of my burdensome golden skirt.
And then I bent down and took the hand of Barden, who was waiting for me, and got out of the carriage.
'Hmm.'
I was very surprised to see so many people gathered outside the banquet hall, not inside, but I managed to keep it a secret.
“Princess Argenthoz has finally arrived.”
“The Little Duke brought you here himself. This is the first time something like this has happened...”
“This is a dress bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress Giselle... Well, it suits her quite well.”
“Oh my. Was the Princess originally that pretty?”
Listening to the murmuring, I realized they must have been waiting here to see me.
Oh my goodness. I feel like a pretty famous socialite.
'Oh my.'
I looked around at them with a cold smile on my face, not entirely friendly.
Well, Yvonne was famous to begin with, but I didn't know she would become famous like this.
The attitude of the nobles who used to tremble and run away in fear of being harmed if they even made eye contact with me changed strangely.
Although they hesitated and were hesitant to approach, they did not run away.
Rather, they were looking for an opportunity to talk.
'What the heck? This is incredible.'
Are you foolishly believing the ridiculous rumor that I will become the Crown Princess just because I wore the dress that Empress Giselle gave me?
'Have you ever seen such light-hearted people?'
I snorted, unfolded my fan, covered half my face, and whispered to Barden.
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