If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 153

But what had he been babbling about?

 

Ciel thought he had lost his mind for a moment. Perhaps it was because he had been thrown to the crowd as entertainment and had lost too much blood. He had believed that destroying himself was the best way to escape an unbearable disgrace. And foolishly, he had vented that resentment upon the person closest to him. It was cowardly beyond measure. He should never have done that to the princess. Truly, he never should have.

 

“…”

 

With vacant eyes, Ciel remained motionless. At that moment, he looked even more like a corpse than when he had been lying down. Nanaen’s voice, suppressing her emotions with all her strength, dug into his ears.

 

“Part of me doesn’t want to leave you be after making my younger sister cry… but Shushu treasures you far too much…”

 

“…”

 

“Leave quietly. Use your wish right to claim your freedom, and never go near Shushu again. Forever.”

 

At her final words, Ciel reacted. He hurriedly scrambled off the bed and fell to his knees on the floor. “Please tell me. Where did Her Highness go?”

 

“Don’t ask.”

 

“Please, I’m begging you. I have to meet Her Highness. Please tell me where she is now.”

 

“You said you resented her. Do you think I’m crazy enough to tell you Shushu’s whereabouts?”

 

Ciel lowered his head until he was almost prostrating himself. His voice, spilling toward the floor, trembled and cracked. “No. I don’t resent her. Not in the slightest. I swear.”

 

“…”

 

“Please tell me. I have to meet Her Highness. I need to meet her and…” Though he didn’t know what he was supposed to do once they met, it felt like everything would be resolved if he could just see her.

 

Ciel clenched the hand he had placed against the floor. He was holding back the desperate urge to grab Nanaen by the ankles and plead.

 

The room fell silent for a while. Nanaen gazed down at the crown of Ciel’s head with subdued eyes. Then, as if she found something curious, she muttered. “What is this? I heard that once the domination was broken, nine times out of ten they’d try to kill us.” Her voice, sounding as though her mood had softened slightly, contained the phrase the mad emperor had once used to intimidate the princesses.

 

Standing at her side, Kilieon gave a quiet snort. “You believe that? That’s only because he’s the mad emperor.”

 

“Still, we’re the mad emperor’s daughter. Don’t you have at least a little desire to kill me?”

 

“Would an ordinary daughter live while being treated like this? If I were a father, I’d never raise my daughter the way he does. I’d carry her around my back, pampering her.”

 

“Why are you saying that? Did I ask?”

 

“Ah, no, I just meant…”

 

Their idle chatter softened the atmosphere.

 

Ciel looked up at Nanaen with eyes filled with hope. However, like any proper proxy, she remained firm.

 

“I can’t tell you with my own lips.”

 

“Your Highness, please…!”

 

“But I won’t stop you from finding out for yourself.”

 

“…!”

 

On the day of the dowry auction, there had been more than just one or two people at the auction house. Discovering that the family that had won the bid for Shumel was Baron Fabiette’s family was something anyone could do if they set their mind to it. Color and vitality returned to the face of the young knight who had looked like a corpse until now.

 

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

 

Ciel energetically burst out of the room with such vigor that it was hard to believe he had only just gotten up.

 

✦

“I think it’ll probably be okay since Sir Ciel has a gentle nature…” Nanaen said it as if making an excuse, rolling her light-green eyes around. She looked so pretty and adorable that Sasha had absolutely no heart to blame her.

 

“You did well.”

 

And in truth, there was nothing to blame her for.

 

“Huh? Really? I did well?”

 

“Yes. The people involved should resolve things among themselves. Even if we tried to stop Ciel from going, he wouldn’t be stopped. Like you said, it’s information he can easily find out if he tries.”

 

Sasha sat up straighter, feeling at ease. She wasn’t particularly worried. What Regen had told her influenced her feelings as well. That Ciel wouldn’t think about revenge, but would go looking for Shumel. Even if the domination was broken, it didn’t mean everything was over. Perhaps, because the mental suppression mechanism had been released, some things might actually get better instead.

 

“I’d be worried if Shushu had a twisted personality like Sister Lilli, but that child is pure and honest, so she’ll be fine.”

 

There was clearly some kind of magical effect to badmouthing someone behind their back. No sooner had she finished speaking than new guests appeared. It was Orlette and Lilliana.

 

“Sasha, I heard you were sick, so I came to see you.”

 

“Thank you for worrying about me, Sister Lette. I’m much better now.”

 

“You don’t look better at all. I think you should rest for at least another week.”

 

Orlette fussed over Sasha with eyes and a voice entirely devoid of her usual coldness. Beside her, Lilliana remained silent with a sullen expression. To anyone watching, it looked as though Lilliana had been dragged there against her will by Orlette, but the truth was different.

 

Orlette poked Lilliana in the side with her elbow. “Lilli, say something nice too. We came because you wanted to come.”

 

“I-I-I never said that!” Her reaction immediately brought to mind the saying that a strong denial is a strong affirmation.

 

Sasha stared at Lilliana with a dazed expression of surprise that clearly said, ‘Really?’ That defenseless expression seemed to melt Lilliana’s heart. Giving up on denying it, Lilliana said something nice in her own way. “You just went out there and suffered for nothing.” Of course, that was what counted as kindness by her standards.

 

Sasha, who had spent years being picked on, apparently found that sufficient and responded calmly. “Yes. I guess my own residence really is the best. Sister Lilli, did you read all the imperial historical records while I was gone?”

 

“…”

 

While Lilliana flinched, Orlette and Nanaen wanted to join the conversation.

 

“Imperial historical records?”

 

“What are you two suddenly talking about?”

 

Sasha willingly explained to the curious sisters. “There is a collection of stories about the past sovereigns who ruined their relationship with their personal knights. I recommended it to Sister Lilli.”

 

“Oh, that could definitely serve as a cautionary tale for Lilli.”

 

“What are you talking about?” Lilliana glared at Orlette, while Nanaen clapped her hands mischievously.

 

“Wow! No wonder. So that’s why Sister Lilli has been going to the library so often lately!”

 

“Don’t say things like that!”

 

“Why are you embarrassed? Did you really go there to read the historical records?”

 

“Ugh…”

 

And with that, the stage was perfectly set for teasing Lilliana. Nanaen and Orlette were delighted.

 

“So older sisters are close enough to read books recommended by one another.”

 

“They’re best friends, best friends. That’s why it’s nice being born only a year apart.”

 

“I’m also only a year younger than Sister Sashaaaaaaa. I’m so jealous.”

 

Lilliana clutched the hem of her dress and trembled as though in agony. Sasha endured it by staring blankly into the distance and thinking about something else.

 

As princesses who had honed their ability to read the atmosphere in the imperial palace, Orlette and Nanaen knew exactly when to strike and when to retreat. Orlette stopped teasing and removed the playfulness from her voice as she asked, “So, what did you think after reading it? Was there anything that might help you get along with your personal knight?”

 

“…A little.”

 

“Ooh, should I read it too? Shall we all go together?”

 

“I don’t like history. Just summarize the lessons for me.” Nanaen flatly rejected Orlette’s proposal, wanting to take only the sweet tips from it.

 

Sasha and Lilliana opened their mouths at the same time.

 

“Don’t assume the other person’s intentions and instead communicate properly…”

 

“It seems you shouldn’t talk in the bedroom if you can help it. Apparently, the bed is where they end up fighting the most often.”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Even when reading the exact same thing, impressions could vary wildly depending on the person.

 

Nanaen was horrified. “But, why would you be worried about talking in bed? No way… Sister, did you sleep with Sir Yulis?!”

 

“I didn’t sleep with him!” Unlike before, there was genuine sincerity in this denial.

 

Nanaen let out a sigh of relief. “Phew, you scare me. Well, sleeping with your persona knight would be a bit much. How could you sleep with your own knight?”