If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 48

“It seems like your sisters are enjoying the outing quite well.”

 

Walking along the lakeside path, Sasha took in the sight of each of the princesses.

 

Orlette was buried among the young ladies rather than the young lords. She’d never been interested in marriage, and her particular charm as someone who commands others appealed especially well to younger women.

 

The youngest, Shumel, had styled her hair into two buns today, emphasizing her cuteness. Though many older men showed interest in her, she preferred younger partners and fled to her eldest sister, Vivian.

 

Unfortunately, Vivian was in no condition to look after Shumel. Her complexion had turned pale, and she kept covering her mouth with a handkerchief. Thanks to her personal knight, Bellinger, who had prepared some refreshing treats to soothe her stomach, she seemed to be barely holding on.

 

The third princess, Gwendellin, was spending her time well, mingling with a group of friendly noble ladies. Being naturally quiet, she listened more than she spoke, a powerful trait that compensated for her lack of social skills.

 

Lilliana and Nanaen were each surrounded by their own followers, positioned far apart from each other. It was as if they had divided their territories. While Nanaen was popular regardless of gender, Lilliana stood as the sole woman in a group composed entirely of men.

 

Sasha stopped walking and sat down on a bench. “I’m thirsty.”

 

“Please rest for a moment. I’ll get you something to drink.”

 

On the picnic lawn, a bar stand was set up with simple refreshments and drinks. Regen carefully deliberated over the colorful array of beverages, trying to choose one that would suit Sasha’s taste, and finally made his selection.

 

“Get me a drink too.”

 

A voice interrupted his path back to Sasha. When he turned around, there stood a beauty with golden hair styled into elegant curls, as radiant as a lemon—Lilliana. It was clear that her intentions weren’t pure, as she dismissed all her followers—those who would bring her drinks with just a wave of her hand—and approached directly. As proof, her vivid crimson eyes fixed on Regen were cold, far from the gaze of someone seeking goodwill.

 

“Greetings to Princess Safflower.” Regen placed the crystal glass on the table and offered a polite bow.

 

Instead of acknowledging the greeting, Lilliana picked up the glass and drank from it as if it were hers. This much could be considered a playful whim. The real issue was that Lilliana neither allowed Regen to withdraw his courtesy nor leave the spot, remaining silently by his side.

 

“May I take my leave now?”

 

“No.”

 

“…”

 

“Stay just like that.”

 

Lilliana brought the crystal glass back to her lips, staring at Regen without even blinking. It wasn’t quite surveillance, but too malicious to be called admiration. Her intentions were obvious.

 

“Sister Lilli.”

 

She was summoning Sasha.

 

“If you keep tormenting my knight like this, how do you expect me to repay you later?”

 

“Don’t be so sensitive. I just wanted to see your face, that’s all.”

 

The two princesses, facing each other quietly, drew everyone’s attention. All the nearby nobles stopped their conversations, watching Sasha and Lilliana carefully. Their exchange was calm, befitting of ladies.

 

“It would’ve been better if you had spoken to me directly.”

 

“You were sitting all alone in the corner. It’s only right for you to come to me rather than me going to you.”

 

“How considerate of you.”

 

“There’s no need to thank me. You’re the winner of the last competition, but you seemed so unpopular that I felt sorry for you. As your older sister, I thought I’d show some concern for you.”

 

“Have you ever considered that being the winner means I don’t need to worry about popularity?”

 

“…”

 

The teardrop-shaped beauty mark under Lilliana’s left eye trembled slightly.

 

It was a sharp remark, pointing out exactly who should be worrying about the dowry auction at this point. Even though she had called Sasha out only to be counterattacked, Lilliana, overcome with indignation, showed no signs of backing down.

 

Many nobles were watching the scene unfold, including the group of noble ladies to which Princess Gwendellin belonged.

 

“Princess Safflower shouldn’t be acting like that toward Princess Silver Bird.”

 

“There’s nothing to gain from picking a fight.”

 

Since the last competition, the atmosphere within the imperial family had deteriorated rapidly. If the princesses were to divide, the outcome would undoubtedly mirror the path taken by the princes. For those waiting for the end of the mad emperor era, this was not a good sign.

 

“Princess Safflower should step back while she can still save her face…”

 

“Princess Silver Bird’s personality isn’t exactly mild either. Someone needs to separate them before her patience runs out.”

 

The noble ladies darted their eyes around, scanning their surroundings. With neither Vivian nor Orlette in sight, the highest-ranking princess present was Gwendellin. The noble ladies cautiously spoke up.

 

“Shouldn’t we intervene between the two princesses?”

 

“It seems like the rift between them has deepened since the last competition. I’m worried this might escalate into something serious.”

 

“Perhaps Princess New Moon could mediate before it’s too late?”

 

“M-Me…?” Gwendellin was startled by the request, something she had never experienced before in her life.

 

“Since Your Highness is the older princess, they’ll listen to you.”

 

“That’s right. Right now, the only one who can stop the princesses is Princess New Moon.”

 

The noble ladies encouraged Gwendellin as if to soothe her, and their efforts paid off.

 

“Then, shall I try?”

 

The soft whisper was so sweet that Gwendellin’s cheeks flushed pink. She grabbed the hem of her dress, pretending to be reluctant.

 

Yes. I’ve decided to change. To be brave. It was a good opportunity. More than anything, she wanted to, just once, publicly reprimand Rosasia like Orlette and assert the dignity of a princess.

 

Gwendellin walked over to where Sasha and Lilliana were. “B-Both of you! Stop it right now!”

 

All eyes turned to her. Though she lacked the charisma like Orlette, her intervention as the older princess was justification enough. No matter what Gwendellin said here, the argument between Sasha and Lilliana would have to end. And yet, Gwendellin’s follow-up was perhaps the worst possible thing she could say.

 

“If you two keep fighting so viciously, the gentlemen won’t like it. What will you do if no one bids on your dowries later?”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

The atmosphere turned cold again, for a different reason this time. Once again, Lilliana’s eyes, along with her beauty mark, trembled.

 

“Right now… you’re telling me not to fight because the noblemen won’t like it? I’m a princess, you know?”

 

“That’s exactly why. You can’t act in a way that’s unbecoming of a princess in a place where you need to make a good impression on the gentlemen. What if they start thinking all the princesses are like you?”

 

“…”

 

Lilliana was at a loss for words, so Sasha spoke up in a flat tone.

 

“Well, at least it wouldn’t be a disadvantage for Sister Gwen, though.”

 

While Gwendellin stood there, unable to immediately grasp the meaning of Sasha’s words, Sasha and Lilliana exchanged glances.

 

“Let’s not fight today, Sister Lilli. If you want an apology, I’ll gladly give it.”

 

“Forget it. Let’s just call a truce.”

 

As if on cue, platinum blonde and lemon-gold hair turned in opposite directions and moved away from each other. Left alone, Gwendellin felt bewildered. She had achieved the outcome she wanted, but she wasn’t sure if she had upheld the dignity of a princess or not.

 

At that moment, a few young noblemen approached her, clapping their hands.

 

“Wow, I’m impressed. Princess New Moon has such a remarkable sense of reality.”

 

“Truly wise, just as one would expect from the older sister of the imperial family. Men really appreciate women who understand their position well!”

 

“Your attitude at this outing was exceptional. I should have spoken to you sooner.”

 

Hahaha, their hearty laughter surrounded her. Pleased by their compliments, Gwendellin mingled with them before returning to the group of noble ladies she had been with earlier. But the ladies, whom she expected to greet her warmly and say ‘Well done,’ were oddly silent.