If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 54

Sasha moved on. “We barely got to talk before we parted ways.”

 

“And now, that person…?”

 

“He’s dead.”

 

“…My condolences.” Regen solemnly lowered his gaze. The sympathy he expressed now was genuine. Yet at the same time, he couldn’t shake the thought that his sincerity came easily because the person in question—whose name and face he didn’t even know—was already dead.

 

Is the ‘imprint’ really starting to eat away at his mind, making him strange? Regen found himself entertaining thoughts he’d never had before and feeling emotions he’d never experienced. When it came to Sasha, he couldn’t help but realize, over and over again, that he was not as upright and honest as he’d always believed himself to be.

 

“Clear the table.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

The three maids carried out the dessert plates in both hands. Before long, only Sasha and Regen remained in the parlor.

 

“What about you, Regen?”

 

“…”

 

“Do you have a first love?”

 

“I…” He meant to say ‘No,’ but the words caught in his throat.

 

By nature, the first love meant something that had passed and something that didn’t come to fruition. A first love is supposed to be in the past, and Regen had no past. But to say he had no first love—could he really say that, when the woman in front of him made his whole being tremble? What if it’s ongoing? If so, are these feelings truly Regen’s own? Not just the effect of the ‘imprint’?

 

Regen owed her an honest answer. But right now, he simply couldn’t give one.

 

“Regen?”

 

“Later.” He postponed his decision. “I’ll tell you when I get the chance, someday.”

 

“…Alright.”

 

Sasha quietly smiled and let it go. It was a smile filled with bitterness and ache that he could not understand.

 

✦

“His Majesty has summoned you.”

 

Gwendellin’s face brightened as she followed the head chamberlain. Now that all the offended princesses had returned to their quarters, this was her chance. If she were the only princess to offer sincere thanks for the cake the emperor sent, wouldn’t even a cold-hearted father look kindly upon her?

 

The place she was led to was not a room but a hallway, where the mad emperor Axellion was admiring the artwork on the wall.

 

“Y-Your Majesty.”

 

She waited for a long time to be granted an audience, but it seemed her waiting was not over yet. The mad emperor kept his eyes fixed on the painting, ignoring Gwendellin.

 

“It’s no use. You can’t earn His Majesty’s favor just by sincerity.”

 

Of all times, Sasha’s voice invaded Gwendellin’s mind. It was upsetting to think Sasha’s words might be right. But what else could Gwendellin do? For her own security, she had to try to please either her father or the imperial heirs. All she could do was her best.

 

Her lips, which had been pressed pale under her upper teeth, regained their color. Gwendellin forced herself to smile brightly. “I-I prepared a small token of gratitude for the cake, Your Majesty. I embroidered it myself.”

 

“Gratitude, huh… Was that my intention, Head Chamberlain?” The emperor responded, but it was ambiguous. The smile at the corners of his lips seemed mocking, and the same was true of the head chamberlain standing quietly beside him.

 

The mad emperor’s voice reached Gwendellin’s ears as she stood there, not understanding the meaning and bowing her head in confusion.

 

“How lovely.”

 

“…!”

 

Her hopes crashed the moment she looked up in anticipation. It was because the mad emperor’s gaze was still not on her. He was admiring a painting depicting a peaceful ranch: cows and sheep waiting patiently for their feed at the manger, and a loyal dog following its master. The mad emperor’s eyes softened with an unfitting gentleness as he gazed at the painting.

 

“How lovable are animals that have been tamed to docility. Their aggression is stripped away, and they entrust everything to the master who will one day slaughter them.”

 

“Ah, yes. Yes…”

 

Hearing a story that seemed to have nothing to do with her, Gwendellin was greatly disappointed. She couldn’t figure out how to win her father’s favor. Her confidence began to wane. If she wanted to be loved more than the other princesses, she needed to excel in some way, but Gwendellin had never been told she was exceptional at anything. Now, no matter how hard she tried, she didn’t feel she could surpass the other princesses.

 

Then a new realization flashed through Gwendellin’s mind. Do I really need to work so hard to climb up? If it’s not an absolute but a relative evaluation, couldn’t she just pull the others down? A strange light flickered in her pale yellow eyes.

 

“Your Majesty, aren’t you curious about what was discussed at the princesses’ tea time today?”

 

“Oh?”

 

At last, the mad emperor glanced at Gwendellin. Delighted, she confessed everything with all her might.

 

“They said we should peacefully discuss who to eliminate in the next competition.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes. I’m telling you exactly what I saw and heard.”

 

Weren’t those very words spoken?

 

“Hmm.”

 

The mad emperor’s reaction was lukewarm, and Gwendellin grew anxious. She began to speak more.

 

“In the end, we didn’t reach an agreement, but everyone seemed to have someone in mind they’d like to see eliminated next.”

 

“And who was that?”

 

“Sasha.” Gwendellin continued, carefully watching the mad emperor’s expression. “Sasha received a lot of resentment from the other princesses. She’s so cunning and doesn’t get along well with others.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes! No one even wanted to sit next to her, and Sister Orlette, who hosted the tea party, really struggled because of it. It’s true.”

 

“…”

 

The mad emperor’s impassive silence was suffocating. As time passed, she grew increasingly uneasy. Had volunteering as a spy backfired? Gwendellin wanted to drop to the floor and take back every word.

 

“How amusing.” Suddenly, the mad emperor’s tone softened. “Gwendellin.”

 

“Yes, yes, Your Majesty.”

 

“You are the only daughter who never forgets to come see me.”

 

“Ah…” Joy and color spread across Gwendellin’s face. “Of course! I-I! Truly care about you, Father!” Like the most beloved, Nanaen, she even called him ‘Father’ affectionately. Her heart pounded as she waited for his response.

 

“Come to think of it, I hear you’ve made new friends recently.”

 

“…!”

 

It was the first time the mad emperor had shown interest in even the smallest details of her life. He pretends not to care, but he notices everything about me! As her efforts to win favor continued to be rewarded, she was overjoyed. She even felt a sense of victory, as if she had disproved Sasha’s words.

 

“What kind of people are they?”

 

“They come from the countryside, so they may lack refinement, but they are pure-hearted.”

 

“Innocence is good. Gwendellin, there’s something I’d like to ask you for a favor.”

 

“A… favor? Of me?” Lost in the dream of being a beloved daughter, Gwendellin flinched.

 

“If His Majesty asks you for a favor, never accept it.”

 

Sasha’s arrogant warning echoed in her head again, but she forced herself to shake it off. She didn’t want to wake from the dream of being loved by her father.

 

“Can you do it?”

 

If she could only do this, maybe she would receive her father’s full affection. If that happened, she wouldn’t be sold off miserably like Sehera. Even if she lost the competition, perhaps her dowry auction would be waived, or she’d be paired with a fine man. Then the other princesses would envy her.

 

She couldn’t let the chance slip away. Trembling—whether from fear or excitement, she couldn’t tell—Gwendellin knelt down. “I am at your command.”

 

The mad emperor smiled contentedly and began to speak. “――.” His voice echoed through the dim, oppressive hallway.

 

As she listened to the not-so-long request, Gwendellin’s expression grew paler and paler with each moment.