If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 55

“The choice is yours.”

 

“…”

 

The mad emperor observed Gwendellin with a benevolent gaze, the same look one might have when admiring livestock on a ranch.

 

“Please take your leave now, Princess New Moon.”

 

On her way back to the New Moon’s chamber, Gwendellin seemed utterly dazed. Her unfocused, vacant eyes were almost eerie.

 

“Your Highness, did something happen…?”

 

“No. Don’t touch me.”

 

Gwendellin entered her bedroom and locked the door behind her. She stood for a long time in the dark, shadowy room that mirrored her mood before finally sitting down at her desk.

 

“This isn’t a bad thing for her either… “There was no hesitation left in her eye as she picked up the quill. “I’m not doing anything bad… I’m just doing something good for everyone…”

 

Gwendellin began writing invitations to her new friends.

 

✦

The baron’s daughter, Reina, was brimming with excitement. Princess New Moon has invited me to the imperial palace! She had only been to the imperial palace a few times and had only set foot in restricted areas.

 

The spring social gatherings at the imperial palace were mostly garden picnics, so she’d only ever seen the gardens. But this time, she was coming as the princess’s official guest, so she’d be able to enter the palace building herself. Gwendellin had even promised in her invitation to show her around every nook and cranny of the imperial palace.

 

Just the thought of it made her heart flutter as if she could float away. An imperial palace tour guided by the princess herself, what a dreamlike fortune for a baron’s daughter from the outskirts who had just arrived in the capital.

 

“Welcome. Princess New Moon has been waiting for you.”

 

Even the maid who came to greet her was said to be the daughter of a count.

 

Reina, nervous about making a mistake, carefully took one step at a time. Following the maid, she crossed the courtyard and headed toward the annex.

 

The space where the imperial princesses resided overwhelmed her with its grandeur and splendor, starting with the grand hall. The annex was not just a building; it was a masterpiece of art in itself.

 

“Wow, it’s really beautiful. If I lived in a place like this, I think every day would feel like a dream.”

 

“The imperial palace is beautiful in every way.”

 

“Yes, yes, I can see that…”

 

“Being dazzled and losing oneself over something as trivial as this means one is unfit to live here.”

 

“…”

 

The maid’s pride carried a subtle disdain toward the provincial baron’s daughter. Reina, feeling intimidated, closed her mouth.

 

At that moment, the sound of slow footsteps echoed from the central staircase connected to the second floor. A platinum-haired woman was descending, accompanied by her maids. Even though there was still some distance, Gwendellin’s maid quickly bowed her head.

 

“We must greet her.”

 

Catching on, Reina also lifted the hem of her dress and curtsied, even though she had no idea who the person was.

 

The maid’s polite greeting served as an introduction to the figure. “Greetings to Princess Silver Bird.”

 

Princess Silver Bird, Rosasia. It was a name Reina had heard countless times, the very person who had been tormenting Gwendellin. Curious about what kind of person she was, Reina stole a glance and was immediately taken aback.

 

Ah.

 

She had heard that all princesses were beautiful, but the face before her was nothing short of shocking. The woman, as if sculpted from cold white jade, exuded an air of haughty elegance and calm grace, as if they were ornaments adorning her. She was someone whose beauty and presence made her unforgettable at first sight.

 

Oh no. Only then did Reina realize she had locked eyes with Sasha and was startled. The pale sky-blue eyes meeting hers steadily made her feel as though she might faint.

 

According to the stories Gwendellin had drilled into her at every opportunity, Rosasia was said to be a princess of unparalleled cruelty. Reina’s shoulders trembled slightly, fearing that Rosasia might lash out and gouge her eyes for the audacity of looking up at her. But what reached her ears was a soft voice, devoid of malice.

 

“I forgot to say you may rise.”

 

With an elegant gesture, she gave them permission to straighten their backs. Sasha turned away from Reina, as if she had no further interest in her, and faced Gwendellin’s maid.

 

“Is she Sister Gwen’s guest?”

 

“Yes, that’s correct.”

 

“It seems a bit late to be inviting guests.”

 

Though the sky was still bright, it was indeed late in the afternoon. The words seemed casual enough at first glance, but Gwendellin’s maid flinched slightly.

 

At that moment, Sasha shifted her gaze with just her eyes. Reina, who had been absentmindedly watching, thinking Sasha’s eyes moved like rolling jewels, suddenly realized their eyes had met again.

 

“Even though it’s spring, the sun still sets early.”

 

“…”

 

“Make sure not to follow the sun. There’s plenty to see and enjoy in both the eastern annex and the central palace.”

 

“…”

 

With that, Sasha walked past Reina. Left behind, Reina felt confused.

 

“Excuse me, it felt like Princess Silver Bird was warning me about something. What do you think he meant?”

 

“… It’s nothing significant. Don’t worry about it.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

Reina didn’t know how to doubt someone she had decided to trust. She simply let it go and followed the maid to the New Moon chamber.

 

“Welcome, Lady Reina. You have no idea how much I’ve been looking forward to today.”

 

Gwendellin greeted her guest, Reina, at a tea table that clearly showed the effort put into its preparation. Reina was moved, realizing again just how kind and precious Gwendellin was to her friend. They enjoyed their tea, chatting and laughing about trivial things as they always did. Then, Reina casually brought something up as if it had just crossed her mind.

 

“Oh, by the way, I saw Princess Silver Bird on my way here.”

 

Reina thought it was no different from the other topics they had been discussing at the table. But Gwendellin’s demeanor suddenly changed. Clink. The sound of the teacup hitting the saucer was unusually loud.

 

“So?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“What are you trying to say?”

 

“Y-Your Highness…?”

 

“You must have had a reason to bring up Rosasia in front of me, right?”

 

“N-No, not really… I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” Reina hunched her shoulders, looking utterly frightened.

 

Damn it. Gwendellin realized that her true nature had slipped out and made Reina wary of her. She quickly tried to smooth things over. With a gentle smile, as if she had never been sharp, she continued.

 

“O-Oh dear. Did I scare you? It’s just… I guess I was a bit sensitive because bullying still happens these days. I’m sorry, Lady Reina.”

 

“N-Not at all, Your Highness…”

 

Even after all that reassurance, Reina kept avoiding her gaze, and Gwendellin felt a pang of frustration. At this point, there was only one way to fix things—act quickly.

 

“Lady Reina, how about we go take a tour of the imperial palace now?”

 

“Ah, yes! That sounds great!”

 

Reina immediately lifted her head and answered energetically. The look in her friend’s eyes, filled with anticipation and excitement as she let her guard down again, gave Gwendellin a sense of relief. She smiled with genuine joy that came from deep within her heart.

 

This will be fine. To Gwendellin, Reina was absolutely ‘necessary.’

 

“Let’s go.”

 

With her personal knight and two maids accompanying her, Gwendellin began showing Reina around the imperial palace. After showcasing the various facilities of the separate palace where the princesses resided, they passed through a few of the famously beautiful gardens and headed to the main palace. She made sure Reina saw everything, from the imperial library, opera theater, and grand chapel to the halls where various governing ceremonies were held. Reina was utterly captivated by the grandeur and beauty of the imperial palace, repeatedly expressing her pure admiration.

 

By the time they had finished touring the main palace and stepped outside, the western sky was tinged with a reddish hue.

 

“Lady Reina, this way.”

 

“Is there still more to see?”

 

“Of course. Come on, hurry.”

 

Before Reina could even respond, Gwendellin grabbed her hand firmly and started leading the way. Reina’s face flushed. She really treats me like a close friend.

 

A princess holding the hand of a baron’s daughter so casually. Despite the difference in their statuses, she was incredibly kind. Reina felt that she had grown much closer to Gwendellin.

 

Huh. This direction is…

 

Then, Reina suddenly realized. The direction they were heading was where the sun was setting.