Chapter 22 : Nothing ever goes the way I want it to

“…What is that?”

Prince Reyzen’s eyes sharpened.

His gaze was directed at Serena, but more precisely, at the collar around her neck.

Of course. 

In a country where slavery is explicitly illegal, this was a perfect way to invite misunderstanding. 

It was impossible for him not to pay attention to it.

But still, why did she choose to wear it now, when she always complained about how uncomfortable it was and wanted to take it off?

“If I’m not mistaken…”

“Please don’t misunderstand! 

I know what you’re thinking, but that is just a safety device that allows her to use magic!”

His voice sank as his suspicion deepened.

If I left this alone, he might go to His Majesty and tell him that I was treating a young girl like a slave.

If that happened, the downfall of my family would be inevitable, and in the worst case, I could be sentenced to death.

That must not happen. 

What would Serena do without me?

As I desperately tried to explain to save myself, Prince Reyzen’s eyes softened a little.

“The truth is, my sister has a weak heart, which makes it very difficult for her to handle mana.

So I asked a friend to make something for her, but due to technical reasons, the appearance turned out somewhat unfortunate.”

“Hmm…”

He still seemed unconvinced, as if he couldn’t fully let go of his doubts.

Damn it, how do I make him believe me?

As I racked my brain, feeling like I was facing a life-or-death crisis, Serena suddenly stepped forward.

I didn’t know what she was planning to do, but I hoped she wouldn’t make things worse.

“I’m not a slave or anything like that. 

If I don’t have this, I might die while using magic. 

So stop thinking weird things.”

Oh no. 

We’re doomed.

I should have been the one to bow my head and apologize, but instead, she was speaking confidently in an informal tone.

A hollow laugh escaped me in despair.

If this goes south, I swear I’ll curse Keira.

“…If you put it that way, I’ll believe you. 

I never thought the count was lying in the first place.”

Contrary to my expectations, Prince Reyzen nodded.

Was this what it felt like to escape death?

Relieved to have narrowly avoided a bad ending, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

Thank goodness. 

It seemed like my credibility was quite high.

“But there’s one thing I’d like to address.”

However, it wasn’t over yet. 

Prince Reyzen sharpened his gaze and looked straight at Serena.

“Why do you keep being so rude to me? 

Even your sister, the count, shows me proper respect. 

No matter how young you are, shouldn’t you display the appropriate manners?”

I knew that had been bothering him.

It made sense. 

As the son of the king, born under the absolute protection of power, he had likely never experienced such disrespect before.

Even as a young boy, all the nobles bowed their heads before him.

It was a cruel reality, but power was absolute.

The problem was that I hadn’t taught Serena about this hierarchical society.

“Why should I?”

“W-What?”

“You’re shorter than me. 

Why should I treat you that way? 

Just because you’re a prince?”

A child wouldn’t understand the world of adults.

At her age, she saw things in a simple and straightforward way.

And in a way, her argument made sense—Prince Reyzen was indeed slightly shorter than her.

“Y-You…!”

That seemed to hit his pride hard. 

His face twisted in frustration, his cheeks turning as red as his hair. 

His fists clenched as he trembled with rage.

I couldn’t dismiss this as just a child throwing a tantrum.

His parents had the power to rule a country and wipe out an entire noble family overnight.

I hurried to intervene and apologize, but I couldn’t stop his fury from erupting.

“I’m still growing! 

I can get taller!”

That’s what you’re fixating on?

“Hmph. 

But you’re not taller now, are you?”

“Shut up! 

And stop playing with dolls like a little kid!”

“C-Childish? 

This is a treasure my sister gave me! Watch your mouth!”

“Hah. 

If you call that thing a treasure, I can already guess your level.”

“The only ugly thing here is your face!”

“What? 

You little—!”

I needed to stop them. I knew that.

But as I watched from the sidelines, I couldn’t help but want to see how this played out a little longer.

The way they argued, raising their voices and throwing words at each other, reminded me of small animals squabbling over who was stronger.

Even the royal guards, who had been observing from afar, hesitated to step in.

They knew that intervening might get them caught in the crossfire.

‘Even so, I should probably step in, right?’

As curious as I was to see the outcome, if this continued, they would only end up hurting each other’s feelings.

I decided to put an end to it.

“Hey, maybe it’s time for both of you to—”

“”Stay out of it!””

They shouted in unison, cutting me off.

Something inside me snapped.

They had no idea how much trouble they were causing me, and yet they dared to yell at me?

I’d been patient, but this was too much.

…Sigh.

But I’m an adult.

I should stay calm and handle this maturely.

After taking a deep breath to collect myself, I leaned forward, meeting their eyes, and smiled.

“Both of you, stop it. 

Now.”

I put a little force behind my words, and both Serena and Prince Reyzen flinched, immediately shutting their mouths.

See? 

Sometimes, a little intimidation was necessary to make them listen.

On the way back to the castle

Just like on the way there, Reyzen was looking out at the scenery outside the carriage. 

However, his mind was not occupied with Ershi this time.

Instead, it was filled with thoughts of that arrogant girl with silver hair. 

How dare she raise her voice at him and talk back?

Recalling the humiliation he had never experienced before, he bit his lower lip.

“It’s my fault for not properly educating my younger sister. 

If you’re going to hold someone accountable, please punish me instead of Serena. 

I beg you, Your Highness.”

Since the Ershi he adored had pleaded so desperately, he had said he wouldn’t hold anyone responsible for this incident. 

But that didn’t mean he wasn’t still deeply offended.

Especially because Serena had never apologized to him—not even at the end.

“To think that someone like her is the count’s younger sister… how could that be…?”

He tried to see it as jealousy, but even he felt that was too much, so he shook his head to dismiss the thought.

However, from what he had observed, Ershi and Serena had nothing in common that would make them seem like sisters.

Blonde hair versus silver hair.

Kindness and politeness versus a rude and brazen attitude.

A gentle presence that made his heart race versus a sharp personality he didn’t even want to be near.

The only similarity he could acknowledge was their appearance, but even then, he thought Ershi was clearly a level above.

“Because of that girl, I ended up showing such an unsightly side to the count… This is the worst.”

One of the reasons he had visited Ershi today was to build a stronger connection with her.

Even his sister, the princess, had said that romance was all about taking things step by step.

It was amusing advice coming from someone who didn’t seem suited for romance, but he had agreed with her.

Yet, looking back on today’s events, his plan had crumbled from the very beginning.

Letting his emotions get the best of him and engaging in a childish argument like a commoner?

Even now, he couldn’t understand why he had acted that way.

A person of high standing must remain composed at all times.

That was how he had been trained, and yet, he had lost control over his emotions because of one mere girl.

“I will never forget this humiliation.”

Serena. 

Serena. 

Serena.

He repeated her name in his head, vowing to one day pay her back for this.

“Why did you do that?”

After Prince Reyzen had left, I called Ershi into my room.

Serena, clutching Pungkin in her arms, sat with her knees pressed together and her head lowered.   

However, she remained silent in response to my question.

I wasn’t sure if she was uncomfortable facing me or if she was just sulking about being scolded.

Either way, I wasn’t going to let this slide.

“Are you going to stay like this? 

Do you want to sit here forever? 

If you keep this up, I’ll—”

“…I didn’t do anything wrong.”

After a long silence, she mumbled in a low voice, refusing to acknowledge her actions.

“He was the one who acted rudely first. 

He kept talking down to me like I was beneath him.

I didn’t like it.”

Sigh. 

What am I supposed to do with her?

I had hoped that Serena and Prince Reyzen would get along, but if this was how she saw him, there was no hope for that happening.

Where did everything go wrong?

A headache began to form, and I instinctively furrowed my brows.

“…Even so, that doesn’t mean you should speak informally to the prince.”

“Why? 

Ershi is more amazing than him. 

You’re older too. 

So why?”

One thing was clear—this whole situation was partly my fault.

Had I known this would happen, I would have taught her proper etiquette in advance.

But even so, this wasn’t acceptable.

At this rate, we were getting further and further from a happy ending.

“I never want to see that prince again.”

Then why, why couldn’t she understand my feelings? 

Why did she keep acting like this?

“Serena. 

What’s wrong is wrong. 

Don’t argue, just accept it.”

To be honest, I was a little annoyed when I said that.

Things weren’t going the way I wanted, and my frustration led me to speak without thinking.

Still, I believed my point was valid. 

It was something she needed to hear.

But failing to consider how she would feel was my mistake.

“…Why would you say that?”

Her round eyes, filled with shock, brimmed with tears.

Then, as if something inside her had broken, she sniffled and threw Pungkin—the very doll she had called her treasure—onto the floor.

“I… 

I just wanted you to pay more attention to me than to him…! 

Why would you say something like that…?”

“Serena, that’s not what I meant—”

“I don’t care! 

I hate you! 

You liar! 

You said I was the most important to you!”

Crying, Serena ran out of the room.

I hurriedly reached out to stop her, but for some reason, my body wouldn’t move.

Now even my own body wasn’t listening to me.

“…Haah.”

I had a million things I wanted to say, but all that came out was a deep sigh.

As silence filled the room after Serena left, I lay down on the sofa, hoping to clear my mind.