Chapter 11
The party held at the Palace went by really smoothly. In other words, it was very boring. Right after we entered, Derrick left my side and was now busy greeting other people. Compared to him, there was no one coming to talk to me.
It seems like the rumors of me making a fuss had a great effect.
I looked around to see the noble ladies of Penelope’s age dancing and whispering as a group. I watched the scene in a corner where not many people passed by.
I’m not lonely. This is definitely not brainwashing. Really. I had a clear reason why I came here, and I might be able to escape this horrible place if I succeed. Ack! Just when is that damn Crown Prince coming?!
More people were glimpsing and gossiping about me as time passed. It was when I thought I’d about reached my limit of taking all the stares.
“Now entering Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Second Prince.”
It was finally the start of the actual event that happens in this chapter of the game. The nobles who were giggling and talking all either bowed or kneeled to the ground, facing the entrance. I also bowed, following what all the others were doing. The Empress and the Second Prince did a power-walk in confident poses down the red carpet, and it seemed like they were displaying ‘we are the royals’. Their golden hair, which was the symbol of the royals, shone under the bright light of the ballroom.
They walked across the room to the stairs, then walked up. Up the stairs were the seats where only the royals had the right to sit. I, who was watching the whole scene, was surprised at the sight of the Second Prince sitting on one particular chair.
Isn’t that the seat for the Crown Prince?
The seat the Second Prince sat on was the seat in the middle, which was located higher up than the other chairs. The golden throne with a fancy golden dragon decoration. It was the seat for the Emperor. However, the Emperor almost never showed up in the game, so normally the Crown Prince would sit on it instead.
But why is it the Second Prince?
I was dumbfounded with the Empress and the Second Prince being so calm when they did something like that. It was as if it was totally a normal thing to happen in the first place.
Is it allowed because it’s the Second Prince’s birthday?
“Everyone may rise.”
The Second Prince who sat on the seat, commanded. The people rose up as commanded.
“I thank you all for attending my birthday ceremony, even when I’m sure everyone must be busy. There’s not much prepared for today, but I hope everyone has a great time.”
With the Second Prince’s speech finished, the party officially began. No, it was going to, until…
Thud-!
A loud noise came from the entrance all of a sudden.
“What the-?”
“Wh-What’s happening?”
The nobles all turned to face where the noise came from and started to chatter. A figure walked through the crowd, into the ballroom.
Step, step-
The sound of their footsteps resonated. At the same time, the sound of something being dragged could also be heard.
“I-It’s the Crown Prince!”
Someone shouted. I hurriedly turned to look. Elegant blond hair that seemed like it was made with real gold swayed in the air. The shining golden hair of the Empress and the Second Prince now seemed like a joke. The blond, golden haired man with a red cape fluttering behind him was the one who truly shined.
“Isn’t that… Isn’t that a person?!”
“Ah! Th-That’s…!”
People who stood nearby the Crown Prince started to scream.
Drag, drag-
I didn’t notice it, as I was distracted by the Crown Prince’s beautiful appearance. That the thing he’s dragged in here with him was a person that didn’t move.
“Happy birthday, dear brother.”
The Crown Prince who reached the stairs, tossed the body towards their feet.
“B-Brother!”
“C-Crown Prince!”
The Empress got up from the spot and pointed at the Crown Prince.
“W-What disgraceful thing are you doing?!”
“How is a big brother attending his little brother’s birthday ceremony a disgraceful thing to do, Mother?”
“You’re a Crown Prince, and yet you do such a horrible thing at a place where you weren’t even invited…!”
The Empress’ face ignited bright red and she trembled, refusing to acknowledge the body dragged before them.
“What do you mean I wasn’t invited? Those words are sad to hear.”
“Who are you, to come to a place like this?!”
“It’s because I was invited that I set aside all my duties to come running here.”
The Crown Prince shrugged sarcastically. He didn’t look sad at all judging by his face. I couldn’t understand the situation of the two.
Is the Empress not the Crown Prince’s birth mother?
While I was thinking that, the Crown Prince added,
“But the servant who brought the invitation was too immature.”
The Crown Prince then bent down low, and got up as he forcefully pulled the dragged body by the hair so that he was half way standing. His face wasn’t shown, due to the black mask, however from the dark and fitting clothes he was wearing, he seemed like an assassin.
“He wouldn’t give give me the invitation, but did other things instead, so I taught him a little lesson.”
“…”
“Why didn’t you pick a more proper servant, Little Brother?”
Srrr-
The Crown Prince used his free hand to slide his sword out, and right away slashed the neck of the assassin.
Splatter-!
Blood started to spurt out like a fountain.
“I’ll replace my gift to you with this.”
The Crown Prince tossed the assassin’s head directly at the Second Prince’s feet.
“Aaaaaack-!”
The ballroom was pierced with the loud scream of the Empress. The severed head was rolling like a ball on the floor. The Second Prince’s face was pale, as if he was going to faint any moment and couldn’t speak a word.
“Send the servant like him again with the invitation if you want a gift from me again.”
The ballroom was filled with shock. Only the Crown Prince smiled within the crowd. His keen and sharp smile resembled a lion from hell.
He left the room as quickly as he entered the ballroom, only leaving us with shock and fear. The Crown Prince was completely out of sight when the sound of people letting out their breaths that they were holding back until now could be heard. It was the same for me.
…What?
I shuffled through my memories, grabbing my pounding chest.
Something like this really never happened in the game!
No matter how much I thought back about the game, this kind of huge incident never happened. It was too huge for it to be not mentioned in the game, unlike the needle marks on Penelope.
[The Crown Prince, who was not in a great relationship with his brother, the Second Prince, leaves the ballroom, displeased with the small incident.]
This was all that was mentioned.
How is this a small incident, you crazy game?!
I panicked internally, looking at the servants cleaning up the blood and the corpse. It was then when a white box popped into view.
≪ The episode [The Crown Prince With Iron Blood, Callisto Régūlus] has begun. Would you like to go to the ‘Maze Garden’? ≫
[Yes / No]
I thought about it for a while. The Crown Prince I saw was far crazier than how I imagined him to be, which made me doubt my decision a little. I think I’d get slashed the second we met. However, the fear of death only lasted a second.
I came here to die anyway. If I endure it once this time, then I might be able to go back. And I also have insurance with me called ‘reset’. If I really do die and don’t go back, then I can always click the reset button.
Thinking that, I steadied my trembling hand and pressed on [Yes]. Then, everywhere around me turned white.
Please let me know if there’s anything inconsistent, or that needs further editing/corrections!!
-emrld
Scarlett Shoujo 