“—Unexpectedly, you look right at home.”

“Oh my, thank you.”

Natalie easily responded to Geraldo’s sarcasm.

They were in the library at the tip of the Southern King’s residence. The walls were lined with books, creating towers with shelves reaching all the way up to the ceiling.

Perfect for killing time.

Instead of a chair, Natalie leaned against a cushion on top of the carpet and the way her shoeless feet stuck out from the hem of her dress felt somewhat inappropriate. Despite her laidback attitude, she was fully aware that she was in the Southern Palace.

Yet, in a place that wasn’t even a bedroom, she revealed her legs.

If she didn’t have such a level of resolve, the battle may as well had been lost.

Besides, she was amused at how the prince quietly averted his gaze so as not to look at her silk stockings.

“I received permission from the Southern King to take you from here.”

“Is that so? Thank you for your hard work. Forgive me, but can you wait until I finish reading this book?”

“…’Finish reading’—pardon?”

“‘A Collection of Folk Tales about the Goddess of Kratos.’ It’s a long series with 32 volumes. Incidentally, I’m currently on the third volume. This one is about the magic shield created by the Dragon Princess. The different interpretations of the Goddess’ Blessing so humans would develop the wisdom to farm is impressive. In this story, grass stopped growing because the Goddess cursed it.”

“Do you understand the situation you are in?”

“This is more hospitable than when I was taken hostage by the rebel soldiers of the empire.”

“Is being a hostage your hobby?”

Seeing the prince frown had become something of a routine for her.

He always furrows his eyebrows, I feel sorry for his beautiful face.

“The overlap of these differences, I guess you can call it history or causality. Jill is having a hard time, too.”

“If you think so, why don’t you just leave this place and put her at ease?”

“No, what if she starts favoring you?”

“…I have no intention of the sort.”

The prince faltered at the end, but as usual, he quickly regained his composure.

“I’ve thought of a way to reclaim the national seal. There’s no reason for you to remain here. If there is, then you are deliberately staging a hostage situation to aid the Dragon Emperor in waging a war. In other words, a ruse.”

“Hey, why are you on bad terms with your father?”

“Like I said, stop abruptly changing the subject…!”

As usual, the prince was levelheaded enough to suppress his anger right away.

“Your father doesn’t seem to hate you, at least.”

How strange.

Suddenly, he withdrew, devoid of any emotions.

“…Are you joking?”

She couldn’t understand the meaning of his sneer.

“I take it that you have no intention of coming with me. I’ll explain to Princess Jill that you are an accomplice in plotting a hostage situation with the Dragon Emperor.”

“Have it your way.”

“—You’ll regret this.”

“That’s a loser line. Can you help me? I’m going back to the guest room.”

Natalie brushed off the hem of her dress and stood up. The prince frowned, but instead of ignoring her, he picked up Natalie’s shoes from the edge of the carpet and laid them out on the floor. He took the book from Natalie and placed it on the floor. Afterwards, he offered his hand and even helped her put on her shoes. He did everything with flourish, too.

“Thank you. Aren’t you a kind brother?”

“Again, what are you saying suddenly…?”

“You seem used to this. I am not, so it was great.”

“You are so clueless. Even though you might get killed…”

“By you?”

Even though she meant it to be a joke, the reason why she got chills was probably because he stared straight at her.

What is this sense of déjà vu?

“I have no reason to kill you.”

So, he would if he did?

His eyes, like black stones without luster, languidly spoke the truth, and she couldn’t reply right away.

Geraldo turned on his heels and left the library first.

…I might die soon. How scary.

She clutched her book tightly to her chest and returned to her assigned guest room. Although she declined their offer for tea, she didn’t doubt that she was being watched. Despite being sure that she wouldn’t be killed, she still felt nervous about opening the book she brought with her.

The first Dragon Empress jumped in front of the Holy Spear of the Goddess to shield the Dragon Emperor, only for him to pierce her from behind with the Heavenly Blade.

That was how her life came to an end—the lamentable Dragon Empress.

“…How difficult.”

Suddenly, a piece of paper fell from within the book. She picked it up while consciously keeping her expression from changing any more than necessary. She knew right away that it wasn’t a bookmark.

There were no characters. All it had was a marked drawing of the inner palace, along with the time, late at night. At first, it appeared to be somewhat trivial, but the piece of paper was new.

This is a message.

She was relieved.

Help is on the way.

…But isn’t this… The Southern King’s private chamber?

She wondered why that particular area had been marked.

Isn’t that the unlit lighthouse?

Or—

—She suddenly remembered something.

When she was putting on her shoes, Geraldo placed this book on the floor. He touched it.

Then this isn’t help. It’s a trap. To see what I’ll do next.

“…I have to go there.”

If she went to the Southern King’s private chamber, it wouldn’t be strange if she was found dead the next morning.

No reason to kill me? That’s a lie. They are properly taking precautions against me.

Still, she didn’t want to be underestimated. She returned the book to the shelf, but not before ensuring the piece of paper was tucked in a way it would be visible even when the book was closed.

---

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***T/N: Geraldo saw her aNKleS

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