I Will Break Off the Engagement Because I'm Jealous - The Untalented Villainess Who Rejected the Prince Searches for a Safe Haven with the Cheat Heroine - Chapter 6.2

(Iris was probably angry. Huh. I thought this would be more exciting.)

Recalling her companion’s expression, Emilia let out a sigh deep in her chest. After being surrounded by the emperor and his forces in the city, Emilia had accepted Emperor Dian’s invitation.

(I could have forced my way through the encirclement, but… This is a perfect opportunity to investigate the former emperor’s whereabouts. Apparently, he’s gathering people as subordinates, not as consorts or concubines.)

Having accepted, Emilia was brought to the imperial castle. She was told she would belong to the emperor’s personal guard, the “Skill Garden.” She was immediately given her own quarters, but…

(But refusing to let Iris enter with me was unexpected. Saying “the talentless” aren’t allowed in the castle. On top of that…)

Emilia briefly raised her gaze, then looked away. A single maid stood before her room’s door. Assigned as her personal attendant. The emperor had called her a caretaker, but Emilia had introduced herself as “Emily,” a commoner from the empire’s western regions. She wasn’t nobility—she had no need for servants.

(Just surveillance. The room is easy on the eyes, but I can’t relax.)

Emilia sat on the sofa, slumping back into it. She could see the large window and high ceiling. The furnishings were modest in color, but this was far too luxurious for a commoner’s quarters. She hadn’t felt it in Abilis city, but here in the imperial capital, those with Skills truly seemed to be favored.

(I can’t relax. This unpleasant atmosphere.)

Looking out the window at the sky that should be beautiful but felt dark, at the cityscape that should be vibrant but seemed somehow smudged with soot. It felt depressing. Her mind kept turning to unpleasant things.

For example.

(The sensation of cutting is still with me. It’s disgusting, unsettling. It’s bothering me.)

The feeling of slicing through monsters. She felt no guilt about swinging her sword to save people, to protect Iris. But the sensation of cutting through flesh was disgusting. The act of harming something simply didn’t sit right with her. That feeling seemed about to revive in her hands. Emilia suppressed her nausea and let out a thin breath.

(If Iris were here… Even this terrible sky, we could laugh it off. We could enjoy it.)

Clenching her right hand.

“I’ll look around the castle.”

Muttering this to herself, she stood up.

“I shall accompany you.”

A voice came from the door, just loud enough to hear. Sighing pointedly at the maid, Emilia shrugged her shoulders slightly.

“That is your job, so I won’t stop you. But I’ll be freely exploring the castle, alright? His Majesty promised me I could.”

“Understood, Lady Emily.”

The maid bowed her head. Emilia watched her tied hair sway.

(So, this person isn’t “talentless,” I suppose. If only Iris’s Skill were a little easier to disguise.)

A strange thought crossed her mind, and Emilia shook her head.

(It’s precisely because of her “Talent” Skill that she’s Iris. As for me, I want to investigate quickly and get out of here. This place. It’s just depressing.)

She stretched a little. Acting like the ill-mannered commoner she was supposed to be then headed for the door. Waiting for the maid to open it, she stepped into the hallway.

(I was looking forward to it, but without Iris it’s not very exciting.)

Instead, she felt a “restless irritation” deep in her chest.

Emilia let out an exaggerated sigh.

☆ ☆ ☆

Walking down the corridor for a while, she thought of the impression it gave: high-class, but with poor taste. Emilia was heading for the emperor’s office.

“Damn it! My father’s whereabouts! I’ll make you talk, Dian!”

She spotted a man who had just exited a room, spitting out the words.

(Is that the first prince’s Herrick, was it?)

Imperial noble attire somewhat resembled military uniforms. Stiff and formal. In this season, still stiflingly hot. The long-haired, red-headed man had his jacket open at the front, but between his hair volume and color, just looking at him seemed to raise the temperature.

“What are you… Ah, another one increased. Dian’s woman.”

She’d been staring vaguely, and he hurled obvious scorn at her.

(Excuse me?)

Emilia formed a sweet smile, twitching the corner of her mouth.

“For someone of your appearance, you hold quite old-fashioned views, don’t you? In this empire where Skills are absolute, you see women and think they’re men’s appendages?”

“What…?”

Then, having said it herself, her face froze.

(Ah. I said it without thinking. What do I do? Well, at least I didn’t pick a fight with the emperor?)

The arrogant, noisy Emperor Dian, Iris puffing her cheeks in dissatisfaction, and now this man. With the disgusting feeling of cutting monsters still faintly lingering, her irritation kept mounting.

The imperial capital she’d boarded with excitement wasn’t as fun as she’d thought.

(Ah… whatever. Unless I take my anger out on someone, I won’t feel satisfied.)

Emilia chose—crudely, casually, irresponsibly.

And in her heart, the “restless irritation”…

Ignited like a smoldering fire.

“What the former emperor thought, what judgments he made. Even us lowly folk can understand well enough.”

Emilia’s eyes cold, her smile cold, she hurled words at the man. Implicitly conveying the contempt: “You weren’t chosen for a reason.”

“You bastard, do you know I’m a prince! I don’t recall permitting you to speak!”

It seemed her message got through properly, as crimson spread across the man’s face. Emilia snorted, narrowing her eyes as if she’d found a good toy.

“You don’t have the authority to permit it, do you? You can’t even have me thrown out of here, can you? It seems even the emperor has been brushing you off.”

She provoked him further. Emilia felt the “restless irritation” in her chest dancing.

Watching the man’s eyes ignite with blazing anger.

Feeling the shiver racing up her spine.

She allowed a slight smile of delight to surface.

However.

“A woman who can do nothing without currying favor with Dian!”

The emperor’s woman.

Hearing that.

Emilia’s heart.

Grew cold, icy cold.

“My, to say something I haven’t even thought of.”

Mockery and scornful glances spilled out. The twitching of the man’s irritated face felt somewhat pleasant. But it still wasn’t enough—her resentment wasn’t appeased.

(That I belong to that man————? Don’t you dare underestimate me!)

Unconsciously, her left hand gripped her brooch. Thoughts of another man brushed through her mind, leaving pain in her chest. But then her head filled with thoughts of another girl.

And the “restless irritation”…

Swelled.

“Can do nothing, you say? I don’t think you believe that, do you? The fact that you haven’t approached me is proof enough. What Skill might fly out… You’re afraid.”

“Let her talk! A woman who fawns over Dian, I’ll break her right here…!”

As the man took a large step forward.

(Third time——Unforgivable)

Emilia glared up at him.

“———That’s my line.”

Her cold gaze pierced through the man, and her voice like rumbling earth stopped his advance. The man retreated half a step, flinching.