Living Up to Your Expectations - Chapter 32

“…She got me.”

My fingers tightened, crumpling the newspaper I held with a crinkle. The sound of quality paper warping echoed through the unnervingly quiet room.

The pale pink carpet. The flower-scented room. In its center, I sat alone, biting my lip.

“Spirit Princess Visits Orphanage. Blesses Children.”

I wasn’t satisfied with that headline.

There was, indeed, an article reporting on my visit. A small picture of the blessed children’s smiling faces was printed too. But the large article featured right next to it ruined everything.

“Future Crown Princess. Her Heartfelt Approach, Unafraid of Dirt, Evokes Emotion.”

Don’t be ridiculous.

I narrowed my eyes, glaring at the picture. It showed that woman with the children. Kneeling on the ground, laughing with them, her skirt splattered with mud.

She’s genuinely playing around, covered in filth.

And handmade sweets? I would have brought some too if I’d known. No good. I’ll just be compared to her professional-level offerings again. I let out a quiet sigh and slammed the newspaper onto the table.

“Not just donations, but heartfelt exchange. Her continuous support.”

“A heart full of mercy befitting the royal family’s future.”

“Her service transcending status moved our hearts.”

They’re praising her too much. What’s with this reporter? I won’t speak to him ever again. I won’t even invite him to the debutante ball.

Covered in mud? Service? Ha! After finally obtaining a noble position, why would she go out of her way to do such things? That “stance of being with the people” is just self-satisfaction, isn’t it?

And yet—

Why is she being praised?

Why is it always her?

I’m the chosen one. Even those orphanage children would understand my greatness if they saw a real Spirit. Surely His Highness Lucius would turn his eyes to me too.

It’s not about bloodline, power, or a prestigious family name. I must burn into everyone’s hearts that “I, the Spirit Princess, am the one worthy of standing beside His Highness.”

Throughout the nation. To the nobles. To the royal family. To that woman.

I sank quietly into my chair, tracing the rim of the cup with my fingertip. Its contents were already stone cold. Not even a hint of its sweet fragrance remained.

“I wonder how effective it would be to spread rumors at the academy that ‘she stole my praise.'”

My murmured words dissolved uselessly into the air. I didn’t even need to think it over. It would be almost meaningless.

There had already been more than enough time for that woman to implant the impression of being “the young lady brimming with compassion.”

Just stroking a slightly dirty child’s cheek, smiling while covered in mud. If that’s all it takes to get praised, how easy it must be to be a noble lady. That’s precisely what makes her troublesome.

Now, rumors like backbiting or jealousy would likely be crushed before they could even catch fire. They might even backfire.

If that’s the case, then only one path remains for me.

—The debutante ball. The stage where everything will be decided.

I will stake everything on that. My gorgeous dress. And the Spirits who commune with me—more beautiful than anyone, more sacred than anyone. Anyone who sees me standing serenely within that dazzling light will surely realize it.

That I am the one worthy of being the “true Crown Princess.”

No matter how much public praise that woman is bathing in right now it doesn’t matter. Things like kindness or approachability will eventually fade into insignificance.

Once the stage is set, I will be far superior.

Everyone will kneel before me, and they will be made to understand, down to the marrow of their bones, to whom the place she currently occupies rightfully belongs.

I am eagerly awaiting that moment.

—No, I will draw it to me.

Once the Stone Bestowal Ceremony is over, the situation will transform completely.

Once I am recognized, both domestically and internationally, as “the Princess who can commune with Spirits,” even those children, the orphanage children who adore her now will call my name with shining eyes.

I stood up. In the dead-silent room, a faint wind rustled the curtains. I walked to the window and reached out to sweep the curtain aside.

“Hey, Spirits… I want to become the Crown Princess.”

This feeling isn’t fake. It’s my sincere wish. My craving.

“If I’m happy, you’ll be happy too, right? So, please. Cooperate with me.”

You can hear me. I’m sure you’re listening.

Your presence near me. You’re surely always by my side. The ones who know my voice better than anyone.

Yes, if the Spirits would speak for me instead. No one could ignore me then. Even those who have neglected and scorned me would surely be struck dumb.

The world would have no choice but to listen to my words.

Everything is for that purpose.

Everything is to steal that woman’s place and put me at the summit.