The Villainess Who Looks Like a Little Girl Is in the Arms of the Ice Prince (Who Is Sometimes Cute) - Chapter 14

Thanks to Enzo, I was able to regain my composure from the earlier turmoil.

“…My very existence has become a nuisance to you, Lord Hal.”

“Pay no mind to the gossip of idle tongues. I simply wished to confirm for myself whether I truly only have interest in children because I had never seen him show such attachment to another person before.”

Seeing him carry me around, it was no wonder she interpreted it as attachment. I reflected that my careless actions had caused trouble.

Then, Her Majesty the Empress spoke a sharp remark from behind her fan.

“Chevran has effectively broken its agreement with the Empire. Gem imports have been halted, and the country will likely fall into decline. In other words, you must be aware that you are ‘the spark itself.’ Do not acknowledge it so easily. Understood?”

“Y-yes, ma’am!”

I straightened my back to reply, and she nodded, looking satisfied.

“Folkhardt.”

“Yes!”

“I know nothing.”

“! Yes!”

“Then, you may take your leave. You too, attendant over there.”

“…But that—”

“Allow me some freedom to have a tea party with my daughter.”

With a soft rustle, Her Majesty lowered her fan, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

“Now, Lia.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“It seems you’ve been concerned about Etogal.”

This person truly is well-informed. She must have complete knowledge of everything happening within the detached palace.

“I haven’t done anything.”

“Unlike Folkhardt, I mistakenly thought he was incompetent. It seems my strictness made him rely too much on those around him. I must correct my attitude.”

She immediately acknowledged her own fault and resolved to change. It was exactly—

“giggle”

“What is it?”

“Ah! M-my apologies!”

“It’s fine. Why did you laugh? Tell me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I thought you were very much like Lord Hal.”

It was the very image of Prince Folkhardt’s demeanor. Somehow, I felt deeply moved.

“Your Majesty, you may call me Mother.”

“Mother?”

Gwaah! Wrinkles formed between Her Majesty the Empress’s eyebrows.

Had I offended her after all? Just as I began to worry, Her Majesty suddenly started trembling and squirming.

“Ah, enough! You’re too cute! I can’t take it! I wanted a daughter! Let me hold you too, please!”

“Y-yes!”

Flustered, I jumped down from the chair—behind me, Prince Folkhardt, who had been looking worried, had his eyes wide open, and I couldn’t help but laugh. He looked exactly like Prince Etogal.

“I’m happy.”

Tap, tap, tap—I approached the seated Empress, and she immediately hugged me tightly.

“You’ve been trying too hard. You must have felt so uncertain. It’s alright now,” she whispered in my ear.

Ah, so this is what a mother’s warmth feels like. I understood for the first time.

◆

“Honestly, even though she’s my fiancée, Mother…”

I found myself listening to Prince Folkhardt’s complaints inside the carriage heading to the Eastern Capital.

Ultimately, after that tea party, under the pretext of “Crown Princess education,” I ended up visiting Her Majesty the Empress’s room once a day. Not just for tea and sweets, but she had various dresses and accessories made for me, and I received education as a lady.

I was incredibly grateful to receive such thorough, formal education, covering even the horizontal and vertical connections among noblewomen within the Empire.

Because of that, however, the time I spent working together in Prince Folkhardt’s office and meeting Prince Etogal had decreased.

The journey from the Imperial Capital to the Eastern Capital took about ten days one way, traveling on well-maintained roads in a coach drawn by two horses. After discussing it with Prince Folkhardt, we decided to use this travel time for magic study.

Fire magic seems to be the easiest to imagine and wield. Because of that, mishandling it can harm others. I decided not to use it in front of people until I became accustomed to it.

“I am deeply grateful to have been acknowledged as the Crown Princess.”

“That is the fruit of Ria’s own efforts. I had never seen Mother praise anyone else before.”

“Eh! Is that so!?”

She praised me every day—”You’re cute,” “You did well,” “You remembered that perfectly!”—but was that something special?

“Indeed. Perhaps she just wanted a daughter that much.”

“That might be it. She had so many dresses made for me, after all.”

So many dresses were packed into my luggage—this and that—that I think most of my belongings might be dresses. My maid, Magot, struggled greatly learning how to dress me and do my hair.

Magot and Enzo were up on the driver’s seat at the front of the carriage, chatting amiably about something.

“It seems En is enjoying himself too. I’m glad.”

“Don’t make such a lonely face. I’m here, aren’t I?”

“Lonely me?”

Huuuh—Prince Folkhardt let out a deep sigh.

“Unaware, are you? You’ve been by my side for eight years. But I won’t lose.”

“Lose at what?”

“It’s nothing.”

His sulky profile seemed somehow adorable to me.

Poko, poko—my cheeks grew hot, and I asked His Highness for some cool air.

“I’m feeling a bit warm.”

“True. It’s fully summer now.”

The Prince sitting next to me turned his palm upward, and a small block of ice formed.

As he spun it round and round on his index finger, cool air spread through the carriage.

“Haaa. It’s so cool!”

“You’re the only one who uses me like this, Ria.”

“Could it be disrespectful?”

“No, no. While everyone else freezes in fear, you, Lia, are fearless.”

“Fear? How could I be afraid? It’s not just cool; it’s very beautiful, too.”

The sight of the white ice block spinning gracefully on his nimble fingers was truly beautiful. Reflecting the sunlight streaming through the carriage window, it cast various lights. I could watch it forever and not grow tired.

“Ah… Beautiful.”

The sweetly smiling Ice Crown Prince’s gaze seemed to be not on the ice, but on me. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I pretended not to notice.

◆

The Eastern Capital, a major trade city, boasted streets overflowing with exotic charm.

Numerous small boats laden with fruits and vegetables plied the intricate network of waterways, while the main street, paved with bricks, was lined with shops of all kinds.

As our carriage made its way toward the Eastern Palace—the Emperor’s residence established in the Eastern Capital—I gazed out the window at the bustling cityscape filled with wagons and crowds.

From behind me, as I watched the outside view, never tiring of it, came a low, gentle voice.

“Would you like to explore the city?”

I turned around, surprised.

“Is that allowed!?”

“Of course. We’ve come all this way; let’s look around.”

“Have you walked through it too, Lord Hal?”

“Naturally. It’s dangerous, of course, so I concealed my identity. But one cannot govern a country without knowing the ways of the common people, right?”

Hearing those words, my chest tightened squeeze with sudden pain.

“Ria? What’s wrong?”

The reason I first met Enzo was because Marcel, the Crown Prince of Chevran, had tempted me with similar words. They were complete lies, of course.

(I’ve met the real thing now.)

I felt that if I held this feeling close to my heart, I could move forward no matter what adversity I faced.

“I think so too, Lord Hal.”

“Then, let’s do some food walking.”

“Food walking!”

Heh. I won’t say it’s bad manners. I’ll teach you the commoners’ way.”

“Yes!”

Later, when I asked Enzo to arrange guards, he exclaimed, “That’s a secret date, isn’t it! Grr!” and started hopping up and down again, but I pretended not to see.