The Villainess Who Looks Like a Little Girl Is in the Arms of the Ice Prince (Who Is Sometimes Cute) - Chapter 2

On the night of the next full moon, beneath a starry sky scattered with jewels, both the sea and wind were calm.

Only the witch and I, who was to undergo the ritual, were permitted to enter the Sea King’s Temple built atop the cape.

We stood side by side in the center of the great hall surrounded by thick white marble pillars, gazing at the trident; the motif of the sea god hanging on the wall.

Castehelmi, the Witch of Time, was said to be around two hundred years old and lived in the kingdom.

True to her name, she specialized in magic that manipulated time. She always wore a deep hood over her black robe and a veil covering the lower half of her face—no one, including me, had ever seen her true face.

Castehelmi was also Enzo’s master. It seemed her perception of the world differed from that of ordinary people.

She never took apprentices, yet she trained Enzo, saying it was because she foresaw the future.

“Perhaps the oracle means there is no path for Yuliana to live in this kingdom.”

The witch’s quiet voice was swallowed by the vast space. Here, only the sound of waves could be heard.

I was glad she cared about me in her own way, even though I was tainted by a death curse.

“That may be so.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve trained Enzo to survive even if killed a hundred times.”

“Hehe. I just hope he doesn’t grow tired of being with me.”

“No need to worry. Despite appearances, he’s a battle fanatic.”

“Oh, is that so? He always seems so carefree.”

I pictured the face of the attendant who always seemed to be looking at something else with his unopened eyes.

As someone highly capable both as an attendant and a bodyguard, he must find this small kingdom boring. Taking him to the empire would be a good opportunity for Enzo too. The empire, which had annexed various lands by force, surely had all sorts of talented people. At the very least, he wouldn’t be bored.

“He’s the type who enjoys overcoming difficulties. He’s probably thrilled inside.”

“My!”

Seeing me giggle, Castehelmi gestured forward toward the center of a huge magic circle drawn on the marble floor.

Moonlight streaming through the skylight illuminated the very center of the circle.

As I trembled with nervousness, Castehelmi spoke reassuringly.

“It’s just magic to revert your physical age to four years old. You’ll age normally afterward, so no need to worry.”

“Just…? Can the magic be undone?”

“If you strongly wish for it to be undone.”

(Just by strongly wishing?)

“That simple?”

“It’s not simple. No magic can stand against a person’s strong will. Besides, you don’t intend to return, do you?”

“…No.”

As expected of a witch. She sees right through everything.

I had no intention of returning to this kingdom.

I held no attachment to a place that sought to kill me as a villain. Fortunately, the Logier ducal house had my younger brother, and both parents doted on him.

“If you revert to four, you can redo your entire life. You’ll likely awaken new abilities too. May you find happiness in the life to come.”

Her quiet voice, like a prophecy or encouragement, made me able to obey sincerely.

“I am grateful.”

As Castehelmi quietly began chanting the spell, multicolored lights appeared before my eyes. A vortex of light swirled around my entire body, and soon my hands and height visibly shrank.

“Good night, Yuliana. When you wake, you’ll already be…”

Before I could finish hearing Castehelmi’s words, I fell asleep.

◆

The canopy of my familiar bed felt higher than usual. The pillow was bigger too. Though it should be my own room, the discomfort came from my body having shrunk.

As I was thinking calmly,

“It seems she’s awake,”

urged by the maid’s voice, my father peered down at me, the corners of his eyes drooping.

“Yuli. It was a success.”

“Yes, Father.”

(!?)

I meant to speak normally, but my articulation was poor.

“Haha! Even your speech has reverted to a four-year-old’s.”

“Um, mirror, please.”

The hand mirror the maid timidly handed over should have been familiar, yet it felt heavy.

Sitting up, I plopped it onto my knees and peered in; meeting the gaze of a little girl with large purple eyes.

“Me?”

“Yeah. Brings back memories.”

Shining golden hair, rosy cheeks. Her pink lips looked so soft, as if they’d never uttered any harsh words.

“…Four years old…”

I wanted to say “four years old,” but I couldn’t anymore. I had to get used to that.

“Is your physical condition alright?”

“Yes.”

“Then, prepare to depart for the empire.”

Rising smoothly from the bedside, my father didn’t look at my face again. Ten days later, I was sitting in a carriage with Enzo.

“You’re no longer ‘Young Lady,’ but Lady Ria, correct?”

The princess of the kingdom was named ‘Rianne.’ I convinced myself that ‘Ria’ was taken from the middle of Yuliana as a nickname and trained to get used to being called that.

“What is it? Enjo…zo?”

“Pfft.”

The attendant who couldn’t cover his mouth in time turned away, shoulders shaking. It might be too casual an attitude toward a princess, but we were in a carriage. I’d let it slide.

“You said that on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Was I that obvious?”

“I’m still not used to the shape of my mouth.”

My mouth movements were clumsy, and my tongue felt short, making it hard to speak properly. It seemed I’d have a hard time until I got used to it.

“Mmm-hmm. Then, how about ‘En’?”

“En.”

“Yes, Lady Ria. Are you sure it was wise to refuse bringing any maids?”

“Yes. There was no one I could trust.”

If I kept a spy who might easily leak imperial information to our homeland, it could affect me if things went wrong. I wanted to eliminate as many concerns as possible.

“But still, this doesn’t feel like a princess’s marriage procession. It’s too simple a move.”

“It’s just me. This is fine.”

“…If you’re fine with it, then it’s fine.”

“Young lady, prohibited.”

“Haha, that’s right. My apologies.”

We brought only the bare minimum of belongings, and Enzo was the only person accompanying me.

It was hardly fitting for a princess of a nation entering the empire as the crown prince’s fiancée.

But for me, Enzo alone was enough. As long as I had him, someone I knew well for both personal care and protection, it was fine.

“Hmm. My counterpart is Folkuhato… Baruryingu… denka? Right?”

“It’s Crown Prince Folkhardt Barling, Lady Ria.”

“…That’s what I meant to say.”

“Hehe.”

“Silver hair and blue eyes, right?”

“Yes. Because of his appearance and nature, he’s called the Ice Crown Prince~. So scary~!”

I’d heard from my father that the emperor ruled with oppressive force, and the crown prince strongly inherited that trait, excelling in ice magic and swordsmanship.

“Stop scaring me.”

“First, you must take good care of your life.”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

I was aware of being a villainess prone to tongue-related disasters.

Enzo drooped the corners of his eyes grandly, as if affirming that.

“Please. Until I finish gathering information, bear with it, will ya?”

“Okay.”