The Villainess Who Looks Like a Little Girl Is in the Arms of the Ice Prince (Who Is Sometimes Cute) - Chapter 6

“Ria. Who are you?”

As I struggled to grasp the intent behind his question—what exactly was he asking me? Prince Folkhardt pressed further.

“I’ve dismissed the attendants. I have no intention of harming you. Speak truthfully.”

Behind me, I sensed Enzo quietly preparing for combat.

“Enzo. Did you not hear my words? I have no intention of harming anyone.”

But Prince Folkhardt restrained Enzo with his words and continued to gaze calmly at me. Indeed, it was clear he had no intention of escalating the situation.

“Ria. I ask again. Who are you?”

“…I shall answer. But before that…”

Just when my speech had been gradually improving, I stumbled over my words again. My tongue refused to obey due to my agitation.

“What is it?”

“How did you come to realize?”

“You’re too clever for a four-year-old.”

He let out a deep sigh. It felt like a cold wind for early summer, reaching even me.

“I have a seven-year-old brother, but the difference is too great. Ria is rational and frighteningly adept at reading the situation. That comes from years of accumulated experience; something impossible for a four-year-old.”

If he had discerned that from my brief glances and attitude, his observational skills were terrifying.

(Ah. There’s absolutely no way I can deceive him now.)

I steeled myself.

“Yes. I am not Princess Rianne.”

“Lady Ria!”

“It’s alright, Enzo. I was prepared for this from the start. Your Highness. I am Yuliana Logier.”

Prince Folkhardt’s brows furrowed tightly.

“If my memory serves me correctly, that name belongs to the daughter of Duke Logier, who should be eighteen years old.”

“Yes. Due to the Witch of Time’s miracle.”

Bang! Clatter!

Prince Folkhardt’s fist slammed onto the table. The impact of the cup jumping on its saucer assaulted my ears and made my heart leap.

“What foolishness. Has Chevran fallen so far?”

“Eh?”

“I warned them repeatedly that the blood of the Sea God alone is no longer sufficient. They must cherish the people, worship the Sea God, and respect the rituals, or the Jewel Spring will dry up.”

“Eh!”

“If they cannot do that, then they must share the Sea God’s blood with the Empire and come under our protection.”

“Such a thing! I haven’t heard of this!”

Only the royal family and a limited number of high-ranking nobles know about the Jewel Spring.

As I wondered why he knew about it, Prince Folkhardt lifted his chin as if gazing at the gazebo’s ceiling.

“…Fifteen years ago, we annexed a forest kingdom.”

That was the homeland of Maid Magot.

“They had mountain worship similar to the Sea God faith. But as time passed, they pursued profit too much, neglected nature, treated the mountains poorly, and their faith diminished.”

I recalled Magot saying, “They took down the entire clan that was corrupting our country for us.”

“As a result, the resources obtained from the mountains decreased, and the country declined. Our Emperor merely prevented it through force. Now, under the Prime Minister, we have a Minister of Forests who handles the politics of that region. Unfortunately, Chevran is following the same path.”

Swoosh—Prince Folkhardt lowered his chin and fixed his gaze on me.

“Lady Yuliana, if I recall correctly, you were the hostess of a diplomatic salon. I see. So, this is also for information blockade. A despicable method.”

There was no evidence for any of his statements. He could have been deceiving me with sweet words. But I was certain these were facts. Because this engagement offered no benefit whatsoever to the Empire.

In diplomacy, engagements with other countries always involve some expected benefit. If the goal was to seize the Jewel Spring, becoming engaged to a young princess would take years with no guarantee of success. Even as a pretext for intervention, using military force to threaten the king would be quicker. The method was too gentle. I had felt something was off from the beginning.

“Will you forgive me?”

“Forgive?”

“That I deceived you.”

“Hah.”

Strangely, the tension in Prince Folkhardt’s brow eased.

Did I say something strange?

“The ones who deceived are King Chevran and Duke Logier. Not Yuliana.”

“But—”

“Ah, if it’s Yuliana, then being Ria isn’t so strange either… Ria.”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to return to your country?”

“No. Ah—”

(Damn it, I answered too quickly!)

Honestly, I have no attachment to anything; not the foolish prince, not the conversations with stubborn young ladies, not my relationship with my scheming father, not even the diplomatic salon where only minor business deals were possible.

Rather, I’m starting to find my time speaking with Prince Folkhardt more meaningful and enjoyable.

“Then it’s fine. This is embarrassing to admit, but people around me are afraid of me, making it difficult to find a fiancée. It doesn’t look good for the Crown Prince to be without one. Will you stay here as you are?”

“If I am acceptable. But—”

“Eventually, we’ll have to do something about Ria’s situation, but that involves relations between nations. For now, let’s observe how things develop.”

“Eh! You’re not going to report to His Majesty?”

“…Ria. Who would believe that an eighteen-year-old became four?”

“Ah.”

Chuckle—Prince Folkhardt shook his shoulders.

“I can believe it because I’m an ice mage. To ordinary people, it’s a fairy tale. If they knew about rejuvenation, countless people would surely attack the Witch of Time.”

(I never thought of that!)

Behind me, Enzo let out a deeply disgusted sigh.

Suddenly, Prince Folkhardt turned his gaze toward Enzo.

“Enzo, you’re a dark mage, aren’t you? You make no sound at all. Having no shadow, you’re a terrifying practitioner.”

“Ugeh! Normally people wouldn’t notice. You’re a scary person~. Could you please stop freezing the soles of my feet since earlier?”

“I didn’t want you to escape.”

“I’m not going to run! Ooooh~ so cold, freezing!”

It seemed there had been an invisible battle going on that I wasn’t aware of.

“Enzo is my lifesaver. Please, show him mercy.”

At my request, Prince Folkhardt deliberately shrugged his shoulders.

“If my fiancée says so, then I have no choice.”

“Doh-hee!”

“Enzo. Can you turn back time? The tea has gone cold.”

Enzo immediately dropped the corners of his mouth at the prince, who pointed at the teapot with a smirk.

“You’re ordering me around so suddenly!”

“My fiancée’s attendant is my attendant, isn’t he?”

“Uwaa! Then I’ll treat you the same way as my master!”

“I don’t mind.”

“Please don’t say things like you’ll behead me suddenly.”

“I won’t say it.”

“Haaaah, fine, I get it.”

When Enzo touched the teapot, steam rose from its spout.

“Then, I’ll brew something delicious. Please take good care of my master.”

I thought there was genuine feeling behind the teasing attendant’s words.

Prince Folkhardt stood up, strode over to my side, and dropped to one knee on the ground.

“Prince Hal!?”

Taking my surprised hand, the prince placed his other hand over his heart.

“I swear to heaven that I will cherish you.”

The prince’s hand was warm. I realized I was experiencing the feeling of being cherished for the first time in my life. It felt as if warmth was slowly spreading through my chest.

“…I am deeply grateful.”

“No. Rather, I’m the one who should give thanks. I was thoroughly sick of marriage proposals and evening receptions for introductions.”

As the prince stood up smoothly and returned to his seat, I asked him.

“What exactly have people said about you that makes them afraid?”

With a serious expression, the prince answered.

“What I heard from my mother is: your face is scary, your magic is scary, your words are harsh, your attitude is cold.”

“Well…”

I thought the Empress was rather blunt to tell him such criticisms directly, but it must have been quite severe.

Snrk

Enzo’s hair which he had accidentally blown out froze solid with a crack.