CHAPTER 6: the heinous princess' moonlit night visit.
Translated by Eunie
Edited/Proofread by Para Even during dinner, I was told that he would be having his dinner in his room for the same reason. It seems like there's no other choice but for me to sneak into his room just like in the game. I did consider going through the window since he was only one floor below my room; however, just the other day, I caused trouble for Lotte and the others, so I can't do that. What's more, even though I recovered memories of my previous life, as a girl, I couldn't do something shameful like that. But if it's Pryde? How will I go and meet Stayle just like in the game?? If it's me... And then it hit me, I can do just that, and while thinking about it, I couldn't help but grin as I thought to myself, 'Ahh, I knew it. I'm the black belly Princess, Pryde...' With a book in hand, I boldly went out of my room and headed straight for Stayle's room, and when I reached his room, as expected, two knights were guarding the door. "Pryde-sama" They immediately noticed my presence, and then, I returned a grin to them as I said, "I want to read a book to Stayle. I heard he still can't read. That's why Father said it's fine if I read him a book." Well, I also said the same thing to the knights guarding my room, and when I mentioned Father's name, they couldn't really say no, even though it's a big fat lie. But because of that, they quickly let me inside his room. "Stayle...? I'm coming in." As soon as I shut the door, the room was pitch dark already, and the only thing I could rely on was the moonlight from the window. "Pryde-sama…. Do you need anything from me…?" He's there. He was sitting in a fetal position on top of the bed, and when he lifted his face, his expression was a lot worse than the one he made during lunch. "Sorry for coming in here late at night. I really wanted to talk to you before we signed the contract tomorrow." I said as I slowly inched towards him so that he wouldn't be nervous or frightened, like what you do when you try to interact with wild animals. Stayle tilted his head to the side and said in a low voice, "The First Princess has something to tell me?" "Stayle, don't you want to meet your mother?" After hearing what I just said, I saw him flinch, and for the first time, his expression changed. Ah, even this expression of his was similar to the ones he showed in the game! And then it was after this that Pryde showed him the enslavement agreement. Somehow, I feel like over the past few days, images and scenes from the game have become a lot more vivid as I remember them. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com Then I revealed the items I hid inside the small bag to Stayle, and he asked, "That is...?" and then his eyes grew round as he fixedly stared at it. "This is the key to your handcuffs. I secretly borrowed it from Father's drawer, and with this, you can run away from here." That's right, as long as the handcuffs are removed, with his teleportation ability, he can immediately leave and reunite his mother. In the game, they used him to teleport the heroine around the castle town, and under Pryde's orders, she even made him assassinate someone. Stayle was forcefully separated from his mother, and the latter was given a lot of compensation to the point that it would be easy for them to flee and live in another country, and then Stayle can be…. "I shouldn't." And so I was immediately rejected. Now it was my turn to gape at him. I opened my mouth and was somehow able to ask him, "Why...?" "I was told that I shouldn't meet with Mom anymore. That I should devote myself to Pryde-sama and that I should forget her and live happily inside the palace. If I go and meet my previous family or run away from here, then they'll be punished, and I don't want my mom to be punished…." After saying that, Stayle hugged his knees tighter and looked down. It even seemed like tears would trickle down from those obsidian eyes at any moment now. I see. So that's why the Pryde in the game said, "I'll make sure you can meet your Mother," as a condition. Telling him that as long as Pryde herself acquires permission, then his mother wouldn't have to be punished. ...Even though she never planned on doing it. The rules and regulations are strict. It would be unforgivable for someone adopted by the Royal Family to meet their former family. Assassinations and kidnappings are worrisome, so there's also the need for the Royalty to epitomise their authority to the citizens. It was plain for the eight-year-old me to see, much more so for the adults. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com "When people from the palace came and told us, I really hated it. So the next day, I ran away a lot and struggled to get away from them. But his highness, the Prince Consort, came to our house and gave me two weeks. During that time, I talked a lot with Mother, that's why when we bid our goodbyes, there were no regrets since I was able to say goodbye properly and was able to tell her that I loved her a lot…." Then his voice became softer and softer until I could barely hear him when he said, "how much Mother cried after that…. And even if I run away from here, then it means a different child will be called…. I have a friend who also has an ability, but his only family member is his little sister... that's why I'd hate it if he's called to replace me…." I wonder how I should say this. Stayle was only seven, but he was even worried about things like that. I felt so ashamed of my shallowness. As I listened to him, I could feel every word of the young boy seeping into my heart. Really, Pryde is... I really am the worst human. I… I even ordered a child like this... To kill his mother. After being tricked into signing an enslavement contract and being lied to about meeting his mother…. Even though he hated Pryde, he was bound by the contract and could not defy a single command, forced to follow Pryde's willfulness. Thinking of him as one of her toys, it was the day before Tiara's birthday when she thought of it. "Oh right, Stayle. I haven't done my part of the promise, right? To let you meet with your mother?" After hearing her words, Stayle looked at her with confusion. His expression saying 'why are you bringing that now?' After saying that, she handed a knife to Stayle. "Using this knife, kill your mother without anyone noticing." And then Pryde merrily laughed, "Ah~ I can finally see that kind of expression on your face." It was Stayle's expression who resigned himself from what seemed to be endless despair. Unable to defy her, Stayle, who killed his mother, was left with a permanent scar. But I know that I am incapable of making him do that. I'm sure. If I didn't remember the memories of my past life, then I would have spent my whole life acting selfish and cunning, unable to comprehend the cruelty of my words and actions. Or rather, I feel like I'd spend most of my time thinking about how to get a more amusing reaction from Stayle, who I acquired as a toy. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com But seeing the crouching Stayle in front of me now. I was filled with nothing but feelings of wanting to atone to him. I didn't even know how to apologise as I could only stand there and grip the key in my hand. It seemed that seeing me stand still and quiet worried him, so he continued his words and said, "Thank you for being concerned over someone like me. I'm glad that it was you, Pryde-sama…. If not, it would have been scary. I don't need the key so please return it. I'll be in your care tomorrow…." And before I knew it, I found myself hugging the small body of Stayle. Even though he's only a year younger than me and was still only a young boy... and yet he was a lot thinner than me. It even felt like that if I exerted even a little strength, then he would surely crumble. Just how much did he have to endure, just how much kindness does he possess? It isn't me who can save him. It can only be her, the young, kind-hearted heroine. Only his step-sister, Tiara, can be the solace for his heart and the support that he needs. As Tiara's adoptive older brother, he was always protecting her from Pryde. And as time goes on, her happiness will be his hope. He slowly lost his heart from all the heinous orders of Pryde making him do unjust acts, using his ability to cover his hands with the blood of countless people. But only in front of Tiara is he the gentle older brother, and it’s the only time he found himself feeling like a human being. I can never save him. I can't even let him escape. For the rest of his life, he'll be bound to me. Then the least I could do is…. "I promise you... I will never hurt you more than this...!! You and your mother, who live in this country, I'll make sure to make everyone living here happy and to always have a smile on their face…. I assure you...as long as I am alive...!!" How pitiful. Even though Stayle has been enduring so much, here I am crying. I should at least not let him see me like this, so while I was hugging him, I secretly wiped my tears away with the back of my hand. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com How can someone crying like this be reliable? Stayle remained quiet as I continued to embrace him when suddenly I heard a knock at the door. It was one of the knights saying that it's time for me to leave. I'm glad that by then, my tears had already stopped. I slowly let go of Stayle, but this time he was no longer looking down, and for the first time, he looked directly at me. There was only the moonlight, so I couldn't see clearly, but somehow, I could see some tears in the corner of his eyes. Ah. I was being selfish again. I wasn't able to notice that he was crying, nor did I wipe them away. I really should reflect. And then slowly, I used my fingertips to wipe the remaining tears from his eyes and said, "I'm really sorry it has gotten this late. Good night and have a good rest." With a weak smile, I left his room. It seems like Stayle said something in return, as his mouth seemed to move, but I wasn't able to hear it properly. I still have ten years. At least as the first princess of this country, I should do what I can for now. I told myself as I renewed the resolve in my heart. Sorry wasn't able to post it earlier. i'm almost bawling my eyes out. like reading it raw, then translating it. typing it and then the pryde in the game....to such a sweet boy!!
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