ENOY READING :)TMHLBQ CHAPTER 43: The Self-Centered Princess’ Desire.
Translated by Eunie
Edited/Proofread by Para “Speaking of which, Pryde, It seems like our Knights Order has safely made it back to the castle.” Hearing Stayle’s words, I said, “I’m glad,” as I place a hand on my chest. Soon after the audience with Mother ended, Val was taken by the Knights Order to save the imprisoned neighbouring knights, and they were safely found. Today they were all escorted back to their country. Now the Knights Order is scheduled to return home. Val acting as the guide for the Knights Order, how they immediately escorted them safely back to their respective kingdom, and that they were supposed to arrive today were all pieces of information relayed in real-time by someone’s special ability. All the knights that were imprisoned were exhausted, but other than that, they were all safe. There were some knights who developed fevers due to infected wounds. Although it would have been better to have them stay here in our country to recover since it's nearer, the captured knights insisted on returning. Hence the reason why they were all immediately escorted back to their country. In any case, I’m glad they will all be able to return safely. Perhaps noticing how I patted my chest, Style smiled and said, “I’m sure the Captain will be pleased.” This time the one who lead the knights to rescue the prisoners was Vice-Captain Clark. Even though the Captain recovered nicely after receiving treatment from a healer, he still has to rest to ensure that he has completely recuperated. That's why Vice-Captain Clark led the rescue operation. Apparently the real reason is that it would be hard for the injured recruits to rest if they saw the Captain, who received the gravest injuries, back on his feet and working again. Which in this case, is totally understandable. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com “...Pryde, I will accompany you later when you meet with the criminal,” Stayle said with a solemn look on his face. After I had an audience with Mother, Stayle, whose morning training had just ended, heard from Tiara about what happened and has been quite upset about it. He started bombarding me with questions such as, ‘Why did you not call me?’ ‘Did Prime Minister Gilbert say anything to you?’ and stuff like ‘An enslavement contract with a criminal?!’ I apologized and told him that I didn’t want to disturb him in the middle of his morning training and that I never really thought that things would escalate like that. Stayle made me promise that next time a significant discussion comes up, whether it's with Mother, Father, or when Prime Minister Gilbert calls out to me. No matter what thesituation is, I should always tell him. “...Alright. I promise, Stayle.” That’s why I agreed when Stayle said he’d come with me when I go and talk to Val. To think he’s this worried for me. “Umm, Elder Sister…can I also accompany you…?” Tiara asked while clasping my hand. Even though she was so scared when she saw Val. Despite that, she’s so worried about me that she wants to follow. Both of them are such good younger siblings that it’s a waste for someone like me. When we arrived at the audience chamber, Val was already on his knees while the palace guards were standing watch. He seemed to have noticed our presence as his shoulders started to shake. …It’s okay. Val's under the enslavement contract, so he can’t cause us any more harm. That’s what I’ve been telling myself, but despite that, I was still worried, so I told Stayle and Tiara to stay behind me. “Val, you can say anything. Right here, right now. I am allowing you to even insult me. Just say whatever you want to say.” After saying that, I went and stepped closer to Val. With dark brown hair and tanned skin, his sharp eyes were glaring daggers at me. “...Monster,” Val muttered hatefully. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com Right. To Val, who witnessed firsthand what happened during that fight, I must look like some unfathomable monster in his eyes. It felt like Stayle was about to make a move an instant after hearing Val. I stopped him with one hand so that he could rein himself in. “After this, you’ll be released. …How do you plan to live your life from here on?” He’s done his job after rescuing the captured knights, and now he’ll be set free. Val is not allowed to lie, so he went silent for a bit as he contemplated what to say. He said just one thing: he doesn’t know as he's never really thought about it. “...I see.” I closed my eyes once and then met his gaze again. “Val, from here on, you can never say a word to anyone about what happened on that cliff and what I did that day…. No, not just that. You are not allowed to speak a word of any information about us.” Val can never go against it so long as I order him not to. “Now then. This might be the last order I can give as you will live your life from here on.” Upon hearing my words, Val’s eyebrows furrowed. “First, if you sense a dire situation occurring…then please, I want you to protect my precious little sister, Tiara, with your special ability.” “Wha–!” Val’s voice hitched upon hearing my words. Behind me, I heard Tiara gasp, and Stayle raised his voice as he said, “Pryde! Just what are you….” But, well, I just decided to ignore them. Val’s ability is powerful. He can make high, strong earth walls. Even though a downside is that it's impossible to activate if there’s no rubble around him. It was more than powerful enough to protect the captain and me. Despite the intensity of the collapsing cliff, it’s truly remarkable how we both came out unscathed. Depending on the capture target's route, during the game’s climax, there are scenes where Pryde recklessly destroys the castle. But I’m sure if it's him, he can protect Tiara. Since Tiara is the game's heroine, she has her step-brother Stayle, Arthur, the future captain of the knights, and the other capture targets around her. So I know she’ll be okay, even though I still don’t want her to get hurt no matter how small it is, nor do I want her to face any dangers. That’s why I think it's better to have at least one more person protect her. After all, it will be up to her to rebuild this country if I become the most heretical last boss queen. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com “This must be your number one priority, and in order to do this, I will even allow you to go against my orders so long as you can protect her.” That way, even if I become evil and order him to kill Tiara, he still won’t be able to do it. Unlike the other capture targets, that child is a fragile heroine. Val could not comprehend my order, but it matters not if he understands. As long as he’ll be able to act upon it, then it’s all good since that’s what matters the most to me. “And the second one is….” Val tensed up once again upon hearing my words. Well, it can’t be helped, I guess. Since he doesn’t know what other weird, ambiguous requests he might receive. “Val, if you ever find yourself in an extremely helpless situation. If you want someone to help you from the bottom of your heart, come to me." Hearing my words, Val looked at me with disbelief. His eyes kept blinking as if he was asking if I’d gone crazy. But then again, it doesn’t matter if he understands or not. “I’m done with my orders. You are now free to leave.” After saying that, Val headed towards the door, still perplexed about the whole thing. But before stepping out of the room, he looked back and asked, “Wha-what do you mean by that?” “You don’t have to worry about it. So long as you don’t find yourself in such a situation. That’s it. That’s all there is to it....” That’s all I told him. I didn't dare tell him anything more. I made sure watch with my own eyes as Val left the room. And just like I ordered him to do, he opened the door and left. He left the palace grounds while being escorted by the guards. “Pryde! Why did you order a criminal like him to do such a thing….!!” “Elder Sister, why? Why does it have to be me? Shouldn’t it be Elder Sister who must be protected at all costs?” Soon after the palace guards escorting Val closed the door, Stayle and Tiara started bombarding me with questions. Both of them have a lot they want to ask. Since Val was still here, they didn’t say anything and endured it the whole time. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com First of all, I said, “I’m sorry.” After all that, I should at least try to explain myself. “Well, look. Tiara’s a lot more fragile than me. And besides… he’s finally dismissed, but because of the enslavement contract, if he encounters any difficulties, maybe I can do something to help him.” “But that’s just retribution for the crimes he's committed!” Stayl exclaimed. “Yes. You are right. But…since he’s been released, he’s now also part of the citizens that I must protect.” If he didn’t know the location of the captured knights and Mother told me to judge him, then without a doubt, I would not hesitate to give him the death penalty. Even though there was some restriction placed on him because of the enslavement contract, it doesn’t change the fact that he now has to live the rest of his life as a citizen of this country. Of course, it’s not like I can support him in everything, but if there’s ever a day when he really needs help, I want to be there and give him a hand. After saying that to Stayle while sheepishly smiling at him, Stayle’s scrunched-up eyebrows softened as he sighed. “... …I understand. …It’s fine. Besides, I already know that Pryde is that kind of person. That’s why…,” Stayle said, and then in a quiet voice, I heard him mumble, “it’s all the more reason for me to be the one to properly… keep my eyes…open (TL Note: To keep one’s eyes open means to remain vigilant.) …Hmmm? Am I perhaps already on my way to becoming the most heretical and heinous queen? To think he’d say he’s going to ‘keep his eyes open.' I’m starting to worry a little. Could it be Stayle has started to be cautious of me? I wonder if this is because of the Enslavement Contract? But still, when that happened, it was part of my official duties as the queen. However, if I, who has yet to be crowned queen, did it and…. If what happened now is the same as what happened to Stayle in the game, then… it could mean that the game's scenarios are still continuing. Suddenly, I felt chills crawling down my back. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com “Elder Sister…” Tiara called out to me as she pulled my hand. Wondering what it could be, I looked at Tiara. I was surprised to see her teary eyes. When I asked her what was wrong, her lips quivered a little, and then she said, “I…Is my existence a hindrance to Elder Sister…?” ‘Eeh!?’ I immediately faced her and placed my hands over her shoulder. “Definitely not. You are my most precious little sister. Why would you even think of something like that?” “Elder Sister is the person who’ll become the next queen. That’s why you are the person who should be protected the most, and yet you gave such an order to protect me… Elder Sister is…it’s all because I’m weak….” It appears that she’s misunderstanding something here. It’s because I know the contents of the game I used to play back in my past life. The person who must be protected at all cost is no other than Tiara herself; that’s why I made the decision, but…. “...I’m sorry, Tiara. It’s just that you are very dear to me. That’s why I want to be able to protect you. If I caused any misunderstandings, I apologize.” After saying that, I immediately wrapped my arms around her tiny frame and embraced her. I stated my piece; hopefully it resolved the misunderstanding between us. But as expected, Tiara’s tears started falling as she clutched my dress. What should I do? First Stayle and now Tiara. What should I do if even Tiara misunderstands and starts thinking I hate her? …I can’t help but be reminded of that time in the game when Tiara cried because she wanted to be loved by her sister. I certainly don’t want her to experience the same emotions as in the game. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com I wrapped my arms tighter around her and said, “...I love you, Tiara. You are my precious family….You are my one and only little sister. No matter what happens in the future… these feelings of mine are real. So please, even if it’s just that I want you to believe it.” Even if, seven years from now, I end up doing something extremely unforgivable to you. Even if I end up hating you or if you and the capture targets start hating me. Somehow. Please remember that I did love you. I hope you never forget how the me right now truly loves you. Soon after, Tiara nodded, and I heard her mutter in a minute voice, “Yes…Elder Sister.” Relieved upon hearing those words, I held up my hand towards Stayle, who’s been quietly watching over the both of us. I grabbed his arm and pulled him over for a group hug with Tiara. “I also love you a lot, Stayle, my one and only precious little brother.…Even if there comes a day where I become unbefitting for the position as the next queen, please…I hope that you will still let me be your older sister.” Both Stayle and Tiara are settled in my arms now. I wonder if it’s because Tiara’s extremely close to Stayle that his face, which is buried in my arms, is flushed red. And for a while, I continued to embrace Stayle and Tiara. I pray sincerely in my heart that they will at least remember this moment when the day comes when both of them will convict me. EUN HERE: Just wanna ask a quick question. for a long chapter so do you guys prefer for a faster update but divide the chapter by parts or slow update but the whole chapter.
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