The 17th Princess Just Wants to Live - Ch. 32

Fifth Prince Rudolph, Seventh Princess Theodora, Twelfth Prince Richard, and Seventeenth Princess Lucilia.

The four of us held entirely different political stances.

Theodora claimed to be an information broker and had declared complete neutrality, while Rudolph and Richard were famously bitter enemies. And as for me… I was just the clueless younger one stuck between two older brothers.

Recently, the four of us had had a bit more interaction, though most people would likely think I bought information from Theodora while weighing my options between Rudolph and Richard.

But not Duke Cardina.

Considering the relationships between guests when hosting a social gathering was basic etiquette. It would be a problem if two rival families caused a sword fight in the middle of a party.

Yet Cardina boldly invited both Rudolph and Richard. And added Theodora and me to the mix.

It was a kind of declaration—a statement that Cardina was aware of our movements.

And, perhaps, a warning.

“They likely don’t know the details of our plans yet.”

Theodora spoke with a frustrated look, probably chiding herself for not tightening security, given the leaked information.

“But it seems like they’re seeing the four of us as a team.”

I fiddled with the invitation, deep in thought.

The four of us moving together—that alone revealed nothing.

What we were moving toward was what mattered. Most people weren’t even aware that the House of Aschenbach was plotting rebellion.

But Cardina probably knew, hence supporting Aschenbach…

A faint unease crossed my mind, like the first time I heard about Cardina aiding the rebellion.

Aschenbach had clashed repeatedly with the imperial family—on issues like the mining of magical stones in the northeast and taxation within their autonomous territories.

In general, Aschenbach disliked imperial interference in their internal affairs, while the imperial family was displeased with the northeast’s leniency towards imperial laws.

But Cardina was different. Cardina, whose western tourism business brought in vast wealth, desired stability and peace in the empire, like most merchants.

Cardina and Aschenbach didn’t have any special ties, either. To my knowledge, not even a single marriage had occurred between the two houses.

Why, then, would Cardina aid Aschenbach’s rebellion?

I glanced back down at the invitation. The invitation with my name etched on it felt subtly different now.

Maybe this wasn’t a warning but…

“What will you do, Sister?”

I looked up and asked Theodora. She shrugged.

“Me? I’m not going. It could be a trap. I have plenty to do and no need to go somewhere potentially dangerous.”

“What about our brothers? Have you spoken to them?”

“Rudolph didn’t seem interested. Not sure about Richard, though. Why?”

I tapped the invitation with my finger, thoughts racing through my mind. Finally, I made up my mind and smiled at Theodora.

“I’ll go with Brother Richard on this trip.”

…

Tristan stopped in his tracks.

Once again, the sky was overcast. She stood in the grassy field, as always, her hair shining like the sun and fluttering in the breeze.

“Hello, Tristan.”

Lucilia greeted him with a bright smile. Her face, beaming with joy, and her adorably childlike voice were just as always.

But Tristan, with a hardened expression, took a step back.

“Who are you?”

Tristan asked.

Lucilia tilted her head, looking perplexed. But Tristan eyed her warily, suspicion etched across his face.

A moment later, Lucilia smiled. It was entirely different from before—an eerie, chilling smile.

In the next instant, Lucilia was gone, as if she had never been there, and in her place stood a man.

His silver hair sparkled as if it emitted light, his snow-white face looked dignified yet graceful, and his eyes, as serene as a tranquil lake, scanned Tristan with a gentle curve.

He was extraordinarily beautiful, a figure with an almost angelic holiness.

But Tristan’s instincts whispered that he was no angel but something closer to a being that whispered sweetly into the ears of angels.

“Interesting.”

The man spoke in a clear voice. Tristan flinched; the man’s voice, ringing like chimes, bore a similarity to Lucilia’s.

“Most people may suspect, but they never truly believe. People trust their own eyes more than anything. Yet you knew right away that I wasn’t her.”

The man approached Tristan, leaning down to look him in the eyes.

“Do you know her well? Or…”

The man gave a sly smile.

“Is there something special in your eyes that reveals the truth?”

Tristan stared at him for a moment, then spoke.

“Are you perhaps the prince?”

The man’s expression soured slightly as he straightened.

“Yes, I am the Fifth Prince, Rudolph Sol Esperusa. So show respect, illegitimate child of Aschenbach.”

Tristan bowed deeply. He was ignorant of proper etiquette and didn’t know what else to do. Should he kneel? As he stared at the ground, lost in thought, Rudolph spoke.

“That’s enough.”

Tristan looked up, meeting Rudolph’s exasperated expression.

“You’re quite compliant for an Aschenbach. Yes, I suppose you’re better than Ludwig.”

At those words, Tristan became certain that the man before him was on Lucilia’s side. The mere title of prince hadn’t been enough to relieve his tension, but now he felt he could lower his guard just a little.

“I’ve come to relay a message from Lucilia. She apologizes that she won’t be able to come for a while.”

Rudolph’s face twisted slightly as he continued.

“She said <a while>, but in truth, you’ll never see her again.”

The news was shocking. Tristan’s eyes widened, his ears rang, and his heart pounded anxiously as if he’d been struck.

“You’ve agreed to join the plan. Her role was to persuade you, so there’s no need for you to meet again. Anyway, you’ll soon return to Aschenbach, so stay quiet until the time comes.”

Rudolph stepped closer. Though it was overly intrusive, Tristan, still reeling from the news of not seeing Lucilia again, didn’t immediately realize it.

The moment he felt Rudolph’s shadow over his face, Rudolph’s hand suddenly clamped around his neck.

“Well, you’ll be quiet whether you want to be or not.”

Rudolph smiled as he gripped Tristan’s throat.

“Now…”

Tristan began.

“What… are you planning?”

Rudolph looked mildly surprised.

People usually panicked or struggled when strangled, but the boy in front of him made no attempt to free himself. Hanging limply in Rudolph’s grasp, he resembled a corpse.

“I’m putting a leash on you.”

Rudolph explained, though there was no need to. He spoke out of simple curiosity.

“It means I’m casting a spell that will take your head if you disclose the plan to the duke or anyone else.”

Then, with a friendly tone, he added something incomprehensible to Tristan.

“She told me not to send you a ring.”

With those words, he channeled his power into his fingertips. Threads of thin magic flowed out, forming an intricate seal on Tristan’s neck.

When the spell was complete, Rudolph released him. Tristan fell to the floor, coughing dryly. Rudolph watched him, vaguely curious about his reaction.

“You have no objections, I trust?”

“I do not.”

Tristan replied calmly, almost dispassionately.

Rudolph raised an eyebrow. He had spoken to provoke a reaction, but Tristan’s response was bland.

So, he really was damaged, Rudolph thought. This wasn’t someone likely to betray anyone. Rudolph glanced down at him with a bit of scorn.

When Lucilia had urgently left for Cardina, asking Rudolph to relay a message to Tristan, he’d felt a slight thrill at the prospect of finally seeing this illegitimate child. He’d assumed there must be something extraordinary about the boy if Lucilia had chosen him as the next duke.

But meeting Tristan, Rudolph found him far less interesting than expected. Especially his eyes, which seemed devoid of any will to live.

No matter how talented, a person could accomplish nothing without ambition. Looking into those vacant eyes, Rudolph questioned why Lucilia cared for this boy so much.

Then again, he thought, he’d make a perfect puppet duke. With that, Rudolph turned to leave.

“I have a request.”

A strained voice stopped him.

“A request?”

Tristan, who had somehow managed to rise, looked Rudolph in the eye and said.

“Please use me.”

Rudolph felt something strange. Just moments before, this child had been as lifeless as a corpse. Yet now, his golden eyes shone with a will Rudolph hadn’t seen before.

“Her Highness told me to wait. She said if I only waited, everything else would be taken care of, and that she didn’t want me to get hurt…”

Tristan spoke with conflicting emotions.

He knew her heart—that she wished for him not to be harmed, that she hoped for his happiness. He didn’t know why she cared so much, but regardless of the reason, her feelings brought him an overwhelming joy.

“But I don’t want to just wait.”

And it was because of that heart that he felt miserable.

Tristan had lived a life crawling at the bottom. He had neither possessions nor knowledge and had accepted that without complaint.

But yesterday, when Lucilia told him to do nothing, he felt, for the first time, the weight of his own helplessness.

He knew nothing of politics. He couldn’t fully grasp the plan Lucilia had explained. Even if he wanted to help, he didn’t know how. She’d suggested searching through documents, but since he couldn’t read, he wouldn’t know which were important.

He wanted to help her, but he was powerless. Nothing could feel more wretched than that.

“I know there’s not much I can do. But I am closer to the duke than anyone.”

When Rudolph had told him about the plan, Tristan had sensed that this man would prioritize his utility over his safety.

“So please, use me. I don’t care what the task is.”

Tristan knelt before Rudolph and said.

“I want to be of help.”

To Her Highness. Though he didn’t say it, Rudolph understood the unspoken words.

“Hm.”

Rudolph paused, thinking. Slowly, a smile spread across his lips.

“If you insist so earnestly, then I suppose I could offer you some advice…”