Survival 143

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“Your Highness, I am so scared… Where could the others be?”

Riu, as the heir of the Count Caspera family, should have been making a dignified courtship.

She never imagined herself fawning in such a pitiful manner.

She barely suppressed the disgust rising to her throat.

What else could she do?

He was not someone she could assert her pride against.

“Ha ha, this is unlike the Riu who showed such fierce spirit against Luciana and her attendants.”

Riu lowered her eyes in embarrassment, gritting her teeth.

The Crown Prince.

In front of the highest authority who would succeed the Empire, the title of Count’s daughter was merely that of a sparrow before a falcon.

‘How did it come to this?’

Normally, there would be no reason for her to beg for affection so disgracefully.

After all, he was the Crown Prince.

For someone like her, a leader of the noble faction, he was practically the head of her political enemies.

‘If only it weren’t for that man…!’

Crunch.

The metallic taste of blood spread in her mouth.

Hans Byron, the man who had handed her complete defeat and helplessness.

When she first heard his command, she was utterly dumbfounded.

“You want me to… seduce the Crown Prince?”

“It seems you’ve forgotten your manners during our brief separation. Try again.”

“…You want me to seduce him?”

An absurd and unreasonable demand.

It was beyond incomprehensible; it was bizarre.

“Why? The Crown Prince is Lady Speda’s fiancé, whom you serve.”

Riu’s gaze sharpened as she questioned him.

Wasn’t it as if he wanted her to ruin that relationship by seducing the Crown Prince?

“Tsk, being quick-witted can be a problem too.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Luciana’s right-hand man was attempting to disrupt her engagement.

Though she had guessed it, the shock of such information was hard to process.

“What are you trying to test? Are you in a position to question my orders?”

Wham.

“Oh, no!”

His foot stomped roughly on the jade table she cherished.

The fear etched by that noise made her flinch involuntarily.

“Whether you get rejected by the Crown Prince, offend the Lady, or lose your standing in the noble faction, it’s none of my concern.”

‘As if I didn’t know that!’

He listed all the damages she would suffer by following his command.

However.

At his next words, Riu could only nod helplessly.

“But does that compare to your expulsion from the academy?”

“……”

“You’re smart enough to understand what I mean.”

Whether her status weakened.

Or she fell further.

…It was better than being expelled from the academy and becoming a nominal noble.

Hans Byron, meeting her eyes, raised the corner of his mouth in a mocking smile.

His demeanor clearly conveyed that she should not dare to defy him.

That overbearing attitude was indeed reminiscent of Lady Speda, whom he served.

In the end, she had no choice.

Half with resentment, half with resignation.

She had to carry out Hans’s command, reluctantly but inevitably.

“The child of … is actually an illegitimate child. Have you heard about it?”

“Oh my, how vulgar. No wonder their conduct seems so uncouth.”

“-Anyway, I heard His Highness is hosting a modest banquet soon.”

“It seems to be an event to replace the unfortunate incident during the coming-of-age ceremony.”

“I was really shocked. How could something so disgraceful… Lady Caspera?”

“…Ahem, could you tell me when the banquet will be held?”

Starting with gaining the opportunity to meet the Crown Prince, based on the information obtained from the social gathering.

“Lady Caspera, what brings you here? Come to mock me?”

“…Even though I am from the noble faction, I understand basic courtesy. Please set aside your worries.”

Building a rapport with him.

“Lady Caspera, there have been many rumors lately….”

“….You’ll understand if you wait.”

And the suspicious glances from the noble faction.

Nothing was easy.

Yet, finally, she had come this far.

“Lady Speda indeed lacks the qualities of a duke’s daughter. Her behavior and mindset are far from ladylike.”

“You’re absolutely right! People say her martial skills are exceptional, but that’s all there is to it.”

Meeting frequently at social gatherings.

Forming a bond through subtle gossip.

“Your Highness… I heard the contents of the midterm exams have changed.”

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

“If you don’t mind, would you form a team with me?”

“We’re both from the central region, aren’t we?”

“Oh, that’s just a nominal rule. It’s useless in the face of Your Highness’s authority. Though I may be lacking, I do have some decent abilities.”

Even stooping to appeal her usefulness, she succeeded in becoming a teammate with the Crown Prince for the midterm exams.

‘This should satisfy that despicable man.’

The Crown Prince, who had doted on her in front of Luciana Speda.

All that remained was for Hans Byron to arrive, and she would put an end to it.

She would simply make a direct confession to the Crown Prince in front of him.

-Good. Everything is perfectly set up. The audience is here, so let’s get started.

A monotonous voice echoed from the magic stone in her ear at just the right moment.

‘…Annoying.’

A man who was affable and humorous with others but endlessly cold when dealing with her.

Now, even hearing his voice sent chills down her spine.

However.

“Riu? What are you standing around for? We need to find our teammates. Come along….”

“I have something important to tell you, Your Highness.”

Taking a deep breath, she cast aside her fear.

In front of her, the Crown Prince tilted his blue-haired head, waiting for her to speak.

‘Right. This is a good opportunity.’

Hadn’t she been gradually losing her position to Luke Daimon within the noble faction?

Meanwhile, there were the glances she often felt after private meetings at social gatherings.

The Crown Prince, who treated her intimately without hesitation even in front of others.

What if she succeeded in seducing him here?

A new wind might blow.

Therefore.

She resolved to become the actress on the stage that the devil, Hans Byron, had set up for her.

“This is something I can only say now that Lady Speda is absent.”

“Hmm. Let’s hear it.”

“…Just saying it might be disrespectful, but I dare to say it. Luciana Speda and Your Highness are not a suitable pair.”

Twitch.

The Crown Prince’s eyebrow visibly twitched.

However, it wasn’t entirely a negative reaction, as the corners of his mouth were slightly curved upwards.

“Hmm. Indeed, I am too good for her.”

“Yes, you’ve mentioned during our conversations before. Her demeanor is too rough and arrogant for a duke’s daughter.”

Riu spoke sweetly but inwardly she was sneering.

Jealousy lurked beneath the surface.

Even she wasn’t sure what it was directed at.

Perhaps it was due to her inferiority in swordsmanship compared to his fiancée.

Or the difference in their influence within the Imperial faction.

Regardless,

She knew best from their conversations that he harbored negative feelings towards Luciana Speda.

She needed to exploit that gap.

Riu continued speaking with a look of regret.

“A partner should respect their counterpart. Especially if that counterpart is Your Highness, a fiancée should devote herself wholeheartedly.”

“That is certainly true. So, do you have someone in mind, Riu?”

‘Playing dumb quite skillfully.’

There was no way he didn’t understand the implications of a woman humbling herself like this.

Now, with a mischievous smile, the Crown Prince asked her again, and Riu took a step closer with a desperate look.

“How about me?”

“…Riu Caspera?”

“I have been thoroughly educated in etiquette and dedication towards a partner at the esteemed Count Caspera’s house. Unlike the rough Lady Speda.”

Wearing a mask of hypocrisy was her specialty.

She manipulated the muscles around her eyes with mana to shed tears.

She portrayed a sorrowful and pitiful expression, as though unable to hide her true feelings despite her noble facade.

“I know you have a partner. But he is merely a minor obstacle in the face of your will.”

“….”

“Regardless of factions, status, or the heir’s position, none of it matters. Even as a concubine, it’s fine. Please…”

As if responding to her plaintive voice, the magic stone at her ear buzzed.

-Wow, you’re good at saying things you don’t mean with that face. Truly, someone I can trust. Your acting is superb.

There were times when Hans Byron was playful with her.

When he was mocking.

Feeling miserable, Riu tightly shut her eyes.

At least he wouldn’t see her blush from shame.

He might mistake her flushed face as a result of embarrassment from the confession.

“A concubine… Ha ha, is that so.”

“Yes. Since it seems your heart has already left Lady Speda, may I dare to take that place beside you?”

“Ah. Naturally….”

Riu’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

His response was more positive than expected.

Just as she thought the trust she had built up might yield a better reward than anticipated.

“…But no.”

“…What?”

“You were quite gentle and ladylike. However, you seem to not know your place, which is a problem.”

Gone was the kind demeanor, replaced by sheer arrogance as he spoke coldly.

-I expected this, but it’s truly a disastrous moment.

“……”

-Why are you just standing there? The performance isn’t over yet. Go on, grovel. Make it enjoyable for the audience.

‘You expected this? And you still made me do it?’

Her whole body trembled with rising shame and resentment.

She felt like a puppet on strings.

However, as Hans Byron had said, she couldn’t back down.

‘It’s not over yet!’

At least the gaze she felt was real.

He wasn’t completely disinterested in her.

‘If I can use the Crown Prince, if I can establish some sort of relationship with him… my current precarious situation will improve significantly.’

Politics is all about calculation.

She had to clearly distinguish between her gains and losses.

How long would she be manipulated by Hans Byron?

However.

Her sister Laura and her own expulsion.

The reduction of her standing within the academy’s noble faction.

All those risks could be resolved by forming a connection with the Crown Prince.

There was no reason not to seize him.

“But, you said you despise such insensitive women! And you complimented me for my beauty!”

“Indeed. I do despise arrogant and oblivious women.”

As Riu Caspera eagerly tried to continue speaking,

A clear mockery appeared in his blue eyes.

“But that woman is the daughter of the Speda family. Just having her by my side enhances my prestige as the Crown Prince. Though her arrogance and presumption are bothersome, those can be corrected over time, whether it’s her temperament or manners.”

“…!”

“In contrast, what can Riu Caspera, the Count’s daughter, offer? I’ve heard well about how you were humiliated by mere attendants before.”

She was foolish.

She wasn’t the only one wearing a mask.

He… had never considered her worthy from the start.

“Your face is attractive, and your flirtation was entertaining enough to keep you around, but that ends now.”

Just a brief amusement.

The position of an heir to a Count meant nothing to his grand ego.

“…I apologize.”

“Well, it was enjoyable for a while. Perhaps if you hadn’t revealed your ambition, I might have enjoyed it a bit longer.”

A sharp taunt thrown at her bowed head.

He left her behind, indifferent to their shared team.

‘…Nothing ever goes right.’

Riu raised her head with a cold expression.

The dampness on her face felt unbearably unpleasant.

The only consolation was that she had completed the devilish man’s command.

With this… her twin sister and she could remain at the academy.

That should be enough.

-…Are you satisfied?

-Yes. That was excellent. As expected of Riu Caspera. You did a splendid job drawing out your opponent’s true nature.

Everything had been in his hands.

As she sighed deeply at the sound of his irritating voice,

[Doesn’t he make you angry?]

Suddenly, the chill in her ear brought her to her senses.

It wasn’t coming from the magic stone earring.

Moreover, it wasn’t Hans Byron’s voice, but that of an old man.

“Are you playing a prank? I didn’t know you could change your voice.”

-…I have no idea what you’re talking about. Are you hearing things because the Crown Prince rejected you?

As Hans answered incredulously, that presence whispered again.

[Hoho, a prank, you say? That’s disappointing. Does this hatred feel like a mere prank to you?]

The overwhelming magical whisper didn’t end with just one phrase.

[Are you angry at the one who manipulated you like a puppet and insulted your dignity?]

‘…Well, I am, but…’

[Perfect timing. I too have a grudge against him. It seems our desires align.]

Riu’s eyes became dazed.

A chill spread from her head, coursing through her entire body.

[And you have the aptitude. Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of your body.]

‘W-Who are you…?’

[Hahaha, it’s time for revenge!]

There was no time to resist.

It felt as if her entire body was being filled with ice.

At the same time, her consciousness began to fade.

“Ugh…”

Through her heavy eyelids, she could only see a man with black hair approaching.

***

“Why is she so out of it?”

She wasn’t the type to be deeply affected by being rejected by the Crown Prince.

Considering she approached him intentionally, was she pretending to be a heartbroken woman?

‘If she wanted to act, why not do it in front of the Crown Prince, not me?’

As I approached to check on the babbling Riu,

“Heh heh.”

Something about her demeanor had changed.

Seeing Riu Caspera glaring at me without hiding her killing intent made me frown.

“What’s this? Are you thinking of rebelling?”

“Of course, you insignificant human. I thought I would lose my body and wait eons, but to meet again like this!”

“…!”

The tone was clearly not Riu’s.

I quickly distanced myself from her.

-Crack!

The spot where I had just been standing was now filled with countless ice spears embedded in the ground.

If I had stayed there, I would’ve been skewered.

“This time, I will end this accursed bond!”

A red status window message appeared above her head, as her violet hair fluttered in the winter wind.

[BOSS]

[Snow Spirit Possessed Body (Riu Caspera)]

“…Damn it. I wondered why there wasn’t a second phase for the boss.”

I tried to back away slowly, but,

“Are you thinking of calling your comrades? I won’t let you!”

-Crunch.

Behind me, a massive ice wall rose, blocking the cave passage.

It was Riu’s specialty, ice magic.

“Heh heh, this body is quite useful!”

The entity that completely blocked my retreat smiled widely with Riu’s face.

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