A child became silent due to shock.
His terrified green eyes are completely different, but his shining silver hair resembles that annoying emperor.
This child is the Emperor's brother and the disciple of Hilaria, into whom I was incarnated.
In other words, a political hostage between the Awakened and the wizards.
At the same time, the presence that will make the relationship between the Emperor and Hilaria reach its worst state in the future.
'So, you are Prince Louis.'
I picked up the paper the child had written with precise movements.
There were letters in a foreign language that were supposed to be strange.
Fortunately, I am not illiterate.
Perhaps thanks to the property of incarnation, I was able to read and understand writing easily.
But the problem is not here.
"a party?"
What was written on the paper was:
─ Madam Teacher, take me to the party.
His handwriting was so cute that I almost laughed, but the content wasn't funny.
Party, isn't that an event?
The most important event.
Although I don't know the exact timeline of the original story, I knew we were before it began.
I remember that tomorrow's ball is the event in which the heroine will appear before the Emperor for the first time.
But, should I go with him?
This child will be seriously injured at that party because of the Emperor's madness...
“Louis.”
With my words, I saw the anticipation in his eyes slowly fade away.
'Ah, what should I do?
'I'll make him cry.'
But I have not yet decided whether I will destroy the story or sneak in as an assistant in its events to survive.
Is attending such a large event the right choice?
As if sensing my confusion, the annoying status window popped in again.
This time, without fireworks.
A gray window asked me:
[An important turning point has occurred.
Call Louis.
The child wants his teacher to be his partner and appear in front of his brother.
He respects you and his brother, but he also fears you both.
Do you accept Louis' invitation?
Decide wiy.
Your choice will determine the course of events.]
I bit my lip hard.
I will live.
I will not be a villain doomed to death, but rather I will remain the Emperor's stubborn rival until the end.
Without being detected, in peace!
So, no matter what I thought, skipping the party seemed like the right choice.
I still don't know much.
So, rejection is the surest option...
'That's true, isn't it?'
'Oh, how cruel.'
If I refuse, the child will go to the party alone and, as in the original story, will be injured, possibly to death.
His pale face, his pursed lips, and his trembling, clenched hand revealed how much courage he mustered to come to me.
“Haaa.”
I felt a stab in my heart and I slowly opened my lips:
“Louis, I can't go.”
Where am I?
Who am I?
I thought Duchess Ariel only wore a formal outfit, but she had luxurious and elegant dresses in abundance.
I didn't need much preparation to attend the party in one day!
“Ah, how long have we not seen you at a party, ma'am!
As expected, you have come to raise the status of witches.”
“We respect you, my lady!
When will you show your magic...”
Yes, I lost.
[The turning point has been ected.
You decided to save Louis.
This will greatly affect upcoming events.
We wish you a wise choice!]
Louis, smiling shyly and holding my hand, was today's winner.
'decent.
They say that even in a tiger's den, if you stay alert, you can survive.'
Yes, then...
“Your Majesty.”
'Ah, damn it.'
I didn't mean for the tiger to come directly!
The Little Prince, that was the nickname given to Louis.
Even at the age of 10, he knew his place.
His mother, the witch, hated his father and brother, but he was the outcast.
Compared to his brother, the Excellent Awakener of Water and Ice, Prince Charming was mute, unable to cast magic, and a great disgrace.
But Louis lived.
Thanks to his brother's arrogant but caring decision towards his family.
Even though he left the Imperial Palace to live under the care of a strange teacher, Loyas was grateful.
So, he tried not to cry despite his teacher's coldness and cruelty.
Even when he had a fever for a week without a visit from her, he was not disappointed.
Despite his longing for his brother the Emperor, he was unable to say a word in front of him, but he did not complain to anyone.
But he had one desire.
At the empire's founding party, he wanted to show that he was alive, and that his teacher had not abandoned him despite his silence.
So, he gathered his courage and asked his teacher about it.
'She held my hand.'
'Haha.'
Louis swallowed sheepishly.
Although his teacher, the Fire Mage, was cold, her expression did not change, but she held his hand throughout the party.
His feet faltered.
‘If I showed this to my Emperor Brother, wouldn’t their relationship improve?’
His little heart beat with expectation, but when he saw his brother and his teacher face to face:
‘Ah.’
He swallowed.
He hadn't seen them much, but from the servants' talk, he knew that their relationship was really bad.
'I hope they reconcile...'
The boy loved them.
He really loves them.
So, he hoped that the day would come when they would smile at each other.
His brother, who was rolling his eyes, looked at him and said to his teacher:
“Is announcing your presence a day in advance the politeness you insist on, Duchess?”
'Yes!
He's angry.'
Louis shrank.
His brother's expressions and tone were sharp and harsh.
'Is his teacher going to be okay?
Because of me...'
His tears almost fell.
But a cold, no less powerful voice replied:
“As the Master of the Magic Tower in charge of palace security, I was busy and delayed my decision.
Am I not allowed to act like this, Your Majesty?
Your treatment of loyal servants is cruel.”
‘Ah!’
'My teacher?'
Louis's green eyes widened.
His teacher did not seem affected...
Rather, he began to worry about his brother, the Emperor.
Luis didn't know it yet, but he would still roll his eyes many times today.
Beep beep.
[warning!
The character's identity is shaken!
To protect the user, dialogue and behavior will be appropriate to 'Hilaria Dayne not Ariel the Duchess'.]
'As I expected.'
In front of the Emperor, the warning window automatically appears.
I immediately lost control of my body, as if I was a spectator, watching the intense conversation.
“Your coming after my brother is nothing but a vile trick, Duchess.”
“Ah, it seems to everyone that I am standing in front of my student to protect him.”
"Don't you see him freezing?
Or is this a vile way to put pressure on me?"
"I don't know since when showing a child eating and sleeping well became a threat.
I only came out because my student wanted to see his cold brother."
“Haha, so you acted in good faith for the sake of the child?”
“I don’t know if these words in front of everyone will benefit my student.
But you are not a role model as a ruler or an older brother, Your Majesty.”
'Wow, this is really harsh.'
No matter what I think, Hilaria saying whatever she wants in front of the SSS degree is not normal.
I felt the warmth of Luis's little hand as he held mine tightly, and I cried internally.
'Yes, I know, it's scary, isn't it?'
'I'm scared too!'
I shuddered internally.
But what should I do?
Lest I be discovered, it might be best to let my body move.
That man's aura, that terrifying, destructive aura, was pressuring me.
It was like the terrifying feeling of a portal, and I remembered the shock of death, and blackness covered my vision.
Will I ever get used to this power?
As my body faced the Emperor, I calmly arranged my thoughts:
'Well, I came to the party at Luias' request, so once I regain control, I'll take him back.'
Louis shouldn't be at this party.