Episode 5

Regef was very confused.

Is this the same Kayena Hill that I have known for all these years?

Until now, Kayena had been like a doll that he could twist to his purposes whenever he needed. However, now it felt as if there was a knife held to his chest. His whole body felt cold and on edge.

Kayena still was not done advising him, however. “Furthermore,” she said, “we need to put greater emphasis on the poisoning incident, but lessen its importance at the same time.”

What was that supposed to mean? Regef was now eager to hear what she had to say.

“I want you to exaggerate the severity of my condition to create a crisis regarding the succession. If both Father and I are rumored to be in poor health, the ministers will become impatient.”

That much was obvious; it could barely even be called a scheme. Regef felt a little disappointed if this was the extent of his sister’s big idea, but Kayena continued.

“Then, make this incident into fodder for gossip.”

“Gossip…?!”

Regef finally understood what Kayena meant by lessening the importance of the incident.

“If we frame this incident as a scandalous affair committed by a man who is in love with me, society is sure to pay attention. That way, people will not pay too much attention to the incident itself, but they’ll still discuss the topic.”

They would do just that. People were obsessed with love stories. Regef could already picture the rumors they would spread.

Who advised my sister on this? He wondered. Or was this her own idea?

Regef felt compelled to ask her.

He looked at her sharply, trying to see through to her true intentions. “What in the world are you thinking?”

Kayena didn’t answer. She just stared at him.

The moment did not last long, however, as she suddenly climbed out of her bed.

“Kayena?” Regef said, frowning.

Then, she slowly knelt down in front of him. “My king.”

Regef started in surprise, but said nothing.

Kayena kissed the hem of Regef’s robes, like a servant to her master.

“What are you doing?!”

Her actions were highly inappropriate, considering Regef’s status as Imperial Prince.

Regef quickly stood, grabbing Kayena by her shoulders and pulling her up.

“Kayena!”

It was a name that he had called out many times before, but it felt strange and unfamiliar, as if its texture had completely changed.

Kayena did not seem concerned as she respectfully held and kissed the back of Regef’s hand.

In a low murmur, he said, “Just… Why…?”

Why was Kayena kissing his hand and acting so respectfully? And she had done it so carefully, grasping his hand with both of hers, as if she were just a servant.

Regef had often kissed the back of Kayena’s hand because he wanted her to think of him noble and to lower her guard around him, but even he had never used both hands. He didn’t have the sincerity to do so.

But that was what Kayena was doing to him.

“You’re the only one who is here for me, Regef.”

That was what she had always said to him. Kayena recalled all the other times she had said similar things, but meant them sincerely.

“I only have you, Regef.”

“You’re my younger sibling. My only real family.”

“You have to stop!”

Regef pulled his hand out of hers. He clenched his fist — the one that Kayena had just kissed—so tightly that it trembled.

“You will be the next emperor of the Eldyme Empire. I am only showing you my loyalty, as I will in the future.”

Kayena had clearly gone insane. Was the poison’s effect that serious?

Regef glowered at Kayena. “What are you up to?”

“Do you trust me?” Kayena asked. She smiled softly. Even her smile seemed suspicious.

“...What are you referring to?”

“I’m asking if you really think of me as your sister.”

For a moment, Regef was speechless and could not answer.

Kayena continued her strange questions.

“What would you do if I was no longer useful to you?”

Regef was dumbstruck by her question.

“It’s easy to guess what you would do,” she continued. “You would sell me to a suitable marriage partner that works in your favor in order to dispose of me, and then you wouldn’t have to deal with me anymore.” Then, she casually said some words that terrified Regef. “Well, unless you end up choosing the wrong man, and you marry me to a crazy husband who will kill me.”

Kayena knew that if she was sent to marry Gillian again, she might be killed again after facing imprisonment and abuse.

Kayena remembered her distant past. The awful memories made her feel even more lonely.

“I know my situation well.”

There was no trace of laughter in her expression.

“Furthermore, I know that you need me.”

Regef stared back at Kayena, his expression as cold as hers.

It was like she had said: Regef needed Kayena. The emperor was still alive, and so his own position was precarious. Kayena’s social influence was useful to him. Though he could get engaged and leave that part to his fiancée, it would be a waste to get married so young.

Kayena knew well that Regef was measuring many things in his head, trying to optimize things to his benefit.

“What do you want?” Regef asked.

He decided to take a step back and start the negotiations. He might as well see where this was going.

Kayena replied by asking for something that she had never had, but that she desired desperately.

“Freedom.”

Kayena knew that she would look ridiculous saying this, but it was the sincerest word that she had spoken since she awaking in this world.

She wanted the freedom to be her whole self.

She wanted the freedom to not do what others commanded of her.

She wanted the freedom to think for herself.

All that she wanted was just that: Freedom.

Regef yelled, unable to contain himself. “Freedom?!”

Freedom, she said. The word didn’t suit the imperial princess at all!

“Are you really going to give up your life of wealth and luxury? Do you think that you’ll be able to be free if you just leave impulsively?”

He looked at his sister with sincere pity. He gently brushed her pale cheeks with his hand.

“You may feel that this place is repressive, but it is the place that suits you the most,” he said, running his fingers through her soft hair. “Poverty is not beautiful.”

Kayena knew much better than he did what poverty was like.

In her past life, she had been raised by a single mother. Because her mother’s income was not enough, she couldn’t even attend a common academy. She was smart enough to earn a corporate scholarship and finish her studies, but that was all.

It was a life full of difficulties.

Kayena couldn’t say which of her lives was worse. That in itself was quite pitiful. She just wanted to live out the rest of this life in peace. Couldn’t this world’s story continue with one less villainess?

Kayena then attached another condition, one that she knew Regef would understand.

“Let me get married to someone I want. That’s the freedom I desire.”

Her request was very typical of the normal Kayena, and Regef relaxed a bit. “Are you talking about Raffaello?”

Kayena shook her head. “No.”

“...No?”

That was unexpected. Regef looked at Kayena with a frown. “Well, that doesn’t matter. Sister, what can you do for me in exchange?”

Kayena couldn’t answer him right away, as she was hit by a sudden dizziness for a moment.

I can’t pass out here. Not yet.

She felt chills and her vision was fading, but she forced herself to look composed.

Now was the only time Regef would be this shaken. She couldn’t give him time to think calmly.

She had no need to be that nervous, as Regef had interpreted this silence as being significant.

What is she going to say, that she has to ruminate on it for this long? he thought.

As soon as she felt that she could talk in an even voice, Kayena opened her mouth to speak.

“I’ll make you the emperor.”

She said it so lightly, as if the throne were something that she could give him as a birthday present.

Regef was dumbfounded.

“Sister, are you referring to me?”

Even though Kayena was useful, her support alone could not make him emperor.

He was about to correct her misperception when she continued.

“I know that you will be able to gain the throne without my support. However, if you do, you would have to share your powers.”

Regef was speechless.

Even if he did become emperor, he would have to pay dearly those who had helped place him there.

He couldn’t succeed to the throne by himself.

Kayena dug the point in further. “You’ll especially have to fatten the pockets of the Evans family, the one that acts as your strategists.”

The Evans family, who owned the eastern granaries, was already extremely rich and high-ranking. Regef had been keeping an eye on that family, and Kayena was well aware of that fact.

“...Are you appointing yourself as my strategist, then?” Regef asked.

Kayena smiled softly. “I’m not asking you to trust me right now,” she said. “But isn’t it time you thought about what you’re going to do after you gain the throne?”

Nobody had ever told Regef such things. In other words, nobody had been a proper adult figure for him before.

Then, Kayena’s body teetered.

“Sister!”

Instinctively, Regef’s hand reached out to hold and protect her. Her skin was burning like it was on fire.

To push her body to this extent…!

Kayena’s forehead was slick with sweat. She had exhausted all her energy into remaining conscious and finishing the conversation.

It was only now that Regef realized how severe her condition was. He yelled for a maid.

“You there! Call for a doctor right now!”

Regef placed Kayena on the bed. Then, just before she completely lost consciousness, she gently brushed her hand against his head.

“You’re a kind child.”

Just like that, she fainted, leaving Regef with a lost, childlike expression on his face.