I Failed to Oust the Villain!
Chapter 7

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“Here you are, my lady!”

The coachman cut through the silence, placing the log down at Valeta’s feet. Valeta, using the log as a stepping stone, made her way out of the carriage.

If it wasn’t for this dress, I would’ve just jumped down, she thought as she grappled with the hem of the cursed dress.

“You,” she indicated to the coachman. “Stay on standby.”

The coachman bowed as she waved him away with her hand. Valeta sighed as she watched the coachman drive into the distance. She glanced behind her to find Reinhart still standing there.

“What... do you want to do?” she asked.

“I want to stay with you, master.”

She nodded. “Suit yourself.”

After a moment, the palace door opened, and an attendant came to greet them.

“Welcome, Lady Valeta.”

“Yes, long time no see.”

“Indeed. You’ve become even more beautiful since the last time I saw you.”

“Thank you.”

Valeta continued exchanging pleasantries with the attendant as a formality as she followed him into the drawing room. Perhaps it was because the imperial castle commanded attention as the center of the empire, but no matter where she looked, everything in the palace appeared to be gilded.

The attendant opened the door to the drawing room. Valeta lowered her gaze and slowly entered the room, carefully bowing her head.

“Greetings, Your Highness. I, Valeta Delight, am honored to be in your presence.”

“Oh, you’re here, Lady Valeta. Please, there’s no need to be so formal. After all, we’re to be married soon anyway.”

“After our coming-of-age ceremony, that is,” she said in a monotone voice, lifting her head.

The crown prince was a handsome man with golden hair, deep blue eyes, strong, clearly defined features, and a sweet smile. He was beautiful. But at the same time, Valeta was not impressed. After all, she had a certain someone waking her up every morning... Someone with more beauty than humanity could offer. But that wasn’t all. She just didn’t like the situation that she was in. This is a loveless marriage.

In her past life, she had never dreamed of getting married like this. Even now, none of it felt real. Her only relief was that the coming-of-age ceremony was to be held at the same age as it had been in her previous world—when she became twenty years old.

I still have six years left.

Six years to find some way out.

Valeta genuinely didn’t want to marry the crown prince or become the crown princess, because she knew the imperial family’s true motive was to get their hands on her alchemic abilities.

“Lady Valeta, I see you’re as cold as ever,” chuckled the crown prince. “Still, I thank you for not refusing my invitation.”

“I would never hear the end of it from my father if I had,” she replied.

“Hmm, seems Count Delight may be scarier than he appears.”

The crown prince made his way over to the sofa and beckoned her to sit down as well. Valeta, accepting his invitation, took a seat on the sofa while Reinhart took his place beside her, kneeling. This was typical behavior for a slave, one that Valeta usually went to great lengths to avoid. The problem was that his presence itself was anything but normal, at least to Valeta. It felt like she was sitting on a bed of thorns.

“Putting everything aside, I like you, my lady. My hope is that we can get along as friends even after we get married.”

“Indeed.”

“Of course, I do have interest in you… as the fairer sex,” the crown prince said earnestly.

“Thank you, Your Highness…” she replied softly. If she were being honest, the arranged marriage wasn’t the crown prince’s fault. It was only the fault of those above them, making the decisions on their behalf.

If I think about it, the prince is a victim as well. In fact, Valeta was thankful that her father didn’t know that she could see and talk to spirits. If he had discovered that, he would have never allowed her to leave the house, and she would have been a bird trapped in a cage.

“Please, call me Miloyd. There’s no need for formalities between us.”

“Perhaps once I’m more comfortable?”

“Huh? Oh, o-of course! Was I being too hasty?” Prince Miloyd asked with a laugh.

Valeta looked away with a fake, coy smile on her face while the prince continued laughing to himself.

Why was I born in a place like this? she wondered. She sipped her tea with meaningless resentment, the bitter tea reflecting her equally bitter thoughts.

“Oh, right. The engagement ceremony is going to be held on the last day of the year.”

“Yes.”

“Please tell me if there is anything that you’d like to do for the ceremony. And would you like an engagement gift of some sort? Please, tell me!”

“I…” As Valeta tried to find the words, Miloyd nodded eagerly. He bent over and leaned closer toward her, his eyes shining with anticipation. Valeta swallowed another sigh. “I don’t know much about this kind of business. I’m sure that you will have everything prepared just as it should be, Your Highness.”

“Oh… Really? I suppose that can’t be helped. Are you sure there isn’t anything you want?” he pressed.

“Um, if it’s an engagement ceremony, wouldn’t you think an engagement ring would be appropriate?”

“Hmm, that’s true, but that’s a given for an engagement ceremony. Surely there’s something else?”

Valeta struggled not to roll her eyes at the kind but puzzled face of the crown prince. He was such a cheerful, innocent man, his smile as bright as the midday sun. She’d heard that he had a strong sense of justice and was full of grace and mercy. Everyone in the empire loved him. However, Valeta really had no need for a gift. It was not like she wanted this arranged marriage in the first place.

Valeta could tell that Reinhart’s eyes were on her without having to see for herself. She swallowed yet another sigh. I know he’s smiling for real now. Reinhart’s smile was one befitting a grim reaper right before it collected a dying soul.

“I’m sorry. I can’t think of anything at the moment.”

“I see. Then again, everyone knows how much Count Delight adores you. I’m sure he has already bought you everything you could ever want,” Miloyd said with a laugh.

Valeta silently smiled. It was true that Count Delight adored her, but just as much as one could adore a precious jewel, and he definitely wasn’t giving her whatever she wanted. Then again, she never really wanted anything anyway.

If I had one wish, it would be to get rid of this stupid bracelet, she thought. She tilted her head, glancing at the emerald green bracelet on her wrist. Miloyd held his breath, an anxious look crossing his face. He looked at her as though she were about to fly off somewhere far, far away.

“Lady Valeta?”

“Yes?”

Miloyd reached out, grabbed her hand, then flinched as if surprised by his own behavior. He quickly withdrew his hand. Valeta’s brows furrowed at the warmth of his touch.

“Oh! I-I’m sorry. I thought you were going to disappear,” he said.

“What?”

“No, no, it’s nothing. I’m sorry for suddenly grabbing your hand.”

“It’s all right.” She shook her head, rubbing her wrist in the place where Prince Miloyd had grabbed it.

He quickly rose from his seat. Reinhart’s red eyes glanced up at the prince’s rising figure, his eyes fixed on the other man for a brief moment before lowering his gaze again. The crown prince nervously took a handkerchief from his pocket. He wiped his hands a few times before extending a now shiny hand to Valeta.

“It’s stuffy in here, isn’t it? Would you care for a walk? I heard that alchemists can hear the sound of plants. Our gardens are very well maintained. I think you’ll like it.”

“That would be lovely,” Valeta said after a moment’s pause. She took the prince’s outstretched hand and rose from her seat.

Reinhart, his head still bowed, rose to his feet, and trailed after the two of them. Try as she might, Valeta couldn’t get a sense of what he was thinking from his expressionless face.