Chapter 17
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Translator: Diva
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: They Don't Check Compatibility for Huge Age Gaps
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“My sister was over the moon when His Highness the Crown Prince sent her that gift...”
Even the Crown Prince had personally given it to her?
That meant she knew full well how meaningful the dress was, and still lent it out anyway.
“She starved herself for over a month just to fit into that dress for the engagement ceremony.”
“What? If the size didn’t fit, you just alter the dress—why force your body to fit the clothes?”
“...He wouldn’t allow it.”
“The Crown Prince forbade her from altering the dress?”
The woman kept glaring daggers at me but answered my question readily enough.
“He told her she’d look prettiest in it just as it was.”
...What? Why did that send a chill down my spine?
[Ahh, it suits you perfectly.]
[It’s almost like it was made just for you, Ser.]
Maybe it was those words from the Crown Prince echoing in my head.
Or perhaps because the dress fit me like it was made for me from the start.
‘The only alterations were to cover my scars with extra fabric.’
This was... just a coincidence, right?
‘If not a coincidence, then what?’
I didn’t even remember my own measurements precisely.
The last time I’d had clothes tailored was before entering the Black Rift—years ago.
By this era’s standards, over three hundred years back.
“Tell me more about what went on between your sister and the Crown Prince. In exchange, I’ll take this dress off right now.”
I spoke with a stern expression, and the woman nodded hesitantly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
Her name was Lucia Edelwein.
And her sister, the late Crown Princess, had been Libelina Edelwein.
The modest baronial family from the countryside had risen in court circles thanks to the eldest daughter, Libelina, catching the Crown Prince’s eye.
They’d stretched themselves thin for her debutante ball in the capital, and it had been a stroke of immense luck for House Edelwein.
They said the Crown Prince had treated Libelina wonderfully.
He’d summon her to the palace, spend time with her, shower her with gifts.
Yet for some reason, throughout their courtship, Libelina had always seemed anxious—and that hadn’t changed after marriage.
“My sister thought he had someone else in mind. That she was just a stand-in.”
Lucia’s face darkened as she spoke.
“She trembled with fear that if she couldn’t even manage that—if she lost her usefulness—she’d be discarded. I couldn’t understand it.”
And understandably so, because the Crown Prince had no other women besides Libelina.
Some things can’t be hidden, no matter how hard you try.
If he’d had a lover, rumors would’ve swirled at least once.
But the Crown Prince’s conduct was impeccable. He never sent gifts to or spent time with any woman but his Crown Princess.
“Then today, when you showed up in that dress... it all clicked what she’d said.”
Lucia looked straight at me.
“Be honest. It’s you, isn’t it? You’re the one His Highness the Crown Prince loved.”
Rage, desperation, sorrow, regret.
A tangled mess of emotions I couldn’t pin down surged toward me.
“No.”
I sighed, neatly folding the dress I’d taken off and handing it back to Lucia.
“I’m from Bardia. First time I met the Crown Prince was a few days ago.”
“Liar...!”
“Believe it or don’t—I’m not wasting time on something you can verify with a little effort.”
I didn’t know the full truth myself. How could I make her see it?
Good thing I’d stashed spare maid outfits in my space bag just in case.
I’d change into one and get out of here.
First, send her on her way.
“Now go back to the banquet hall.”
“......”
Lucia stared at me blankly, then clutched the dress to her chest and stood.
She hesitated a moment, eyeing my undergarments, but soon turned and headed for the door.
“Should I... call someone?”
She asked right before opening it.
“Don’t worry about me—worry about yourself for once.”
I hoped she’d escape her sister’s shadow sooner rather than later.
Regrets wouldn’t bring the dead back.
“...Be careful around him.”
With those parting meddlesome words, Lucia opened the lounge door.
And then.
“Y-Your Highness...!”
She froze at the sight of the man standing there.
“Well.”
The Crown Prince glanced from the terrified Lucia to the dress in her arms, then strode inside.
He ignored her as she stumbled back and collapsed, walking straight toward me.
“It suited you so well, but someone snatched it away already?”
Why was someone who should be at the emperor’s side here?
He must’ve seen me leave the banquet hall with Lucia and followed... No, probably not.
‘He likely just stopped by to check before they sealed off the west corridor.’
Just like I’d wanted to check this area myself.
“Though you look pretty good like that too.”
What.
In my underwear?
To be fair, the “underwear” was more like a skirt wrapping from chest to thighs—not much different from a short dress.
Still, staring so openly without a hint of embarrassment? That was too much.
His gaze made my skin crawl; I wanted to cover up fast.
Problem was, I hadn’t pulled out spare clothes yet.
‘This is tricky.’
Elhart had explained that space bags didn’t exist in this era—not as a concept.
Pulling items from thin air would cause issues.
“Your Highness, forgive me, but I need to change. Could you step out for a moment?”
He sat on the opposite sofa, scanned the room, and smiled faintly.
“I don’t see any change of clothes. Where are they?”
“A lady has her secrets.”
I smiled back.
A stifling silence fell, broken by a faint rustle.
Swish—
Lucia, crawling out of the lounge, her clothes dragging on the floor.
“Miss Edelwein.”
“Y-Yes, Your Highness...!”
“When you go, I’d like that dress returned.”
“But, Your Highness... this dress belongs to my sister...”
Trembling with fear, Lucia still tried to cling to her sister’s dress.
“No, it doesn’t.”
“...Pardon?”
“Remember the engagement day? Wine spilled on the hem of Libelina’s dress, and she was so sad they couldn’t get it out.”
Lucia froze at his words, slowly lowering her gaze to the watery blue gown.
I hadn’t noticed any such stain either.
Which meant...
“It’s similar, but not the same dress. Right?”
All this was a misunderstanding?
No way.
He was leading her on.
He’d deliberately made a dress mimicking the late Crown Princess’s and had me wear it.
I didn’t know his exact goal, but the very idea was chilling.
‘...He’s no ordinary madman.’
Lucia’s panicked voice broke through.
“Uh... th-that’s...”
The Crown Prince leaned toward me, locking eyes as he spoke.
“Did you think I’d give a precious guest something worn by another woman?”
Then he extended a hand to Lucia.
“Come now, last chance.”
Dazed, Lucia rose unsteadily, clutching the dress, and shuffled over.
“I’m sorry... I was mistaken...”
Head bowed low in apology, she handed it to him.
And as she left the lounge, Lucia never once looked my way.
“There, Ser. I got it back for you.”
“......”
I stared holes into the Crown Prince’s smiling face—that ‘Did I do good?’ expression.
“Hm? Why are you looking at me like that?”
His brows arched slightly then fell.
His eyes blinked slowly.
His smiling lips.
That face genuinely had no idea what the problem was.
“Are you... trying to seduce me right now? If I’m too dense to notice...”
In that instant, someone came to mind who pursued nothing but ruthless efficiency. No coincidence.
Just before his slowly reaching hand touched my cheek, I spoke.
“Who are you?”