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CHAPTER 55
“You… You’re giving me all this?”
Before me were rare magic tools, powerful enchanted items, and weapons laced with aura—none of which would be found even in a top-tier imperial vault.
Dmitri nodded calmly.
“Yes. Use what you need, and if you find anything lacking, I’ll have it commissioned or brought in from abroad.”
I gawked.
“…Are you sure this isn’t meant for Yevgenia?”
“She doesn’t need them. These are for you.”
“…Why?”
“Because you need to survive.”
He said it so simply, like telling me the weather.
And I was stunned.
‘I’m the one who was hated. The one pushed out by both the Empress and my siblings…’
Yet Dmitri—who once looked at me like I was dirt beneath his shoe—was now looking at me with unwavering seriousness.
“Is this your way of supporting me?”
“I’d call it investing.”
“…Investing?”
“You’re smart, Princess. You know the Empress is dangerous. You’ve already started moving to protect yourself. And now, you’re drawing in allies.”
His eyes were sharp.
“You’re no longer someone anyone can push around. That’s why I’m betting on you. You won’t go down easily.”
“…You think I’ll survive.”
“I know you will.”
That unwavering confidence sent a strange warmth through me.
“…What if I fail?”
“I’ll die with you. Because if you fall, this empire is finished.”
I blinked.
“Wait, what?”
“I mean it. If you lose, I’m screwed too. That means the Empress wins. And I’d rather die than watch her rule.”
“…That’s… weirdly comforting.”
He gave a short laugh.
“Then we understand each other.”
As we spoke, I could feel it: a new alliance forming.
It wasn’t based on love or familial affection—but on mutual benefit. On survival.
And for now, that was enough.
After returning to my palace, I immediately had Illia and Mullin sort the weapons and magic tools.
Illia’s eyes widened at the sight of a rare enchanted dagger.
“This is… a Relic-class artifact. Princess… where did you get this?”
“From Prince Dmitri.”
“…He must really want you alive.”
“I guess.”
Mullin, holding a ring that shimmered faintly with protective magic, murmured:
“This will block at least three fatal strikes…”
“Good. Put that in my daily-use drawer.”
“Understood.”
After organizing, I headed to the communication stone in my study.
Time to check on the Alea Guild and the Empress.
But just as I reached for it, a maid entered.
“Your Highness. You’ve received a letter.”
“From whom?”
“It’s marked with the Alea Guild’s crest.”
I stiffened.
“…Bring it here.”
I took the letter with trembling fingers and slowly opened it.
Inside was a small note:
“The Empress came looking for us.
She asked us to kill you.
We declined.
We are going dark for a while.
Until then, stay alive.
– J”
J.
Jeron.
My hand trembled slightly.
“…He really saw her.”
I crushed the letter and burned it in the fireplace.
“Let her come.”
If Dolores wanted war, I would no longer run.
At that same moment, deep in the imperial palace—
Dolores sat fuming.
“How dare they reject me…!”
Her hand trembled as she tore apart a flower in her lap.
Misha watched cautiously.
“Your Majesty, perhaps we should consider another guild…”
“There is no other guild that can touch the palace without being detected.”
“…That’s true, but…”
Dolores stood abruptly.
“I’ll find another way. I always do.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
But for the first time, Misha noticed something new in the Empress’s eyes.
Panic.
Fear.
‘The First Princess… She’s cornering her.’
And if that happened, all of them—servants, shadows, and nobles alike—might fall together.
Misha clenched her jaw.
They needed a backup plan.
Fast.
Meanwhile, in the East Palace—
I sat quietly, sipping tea, while Cecil read the report aloud.
“Rania reports that Lady Yevgenia is steadily recovering. No signs of fever since the second dose.”
“That’s good.”
“The Sorcier physician remains by her side. His abilities are excellent. He’s also asking to speak with you.”
“…Me?”
I tilted my head.
“I wonder why.”
“I believe he wants to thank you.”
“…Tell him I’ll see him later. Once she wakes.”
“Yes, Princess.”
I sighed, leaning back in my chair.
Just as I closed my eyes to relax—
“Your Highness!”
Illia burst in, looking pale.
“What is it?”
“There’s been a situation in the kitchen—”
“…Did someone poison something?”
“No. It’s the food supplies—”
My eyes narrowed.
“Be clear.”
“…All our food stock was stolen.”
“…What?”
I stood abruptly.
“How?”
“We don’t know. There were no signs of forced entry. The guards didn’t see anything. But everything is gone.”
Gone?
“All of it?”
“Yes. Even the tea leaves, spices, and emergency stores.”
“…Even the emergency ones?!”
That meant whoever did this had full access.
‘This isn’t just theft. It’s sabotage.’
I took a deep breath.
“It’s the Empress.”
Illia nodded, her face tight.
“She must be trying to cut off your survival line.”
Of course.
No food meant no guests.
No visitors.
No allies.
Just quiet starvation.
‘She wants me to panic.’
But I wouldn’t.
I sat back down, smiling.
“…Mullin.”
“Yes?”
“Send a request to Dmitri. Ask him to send food.”
“…Princess, won’t that make us look weak?”
“Who cares? He already gave me weapons. A bit of rice won’t change anything.”
“…You’re really okay with this?”
“Of course.”
After all, this is war.
And the first thing to protect in war… is the kitchen.
