ISTIMB 20

#20. How Do You Do That?

He paused for a moment, then shrugged.

It wasn’t yet the time to reveal anything.

“I’d like to tell you, but it would be difficult.”

“Why?”

“Put yourself in my position. You’ve only just opened your heart to me a little. How would you feel if I whispered the contents of our conversation to Douglas?”

“Why is Douglas suddenly involved when a father is worrying about his child?”

Nikolai shot back sharply.

“It’s just a metaphor.”

“Stop it—unless you’re trying to provoke me.”

“Why do you dislike Douglas so much?”

“You, on the other hand, keep bringing him up. You said he was just a friend, didn’t you?”

He fell silent for a moment.

The image of the pepper shaker Douglas had handed him came to mind.

Even though he knew he shouldn’t feel anything, his chest ached slightly.

At that moment, his green eyes pierced right through me.

“So there’s something there.”

“…Weren’t we supposed to avoid touching each other emotionally?”

“We need to address this now—the new clause added to the contract.”

Nikolai pulled the contract from his coat pocket.

I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“You carry that around with you all the time?”

“Me? Of course not.”

“You flinched just now.”

“Why would I carry around a piece of paper like this?”

“I don’t know about that.”

“The important thing is the content. Read it carefully.”

I took the familiar contract from him.

In elegant handwriting, an additional clause had been added:

• No third party unrelated to this contract may be involved.

The first added clause seemed familiar.

But what followed was completely incomprehensible to me:

• Interaction with members of the opposite sex is prohibited. Being emotionally swayed is also considered interaction.

It was as if it had been written while watching me waver for a moment because of Douglas.

Nikolai smirked knowingly when he saw me flinch.

“I added one for what you want, and one for what I want. Any complaints?”

“The contract’s termination conditions have changed too?”

“Better than having all your property confiscated and being sold as a slave, right?”

“If you unilaterally break the contract or violate a clause, you’ll be considered the loser… You want to win that badly?”

“I do have a bit of a competitive streak.”

“So you’re saying no love, no romance—is that fine with you?”

He glanced toward the harem.

Nikolai remained indifferent, as if unfazed by the women around him.

“I’ve never had my heart stolen by anyone.”

“Eh, that’s ridiculous…”

“If you’re truly a medium, then see my sincerity for yourself.”

He looked up at the sky, proud, as if utterly unashamed.

‘So all those women… were just physical relationships? What a beast! And he’s in great shape too!’

My face flushed.

I barely restrained my mischievous thoughts.

Nikolai extended his hand for a handshake.

“How about it? Will you accept?”

The touch and warmth of his hand came vividly to mind.

“I won’t back down.”

“Of course.”

We shook hands.

A smile spread across Nikolai’s face.

It wasn’t a slight smirk—it was a full, radiant smile like sunlight.

‘He can smile like this… His smiling face is so beautiful… It almost makes me forget he’s the original story’s villain.’

I couldn’t move for a while.

Had Nikolai not said something intriguing, I might have stayed frozen.

“I’ll tell you the progress of the investigation as a gift for renewing the contract.”

“Who tried to harm the Crown Prince?”

“That’s unknown.”

“But the court physician confessed, didn’t they?”

“They claimed they were forced to poison the medicine under threat to their family. The poison came via anonymous mail. And the court physician wasn’t the only one who poisoned Franz.”

I felt as if I’d been struck in the head.

Nikolai muttered expressionlessly:

“The chef and young servants also confessed. They added tiny amounts of poison to meals and tea.”

“Unbelievable!”

“In my view, at least two or more conspirators are targeting Franz.”

“Why? He’s Your Highness’s only heir!”

“Exactly why.”

“!”

“Franz has no mother to care for him, no noble relatives to watch over him. He was often sickly from a young age, and many said a new heir was needed.”

“That must have been a complex for Your Highness.”

“If you hadn’t uncovered the poisoning, Franz would have weakened and collapsed. And…”

Nikolai bit his lower lip hard, as if unable to speak the next part.

Though he tried to suppress it, his body radiated an uncontainable anger.

Yet what seemed to torment him more than anger was guilt.

“The previous tutors must have been threatened and coerced.”

“I didn’t expect anyone to target the Crown Prince right under my nose. It’s all my fault.”

“Yes, it’s all because of Your Highness.”

Nikolai’s eyebrows twitched as he avoided openly admitting it.

“You, who know so much, left your young son alone?”

“Franz was uncomfortable being with me.”

“There’s a reason! As a father, can’t you bear that?”

“….”

“If you’re affectionate, you keep him close. If he’s uncomfortable, you keep your distance? Even pets become spoiled if raised like that.”

Before I could protest, Nikolai bowed his head deeply.

He looked like a large dog being scolded by its owner—so I wanted to pat his head.

“You’re right. I’m truly a useless father.”

“Don’t blame yourself.”

“When was I not blaming myself?”

“If self-blame helps, do it a hundred or a thousand times. But right now, your self-blame is useless.”

“So?”

“Let’s come up with a new plan to protect the Crown Prince.”

Nikolai, who had been looking at me in admiration, asked:

“Why are you so proactive about Franz’s affairs?”

“I’m well-paid. I have to earn it.”

“Trying to squeeze more out of me?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not asking for your heart.”

Nikolai’s eyes flickered for a moment.

He almost looked like someone who had already lost a piece of his heart.

“It’s part of my plan too. Helping your son might help in tempting the father.”

“You want to beat me that badly?”

“I’m competitive too.”

“Fine. Let’s see who wins.”

“Before that, I have a question.”

“What now?”

Nikolai brushed his hair back, slightly annoyed.

We lowered our voices, even though it was just the two of us.

“You have to explain as clearly and accurately as possible. A complete beginner with no experience should understand.”

“What exactly are you asking?”

“That… how do you do it?”

Nikolai covered his mouth and coughed awkwardly.

Even a tyrant gets flustered sometimes.

I glanced in the mirror and narrowed my eyes with a sly smile.

Even to me, it looked rather lewd.

We visited Franz’s study before heading to the training grounds.

Franz was sweating profusely, holding a wooden sword.

Instructor Simon cheered energetically.

“Excellent, Your Highness! Shout your kiai!”

“Hah!”

“You can become the greatest knight, just like His Highness!”

Yet Franz’s wooden sword often missed the straw dummy completely.

‘I’m sorry, but he has no talent for swordsmanship.’

Did Simon know how much despair false hope can bring?

Franz’s desperate desire to learn swordsmanship couldn’t overcome the natural gap in talent.

Sometimes, giving up is the wisest choice.

‘Maybe I can’t escape dying in my favorite’s hands either. Perhaps giving up is better than twisting the original story. At least I can enjoy the rest of my life.’

When I realized it was Claudia who had gotten the pepper, my chest collapsed again.

A tidal wave of helplessness washed over me.

Every moment had been desperate, making it worse.

I wanted to let go of everything I had been holding onto.

‘The saying “patience wins” isn’t comforting.’

‘In reality, even if you try hard, you keep failing. Talent beats effort, luck beats talent.’

Should someone without talent or luck give up?

Is that even a choice?

So what do I gain?

By chance or mistake, I got a new life.

Even if fate drags me to hell, I’ll struggle while I’m alive.

Until the guillotine’s blade falls, my stubborn, foolish choices won’t change.

“I brought snacks. Take a short break!”

I waved and called out.

Simon greeted me with a bright smile.

“You’re here, Miss Elisabeth!”

“Didn’t I say not to come? You’re disturbing him.”

Franz grumbled but seemed glad.

The servants brought water and towels.

I laid out a picnic mat and set the silverware.

“Ham sandwiches and apple-carrot juice. I made them myself, so eat plenty.”

“You can cook too?”

“Careful. It might be so delicious you faint.”

“Can I have two?”

“You can have three.”

“Thanks, Elisabeth!”

Franz’s face brightened.

Instead of fork and knife, he grabbed the sandwich with his blistered hands.

He had previously been careful with etiquette, but now he stuffed his cheeks with the sandwich.

‘He mixes formal and informal speech depending on the situation. The way he addresses me changes too. Still hasn’t decided how to treat me?’

I didn’t comment.

I had more pressing matters to handle first.

“Excuse me, but is there nothing for me?”

Simon scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

The sandwich portions were generous, but the silverware was only for two.

Two plates, two napkins, two bottles of juice.

I smiled brightly at Simon, who had been treated like an invisible person.

“There’s none for Sir Brendan.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re fired as of today.”

Simon staggered in shock.

Once he recovered, he asked in a tense tone:

“I’m the swordsmanship instructor appointed by His Highness. You can’t just dismiss me.”

“His Highness ordered it. You’re dismissed.”

Simon’s handsome face twisted.

I expected him to show more of his true colors, but he suppressed his anger.

“Do you know I am the eldest son of the Marquis of Brendan?”

“I know, but does it matter?”

“If you drive me out, no one will want to instruct the Crown Prince.”

“Are you threatening me with your noble family?”

“I’m just giving advice for your own good since you don’t understand noble logic.”

I could barely suppress my laughter.

Some people insist they’re helping, when all they want is to blabber.

For people like that, a blunt response is perfect.

“What should I do? I don’t care about noble logic.”

“What did you say?!”

“And there’s no need for a new sword instructor.”