TCML 22

Chapter : 22

This Time, I’ll Change the Male Lead

“When you walk, you mustn’t make a sound, Lady Veritas. Move more lightly, as if you were a bird!”

A week had passed since I entered the palace, and I was holding on purely by grit and stubbornness.

In my original world, I had graduated from graduate school, so studying wasn’t a problem—but etiquette lessons were truly a nightmare.

Out of the three etiquette instructors who had already been replaced, Madam Elin, whom I met today, was so strict I wanted to run away.

“Straighten your back a little more!”

I had been pacing the same spot for hours in heels that were precariously high.

“Lift your chest elegantly, as if showing off a necklace!”

Every step twisted my bones in pain.

Are they doing this on purpose?

These shoes, made specifically for young ladies training in noble etiquette, made even standing still difficult. I’d heard that even girls trained from childhood would sometimes trip multiple times in ridiculous poses…

“Oh my, make sure your dress doesn’t wrinkle! How can someone destined to become Crown Princess fail at even the basics? Start over.”

Time passed. The afternoon sun grew hotter, and my vision started to spin.

I think I’m about to fall.

But so far, I hadn’t. Whenever I felt like I might, I straightened my back and tightened my legs to endure.

“Hmm, you’ve improved a lot since the beginning, though you still have a long way to go.”

Elin’s raised eyebrows suggested she thought I had some spirit.

“Now, go alone to the innermost gate of Château Schwiel.”

“What? Schwiel…? You mean the castle in the east?”

Just thinking about the distance made my face scrunch up. Schwiel Castle was where the Crown Prince and his key ministers held meetings. It was a place with more foot traffic than other castles and was isolated on the eastern side.

From here, it would take at least twenty minutes to walk—but now she wanted me to go there with these battered, sore feet.

“I’ve heard people praising you all over the palace. Shouldn’t you show me too, then?”

Elin shrugged, and I couldn’t bring myself to say I couldn’t do it because her attitude was infuriating.

“If you make it there safely, today’s lesson will end here.”

“Fine. I’ve done this much—I can do a little more.”

Her expression seemed to challenge me, as if saying, how much more can you endure? I turned decisively and walked away. Giving up now would only harm me.

Just one more step.

Looking down the endless hallway, my mind went dizzy. My feet, worn out from enduring high heels all day, were numb, and countless questions swirled in my head.

Why am I putting myself through this? For what reason?

The only comfort was that from here on, the path led deeper into the palace, out of Elin’s view.

“Just to that point! That’s all I need to reach.”

Clenching my teeth, I continued, and finally reached Schwiel Castle’s entrance. My swollen feet twitched violently.

I wanted to rip off these cursed shoes and run, but my pride wouldn’t allow it. Even if I had gotten used to comfort here, the intensity of my life as Jusuji was ingrained in every part of me.

“I’ve made it.”

I leaned against the door that had finally appeared after what felt like ages.

There’s no one here.

Breathing a sigh of relief, the quiet around me felt unusually peaceful. I considered exploring a bit, but there was no time. To finish the lesson, I had to hurry back.

…Huh?

Just as I was about to get up, the door suddenly opened, and my vision swayed.

“Unexpected.”

Because of my cursed shoes, I lost my balance and had to collapse into someone’s arms.

“I didn’t expect you to just fall into my arms like that.”

Looking up, I met deep, red, translucent eyes.

“Hyperion…?”

“It’s been a while.”

My heart thumped loudly. A man I had never seen before, casually dressed in a light shirt, with hair tousled by the sun…

“What—?”

The more I tried to stand, the firmer his arms became around my waist.

“You’re going to cling to me the moment we meet.”

Our body heat intertwined, and our gazes locked for a long moment.

“Why haven’t you come to see me even once?”

“I wasn’t allowed to.”

“I thought you might secretly run away.”

Ah, that smile—so unfair. Even though it had been a long time, his face made it impossible to remain calm.

“Then why… Your Highness?”

Before I could reply, footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway. Wait—Elin followed me?

“Hold me steady! Quickly!”

“What?”

A stunned expression crossed Hyperion’s usually calm face.

“I can’t fall here.”

“And if you do, will someone scold you?”

He smirked mischievously at my desperate reaction.

“Oh, I’ll make it really painful for you.”

“…Painful?”

I didn’t notice the subtle change in Hyperion’s gaze. I was only focusing on avoiding slipping. If I fell now, after enduring so much, it would be so unfair!

“Hurry!”

Gripping his shirt tightly, I urged him.

“Really…”

Hyperion finally let out a small laugh.

“You’re impossible.”

“I see. Madam Reyta, too, was an instructor who hadn’t won me over easily. Impressive,” Phoebe muttered, lifting the shawl falling from her shoulders. Her expression, hidden partly by the summer sun, was subtle.

“But compared to her knowledge, she seems weak in etiquette. Madam Elin is notorious for being strict, so we can exploit that and make her falter.”

“…”

Aiden looked at Phoebe, biting his lip in silent sympathy. Contrary to expectations, not only did she receive infinite trust from Madam Reyta, but her knowledge seemed on par with the empire’s scholars.

Even though they had rotated three instructors to tire her out, she stubbornly endured more than expected.

“I’ve heard the opinion at the Crown Prince’s palace is gradually changing. Praise for the young lady is spreading.”

“…That is.”

“Aiden, do you think people at the Crown Prince’s palace could dislike her, even with all this?”

Aiden couldn’t answer. He, too, noticed the once completely hostile atmosphere slowly changing.

“Don’t worry. How long will a stranger’s kindness last?”

But Phoebe sighed lightly, shaking her head, as if it wasn’t something to just leave to Aiden.

“By the way, have you informed His Highness that I wish to see him?”

“Yes. But…”

Aiden nodded but didn’t finish his sentence.

“I see. You’ll forget it again, just like always.”

Phoebe brushed her flowing blonde hair back, laughing softly. Her voice said she expected nothing, but her face seemed to expect a lot.

“He seems very busy. Since the young lady entered the palace, he hasn’t visited even once.”

“In Aiden’s eyes, that’s busy, I suppose.”

“Yes?”

“I am not.”

Phoebe’s enigmatic smile deepened.

“What do you mean…?”

Aiden asked carefully, not understanding.

“He probably doesn’t want to burden the young lady. If he visits first, how much gossip would spread among the watchful eyes around?”

“True, that might be burdensome to her as well.”

“Or perhaps he is waiting.”

“Waiting? Who would His Highness wait for?”

Aiden chuckled, but the saintly woman’s expression grew serious.

“Otherwise, he wouldn’t have avoided sending the knights to patrol all week.”

“Ah, that…”

Aiden faltered, realizing he hadn’t considered that even though he assists Hyperion closely, he hadn’t grasped everything.

At times like this, Phoebe’s knowledge of Leon—and how much she remembers—was impressive. Still… she hadn’t given up on that futile hope.

“Aiden, contact Karl for me.”

“Karl, the Marquis Bate?”

“Yes. I have something urgent to discuss.”

Phoebe stood, as if determined. Her pale skin, untouched by sunlight, looked exceptionally ghostly today.

“Where are you going, Saint?”

Aiden tried to stop her as she headed toward the door.

“If it’s to His Lord’s office… you know how much you dislike it, Phoebe.”

“It’s fine. I have to go. I’ll go. As always.”

Phoebe gently pushed his hand away with a smile.

“You know, the one waiting will always show it.”