Weeping Men: The Innocent Princess's Secret Delight - Chapter 1.2
Gradually removing her smile, the Princess dusted off her skirt and stood up. She pulled a bell cord and then returned to sit at her dressing table.
“As expected, I don’t like it when women cry.”
Then, muttering, she slipped her hand into her cleavage.
What emerged from between her breasts was the problematic brooch that had just thrown Jessie into confusion.
“Is the color alright? I’m glad. I’ll put it on for you right away.”
Earlier, Jessie had taken out the brooch to check it but forgot to actually pin it on. The Princess had secretly slipped it into the gap in her clothing.
The subsequent situation unfolded exactly as expected. It was worth deliberately seeking out and summoning a maid who had just started working. When pushed into a crisis situation, the maid who couldn’t respond skillfully and panicked ended up shedding tears when mentally cornered.
Although it was a perfect result, having elicited the desired response with a small mischief, she didn’t feel particularly refreshed.
Because the outcome was below expectations.
The Princess casually tossed the brooch at the foot of where Jessie had lingered the longest, to make it look natural. As she did so, she lamented.
“Is there no one who will cry according to my taste?”
The content was extremely vicious. No one would think these were words uttered by the usually kind and lovely Princess.
***
Judith Charlrose. The only Princess of the Empire, born of the Empress.
Although she was the second most noble woman in the Empire, she was never arrogant. She was kind to everyone and full of consideration. With her rich sensitivity, she often shed tears herself.
She was somewhat naive in matters of love, unintentionally stimulating others, but even this was regarded as part of her loveliness. Everyone loved her.
Only Judith knows how much effort she put into making ‘the Princess’ perceived that way.
In truth, she had never overlooked any disrespect towards her. She always paid it back double. She just never revealed her methods.
She couldn’t empathize with others’ tragedies. ‘Tears’ were simply the most powerful weapon at her disposal. She also excelled at the ability to squeeze her tear ducts.
Engaging in exchanges with someone while harboring romantic feelings was troublesome. She didn’t appreciate the ulterior motives of those who wanted to possess her and show her off like a trophy.
So quite often, she pretended to be naive to avoid situations. It was amusing that this made others even more desperate for her.
The Princess was beloved by all. There was only one reason she created this image.
To prevent the Emperor from selling her off cheaply.
Furthermore, when she was put on the marriage market, to receive the highest possible bid.
Judith clearly understood the limitations of her position as Princess. She lived fiercely to achieve the best results within those constraints.
Perhaps it was due to this influence. Her twisted preferences.
Whenever she saw beautiful men and women with docile appearances,
‘I wonder how that person would look when crying?’
She wanted to make them cry first. Because she was a pervert who got excited by people’s crying faces.
For her, it was a daily occurrence to gently push those around her to the point of tears for her own pleasure or thrill. She felt no guilt for these actions.
However, until now, no one had cried in a way that truly satisfied her.
‘Does such a person exist?’
She no longer even expected such a person to exist. She just habitually tried to make people cry if they seemed worth trying, but with so many failures piling up, she couldn’t be bothered to feel disappointed each time.
Judith quietly allowed the maids to dress her.
After the grooming, she headed to the training grounds. It was to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new knighthood serving the Imperial family.
“The Princess has arrived.”
“Princess…!”
Judith’s appearance alone brought vitality to the venue. The faces of the waiting knights also brightened.
Some were unable to concentrate on the speech, sending admiring glances towards Judith.
“…”
Judith responded with a light smile. Each time she did, the knights would blush, then press their lips tightly and look straight ahead with a determined expression. Their intentions were clear.
‘They want to show off their gallant appearance, it seems.’
It was such a familiar occurrence that she felt no particular emotion.
The inauguration ceremony was boring. If she let her guard down, she might yawn. However,
‘If I can’t endure even this much, I couldn’t have lived like this for 24 years.’
She was a professional. Throughout the ceremony, she maintained a gentle smile on her eyes and lips.
Before she knew it, the ceremony was nearing its end. The one who appeared to be the captain of the knights was kneeling before the Emperor.
Judith glanced at him and was slightly surprised.
Given that she faced the Empire’s greatest beauty in the mirror every day, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say her aesthetic sense was at the peak of the northern mountains. Yet even Judith was inwardly surprised by the beauty of the man kneeling there.
With fine black hair and dark eyes hinting at purple, he looked like the highest quality obsidian.
His face, not hidden by armor, was pale, and his expression was cool. Looking at his face alone, one wouldn’t imagine he was a person who handled swords.
However, the aura emanating from him was like a well-forged sword.
Even women who prefer warm and gentle men would turn their heads for this appearance. Personal preferences would be meaningless in front of such beauty.
‘But there must be exceptions.’
And I’m one of them.
Judith withdrew her interest.
Even when faced with someone who rarely satisfied her aesthetic sense, she remained as composed as if she had encountered a brilliant jewel or a fantastic landscape.
It was natural from Judith’s perspective. After all, this man—
‘He looks like he wouldn’t even flinch if stabbed with a needle.’
His whole being seemed to proclaim that trying to make him cry would be futile.
‘He probably wouldn’t even blink if someone dear to him died right before his eyes. It’s foolish to pay attention to such a person.’
Because her tastes were so extraordinary, it was easy to withdraw her interest.
“—Therefore, I hereby command Sir Kaizen Pentmian to lead the 4th Division from today onwards. May all your loyalty be devoted to the Imperial family.”
As her thoughts ended, so did the captain’s appointment.
Judith added her blessings with a pretty smile.
“It’s an honor to meet Sir Pentmian, who has returned with news of victory from the long war. I look forward to working with you.”
A man of her age with the Pentmian surname, whom she had never met before. With just this information, it was easy to guess who he was.
The war hero who went to the battlefield as soon as he came of age and returned after pacifying the northern barbarians in three years.
The second son of the Duke’s family, Kaizen Pentmian.
“…Thank you.”
Even with Judith’s fresh smile, Kaizen only nodded slightly in greeting. He was clearly different from other men who usually made a fuss when meeting her.
Judith was convinced once again.
This guy is an insensitive blockhead. There’s no need to even bother with him.
***
Imperial events were naturally followed by banquets, and the star of the banquet was, of course, Judith.
Judith, changed into an evening dress, sat quietly smiling at the head table after finishing her first dance with the Emperor. Just seeing her like that was enough to make many men ache with desire.
Tonight, some naturally harbored dark intentions of plucking and possessing the flower that shone like a star in the sky.
“It’s good weather for enjoying the night air.”
A man with a vague impression mentions the weather while glancing at the terrace. His intention was obvious. It was an indirect expression suggesting they go out to the terrace together.
