Who Could Have Loved the Monster Princess? - Chapter 9
Mir glanced briefly in the direction where the Rithol boy disappeared, wearing a peculiar expression.
“Why are you looking like that?”
“Because Yen isn’t angry, and I want to retaliate.”
“I can take it.”
Mir let out a light sigh and said nothing more. Instead, she subtly gestured towards the Crown Prince. “Go.”
The Crown Prince, surrounded by the royal guards the moment the commotion erupted, was finally released. He seemed a bit flustered, but upon meeting my eyes, he displayed a faint, trembling smile.
‘Now that’s a face that’s looking to mock me.’
Suddenly, I remembered an earlier incident. Carnelian once handed me a box full of crickets, claiming since I looked like a lizard, I might have similar tastes. He even went so far as to find a cricket encyclopedia, knowing reptiles were fond of them.
Recalling that memory extinguished any desire I had to engage in conversation with the Crown Prince. I detest bugs. Absolutely detest them. Hate them.
I turned my head towards Mir. It wouldn’t matter if it were some ignorant country bumpkin, but I wasn’t about to let the scion of the Imperial Family, practically a future enemy, disrespecting me in front of everyone.
“I better go inside before I cause more trouble.”
“Leaving? If the atmosphere in the banquet hall bothers you, shall we head to the terrace? Have a drink. It’s a day when drinking is legally permitted, after all.”
Before I could respond, Mir accepted two glasses from the servant—a mixture of honey, sparkling water, and cider. And as soon as she took them, she downed one in one gulp, suggesting that the rest were for herself, not me.
I stared at Mir intently. She grinned and promptly gulped down the remaining drink in one go.
“You drink so fast.”
“That’s how you get drunk quickly.”
“…Is that a good thing?”
“Well, you drink alcohol to get drunk.”
Mir was a big fan of hard liquor. In the City of Sages, the legal drinking age was said to be 16. However, as the Empire permitted alcohol consumption from the age of 20, the palace, emphasizing decorum and law, hadn’t offered Mir a drop of alcohol until yesterday.
Having failed to adapt culturally after coming to study abroad at 17, Mir would visit downtown bars whenever they felt like drinking. The renowned sage from the City of Sages was treated as a foreign minor in the commoner areas outside the palace. Despite asserting that she was not a minor every time she was wrangled by the guards for drinking, Mir sought my help every time in these situations. I can’t even recall how many times I’ve written identification documents for Mir’s verification.
‘I must have memorized the faces of the guards in that jurisdiction by now.’
I glanced at Mir, who was sipping her drink.
“I don’t suppose the Imperial Palace requires proof of identity?”
“Your clothes are your ID here. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Now that Mir had become an adult foreigner, it seemed unlikely that I’d need to write identification documents anymore.
Mir grabbed a servant and started asking about the variety of drinks available. As one of the stars of this year’s coming-of-age ceremony, Mir had the right to enjoy themselves.
‘I have no idea what kind of flavors they prefer.’
I had a glass of wine with my mom on my birthday once, and I couldn’t figure out what the bitter, astringent flavor was. I imagined it tasted like receiving divine love, seeing how much Mir liked it…
When I thought about it, I realized that it was just water with grains or fruits in it. There seemed to be people with similar tastes to mine. Some attendees at the coming-of-age ceremony, out of curiosity, took a sip and couldn’t control their expressions at the unexpected taste.
By now, the atmosphere in the hall had become quite lively. A few people were drunk on champagne.
“That lizard face is really creepy.”
I involuntarily held my breath for a moment. Following that was a raucous laughter. I could feel the warmth of alcohol emanating from their skin. It was coming from a nearby lounge, concealed by a single curtain, where people were chatting.
“How could someone walk around with that face?”
“A lady? Don’t the people who keep calling her that not have eyes?”
The taunts continued, but those closer to me didn’t react, as if they hadn’t heard anything. I suppose my keen hearing made me the only one who noticed.
‘They’re drunk.’
I should have left earlier, before people got intoxicated. I know how much more honest and daring people become when drunk.
I hurriedly turned to walk away, attempting to exit the venue of the coming-of-age ceremony. Yet, the voices persisted.
“If you play your cards right, you could become the next Duke.”
“That’s right. The first one to propose is the next Duke of Staedt!”
It was an unpleasant conversation to overhear. I knew well enough that these people were fools who wouldn’t dare say anything in front of me. As I walked through the crowd, someone grabbed my shoulder.
“Belienne.”
It was Carnelian. I turned to look at him.
“Leaving already?”
He sounded almost regretful. I instinctively glanced in the direction where those insulting me were. Carnelian’s head subtly moved to follow my gaze, but his eyes remained fixed on me as if he was trying to peer into my inner thoughts.
I replied casually, “I have an evening appointment with my parents.”
“Ah, I see. Well then.”
“Yeah.”
“…It’s a shame, but let’s talk some other time.”
“Yes. Excuse me.”
As I tried to move away, Carnelian spoke again.
“Take care.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Belienne.”
“Yes?”
“Congratulations on coming of age.”
“…”
I merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment and turned away. The longer I hesitated, the more I overheard.
“Have you heard any rumors if anyone even sent a proposal?”
“Can you even imagine marrying a lizard?”
“Ugh.”
I paused briefly. I tried to speak, to say something, but no words came out. Even if I did, they probably wouldn’t have heard.
‘It’s not… it’s not a big deal, so why am I so frustrated?’
I’ve been called worse things than that when I was in the palace with the nobles instead of my father. I’ve even been called the devil’s bastard, but I’m not the least bit hurt because none of that is true.
‘Then why…?’
I was confused. Maybe I’ve had a bad day, and that’s why my mood is so low.
“You have every right to be angry.”
Mir’s words came back to me.
‘…Yeah. Hearing those kinds of things makes me angry.’
I calmed down, barely. Getting angry wouldn’t make my curse disappear. So, I decided not to get upset.
As I tried to move again, Carnelian’s voice mingled with theirs from behind.
“You lot sure like to talk.”
I turned my head for a moment. The Crown Prince was holding open the curtain to the lounge where those insulting me were.
“These individuals have disrupted the royal coming-of-age ceremony. Immediately expel them from the palace grounds and hold their families accountable for insulting the royal event.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“W-What! I-I think there’s a misunderstanding!”
“Yes, yes! We can explain everything!”
The knights overpowered them and dragged them away. I glanced briefly at Carnelian but soon found and boarded the Staedt carriage.
