[IHTTMBW] Chapter 59

If Euphil’s personality had truly grown as cold as the rumours suggested, I needed to be cautious. He might have completely forgotten the memories of our childhood.

Meanwhile, the King seemed to take out his frustrations on me whenever Euphil achieved something notable, cutting the budget for my palace each time. It was as though he vented his anger on me because his son, now out of reach, was no longer under his control. However, Gelbart’s immense wealth, coupled with Allenan’s habit of bringing me gifts at every opportunity, ensured that I hardly noticed the difference. I happily hoarded my growing collection of jewels in secret.

“He won’t come this year either…”

Resting my chin on my hand, I thought of Euphil. If he didn’t come this year, I consoled myself with the thought that it might mean I wouldn’t be killed the moment I turned nineteen. If he missed even my coming-of-age ceremony, it meant he truly couldn’t come.

Even a prodigy had to spend at least ten years at the Academy. Perhaps he’d return when I was twenty.

If that happens, the future could change.

Maybe Euphil wouldn’t become a tyrant after all. If so, there were so many things I wanted to do with him. I’d tell him he wouldn’t harm me and that he was my one and only water sprite. I’d ask him to play with me like we did when we were children.

“Today…”

Alleviating the melancholy in my murmur, Allenan reached out to stroke my cheek. His deep blue eyes softened as they gazed at me.

“I’ll be the one by your side today. I’ll be the brother you can lean on.”

He gently traced my chin with his thumb, his gaze lingering on my lips, warm and intense. Yet he turned his head and instead pressed his lips softly to my forehead. They were warm and tender.

“Ahem.”

Gelbart’s cough broke the moment. Allenan realised what he had done and jumped back, his face burning red.

Blushing that much over a forehead kiss—how innocent, I thought, laughing inwardly like an amused elder. Still, the warmth of his kiss lingered, and I couldn’t help but touch my forehead where his lips had been.

The original Myrthi, after coming of age, was described as the most beautiful woman in Crothasone. Which meant, of course, that I too would share that fate.

Under Orzette’s skilled care, my silvery-pink hair gleamed with a soft sheen, as though strands of pure silver had been woven together. It was so delicate it seemed it could be carried away by the wind. My violet eyes sparkled like jewels against the white dress meant for my coming-of-age ceremony.

The gown, made of satin, featured long sleeves adorned with wing-like decorations. Though my toned, flawless figure could have easily pulled off an off-shoulder design, the dress for the occasion leaned toward elegance and grace.

If anyone among my attendants had better taste than Orzette, they wouldn’t admit it. She was undoubtedly the most fashion-savvy lady-in-waiting in my palace, and because she was also my closest friend, I had always shone as the centrepiece of every ball I attended—whether it was my own birthday celebration or one of Gelbart’s grand parties.

“This is the day I’ve been dreaming of my whole life,” Orzette declared, her determination shining brightly.

Indeed, today marked both my coming-of-age ceremony and my birthday ball.

Unsurprisingly, the King had nothing to do with the ball. Usually, royal coming-of-age celebrations were hosted by the King or Queen, but they wouldn’t dream of bestowing such a courtesy on me. With the paltry budget they allocated, hosting a grand ball was out of the question.

But who was I?

I had charmed the Duke of Gelbart, the Blade of the Continent, and Allenan, the sole heir to a neighbouring kingdom, since I was a child. Just as I had carefully stashed jewels for my future, they had resolved to make my coming-of-age celebration as grand as possible.

Invitations were sent to numerous nobles.

“I don’t really need all this,” I remarked.
“Oh, but Princess, you must show those wretched nobles who the most beautiful person is,” Orzette said sweetly, though her words carried a sharp edge.

Even Orzette hadn’t always been this way. Over the years, she had grown tougher, weathering many storms at my side.

The rumours surrounding me among the nobles were nothing but derision. Though they couldn’t criticise my beauty, they mocked me out of fear of the King and because I had grown so exceptionally beautiful that I outshone their daughters. Even noblemen, whether married or not, couldn’t avoid gossiping.

Their scorn stemmed from resentment over how much I had despite my circumstances.

On top of that, the label that followed me everywhere was the baseless claim that I had shared a bed with my half-brother. The absurdity of it! All because I had napped alongside Euphil as a child. It was a testament to how much the Queen’s scheming and the King’s encouragement of such slander had tainted my reputation.

Such greed for a child—how foolish.

For now, I let Orzette work her magic, her deft hands arranging my attire. The amethyst-and-pearl earrings I wore had been gifts from the coastal kingdom of Alkaden.

“Something’s missing around your neck. There’s no necklace that feels quite right,” Orzette mused, tilting her head as she looked me over.

She spritzed perfume—its citrusy notes layered with a sweet floral finish—onto me, a fragrance I adored. It was rare for Orzette to struggle to find a fitting accessory.

“Orzette, is it possible for you to be stumped?” I teased.
“Regrettably, yes,” she sighed dramatically, scanning the room once more.

Her behaviour felt unusually restless, as if waiting for something.

Something’s up.