This immature prince’s way of solving problems was always the same—murderous intent and threats. Of course, Reid paid no mind to Rigares radiating that fierce aura right in front of him.

Elegantly twisting his wrist, lightly swirling the wine glass, Reid responded.

“I’ll let you meet your brother.”

“.......”

“And then?”

“......What are you asking?”

“If I let you meet him, wouldn’t you try to kill me?”

“......!”

Rigares flinched, his reaction brutally honest. But Reid deliberately pretended not to notice and just stared down at his glass.

In fact, he had a gut feeling.

‘It’s poison.’

There was never a time when something served by Rigares was safe.

Predicting some trick in this wine didn’t even require insight. It was like a formula.

Looking at the blood-red poisoned wine reminded him of memories from when he met Rigares as a paladin.

—“You know, Sir Tesilid? I hated you unbearably from the moment I first saw you.”

Rigares had always hated him.

—“Ha ha, did you believe that? Fool!”

Whenever Reid started trusting him even a little, he betrayed him immediately.

—“Such a waste of a face. How about living as someone’s mistress instead of a paladin?”

Insults without cause.

—“You’re just a dog of the church. Your hypocritical act is irritating.”

More insults. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

—“You killed the dog, so you should pay the price.”

Murdered him.

Without a single exception, it had always been like that. The most blatant was the 16th round, when Rigares himself stabbed a sword into Reid’s chest.

Even now, at the 101st round when Rigares became the final mastermind, nothing seemed much different.

If this was fate, it was a farce seen up close. A younger brother offering poisoned wine to his older brother while showing bright murderous intent. Truly ridiculous.

By now, Reid felt a self-destructive curiosity stirring.

‘Rigares, and Queen Raviosa. You two...’

His cold, red eyes reflected in the blood-red poisoned wine.

‘How far will you go?’

✠

[‘The Scale that Judges Souls’ loves your sparkling appearance from head to toe.]

[‘The Verbal Magic that Builds Worlds’ feels refreshed seeing your gorgeous fantasy-style dress.]

[‘The Architect of Trial Skyscrapers’ complains you look more like a princess trapped in a tower than a hero climbing it.]

[‘The Sarcastic Balancer’ says he doesn’t know about princesses, but there was a setting where you’re the next princess.]

[‘The Scale that Judges Souls’ is excited to go meet the prince immediately.]

[‘The Cliché Gourmet’ shouts to first start a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflict.]

A voluminous dress where sky blue and ivory colors harmonized luxuriously, heavy gold and jewel accessories decorating the neck and wrists, hair braided, twisted, and half pinned up with all sorts of styling skills.

I was fully armored in extravagant attire.

And the woman sitting across from me was no different.

Her dress was overall white with dark purple accents, showing both purity and dignity.

The hem and cuffs were densely embroidered with jewels that glittered painfully bright whenever sunlight hit.

Though very flashy overall, the necklace hanging on her delicate deer-like neck was simple.

The earrings dangling from her earlobes resembled tiny chandeliers, making the contrast even sharper.

‘Well, whatever.’

I had just been forcibly dressed by the maids and was now sitting alone facing Queen Raviosa.

“.......”

“.......”

The queen offered me tea across a table laden with desserts more extravagant than bouquets.

She hooked her fingers on the teacup handle and sipped, her calculating gaze on me.

It felt like some sort of test. Why on earth had she summoned me only to make me go through tedious preparations and then observe me drinking tea?

Was doll play her hobby? But this wasn’t a parenting genre...

Just then, Queen Raviosa finally spoke.

“You have a pretty face and figure.”

“.......”

“Beauty without the strength to protect oneself is only a curse.”

I have more than enough strength, though.

Of course, I couldn’t answer that straightforwardly, so I lowered my eyes with a mournful expression.

[‘The Sarcastic Balancer’ scolds you to open your eyes properly because that expression doesn’t suit you.]

Unable to resist the balancer’s nagging, I raised my gaze. The queen touched the teardrop-shaped pendant on her necklace with her fingertip and asked.

“How is my son?”

“Which son do you mean?”

My reasonable question seemed strange to Queen Raviosa.

“Obviously, I mean Rigares. I’m not capable enough to embrace Hadeil as my son.”

“......Ah, yes.”

The queen misunderstood my dazed silence.

“I see. I understand. Our Riga has a somewhat difficult and sensitive temperament.”

“......Y-yes.”

“He is still young. It would be good if someone were by his side to calm his blood and nurture his temperament at this time. Don’t you think?”

“W-well...?”

It felt ominous. Asking that while looking at me now could only mean...

“He is old enough to know women.”

“......Pfft.”

I swallowed the tea just in time. Otherwise, I might have made a scene.

[‘The Scale that Judges Souls’ is terrified by this obsessive control mother-in-law type!]

[‘The Cliché Gourmet’ drools over this beyond-expectation dumpster fire!]

[‘The Architect of Trial Skyscrapers’ warns that if you get on this mother-in-law’s bad side, the genre turns thriller.]

[‘The Sarcastic Balancer’ cheers you on, saying married life goes smoothly if you gain her favor.]

[‘The All-Seeing Eye Watching Chaos’ advises you to win the mother-in-law’s heart rather than the husband’s...]

Even the gods’ message window seemed to have been genre-patched into a mess.

The queen continued softly assaulting my mind.

“Don’t worry. Being a mistress doesn’t necessarily mean unhappiness. If you know your place, you can enjoy glory as the king’s sanctuary and raise even an illegitimate child well.”

I was losing it.

“......Your Majesty, why are you doing this to me?”

“Because Rigares showed interest in you.”

“I think the palace’s eyes and ears failed to deliver accurate news to Your Majesty. Prince Rigares’s proposal was only to justify a political alliance.”

“No.”

Her denial was firm.

“I know my son well. It’s the first time he’s ever linked himself to a woman like this.”

“Isn’t that an exaggeration...?”

“You must interpret our Riga’s true feelings from his indifferent words. Even here, when he says it doesn’t matter if he makes you his mistress, the real meaning hidden is, ‘I want to make you my mistress.’”

“I think we have very different thoughts...”

“Of course, a mother knows her son best. I’m sure I’m right.”

Unfortunately, the words of a mother who didn’t even recognize her other sons weren’t very credible.

“As a mother with a son who isn’t honest, what can I do? After a long time, he finally desires something. I must understand his wishes well and give it to him.”

“.......”

“He never showed interest in anyone except his brother. It’s truly a joy.”

I was lost for words. The queen gave me no chance to recover and moved on.

“Is there someone you love?”

“.......”

Due to the genre, I chose to remain silent. The queen’s sharp eyes suddenly flashed dangerously as if she recognized someone.

“Wise choice. If you had answered, I would have killed you.”

[‘The Cliché Gourmet’ is ecstatic at the thrilling taste!]

[‘The Architect of Trial Skyscrapers’ shudders at how scary future mother-in-law will be.]

Fortunately, ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) this conversation that felt like my mind would burst was nearing its end.

“I like you.”

“.......”

“You’re pretty, smart, and you don’t show signs of intimidation even before me. That’s rare. To the point that if you had a hidden identity, I might have made you crown princess.”

I do. A hidden identity.

“I’m sincere. Get along well with our Riga.”

She habitually fiddled with her necklace and finished speaking. Just then, a maid hurried over.

“Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“The birthday gift sorting is finished. Items requiring Your Majesty’s inspection have been moved to the office.”

Even for the queen, regent as she was, receiving birthday gifts was an important diplomatic task. She had to check the gifts personally and send replies.

“Let’s get up. The clothes and jewelry are my gifts to you; please accept them.”

Just as I was about to sigh in relief, thinking it was finally over—

“Oh, and.”

“Yes?”

“Rigares will come here soon.”

The trial was not an end, but a new beginning.

“Please handle him with generosity.”

Queen Raviosa smiled kindly, turned, and disappeared. The sigh I’d held built tiny waves in the cooled teacup.