Why Is Everyone Hiding Everything? - Chapter 04

Chapter 4

So my sister really had regressed.

After confirming the information I wanted, I grabbed Minabel’s hands and spoke sincerely.

“Bell, I don’t want to run away from this place.”

Anyone would hate losing the home they belonged to.

And more than anything, I had no desire to go somewhere new, meet new people, notice all their secrets, and suffer over them all over again.

If life would remain the same no matter where I fled, then wouldn’t it be better to face everything head-on while using every advantage I already had?

* * *

First, let’s calmly make a plan.

If I wanted my peaceful daily life to continue, then preventing the Empire’s destruction had to be the top priority.

And to do that, there was something we needed first.

“Bell, why does the Empire fall in that story?”

“Well, obviously…”

I could already guess the answer.

Because the prophecy stating “the one with red eyes must ascend the throne” had not been followed.

“In that case, if the rightful person takes the throne, the Empire won’t fall, right?”

“What? That’s probably true, but Tie, whatever you’re planning—it’s way too dangerous! I can tell without even hearing it properly!”

“If the Empire is doomed to collapse anyway, then I think I’d regret it more if I didn’t try something. At least, that’s how I feel.”

With Serphina unni, who knew the future, and Minabel, who could discover everything just by looking above people’s heads, things would become far easier.

My sister would obviously cooperate.

But judging from Minabel’s pale expression, I wasn’t sure whether she’d be willing to take real action.

And I didn’t want to act cruel enough to exploit the guilt Bell felt over approaching me for survival in the first place.

Maybe I should just prove myself through action instead.

“First, I need to meet the Third Prince.”

Trying to look bold and determined, I abruptly stood up—

—and immediately staggered.

From the distance, I saw Elian rushing toward me.

“Tie, are you okay? Were you outside too long?”

“My lady!”

Considering I had only stood up too quickly, the fact that I couldn’t steady myself for so long clearly terrified both Minabel and Elian.

Then Minabel’s stunned muttering slipped into my ears.

“Good thing I never told her that her title is literally just ‘The Sickly Youngest Daughter’…”

I already heard that.

* * *

“Tie!”

The moment my sister heard my condition had worsened, she stormed into my room.

The rumors were seriously exaggerated.

“It’s okay, unni. I just skipped meals because I got too absorbed in chatting.”

After calming her down, I immediately explained the plan I had formed through my conversation with Minabel.

“Unni, don’t be shocked when you hear this. I’m going to make the Third Prince emperor.”

Behind me, both Elian and Minabel froze completely.

Apparently they hadn’t expected me to say it so directly.

In contrast, my sister showed not even the slightest hint of agitation as she raised her eyes to look at me.

“Is that what you want?”

“Yes. That’s what I want.”

Her calm gaze looked as though she were prepared to listen to anything I said.

Flotie from her previous life—however you lived, you really did a good job.

“I found out that the Third Prince’s eyes are red.”

Behind me, I heard Minabel collapse to the floor.

“How did you find that out?”

“I saw it. The day I asked you those questions.”

“Ah… so that’s why you asked me.”

My sister nodded as though she finally understood.

A family that trusted and supported me without needing proof or logic was truly precious.

“But Tie, there’s no need for you to step in and correct this. If you’re worried about our family’s safety, I’ve already prepared everything.”

My sister’s soothing voice was gentle.

“No, unni. I want the land I live in to remain peaceful and safe. And I know about your regression too… and why you returned.”

“……”

“I hate the thought of you carrying every burden alone. More importantly, pretending not to know everything is terrible for both my mental and physical health.”

That was the complete truth, without a single lie added.

Whenever my nerves were strained, my body deteriorated even further.

My already weak body broke down constantly, and I woke several times each night.

Even if I ignored everything and fled the Empire, would I truly be safe and happy every day?

No.

The guilt alone might drive me insane instead.

“I can’t abandon Rosena without even trying. And there are friends… people I need to protect too. Just like you protect me, there are people here that I want to protect.”

My gaze shifted between Minabel and Elian, the two who had cared for me whenever I collapsed.

If I didn’t act, then being perceptive alone meant absolutely nothing.

“So I need your help, unni.”

Because this was impossible alone.

I couldn’t wield a sword.

I couldn’t deliver dazzling speeches or dominate noble society.

Most of my abilities were below average.

Just like the title “Sickly Youngest Daughter” implied.

Other than being slightly perceptive and having no hesitation in asking others for help, I possessed almost no strengths worth mentioning.

Still, there was someone before me willing to extend a hand whenever I asked.

Sure enough, my sister stared at me with shaken eyes before letting out a deep sigh.

“Tie… when you’re trying this hard, how could I possibly say no?”

“Thank you, unni.”

In truth, this wasn’t a simple matter.

If House Rosena openly supported the Third Prince, then we’d truly be throwing ourselves into the center of a political war.

Even if someone had to bear responsibility for that choice, it had to be kept to a minimum.

Not as House Rosena—

—but as Flotie Rosena acting alone.

I had no intention of telling our parents.

Everything needed to remain limited to the reckless impulsiveness of the youngest daughter.

“How should we do this? Tell me your plan.”

If I failed, the Empire would fall.

And if my life was destined to end in poisoning anyway, then perhaps it wasn’t so bad to risk it for something meaningful this time.

Of course, that didn’t mean I intended to throw my life away carelessly.

“First, we need to persuade His Highness. He lives in a very isolated palace, so with a suitable gift even the gatekeepers will easily open the—”

“No.”

At that moment, Minabel interrupted in a grave tone.

“I can find where the prince is. Tie, you just wait.”

* * *

Thanks to Minabel’s help, we quickly discovered the Third Prince’s whereabouts and decided to move immediately.

For that purpose, Serphina unni, Minabel, and I were currently under disguise magic.

My sister and Minabel appeared as guards, while I simply had my coloring changed.

The goal was to look like a noble young lady accompanied by two maids or bodyguards.

“…Can we walk a little slower? I’m out of breath.”

“Just hang in there a little longer. We’re almost there.”

Minabel pointed toward a shabby building.

“He’s in a place like this? This doesn’t even look like an information guild.”

A sour smell drifted from the ramshackle structure.

“Technically information brokers did use this place originally, but apparently none of them came today.”

Minabel, despite knowing the rules of this world, didn’t pay much attention to them.

And I had spent most of my life secluded indoors.

The two of us had obvious limits when it came to understanding how the world worked.

But beside us stood someone living her second life.

“The broker betrayed someone. Or he was murdered. It was about time. Even if many things change, some things stay exactly the same.”

Speaking casually, my sister draped a shawl over my shoulders.

“Ah… right. I’ll keep that in mind if I ever regress. Anyway, it’s good we found him quickly.”

Minabel’s status window had been incredibly useful this time.

Using something called a minimap and tracking skill, she had located the Third Prince with shocking ease.

“That wasn’t easy at all!”

Minabel nearly cried while telling me how many points she had spent.

“Do you have to pay some kind of price for that?”

“Yeah……”

“Then how do you pay it? If any of my jewelry can help, you may take it. Especially this pink diamond from House Rosena’s mines—”

“No, it’s not that kind of currency… It’s complicated. Anyway, if it helps you, that’s enough. I can always invent more things and earn points again…!”

Just as I reached to open the door, my sister’s hand moved faster.

“You’ll hurt your hand, Tie. Doors like this are full of splinters.”

“Your hands are important too, unni…”

Inside, people were shouting loudly.

Some were heavily drunk.

Others were grabbing each other by the collars as though gambling games had gone badly.

Frowning slightly, I pulled my veil tighter over my face.

“He’s over there.”

Minabel quietly gestured toward a corner.

There sat a silver-haired figure wearing a robe.

Found him.

Lucian Aedvain.