My Fiancé Fell in Love with My Older Sister. After Locking Myself in My Room for Five Days, 500 Years Had Passed. - 41 - The Eyes Speak Louder Than Words

“─”

I gasped sharply.

The Emperor’s voice was never harsh.

He wasn’t yelling, nor was he accusing me sternly.

He just asked, plainly, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

As if it was obvious.

─And in that moment, I understood.

To the people of the current ruling Lumos Empire, someone from the fallen Tsobellar Dynasty could be seen as a potential enemy.

To them, I might be a threat.

“Father.”

Prince Lian opened his mouth to speak.

But before he could say anything, the Empress spoke in a gentle voice.

“Oh, come now. Your Majesty, saying something like that. Don’t you think so, Felicia?”

“……Yes.”

I answered the Empress, and she gave me a soft smile.

“You’re not an evil witch. …………Right?”

“……Yes.”

Her tone was kind, her smile gentle—but her eyes were not smiling at all.

**☆

(That… that was so scaryyyy!!!!)**

After I somehow (can I really say ‘safely’?) escaped from the audience chamber, I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.

My frozen emotions slowly started to come back.

(What was that!? That was seriously, absolutely terrifying……!!)

Compared to the royal family of the Lumos Empire, the Tsobellar royal family feels way too soft…

Lord Felix is practically cute in comparison.

That indescribable fear I felt from them made Lord Felix seem like a harmless puppy yapping away.

But then I thought again and shook my head.

Puppies are cute.

Lord Felix is not cute.

That’s a big difference.

As I escaped into those silly thoughts, trying to avoid reality, a voice called out from behind me.

“Well done, Lady Felicia. Were you nervous?”

It was Prince Lian, who had followed me out of the room.

If there’s anyone out there who wouldn’t get nervous in that situation, I’d like to meet them.

I nodded stiffly, and Prince Lian gave a wry smile.

Why is he the only calm one in that entire royal family…?

(Especially just now, his kindness and concern really hit me right in the heart~~!!)

He looked even more dazzling than usual, and I squinted against the glow.

(But those eyes!!)

The Empress’ eyes.

Even though she was smiling, her eyes didn’t smile at all—in fact, they were frozen cold.

Terrifying.

Is this horror?? Was that a horror scene??

Isn’t it too early in the year for that??

It’s still early summer. Can we wait a little longer?

…No, that’s not the point.

As I was mentally talking to myself, Prince Lian suddenly lifted his head like he had just made up his mind.

“……Then, would you like to go for a walk with me to clear your mind?”

**☆

“A walk… isn’t this not a walk?”**

Prince Lian led me to the back entrance of the castle.

There, a plain carriage was waiting.

Clearly, it was one meant for going out in secret.

This didn’t match my idea of a “walk” at all.

When I looked at him, asking silently for an explanation, Prince Lian, who had been talking to an attendant, noticed my gaze.

Then, with a soft smile, he said:

“Since we have the chance, let’s go to the Tower of Lament. I’m curious if the time-crossing magic still works.”

And then I understood.

(So that was the real reason!!)

Apparently, the ‘walk’ was just an excuse.

Prince Lian opened the carriage door and gestured for me to get in.

“Please, Lady Felicia.”

There’s no way I could say, ‘Um, actually, never mind,’ after all this.

I was the one who didn’t ask where we were going in the first place.
Besides, I also wanted to check on the Tower of Lament… the place that used to be my room in the Frenzel family’s country house.

With that in mind, I placed my foot on the step—but then something made me stop and turn around.

I guess he didn’t expect me to turn back, because Prince Lian looked at me with a surprised expression.

“How long does it take to get to the Tower of Lament from here?”

Then I lowered my eyes.

It was too soon after that meeting to bring up the name ‘Tsobellar’ again.

Even so, that place…

“……That place, five hundred years ago, was near the castle of Tsobellar. I heard from a government official that it’s quite far from here.”

From that official with the dimples when he smiles.

(Come to think of it, I never asked his name…)

The Tower of Lament should be where the Frenzel family’s country home once stood.

Which means it would be near Tsobellar’s castle.

But the capital has moved over the past five hundred years.

The current castle of the Lumos Empire is far from where Tsobellar’s castle used to be.

(I mean, it would probably be bad for me to be away from the castle for too long…)

You never know what kind of rumors people might start.

From ‘The Weeping Witch’ to ‘The Thieving Witch’ or ‘The Fallen Witch’—I really don’t want any of those terrible titles.

Prince Lian must have understood what I was thinking.

He gave me a soft, reassuring smile.

“In that case, it’s not a problem. It will only take about an hour to get there from here.”

“…………Eh?”