The Villainous Noble Lady, who looks like a Young Girl, is in the Arms of the Fearsomely Cute Crown Prince - Chapter 12

“Did I just… what exactly did I…?”

I must have done something truly dangerous.

Frozen in both mind and body, I remained stiff in Prince Folkharte’s arms.

If what I had done was merely an act of rudeness or disrespect, that would be one thing.

But if it was considered an assassination attempt…

I had to apologize immediately.

“I sincerely… deeply apologize—”

“Do not apologize, Ria.”

As I trembled in his arms, Prince Folkharte gently rubbed my back while shifting his gaze to Prince Etgar, who stood frozen in shock.

“Etgar. You must never speak of what you just saw to anyone. Not even to His Majesty.”

“Huh?! But—”

“It is to protect Ria. As a prince, you can do that, can’t you?”

If it were ever revealed that I had nearly harmed the Crown Prince, I would undoubtedly be accused of a crime.

The mere thought of what would happen if a naïve seven-year-old carelessly spoke about this incident made my bl00d run cold.

Prince Etgar clenched his fists tightly.

“To protect Ria… yes!”

His expression hardened with determination, and he looked up at me.

“Ria, are you hurt?”

“N-No, I’m fine.”

“That’s a relief…”

The same boy who had arrogantly pulled me to the ground not long ago was now showing genuine concern.

I felt a sense of pride at his rapid growth—yet at the same time, my heart was still pounding.

A creeping unease slithered through me, refusing to subside no matter how hard I tried to shake it off.

“Ah-ha~ I see, I see.”

A leisurely voice chimed in from nearby.

The moment I heard it, I instinctively took a deep breath.

No matter how dire the situation, Enzo’s voice had always grounded me.

He stood by the bookshelves, flipping through the thick, black leather-bound magic primer that Prince Folkharte had previously explained to me.

Closing the book, he grinned at me in an exaggerated manner.

“Lady Ria, I reckon you’ve grasped the principles of magic now, haven’t you?”

“Huh? Well… yes.”

Thanks to Prince Folkharte’s clear explanations, I had a solid understanding of the fundamentals.

“Hmm. Now, from what I know, just understanding magic theory doesn’t mean you can use it. It requires both talent and effort, and even with training, not everyone becomes proficient.”

Prince Folkharte nodded in agreement.

“Enzo is correct. Even in the Empire, magic users are rare. And even among those who can use magic, not all of them are useful. Some are weak, some lack control, and some simply possess abilities that serve no practical purpose. Moreover, those skilled enough to teach magic are often eccentric and ill-suited to instructing others.”

“Your Highness, was that… a self-introduction?”

“Did you say something?”

“Nope! Not a word!”

Enzo’s magic—rare as it was—had been enough to grant him a position as a noble’s attendant. That alone spoke to the value of magic in this world.

Prince Folkharte, being not only the Crown Prince but also a wielder of ice magic, was an existence that many found intimidating.

“So, as expected from my master! You picked up magic just by learning about it!”

“Enzo…”

“Don’t worry! There’s no need for concern. Just defy destiny again, like always. I’ll be right here with you.”

Enzo’s words implied something we had long suspected—that I had been given the natural talents befitting a villain.

Knowledge, education, even my appearance—everything had been designed to cast me as the most formidable antagonist in this story.

Now, it seemed magic had been added to the list.

But that didn’t change anything.

Just as before, I would reject that role and steer my fate in a better direction.

“Alright. Teach me everything you know.”

As soon as I had a clear course of action, I felt my determination return.

Lifting my head, I found myself staring into a pair of icy blue eyes.

“I will be here as well, Ria.”

“Your Highness…”

“When it comes to magic, ask me first. His magic follows a different system from this world’s.”

I wasn’t alone.

Not only did I have Enzo, but Prince Folkharte was also by my side.

That was an incredible relief.

“A strong foundation is essential. I can teach you properly. We’ll begin training soon.”

“Yes!”

“Guh—! He even asserts dominance over a mere attendant! This is it—this is the absolute spoiled beloved route!!”

Enzo began hopping in place like an excited child, shouting nonsense once again.

Prince Etgar watched him with a deadpan expression before muttering,

“He’s weird.”

That was too much for me—I burst into laughter.

Unfortunately, my breath brushed against Prince Folkharte’s neck.

“Ha. That tickles.”

“Oh no! I-I’m sorry! But really, I’m fine now. Please put me down.”

Yet, instead of releasing me, Prince Folkharte started walking—still holding me in his arms.

“Your Highness?!”

“No. I’m still worried. You’ll stay with me tonight. If you accidentally use fire magic again, I’ll be able to suppress it immediately with ice.”

“W-Wait… stay with you?! Like this?!”

(Does he mean to carry me the entire time?!)

“Ah. While you’re at it, take a look at these reports. Let me know if anything catches your attention.”

Prince Folkharte strode back to his desk, his usual impassive expression softened slightly by the subtle lift of his lips.

(Wait— is he asking me to help with his work?!)

“That’s classified information!”

I blurted out in shock.

Standing in the corner of the room, Mihel’s eyes widened in surprise.

Was it because a four-year-old had just spoken those words?

Or because I had raised my voice at Prince Folkharte?

Perhaps both.

Prince Folkharte’s smirk deepened as he spoke with unwavering authority.

“That’s not a problem. You are my fiancée, after all.”

Before I could even respond, he pulled me onto his lap and settled into his chair.

His arm wrapped securely around my waist, making it impossible to escape.

Mihel looked torn between amusement and concern.

“Wow… I’ve never seen my brother make that kind of face before.”

“Ohooo! A lap-deskwork event! Too precious! I have to burn this into my memory!”

“…Still a weird one,” Prince Etgar muttered, staring flatly at Enzo as the two of them peeked into the room from the doorway.

Their presence only made it harder to focus.

“Um, Your Highness?”

“What is it?”

“Could you… at least put me down?”

I was so flustered that I nearly tripped over my words.

“If I put you down, you won’t be able to see the documents.”

“Ugh.”

He had a point.

Resigned, I turned my attention to the papers spread across the desk— and something caught my eye.

(What’s this?)

Narrowing my gaze, I examined it more closely.

“This is…”

“So you’ve noticed.”

“Your Highness—”

“I expected this to arrive soon. That’s why I left it untouched— I wanted you to see it for yourself.”

“Th… Thank you for your consideration.”

Prince Folkharte picked up a sealed envelope, the wax emblem bearing a shield and key—the crest of the Schvran royal family, symbolizing their role as guardians of the Jewel Spring.

“I’ll open it.”

He slipped a letter opener under the seal and swiftly sliced through the envelope.

I held my breath as he unfolded the letter and scanned its contents before placing it in front of me.

“Go on, read it.”

“Yes.”

The sender was none other than Crown Prince Marcel of Schvran.

As expected of a noble, his words were wrapped in diplomatic pleasantries, but the message was clear.

“The western storm has yet to subside— is there something amiss with the offering? We must discuss how to bring harmony back to the land. As the next King of the Jewel Kingdom, I propose we share a drink and talk.”

(So, from Schvran’s perspective, the Imperial Knights stationed at the western border remain unchanged, showing no signs of withdrawal. That makes Schvran uneasy— and now their Crown Prince wants to use his connection with Prince Folkharte to ease tensions? …How bold of him to think so highly of himself when he has no real skill to back it up.)

“This works out well. The court has been pestering me about your official debut.”

“I see.”

“Eastern Capital is a good city.”

The Eastern Capital was a major metropolis near the empire’s eastern border.

Schvran’s jewels were exported there, making it a key hub for trade and commerce.

“Are you planning to go?”

I had expected him to reject the invitation outright.

“I want to personally peel the masks off the faces of those who have hurt you.”

Though his face remained emotionless, something was undeniably radiating from within him.

“You look… lively.”

“Do I?”

At that moment, a shiver ran down my spine.

Not from his ice magic— but from the realization that this man, too, might have the makings of a villain.