The Villainous Noble Lady, who looks like a Young Girl, is in the Arms of the Fearsomely Cute Crown Prince - Chapter 2

On the night of the next full moon, the sky shimmered like a bed of scattered gemstones, while the sea and wind lay utterly still.

Only two people were permitted inside the Sea King’s Temple, standing atop the cliff—the one undergoing the ritual, me, and the witch performing it.

The vast hall, encircled by towering white marble pillars, had a majestic, otherworldly atmosphere. In the center, we stood side by side, gazing at the trident, the sacred emblem of the Sea God, mounted on the wall.

The Witch of Time, Castehelmi, was rumored to be over two hundred years old.

True to her title, she excelled in magic that manipulated time. She always kept her black hood pulled low, covering most of her face with a veil. No one—not even I—had ever seen her true face.

She was also Enzo’s mentor, though she rarely took on disciples. It was said that the only reason she trained him was because she had foreseen his importance in the future.

“Perhaps this is the gods’ way of telling us that there is no place for you in this kingdom, Juliana.”

Castehelmi’s quiet voice resonated through the vast temple, vanishing into the silence that was broken only by the distant sound of waves.

Though she spoke as though she were stating a divine truth, I could sense that, in her own way, she was concerned for me.

“That may be the case.”

“You have nothing to worry about. Enzo has been trained to survive even if he’s killed a hundred times over.”

“Fufu. I only hope he doesn’t grow tired of being by my side.”

“That won’t happen. That man may seem carefree, but deep down, he thrives on battle.”

“Oh? Is that so? He always appears so composed.”

I pictured Enzo’s face, always wearing that unreadable expression, his perpetually narrowed eyes making it seem as though he was watching something invisible to the rest of us.

As both a highly capable attendant and bodyguard, he had undoubtedly felt stifled in this small kingdom. In a way, bringing him to the empire might be an opportunity for him.

The empire, after all, had expanded through conquest, assimilating countless nations and warriors. Surely, a place full of capable fighters would provide him with the challenge he sought.

“He enjoys overcoming challenges. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s secretly excited right now.”

“My, is that so?”

Castehelmi chuckled softly before gesturing toward the intricately carved magic circle on the marble floor.

The moonlight, streaming in from the skylight above, bathed the very center of the formation in an ethereal glow.

As I stepped forward, my hands trembled slightly.

Sensing my nerves, Castehelmi offered words of reassurance.

“This spell will merely revert your body to the state of a four-year-old. You will continue to age normally after that—there is nothing to fear.”

“‘Merely,’ you say… Can this magic be undone?”

“Only if you truly desire it.”

(Simply wishing for it…?)

“That easily?”

“It isn’t easy at all. There is no magic in existence that can overpower the strength of a person’s will. Besides, you don’t intend to return, do you?”

“…No, I don’t.”

As expected of a witch who sees beyond the ordinary, she had seen right through me.

I had no intention of coming back.

Why would I return to a place that saw me as nothing but a villain to be executed?

The Rosier Ducal House had an heir—my younger brother, beloved by our parents. There was no reason for me to stay.

“By reverting to a child, you have the chance to start over. A new beginning means new abilities, new potential. May your future be filled with fortune.”

Her words were like a prophecy, or perhaps a blessing.

I found myself nodding.

“I am grateful.”

Castehelmi began to chant in a low, steady voice.

Glowing multicolored lights flickered to life before me, swirling around my body in an ever-tightening spiral.

As the magic took hold, I felt my limbs shrinking, my hands growing small, my perspective shifting lower and lower.

“Goodnight, Juliana. By the time you wake…”

Before I could hear the rest of her words, I fell into a deep slumber.

When I opened my eyes, the canopy of my bed seemed much higher than usual.

The pillow beneath my head felt far too large.

Though this was undeniably my own bedroom, something felt off—and I quickly realized why.

My body had truly shrunk.

As I processed this fact with calm detachment, a voice spoke.

“It seems you’ve woken up.”

At the sound of the maid’s voice, my father approached, peering down at me with softened eyes.

“Juliana… It worked.”

“Yes, Otoh-sama.”

(!?)

I had intended to speak normally, but my pronunciation was off—my words slurred together in a way I hadn’t expected.

“Hah! Even your way of speaking has regressed to that of a four-year-old!”

“Uhm… a mirror, please.”

The maid silently handed me a hand mirror, one I was well accustomed to using, yet it suddenly felt heavier than usual.

Sitting up, I rested it on my lap before cautiously peering into its reflection—

—and was met with the wide, violet eyes of a small child.

“Is… that me?”

“Yes. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you like this.”

My golden hair shimmered, my cheeks were round and rosy, and my pink lips, still untouched by harsh words, looked impossibly soft.

“…Yonshai…”

I had meant to say “four years old”, but even that came out garbled.

This… this was something I would have to get used to.

“How do you feel?”

“Fine.”

“Good. Then we must begin preparations for your departure to the empire.”

With that, my father rose from my bedside, no longer looking at me.

And ten days later, I found myself sitting in a carriage with Enzo beside me.

“Milady—ah, no, I should say… Princess Ria.”

The kingdom’s princess bore the name Lianne.

To create a believable alias, I was to be called “Ria”, taken from the middle of my own name. I had already begun training myself to respond to it.

“Yes? Enjozo.”

“Pfft—!”

Enzo barely managed to stifle his laughter, turning away as his shoulders shook.

While his manner was far too casual for someone speaking to a princess, I let it slide—for now, we were alone in the carriage.

“You’re calling me that just to make me say it, aren’t you?”

“Caught me, huh?”

“I still can’t get my mouth to move properly.”

My lips and tongue felt clumsy and uncoordinated, and forming words was proving to be an unexpected challenge. It seemed I would struggle with this for a while.

“Mmm… In that case, how about just calling me En?”

“En.”

“Yes, Ria-sama. Are you certain about refusing a maid’s escort?”

“Yes. I don’t trust anyone.”

Having a potential spy at my side, easily leaking information about the empire back to the kingdom, would be a disaster.

If such a thing happened, I would be held responsible—so it was best to eliminate any risks from the start.

“Still, this hardly feels like a proper royal procession. It’s more like a simple relocation.”

“I am a hostage. This is good enough.”

“…If you’re fine with it, I won’t argue.”

“‘Ojo’ is not allowed.”

“Haha, my mistake. My apologies, Ria-sama.”

We were traveling light, bringing only the bare minimum of belongings. The only person accompanying me was Enzo.

No matter how I looked at it, this was far from the grand entrance a royal princess should make when betrothed to an imperial crown prince.

But it didn’t matter. Enzo alone was enough.

As long as I had him to care for my needs and protect me, I required no one else.

“Hmm. My fiancé’s name is… Fol-ku-ha-ru-to… Ba-ru-ring… denka, right?”

“Prince Folkharte Balring, Ria-sama.”

“…That’s what I said.”

“Pff.”

“He has silver hair and light blue eyes, correct?”

“Yes. Because of his appearance and nature, he is known as the Ice Crown Prince. Terrifying, isn’t it?”

The emperor of Balring ruled with an iron fist, and from what my father had told me, his son took after him in every way.

Moreover, the crown prince excelled in both ice magic and swordsmanship.

“Stop trying to scare me.”

“Survival should be your top priority, after all.”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut, then.”

I was self-aware enough to recognize that I had a tendency to be… outspoken.

Enzo seemed to agree, as his eyes curved into a knowing smile.

“Please, Ria-sama. Just endure it until I finish gathering information.”

“Haai.”