The Villainous Noble Lady, who looks like a Young Girl, is in the Arms of the Fearsomely Cute Crown Prince - Chapter 3

“Oh? Despite being only four years old, you carry yourself quite well for a princess.”

In the throne room of the Balring Empire, the emperor gazed down at me from his elevated seat.

His silver hair gleamed beneath a magnificent crown, and his icy blue eyes bore into me with an intimidating sharpness.

Seated beside him was the empress, watching with the same commanding presence.

With platinum blonde hair, emerald-green eyes, and strikingly elegant features, she was an imposing beauty.

Alone in the Throne Room

Enzo’s status did not permit him to accompany me into the throne room.

So I stood alone, maintaining perfect posture in my curtsy, my gaze flickering upward now and then, waiting for the next words to be spoken.

“…You may rise.”

The order came from a man standing at the emperor’s right hand.

Lifting my head, I met his gaze—cold blue eyes, silver hair, and a silver circlet resting on his head.

There was no doubt.

This was the crown prince.

If I recalled correctly, he had just turned twenty this year.

I pressed my lips together. Then, glancing at him briefly, the emperor spoke again.

“Princess Lianne, you have traveled far to be here. This is your fiancé, the crown prince.”

At the emperor’s prompting, the man took a step forward, meeting my gaze.

“I am Folkharte Balring.”

“I am Lianne of Chevrane… gojyozai-masu.”

I had intended to speak with dignity, but my pronunciation was still far from perfect.

Bowing slightly, I curtsied. In return, he placed a hand over his chest and gave a polite but brief bow.

At the very least, he wasn’t treating me with outright disdain, which was a relief.

Given that I was a mere child, I had half expected him to ignore me entirely.

“…Your Majesty, surely such a long journey must have been difficult for a child. If she were to fall ill and die, it would be a waste. May I escort her to rest immediately?”

“Very well. I leave her in your hands.”

“Understood.”

“Lianne, make yourself comfortable in our empire.”

“I am… grateful for your… hoshipitality.”

(That pronunciation!)

Though I cringed inwardly, I genuinely appreciated the sentiment.

And with that, my first audience ended with only an exchange of names.

As I stepped into the grand corridor, Enzo was already waiting for me.

The moment I saw his ever-narrowed eyes softened in concern, I felt my tension ease.

To my surprise, Prince Folkharte himself had decided to escort me to my chambers.

As we walked along the rich red carpet, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

I tilted my head, puzzled.

Then I noticed his hand shifting slightly in midair.

At my current height, his wrist was almost at my eye level, making even the subtlest movements obvious.

(Could it be…?)

“Your Highness… are you offering me an escort?”

“…Ah.”

Carefully, he extended his fingers toward me.

I reached out, resting my tiny hand atop his much larger one.

The moment our hands met, he furrowed his brows, muttering,

“…So small.”

(…What were you expecting?)

“I am four years old, after all.”

“…Right. We still have quite a bit of walking ahead. Will you be alright?”

I had no doubts about my stamina, but with such short legs, I would need to walk twice the distance just to keep up.

“Would it be acceptable for my attendant to carry me?”

“…To be carried by your attendant?”

His tone suggested that the idea had never occurred to him.

Well, in that case, it would be easier to show him rather than explain.

“En.”

“Yes, milady.”

“Carry me.”

“Understood.”

Releasing the prince’s hand, I raised both arms toward Enzo.

With practiced ease, he lifted me from the front, adjusting my position so that I sat securely on his left arm.

This left his right hand free, should he need to draw his sword in an emergency.

(I’d rather not imagine a scenario where Enzo has to fight while carrying me like this… but knowing him, it’s possible.)

Earlier, the prince had offered his left hand for the escort. That likely meant his dominant hand was his right—which, unfortunately, meant we wouldn’t be able to hold hands while I was carried like this.

Just as I hesitated, Enzo shifted me onto his right arm.

“En?”

“It’s fine for now,” he murmured near my ear.

Understanding his silent assurance, I nodded and extended my right hand toward the prince.

“Your Highness, my apologies for the informal gesture from above.”

“…? Ah.”

Now that I was higher up, our gazes met directly.

His icy blue eyes were clear and striking, like the depths of a pristine spring.

Before I realized it, the words slipped from my lips.

“Wow… so pretty.”

(Oh no! That wasn’t very princess-like!)

“…Pretty?”

“U-uh… I mean, Your Highness’s… eyes…”

I heard Enzo choke back a laugh behind me. Without hesitation, I pinched the skin at his neck—hard.

“Ow—! That was uncalled for!”

(No, that was entirely deserved.)

But before I could glance back at him, Prince Folkharte suddenly turned on his heel and walked away without a word.

“I will escort you to the palace wing. Follow me.”

Naturally, Prince Folkharte did not take my hand, instead striding ahead without a backward glance.

Left with no other choice, I let my outstretched hand fall and instead gripped Enzo’s collar.

“Did I upset him?”

Enzo easily shifted me to his left arm, whispering as we followed behind the prince.

“Maybe he was just embarrassed?”

“That’s impossible.”

As we walked, I took in the intricate stone carvings, grand paintings, and lavish decor, making an effort to memorize the route from the throne room to the palace wing.

Meanwhile, Enzo’s smirk never faded.

“…You seem way too amused by this. You’re not withholding information about His Highness, are you?”

“Tsk, tsk. A four-year-old talking about withholding information? That’s quite something.”

“You totally dodged the question!”

I puffed my cheeks in frustration, just as Prince Folkharte glanced back at us.

Quickly composing myself, I coughed lightly.

“Ahem. We’ve arrived.”

“Ah, yes.”

Enzo set me down, and I smoothed out my dress before standing beside the prince.

“This will be your room, Lianne.”

Hearing that name still stung.

It was a stark reminder that Juliana no longer existed.

I took a steady breath.

“Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

“Please call me Ria.”

There was a brief pause, then:

“…Ria. Then you may call me Harte.”

“Yes, Harte-sama.”

“…Ahem. Very well.”

(That was easier than expected…)

His name had been too long for me to say comfortably, so I was relieved.

“If you need anything, inform your personal maid.”

“I am grateful for your… hoshipitality.”

Once again, my attempt at refined speech failed spectacularly.

Even so, Prince Folkharte didn’t acknowledge it, nor did he so much as glance at me before walking away without another word.

I watched him disappear down the hallway, pouting slightly.

“Ehh… isn’t he a little too cold?”

As I stepped into my new chambers, the maid waiting inside immediately bowed deeply.

“Your Highness, may I introduce myself?”

Enzo gestured for me to respond, so I gave a small nod.

Raising her head, the red-haired maid with prominent freckles greeted me with bright energy.

“Princess Lianne, I am Magot, your assigned chambermaid.”

“Magot.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“I don’t know much about the empire.”

“Understood!”

“Teach me everything.”

“It would be my honor!”

Enzo muttered under his breath, “Feels like a tavern in here,” before straightening and delivering a formal introduction.

“Magot Baschlé, daughter of a viscount from the Forest Kingdom, which was annexed by the empire fifteen years ago. She has no ties to the central imperial court. Assigned to the royal palace two years ago, adequately trained. A reasonable selection.”

Magot blinked in astonishment, letting out a small gasp.

“Wha—! That’s incredible!”

“…Correction. She may lack the refinement expected of a chambermaid.”

“Ugh. Sorry! I’m a bit of a failure as a maid.”

Despite her rough edges, I found her easy to trust.

For now, that was the most important thing.

“Call me Ria.”

“Ehh! That’s too much of an honor!”

“It’s fine. I need to get used to it quickly.”

“Then, Ria-sama! You must be exhausted. Please, rest here!”

“Thank you.”

The room had clearly been designed for a young child.

Soft pink and white fabrics, delicate lace-trimmed furniture, and a low dresser adorned with fresh flowers filled the space.

It wasn’t to my taste, but I appreciated the effort and decided I would gradually adjust the decor to suit me.

“I expected to be treated worse.”

“You know complicated words, Your Highness!”

Magot’s eyes sparkled, which made me incredibly uncomfortable.

Seeing my unease, she continued chattering.

“Prince Folkharte is exceptionally talented, but all of his potential fiancées have rejected him.”

(Oh?)

“I’m sure he must be thrilled to finally have a fiancée!”

(With a personality that stiff and intimidating, I can’t blame them for rejecting him…)

Just as I was about to nod in agreement, Enzo cut in with a sharp remark.

“For someone from an annexed kingdom, you don’t seem to hold any resentment toward the empire.”

I held my breath, expecting tension.

But Magot simply laughed.

“Oh, that’s because our country was falling apart. The empire’s protection saved us.”

(…What?)

That was not what I had heard.

Hadn’t the emperor conquered these lands through force?

“The emperor may look terrifying, but he’s strong and incredibly competent! He wiped out the corrupt noble houses that were ruining our kingdom. Honestly, we’re grateful!”

“…I see.”

(This… is completely different from what I was told!)