The Villainous Noble Lady, who looks like a Young Girl, is in the Arms of the Fearsomely Cute Crown Prince - Chapter 6

“Ria. Who exactly are you?”

I struggled to grasp the meaning behind his question. Before I could fully process it, Prince Folkharte pressed further.

“I’ve ensured we won’t be overheard. I have no intention of harming you. Speak honestly.”

Behind me, I could sense Enzo quietly shifting into a combat-ready stance.

“Enzo. Did you not hear me? I said I have no intention of causing harm.”

However, Prince Folkharte restrained him with just his words and continued to watch me in silence. It was evident that he had no desire to escalate the situation.

“Ria. I’ll ask again. Who are you?”

“…I will answer. But before that—”

Just when I thought I was finally improving my articulation, my tongue failed me again. My nerves made it impossible to speak clearly.

“What is it?”

“How did you… realize it?”

“You’re far too perceptive for a four-year-old.”

He let out a deep sigh. Though it was early summer, the exhaled breath felt as cold as an autumn breeze reaching me.

“I have a seven-year-old younger brother, and you are nothing like him. You are rational, incredibly skilled at reading the room—such intuition is born from years of experience. A four-year-old should not possess such awareness.”

His words trailed off, each syllable emphasizing the impossibility of it.

If he had deduced all that from my brief reactions and mannerisms, his observational skills were terrifying.

(Ah. There’s no way to deceive him anymore.)

I steeled myself.

“Yes. I am not Princess Riane.”

“Lady Ria!”

“It’s fine, Enzo. I was prepared for this from the beginning. Your Highness, my true name is Juliana Rosier.”

Prince Folkharte’s brows furrowed sharply.

“If my memory serves me correctly, that name belongs to the daughter of Duke Rosier—an eighteen-year-old.”

“Yes. Through the miracle of the Time Witch.”

Bang! Clatter!

The prince slammed his fist onto the table. The impact sent the cup atop its saucer rattling, and the sharp sound made my heart leap.

“Unbelievable. Has Chevrane fallen so low?”

“Huh?”

“The bl00d of the Sea God is no longer enough. I have warned them countless times—if they do not cherish their people, revere the Sea God, and uphold the sacred rituals, the Jewel Springs will run dry.”

“Wait, what?”

“If they cannot maintain them, then they should share the Sea God’s bl00d with the Empire and come under our protection.”

“That’s absurd! I was never told about this!”

The existence of the Jewel Springs was knowledge restricted to the royal family and a select few high-ranking nobles.

Yet, as I struggled to understand how he knew, Prince Folkharte tilted his chin upward, as if gazing at the gazebo’s ceiling.

“…There was once a forest kingdom annexed fifteen years ago.”

It was the homeland of Maggot, one of the maids.

“That kingdom worshiped the Mountain God, much like the Sea God here. However, as time passed, greed took precedence. They neglected nature, mistreated the mountains, and their faith waned.”

I recalled Maggot’s words: “That rotten ruling family in my country? The Empire wiped them out for us.”

“As a result, the resources from the mountains dwindled, and the country collapsed. His Majesty the Emperor prevented its complete downfall by sheer force. Now, a Minister of the Forest governs that region under the Prime Minister’s authority. Unfortunately, Chevrane is following the same path.”

Prince Folkharte lowered his gaze and met my eyes.

“Lady Juliana, if I remember correctly, you were the head of a diplomatic salon… I see. So this is also to control the flow of information. How cunning.”

There was no concrete evidence behind his claims. He could have tried to deceive me with sweet words.

Yet, I had no doubt that what he said was the truth. Because this engagement offered the Empire absolutely no benefit.

In diplomacy, engagements between nations usually come with strategic advantages. If their goal was to seize the Jewel Springs, an engagement to a young princess would take years to bear fruit—if it even succeeded. If they truly wanted control, a swift military intervention to pressure the king would be far more efficient. From the start, this method had felt far too mild.

“Will you… forgive me?”

“Forgive you?”

“For deceiving you.”

A chuckle escaped him.

The tension in his brow softened, an expression I hadn’t expected.

Had I said something strange?

“It was the King of Chevrane and Duke Rosier who deceived me, not you, Juliana.”

“But…”

“I see… If you’re Juliana, then it’s not strange for you to also be Ria… Ria.”

“Yes?”

“Do you wish to return to your homeland?”

“No. Ah—”

(Oh no, I answered too quickly!)

To be honest, I had no lingering attachment to the foolish prince, the noble ladies who did nothing but engage in petty rivalries, my scheming father, or the diplomatic salon where I could barely manage a few business negotiations.

If anything, I was beginning to find my conversations with Prince Folkharte far more meaningful and enjoyable.

“Then that’s fine. It’s an embarrassing truth, but people fear me, which makes selecting a fiancée difficult. A crown prince without a betrothed is not ideal for appearances either. Would you be willing to stay here as you are?”

“If I am suitable, then of course. However—”

“We will have to deal with the matter of Ria eventually, but this is a political issue between nations. For now, let’s observe the situation.”

“What?! You’re not going to report this to His Majesty?”

“…Ria. Who would believe that an eighteen-year-old became a four-year-old?”

“Ah.”

Prince Folkharte chuckled, his shoulders shaking slightly.

“I believe it because I wield ice magic. But to ordinary people, this would seem like nothing more than a fantasy. If it became known that someone could reverse their age, countless people would hunt the Time Witch down.”

(I hadn’t even considered that!)

Behind me, Enzo let out an exasperated sigh.

Suddenly, Prince Folkharte turned his gaze to Enzo.

“Enzo, I see you’re a practitioner of dark magic. No footsteps, no shadow… quite the terrifying skill.”

“Ugh! Most people wouldn’t notice that… You’re really something else, Your Highness. Also, could you stop freezing the ground under my feet?”

“I was simply ensuring you didn’t run away.”

“I’m not going anywhere! Ahh, it’s freezing!”

It seemed a silent battle had been taking place outside of my awareness.

“Enzo is my lifesaver. Please, show him mercy.”

At my plea, Prince Folkharte exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders.

“If my fiancée insists, I suppose I have no choice.”

“Oh, come on…”

“Enzo, can you reverse time? My tea has gone cold.”

The prince smirked as he pointed at the teapot, causing Enzo’s lips to twist into a deep frown.

“Now you’re just using me as a servant!”

“A fiancée’s attendant is also my attendant.”

“Oh, great! Then I’ll start treating you the same way I treat my master.”

“Go ahead.”

“Just don’t ask me to behead someone out of nowhere, alright?”

“I won’t.”

“Haaah… fine, fine.”

As soon as Enzo touched the teapot, steam began to rise from its spout.

“Alright, I’ll brew a fresh, delicious pot. Just take good care of my master.”

Though his words were playful, there was sincerity in them.

Prince Folkharte then rose from his seat and strode toward me. Before I could react, he knelt on one knee.

“Your Highness?!”

Shocked, I watched as he took my hand, placing his other hand over his heart.

“I swear to cherish you.”

His touch was warm.

For the first time in my life, I realized what it felt like to be truly valued.

A gentle warmth spread within my chest.

“…I am honored.”

“No. If anything, I should be thanking you. I’ve grown tired of endless marriage meetings and evening banquets.”

He rose gracefully and returned to his seat.

Curious, I asked, “You said people fear you. What exactly do they say?”

With a displeased expression, he responded.

“Mother told me that people find my face intimidating, my magic terrifying, my words harsh, and my demeanor cold.”

“Oh dear…”

To have the Empress bluntly relay such criticisms to his face—it must have been quite severe.

“Pfft.”

A barely contained snicker escaped Enzo—only for his hair to freeze with an audible crack.