The Villainous Noble Lady, who looks like a Young Girl, is in the Arms of the Fearsomely Cute Crown Prince - Chapter 7

“Ah. Found you! You must be Ria!”

One afternoon.

As Enzo and I walked down the corridor of the palace after finishing our meal in the dining room, a boy suddenly called out to me.

Naturally, I ignored him.

I had neither the patience nor the inclination to deal with insolent individuals.

“Hey, you! Don’t ignore me!”

With light, quick steps, the boy overtook us and blocked our path.

He had unruly platinum-blond hair and clear blue eyes.

“Ria!”

“…I do not know who you are, but the only person who may call me ‘Ria’ is His Highness Folkharte.”

“Why? You’re Ria, aren’t you?!”

For some reason, I could sense Enzo behind me, practically radiating amusement.

I was certain now—this rude boy must be Prince Folkharte’s younger brother. He had mentioned his sibling was seven years old, which matched. Though, it was clear we were nothing alike.

Letting out a deep sigh, I met the boy’s gaze.

“Since you are in the inner palace, I assume you must be a member of the imperial family.”

The detached palace, located deep within the imperial castle, also housed the emperor’s chambers. Only a select few were granted entry.

“Hmph! That’s right!”

I had no interest in understanding why this boy puffed out his chest with such pride. Nor did I care for his desire to flaunt authority.

“It is customary to introduce oneself first as a gentleman should. Now then, if you will excuse me.”

I bent my knees slightly in a simple curtsy and turned on my heel, leaving the stunned boy behind.

There was no time to waste. I wanted to return to my room and continue reading The History of Imperial Politics, which Prince Folkharte had lent me. It detailed the empire’s governance—how it annexed other nations while preserving their dignity, a truly remarkable record.

“Ah! How rude!”

(Ignore him. Ignore him.)

“I shall punish you!”

(…What?)

I abruptly stopped and turned around.

Standing there with his hands on his hips, the boy wore a smug, arrogant grin.

A low growl of irritation escaped me.

Behind me, Enzo, clearly entertained, let out a playful yelp.

“On what grounds do you intend to punish me?”

“For disrespect!”

The boy puffed out his chest again, and I felt the urge to cradle my head in exasperation.

Accusing someone of disrespect without even knowing who they are—what kind of reasoning is that?

“…Disrespect? Towards the Crown Prince’s fiancée?”

“Huh?”

“I will have His Highness address this matter. Good day.”

I turned on my heel. There was no point in continuing this conversation.

It wasn’t just his age—compared to Prince Folkharte, he lacked even the most basic refinement.

“Wait a minute!”

“Ah!”

Suddenly, I felt a hand grab my arm from behind.

With my small, weak body, I couldn’t brace myself—I twisted my ankle and fell.

“Lady Ria!”

Enzo hurriedly caught me before I could fall.

Even for a skilled attendant like him, handling a situation involving a seven-year-old prince without causing a scene must have been difficult.

I needed to prevent this from escalating.

“Ouch.”

“!? Are you hurt?”

If I had sustained an injury, things could become far more complicated.

“We need to get you back to your room immediately!”

Holding me securely, Enzo moved swiftly down the corridor.

“Wait! Stop right there!”

From over Enzo’s shoulder, I caught a glimpse of the young prince biting his lower lip in frustration, clearly upset at being ignored.

I felt no sympathy whatsoever.

◆

“Ria, are you alright?”

“Yes. I only twisted it slightly.”

Prince Folkharte had come to my room in the detached palace, where I now lay on the bed. He gently applied a cooling spell to my ankle.

“Ice magic is quite useful.”

At my comment, Prince Folkharte’s brows furrowed slightly.

“…I apologize for Etgar’s actions.”

“Your Highness, I cannot accept an apology from you.”

His clear aquamarine eyes blinked in surprise.

“The one at fault must take responsibility for their own actions.”

“Hah… You’re right. He’s thirteen years younger than me. He’s been spoiled far too much.”

“Indeed.”

“Unlike me, he has a charming personality.”

“Which means he is overly indulged. He seems to have misunderstood his position as a prince.”

Prince Folkharte fell silent at my words, giving me the chance to voice my frustration.

“He didn’t even introduce himself before suddenly calling me ‘Ria.’ When I ignored him, he accused me of ‘disrespect’ and grabbed my arm. If anyone should be making such an accusation, it should be me!”

“…What did you just say?”

“Huh?”

“Etgar did that to you?”

“Yes…?”

I nodded hesitantly.

The temperature in the room plummeted.

Behind me, I could sense Enzo practically brimming with excitement.

“Your Highness?”

“That fool told me he merely ‘bumped into you in the hallway’.”

“What?! That’s an outrageous lie!”

I shot up from the bed in disbelief.

How dare he twist the truth so blatantly?

“He grabbed my arm from behind, which caused me to fall!”

“…Shall I kill him?”

The sharp gleam in Prince Folkharte’s aquamarine eyes sent a chill down my spine.

And it wasn’t just because of the ice magic.

“Has this sort of thing happened before?”

“Ria?”

“If no one ever corrects him, he will continue twisting the truth to suit himself, knowing he won’t be held accountable.”

“That may be true.”

“Ending his life would be simple, but as he is still seven, wouldn’t it be wiser to discipline him first?”

The prince gave a faint smile, and with it, the suffocating chill in the air seemed to ease.

“You’re kind, Ria.”

“Am I?”

“I will give him a chance to correct himself. If he fails, then I will kill him.”

…Yeah, no.

Still terrifying.