The 17th Princess Just Wants to Live

People I observed with shining eyes?

“For example, Melissa Ilverne.”

The moment Rudolph mentioned her name, I understood exactly what he was trying to say.

“She’s the second daughter of Count Ilverne, right? Recently, she joined Magic Tower. Everyone was mocking her for having the guts to start at the bottom of the hierarchy at the age of thirty. Did you know?”

“No…”

I didn’t know that much. What I did know was that Melissa Ilverne had fought with her older sister for the position of family head, and after losing, she had no choice but to enter the Magic Tower.

“And did you know she has a genius-level talent for magic?”

And that she would eventually evolve into a crazy wizard who would turn the tower upside down.

But that wasn’t the only reason why I looked at her with shining eyes. Melissa Ilverne would be the one to save Imelda’s life in the future. I only watched her like I was admiring a celebrity because I liked that scene.

Rudolph’s mother was the Grand Wizard of the tower. Most of his political funds come from the tower as well.

Maybe that was why Rudolph seemed so well-informed about the Magic Tower’s internal affairs, even though he lived in the Imperial Palace. To the point that he remembered the talent of a new wizard who joined just a few months ago.

“I really didn’t know.”

I protested, though I didn’t expect it to work.

“I just found Lady Ilverne’s conversations amusing…”

“Robert Cellon. Everyone disregards him because he’s a mere merchant with no title. But you, you paid full attention to what he was saying.”

Again, I shut up at Rudolph’s words.

The Cellon trading company was quite large, but due to Robert’s status, it hadn’t garnered much attention. But a few years from now, he would marry the youngest daughter of a marquis and enter her family as a son-in-law, which would change many things.

Robert Cellon had an extraordinary ability to understand the flow of money. I had thought it wise to keep an ear out for what he said, just in case.

But did I ever expect Rudolph to be watching?

“Esmeralda Wood. Everyone says she’s an airhead, but you don’t seem to think so. Leighton van Archibald, a young lord from an old family. Everyone says he doesn’t support the Imperial Family because he’s thoughtless, but I disagree. Karina Belias. She has deep resentment towards her mother and brother. Right now, she’s pretending to be a good daughter, but in a few years, the Belias family will fall into her hands.”

Were you watching only my face during our conversations?!

To be honest, I didn’t even remember everyone I’d paid attention to. Yet, hearing Rudolph recite them all like this was astonishing.

“Isn’t it fascinating? The people you’re interested in aligning with the ones I’ve been keeping an eye on.”

That, too, was startling.

The people I’d noticed today were all characters from the original story. They would each succeed for various reasons, but their success was still at least three years away.

Yet Rudolph, without having read the original story, had already taken note of them. Even with all his resources, his insight was truly impressive.

“That’s why today, I was able to be sure of something.”

Rudolph downed his glass of champagne in one gulp, then placed the empty glass down.

“That you’re quite a clever one.”

I see. I finally understood one thing I’d been wondering about for a long time.

Rudolph had invited me here for this.

Rudolph had been testing me, letting me loose in a fish tank full of nobles, watching where my gaze went to assess me.

“Why you pay attention to them, how you know…”

He trailed off, then added meaningfully.

“I won’t ask who you are.”

It was a declaration that he suspected my identity. Cold sweat trickled down my back.

“The important thing is that you’re useful to me.”

With that, Rudolph refilled his champagne glass and slid it towards me.

“So, come to my side, Lucillia. I’ll be of help to you, too.”

This was the second recruitment offer after Richard’s.

Up until now, Rudolph had only hidden his desires. But this offer was clear and direct.

So, I had to respond as well, even if that response was a temporary one.

“Brother Richard offered me the same thing.”

I said, watching Rudolph’s reaction. If it were Richard, he would’ve exploded in anger, but Rudolph didn’t seem particularly bothered.

“But you didn’t accept, did you?”

“Brother Richard didn’t think my opinion mattered.”

“Why wouldn’t your opinion matter? Only you can choose your own path in life.”

Rudolph spoke meaningfully, adding.

“When standing at the crossroads of life and death, it must be you who decides where to go.”

Life and death, huh. Life… and death.

“So, if I don’t take your side, will you kill me?”

I decided there was no need for pretense anymore and threw the question directly at Rudolph.

His eyes widened slightly, then he covered his mouth and bent over.

“Pffft, ha…”

A rather undignified laugh escaped between his fingers.

Oh, my goodness. Even seeing it with my own eyes, I couldn’t believe it. I was witnessing Rudolph Sol Esperusa burst out laughing.

I’d seen him laugh out loud before, but not like this. Right now, it felt like he had completely dropped his guard.

This wasn’t the Rudolph I had read about in the original story.

“You… pfft… don’t act like Imperial at all.”

I flinched at Rudolph’s words, but he just kept smiling. After laughing for a while, Rudolph looked up at me.

“If you don’t take anyone’s side, I can respect that opinion as well. But if you choose someone else over me.”

His blue eyes, like the winter sky, matched perfectly with his kind yet cold words.

“Yes, as you said, I could kill you. I must.”

What a brutal family.

But it wasn’t anything new, so it wasn’t particularly frightening. In fact, it was a relief that Rudolph clearly stated what he wanted.

A very clear choice was now appearing before me. A choice that was too important to make right now.

“I need time to think.”

“Of course.”

Surprisingly, Rudolph nodded obediently.

“Think carefully about where you truly belong.”

He said this and gestured toward my plate.

“Would you like some more?”

My appetite was long gone. When I shook my head, Rudolph spoke again.

“Then how about heading back? I’ll stay here a bit longer, but you must be tired, and you have a lot to think about.”

It was a welcome suggestion. I thought I’d have to stay until the party ended, but if I could leave early, I’d gladly take the offer.

I popped the last cream puff from the table into my mouth and stood up. Rudolph pulled back a curtain to make way for me.

That was when it happened.

“Prince Rudolph.”

A deep voice stopped us in our tracks.

If it were anyone else, I would’ve been annoyed, but the moment I heard that voice, my gaze automatically shifted. It was a voice that drew people in like a black hole.

A tall middle-aged man dressed entirely in black approached us and greeted us.

“It’s an imperial night full of blessings.”

He was unbelievably tall. His broad, solid shoulders made it clear he was a warrior.

His rough, chiseled face was unexpectedly beautiful. Especially his golden eyes, which shone like the lights that filled the garden.

Golden eyes…?

A wave of anxiety washed over me.

Wait, no way. There couldn’t be just one person here with golden eyes.

I tried to convince myself, but then Rudolph greeted him with a smile.

“Isn’t this Duke Aschenbach? You’re a little late.”

I was silently shocked.

So, it was him. I should’ve been worried about more than just the heroine.

Wilhelm Aschenbach. One of only two dukes in the empire. Known as the Black Lion of the Northeast.

And the father of the male lead.

I’d met a hugely important figure.

“Elena wasn’t feeling well, so I’m late.”

He frowned as he spoke.

“Oh dear, what’s wrong with the duchess?”

“She wasn’t able to take care of her health on such an important day. It’s regrettable.”

There was a strange tone of irritation in his voice. He seemed more annoyed at her missing the event than concerned about her health. His attitude made me feel uncomfortable.

‘Something feels off.’

My first impression of Duke Aschenbach wasn’t good. Sure, he had a nice voice and was handsome, but the oppressive air he gave off was unpleasant.

It was as if he would cut me down if I even held my spoon the wrong way at the dinner table. Not the type I’d want to be around.

That impression was quite different from his character in the original story. A sense of unease enveloped me.

But it must be just on the surface. I recalled the original story once more.

The male lead, Tristan, grew up in a loving family. The story described Duke Aschenbach as a man who loved his wife and cared deeply for his son.

He must be one of those characters who was stern outside but warm toward his family. I convinced myself of this. If he was the male lead’s father, that was the kind of character he should be.

At that moment, after finishing his conversation with Rudolph, the duke signaled to someone behind him. Two men who had been standing a little further back began walking toward us.

Wait, hold on.

“These are my children.”

Just like that?!

I had been so focused on the heroine, but now I was about to meet the male lead instead. Before the heroine, no less!

“Good evening, 5th Prince, 17th Princess. I am Ludwig Aschenbach, heir to the House of Aschenbach.”

A tall young man greeted us in a formal tone and gestured to the person beside him.

“And this is my younger brother, Anton.”

That was all.

I forgot to even respond to the greeting and stood there in a daze.

Why were there only two of them?

“Lucilia?”

Rudolph’s whispered voice snapped me back to reality.

“Pleased to meet you, Duke. And to you as well, young duke, and your brother.”

I stammered out my greeting awkwardly, but the duke didn’t seem to care much, and the two sons were too stiff to even notice me.

Could Tristan not have come today? That would be odd. As the duke’s son, he should’ve attended, and if there was some unavoidable reason for his absence, Rudolph would’ve asked after him.

“Well, I hope you enjoy the evening, Duke.”

While I was lost in thought, Rudolph had finished his brief conversation with the duke and was turning away with the duke’s children in tow.

“Excuse me.”

The words came out of my mouth before I could stop them.

“Is your youngest son not here today?”

The duke slowly turned his head.

When his gaze met mine, my breath caught in my throat. His expression was terrifying. If I weren’t a princess, I was sure he would’ve struck me down on the spot.

“I have.”

He glared at me with his golden eyes, spitting out the words.

“Only two sons.”