NOVEL NEXT Ch24 - Princess Michela's Wish
Chapter 24: Princess Michela’s Wish
(Michela’s Perspective)
I looked down at my collapsed brother with cold eyes.
I know the cause—he must have fallen in love for the first time with that beautiful Winter Princess.
But to faint in such an important situation, as a messenger, and as the First Prince, is absolutely unacceptable.
Luckily, the Fenrir and the others are kind enough to nurse him out of goodwill. But what if they had taken it as a rude gesture and felt offended?
Get a hold of yourself!
“Prince Christopher, you’ve worked so hard to come this far, haven’t you? To the point of making yourself ill,” the Winter Princess said, placing her hand on my brother’s forehead with concern.
Oh, I’m so glad she took it that way.
“Thank you for your consideration,” I said.
“Oh, no need to thank me. You’ve come all this way,” the Winter Princess replied.
I looked at the Winter Princess, who could converse normally with us despite being a demi-human, with a sense of wonder. What a beautiful person. I was truly surprised when I heard she was from another world. No one had ever visited from another world before.
“Please, call me Michela, Princess Winter,” I whispered, trying to close the distance with such a high-ranking individual while she was still nearby.
“Isn’t ‘Princess Winter’ a bit hard to say? You can call me El too, Michela.”
“Is that alright? I’m delighted! Lady El!”
“Yeah, that sounds good,” she said, smiling shyly.
Our intimacy has increased! I did it! I was mesmerized by Lady El’s shy smile for a moment.
“Mm…”
Oh, is my brother finally waking up? Prepare yourself.
“You’re feeling better now!” I said.
“…Pr-Princess—!?”
With a thud, my brother rolled off the bed made of blankets on the snow. This is the worst. My head hurts! Ugh!
“S-sorry, I was just startled by how close you were,” he stammered.
“I’m sorry I surprised you,” Lady El apologized, her beast ears drooping.
The Fenrir and the Unicorn are clearly displeased, brother!
I glanced at the knight commanders, giving them a look that said, “Isolate my brother.” Pretending to brush snow off their clothes, they stepped back slightly.
“My apologies, Lady El. My brother… couldn’t resist the sight of rare ingredients and ended up eating a Jumping Mushroom in the forest,” I explained.
“A Jumping Mushroom?”
“A mushroom that makes you want to jump after you faint.”
“Heh…”
Lady El seemed to be thinking, “The magical world is full of mysteries.” It was a tough excuse, but I’m glad she’s from another world. Oh, and Jumping Mushrooms actually do exist as poisonous fungi. The Fenrir and the others’ gazes have softened, but think of it as tuition, brother.
“You’re an incredible ice magic user, Lady El,” I complimented her.
“It’s because Fenrir teaches me so carefully,” she said, looking affectionately at Fenrir. They really seem to get along well. Please, get along even more. Then, maybe… I pray.
“Lady El is Fenrir’s successor,” the Unicorn said.
“That’s wonderful!” I immediately affirmed. Establishing achievements. The Unicorn looked at me.
“In other words, Princess Michela will no longer be summoned by that magic circle. With Lady El here, you are free to live as you wish,” the Unicorn continued.
Those were the words I had longed to hear. The Unicorn was speaking on behalf of Fenrir. I am truly free…!
I can hear them saying things like, “That was careless. Glare.” “Communicate clearly and concisely.” “Ugh,” but I welcome carelessness with open arms!
The rails have vanished, and my future has broadened.
“Michela? Your eyes are tearing up, are you alright?” Lady El asked.
Oh, I need to compose myself. I smiled and nodded, but a tear fell. Oh no! This wasn’t supposed to happen.
“…It’s understandable to feel uneasy when the path suddenly disappears,” Lady El said sympathetically.
But I’m thrilled?! Lady El grasped my hand with a pained expression. She’s concerned for me. I could easily reassure her, but since she’s so serious, I’ll listen until the end.
“Michela, what do you want to do from here? Is there something you want to achieve, a dream? Since I interrupted your destiny with the magic circle, if there’s anything I can help with, I want to assist you.”
Lady El is happy with her fate as Fenrir’s successor… and she feels sorry for me because of that.
“My wish is…”
“Yes, please tell me,” she encouraged.
“To become the first queen of the Kingdom of Felsnow and rule the nation!”
I declared it with a bright smile and voice! I won’t miss this opportunity!
Lady El, Fenrir, the knight commanders, and my brother were all stunned and at a loss for words. I understand how they feel, but please accept this reality.
“Michela!? Are you serious!?” my brother exclaimed.
“You asked for my dream, so I answered. This has been my long-standing wish.”
That’s why I’ve worked hard on everything since childhood—studies, rhetoric, martial arts. So when I was chosen as Fenrir’s successor, I despaired. I understood it was an honorable position, but still… to forget all of my 15 years and live as a beast… it was very painful. I cried many times in secret, even as I stood resolutely in front of everyone.
“Brother, when we return, I plan to tell Father and Mother about this,” I said.
“What?! But… Father might actually… agree…”
“He’s quite flexible, after all.”
My brother slumped his shoulders.
“So what am I supposed to do? It’s been decided that the next king will be Christopher Rea Cielphon. I don’t want to fight for power with my own sister…!”
“Then give up the throne,” I said firmly.
My brother looked at me, shocked.
“I know, brother. I know that you don’t really want to become king. You’ve always loved walking in nature and often told me about plants and animals. I even know that you secretly looked at encyclopedias during our studies. Brother, this is your chance.”
“W-what… that’s…”
“There won’t be another chance.”
My brother stammered, his face turning pale. That’s just like you, brother—your emotions show on your face, and you’re bad at negotiations. If you keep forcing yourself into the political arena, you’ll eventually wear yourself out and collapse. I can handle all the government affairs you’re currently shouldering without any problems.
“This is the best proposal for both of us.”
“W-wait!”
The knight commanders interrupted. How annoying.
“It’s too reckless to decide this on the spot. It’s too hasty. At least hold more discussions…”
“It will go smoother if we decide it here, with Fenrir and the others present. The Kingdom of Felsnow and Fenrir will continue to cooperate,” I declared boldly, feeling as if I were being blessed by the light.
“Convenient, isn’t it? It’s unpleasant to be used just because Fenrir’s approval means no objections,” the Unicorn said.
—I slipped up!
I said too much…
“T-that wasn’t my intention!” I protested.
I got too carried away. I was so happy that my dream might come true. That was a diplomatic failure…
“Don’t say it like that,” Lady El defended me. She’s as kind as ever, but is this alright?
“Michela spoke about what she wants to do because I asked her. It’s amazing to have a big dream and to declare that you want to achieve it. Michela has worked so hard because she’s wanted to be queen all along. I think it’s worth talking about here, don’t you? Just because Fenrir’s here doesn’t mean it’s decided. I think now’s the only time for you siblings to discuss this calmly,” Lady El said.
“Thank you, Lady El.”
I was moved. She is a truly kind and wise person. I bowed deeply, filled with gratitude.
Fenrir and the Unicorn also nodded. As expected of the successor.
“I, Princess Michela, truly admire and adore Lady El!” I proclaimed.
“T-thank you,” Lady El said, smiling shyly.
Brother!! Now is not the time to be making strange noises!!
Alright. Let’s have our discussion.