7. Jealousy is my strength (10)
Rights entail responsibilities.
Regardless of the East and the West, there were not many people who could avoid this truth. This was because when the balance between rights and duties began to tilt, the sparks of revolution were inevitably ignited.
Thus, the privileged classes of a stable society do not hesitate to hold themselves accountable.
At least, even if it’s just a cosmetic level.
The imperial family was no exception.
From this point of view, the 5th princess Shien could be said to be an exemplary member of the royal family.
Her life has been a tightrope between rights and duties.
Isn’t the ‘Princess’ a status that draws the attention of the people around her just by her presence? In addition, the innate beauty and special power of ‘dragon’s eyes’ gave Shien a taste of early realization.
She was a girl who was loved for one reason: she inherited the blood of a dragon. After it became known that he peered into the hearts of others, the countless gazes of hatred piercing him were enough to make a child less than 10 years old sick.
Then the girl woke up.
The fact that love and hate are like the two sides of a coin, and can easily be reversed at any time.
Even the noble birth of the ‘royal family’ was the same. It is only in childhood that you can live enjoying all kinds of riches and honors without thinking, but what if the fight for the next imperial power begins in earnest?
The tightrope between life and death was about to begin.
So the girl became poisoned.
He did not hesitate to use the hearts and desires of others, and even if he did not aim for the next imperial power, he made every effort to become a useful hand.
It took several years to form an independent force and attract the attention of the forces aiming for the next imperial power.
Shien, who entered the academy with everyone’s expectations and vigilance on his back, has changed so much in just one year.
“… … Shien, what is this?”
In front of Shien stood a beautiful woman with silver-blue hair.
The fragile skin told of the woman’s sickly past. The skin of the woman, who had passed the risk of dying several times in her childhood, was so pale that she could be regarded as a resident from another world when the sun was clear.
However, the fact that he went through a weak childhood did not mean that his temper had become weak.
On the contrary, the sharp eyes, haughty gestures, and cold face hinted at the fact that the woman was a formidable character.
Heck, if not, how could he have survived the icy political conflict?
The woman was one of the heirs to the throne, who was said to be closest to the next throne.
Iris, the second princess of the Empire.
He was also one of the two people Shien feared the most.
However, there was another reason why Shien’s body was shaking.
“sister. uh, that’s it… … .”
Gulp, the sound of Shien swallowing dry saliva echoed.
At the end of Iris’ pitiful gaze, there was a doll that Shien was fiddling with.
It was a doll modeled after a girl’s unrequited love.
At first, it was just a hobby, but surprisingly many people searched for it, and soon, Cien also became immersed in this secret creative activity. There were countless times when he spent money and commissioned skilled tailors.
And Shien had one principle.
The finishing work is done by hand.
Shien was Ian’s colleague, and his eyesight and dexterity were good enough to set him apart from ordinary people. This talent used to bring back the charm of dolls that others couldn’t see.
Today, I was in the middle of finishing another finishing job.
I was out of luck. Even if he did get caught, he would still be discovered by Iris.
Behind Iris, Irene, who was hesitating just like her lord, could be seen. Of course, a mere escort knight would not have been able to stop the powerful heir to the throne, but Shien could not erase his resentment.
Sir Irene, you are incompetent!
While blaming his subordinates, Shien thought of a last resort to avoid this situation.
“… … Ehe.”
The girl’s face tilted with a stupid smile.
However, Iris’ expression before this insignificant and harmless sister was still cold. No, it was to the point of moaning on his forehead as if he felt a headache beyond that.
A lament escaped from Iris’ mouth.
“How did this happen, Xian… You used to be so intelligent and ambitious, but now, like any other girl, you’re stuck in the corner of your room, playing with dolls.”
Shien was stunned by Iris’ blatant criticism.
Looking back, I think there have been a lot of changes in the past. Iris of the past was wary of Sien, but could not hide her secret anticipation.
Isn’t it a sad woman if it’s second to insidious?
I didn’t even know that my younger sister, who had the exact same temperament as mine, was especially cute.
But in just one year, to see her not much different from other girls of her age.
It was unavoidable even if it was beyond disappointment and contempt.
Iris couldn’t hide her pathetic expression until the very end.
Fortunately, Iris was not someone who moved without reason.
If Iris had come all the way to the academy, she would have something to do with it.
And Iris didn’t like to waste time.
“… … Do you want to follow me?”
It was an order thrown out without even giving an explanation.
Shien couldn’t help but tilt his head with a puzzled look on his face.
“Yeah?”
“I told you to follow me, Shien… You can listen to the explanation as you go.”
At the voice of even a little annoyance, Shien had to drag his feet like a dog being led to a slaughterhouse.
Originally, Iris doesn’t get angry easily. It was because I didn’t trust people well in the first place, and there were few people around me who had that value.
If you get angry, throw it away cleanly.
That was Iris’ way. Interpreting this in the opposite way, the fact that Iris was annoyed now also meant that Shien still had some use value.
Should I laugh at this or should I cry?
Shien already missed Ian and died.
If it was Sir Ian, I would have stepped out more confidently.
It was then that Shien’s escort knight, Irene, attempted a timid defiance.
“Hey, Your Highness Iris. I’m sorry, but His Highness Shien also has other schedules… … .”
“Hwangmyeong.”
Of course, it was a sound that would not be eaten.
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Just two syllables, it was a magical word that made Irene drop her eyes in a cold sweat.
“Sir Luphemion, which schedule can take precedence over the imperial order? I am carrying out the special mission of Obama.”
“… … Sin, sorry!”
“It’s nice to know you’re sorry.”
Along with a cold snort, Iris did not hide her scornful gaze.
“I heard, you were just messing around with the second son of a viscount in the countryside and got beaten up a lot, right? Thanks to that, my sister was disgraced in the middle of the academy, and she ended up knitting in just a few months. under!”
“Oh, sister!”
Shien raised his voice, which was rare.
It was a differentiated reaction from before, when he was trembling like a mouse in front of a cat. Iris’s cold gaze naturally turned to Xian.
Irene’s face was somewhat moved.
Still, as a lord, did he intend to protest against the insult that went beyond the limit?
It was only a half-correct guess.
Shien was trembling with his small fists clenched. He looked very angry.
“Sir Ian is ‘only’ the second son of a country viscount! Is it okay to call a knight who has conquered the household of an evil god and become a ‘high expert’ so disrespectfully?!”
“Yes, it was… It wasn’t then.”
It was a rebellion with the utmost courage in its own way, but Iris’ reaction was cold.
Eventually, Iris sighed and even scolded Shien again.
“Shien, please calm down… I’m not interested in whether or not you like the flirtatious flirt. But don’t forget that for people like us, everyone is just a tool.”
“No matter what, he’s a hero representing mankind… … .!”
“You mean it’s a very useful tool.”
The fan that had been held in Iris’ hand unfolded before I knew it.
The eyes that deliberately covered the corners of his mouth were even more fierce. Iris maintained a cynical tone.
“We just need to put our useful tools where they can do their best work. No matter how proud a person is, they cannot use their power without the power of organization and information.”
That was the last patience Iris showed.
She started to take light steps again, and Shien, who hesitated for a moment, had no choice but to follow her. When I went out of the building, the escort knights were already lined up.
Indeed, he was one of those closest to the next emperor. The escort’s armament and skills were terrifying.
Regardless, Iris only glanced at Shien once.
“… … Don’t look too dissatisfied. If you listen carefully, it will help with that unfunny crush.”
what does this mean again
Shien’s eyes, which had been silently listening to Iris’ words, widened.