Chapter 212 - 3−16 Margaret's Perspective
Life at the Grand Duke's estate was more comfortable than I imagined. Unlike the Imperial Castle, the servants had expressions. Lute's parents treated me with affection as if I were their own child. And Lute himself truly acted as a brother, just as he said he would.
I tested them many times to see how much they would tolerate. I acted spoiled, demanding clothes or refusing food, and sometimes hid in the mansion just to watch them search for me. Despite my selfishness, they never stopped caring for me, even while scolding my behavior.
My time at the Grand Duke's house provided a small measure of peace. However, the monthly visits to the Imperial Castle to meet my brother and display my 'Foresight' were filled with agony. Whenever I stood before him, the Dragonewt blood inside me would stir. My hatred for him was as strong as my fear.
Because of this man, I am always suffering. I must erase him as soon as possible. Someone inside me kept whispering that.
But there was no way I could match him. After all, the young Emperor was hailed as the Reincarnation of the Progenitor Dragon. To defeat him, I had to wait for the appearance of the protagonist princess and the main hero—my brother's son—just as the story dictated. The hero would be born with the blood of the Progenitor Dragon from his father and the immense magical power of the so-called 'villainous' mother from the Spirit Country.
Only that future hero, who didn't even exist yet, could defeat my brother. Until then, I had to keep things as calm as possible and minimize the damage. But there was one problem: my brother's marriage. Unless his bride appeared and met him, the hero would never be born.
My brother's future wife is the villainess of the first game... Rachel Marcel.
Lacking power, I had no way to find her. In that case, I simply had to make someone powerful look for her.
"You say I have a destined partner?"
"Y-yes."
During our monthly meeting, I used my 'Foresight' to tell him, "Brother, it seems you have a destined woman." But his reaction was lukewarm. He didn't show interest in my brave words and didn't even look up from his stack of documents.
"What an amusing delusion. I wonder what goes on in that head of yours."
"It's not a lie."
As I desperately tried to convince him, he looked up suspiciously. His sharp gaze made my shoulders jump. This is bad. In my desperation, I might have said something to make him doubt me.
However, ignoring my cold sweat, my brother curled his lips into a rare, amused smile. "And where is this eccentric woman? Whether you're telling the truth or lying doesn't matter. But if she actually exists, I'd like to see her for myself."
I breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. But I couldn't make the wrong choice here. First, I had to ensure the villainess Rachel actually existed. I had to guide him so he would want to investigate her.
"...In the distant Spirit Country."
"Ah, the edge of the continent. Those small nations called Dutoit or Orta."
My brother pulled a map from his desk drawer and spread it out. After confirming the distance of ten thousand kilometers between the Tratia Empire and Dutoit, he murmured thoughtfully, "It's far."
"But if it's my sister's request, perhaps I'll make that the next country I invade."
I was horrified by his words. Invade? Dutoit? That beautiful place I've admired and dreamed of ever since I regained my memories?
"...What? You intend to crush Dutoit?"
"My destiny is there, isn't she? Kidnapping her would be the quickest way."
The grin on his face was that of a predator purely enjoying the hunt. I never imagined I'd draw this much interest. What should I do? I wanted to crush my brother, but I never intended to erase Dutoit from the map.
Then, the sound of someone chuckling changed the air in the room. "Your Majesty, that is hardly practical."
At Lute's words from the corner of the room, my brother raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"How many countries do you think you'd have to destroy to reach the western edge? Besides, it's not good for Your Majesty to be away from the country for so long. The domestic situation isn't fully settled yet; there are many who would aim for the throne in your absence."
"I know, Lute. It was a joke."
A... a joke? I can't tell when this man is joking. It's not funny at all.
I almost collapsed on the spot but managed to hold on. However, Lute's next words made my heart pound again.
"Speaking of which, I've recently acquired some information. It seems the state-run educational institution in Dutoit will be accepting international students starting next year."
"You're well-informed."
"I heard about Your Majesty's 'destiny' from Margaret, so I looked into it beforehand."
I had told Lute about Rachel before telling my brother, but I never thought he would take action.
"Shall Margaret and I go see for ourselves? To see if Your Majesty's destiny is truly there."
"Do as you like. She's likely not someone I'd be interested in anyway."
Resting his cheek on his palm with his elbow on the desk, my brother closed his eyes and waved his free hand to signal his lack of involvement. My mind was in a state of total confusion. I wasn't sure if I was accurately grasping what was happening.
I'm... going to study in Dutoit? Does that mean...
"...I can go to Dutoit?"
"If they accept us. Well, I think they'll have no choice but to accept us."
I didn't notice the suspicious glint in Lute's cold gray eyes at that moment. I would be able to see the beautiful world I had imagined with my own eyes. My heart was filled with excitement at the dream-like prospect.