kscans

Chapter 37 - Unsettling

They would not tell Aristerios what Falty had done (though it was almost certain she had done something, the details were mostly speculation) until after they had left the country and emigrated. Vernella and the others had agreed to this, and Lupia had shared various pieces of information with them.

On the day they left the country, or perhaps after, if they were to go to the royal palace to say their farewells, she considered telling Falty alone, ‘I know what you did.’ Lupia had thought of various plans, but if she made a careless move, Falty could very well use all the power at her disposal to have Lupia detained.

"That would be a problem."

She had spoken aloud, but being detained would only mean her future would be sealed.

"…Now, what should I do…?"

Falty, it seemed, was managing her Crown Princess training well and was working hard enough to make up for her previous blunder. However, she was apparently unaware that she had already been deemed a lost cause and written off.

"Moving is now a final decision. In that case…"

What could she do? She had thought about it in various ways, but Lupia’s feelings would not be settled if she just let it go without retaliating.

"The best way would be to contact that ‘System’ and do something about it… though I don’t know how."

That’s the biggest problem, she muttered, then gazed out the window. A garden where beautiful flowers bloomed in profusion. Adorned with seasonal blossoms, it was a sight that always calmed her heart. It was a view maintained only by the diligent work of the gardeners.

More than loving the country, Lupia loved the ducal territory.

Seeing everyone always working so hard was both comforting and encouraging. The country's food production was high precisely because the people of this domain worked so hard. When Lupia was stripped of her position as Crown Princess, she heard that they had been furious on her behalf. Cries of ‘What a disgrace to our lady, who has worked so hard!’ were about to rise, but the now-recovered Lupia had quickly written a letter to stop them.

Just knowing they were angry for her sake was enough.

Because you’ve been working hard since you were little, everyone is cheering for you, her mother had told her. But of course, I’m a duchess’s daughter, so working hard is expected.

Your unwavering figure, always looking straight ahead without cutting corners, gave everyone hope. Her father had said that, but she had recently laughed it off as a gross exaggeration.

She had heard that the people of this domain had also been worried about her during the year she was being controlled.

I’ve been truly blessed with my connections to people… Thinking this, a smile inadvertently graced Lupia’s lips.

But the atmosphere in the room changed in an instant, and her expression hardened.

"…What…?"

A nauseating pressure. A queasy feeling churned in her chest, and a strong urge to vomit everything in her stomach welled up, but she held it back. As her eyes darted around, the space began to distort with a jijiji sound, like static.

"……Huh?"

And then the color vanished.

"This, is."

She remembered. The day she had returned to ‘herself.’ The day a burning rage had consumed her.

≪Were you not the one who wished to meet?≫

A disgusting static sound, jiji, zazaa, echoed, and a cacophony of high-pitched noises and crackles came from all directions. Then, just as suddenly, there was silence, and standing there was another ‘something’ with the same face, the same build, and the same voice as her own.

"………You,"

≪Yes, I am the System.≫

She wanted to believe she had misheard, but the voice was exactly the same as her own. The moment she understood, she was hit with another wave of nausea. A small urp escaped her, and she instinctively covered her mouth with her hand. The thing approached her with a look of concern.

≪My… are you alright, Lady Lupia?≫

A worried tone, a worried expression. But Lupia knew, of course, that it was all an act. Because she had seen its exchange with Falty.

"You’re quite skilled at feigning concern, aren’t you?"

≪Whatever are you talking about…! I was so worried about you…!≫

"Is that how you ingratiated yourself with her as well?"

Hiku. The expression on the ‘Lupia’ the System was impersonating twitched.

"To lose your composure over something so trivial, you’re quite immature."

≪You mere human…≫

"Yes, that’s right. So? What of it?"

Hiding her nausea, Lupia continued to speak. This was the cause of everything. She had wanted to make contact, but she never thought it would be granted so easily. Gritting her teeth, she posed a question to the ‘System’.

"Do you have some business with me?"

≪The story with Falty as the protagonist is over.≫

"And?"

≪Next, I would like you to become the protagonist.≫

"What?"

≪As you like, as you wish, I will make everything come true for you! Anything you desire! And of course, I will assist you!≫

Was it trying to say it was doing a good deed? Or perhaps that what it was offering was a good proposal for Lupia? As if suggesting something to a small child, the ‘System’ continued to chatter on in high spirits. She wished it wouldn’t do that with her face. For Lupia, who had been raised to be a duchess’s daughter and, moreover, a proper lady, it was unbearable to see her own face, before an unknown entity, changing expression so rapidly.

"…Are you in your right mind?"

≪What?≫

Now, it was the ‘System’s’ turn to be questioned.

"Did you really think there would be a fool who would be happy to be told, ‘She’s finished, so now it’s your turn!’… actually, you must have, which is why you’ve appeared before me…………"

Haaaa. She let out an incredibly deep sigh, and the ‘System,’ apparently displeased with Lupia’s reaction, twisted its face in annoyance.

──So I said, stop doing that with my face.

Lupia nearly twisted her own face in response, but she managed to endure it with sheer willpower.

≪Why do you refuse?≫

Jiji, zaza. A strange noise sounded, and the ‘System’s’ appearance changed.

"…Rupert…?"

≪I’m telling you I’ll give you everything, sis!≫

No thanks, she flatly refused in her mind, but the sight of its appearance shifting so rapidly before her eyes was so bizarre, so incomprehensible, so nauseating. Another wave of sickness rose within her, but showing it would mean giving it an opening. Judging so, Lupia glared at the thing in Rupert’s form.

"How much more condescending can you be?"

≪Because I am above you! Do you understand your own position?≫

The tone and attitude that mocked Lupia remained unchanged. If anything, as if savoring its growing advantage, the Rupert-shaped thing’s expression twisted into a sickening smile.

"Position…?"

≪Yes! Hey, think about it, sis! Your wishes will come true, so what could be better than that!?≫

She couldn’t understand. She didn't want to understand.

A wish granted by someone else is not a wish truly desired. A truly desired wish is one that brings a sense of accomplishment only when you achieve it and grasp it with your own hands. This thing did not understand that.

No, from their perspective, they were so convinced that there was no way she wouldn't be happy to receive such a gift that they had casually appeared before her.

"…What do I gain from you granting my wishes?"

≪I’ll protect you with everything I have so that those who get in your way won’t be a nuisance. And,≫

The ‘System’ changed its form again.

≪My lady, please become the Queen of the Qua Kingdom.≫

Next, it took the form of Vernella. It smiled beautifully, approached Lupia, gave an elegant curtsy, then knelt at her feet and looked up at her with a rapturous expression.

≪Come now, my lady, is that not what you desire?≫

It’s no use, it doesn't understand anything. No, it can’t possibly understand. The ecstatic expression on its face was silently asking, ‘See, this is what you want, isn’t it?’ and she knew it. Of course not, Lupia muttered in her heart. She wondered if her actions, taken in consideration of her position as a noble lady, her duties, and her family's circumstances, had looked that way to it.

≪The Crown Prince, in particular, secretly thinks so. He believes that since you had the position of Crown Princess stolen from you, you are acting out to get his attention.≫

It truly understands nothing, she thought, growing exasperated. Without letting it show on her face, Lupia slowly let her anger build. The realization that this ‘System,’ this being that acted as if it understood her and was probably superior to humans, was more foolish, more simple-minded, and more condescending than she had imagined, only served to amplify her rage.