Home/The Prince died, so we're starting over!/ch16

Episode 16

I couldn't even count how many layers of clothing I had to put on just to look properly dressed.

In a world where no one even knew how to sew pockets into skirts, people had to tie separate pouches around their waists.

To try on a single dress, I had to tie at least a dozen ribbons.

After trying on about five sample dresses, I felt like I'd rather become one of the marble floor tiles.

"Ah, Anna!"

"Yes?"

"I need to use the restroom—be right back!"

Unable to endure any longer, I abandoned Anna and the seamstresses and made a run for it.

Afraid that Anna might catch me, I ran and ran and ran down the long corridors.

Fortunately, the servants loitering in the halls didn't seem to care whether I was running or not.

They all looked pale and exhausted.

With their workload having increased so drastically in such a short time, it was only natural.

After turning two corners and climbing about three flights of stairs, I spotted a familiar figure.

It was the Third Prince.

He was carrying an armful of books and walking briskly somewhere. His gait was so upright and composed that it caught my eye.

Should I call out to him or not?

The distance between us was such that we wouldn't cross paths unless the person behind called out to the one ahead.

I chased after him, debating whether to call out.

There was no one else in the corridor but the Third Prince and me.

The Third Prince walked with quick steps. If I dawdled, I'd lose him any moment.

That kid sure can walk.

Up until recently, he'd been stumbling around like a newborn foal, and now he's grown so much. They say other people's children grow fast...

I followed him stealthily, entertaining idle thoughts.

Then, suddenly, a servant appeared from the opposite direction.

And something very strange happened.

"Ouch!"

The Third Prince, who had been walking perfectly fine just a moment ago, suddenly tumbled to the ground and began making a pitiful face!

Startled, the servant hurriedly picked up the books the Third Prince had dropped.

The Third Prince just stood there, sniffling like a child, until the servant had gathered all the books.

"Thank you. ...And keep what you just saw a secret."

The Third Prince commanded in a voice utterly devoid of authority.

Then, clutching the books he'd received, he waddled away.

This was no exaggeration—he really walked away like a duckling, taking tiny, careful steps.

What the—was that fall intentional? He'd been walking just fine a moment ago, almost speed-walking!

"...What is he doing?"

A flustered voice escaped my lips.

The Third Prince, not having heard my muttering, continued walking slowly.

The servant offered to carry the books for him, but the Third Prince stoutly refused.

Eventually, the servant gave up on helping him and went on his way.

I was standing directly in the servant's path.

It was only a matter of time before he spotted me.

For some reason, I felt I couldn't let him find me here.

I quickly turned and ran down the opposite corridor.

"My lady!"

And I was caught—by Anna, who had been searching the corridors for me.

Thus ended my brief escape.

---

"Anna."

"Yes?"

"Did anything unusual happen today?"

"Oh, you're always like this, my lady. He was just as usual today—apparently he spent the whole day reading in the library."

Since that day, I'd developed a habit.

Before going to sleep, I'd ask Anna how the Third Prince's day had been.

It had given Anna some strange misunderstandings, but even so, I couldn't stop asking about him.

Because the Third Prince's behavior was just too, too suspicious.

"What books did he read today?"

"Hmm, I don't know which books he read in the library, but I heard the titles of the ones he took to his room. I think they were Mama Duck Loves Baby Duck, Buzz, I Don't Want to Eat Vegetables, and Titi the Brave Little Fawn."

"...Why are the titles like that?"

"Oh, those are children's books. You read them all when you were little too."

"I read those? When?"

"Well... I think you were about three or four?"

Suspicious point one:

The Third Prince reads books that even a five-year-old probably wouldn't read.

For the record, yesterday's books were A Chick Hatches from an Egg, The Wizard and the Little Fairy, and Mommy Is the Best in the World.

Just from the titles, they didn't seem like books an eight-year-old would read.

Yet strangely, the servants of the Rüdebekia Court didn't seem to notice this dissonance at all.

"...Isn't it strange? He reads books that are way too childish for an eight-year-old."

"But everyone has different tastes, right? Actually, I thought it was quite endearing that His Highness reads books that suit him so perfectly."

"Hmm..."

Suspicious point two:

No one except me seems to notice that the Third Prince does things that don't match his age.

Still, I could roughly guess the reason for this problem.

It must be because the Third Prince looks so much like a young child that no one feels suspicious.

I wasn't sure if it was right to say this about an eight-year-old, but the Third Prince looked far younger than his age.

Already shorter than other children his age by a handspan, he was also thin, which made him seem even smaller.

Outwardly, he looked more like a toddler than an eight-year-old.

On the other hand, Hariella's height was slightly above average for her age.

In terms of appearance alone, the Third Prince and I looked almost two or three years apart.

I probably played a part in why those around him didn't notice his suspicious behavior.

"...But still, it's strange."

Yet even so, I still couldn't understand.

"What now?"

"How can he fall down every single day? It's because he fell again today that the servants saw the book titles, isn't it?"

"That's true, but... Hmm, still, I think the books might have been too heavy for His Highness."

"They're just a few thin picture books."

"But His Highness is quite—well, a bit on the small side. This might be a bit irreverent of me, but I actually think it's impressive that he can walk around on those thin legs at all."

"Hmm..."

Suspicious point three:

The Third Prince falls in the corridor every single day without fail. And always only when there are witnesses!

Seriously, with all this suspicious behavior, why doesn't anyone suspect him?

It was maddening.

"Well, that's enough talk about His Highness. Shall we go to sleep now? Going to bed early helps you grow tall."

"...Alright. Goodnight, Anna."

But perhaps—just perhaps—I was being overly sensitive?

Sometimes, lying alone in bed, such doubts would arise.

The question of whether Anna's reaction was normal and I was just overreacting.

I was the only one who knew this world was a novel. That was both a blessing and a curse.

Because knowing the truth allowed me to prepare for the future, but it also meant I constantly had to question reality.

If I hadn't known the Third Prince was the sub-male lead of this novel, perhaps I too would have seen him as just a cute and pitiful boy, like Anna did.

'...Right. Instead of agonizing over it, I should just go see for myself.'

Whether the Third Prince was genuinely suspicious, or whether I was just seeing him through tinted glasses—I'd never figure that out by brooding alone.

Pushing down my frustration, I forced my eyes shut.

The Third Prince apparently went straight to the library after breakfast every morning.

If so, I needed to get to the library before him and hide.

"...Anna."

"Yes?"

"Wake me up early tomorrow."

"How early?"

"About an hour early? I want to stop by the library for a bit after breakfast. So you have to wake me up early, okay?"

"Yes! Leave it to me!"

From the next room, I heard Anna stifling a giggle.

Lately, Anna had been under the impression that I was suffering from a terrible first love—with the Third Prince.

How absurd.

At my age, would I really have a crush on an eight-year-old?

No matter how much the Third Prince grew, he would always be just a little kid in my eyes.

But as long as Anna kept misunderstanding, it was easier to get information about the Third Prince. So instead of bothering to explain myself, I quietly went to sleep.

And the next day, rising earlier than usual, I crept toward the library, careful not to be seen.

I passed a few servants in the corridor, but oddly, none of them noticed me.

'Ah! Could it be!'

Could I have a talent for concealing my presence too?

Sigh, where does the end of my talent even lie?

If a person is too perfect, they lack humanity...

Even I couldn't believe the new talents I discovered every single day.

I was so busy admiring myself and falling into self-absorption that I nearly missed the sound of the library door opening. I hurriedly ducked under a table.

"Will you be reading here again today?"

"Yes."

"Please don't wander off elsewhere, and be sure to return before mealtime."

"Understood."

From outside the door, I could faintly hear the Third Prince murmuring with someone.

Judging by the unpleasant tone, it was definitely that anchovy-named attendant from before.

The attendant gave the Third Prince a few more instructions before closing the door and leaving.

The more I saw of him, the more insufferable that attendant seemed.

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