An Otome Game Spinoff Featuring a Prince with Maxed-Out Affection and a Reincarnated Noble Girl
When the Cicadas Cry, Tonight at 12 Someone Dies.
Translated by: S3
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*****
One day, several men arrived at the detached palace. They were members of the Staden faction.
The men knelt reverently before me. Then, with an exaggerated air of solemnity, they spoke.
「Now that the former King has passed away, you are the King. In light of this, would you be so kind as to inform us of the location of the Royal Seal required for your coronation?」
What on earth was that?
The room froze at my words.
The Seal is stored in the royal treasury. It is almost never removed from there except for the succession of a King. The seals used for daily paperwork vary with each successive monarch. The Great Seal itself is used only for "moving the nation."
No one had informed the monster—who didn't even understand the concept of a "nation"—that such an important item existed. They likely believed that if he knew, he would surely abuse it.
The men kneeling before me seemed to realize this immediately. They changed their line of questioning.
「Does Your Highness perhaps possess the key to the castle treasury? The Seal is likely inside. If you would lend us the key, we shall go and retrieve it.」
There is indeed a keyhole at the entrance of the treasury, and a corresponding key exists. However, even if you insert that key, it won't turn, nor is there any mechanism where it "opens simply by being inserted." The men had likely obtained the key after the King's death, but the entrance wouldn't open.
Thus, they were testing me. They were hoping I would blurt out,
「That door isn't opened with a mere key.」
Their true aim was always the "Stone bestowed by the Spirits." The Royal Seal had no value to them. It was merely bait to hook me. Facing the men and their expectant eyes, I spoke the "fact as I knew it."
「I know nothing of a key. In the first place, why would there be a locked door inside the castle?」
The moment I said that, the color drained from their faces.
***
「The method for opening the treasury door is an oral tradition passed down from one King to the next.」
Whoa... that's strict. But I guess it makes sense.
「In case an unexpected accident befalls the King, only one person among the treasury managers is taught. But even then, they aren't taught the 'exact method.' They are taught something like a code. If you are of royal blood, you are supposed to understand what to do, even if the code consists of nonsensical words or symbols.」
Huh... that sounds kind of interesting. But honestly, I'd rather not get involved in something that invites people to start digging into my business when I've done nothing wrong. "The wise man stays away from danger." One doesn't adjust their shoes in a melon patch, nor their hat under a plum tree. In other words, I'll do nothing. That's for the best.
Wait a minute, though.
「Could the 'previous' Chris-sama understand the manager's code if he heard it?」
He was a monster so ignorant that the word "ignorant" sounds almost cute in comparison. Chris-sama had just said that "if you are of royal blood, you can understand." That meant there was "something" passed down only to the royal family—something that acted as the key to the decryption.
Chris-sama gave a small, self-deprecating laugh, as if despising something.
「He couldn't. Not a single important detail regarding the country or the castle was ever taught to me.」
Ugh... Even if it was unavoidable, I seriously wonder how they ever thought they could make him the Crown Prince...
***
The men still didn't give up. They repeatedly changed their questions, asking me all sorts of things. Halfway through, I grew tired of it and answered everything with 「I don't know.」 In truth, I really didn't know anything. Even if I could have answered politely, the only difference would have been the gap between "Dunno" and "I do not know."
After an hour of questioning, they realized I truly possessed no information. The men left the detached palace, leaving behind a simple 「We understand.」 When they left, they took Fiorina with them.
...I found out later that Fiorina was used to divert the public's rage. In other words, she was executed. Like a spectacle in the capital's square. Her body was pelted with stones, and within a few days, it was said to be in a state too gruesome to look at directly.
I was likely left in the detached palace because they wanted to buy time. By publicly executing the Crown Princess, they could temporarily redirect the target of the people's anger. But that wouldn't last long. They thought that when the public's anger boiled over again, they would hand over the Crown Prince's head.
Besides, as far as they were concerned, leaving me in the detached palace was harmless. They probably thought "That thing" lacked the capacity for "thought." And in fact, they were right.
The food left in the palace pantry consisted of preserved meats, dried fruits, and hard-baked bread. Dried fruit can be eaten as is, but the jerked meat was hard and salty, and the bread was rock-hard and tasteless. Since the meals had stopped being delivered, Fiorina had been using those ingredients to make simple soups.
Even though she had lived a luxurious life for a while, she was originally a commoner's daughter. She would eat even a thin soup with a tiny bit of jerky, calling it 「Delicious.」 To me, it didn't taste good at all. Fiorina could, of course, cook, wash, and clean herself. She had only let others do it because there were people to do it for her. Once the servants disappeared, I simply viewed her as a "servant."
But Fiorina—my last lifeline—had been taken away.
Even when I was hungry, I didn't even know how to prepare preserved food. I tried gnawing on the jerky, but it was so salty I couldn't stand it. The bread, which I used to eat soaked in soup, was so dry it wouldn't go down my throat. I didn't know how to cook, and even before that, I didn't even know how to light the stove. I couldn't even "boil water to make tea."
***
Well... the stove, yeah. I don't know how many nobles can actually light a fire themselves, really.
As I offered that impulsive follow-up, Chris-sama smiled as if laughing at himself.
「Certainly, that may be so. But usually, there's firewood piled next to a stove. There are dry leaves for kindling. And there's a flintstone. If those tools are provided, wouldn't one at least try some trial and error?」
「Ah... I suppose so...」
The point is just to get the wood to catch fire. You have the wood, the kindling that looks easy to burn, and a flintstone that makes you think, "I guess I use this?" If you combine those and experiment, it might take time, but you should be able to light a fire.
「I didn't even know you used a flintstone to start a fire in a stove or fireplace. I never went near places like kitchens, and in my room, the fireplace was just 'naturally' lit on cold days.」
Aaah... now that you mention it, that’s exactly right...
Even as a noble, survival knowledge is necessary. I decided then and there: if I ever have children, I will give them the wisdom to survive even in the wild. I've set my heart on it.
...If things go according to plan, "the child I might have someday" will be royalty, but that's beside the point. Knowledge is never a burden. A "Survival Prince" or "Survival Princess"—sounds cool, doesn't it? Any objections? I don't care.
「I couldn't light a fire, and I couldn't cook. The only thing I could do was draw water from the well.」
...I almost said, 「At least you could do that!」 Dangerous, dangerous... the tail of my glossy kitten is starting to show! ...I can't wear the mask anymore.
***
The meager preserved food in the pantry ran out, and I finally lost all will. Since there was no one to clean, the detached palace grew filthy. Since there was no one to groom me, my appearance must have been quite horrific.
I no longer know how many days had passed since Fiorina was taken away. My mind stopped functioning normally due to hunger. ...Though, even if I weren't hungry, my mind wasn't doing much anyway.
Eventually, it even became a chore to go to the well for water.
***
「Water is important!」
Without thinking, I grabbed Chris-sama's arm next to me. Chris-sama looked surprised for a moment, then smiled and gently moved my hand away.
「That's right. It's just as Cera says. ...But, Cera, these are stories of 'things that have already passed.'」
I know, but... but still...!
No food, no water. In Chris-sama's situation, he probably wouldn't have lasted a week.
Since our bodies are from an "Otherworld," there’s a chance our composition is different from Earth-born humans. However, our blood is red, and our body temperature is slightly warm. The units for temperature here are different from Earth, so I don't know what it would be in Celsius, but it feels roughly the same. Even looking at medical books, the organs are almost identical to my past-life knowledge, and I don't feel any personal discrepancy.
That being the case, water is absolutely critical to sustaining life.
「Water... is important...」
When I repeated it, Chris-sama chuckled happily.
「Yes. I know.」
***
Even without food, you can sustain life for a while with just water. ...Well, back then, I didn't even have that knowledge. But for me, even drawing water—and even drinking it—had become a hassle.
Death was likely near.
I didn't even feel like moving my body; in fact, I had neither the physical strength nor the willpower. I just sat in my room, staring blankly.
What is happening?
Why am I suffering like this?
Where has everyone in the castle gone?
Could it be that I made a mistake somewhere?
But what did I get wrong?
There shouldn't have been anything to get wrong.
What is going on?
Those aimless thoughts floated and vanished. I no longer had the energy to think things through. I just sat there vacantly, repeating those words in my head without truly thinking.
I don't know how much time passed. By then, my consciousness was intermittent, so quite a bit of time must have elapsed.
I felt like someone was calling me.
Until then, I had no energy to do anything and had even let go of my consciousness, yet I stood up as if being guided. I stood up for the first time in days, but my legs felt like sticks and wouldn't move properly. However, even as my clumsy legs tangled, I began to walk. I didn't know where I was going. I just followed the direction of the voice.
The castle was completely deserted. How could such a thing be? Even now, looking back, I think I might have been dreaming.
Even if all the servants had resigned, the castle shouldn't be empty. There were still things here that the Staden faction and those who wanted to ride the coattails of power were after. But back then, I didn't have the capacity for such reasoning.
I just moved my feet, stumbling along as I was called.
Eventually, I arrived in front of the treasury door. The door and the surrounding walls were covered in scratches; the Staden faction had likely tried to break them down. But that door isn't the kind of thing that breaks easily just because someone brings out a sword or an axe. As for the walls, their thickness alone makes them completely different from the surrounding walls.
I felt like I was being called from beyond that battered door. I put my hand on the doorknob and tried to turn it gently.
Normally, the treasury door requires a key to be inserted and several mechanisms to be solved before it opens. Those "mechanisms" aren't the type you can solve by accident just by rattling things around. And I didn't even know such mechanisms existed, let alone how to solve them. Seeing as the Staden faction had tried to break it down, they didn't know how to open it either.
And yet. The door opened so easily, without even feeling its weight, and without a sound.
When the door opened, the inside was flooded with pure white light. Strangely, it didn't feel blinding; it was just an overflowing whiteness. Normally, this would be a situation for great shock, but my head wasn't working properly. My only impression was "It's bright." The source of that light was that Stone.
****
Woooah...! The end is near!
But before that...
「Does that stone emit light?」
Looking at the jewelry case which currently had its lid tightly closed, Chris-sama tilted his head curiously.
「I wonder? It was like that when I saw it, that’s all I know.」
So it’s a glowing stone... and moreover, a light strong enough to fill a treasury, however large it might be. I've never seen or heard of such a stone. Even adding my past-life knowledge to my current knowledge, it's truly an unknown gem.
I thought this was a typical "Villainess Game" or "Narou-style Isekai" (No Magic), but now it’s become "Something Magic-like is Included." I'm getting excited!
Truth be told, back in nursery school, I used to dream of being a "Witch." Maybe there are other mysterious items sleeping in this world besides this stone. At least, the legends say there are four items "bestowed by the Spirits." There might even be secrets. In other words, if I find a secret item without a fixed owner, there's a chance I could become a Magical Girl! Discovering wonders in the world and hunting mysteries sounds great. My dreams are expanding.
...Ah. But I'm going to be Chris-sama's bride. I won't have time to go hunting for mysteries...
I'm a bit bummed...
No, it's not like I have any problem with being Chris-sama's bride. In fact, I think Chris-sama is too good for me. Unlike me, who is "lovely on the outside, average on the inside," Chris-sama is "beautiful on both the outside and inside." I wonder if I—who only has the "body"—am good enough for Chris-sama, who has the "heart, skill, and body." Wait, what would "skill" be in this case? Oh well, whatever.
「I feel like I want to investigate this stone in detail...」
At my impulsive words, Chris-sama laughed playfully.
「I don't see why you shouldn't. You are its current owner, after all.」
「...Is it really okay?」
Back on Earth, untouchable items like this were strictly, truly untouchable.
「I don't mind, but I wouldn't recommend it.」
「Why not?」
「I can't help but feel that this stone has a 'will' of its own. If that truly is the case, there's no telling what kind of situation might be triggered if the stone is subjected to something it 'doesn't like.'」
The stone's will... I almost accidentally laughed. But if the stone truly does have something like that, it's terrifying. In most fantasy works, artifacts bestowed by higher beings like gods cause terrible calamities if they fall into unworthy hands or if someone tries to damage them. It wouldn't be surprising if this stone was like that. ...Well, it would be surprising, but you know what I mean.
「...It seems safest to leave it alone.」
「I agree.」
Chris-sama replied immediately with a laugh to my sighing words.
***
The pure white light was neither blinding nor warm. It was simply an overflowing whiteness. The light inside the treasury was so strong that nothing could be seen, yet this stone alone was clearly visible. Since the pedestal and everything else were buried in the light and invisible to me, the stone appeared to be floating in mid-air.
Before I knew it, I had forgotten my hunger, my lethargy, and the exhaustion in my legs. I just stared at the floating stone before me, as if possessed. Then, out of nowhere, I heard a voice. ...No, it wasn't a "voice," and saying I "heard" it is also misleading.
It wasn't a "voice" accompanied by sound. Since it wasn't sound, I didn't hear it with my ears. It was a sensation like someone else's thoughts were intruding upon my own... inside my head. It's probably difficult to understand, or rather, difficult to explain. Anyway, it was that kind of mysterious "voice."
That "voice" asked me.
「Where do you want to start over from?」
Start over? From where?
「You wished for it, didn't you? You said you wanted to know what was happening. To that end, where is the place you should start over?」
Never mind starting over—it would be enough if you just told me what was happening.
「Will you be satisfied with just being told, and then die? Is that truly your 'true wish'?」
My true wish. Hearing that, I realized. I see. I wanted to start this life over. Not like this, starving to death in a forgotten corner without anyone even looking at me. There must have been a place more fitting for me, and a death more fitting for me.
***
Faceplant! Seriously, Chris-sama!
I must have had an exasperated look on my face. Chris-sama laughed at the sight of me.
「It seems humans don't change so easily.」
「...I suppose not...」
On the contrary, the "previous" Chris-sama's unwavering stance even at that point is amazing. He's a scumbag with a solid core.
***
If I wanted a death fitting for myself, where should I return to? Thinking it over, I answered the "voice."
Return me to the point when I was moved to the detached palace.
The moment I made the wish, my vision was dyed white, and even the stone before me disappeared. The next moment, I was in the detached palace. A man from the Staden faction was showing Fiorina and me around.
「Starting today, this will be the residence for Your Highness and the Princess Consort.」
The man announced with a smile. It was truly the very day we moved into the detached palace...
I didn't know how it had happened, but my wish had been granted.
My wish was granted, but from that point on, everything happened exactly as it had before. The King passed away, the country fell into chaos, and in the end, I was once again left alone in the detached palace.
I repeated the same events as if tracing them. The moment Fiorina was taken away and the palace doors were shut, I was once again inside that light.
「Nothing changes there.」
Then where will it change!
「Find it yourself.」
Nothing changed from the point I was imprisoned in the detached palace. Then I had to go further back. Was it when Fiorina and I became a couple?
「Then, to that point.」
Light flooded my vision again, and this time I was in the middle of my wedding ceremony with Fiorina.
What should I do? How can I change the outcome? What should I do from here? For the past twenty-five years, I had moved only on emotion, but for the first time, I "thought seriously." I was done with waiting to starve to death in the detached palace.
First, I'll make sure I'm not moved to the detached palace. Even as I thought that, I didn't understand "why I was imprisoned there" in the first place. I had never felt even for a second that I was a nuisance to the majority of the castle.
Should I have the detached palace demolished? ...Naturally, it was impossible. Everyone around me was so used to my selfishness that even if I said something like that, they'd just think, 「That nuisance is being difficult again.」 In the first place, who was it that tried to shut me away in the palace? It was obviously Staden, but back then, even such a simple thing was invisible to me.
In the end, I couldn't change anything the second time either. We were imprisoned in the detached palace and followed the same path.
***
Chris-sama... it's not even an "Otome Game" anymore. Who would have thought an Otome Game epilogue would turn into a trial-and-error command adventure!
...But I can't say it so lightly; Chris-sama's experience wasn't light at all. Struggling to avoid an ending within a fixed time limit must have been incredibly taxing. And the end is "starvation." That's a pretty rough way to go. Facing a looming "death" is hard enough, but he had to "repeat" it. It wouldn't be strange if his mind had broken.
Chris-sama lowered his gaze slightly. His profile was very refined, and I couldn't see any "emotion." I wonder what he's thinking right now...
***
And so, over and over, I repeated it, going back a little further in time each time.
Through the repetitions, I gradually gained wisdom and cultivated the ability to think for myself. Sadly, at the point I restarted, I didn't have a single "trustworthy ally." Fiorina would probably be on my side, but even if I told her the details, she wouldn't believe me.
After repeating it several times, I returned to the "point where I met Fiorina." It was my eighteenth birthday banquet. On that day, Fiorina was standing in the garden deep within the castle.
By this point, I had developed a bit of a brain. For the first time, the question occurred to me: "Why was she in that place, at that time, on that day?"
From the highest point of the grand hall, I searched for Fiorina and watched her movements closely. When Fiorina left the hall, I secretly followed her.
Fiorina went to the powder room, and from there, for some reason, she mistook her direction and turned down the corridor in the opposite direction. From there, it was a sight to behold. Staden's men were subtly blocking the path of knights, maids, and attendants in Fiorina's path.
One person would ask about a lost item that couldn't possibly be there: 「Did you happen to find a handkerchief around here?」 Another person would pretend to be drunk—or perhaps they were truly intoxicated—acting as if they had lost all sense of their surroundings and needing help from a knight. Yet another person would tell a lie: 「I saw a suspicious figure over there...」
They were guiding Fiorina deeper and deeper into the castle with an unnatural naturalness.
There was no guarantee I would be at her destination. But most likely, it didn't matter who found her. Even if Fiorina wandered into a strange place, was questioned, and detained, Staden would have a pretext to enter the castle: "I've come to collect my relative and prove her innocence."
If anything, it was probably outside of their calculations that I found her and released her without reprimand.
I didn't speak to her as she stood blankly in the castle garden. Later, she was captured by a patrol knight and taken in by Earl Staden.
I never had a "fated" encounter with her, and I never married her. I was relieved, thinking this would change things, but the outcome remained the same.
I wasn't imprisoned in the detached palace, but I was killed by Staden's men.
「What use is it if you die?」
I don't know even if you tell me that.
「Where to next?」
Once more, to that day of the eighteenth birthday banquet.
I'll see through the true nature of that unnatural "House of Earl Staden." I'll find out why I had to be killed.
But there was only so much I could do. As I said before, I had no allies. Besides, my behavior up to that point had been so poor that no one would listen to me now anyway.
In the end, I was killed by Staden's men in that loop as well.
「Next?」
The voice sounded somewhat dismissive. Fine. First, I have to find a "trustworthy ally." But would such a person even exist? The people around me were all attendants or knights. Well, I could build a relationship of trust with the attendants, but I wanted someone who could move more freely.
Thinking that far, I remembered. Long ago... so long ago I could barely recall it because of all the repetitions, my father introduced me to five young boys and girls. The main reason they were gathered was "because they were brilliant."
Five years old.
「Heh. Why?」
The tone of the voice changed. It must have been because my choice to change the outcome wasn't a bad one.
Father gathered those children for me. I want to make them my allies.
「Not bad.」
The voice announced, and I was in the garden on that day when I was five years old.
*****
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