Chapter 2: The Wicked Princess and the Adopted Brother-in-Law

Chapter 2:
The Wicked Princess and the Adopted Brother-in-Law

HOW UTTERLY depressing.

Stale, my little brother, was finally due to arrive at the castle.

I still couldn’t wrap my head around having a brother-in-law, even an adopted one. I mean, I was only eight years old, a bit young for that kind of thing. I even tried to convince Father to drop it, but he insisted we adhere to the tradition. In Freesia, custom demanded the heir to the throne have a special assistant or servant, a boy adopted into the family precisely for this purpose. He had to be younger than the heir, which, combined with his gender, would make him ineligible for the title, even once he became a member of the royal family. It shielded him from assassination attempts so he could perform his function.

“Stale…”

I sighed. I still found the whole thing weird. Stale probably suffered so much after being ripped away from his own family to serve mine.

Stale Royal Ivy had lost his father to illness at a young age and spent his childhood with only his mother. While a commoner, he too possessed a special power. Stale could transport anything he touched, including himself, like a sort of teleportation.

In the game, Pride took advantage of Stale’s desire to return to his mother to lock him into a “fealty contract,” a horrible deal that forced him to obey Pride’s every order without fail. He wasn’t even an assistant at that point—he was just a puppet.

Of course, I had no plan of putting him through anything like that. But I couldn’t help worrying that my good intentions would mean little. For one thing, why would Stale listen to his new sister-in-law at all? And what would I do if he didn’t? Would I become like that other Pride, the Pride from the game? Part of me feared she was the one making me think such ugly thoughts in the first place. In the game, she savored Stale’s rage, his hatred. Ultimately, she forced him to commit an act he never recovered from.

“Your new brother-in-law has arrived at the castle, Your Highness,” Lotte said, jolting me out of my anxious thoughts. “Your father would like to introduce him to you.”

I had no choice but to follow her to where my father awaited, his hand resting on the shoulder of a boy with glossy black hair and dark eyes. Stale looked just the way I remembered from the game, from his pale skin to the high bridge of his nose. Though youthful now, I knew he would grow into a quiet, intriguing, bespectacled, intelligent man. It seemed the glasses would come in to the picture later.

“Pride,” Father said. “This is Stale. He’s to be your younger brother-in-law. He’s one year younger than you, and he’ll be serving as your steward and assistant. Once you rule, he will be your seneschal. Though he’s a commoner, his power of teleportation is quite impressive. I expect the two of you will get along splendidly.”

At first, I saw nothing but the character from the game, the Stale I expected. Then I noticed something I never saw in the game and jerked back a step.

Everything about his appearance was ordinary enough—aside from the handcuffs binding his wrists. His hands weren’t completely constricted, but it was still a shocking sight. Stale glared at the floor with a grim expression. Even a child could easily tell that these weren’t normal handcuffs. They were made of some kind of shiny material and decorated with jewels.

“Ah, did the handcuffs startle you?” Father said. “While I pity the boy, this is necessary for now. He kept escaping via teleportation while we were traveling here. He even injured a guard at one point. He seems to have settled down for now, but we can’t have him disappearing on us again. These shackles will prevent him from using his power until he can enter a subordination contract with you tomorrow. Then there’ll be no point in keeping the chains on any longer.” He stroked Stale’s hair as he spoke, an oddly tender gesture when contrasted with his words.

I had to remind myself that all of this was normal in this world, regardless of what my morals and ethics from my previous life dictated. Even the “subordination contract” was just an ordinary part of what my younger brother-in-law could expect. That contract existed so he could never betray me. It was a kind of bond found only in our kingdom and backed up by enchantments so neither signer could break the conditions of the contract. My brother-in-law would need to remain within a certain physical distance of me at all times and remain loyal to my commands.

The Pride of the game took it a step further, forcing Stale to sign a bond of “fealty.” That was a stricter bond that tacked on compulsory obedience to every command. In ORL, Pride stole that contract from her dead father’s study, switching it for the supposed “subordination contract.”

“Once you sign this, I’ll let you see your mother again,” she told him.

From that moment on, Stale was doomed. Even if he signed a subordination contract, the stricter fealty contract always took precedence. Stale, the seven-year-old commoner who could read and write no more than his own name, only realized the horror of what he’d done after the contract was complete.

But I’d never do anything like that!

Stale was still studying his feet. I rushed to his side and took his shackled hands in mine, giving them a gentle squeeze.

“I’m Pride Royal Ivy,” I said. “It’s so nice to meet you, Stale. We’ll be family from here out, so let’s get along, okay?”

Stale looked up, blinking in surprise before his head wilted right back down.

“Okay…” he murmured.

What?! Hold on, I think I’ve seen this before…

My smile withered. I backed away from Stale as realization crept over me. Pride said those exact same lines during this scene in the game. Later, Stale spoke of his past and mentioned how kindly Pride had been when she approached him, acting like a compassionate older sister the very same night she forced him to sign that fealty contract.

I knew it. I’m stuck in the same script from the game, no matter what I do…

I froze, despair welling up inside me, and Father stepped in front of Stale. “You must be exhausted from the day’s events,” he said. “Rest up so you’re prepared for tomorrow.”

Then Father led Stale away toward his new room in the castle. But something about this felt off. In the game, an assistant introduced Pride to Stale.

So are things different because Father’s alive now? Wait, and didn’t something happen with that assistant?

I dug through my memory to dredge up Father’s assistant, but I couldn’t recall the man. Father visited me alone most of the time, meaning I’d probably met this assistant a few brief times at most.

But what about Stale?!

I broke into a run, chasing after Father and Stale. I had to know which room he’d be in, or else my plan would fall through!

As I rushed after them, I realized I was headed right for the room below mine. Father stopped me outside the door.

“Let him rest for today. Understand?” he said. He waved for Lotte and Mary to escort me back to my own room.

But that wasn’t good enough! I had to talk to Stale before he signed the subordination contract tomorrow. It was late in the evening when Pride coerced Stale into falling for her trap, which meant I might get a chance to talk to Stale sometime tonight.

Lotte and Mary got me to my room, but I didn’t stay long, claiming I wanted to see Father. They let me go, but rather than heading directly to him, I veered off toward his study. Just like in the game, I found guards in my path. And just like the Pride in the game, I managed to tiptoe past them and break into the study. I made quick work of rummaging through the room, stashing my prize inside my dress before I snuck back out.

That wouldn’t be the end of my clandestine activities that night. Stale didn’t appear at dinner, eating in his room instead due to fatigue. Later, I would sneak into that room, just as Pride did in the game.

I briefly considered a rope of bedsheets to clamber straight down out of the window, but the maids and guards had already seen me throw myself out of it before. Probably better not to make them think I was leaping out of it all over again. Plus, a princess couldn’t behave in such an undignified manner.

Then what exactly did Pride do? How do I get to Stale like in the game?! I’d have to…

Realization hit me, and a smile spread across my face. It faded just as quickly; I was truly becoming just like Pride, the same devious queen I loathed in the game. However, I couldn’t linger on the thought. Once night fell, I picked a random book from my room and headed to Stale’s room. The two guards stationed outside it raised their eyebrows at me.

“Your Highness.”

I smiled at them sweetly. “Stale doesn’t know how to read,” I said, “so I’d like to read this book to him. Father said that was a nice idea.”

I’d given the guards outside my own room the same story. It was a lie, certainly, but using my father’s name meant that they couldn’t stop me. They hesitated only a moment before stepping aside.

“Stale? I’m coming in.”

The room lay cloaked in pitch-black darkness when I entered. Once the door closed behind me, I strained to make out anything around me. Only the faint moonlight filtering in through the window provided any help.

“Princess Pride?” Stale said. “Is there something you need from me?”

I’d found him. Stale was sitting on his bed, hugging his knees to his chest. When he looked up at me, he seemed even more worn and weary than he had this afternoon when he’d first arrived.

“I’m sorry to bother you so late,” I said. “I simply had to speak with you before you signed the contract tomorrow.”

I took step by careful step toward Stale, slowly, trying not to scare him. It was like approaching a wild animal without them spooking and dashing off.

“The crown princess wants to speak with me?” he said, cocking his head.

“Tell me, Stale. You want to see your mother, don’t you?”

His eyes widened. All the weariness fled, replaced by sharp focus.

Wait, that’s the exact same line from the game! It’s how Pride introduces the contract to Stale. Shoot.

It seemed that any time I followed the plot of the game more closely, I could also remember it more clearly. Like now. I retrieved the item hidden in my dress and showed it to Stale.

“What’s that?” His eyes went even wider.

“It’s the key for those handcuffs. I snuck into Father’s study and borrowed it. Now you’ll be able to run away.”

Without those shackles, Stale could teleport again. In the game, Pride forced him to use that talent for assassinations. He once even used it to transport himself and the heroine outside the palace. Now, hopefully, it would take him to his mother. With the money she’d surely gotten from giving up her son, she and Stale could escape to the countryside.

“I can’t do that.”

I didn’t even breathe for a moment, stunned into silence. “Why not?” I finally asked.

“Mom said I can’t go see her anymore,” he said. “I’m supposed to serve Your Highness, live a happy life here at the castle, and forget all about her. If I run away, my family will face terrible punishment. That’s what the person from the castle told me before I came here. I don’t want Mom to be punished.”

His knuckles turned white as he gripped his pants and stared at the floor. His eyes shone with suppressed tears.

I see. So that’s why he bought it when Pride said she’d let him see his mother. With Pride’s official permission, his mother wouldn’t face punishment.

Unfortunately, that too was a lie. I couldn’t do anything about the threat hanging over Stale’s family. A boy adopted into the royal family would never be allowed to visit commoners. He had to be protected from assassinations and kidnappings while also exemplifying upstanding royalty to the kingdom’s citizens. I’d heard the adults saying as much, and even my eight-year-old mind could understand it. If the order came from the castle, it was set in stone.

“When the man from the castle first came, he wanted me to leave the next day, but I just couldn’t do it,” Stale said. “I ran away and put up a fight. But His Royal Highness granted me two weeks before I had to leave, so I spent that time talking to Mom, and when we finally said goodbye, I didn’t have any regrets. She told me how much she loved me.” Stale stopped, head hanging even heavier. In a hushed voice, he added, “She cried so much…”

He went on, “I know they’ll just pick another kid if I manage to run away. I have a friend whose only family is his little sister, and he has a special power like me. I don’t want him to end up here instead.”

I could hardly believe my ears. Stale was only seven years old, and he already had such compassion for the well-being of others. Shame burned my cheeks, his words searing my heart. I’d encouraged him to act selfishly, and he’d outright refused. I definitely didn’t remember this from the game. Pride is…no, I’m such a terrible person. How could I be so cruel to this child? How could I make him kill his own mother?

Once he learned that Pride’s promise of reuniting him with his mother was just a trick to get him to sign the fealty contract, Stale came to hate Pride for what she’d done, and yet, due to the binding contract, he had to obey her every order. Then, on the day before Tiara’s birthday, Pride kept her word in the most horrible way possible.

“Stale, remember my promise? I’ll let you see your mother now,” she said. Then she handed him the knife. “Use this to kill her, and be sure no one sees you.”

Stale’s eyes went wide, mouth falling open as all the blood drained from his face.

Pride cackled. “Ah, there it is! That’s the face I wanted to see.”

Unable to disobey her orders, Stale murdered his mother, and in so doing wounded his heart in a way that would never heal.

Is that what I’m going to do to him too?

Without the memories of my past life, perhaps. Maybe I would have been just as cruel as Pride, seeking to torture a new reaction out of Stale every day, using him like a toy, an amusement. Could those memories save me from becoming that sort of monster?

I observed the boy curled up before me, and guilt stabbed into my gut. How could I apologize? He didn’t even know what horrible things I was capable of. I just stood there with the key to the handcuffs, feeling useless and ridiculous.

“Thank you very much for thinking of someone like me,” Stale said, presumably noticing I was at a loss for words. “I’m glad you’ll be my elder sister, Princess Pride. It’s an honor. But I don’t need that key you have, so please go back to your room. I’ll see you tomo—”

I lunged forward, wrapping my arms around Stale before he could finish. He was slender for a boy, even if he was a year younger than me. I felt like I might break him if I used any more force. Just how much strength and how much kindness did Stale carry in those fragile bones?

I wouldn’t be the one to save him, though. That role belonged to Tiara.

Only her compassion and pure love could heal his scars. The more Stale found ways to protect her (unbeknownst to Pride, of course), the more her happiness became his hope in the world. He didn’t lose his way, even when Pride ordered him to interfere in political matters or carry out assassinations using his power. Around Tiara, he was always the kind older brother—a human and never a monster.

I couldn’t save Stale. I couldn’t help him escape. All I could do was bind him to me for the rest of our lives. In that case, at the very least…

“I promise I won’t cause you any more suffering,” I said. “I’ll make it so everyone in this kingdom, including you and your mother, can spend each day with a smile on their faces! I swear it, for as long as I live.”

The tears flowed free before I even finished speaking. How shameful. Especially in front of Stale, who must have held back so many tears in my presence. I swiped at my eyes with my arm and sniffled, still holding him tightly.

Some dependable big sister I’m being right now, crying at a time like this.

Stale stayed silent in my arms for a while. Then a knock sounded on the door, probably the guards here to usher me away.

Glad I managed to stop crying.

I gently detached myself from him. Stale kept his head up, meeting my gaze. The moonlight glistened in the wetness on his cheeks. It looked like neither of us had escaped this conversation without waterworks, but I was supposed to be the one here to comfort him, not the opposite. I wiped the tears from his face with my fingertips.

“I’m sorry to keep you up so late,” I said. “Goodnight, Stale. I hope you get a good night’s sleep.”

I forced a smile.

Stale’s lips trembled, as if he was trying to offer me parting words of his own, but I couldn’t make out anything he said.

Ten more years. At the very least, I could use this time to do everything in my power as the crown princess to improve things for people like Stale. I steeled my heart around that solemn resolution and left the room with that vow in my soul.

***

The next day, the day we were supposed to sign the subordination contract, Stale didn’t show up for breakfast. A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach, but a bit later, at a time of my Father’s choosing, Stale finally appeared. Not only that, but I swore he looked…almost relaxed. He even greeted me with a “Good morning, Princess Pride” as he arrived.

Later, we had to sign the contract before Father and a few other witnesses. The language was dry and devoid of sentiment, but I still cringed as I watched Stale write his name so earnestly with shackled hands.

Father’s assistant stood at his side during the signing. He looked quite a bit younger than Father with his light blue hair tied back in a ponytail and spilling over one shoulder. Keen, slender blue eyes observed the proceedings.

It took me a moment to recall the man, but when I did, I nearly gasped. Of course he looked young. That was his power—the power of eternal youth. He could alter his age at will, though I suspected his current form represented his actual age. Father seemed rough around the edges by comparison, even though he wasn’t yet thirty. I’d heard the man was five years younger than my father, but I felt their gap was even wider.

Wait a minute. Neither one of them looks his age at all!

I was still reeling from that when the ceremony finished. I’d assumed it would be a lot more complicated; the minister called to the ceremony certainly made it seem that way. But in the end, all we had to do was sign the contract and that was it. No magical light pouring out. No booming ethereal voice. No physical change at all, aside from my heart hammering a bit harder and Stale pressing his hand over his chest. He must’ve felt the same way.

With that, Father removed Stale’s handcuffs using the key I’d stolen last night and replaced this morning. Stale clenched and unclenched his fists, finally free of that extra weight.

“Let’s be a happy family together from now on, my son,” Father said. He set his hands on Stale’s shoulders, and Stale offered a wavering smile and tiny nod.

In the game, if Tiara wound up with Stale he became the prince consort. That might not be a bad outcome for this kingdom. In ORL, Stale became a scheming, bitter man due to Pride’s abuse and manipulation, but perhaps we could avoid that here if I continued to show the boy some kindness.

“Princess Pride!”

Stale scampered up to me, full of energy. It was like that heartbroken boy I’d seen the night before never existed at all.

“I hope the two of us do well together. I promise to protect you, as well as our younger sister,” he said. He placed his hand on his chest like a knight and smiled as he spoke, while Father stood behind him with a relieved grin on his face.

Wait. A knight?! Something was bugging me about the resemblance, but I chose to focus on the boy before me instead.

“Thank you, Stale,” I replied. “But since we’re family now, you don’t have to call me ‘Princess.’ Can you call me ‘Pride’ instead? Mother’s assistant, my uncle, addresses her without any title.”

In the game, everyone called Pride “Her Majesty” or “Queen Pride,” but I didn’t want to be addressed like a stranger. However, Stale hesitated, some of his exuberance fading.

“Oh, but I… No, I don’t…” he stammered.

“Your Highness.” Father’s assistant stared down at Stale and me with a stern expression.

Whoa. He’s handsome, even from a lower angle. Wait. I think I saw this face in the game before… Or was that later in the series?

“Prince Vest, the seneschal, may refer to Her Majesty by her first name, but before commoners, he addresses her as ‘Your Majesty’ or ‘Elder Sister.’”

Prince Vest was my uncle—Mother’s younger brother-in-law. As Mother’s right-hand man, he possessed an equal amount of power as my father, the prince consort, making him a man of high authority in the kingdom.

I see. I’ve hardly ever seen Mother around commoners, so I didn’t know that.

“In that case, please call me ‘Elder Sister’ around others and ‘Pride’ when we’re alone,” I told Stale. “We’re family, after all, so that makes us equals.”

With that, I reached out to shake Stale’s hand. Father, his assistant, and all the witnesses gaped at the gesture. The witnesses, who’d known me for a long time, all cried out in shock. “Is that really Her Highness?!”

“Okay, Elder Sister,” Stale said, accepting my handshake.

“Well, well. It appears that Her Highness has grown into a wonderful young lady since I last saw her,” Father’s assistant said. “But I would expect nothing less now that she’s gained her precognition at such a young age. When I first heard your powers had awakened, I wasn’t sure what to expect.”

“Is that supposed to be praise, Prime Minister Gilbert?” Father said, a warning in his voice. I wasn’t particularly put off, however. After all, Pride grew up to become a heinous, evil queen in ORL.

Father’s assistant, Prime Minister Gilbert, just shrugged.

“My apologies,” he said, bowing his head. “That was an inappropriate comment for the prime minister to make. What a shame that Her Majesty could not be here to see you today. It’s quite a big day for her dearest daughter, the crown princess. Well, we all know how busy she’s been since the international discussions were decided over a month ago. Not to mention Tiara’s—”

Father smacked him on the head before he could continue.

Yes. Now I remembered Gilbert, Father’s assistant. That speech of his jogged my memory and not in the best way. I was still musing it all over when Father called for Lotte, Mary, and the other maids, as well as Jack and the rest of the guards so we could return to the castle residence. The whole way back, I held my new brother’s hand, the hand of the heroine’s brother as well.

***

In the three days since we signed the contract, Stale spent nearly every moment at my side, the perfect doting brother. Since he was originally a commoner, he still had quite a lot of reading, writing, and etiquette to learn, which had to be exhausting all of a sudden. But despite that, whenever he had free time he’d rush to my side with a smile if I called his name. We did just about everything together, from reading to meandering through the castle gardens.

I wanted to help teach Stale too, if I could. My own education was thorough, of course, but I felt bad taking up even more of his time for tutoring. Plus, I didn’t want to burden him with the memories of his mother. Whenever we were together, I tried to avoid the topic of mothers altogether. I really just wanted to do whatever I could to help him, but I had no idea how to accomplish that.

“Hey, Stale, let’s play tag together. I’ll race you to the garden!”

I took off at a dash, trying to outrun the melancholy weighing me down when I thought about his plight.

“Ah, wait a minute, Pride! That’s not fair!” Stale called after me.

I was pretty fast, but when he wasn’t holding back, Stale was always faster, probably from playing tag with other kids, an activity I rarely got to enjoy.

But after only a short way, I glanced behind me and couldn’t find Stale anywhere. I slowed, looking around in confusion.

“Stale?!”

Then I spotted him sprawled out on the ground and rushed back to his side to help him sit up. He was flushed red and gasping for breath, but he seemed okay otherwise. Still, something was obviously wrong.

“Somebody, help!” I cried. “Stale’s hurt!”

Guards rushed over while I called Stale’s name over and over, but he merely mumbled and slurred incoherently. Jack scooped the boy into his arms and rushed him back to the castle. I hurried to follow, Lotte and the other maids fast on my heels.

Stale had caught a cold.

Fortunately, it was nothing major, probably just fatigue, but I wondered if he’d been hiding it all day while overexerting himself for my sake. How had I failed to notice anything was even wrong until he collapsed right there before me?

With Mother and Father busy with their work, only Uncle Vest, the seneschal, could come to check on Stale. It was the first time he ever met Stale, yet he looked at him so kindly, perhaps because they had the same position, the same lot in life. Uncle Vest swiped his blue hair out of his eyes and straightened, marching toward where I waited outside the sickroom. He was dressed impeccably, as always, yet he crouched down to meet me on my level.

“I’m sure he was tired after leaving his mother to come live at a faraway castle,” Uncle Vest said, reaching out to stroke my hair. “I remember that feeling well. But don’t worry, he’ll get better once he spends a few days resting.”

Uncle Vest, only in his late twenties—two years younger than Mother—and dressed like a handsome gentleman, was truly a wonderful man. I almost wished he’d been a love interest in the game… Well, no, the game didn’t actually start for another ten years or so.

“I won’t forbid it outright, but you shouldn’t go into his room. You could catch his cold, and we definitely don’t want that,” he said.

He left me with those words and a concerned smile before returning to Mother.

Only after he left did I realize how dark the castle had gotten. The sun hung low in a sky rapidly deepening to blue and purple. In all the commotion, I’d completely lost track of time.

I asked the guard to tell Lotte to come get me when dinner was ready, then returned to Stale’s sickroom. He slept peacefully, perhaps thanks to the medicine the doctor gave him. His face wasn’t so pale anymore either. I sighed as I sat beside the bed, watching his face, relieved but still alert. This was really the love interest Stale that I knew. He had the exact same beautiful face as he did in the game.

I took out my handkerchief and dabbed at the sweat on his brow, trying not to wake him. Stale tensed, eyebrows knotting together as though he was in pain or having a nightmare. In fact, it looked exactly like one of the cutscenes featuring the older Stale that I remembered from the game. He was unconscious and groaning in his sleep as Tiara nursed him back to health… Oh…

I gasped as the scene came back to me. In it, Stale, ten years from now, had a nightmare about his past. Then, as now, he suffered from some sort of cold. Pride snuck into the sleeping boy’s room.

“Hmph. My slave sure has some nerve, catching a cold without my permission,” she said as she stared down at Stale, just as I was doing now.

“Have you no shame, being the commoner son of some commoner woman? You know, I wonder…if I ordered you to run laps around the garden until you dropped dead, would you do it?” Pride laughed as she wiped his brow with her handkerchief.

“Hey, you’ll go back to normal, right? Your life belongs to me, you know. Hurry up and get better so I can play with you again, got it? My adorable little slave.”

Stale gasped for breath, even in his sleep. He muttered to himself, but I couldn’t remember what he said to himself in that scene. All I knew was that it sent Pride into a fit of laughter.

“Ah ha ha ha! Such a pathetic man. You’re just like a little baby. You shameful, embarrassing, ugly little toy. You’re my slave, you baby. No one needs someone like you. Mother and Father, if they were still alive, even Uncle Vest—none of them need you at all. Your own mother probably wouldn’t even have any use for you. All you ever do is make trouble for everyone.”

She continued to whisper into Stale’s ear while he was lost in his nightmare.

“But because I pity you, I’ll do you the favor of needing you. You’re my slave, right? So we’ll be together forever and ever and ever…”

In the game, that was when Stale awakened and for the first time revealed a bit of his painful past to Tiara, who had been taking care of him while he was ill.

Ah, I did it again. I recreated another scene from the game.

Here in the present, outside the game, Stale groaned just like in that scene. I was busy wondering if my deepening forehead wrinkles would make me look more like Father when he began muttering to himself.

“M-Mom… Mmph… Mom…”

Tears glimmered at the corners of his eyes. I froze, chest going tight as I watched him cry out for his mother.

How could Pride… How could I torture Stale when he’s like this?!

I couldn’t comprehend it. Yet I knew that other side of me lurked somewhere in my heart.

What seven-year-old boy wouldn’t miss his mother in circumstances like this? They’d only been apart for a few days. When I was in elementary school during my other life, there were always homesick kids who cried on the first night of a field trip. But it was worse for Stale; he would never get to see his mother again. He had no choice, no option but to sign the contract and dedicate himself to his new life. He must have been holding back so much these past several days. Even though he studied hard and carved out the best life he could at this castle, the grief suppressed within him was still enough to make him ill. He was just a child, but strangers had taken his whole life from him, and he had no choice but to endure it.

Yet in the time we’d been together, I hadn’t once seen Stale complain, cry, or even scowl. The more I thought about it, the tighter my chest felt, until I couldn’t stand it anymore.

I can’t do this again. Stale’s keeping everything inside him. I can’t be the one who starts crying so easily.

I could rationalize like an adult, but I was in the body of a child. The emotions overwhelmed me. I hung my head, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away, and the tears spilled out before I could stop them, dropping right onto Stale’s face.

The more I tried to force myself to move, to bear all the sadness, to keep the tears inside, the more the emotions poured out, until the tears turned to outright sobs. Stale squeezed his eyes tight, then started to open them. I gasped and tried to jerk away, but it was already too late—Stale was blinking up at me.

“Pride?” He didn’t push or demand answers, but I knew he was confused and curious about the sight before him.

“I’m…I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m so…sorry! I’m…sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

I’m sorry you had to see me breaking down like this, and I’m sorry I made you play tag, and I’m sorry I didn’t notice you were sick, and I’m sorry I took you from your mom, and I’m sorry I couldn’t save the two of you… I’m sorry I can’t do anything to fill the hole in your heart.

The more I thought about it, the less I knew where to start with my apologies. All I could do was desperately force out one “I’m sorry” after another in a voice that had gone hoarse from sobs. Stale just lay there watching me, fully awake now. A combination of his own sweat and my tears dampened his face.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

The question he finally landed on made my heart ache in my chest. What do you mean? I thought. Anything I said then would only hurt him. Besides, I wasn’t seeking his forgiveness. How could I? But when I thought about how things would be if I didn’t remember my past life, when I thought about all the horrible things I would have done to Stale, I just couldn’t hold the tears back.

“Ngh! I’m…I’m sorry…I can’t be…a source of strength in your life…and that I didn’t notice how you felt… I’m so sorry!”

I managed to get that much out before I completely broke down again. I folded my arms atop him and leaned all the way forward, hiding my face. He must have been burning up from his cold; the warmth radiated through the sheets when I rested on him. I shifted to bury my face against Stale’s shoulder, then continued my sobbing there.

He flinched at first, then gently set his hands on my back. It was hard to tell which of us was the older sibling in this state. Stale was the one who needed comforting and yet here he was comforting me instead. The shame of my failings, both as an older sister-in-law and as the crown princess, burned hot inside me. Stale said nothing, just held me. Maybe he was trying to think of what to say to a pathetic older sister who’d caused him so much worry.

Ten years from now, I would become the evil, nefarious queen and bring this kingdom to ruin. I didn’t yet know if the person to stop me would be Stale or Tiara or one of the other love interests.

As helpless and pathetic as I was, there was only one thing to say in that moment…

“If I become a wicked queen…then I want you to…I want you to kill me…”

Kill me, before you and your mother and both of my parents and Tiara and everyone else in this kingdom…before even a single one of them falls into misery.

That was all I managed to say, then my voice gave out from all the crying. I slipped into an exhausted sleep against him. By the time Lotte and Jack came to fetch me, Stale was asleep too. It must have been a shock to Lotte and Jack to find the princess in bed with a boy I had no blood relation to, even if we were both children. Half-asleep, I muttered and mumbled as Jack scooped me out of the bed and into his arms. I roused a bit as he carried me back toward my room, enough to feel embarrassed by the whole ordeal. Voice thick with sleep, I begged him and Lotte not to mention any of this to my parents.

“Of course, Your Highness,” they both replied with small chuckles.

All the more, I realized just how foolish I’d been to never notice the kind people I had all around me this whole time—not before I regained the memories of my past life, anyway.

***

Stale made a full recovery a few days later. With his doctor’s permission, he returned to his vigorous school studies and etiquette lessons. However, whenever it was time for his breaks, he would come visit me. Neither of us ever spoke about the night I visited him while he was sick. Perhaps, sick as he’d been, Stale didn’t even remember it.

The reason didn’t matter to me; I knew he wouldn’t have a clue how to respond to my apology. Plus, I definitely preferred it if he just forgot how shameful his older sister had acted in front of him. I mean, I’d asked a seven-year-old to kill me. The Pride I knew from the game was clearly still a part of me. I could never bring myself to go back to Stale’s bedroom to see him after that. I tried to just keep myself busy instead.

One day, after finishing lunch, I took Stale to visit Father between lessons. Apparently, Father had something to give him.

“These are special circumstances. You can’t mention this to anyone, even in the castle,” Father warned us, then handed Stale a single sealed envelope.

When Stale opened the envelope and scanned the contents, he choked back a shout of surprise. His eyes went wide, mouth falling open as he gazed at a letter from his mother.

“Pride’s the one who asked for this,” Father said. “We already promised to send your mother compensation from the castle coffers, but now she’ll receive a lump sum once a month. When the delivery is made, she’ll be able to send a letter back to the castle. But you’ll only be able to write back to her once a year on your birthday.”

Father and other castle officials would review Stale’s letters, of course, and he could never speak about any kind of royal affairs to his mother. Stale’s mother agreed to these conditions, Father told us, although he would probably have to repeat that part again.

Stale had burst into tears before he could even finish. He clutched his mother’s letter against his chest and wailed. Even I, standing behind him with my hands on his shoulders, flinched back. I never imagined him being the type of kid who could cry so loudly. He must have been trying to hold back so much still.

I had asked Father if he would let Stale visit his mother, but he rejected the idea, which came as little surprise. But that led me to the idea of letters. I had things like the internet and social media in my past life that allowed me to stay connected with faraway family members, even if we weren’t meeting in person or exchanging phone calls. I hoped letters could do the same for Stale in this world.

Their correspondence couldn’t become a regular thing, but at the very least, they could hear from each other and perhaps even connect, if only a little. I’d begged Father over and over to allow it. Once I framed the idea in a political context—mentioning how important it was for the ruling family to be exposed to unfiltered voices from the commoner classes—he finally considered my idea. Prime Minister Gilbert seemed a bit troubled by the proposal, but once we received permission from Mother, he laughed and said, “Such great character it takes to be queen. The two of you are both very open-minded.”

It seemed like Father bit his tongue at that little quip, but I couldn’t tell. Anyway, everything worked out in the end, so that was all that mattered, right?

I stroked Stale’s hair as he cried. He turned suddenly, pulling me into a tight hug. Stale had always accepted my displays of emotion, but this was the first time he ever initiated contact like this himself. Maybe he’d truly accepted me as his sister. He stifled his hitching sobs, letting out only little grunts now and then. I hugged him back, but the warmth spreading through me had nothing to do with physical contact and everything to do with Stale finally seeming happy.

“Mother and Father and I, and your other mother too, we all love you very much,” I said.

He cried even louder, his face still buried in my dress. Father just smiled at the two of us. Stale…my younger brother-in-law. I could only hope that he would love Tiara in the same way. While I held him, I stared out the window and let my thoughts drift to the sister I had not yet seen.

Stale never let go of that letter, even when he calmed and returned to his room. I feared the gesture would only make him ache to return home even more so, but he appeared promptly when called for dinner and seemed in good spirits.

However…that look on his face was something new—neither melancholy like when we first met nor the bright and happy smile I saw after he first arrived. He looked more like the Stale of the game: calm, quiet, somewhat calculating. But I had to be imagining that, right?

After that, Stale also stopped calling me “Elder Sister” and “Pride” as often when we were in public, and instead chose to address me as “Your Highness.” The idea that he would grow more distant or even come to despise me like in the game burned as it sank in and a cold dread seeped through my blood.

In ten more years, I would receive my punishment.

***

Stale Royal Ivy.

I repeated that name in my head over and over again, making sure that I had it memorized.

Never in my life had I so despised the special power I was born with. Mom was all I had left after Dad died, but she was a kind woman, so I lived a happy life with her and my friends in town. Mom would always brag that my special power was an extremely rare one, but all I really wanted it for was to help her. We weren’t wealthy, so the only words I could read and write were the ones my mom taught me—my own name. Things weren’t easy, but with my power, I could find work someday and maybe improve our lot in life. Mom and the neighbors even told me how I’d grow up to be someone important, since I was such a fast learner.

Their words filled me with pride. But I never could have imagined the course my life would take—and how I’d have to leave home to become someone “important.”

When the castle’s messenger said I’d be the next generation’s steward, I had no idea what he meant. It sounded amazing, and for an instant, hope bloomed in my chest. Then I turned to Mom and saw all the color drain from her face. Dread dropped heavy into my stomach as the man told me I would be adopted and never see my family again, never see Mom again.

No, I don’t want to leave Mom. She’s the only family I have. She only has me, and I only have her.

Immediately, I wanted to use my power to teleport me and Mom away from here, but she stopped me before I could act. There was no disobeying an order from the castle. My refusal would be a serious crime, and my whole family would pay the price.

I didn’t have a choice. Still, when they told me I only had one day before I would report to the castle, I couldn’t think of anything but escaping together with my mom. Then we received a two-week postponement from the prince consort himself.

Mom took time off work. We spent every moment of every day together over those two weeks. She managed to keep smiling during the day, but at night, after I went to bed, I heard her stifled sobs coming from the other room.

“I don’t want any money,” she said. “Just please don’t take Stale away from me.”

She covered her mouth with both hands so that she could cry without waking me, but I knew, and I’d never forget it for the rest of my life.

When it was time for me to leave, neither Mom nor I shed a single tear. I soaked up her parting words, doing my best to keep a smile on my face like she always did. Then I told her to take care of herself and her health and that I’d always love her no matter how much time passed.

As the carriage rolled away, Mom faded to a faint shadow in the distance. Then she shrank even more, as though she’d collapsed to the ground.

“I’m sorry you had to say goodbye to your only son while he was in handcuffs,” I wanted to tell her, but I never got the chance.

I couldn’t get that image of Mom out of my head, even once I arrived at the castle, and I couldn’t bring myself to properly greet His Royal Highness either. Even the threat of death that loomed over me for disrespecting the prince consort wasn’t enough to snap me out of my stupor. Trapped in the storm of my turbulent emotions, all I could do was try to stay standing.

Even before all this, I was never very good when it came to things like how to express myself. I never really bothered trying to show my emotions on my face. It felt like too much effort just for the sake of other people. But Mom always knew exactly how I was feeling, and my friends didn’t seem to care either way. Of course, in certain circumstances I would smile like anyone else—like when I got to be with someone I liked or when someone gave Mom work or something. Smiling in that kind of circumstance would make life easier for Mom and me, I knew. But here, in front of the prince consort, I just couldn’t muster the energy to force a smile.

Then there was Princess Pride. There were rumors in town that the crown princess had grown up spoiled. They said that unlike the queen and prince consort, she was quite the selfish young princess.

But my first impression when His Royal Highness introduced me to Princess Pride was simply that she was beautiful. Red waves of hair framed her face. Her skin was so smooth, her lips bright pink. She stood so elegantly, so poised, that I could hardly believe she was only a year older than me. Only the sharp, upturned corners of her eyes gave any impression of cruelty.

His Royal Highness explained who I was and why I was in handcuffs, but Princess Pride was clearly disturbed by the shackles. I just kept my eyes on my feet the entire time, avoiding her judgmental gaze. If I would be spending the rest of my life in her service, I didn’t want her thinking I was glaring at her or something. The idea of the princess hating me was too terrifying to risk. But then Her Highness reached out and took my hand, introducing herself so kindly. It didn’t stop me from worrying that the friendliness was just an act, though, and the more I thought it over, the more the distrust inside me grew.

They led me to a room, and I lay curled up in a bed much too big for me, though I certainly had no hope of sleeping. When I closed my eyes, I saw Mom’s tearstained face, and my heart ached.

“Stale? I’m coming in.”

I jolted up when Princess Pride entered the room. I couldn’t imagine what she’d want with me. Honestly, I would have preferred to be left alone, but I couldn’t offend the princess like that.

“Princess Pride?” I said. “Is there something you need from me?”

What could she want from me right now? Starting tomorrow, I’ll be forced to serve by her side for the rest of my life. Why does she want to steal the little time I have left to myself?

The longer those thoughts swirled through my head, the angrier I became. But I swallowed my irritation down; I could never let her see those feelings. I wouldn’t dare offend the princess now.

“I’m sorry to bother you so late,” she said. “I simply had to speak with you before you signed the contract tomorrow.”

She approached me slowly, like an animal she feared startling. Why wasn’t she just barging in, as was her right? None of this made any sense. The crown princess didn’t need to be nice to someone like me, she didn’t need to talk to me at all. She could simply wait a day and command me as she willed. I just couldn’t figure it out.

“The crown princess wants to speak with me?” I said, cocking my head.

“Tell me, Stale,” she said. “You want to see your mother, don’t you?”

What?!

My heart leapt into my throat. I stared at Her Highness, choking down a cry of “Yes!”

I do want to see her. I want to see her more than anything.

I’d do anything for a chance to see my mother again. All I wanted was to see how she was doing and tell her I was okay.

Her Highness wore a strange, strained kind of smile as she looked at me. Then she reached into her dress, and in the darkness, I could just make out the shape of a key clutched in her hand.

“What’s that?”

No, it can’t be…Why would the crown princess have such a thing? If she truly held the key to my handcuffs, why would she show that to me? Surely she realized that I could take it by force and escape any moment. Yet every time she spoke, she only added to my confusion.

“It’s the key for those handcuffs,” she said. “I snuck into Father’s study and borrowed it. Now you’ll be able to run away.”

She’s helping me escape?! But why?! For a moment, I wondered if this was all just some cruel prank. She must have known I couldn’t just leave.

“I can’t do that,” I told her.

It was Princess Pride whose mouth fell open in surprise this time. It seemed she really did mean to help me run away.

“Why not?”

Was she dumb or something? Was the royal family completely oblivious to what they put people like me through? Anger threatened to well up inside me at the thought, but I stuffed it down and instead told Her Highness about my mother and why I couldn’t just leave. Still, it was hard laying it all out so plainly. I kept seeing that image of Mom crying in the back of my mind, and tears stung my eyes the longer I spoke.

No, I mustn’t cry. I have to be strong, just like Mom. She always managed to keep smiling no matter what. I can’t let any of the royal family see me acting so weak.

I was sitting up and gripping my pants. My hands curled tighter into the fabric as I continued speaking and holding back the tears.

“And I know they’ll just pick another kid if I manage to run away,” I said. “I have a friend whose only family is his little sister, and he has a special power like me. I don’t want him to end up here instead of me.”

That would only make things all the more painful for Mom and me. Instead, maybe I could just act more and more helpless until Her Highness gave in and let me see Mom.

What if I just stop holding back and cry as loudly as I want?

If she really was just a dumb but nice person, there was a chance she’d grant my wish. Rumor had it she used that sweetness to convince her father to dote on her. Maybe I could turn it around and use it against her. A wicked plan began to take shape in my mind. I snuck a glance at the princess, trying not to get caught as I did. The moment I saw her face, I abandoned my scheme entirely.

Princess Pride looked absolutely stricken with grief. I flashed back to how Mom looked when we’d said goodbye. That caged-in grief, the strength it took for her to hold back what she was feeling. I saw that in Princess Pride now, that painful concern for someone else.

For someone else? For me?

I was more shocked by the sight than anything else, but I instantly knew I wouldn’t be going through with any plans to manipulate her. How could I trick someone like her into helping me?

“Thank you very much for thinking of someone like me,” I said. “I’m glad you’ll be my elder sister, Princess Pride. It’s an honor. But I don’t need that key you have, so please go back to your room. I’ll see you tomo—”

Just leave me alone already. What can you do for me? Nothing. There’s nothing you can do to help me. Absolutely noth—

Suddenly, Princess Pride pulled me into a hug.

At first, I simply froze. Why would the princess hug me, and why would she do it with such force, and why was this country’s crown princess so close to me in the first place?

Why was this girl crying so hard?

Part of me still believed it was all a joke or prank of some sort. Yet I heard her sniffling and wiping at her tears. If this was an act, it was a very convincing one.

“I promise I won’t cause you any more suffering,” she said mid-sob. “I’ll make it so everyone in this kingdom, including you and your mother, can spend each day with a smile on their faces! I swear it, for as long as I live.”

My head felt light. None of this matched anything I’d ever heard about the princess. In town, everyone said she was spoiled and foolish, a brat unfit to serve as the next queen. Yet here she was talking about the well-being of all her citizens, even me.

She couldn’t possibly be the self-absorbed, empty-headed princess everyone described. The Princess Pride before me seemed so dedicated to working for the citizens of Freesia—a true crown princess indeed.

Something warm welled up in my chest. My vision blurred. I hadn’t even felt this way when I had to say goodbye to Mom.

A knock rapped against the door, and Princess Pride, her eyes now puffy from crying, stepped away from me. Only when she wiped the tears from my cheeks did I realize I’d been crying too.

“I’m sorry to keep you up so late,” she said. “Goodnight, Stale. I hope you get a good night’s sleep.” She looked like she could start crying again any instant, yet she smiled at me as she spoke.

Why? Why are you being so kind to me?

I wanted to ask, but I just couldn’t get the words out. All I managed to do was watch her as she left my room and disappeared down the hall.

***

The next day, I was supposed to sign the subordination contract, but I was still reeling from the previous night.

I hid in my bedroom all morning. I couldn’t see the princess again, not after that moment last night. It should have scared me to skip two meals in a row like that and possibly anger the royal family, but I felt more confident today that they would forgive me for something like that.

I used the time to gather my thoughts. The despair that overwhelmed me just yesterday wasn’t such a heavy burden today. Maybe I’d simply accepted my fate; maybe it was that late night talk with the princess and the revelation that she was far kinder than the rumors suggested. Maybe it was simply the tears of relief I shed the night before. Whatever the cause, I felt lighter, even with those shackles still binding my wrists. When I attempted to smile, it emerged easily and naturally.

Her Highness was nothing like the princess I’d heard about in town. Incredibly enough, she cared about people like me, people like my friends and family. Her compassion was nearly a liability, but at least I felt like I understood her now. We were nearly the same age, and my older friends were a lot like her. Strange as it was to comprehend, she would be the next queen—and I would be her seneschal, the second highest authority in the kingdom.

Perhaps someday, if I stayed in the princess’s good graces, the two of us could change Freesia when we ruled it. At the very least, I might just be allowed to see Mom on my own, since there would be no one left who could tell me no—so long as Princess Pride allowed it, of course. Becoming queen could still change her. It could turn her into a selfish, authoritarian ruler. But if I kept on her good side, maybe I could influence her to change some of the laws and rules around here. Toward that end, I also needed to keep Her Majesty, His Royal Highness, and Princess Tiara on my side as well. I couldn’t possibly predict who Princess Tiara might marry and what the prince consort would feel about me, but if I had all those others as allies I could still make this work.

Princess Pride, the future queen of Freesia, was the most important ally of all. I would use my position as her assistant in whatever ways I could, stay by her side, and ensure I earned her highest favor. It didn’t seem like it would be hard; I liked her already. She’d gone and stolen the key for those handcuffs for me and even cried when I explained why I couldn’t use it. Not to mention those things she’d said to me…

“I promise I won’t cause you any more suffering. I’ll make it so everyone in this kingdom, including you and your mother, can spend each day with a smile on their faces! I swear it, for as long as I live.”

I really believed she meant those words.

Okay, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll work hard to stay on Princess Pride’s good side.

I believed I could do it too. As vain as it might sound, I was pretty popular back when I lived in town. Both the boys and girls took a liking to me. Since I knew Princess Pride wasn’t the selfish person of rumor, I knew I could win her over by playing the role of the good boy, deserving of all her praise. All for the day that I could see Mom again.

Someone knocked on the door, interrupting my musing. It was almost time to sign the contract. Princess Pride was waiting for me when I arrived in the chamber set up for the signing. Her worried expression eased when I greeted her.

The minister began the contract procedures. The shackles made it awkward when it came time to sign my name. But we all made it through the ceremony. By the end, my heart was racing. I could physically sense the new bond between Princess Pride and me. Someone removed my shackles, and I rubbed my wrists, which felt lighter than ever before. Then the prince consort…or rather, “Father,” placed his hands on my shoulders.

“Let’s be a happy family together from now on, my son,” he said.

I paused for a moment as those words sank in. I was a member of the royal family. Me. I smiled back at Father, careful not to seem rude like yesterday.

“Starting today, you’re to live as royalty, doing everything in your power to assist Pride and the governance of this country,” he told me.

Father beamed, and I tried to return the smile. The moment he let me, I ran over to Princess Pride.

Smile. Make her proud of you. I’ll be the perfect assistant and the perfect brother-in-law.

“I hope the two of us do well together. I promise to protect you, as well as our younger sister,” I said.

Just as I expected, the princess responded with a smile. Yes, I can do this, I thought. But the next words out of her mouth caught me completely off guard.

“Thank you, Stale,” she said. “But since we’re family now, you don’t have to call me ‘Princess.’ Can you call me ‘Pride’ instead? Mother’s assistant, my uncle, addresses her without any title.”

What? Don’t address her formally? Even though we only became family just now?!

Sure, the seneschal—or steward, as I was now—could address the queen informally, but that came from years of mutual trust. An assistant should call the crown princess “Your Highness” or “Princess Pride.” As her younger brother-in-law, I should have called her “Elder Sister.” But if Princess Pride was against all of that, I had to follow her wishes, even if it felt strange being so familiar with the princess. Especially considering all that happened the night before…

I stumbled over my words, tripping over the strangeness of the whole idea and feeling ever so shy. I supposed I’d called older girls by their first names before, but none of them were princesses. Not to mention that she was so beautiful and kind and compassionate…

“Your Highness.”

The prime minister, who was there as a witness to the ceremony, turned his sharp gaze on the two of us. Ostensibly, he smiled at us, but his eyes were strangely cold in comparison. I shifted under his attention.

“Prince Vest, the seneschal, may refer to Her Majesty by her first name, but before commoners, he addresses her as ‘Your Majesty’ or ‘Elder Sister.’”

To be honest, the prime minister’s words came as a relief.

He was right. Though I’d never heard Her Majesty…never heard Mother speak with the seneschal before, I knew that was the proper way for him to address her. I was glad the prime minister was the one clearing up the confusion here before I blundered into some sort of mistake. My relief lasted only an instant before Princess Pride once again made a pronouncement that left me bewildered.

“In that case, please call me ‘Elder Sister’ around others, and ‘Pride’ when we’re alone. We’re family, after all, so that makes us equals.”

You still want me to call you Pride?! And what do you mean by “equals”?!

To the whole world, we were master and servant now with the contract signed. Yet Pride went on insisting I could address her like we were on equal footing.

I stuffed down my surprise in time to shake Pride’s hand. I even managed to call her “Elder Sister” as I did. But inside I felt just as perplexed as the adults around us looked. While Father and the prime minister were speaking to each other, I was busy trying to figure out whether I’d really be able to call my sister “Pride” when we were alone.

However…I had a little trouble getting through it the first time.

Right after we signed the contract, Her Highness gave me a tour of the castle library. I tried my best, but ended up adding a quiet “Your Highness,” to the end of my sentence, though I wasn’t sure if she heard it or not.

The second time, I accidentally blurted out “Your Highness” without thinking. The princess just smiled and said, “You can call me Pride.” Then she added, “It’s nearly time for dinner, so let’s go back now, Stale.”

On the fifth time, I made it as far as “Pri—” and the princess smiled shyly. “Pride,” she corrected me. The time after that, I managed to say her name correctly as we exchanged our “goodnights” and headed to our separate rooms.

Then there was the eighth time. “Pri…de,” I stammered. It was a bit clumsy, but the princess still smiled and invited me to join her in enjoying the nice weather out in the garden.

And then came the fifteenth time.

“Pride,” I said, without any hesitation or faltering. Even I was surprised to hear it, but it seemed I really did see this girl, my sister, as simply “Pride.”

Of course, I did things other than try to learn her name after signing the contract. I also had to start learning reading, writing, and etiquette, before moving on to math and Freesian history. I absorbed an onslaught of information, but I enjoyed working through all these new ideas.

Plus, Pride and I often had our lessons at the same time, though we had different teachers. I asked mine about what she was studying; it gave me a little more insight into her. The teachers seemed to have a high regard for Pride’s intelligence. Apparently, she picked up new subjects pretty quickly, even compared to other nobles.

“Your own memorization skills are quite impressive, considering you started with no education at all, Stale,” the teacher said.

I wasn’t sure how I should respond to that. No one would be surprised if someone like me, Pride’s assistant and younger brother, wasn’t as smart as the crown princess. But some part of me wanted to catch up with and possibly surpass her. Better that than having her tutor me. I shuddered at the mere thought.

Life at the castle kept my days and my mind busy. I did my lessons, tried to address Pride by her first name, memorized all the things I needed to learn to serve as her assistant. But at the same time, I was always calculating—was I saying the right thing? Was I doing the right thing? If Pride offered me help, how could I turn her down without getting into trouble? And more loomed on the horizon, such as the fencing lessons I knew they’d want me to take someday.

But whenever I paused long enough to wonder how Mom was doing, my chest clenched around an old, familiar pain.

***

Three days into my lessons, I woke up with my head pounding from all these conflicting thoughts.

No, I still have so many things I need to focus on. I can’t just stay in bed. I’ll study a lot today so that I can see Mom as soon as possible. I just have to tell everyone I feel fine.

It took all of my energy to act normal during my lessons that day. Most of the information just went in one ear and out the other. I’ll have to repeat all this on my own later, I realized, but there wasn’t much I could do about it except keep trudging onward.

I headed out to the gardens, where I’d promised Pride I would meet her, trying my best to keep my legs steady as I walked. Being around her always eased my mind a bit. She would greet me with a smile, laugh at the silliest little things, and say how much she enjoyed just being with me. It almost reminded me of being with Mom. I knew once I was with her, I’d feel a little better.

I ran into Pride before I even made it to the garden. She’d finished her lessons for the day too. She greeted me with her usual bright smile. Even in my exhausted state, I couldn’t help reciprocating the gesture.

“Hey, Stale, let’s play tag,” she said. “I’ll race you to the garden!”

Without another word, Pride broke out into a run. I chased after her, but quickly lagged behind.

I have to catch up. I have to be faster. Faster at tag, faster at studying, faster at growing up, faster at everything…

“Stale?!”

Suddenly, my vision blurred to white. I couldn’t seem to open my eyes at all.

Somewhere outside me, Pride was screaming. I could hear her, but I couldn’t make out the words as I swam through hazy incoherence.

What…am I…supposed to be thinking about?

M-Mom…

I was dreaming.

Mom and I were together. She had her back to me while she made dinner, just like always.

Hey, forget about dinner. We’re finally together, so let’s talk.

How have you been, Mom?

I’ve learned so many new things, Mom.

Mom, the prince consort is actually a nice man.

And Pride’s nothing like all the rumors, Mom.

Mom, are the townspeople treating you well?

Mom, you have enough to get by, right?

Mom, you’re not still crying, are you?

I grabbed at the bottom of her shirt, and she finally turned to look at me. “Just wait, dinner will be ready soon,” she said with a smile.

Oh, thank goodness. She’s smiling. But even as the thought hit me, Mom stopped her cooking and sank to the floor, breaking down into sobbing. I reached out for her. Don’t cry. I’ll come see you again, Mom. I’ll work really hard. Mom, are you listening to me? Hey, Mom? Mom…

“Ngh… Hng…”

She was still crying.

Mom was still standing there crying.

Something trailed down my face, one heavy drop at a time. My eyes were still closed, but consciousness returned slowly and Mom faded away, just a figure in a dream. For some reason, the sound of crying didn’t fade away with her, as though I’d used my power to teleport back home.

Don’t cry, Mom. I’m right here with you. But when I opened my eyes, it was Pride and not Mom crying atop me.

“Pride?”

Am I still dreaming? So that wasn’t Mom crying? Why am I here now? Why is she crying?

I struggled to steady my swirling thoughts, let alone speak. All I could do was stare up at Pride, who seemed nearly overcome with emotion as she watched over me. And when she finally spoke, she offered…deep remorse. I couldn’t make any sense of it at all. Why was she crying so hard again? That question stuck in my mind as I pieced together my thoughts.

“What do you mean?” I asked her.

At this innocuous question, Pride pressed her lips tightly together and sobbed anew.

Why does she look like she’s holding so much back?

“Ngh! I’m…I’m sorry…I can’t be a source of strength in your life…and that I didn’t notice how you felt… I’m so sorry!” Her lips trembled as she forced the words out.

Pride collapsed on top of me and pulled me into a hug. Her body, scent, and gentle weight washed over my senses, leaving me too embarrassed and nervous to move. I froze as heat flushed through me and the princess cried against my shoulder.

But why? She already cried so much for me that one night. Pride’s the reason I went from hating life at the castle to enjoying every day here. She’d always tell me about how good the food was, so I started looking forward to every meal with her. If it weren’t for her, I’d have been terrified of the subordination contract. She’s the reason why I have any hope for the future. She accepts me for who I am, smiles at me, needs me. If that isn’t a source of strength, what is it? She knew I was in pain and understood my feelings without a word.

When Pride brought me the key for the handcuffs that night, I wasn’t just heartbroken over the fact that I would never see my mom again. I was lonely there without my mother, worried that she was lonely too, and devastated that there was nothing I could do for her now that she was all alone. I felt that I was going to be alone forever, that everything in my life would only bring me more pain.

But Pride said that she would never hurt me again. She promised that she’d make sure me, Mom, and all the people of the kingdom had reasons to smile. And then she hugged me.

Pride knew before I even did just how lonely and hurt I was. She’d seen right through me. She must have been holding back her tears all that time, and that was why they came flooding out that night.

Ever since, she stayed by my side, prayed for my happiness, called us equals, spoke to me by name, and encouraged me to use her name as well. She greeted me in the mornings and offered a fond goodnight when it was time to part ways. Around her, I had moments of true peace and comfort in this place, moments when my heart didn’t feel so heavy. She’d lead me through the library or the gardens, and for a little while, I truly wouldn’t feel alone.

Pride filled the hole that had consumed my heart.

So why was she apologizing? She was the one who’d saved me.

I didn’t even realize for a moment that I was hugging her back. There was so much I wanted to say, but all the words stuck in my throat. None seemed quite right. All I could do was sit there and hold her and hope that conveyed what I felt.

Eventually, she calmed enough to speak, breath brushing against my ear.

“If I become a wicked queen…then I want you to…I want you to kill me…”

Her words chilled me to my core. My mind went completely blank. For a while, I didn’t even believe I’d heard her correctly. But something about those words pierced me right to my heart.

Kill her? I would never. No, I couldn’t possibly kill her. I could never kill such a kind, wonderful person.

I sat there trying to sort through my thoughts for so long that Pride actually fell asleep in my arms.

“Pride?” I tried, squeezing her gently. She didn’t respond.

What in the world had the poor girl so scared? How could someone so caring and intelligent possibly think she would grow up into a wicked, cruel queen? I just couldn’t believe it. But if the person who’d shown me so much kindness truly feared this fate, if it truly burdened her, then…

“I’ll protect you.”

I whispered it into her shoulder, knowing I’d get no response. Still, that quiet declaration filled me with determination. I hugged her a little closer, pressing that vow between us.

By the time I woke up the next morning, Pride was already gone. The doctor came to check on me and recommended I rest for a few days just to be safe. That was fine with me; I was still processing the previous night. Part of me didn’t even believe it was real. Yet Pride’s words and warmth, and my own determination, all still rang fresh and clear in my mind.

Pride didn’t come to check on me any more after that. Impatient to see her again, I asked the maid—who bowed and introduced herself as Lotte—about her when she visited my room. Lotte said Pride felt too awkward about falling asleep in my bed that night to come see me again.

“The princess ordered us not to inform Her Majesty or His Royal Highness so as not to upset them. There’s nothing to worry about,” she said with a teasing smile.

That was the first moment I really believed that everything that happened that night was real and not a dream. And that it was… Well, I wasn’t sure what to call it. But every time I thought back to that night, my chest got warm all over again, like my fever was coming back. I sure was glad it wasn’t, though. Despite that, it felt so strange not seeing Pride for several days. The moment I got permission from the doctor, I went back to my etiquette and other lessons.

I returned to my training refreshed. Memorizing all the information they gave me felt even easier than before. And it meant I could see Pride again. Butterflies battered at my stomach. Pride herself wore an embarrassed smile. But she quickly gave me her usual grin, and all the nerves and strangeness dissipated.

“I’m so glad you’re better now,” she said. Instantly, a weight lifted off my shoulders.

Pride didn’t bring up that night. I thought better of mentioning it too. If she wasn’t inclined to talk about it, that was fine by me. It didn’t diminish my determination whatsoever.

After lunch that day, Pride and I went to see Father. She kept her hands on my shoulders as we approached him, as though bracing or supporting me.

“These are special circumstances,” Father said. “You can’t mention this to anyone, even in the castle.”

With that, he handed me a single envelope. I broke the seal, but I had no idea what could be inside. Perhaps an invitation of some sort? Why would I need to keep something like that secret?

I slipped a letter free of the envelope and began to read, eyes widening with every word. I read it over and over, not believing my eyes. It was a letter, a letter from someone I was sure I’d never see again—my mom.

“Dear Stale.”

I knew her handwriting immediately. It was the same hand that had taught me how to write my name. The only education I got back in town came in this very handwriting.

How can this be happening? They told me I could never see her or write to her again. I really thought it was impossible, at least for now. That’s why I… That’s why I…

Father explained that this letter was Pride’s idea, but I hardly even heard him. A torrent of clashing emotions crashed over me.

Once every month? I can find out how Mom’s doing once every month? I can know for sure that she’s okay? And I even get to write back to her on my birthday?!

This went so far beyond my tenuous little plot to serve as Pride’s assistant in the hopes of some sort of good grace far in the future. Even if that plan worked, it would be years before I’d have any kind of hope, but I’d given up on any other possibility. My hands trembled as I held the letter, the implications of the words on that paper sinking in. My gratitude toward Pride and Father, my love for Mom, and the joy that surged in my heart were too much to contain, and soon they came pouring back out.

I never cried so loudly in my life.

Tears tracked down my cheeks. I couldn’t stop the loud, indecent sobs, but in that moment, I didn’t even care. Someone stroked my hair, trying to soothe me as I went on crying. I turned and found Pride smiling back at me. Instantly, I pulled her into a hug.

Just how many times is this person going to change my life for the better?

I was still embarrassed to have Pride and Father see me in such a state, but I was long past the point of bottling any of this up.

“Mother and Father and I, and your other mother too, we all love you very much,” Pride said.

I couldn’t take any more kindness. I buried my face against her chest as the last strands of control snapped and all of my emotions flooded out. My voice echoed around the high ceilings of the castle, but all I could think about was how much I owed this person. Just protecting her wouldn’t be enough. I had to repay her for everything she’d done for me, even if it took a whole life’s worth of work.

When I could, I thanked Father, though my voice emerged raw and ragged. Then I shuffled out of the room with Pride at my back. As we exited, she whispered a reminder to hide the letter in my pocket before the guards and maids on the other side of the door could see it. Even when I made it all the way back to my room, I couldn’t quite stop crying. The moment I was alone, the tears threatened to well back up, so I pressed my arm over my mouth to contain the sobs.

I took out Mom’s letter and read it all yet again.

“Dear Stale.” Those words alone were enough to have tears prickling my eyes anew.

I was so glad I’d studied reading and writing at the castle. What I knew before coming here wouldn’t have gotten me much further than my own name. Now, I could read how Mom was doing and how the townspeople were helping her. She said she was so happy to be able to write to me, and she’d be counting the days until she got to hear from me again. She wrote of her gratitude to His Royal Highness for allowing this and asked me to stay happy and healthy. Between every other line, the words “I love you” appeared over and over again.

I read that letter what felt like dozens of times, wiping my eyes with the bottom of my shirt and sniffling as I went. When I held the paper close to my face, I could even catch faint traces of Mom’s scent on the sheet. It really is Mom, I thought as the reality hit me once more.

It took a long time before I could finally tear myself away from the letter, but I knew I had to hide it eventually. No one else could see it, or I’d lose this precious point of contact. As I searched, voices drifted into my room.

“Whatever are we supposed to do? The princess’s selfishness is maddening.”

The voices were coming from the window. My room sat one floor below Pride’s. From my window, I could look down at the path that led out from the gardens and stretched to the front door. Now, I perched beside that window, covering my mouth with my hands to keep extra quiet.

“Are you sure we should be discussing this outside of the castle?”

“The instructor told me that neither Her Highness nor her younger brother are studying in their bedrooms, so there’s no need to worry. But do keep your voice down. If you speak so loudly, you’ll be overheard by someone.”

I could just barely pick up the hushed conversation. One of them called Pride selfish again, then their voices lowered. As much as I strained my ears, I couldn’t hear them after that.

Something about the situation didn’t sit right, though. With my handcuffs gone, an idea sprang to mind. For the first time in a long time, I called on my power, teleporting to a bush out in the garden that I hoped was closer to the speakers.

As soon as I landed, the conversation sharpened. Someone remarked confidently that no guard would ever be foolish enough to turn them in even if they did overhear something. Apparently, a small group had gathered, including the two louder voices I just overheard. Only one of the voices sounded at all familiar, but I clung to that one, searching my memory.

“I strongly opposed those special measures. Yet the princess and His Royal Highness gave me orders, so I must keep it all a secret.”

“I’m sure you made every effort, Prime Minister Gilbert. However, should we take this as a sign that the crown princess is still unable to resist indulging her every whim?”

“Yes. It’s truly unfortunate. I had heard rumors of her newfound maturity ever since her power manifested, but it sounds as if she’s been dragging Prince Stale all around the castle since his arrival, and she even forced him to run when he was unwell. Perhaps she’s jealous of her younger brother’s already apparent prowess in his studies.”

Gilbert!

It was the prime minister. I’d seen him with Father just the other day. It took all my self-control not to leap out of that bush and confront his lies right there and then.

“His Royal Highness struggles to refuse requests from the princess. In this instance, he didn’t hesitate to agree to her special request. I just regret that I was unable to convince him of my concerns.”

“Prime Minister, there’s no need for you to blame yourself.”

“He’s right! Though she’s the daughter of the prince consort, this raises concerns for her eventual ascension to the throne.”

“Well, that’s why it’s our job to protect and assist the members of the royal family. Princess Pride is still so young. I’m sure she will grow into the role along the way.”

“You’re certainly open-minded, Prime Minister Gilbert. It’s no mystery why you were chosen for your title at such a young age.”

“Please, you flatter me. However, the royal family must serve the people of the kingdom. For the prince consort to bend to his daughter’s every whim and impulse, well, it makes it seem as though the monarchy has nothing better to do than indulge a little girl, wouldn’t you agree? This must stay a secret, but Prince Stale is also facing rather disgraceful treatment. The boy is a commoner, yes, but the princess looks down on him and has been quietly finding ways to harass him almost every day.”

My hands trembled with rage. I couldn’t believe how he just kept going with these blatant lies. Pride had never once harassed me, yet he spoke with such authority that everyone seemed to believe him.

“However, even Prince Stale’s teacher has recognized the boy’s extreme wisdom for his age. He won’t accept what we have to say uncritically, though he already appears to harbor concerns over Princess Pride’s future as the queen. It pains me to see such a smart boy trapped in a situation like that.”

“Unbelievable. Even young Prince Stale can see it.”

“If only His Royal Highness and Her Majesty would take notice as well. If my proposed national special power registration became law, we would finally have a way to know what powers the people of this kingdom possess. Just locating Prince Stale for his rumored teleportation power took the work of many soldiers and quite a considerable amount of taxpayer money. Such expenses could be avoided if this kingdom had a system of organization.”

Murmurs of agreement sounded all around.

“But I’m still the prime minister. Even if Her Majesty can’t say no to her beloved husband, and even if that husband can’t help but spoil his eldest daughter, who doesn’t yet have the character required of a crown princess, I intend to support them all until the end. Oh, and of course, this conversation must remain between us, for the good of the kingdom.”

I peeked between the bushes then and caught a glimpse of Gilbert’s face. The people around him nodded, but I saw the cunning smirk beneath his smile.

With those final words, Gilbert and the others dispersed in different directions. I teleported back to my room, then snuck back to the window to get a look at the group. A few of them looked familiar, but I didn’t have many names. They were just people I’d seen around the castle here and there.

I can’t let this go.

I yearned to dash out of my room and tell Mother and Father everything I’d just heard. Gilbert and the group who shared his ideals would all be sentenced to death for defamation of the monarchy, or so I hoped. Otherwise, they might get away with continuing to spread their horrible lies. But what could I do? No one would believe me, no matter what I told them. Mother and Father would definitely trust Gilbert over me.

But still!

The “special measures” he’d mentioned had to be the letters I was exchanging with Mom. Gilbert didn’t seem to mind flagrantly disobeying the order to keep quiet about those—and lying on top of that to make it sound like something nefarious. Worst of all, that whole group seemed to believe him. Despite Gilbert’s decree to keep the information secret, rumors would surely swirl. They might even make it out of the castle and into the town.

Pride had given me everything. Now those gossips wanted to make it sound like she was the villain. From both inside the castle and outside, Pride, Father, and even Mother would take a hit to their reputations. I hadn’t yet met Mother, but Father was such a kind man, and Gilbert intended to tarnish both of them, along with Pride. My blood boiled at the mere suggestion.

“If I become a wicked queen…” Why had she suggested that? Who could possibly make a better queen than her? No matter what people like Gilbert peddled, I refused to believe it.

But again, what could I do? The adults wouldn’t listen to anything Pride or I had to say. They’d surely listen to Gilbert over two kids. Then the kind, intelligent girl who cried in anguish over the grief of others, the girl who was victim of awful rumors, would get crushed by wicked adults like Gilbert with his eloquent words and good reputation. Neither me nor Pride could do much against that, especially with me being newly adopted into this family. I didn’t have a reputation or social standing or fancy words. I didn’t have anything. I could study, but that wouldn’t be enough. I could build up my reputation, learn to read and write, hone my understanding of others, but that wouldn’t do it either. Even if I ensured Pride, Father, Mother, and Princess Tiara all loved me and saw me as a good and dutiful son and brother, that wouldn’t stop Gilbert’s plan.

No, I had to do more than that. I had to become the most cunning, calculating person in the entire kingdom. I had to learn to manipulate people’s hearts to earn their trust. I had to make the whole castle, the whole kingdom, love the version of me I sold them. Potentially, I had to become someone I wasn’t, but it would all be worth it if I thwarted Gilbert.

Pride didn’t need to follow in my footsteps. She was perfect as she already was—innocent and warmhearted. As long as she stayed like that, the kingdom would someday flourish under her rule. I just had to learn to be conniving enough for the both of us…and then some.

I had heard Gilbert possessed the power of eternal youth, which meant he would always be around, even once Pride and I had grown. That meant I needed to enact my scheme before Pride took the throne. As the steward, I’d have the power to chase him out of the kingdom no matter what his lackeys said. Raising my reputation would not only remove Gilbert, but it would raise Pride’s status as well once I served beside her in earnest.

I wish Mom knew what Pride was like too, I thought as I took out her letter again. I skimmed through it once more, searching for the section where she wrote about the prince consort. So, Mom knows that Father was the one who gave her permission to write a letter, but she doesn’t know that Pride orchestrated the entire thing. I need to include that in my birthday letter. I’ll tell her all sorts of things about Pride too.

Then I scanned a little farther along, and my eyes caught on the words “I love you.”

“Mother and Father and I, and your mother too, we all love you very much.” That was what Pride had said to me, but now it was my turn to return that love.

Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re safe, I swore. I’ll protect your gentle voice, your smile, your heart, every wonderful thing about you. Pride promised that as queen she’d ensure all the people of the kingdom—including me and Mom—were happy. But I would ensure she was happy too. Whether she was my crown princess, my older sister, or just a girl I knew, I’d protect her from adults like Gilbert no matter what. If I had to corrupt myself to do that, so be it, but I would never allow her pure heart to be tainted the same way.

It wasn’t just a promise—it was a vow.

My name was Stale Royal Ivy.

I was the crown princess’s younger brother-in-law, and the steward of the next generation. I existed to fulfill those duties and serve at Pride Royal Ivy’s side.

Starting right then, I existed only for her.