A Shock for the Reincarnated Princess

A Shock for the Reincarnated Princess

“Sister!!!”

“Oof.”

It happened one afternoon—after Emma’s condition had considerably improved, I was able to spend less time visiting the Eigels and more time at home in the palace, focusing on my studies in earnest.

As I walked towards the library, through the cloister overlooking the garden, a blond missile flew right into my chest.

“Sister! Sister! Sister!”

A mop of bright blond curly hair eviscerated my midriff at full speed. The missile was a full head shorter than me, and his arms and legs looked so thin that they might’ve snapped under strain. A layer of tears shimmered over his large eyes, which were a deep shade of aqua blue.

This missile was obviously my little brother, Johan, whose adorable looks were akin to an angel from a religious fresco. His arms were much less frail than their appearance suggested because he mercilessly strangled my abdomen in his embrace.

Johan! For my sake, try to hold back a little. I want to keep my internal organs on the inside.

“Miss Rosemary! Are you hurt?” my personal guard asked from his position behind me. Alarm had crept onto his refreshingly handsome face.

“I’m all right,” I said.

Despite his youth, my personal guard was skilled and dependable. The only reason he had not reacted to the hugging assault was because he knew that the missile was a prince.

“Johan.”

While I was conflicted about how to respond to my little brother, who was clinging to me like a puppy, a stern voice called his name. Johan’s tiny body tensed up.

Standing before us was an intelligent-looking and attractive boy holding a wooden training sword—my older brother, Christoph.

“Get back here. We’re in the middle of training,” Chris said. His cold tone and disinterested expression packed a punch. Even though I knew that I wasn’t the target of Chris’s reprimand, I was compelled to stand up straight.

Unfortunately, Chris’s tactic spooked Johan into clinging even harder.

Why are little kids’ hands so strong? Johan, if you don’t let up, your sister’s organs are about to come out and play.

Chris sighed and looked to the ground; his long eyelashes framed his downturned, ice-blue gaze.

Johan jumps at every little thing Chris does. What exactly is this training that he’s being made to do?

“Good afternoon, Chris,” I said politely. “I’m terribly sorry for interrupting your lesson.”

I could see that the afternoon hadn’t actually been good, but I thought it best to greet Chris with pleasantries anyway.

“Not at all,” Chris said, shaking his head. His face was still expressionless, but his gaze was gentle. “You’re not to blame. Johan has just been in low spirits because he hasn’t seen you in a while.”

Apparently, when Johan had spotted me walking to the library, he’d abandoned his training to run after me.

That was slightly careless of me. I’d better take more notice of which routes I travel, and when.

“Johan,” I said, kneeling down to make eye contact with my slightly shorter brother.

“Sister,” he called out to me. Tears formed in his big, upturned eyes.

This little boy was so fond of me—I couldn’t help but find him cute. Even if he was needy and a crybaby. And possessive. And annoying.

But if I’m soft on him now, nothing will change.

“Johan, apologize to Chris,” I said sternly.

“Huh?” I could see my serious expression reflected in his wide, surprised eyes.

I’m sorry, Johan. But I’ve decided to take a hard-line attitude with you. Things are different from when we spent our days snuggled together, just the two of us. I have to broaden my horizons, and so do you. I won’t be a useless, overindulgent sister any longer.

“Chris made time in his busy schedule to train you, and you’ve wasted it. Apologize.”

Johan scrunched up his cute face. He released his hands from where they clutched at my clothes, and gripped his trousers instead. The tip of his nose shone bright red from holding back tears.

His head still downcast, he began to mutter, “I’m s-sorr—”

“I can’t hear you,” I interrupted. “Look up. Look at Chris and speak properly.”

Johan froze, aside from letting out a teary sniffle. By my side, the guard’s expression stiffened. Chris looked stunned.

I bet they all think I’m a terrifying sister. But I’ve made up my mind to ditch the mollycoddling and become a little monstrous. If they think I’m harsh, that’s fine by me.

“I’m...” Johan sniffled again, “sorr—”

“Again,” I said, unrelenting.

“I’m sorry!!!”

After seeing Johan stand bolt upright and yell out his apology, I finally softened my expression.

There’s a good boy.

I nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Chris and froze. Chris had listened to Johan’s boisterous apology with a strained smile, but it wasn’t him that shocked me.

At some point, a figure had walked up behind Chris. He wore a knight’s apparel, and held a wooden sword in his hand, the same as Chris’s. He must have been teaching Chris and Johan how to handle a training weapon.

That makes sense, seeing as he’s the best swordsman in the country.

He had unruly hair that was coarse and dark, and his black eyes glinted sharply. His masculine cheeks and the outline of his jaw were the same as those in Hidden World’s graphics, but without his beard, he looked younger.

No “looked” about it. He is younger.

He was tall enough to tower over me, and he had a firm build, with just the right amount of muscle. This wild-looking man stared at me like I was a funny animal.

“C-Chris,” I stammered.

“Yes? What’s wrong, Rose?”

Everything. Please, Chris, tell me I’m mistaken. Tell me that’s not who I think it is.

“Who is that?” I asked.

“Oh,” responded Chris. “This is our sword-fighting instructor. He’s a knight serving in the royal guard.”

Taking his cue from Chris, the knight knelt before me. He respectfully took my hand and brought it almost to his lips. As his breath brushed across my fingers, I couldn’t help but stiffen up.

“I am Leonhart von Orsein, of the royal guard. It is an honor beyond my worth to be in your presence,” he said in the low, sweet voice that had captured my heart.

I don’t think I could have made a worse impression, I thought as I trembled. I was overjoyed that I’d finally met him, but also embarrassed that our first meeting was when I was chastising my brother in full-on bitch mode.

My long-awaited encounter with the future guard captain had occurred in the worst way possible.

“I, uh...” I said, words faltering. The sheer shock of his sudden presence left me dumbfounded and stuck in place.

God. I seriously wanna cry.

I had resolved to improve myself as much as possible so that I could be ready for the day when we would meet. That was the reason why I hadn’t yet sought him out, despite knowing that he was probably already in the royal guard when Rosemary was a child.

Besides, no matter how strong I came on to him, a young girl my age stood no chance. At the start of Hidden World, Rosemary had been fifteen or sixteen, and Sir Leonhart thirty-one. Even at that age, it would have been unlikely for him to have given Rosemary a shot at romance. At present, my prospects were completely out of the question.

I told myself that meeting him would only get me down—now, I haven’t just stumbled across him, I’ve also shown him the worst side of myself. It’s over. My romance has bitten the dust before it had a chance to start.

“Your Highness, is something the matter?” asked Sir Leonhart.

“N-No. I’m quite all right.” I shook my head and forced the tears back.

I pulled my hand away from his big palm and took a step back. The suspicious glances stung.

“Sister? Do you hurt somewhere?” Even though I’d been harsh to him earlier, Johan gazed at me, full of concern.

I stroked his hair to let him know I was okay. He smiled, relieved. My little brother’s innocent kindness racked me with guilt.

Sorry Johan.

Just as I was trying to change my coddling attitude and take a hard-line approach towards raising Johan, I wavered.

Regardless, trying to act like an angel only when around the object of my romantic affections is neither cool nor fair, and is rather deceptive. From now on, I’ll drop the innocent act and play a devilish older sister, no matter who’s watching!

“Please accept my apologies for my unsightly display,” I said, composing myself as much as possible. “I’m the first princess, Rosemary. Please look after my two brothers.”

I wrestled what I hoped was a smile out of my rigid facial muscles. I couldn’t see my own face, but if I’d managed to produce a non-forced smile, then I deserved a pat on the back.

“Unsightly?” Sir Leonhart picked out one of my words and whispered it to himself. For some reason, he looked perplexed. He blinked his surprising long eyelashes a couple of times.

“Sir Orsein?” I inquired.

“Forgive me,” he said, “but when you say ‘unsightly,’ are you referring to the valiant figure you cut a moment ago?”

Upon hearing the word “valiant” I gulped inadvertently. I wasn’t sure what was going on in his head when he chose that phrasing, but I prayed he wasn’t being sarcastic.

Otherwise, I’d be heartbroken beyond recovery.

I said nothing.

Sir Leonhart narrowed his almond eyes and gave a kind smile, apparently finding an answer in my silence.

His unexpected reaction left me at a loss for words. He grinned gently as he watched me. “Forgive me. A knight ought to never embarrass a lady. But, if you will pardon my transgression, I would like to say one thing.”

“Umm, yes?” I responded, not knowing where his train of thought was headed.

“When I saw you earlier, I thought to myself, ‘what a cool princess.’”

“Oh!” The moment I understood what Sir Leonhart had said, my skin almost audibly heated to a boil. I didn’t have to look in a mirror to know that my face had turned bright red.

I mean, even my ears are burning.

What should I do? I made my decision to take a tough attitude only seconds ago! Scary sisters don’t blush. Devilish sisters don’t sit around smirking to themselves, carried away by romantic thoughts.

Unfortunately, however much I tried to convince myself, my body gave me away. The redness of my cheeks refused to subside, and my facial muscles threatened to break ranks at the slightest distraction. All I could do was look down, lips trembling.

Sir Leonhart isn’t to be taken lightly.

I was no match for him; he could pull my strings any way he wanted.

“Sister.”

“Ah! Johan!” I said.

I had completely forgotten that Johan was standing there until he called for me. When I snapped my head around to look at him, I saw him staring back at me with a horrid, empty glint in his blue eyes. A chill ran up my spine.

Uh-oh. Somebody’s pissed.

He’s right to be, though. One minute I’m yelling at him, and the next, I’m going tomato red in front of another man. Why wouldn’t he think I’m trying to make a fool out of him?

I’m wicked! I’m loose! I’m a slut! I’m such an idiot!

“Why are you blushing, sister?” Johan asked in a voice so cold that I couldn’t believe it came from his mouth.

“I, uhh...” The words had fled from my tongue. I’d wanted to apologize, but then I lost my chance to do even that.

“Johan,” Chris interjected, probably unable to watch me try to fumble for an excuse. “No more teasing Rosemary.”

“But Christoph!”

“I do understand how you feel,” said Chris, “but blaming Rosemary is barking up the wrong tree.”

“Okay.” Johan hung his head and looked annoyed after Chris’s chastising.

S-Sorry Johan. I’m at fault for getting carried away, and now you’re having to hold your tongue about something you don’t think is right. I really am sorry.

Chris continued his rebuke: “You should now understand why there’s no point in stomping your feet and keeping Rose locked up.”

“Yes,” said Johan.

“Then let’s get back to training. There’s plenty to learn.”

Uh, Chris, what was that? I don’t think catching a little love fever is grounds to lock me up.

I had no idea what Chris was talking about, but Johan seemed to understand. He nodded in response to Chris’s question, and carried a dignified look on his face.

I’m feeling kinda like the odd one out here.

“Sorry for the wait, Sir Leonhart. Let’s go,” Chris said.

“Yes, Your Highness,” said the knight.

“I’ll see you later, Rose,” said Chris as he turned to leave. “Apologies for the commotion.”

“R-Right,” I replied, still slightly confused. “Good luck with your training.”

Chris and Johan walked away, leaving me floundering to understand the conversation. Though Chris had said his farewells before leaving, Johan remained silent and gave only a bow.

My little brother might actually hate me now. I did want to get rid of his siscon nature, but I never wanted to push him to the other extreme.

Well, I’m reaping what I’ve sown, I guess.

For some reason, Johan stopped in front of Sir Leonhart. His large eyes glimmered with a challenging look.

A few seconds of silence passed. Eventually, without a single word, Johan began walking towards the training grounds.

It might’ve been my imagination, but from behind, Johan seemed slightly bigger than before.