Chapter 7

Without being noticed, the conversation continued.

"I can't stand those sparkly types. They don't do it for me at all. I prefer someone with a bit of manly charm. That captain, for example, is right up my alley. And the fact that he's rumored to be incredibly strong is a big plus."

"I think I could go either way. But if I had to choose, I'd rather be invited to bed by the mad dog captain."

"I can't believe you two. Chester is obviously the best. There's even a fan club for him in the palace. I'm a member."

"What? Wait, what's this club?"

"You're a member too!?"

"Of course. By the way, if you join now, you get a free portrait of Chester. I was thinking of inviting the two of you."

Is this club okay? I'm starting to worry it might be a scam.

As I became increasingly concerned, Chester was on the verge of death right before my eyes.

As the woman from the 'Chester Admiration Club' said, Chester has a handsome face. Even I, who have seen my brother, the true prince, for years, can understand why Chester is called a prince. With his golden hair, he has a beauty that seems to emit light.

Even at the evening party where he attended as my guard, dressed in the ceremonial uniform of the royal guard, he was constantly being invited to dance by the young ladies. He politely declines, but even his refusal is gentle and refreshing.

However, to me, the image of him being overwhelmed by Bernard and on the verge of tears is more familiar.

Chester is the most senior member of my royal guard, and he has known Bernard since he became my knight.

Despite being a commoner, Bernard is treated with respect by Chester, the third son of a duke, who is simply overwhelmed by him every day.

"KILL HIM!!! DON'T APPEAL TO THE SWORD!!! YOU NEED TO LEARN HOW TO RESOLVE THINGS PEACEFULLY!!! –– Wait? Kill everyone to achieve peace!? That's not a peaceful resolution!!! Princess! Please stop him, Princess! Don't look at him with those smiling eyes!!! Why did you pick up such a person!? What is he!? A killer doll come to life!?"

The more I recall those days, the more Chester seems to be on the verge of death now. His cheeks have turned a sickly gray.

In recent years, Chester has become quite accustomed to Bernard's behavior, to the point where even my brother once muttered, "Chester might be a suitable husband for you... No, that wouldn't work, the Rozen family would rebel..."

On the other hand, the youngest, Colin, was covering his mouth with both hands, trying hard not to laugh. His eyes were shining like a cat that had spotted its prey. He was probably planning to spread the word later.

Unaware of our reactions, the conversation continued.

"I don't want a portrait of a stranger, even if it's free. It's actually kind of scary. What are they making without permission, that club?"

"The palace sometimes has strange clubs... But, the third son of the Rozen family being the deputy captain of Princess Amelia's royal guard is probably a strategic move, right? It's practically an engagement, isn't it?"

"That's not true! I've heard that Princess Amelia hasn't received any marriage proposals! Despite being the princess, she hasn't had a single proposal. It's because of that mad dog captain's rampage. But I think the princess is also to blame. She didn't fire someone who killed people at a ball. So, the Rozen family probably isn't thinking of anything with the princess and Chester. Besides... Chester has been completely clean since his fiancée betrayed him. He's a very upright person."

Chester suddenly knelt down and bowed his head.

I bent down and patted his shoulder.

Chester looked up. We, two wounded souls, communicated through our eyes.

'You did nothing wrong...'

'Princess... Thank you... I'm really glad the captain wasn't here today... If he had been, I would have been dead...'

By the way, the story of Chester being betrayed by his fiancée is true. It happened before my brother ascended the throne.

When Chester, who was flying around the country as part of my royal guard, returned to the capital after years, he found his fiancée pregnant.

She cried, saying she thought he had died in battle... While Chester, saying, "I want to cry too," persuaded both families to dissolve the engagement amicably. Although it was an arranged marriage, Chester had genuinely loved her. Even after being betrayed, he still wished for her happiness. He is a kind and loving young man.

Apparently, even Bernard accompanied him for a drink that day. Chester was so drunk that he was on the verge of death the next day, while Bernard was completely fine.

"You know, whether it's the captain or the deputy captain, they're not the kind of men we can date. You should be careful not to get too attached."

"But... What about a one-night stand? I mean, not the third son of the duke, but the mad dog captain. Did you know? Elena said she... slept with that captain."

"No way!?"

"Really!? Is that true!?"

"Elena is a good person, but she doesn't lie."

"But isn't Elena aiming to be the king's mistress!?"

"That was a joke. I heard she's aiming for a more suitable match!"

"Elena said she saw the captain in a bar by chance, and when she talked to him, he went along with her invitation..."

A mix of screams and cheers echoed from a distance.

Chester and Colin, this time, both turned pale and kept looking at the floor.

I wore a smile of self-restraint.

What Bernard does on his days off, with whom, and what, is his own business. I can't interfere. I know that. I am just his superior.

"Right. It's a dreamy story. A man with such a good face and body can be a point of pride, even for just one night. That mad dog captain may not have a good reputation, but his face and body are top-notch."

"Well, it's also because the other party is Elena. She's known as a seductress in her department. Even if I were a man, I'd probably go along with her invitation if she showed me her ample chest."

"Hey, stop it. Don't talk about chests in the palace."

"Who's listening? The only things in this musty library are probably mice."

"There it is. I found the catalog."

"Good. Let's get out of here. I hate mice."

Laughing about how rare it is to find someone who likes mice, they left the library.

Silence filled the space left by them.

All three of us, including me, were staring at the floor. No one could say anything.

Because I knew, as the one in charge, I had to try to lift my head.

" – We didn't hear anything. Right, Chester, Colin?"

Both nodded deeply.

*

That night, I stood in front of the mirror, looking at myself.

I hadn't really paid much attention before, but upon closer inspection, what a surprise.

Not just ample, but rather, too modest.

When I took off my dress and put on my nightgown, I was very, very straight from top to bottom. It was almost a straight line.

...I don't really want anything to happen with Bernard.

That's the truth. As a royal, even a one-night stand would be problematic.

But after learning that he prefers ample, I felt a deep sense of frustration.

The next day, I casually asked my longtime maid, Sasha, about ways to increase my bust.

Sasha, to my surprise, was delighted and said,

"Princess, you've reached the age where you're concerned about such things. You, who have only talked about power struggles since childhood... To ask me about something other than how to support your brother... Sasha is so happy."

She teared up.

When she puts it that way, it makes me sound like an unusual princess, but I think it's just because of the environment I grew up in.

My father ravaged the country, and my mother retreated to a palace. My brother was my only support, and even he was in a precarious situation, always at risk of 'accidental death.' I think anyone raised in the same environment would end up caring only about the power balance among the nobility.

Feeling a bit disgruntled, I asked Sasha, who smiled and prepared new undergarments for me.

They were the type that could provide a lift. I remained silent. This wasn't what I was looking for. I prefer a natural approach and would like to focus on growth. I don't want to give up on development from the start.

When I gently conveyed this, Sasha furrowed her brow and said, "Understood. It will take time to see results, but I've heard there are good stretches...! There's no guarantee of results, though...!" in a strained voice.

Is it really that late? I thought, with a distant look in my eyes, and started stretching that day.

As a result, my upper arms became more toned, and Bernard commented, "Princess, are you secretly doing push-ups? Even if you do, I won't teach you how to use a sword."

I was a bit annoyed.