Chapter 6

"Well, that's quite an interesting thing to say. You think I have the power of precognition?"

"It doesn't have to be you. I thought maybe there's someone around you who can use their powers even better than Emeralda."

"I do know the magic of clairvoyance, but that's about digging up memories of my own experiences; it can't predict the future. It would be convenient if I had precognitive abilities, though."

As I chuckled, Prince Rain scratched his head. He seemed aware that he was saying something unrealistic.

"I just can't understand. Why were you so calm and smiling yesterday? You were accused by a prince at your wedding, in a place where no one was on your side, and you were in a dire situation. Your composure was unbelievable. If you were truly innocent, it would have been natural to panic, wouldn't it?"

Indeed, my attitude might have seemed unnatural. But if I had shown fear, it would have seemed like I was caught red-handed, giving your words more credibility. So, the best thing to do was to act composed.

Honestly, the idea of acting panicked makes me laugh. It's just not possible.

What should I do?

If I told him I knew the plot from my previous life as "anime," he wouldn't believe me. But I expected this kind of suspicion.

"I was prepared. When your letters stopped, I thought you might have fallen in love with someone else."

As I said this with a sigh, the prince's face darkened. Well, let me hit you where it hurts.

"Even before the wedding, I was already feeling melancholic. The idea of marrying someone I had never met was full of anxiety. I even thought you might not show up at all, but I never expected something worse. I couldn't help but laugh."

"Miss Sonia..."

"I may have looked calm, but I was desperate. I didn't want to break down in tears or lose my temper in such a humiliating way. I wanted to protect my pride, even if it meant revealing the truth that my mother had hidden for twenty years. What a stubborn and foolish woman I am. Do you think I'm ridiculous?"

Vil's suspicious gaze pierced the back of my neck. Is it that unbelievable?

But the prince, looking uncomfortable, shook his head.

Of course. You have no right to doubt my words. Whether I'm good or bad doesn't matter. The fact is, you were infatuated with another woman while engaged.

This should explain my composure. It's a topic the prince can't delve into too deeply.

Should I stop playing the victim?

It's not really my style.

"I am not a precognitive. There is no one with such abilities around me. As you know, developing precognitive abilities is one of the 'Seven Forbidden Studies' for witches. It's extremely dangerous."

The prince still looked at me suspiciously.

"You're a strange one. It might be more realistic to suspect a traitor among your allies."

If you think someone betrayed you and leaked information, it would make more sense. I hoped he would become more suspicious, but he just laughed lightly. He seems to trust his allies completely.

...If this follows the original story, one of your allies will betray you. Are you okay with that?

Well, I don't intend to incite anything, so who knows what will happen.

"Prince Rain, what will happen to Emeralda?"

As the conversation paused, Vil asked timidly.

"She is locked in a room in the castle, waiting for the next vision. She is struggling desperately to find a way to resolve this situation."

Imagining her beloved struggling, both the prince and Vil looked solemn.

I really want to kill that woman...

"Really, why did this happen... No, no, I'm not blaming Miss Sonia. I'm angry with myself for not being able to prevent this. Where did I go wrong? Everything went well when I prevented bad visions. What should I do now..."

He seems pitiful and foolish.

It's ridiculous how much he's been tossed around by his incomplete precognitive abilities.

"I don't understand... The captured witch talks about wanting a 'rosy life' and having a 'thorn stuck in her,' but it doesn't make any sense..."

Oh no, Prince, if you say any more, you'll die.

Actually, if I don't stop him, I might...

I can't help it. It's getting annoying.

"Please tell me exactly what Emeralda said about the revelation."

The prince tilted his head and recited smoothly:

"The daughter of the Red Witch will fulfill the covenant and bring ruin to Mistria. You, the Blue Prince, must seek out four companions and not refuse."

I let out a small breath.

This is the same wording as in the original.

"Indeed, when we talk about the Red Witch in Mistria, it refers to my mother, and her daughter is only me. The word 'covenant' makes me think of my engagement to Prince Rain... However, it's too vague. I thought it was a direct accusation that I was evil."

How many red-haired or red-eyed witches are there in the world? At least not just my mother and me. And it's not certain that the covenant refers to my marriage to Prince Rain.

"It seems that the frequent strange incidents caused by witches and the mention of my name as the mastermind clouded their judgment. They didn't carefully verify the content of the vision, which led to this mistake."

"But, the coincidences are too significant to ignore..."

"Is that so? Even if we assume the daughter of the Red Witch is me and that my marriage to Prince Rain will bring ruin to Mistria, there's no need to worry anymore. If you believe in Emeralda's vision, Mistria is saved."

The prince froze, taken aback.

"My engagement to Prince Rain is over, and the covenant will never be truly fulfilled. Therefore, Mistria will not face ruin. Isn't that right?"

In the original story, Sonia would have gone berserk, cursed the prince, and started the tumultuous "second series." But that didn't happen in reality.

Good for you, Prince Rain.

"Although it didn't end as you wished, the purpose has been achieved. Are you still not satisfied? Is it a failure if everything doesn't go perfectly? Did you really want to be a hero with Emeralda? ...That's too greedy. What was the most important thing you wanted to protect?"

You called me a greedy witch, but I'll return the words to you.

After a while, the prince raised his hands and shrugged, letting out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Well, well... Indeed, I've jeopardized my position as the crown prince, Emeralda is imprisoned, and Vil has been taken by you. The mastermind behind the strange incidents is unknown, and the meaning of the ruin remains a mystery... But if we can avoid Mistria's destruction, it's fine. That's the most important thing."

I'm the worst.

The prince muttered, leaning back in a cheap chair, looking exhausted.

"I'm sorry for involving you in my self-indulgence, Miss Sonia. Our engagement will be formally dissolved, and we will become strangers. But I hope that one day, as representatives of the kingdom and the witches, we can shake hands in friendship."

"...Yes, one day."

That day hasn't come yet.

Although I've backed down for now, the prince hasn't completely cleared his suspicions about me. But I've achieved something, and I've convinced myself of that.

I haven't completely forgiven the prince and Emeralda, but they're likely to suffer enough on their own. I just want to return to Kukuridje and spend sweet and bitter days with Vil.

Just as I was thinking this, the prince said something outrageous.

"Miss Sonia, please don't be too hard on Vil. He may seem tough, but he's actually sensitive and easily hurt."

"Prince! What are you saying!"

Vil looked embarrassed. Despite the social gap, they are close friends. They do get along well.

But the prince's comment was really bad. He's such a terrible man.

Even while aware of Vil's feelings for Emeralda, he flaunted his affection for me. And he doesn't seem to understand that Vil was the one who suffered the most in this situation.

Actually, the ending of "Emeralda" was very poorly received.

After many sacrifices, Emeralda defeated Sonia, and the emotional "ending" was followed by her wedding to Prince Rain. It ended with their smiling faces, without mentioning the deaths and injuries of others.

In my previous life, the fans were furious, saying, "Mourn! At least visit Vil's grave!" and crying on sheets printed with the most adorable character.

I understand their feelings now.

The greedy, heartless, and hypocritical prince.

I'm really glad I didn't marry you.

After that, the engagement dissolution ceremony went smoothly.

The contract magic that had been attached to me since birth was removed, and I let out a sigh of relief.