Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 292

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“Why did that fool Bruno show up?”
“Indeed. The reason we’ve gathered like this today is…”
Though I was the one who had hastily assembled everyone for this impromptu meat party, Cecilia began with a tone of gratitude toward the Emperor for gracing us with his presence, then dropped a bombshell announcement.
“The preparations for the founding of the Ilram Kingdom have been completed faster than expected.”
Standing behind Cecilia, Bruno was tearing into ribs while tears streamed down his face. The man who had complained about spending years locked away in prison preparing for Ilram’s independence—as if he were dying—accepted the handkerchief that Professor Ilyong offered him to dry his tears, only to break down sobbing entirely.
“My dear daughter! You must understand what I’ve endured! That Emperor, he locked me away and wouldn’t even let me sleep!”
“I’d rather not know.”
When I cut off Bruno’s words, Cecilia smiled softly and praised me.
“You won’t need to meet with him anymore.”
Cecilia had merely tossed out a single remark, but those who grasped its true meaning felt their blood run cold. Those whose complexions darkened noticeably were roughly myself, Reina, Seian, and Sunbird. Only those for whom the Imperial Court was home and those with the ability to interpret Imperial Court language.
The Emperor hadn’t simply helped Bruno realize his ideal. Since that fool had been singing about making me his adopted daughter, making me his adopted daughter, the Emperor had preemptively struck—planning to whisk me away to Zibenstein once Bruno succeeded.
Governing Zibenstein and serving as Prime Minister of Ilram are mutually incompatible. Once Duke Zibenstein passes his title to one of the representatives of the Seven Houses and becomes Prime Minister of Ilram, even if he becomes my adoptive father, he cannot order me around.
Because I am the Princess-King of the Ilram Kingdom, and Bruno is Prime Minister. He ranks below me in the hierarchy.
“Don’t worry. He’ll handle all the practical matters.”
So I’m essentially a figurehead monarch. Even if I become Princess-King of Ilram, I won’t spend much time there. Because.
“Your coronation ceremony will be prepared at the Imperial Palace. It would be too troublesome for you and me to go to Ilram.”
In this manner, he’ll make up all sorts of excuses to keep me here. If I’m unlucky, he might even impose a relocation ban to ensure I never leave Crownpolis for the rest of my life.
Reina, Seian, and Sunbird, who understood all of this, patted my shoulder sympathetically, saying I’d gotten tangled up with a madman and had it rough. Getting tangled up with a genuine madman—what kind of hardship is this?
“Oh! So Evan is finally becoming Princess-King! Congratulations!”
And Sera Crowell simply munched away at her meat, innocently delighted that I had become Princess-King. Perhaps it’s that kind of naïveté that allows her to survive even after quarreling with Cecilia.
I envied her for being so carefree.
“Ilram is a wonderful place. You should also tour Bunny Land, which will become yours. How about we go together when our schedules allow?”
“I’ll consider it.”
Wondering if I was genuinely considering it, Cecilia gave a meaningful glance to Young Seian Mark Two, who then rummaged through the schedule and found a free week.
“In about a year, we have a week available, Your Majesty.”
“Then let’s make it then.”
The Emperor certainly is busy. His schedule is already packed a year in advance. As I tore into a leg of meat and pitied Cecilia for being so occupied, Bachelor approached and explained my coronation ceremony schedule to me.
Cecilia had already completed all the preparations. I just need to do as I’m told. This is sweet.
“….”
I’d felt this sweetness once before. I asked Eugene to slap me hard enough to break any brainwashing. The sound of the slap rang out, but the sweet feeling didn’t disappear. It wasn’t brainwashing—I had simply adapted to Cecilia.
“Heh.”
So this is what life brings. It’s all thanks to Cecilia softening. We’ve done all sorts of things to each other and experienced all manner of events together. Isn’t this what friendship is?
With such thoughts, I spent the rest of the meat party with Cecilia.

◇ ◆ ◇

“Hmm….”
No, this doesn’t feel like a friend at all.
I found myself confined to the North Tower, surrounded by a Demon Race barrier. The coronation was tomorrow.

◇ ◆ ◇

Four days before the coronation of the Duke of Ilram Kingdom. Since it was a public holiday, I’d received an invitation from Cecilia, and Gerth, Seian, the Egg that Seian cared for, Hubert, and the rest of the family had decided to stay at the Imperial Guest Palace.
Surrounded by the Imperial Court’s plundered treasures—the kind of interior only visible in the Empire with its colonial holdings—and haute cuisine money couldn’t buy, we found ourselves wide-eyed with wonder, indulging in luxury and pleasure.
Gerth researched cooking, Hubert explored the Imperial Palace, and Cecilia, who stopped by when she had time, cared for the Egg alongside Seian, exploring the mysteries of life.
We’d spent such harmonious family time that I never imagined anything like this would happen. A kidnapping, no less, the day before the coronation.
“Hmm….”
It was definitely a kidnapping, wasn’t it?
I didn’t resist because I was worried Bachelor, Young Seian Mark Two, Three, and Four might get hurt. And besides, a Demon Race barrier barely hindered my movement anyway. I was half-and-half, after all. With only half Demon Race blood, a barrier like this didn’t actually prevent me from leaving. It was just that when I tried to go out, my limbs tingled uncomfortably.
“Ugh….”
What was the intention behind all this? It seemed like they were trying to keep me from leaving, so I’d been behaving myself, but I couldn’t understand why they’d moved me here specifically.
Besides, wasn’t something about this situation strange? If I’d been an ordinary powerless human, I’d be trapped here without question. Why was this abyss-eyed bastard suddenly acting like an obsessive maniac?
“How well-behaved, waiting quietly.”
And why did his entrance come with such obsessive-maniac dialogue? Was he doing it on purpose? Had he been influenced by Reina too and adopted some bizarre concept?
“What is all this?”
“You simply refuse to be alone.”
“Ah.”
So that was it. Now I understood why this abyss-eyed bastard had confined me to the North Tower like a deranged Emperor. He’d wanted a pajama party just for the two of us, but I’d brought the whole family along, and he was dissatisfied.
“You could have mentioned it beforehand. I would have left my husband and children behind.”
“To think you couldn’t even anticipate such a thing. You still have far to go.”
True enough. A coronation was our shared concern, and with him being my best friend besides, there would be details we’d need to discuss closely together. I’d been thoughtless. This was entirely my fault, so I decided to apologize.
“I’m sorry. It seems I cause trouble at every coronation.”
“Then you understand now.”
But wasn’t the Demon Race barrier and all this a bit excessive? I pointed out that I would have behaved myself without such measures, and Cecilia asked with an intrigued expression.
“This barrier doesn’t work on you?”
“Apparently not. Being half-human and half-Demon Race, my limbs just tingle a little.”
“How unfortunate.”
Wait, what exactly did you find unfortunate about that? When I grabbed Cecilia’s shoulders and shook them in frustration, she laughed with delight and said something sinister.
“The barrier doesn’t work, and even if I severed your limbs, you’d just fly away. What am I to do?”
“What do you mean ‘what am I to do’? Just let me live in peace!”
This bastard was absolutely vicious. Why would you sever someone’s perfectly good limbs? When I expressed my horror, Cecilia seemed to think it was a genuine question and answered earnestly.
“For an ordinary person, severing their legs alone would prevent them from leaving the Imperial Palace.”
“Shut it. If it were me, I’d crawl out on my remaining arm.”
“My, that’s something I’d like to see.”
How delightful, you psychopath. Ugh, how did I end up with such a burned-out person as a friend?
As I muttered my complaints, Cecilia summoned an attendant to bring the clothes and cloak I would wear at tomorrow’s coronation.
“Let me see how it fits on you.”
“You won’t get away with changing alone, will you?”
“?”
Right, that’s Imperial Palace protocol. I stripped bare in front of Cecilia and tried on tomorrow’s outfit. Once I’d dressed completely, an attendant brought the ceremonial sword and crown for the coronation. The custom-made crown looked identical to the one Cecilia had worn—just a different color.
“Ugh….”
What a troublemaker, this absolute troublemaker. Did you really want to show off like this just because we’re friends? The moment I pointed out that the crown was only different in color, the woman giggled and picked up a brush and makeup tools.
“Let me see what color suits you best.”
“Don’t play dress-up with me.”
This woman was doing it herself instead of having an attendant do it—she’d clearly made up her mind to have fun with me. If I resisted, Cecilia might get hurt. I kept dodging by leaning back, but eventually I tumbled over completely. Thank goodness the carpet was soft, or the floor would’ve caved in from the impact.
“Hold still.”
Cecilia padded over to me and plopped down on my legs, then pressed a lipstick directly against my lips.
“Would a deeper red look better?”
She smudged the lipstick with her finger across my lips, then leaned in close and studied my face carefully before rendering her judgment.
“Your face is too striking—ordinary colors won’t stand out.”
“What, should I paint them pitch black?”
“That would work too.”
Have you lost your mind? Walking into the coronation with jet-black lips? There would be photographs, newspaper coverage—I pleaded with her to choose something within the bounds of reason. Cecilia tilted her head thoughtfully and picked up another lipstick.
“Black would suit you perfectly.”
“That’s why I’m asking you to stay within reason.”
“How difficult.”
No, it’s not difficult at all. Just go with a normal red. The shade you usually wear is nice. At my words, Cecilia’s expression grew somewhat satisfied.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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