I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 33

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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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I was furious from head to toe.
My anger was so overwhelming that it paradoxically calmed me.
“What on earth is this?”
The mere fact that this girl could enter the Arena Palace meant she came from a family of considerable power and influence.
I studied the girl before me.
‘Pink natural hair and eyes. Delicate, cute, and beautiful features. An extraordinarily lavish dress. A necklace adorned with colorful jewels.’
Most importantly, a noblewoman with enough authority to move freely within the Imperial Palace.
Throughout the entire novel, there was only one person with these characteristics.
“Answer me, Lady Reina.”
“You know me?”
“Of course. How could I not know the precious only daughter of Duke Rosild?”
Reina. The only daughter of House Rosild, known for their dominance in finance.
‘Publicly, she’s Isabel’s friend.’
In the novel, she was practically Isabel’s only friend, who had none.
At least, that’s how it appeared on the surface.
‘But in reality, she’s a far worse character than Isabel.’
Reina was the one who instigated and manipulated the villainess Isabel from behind the scenes.
In the original story, it was actually Reina who caused Isabel to imprison Luluka, the Midwife, in a dungeon.
「”I’m telling you this because we’re friends. If I didn’t care about the Princess, I wouldn’t share such things with you, would I?”」
「”The Midwife said she was sick of the Princess’s brutal nature. I heard with my own ears her saying that becoming the Princess’s Midwife was the most unfortunate thing in the world.”」
Ultimately, Isabel fell for Reina’s manipulation and imprisoned the Midwife.
The Midwife met a lonely death in prison.
I’m not saying Isabel did well, but I despised Reina far more than Isabel.
She ranked in my top three most hated characters in the novel.
“Don’t worry, Princess. I’m fine.”
“I’m not fine.”
Well, I should make sure the shrimp’s back doesn’t break in the whale’s fight, right?
“Midwife. Could you bring me some chocolate milk?”
“Chocolate milk?”
“Yes. Two glasses of chocolate milk, please.”
The Midwife left her seat.
Bumblebee continued to growl, baring her teeth.
I gently stroked the space between Bumblebee’s brows.
“Lady Reina.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“You’re the daughter of Duke Rosild, known for your extensive knowledge of finance and exceptional intuition, aren’t you?”
“You’re too kind. But I’ve heard people in the world evaluate me that way many times.”
Pride bloomed across Reina’s face at my words.
Perhaps because she was still young, she couldn’t hide her true feelings.
“You seem to have studied many other subjects, but not etiquette, it appears.”
“…Pardon?”
I broke into a bright smile.
“I recognized you as Lady Reina, didn’t I? Then shouldn’t we start with proper introductions? Rather than asking ‘Do you know me?’, shouldn’t I greet you first with ‘Hello’? Surely you’re not unaware of that?”
For a moment, Reina’s expression darkened.
I understood the reason why.
In truth, Reina didn’t consider me a true Princess.
I was a half-baked Princess who couldn’t learn Villorian swordsmanship.
Not just Reina, but most people thought the same way.
“If you didn’t know, that’s incredibly rude. If you did know and acted that way anyway, that’s even worse.”
“…”
I asked sweetly.
“Oh! Does your back hurt, perhaps? Are you injured?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
I gathered the hem of my skirt and bowed at the waist.
“Hello, Lady Reina. I am Isabel Villorian, the Fifth Princess of the Villorian Royal Family. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Only after I did so did Reina reluctantly gather her skirt hem and bow in kind.
“Hello, Princess Isabel. I am Reina Rosild, the First Daughter of House Rosild. It is an honor to make your acquaintance.”
I ushered Reina into my room.
We sat facing each other at the table.
“What brings you to my room?”
It likely wasn’t for political reasons. After all, I was a half-baked Princess with little influence.
If she’d come seeking someone, she would have visited Michael instead of me.
Come to think of it, my brother might have gone sledding again. Or perhaps he was wrestling with his bear friend somewhere in the hills.
‘If that’s the case, there’s only one reason she’d seek me out.’
At this moment, there was only one thing she could possibly want from me.
“I heard you have a rare plaything.”
“A rare plaything?”
“Yes. A rare animal that can understand human speech and communicate, or so I’ve heard.”
Reina’s gaze shifted toward my lap.
Curled up in a ball on my knee sat Bumblebee.
When Bumblebee’s eyes met Reina’s, she let out a sharp “Kyak!” and bared her teeth again.
“Could it be… Bumblebee?”
“Is that her name?”
“Yes. My brother and I gave her that name.”
“A plaything named Bumblebee—how amusing.”
“Bumblebee isn’t a plaything.”
“Then what is she?”
“She’s my friend.”
Reina burst into laughter.
It was a clear mockery, but I didn’t let it show.
‘Fine. Do as you wish.’
All of these actions would become her own weakness, piercing her from within.
She was the one tying a noose around her own ankles.
Well, she’s just a child, so there’s not much to be done about it.
“A friend? Can such a toy really be called a friend?”
“Miss Reina. I made it clear it’s not a toy. I explicitly stated it wasn’t, yet you keep referring to it as a toy—that’s an insult to me.”
Reina flinched. And soon her pride seemed wounded.
“I understand. I’m sorry. I won’t call it a toy anymore. Though I don’t see what’s wrong with calling a toy a toy.”
Rather than angry, I found myself laughing at the absurdity of it all.
Fundamentally, families affiliated with the Sword Guardians tended to view the Vilotian Royal Family with some disdain.
Because they were a family specialized only in swordsmanship, they considered themselves superior in all other aspects, or thought the royal family barbaric.
However, the fact that Reina could go this far was likely because I was only a half-blooded Princess.
“It seems Miss Reina finds Bumblebee quite adorable, doesn’t she?”
“I have a weakness for rare things.”
“And?”
“Will you sell me that animal?”
“Are there really people so wicked they’d sell their friends?”
“I’ll pay handsomely for it.”
Reina stepped closer to me. And without hesitation, she reached out her hand toward Bumblebee.
“That’s going to hurt…”
“Kyaaaah!”
Reina let out a scream.
Bumblebee had bitten down hard on Reina’s index finger.
“This is why I told you not to touch it carelessly. I warned you multiple times. With those chirping sounds.”
Tears welled up in Reina’s large eyes.
“Are you blaming me right now?”
“Yes. You were wrong. Apologize to Bumblebee.”
“I was bitten! Animals that bite people should be put to death!”
“That happened because Miss Reina touched it.”
I examined Reina’s hand briefly.
There were tooth marks, but no actual wound or bleeding.
“If it had bitten properly, your finger would have been severed.”
“What did you just say?”
“Bumblebee showed you mercy.”
“Is that really what you should be saying right now?”
Reina glared at me with indignation.
“I’m going to lodge a formal complaint!”
Then she turned her gaze toward Bumblebee.
“You rude little toy! I will never forgive you.”
Reina spun around and walked out.
I murmured softly toward her retreating back.
“See you later.”
I already knew what would unfold.
Not long after, Servant Dailsa came to find me.
“His Imperial Majesty requests your presence.”
“Yes.”
I was already dressed in a pristine yellow gown adorned with a neat ribbon.
Lately, I’d been drawn to these ribbon dresses.
Dailsa asked, noticing how prepared I appeared.
“Were you anticipating the summons?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then there’s no need to worry.”
“Were you concerned about me, Servant Dailsa?”
“I don’t concern myself with such things.”
Servant Dailsa began walking ahead.
Was it my imagination, or did Servant Dailsa’s ears look slightly flushed?
I clutched the Ratel tightly and followed behind him.
“His Majesty awaits inside.”
“Thank you, Steward.”
Servant Dailsa opened the door for me.
I entered my Biological Father’s office.
“You called for me?”
As I expected, inside were my Biological Father, Rosild Duke, and Reina.
Notably, Reina was cradled in Rosild Duke’s arms.
‘Wow! Quite the performance!’
Reina’s index finger was wrapped in bandages.
Her eyes were swollen from whimpering so much in front of Father.
My Biological Father, seated at his desk, asked me.
“Explain everything from beginning to end.”
I glanced sideways at Rosild Duke and Reina nestled in his arms.
Both were glaring at me with similar expressions.
I spoke.
“I think we need to clarify one thing first.”
“What is that?”
In truth, from the moment Reina came to find me, from the moment Bumblebee shrieked, I had known this situation would unfold.
To prepare for it, I had guided the conversation with Reina.
“Since this is a gathering to hold Lady Reina accountable for insulting me and trampling on the honor of the Vilotian Royal Family, Rosild Duke should put Lady Reina down on the ground.”
I was six years old.
Adults had their own ways of conducting themselves.
“Come down, Miss Reina.”

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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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