He, who made you a princess

Chapter XXIII

~ it's a constant battle of will, in which the winner is always you ~

part three

*knock* *knock*

     "Is he away again today, princess?"

The door to daddy's office opened and Ijekiel walked in. As usual, his impertinent behavior hasn't changed. He's about the only one who'd walked right in even when I haven't said to come in.

Well, aside from those two, but...

     "Ijekiel. Have you finished at the council's chambers?"

I tried to copy dad and put on a serious face as I kept my fingers moving. I've settled Ijekiel helping at court with Lucas but... he's not here after all. It'd be best to establish distance.

Nn? Was he asking about Lucas?

     "Yes princess."

     "Thank you Ijekiel. I'm sorry you have to work even though I invited you and Jennette over for leisure time."

Ijekiel stood right across the desk and smiled at me. It's that flamboyant smile of his that states he's the male, leading character of a novel.

Ahhh, but it was actually my life huh?

For a moment, I felt myself get lost in Ijekiel's smile. Not because it's enchanting or anything. But because now that I know more about the truth, this guy's not actually the main character, right?

That book... it's not that I got sucked in a book, but... my life was turned into one.

And if that's the case, in it, there could only be one male lead.

Lucas.

He'd be the male protagonist, through and through. If it's my life, then it could only be him.

My male lead.

Yet why was it that Lucas was never mentioned in the Lovely Princess book? Not once.

It's as if there was never a Lucas in the world of that book, the Lovely Princess.

Thinking about it now, that book's story isn't about Jennette. She was just a pawn to emphasize the gravity of what fate had in store for me and my dad.

All that book's about, from beginning to end, is just how cruel fate has been, to me... and daddy.

Looking at Ijekiel's smile is like looking at all the lies in that book. Just reading the surface, wanting romance, the drama, the excitement of it all.

Without ever bothering to understand what's really going on and what the words in the book were trying to convey.

That shitty book's not a romance novel, it's a fucking tragedy, isn't it?

Of my life. Our lives...

Ahh... Lucas.

Just what did you do? Why won't you tell me everything you know? Why do you smile at me like that whenever I ask?

A pained smile. It really doesn't suit your smug face you know...

     "Princess?"

Gak. Ijekiel, you're still here? I got lost in your smile for a minute there, but completely lost sight of your face as well.

     "Are you all right, princess?"

     "Ah, yes. I'm fine. It's a little late. I should call it a day before the prince returns."