Chapter 174: Like a Vise

Through Louissois, Rita learned many things about Cecilia that she had never known before.

Cecilia was not born cursed; something must have happened in the past that unfortunately caused her to be afflicted by the curse. However, as for exactly when it happened, no one could say for sure.

Similarly, no one knew exactly when the title of “Cursed Princess” began circulating among the people, only that it had a long history by now.

At first, people discovered Cecilia was cursed—or perhaps, the curse first took effect—when Cecilia’s birth mother died while Cecilia was still very young.

Louissois did not wish to say much about the specifics, and naturally, Rita did not pry, but many believed that this was the first sign of the curse.

Later, most people who got close to Cecilia suffered misfortune: playmates, maids, guards… This was also the reason why Cecilia had so few truly trustworthy servants.

But whether these people were really dealt with by others with ulterior motives, or whether their misfortune was truly the result of Cecilia’s curse, no one could say for certain.

Surely, there were even more complicated matters involved, but Louissois only told Rita this much and explained to her:

“Her Highness Cecilia is fated to bring misfortune. Those who know avoid her as much as possible—the price of unknown misfortune is not something most are willing to bear. And even those who don’t know simply follow the crowd and stay away from Her Highness. So, just knowing this much is enough.”

Rita felt some gratitude toward Louissois for telling her these things, but aside from gratitude, she couldn’t help but wonder whether the information was wrong, or why he would tell her something that might make her distance herself from Cecilia. These were things Rita thought she ought to consider carefully.

Taking it a bit more cynically, was Louissois withdrawing because he was afraid of being affected by Cecilia’s curse? Rita was a little suspicious.

Though, with her little brain, she probably wouldn’t be able to figure it out.

Even though she didn’t quite understand, Rita kept pondering it.

Was it because she hugged Cecilia on the first night that she was accused of being the assassin the next day?

Was it because of Cecilia’s arrival in Sorus City that everyone suffered such a series of calamities?

Is this the Babel—no, Assam, no… the Barnum Effect?

That effect where a fortune-teller’s vague statements seem incredibly accurate because people apply them to themselves?

Because the idea of “misfortune” was just too mystical. If Rita hadn’t seen the pattern engraved on Cecilia’s chest with her own eyes, she’d think all of this was nonsense, and that these prejudices were simply naked violence against Cecilia.

Honestly, it was a bit scary, but being with Cecilia meant she got paid well, and Cecilia was very kind to her—she even risked a confrontation with the king for her sake. Even if it wasn’t exactly a life-changing favor, Rita felt she wanted to protect Cecilia.

So, Cecilia’s curse didn’t affect Rita at all.

Well, maybe just a little. For example, Rita would space out during dinner with Cecilia.

“Rita, what are you thinking about?”

Outsiders might not notice a difference in Cecilia’s tone, but after months together, Rita knew this was a final warning from Cecilia.

“Ah, I was just wondering if the reason you haven’t grown these past years is also because of your curse?” Rita blurted out.

Cecilia curled her lips, offering a very gentle smile. Slowly, she wiped her sauce-stained fork with a wet towel, then poked Rita’s hand with it.

Though Cecilia didn’t use much force, Rita still yelped like Tom Cat and jumped from her seat, drawing the attention of the serving maids.

“Rita, we’re still eating. Please observe proper table manners and don’t disturb others.” Cecilia retracted her hand and tossed the fork onto the floor with a clear clang. “Maid, bring me a new fork.”

There were only maids, herself, and Cecilia in the whole room. Who was she disturbing?

No! It was clearly your fault! Don’t pretend to be innocent!

Rita held her hand—now decorated with tiny dents but not punctured—and sulked back into her seat, watching as Cecilia accepted a new fork, gestured at her, and then stabbed it into the sliced meat on her plate.

On the other side, beneath Cecilia’s seemingly calm movements, her heart was pounding faster and faster.

What Rita said sounded infuriating, but just a little thought revealed that Rita must have already learned the truth about the curse to say such a thing.

For her to be thinking about it now meant that Rita had only recently learned the specifics of her curse.

When it came to her specialties, Cecilia could analyze pros and cons with utter calm. But at times like this, her mind would stall and she would become clumsy.

Cecilia should have told Rita everything much earlier. For example, the night in the tent during the second round of trials in Sorus City would have been the perfect time to confess.

Even after missing that chance, when Rita found her sword, Cecilia could have explained then.

But she didn’t, both times, simply because she was afraid Rita wouldn’t want to stay with her after learning the truth.

But this couldn’t be hidden forever—Cecilia had known that for a long time. Even so, she chose to push it to the back of her mind.

Because she was truly afraid.

But, as it turned out, her worry was unnecessary.

“Alright, I won’t bring it up anymore.” Rita pouted miserably, glancing at the maid standing by the door. “I was just a bit worried you might be affected by some unknown influence, Cecilia.”

“I won’t. Just protect yourself.” Cecilia stuffed a small piece of steak into her mouth, secretly relieved that Rita’s words weren’t meant to flatter.

Thankfully, Rita wasn’t a difficult person to understand, or Cecilia would have agonized over this for a long time.

It was precisely because Rita was easy to read that Cecilia cared for and valued her so much.

Rita agreed readily, then asked, “Of course! But I still have one question—why didn’t you tell me sooner, Cecilia?”

Not being difficult to understand didn’t mean you had to bring up questions like that, you idiot!

“Because I forgot.”

“Really? Even you forget things, Cecilia?”

“Really.”

“Sounds a little suspicious…”

Faced with Cecilia’s gleaming fork, Rita obediently shut her mouth and changed the subject.

“By the way, why does it feel like there are suddenly more people in the capital? It’s been picking up for a few days, but today it’s especially noticeable.”

“You don’t know? The Holy Knight’s second trial is coming up soon,” Cecilia replied.

“That soon…?” Rita started to protest, but then remembered all the time she’d dawdled on her return to the capital, plus the half-month spent running errands with Eltel, and all the other things that had happened—it really had been a long time.

“Well, it’s not like I need to take the trial anyway.” Rita muttered after thinking for a while.

Cecilia poured a bucket of cold water on her mood: “But about your assessment—even though Father didn’t give a clear deadline, it probably won’t be any later than the start of the Holy Knight’s trial. We princesses have to attend the Holy Knight’s trial.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?” Rita pulled a face.

“Don’t worry. Like I said before, your two biggest obstacles are the Twin Moons and Eltel.” Cecilia comforted her.

“But as long as most of the Emblem Knights recognize me, I should pass, right? Why be so fixated on those two?” Rita finally voiced the question that had long been on her mind.

“Normally, yes. But Emilia insists on strict procedure. With the royal selection coming up, she might see me as a rival and make things difficult for you. That’s easy to understand.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“As for Eltel, she’s a veteran Emblem Knight. Although you probably won’t have much contact with her after the assessment, she represents the opinions of many Emblem Knights. Without her approval, it’ll be tough for you in the royal city later.”

Rita more or less understood Cecilia’s point. Passing the assessment only meant formal recognition, not true acceptance. As a Knight who hadn’t gone through the official process, she’d certainly be looked at differently by the other Emblem Knights.

So getting Eltel’s approval now wasn’t just about passing the assessment—it was about making her future in the royal city a little smoother.

Otherwise, if she tried to win everyone’s favor afterward, it wouldn’t be so easy, and she’d have no justification…

As for how to get through the Twin Moons, Rita still had no clue, but sticking close to Eltel couldn’t hurt.

The next morning, Rita was already waiting at the palace gates for Eltel, hoping today’s chores would help her earn a little more trust.

Eltel arrived right on time, and the two of them set out on their daily routine.

After a few idle greetings, Rita once again steered the conversation toward what concerned her most.

“Lady Eltel, as you know, my ultimate goal is to earn your approval. But I really don’t understand—when will I finally be able to gain it, and what exactly do I have to do?”

Eltel walked in front, head held high, her broad chest swaying gently with every step. But now that Rita knew Eltel was no younger than Louissois, she no longer felt much about it.

“My approval isn’t that hard to get. But making you an Emblem Knight—I just can’t be at ease.”

“Why? Is it because I’m too weak?”

“So long as you’re loyal to the royal family, strength is important, but it’s not decisive. My concerns about you lie elsewhere.”

“Then what is it?”

“Rita.” Eltel raised a hand and patted Rita’s shoulder, but her hand lingered there.

Rita shifted uncomfortably, only to realize she couldn’t shake off what looked like a casual hand on her shoulder.

It didn’t seem like Eltel was using any force, but it held her movements as firmly as a vise. If Rita didn’t try to move, it was only a bit awkward, but she felt that the moment she resisted, that hand would tighten and crush her shoulder blade.

Rita had no doubt Eltel could do it; she had already shown her strength.

But this wasn’t right. Eltel’s attitude had changed too much.

Rita lifted her eyes and met Eltel’s gaze—cold, with a trace of indifference.

“You really want me to say why I don’t trust you?”