I Became a Tyrant’s Maid - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

Fortunately, thanks to the 2nd Prince conducting a ritual to the God of Darkness, we managed to defeat the monsters that were rushing at us indiscriminately, and the sword of the male lead from the temple was completely dyed black.

“Your Highness will likely take first place in this birthday celebration!”

I gave a thumbs up, praising the male lead who looked strangely depressed.

I knew how fierce the power struggle between siblings was from the historical dramas I had been watching.

‘Hang in there, you brat.’

No matter how much the world torments you, you’re the protagonist of this world,

“How nice to be so optimistic.”

There he goes again with the same old tune.

That guy with his personality on the run. I praised him, and he’s being sarcastic? I forced a smile and bowed my head.

“Thank you, Your Highness. Then, I’ll go prepare breakfast with an optimistic mindset.”

I ignored the crown prince with ease and went about my business.

Fortunately, the cave that the diary led us to was very safe.

Not only other species, but even monsters didn’t appear all night.

“Is it time for a leisurely breakfast?”

I smiled sweetly at the male lead’s irritable tone.

Yes, it’s time for you to leisurely eat breakfast, human. You’re injured, yet you have so much to say.

I looked him up and down as I answered.

“Your shirt isn’t completely dry yet. The temple is quite conservative, so I don’t think they’ll welcome Your Highness’s… attire.”

Unfortunately, last night, because he threw away his shirt covered in goblin blood in the middle of the mountain, he had to remain shirtless the whole time.

Of course, from an observer’s perspective, it was quite satisfactory.

It was a bit inappropriate, but well, how often would one see such a body in a lifetime?

However, that doesn’t mean the Crown Prince could appear half-n*ked in the sacred and ascetic temple.

In the end, although it was unpleasant, I had no choice but to wash and make him wear the clothes that a skeleton was wearing.

Of course, if the male lead knew, he would faint.

But that’s not my problem.

If he had any sense, he wouldn’t want to walk around like that either. He’s not a pervert.

‘…Wait, was he a pervert?’

I briefly recalled the content of the original work.

Right, it was an R-rated angst novel…

I rubbed both my arms.

Ugh, it gives me goosebumps.

It seemed entirely possible.

“Where did this come from?”

The male lead asked, pointing to an old shirt hanging on a tree branch.

“It belonged to a traveler. Although it’s not befitting of your dignity, I boiled it thoroughly to disinfect it, so please wear it for now, Your Highness.”

The male lead stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.

He acts as if he’s heartless and cold, but it seems he’s also uncomfortable.

I quickly took out some salt I had packed in my bag and sprinkled it generously on the clothes.

“Begone, evil spirit.”

And since I had it out, I sprinkled some on the boiled medicinal herb porridge as well.

One must season it right, after all.

“There’s an old saying that one must always eat breakfast to have the strength to carry on.”

The protagonist glanced down with a rotten expression at the salt scattered on the floor.

Ah, perhaps such a culture does not exist here?

“Would you like to eat, Your Highness?”

Seeing the bowl offered to him, he sighed deeply and reluctantly accepted it.

It was a good thing I had brought the salt.

There was no meat dish, but the seasoning was right, so it was quite edible.

It was fortunate that there was something to eat everywhere on the ground.

“Does the food suit your taste?”

At my question, the protagonist glanced at me, swallowed the food in his mouth, and answered.

“I don’t know how you managed before working at the palace, but you’re quite useful.”

Even when he speaks, he has to do it in that annoying manner…

I quickly found peace of mind, as if dealing with a teenage boy as a troublesome client.

“Thank you for the compliment. With your encouragement, I will work even harder, Your Highness.”

At my response, the protagonist’s eyebrows twitched. And at the same time, the corners of his mouth rose.

It was terrifying. Why is this person smiling?

What is he planning?

“Good. I’m looking forward to it.”

I bowed my head and secretly furrowed my brow.

What is he looking forward to?

Ah, I have a very bad feeling about this.

But regardless of the premonition, the answer was decided.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

***

The male lead walked towards the temple with his long legs striding along.

As expected, the temple was in a state of panic.

Due to the sudden increase in strength of the monsters and their numbers, the paladins were busily preparing to set out, regardless of the current sacred ritual.

I followed the male lead and stealthily glanced at the princes who had already arrived at the temple.

‘What, you were alive?’

The third prince was startled by the male lead’s appearance and hurriedly averted his gaze.

It seemed the male lead was the last to arrive.

“Ah, everyone’s alive.”

The male lead casually approached the princes and spoke nonchalantly.

“The Pope is going to have a hard time. The monster forces have grown for the first time in 50 years.”

He continued speaking as he smoothly sheathed his pitch-black sword.

“Isn’t that right, brother?”

The male lead turned his head towards the second prince. His lips curved into a wicked smile.

He leaned in and whispered in the second prince’s ear.

“It’s unfortunate for you that I survived.”

“……!”

“Control your expression, if they find out, it’s not just you who’ll die, it’s everyone else with you.”

The male lead’s words caused the second prince’s expression to stiffen.

He seemed to enjoy the situation, licking his lips and then suddenly turning serious.

“That’s why you shouldn’t start something you can’t handle.”

As if nothing had happened, he straightened his back and approached me.

Then, he smirked as if pleased.

“Just like you said, I’ll be the first.”

Upon hearing the male lead’s words, I lifted my head and surveyed the swords of the other princes.

Everyone except the male lead was tinged with a light gray color.

It was strange.

Despite the clear increase in the number of demons, why did the color only change that much? Does it mean everyone was in a safe place?

Although the male lead only killed the demons that approached him, their number was so great that his sword quickly turned black.

Then, shouldn’t the swords of the other princes be the same? It’s not like the demons choose whom to attack.

“Don’t stare too obviously, will you?”

As I was checking the condition of the other princes’ swords, the male lead came close and whispered.

“The most annoying target for those creatures is me. It’s obvious they performed a ritual with something like my hair to make them chase after me alone.”

The crown prince in name only, the blood-crazed crown prince.

“Now, do you understand why the color of the sword is different?”

I nodded to the male lead’s words.

I don’t know how, but it seemed that because of that damned ritual, the monsters were chasing only the male lead.

As the first piece of the puzzle fit, I began to understand why the third prince tried to kill me.

‘Certainly, Count Alcas must have noticed that the second prince was trying to perform the ritual.’

Thanks to that ritual, the monsters were meant to target only the male lead.

However, if I, who was not the target, was beside him, it would obviously be a hindrance, so they tried to separate us using a different approach.

‘Insane.’

A curse came out involuntarily.

Everyone was desperate to kill the male lead.

The male lead was the crown prince regardless of the titles that followed him. Whether he was the blood-crazed crown prince, the traitor’s offspring crown prince, or the powerless crown prince.

First in line for the throne by name.

If it hadn’t been for the diary, I really could have died.

The male lead wouldn’t have died in the original story, but I almost did.

“Before the ceremony starts, I should change out of these rags first.”

The male lead said as he dusted off his worn shirt with his hands.

Rags, he says, after I put so much thought and effort into washing them!

“Yes, Your Highness. Let’s move on.”

Of course, I couldn’t voice my complaints and just smiled obediently, leading the way.

* * *

The highlight of the birthday festival was the ritual of offering the sword that killed the monsters to the Pope.

The ceremony was scheduled to take place on the platform in front of the temple, visible to all the citizens of the empire.

Seeing the paladins move cautiously only within the temple, it seemed like they were trying to prevent the fact that the monsters were increasing from spreading outside.

‘It seems the ceremony will proceed as planned?’

At any rate, I was free until the ceremony started.

Fortunately, attendants were serving the royal family in the temple.

“Your, Your Highness.”

As expected, in front of the male lead’s room, some boys looked to be about 10 years old.

‘Isn’t this child labor?’

I didn’t like it, but there were no child labor laws here.

There was no helping it.

The children, perhaps because of the rumors about the male lead, were trembling as they greeted him.

I felt a little sorry for them, but since the male lead wasn’t so unreasonable, they wouldn’t die.

If the kids tried to kill the male lead, that would be a different story, but would that happen? Thinking I could finally rest, I opened the door to the male lead’s room and said very kindly.

“Then, Your Highness, rest well and I will see you in the afternoon.”

“…Where are you going?”

He looked at me with a bewildered expression.

And I felt the same.

Where am I going? To my room?

“Um, Your Highness? I was informed that the temple attendants inside the temple are supposed to be here, the boys standing in front…”

At my words, the male lead furrowed his brow and grabbed my wrist.

“I don’t need any attendants from the temple.”

And then he pulled me towards him and glared at the boys standing at the door as if to tell them to disappear.

Naturally, the kids were too terrified to say a word. The male lead, looking pleased, soon frowned and slammed the door shut.

“There’s no need to take risks when you are here.”

I almost cursed. Is he telling me not to rest and just continue serving?