“His Majesty is definitely the most handsome person in the world. And he’s the Emperor, too. He really is the perfect husband for me, don’t you think?”

The praise flowed effortlessly from her, ending with a comment about him being her ideal husband. Mail propped her chin in her hand, swallowing a hum. So, she likes him because he’s handsome? Is it the person she likes or just the face? Or maybe she doesn’t feel anything yet, but given his impressive credentials, she thinks she’ll grow to like him?

As Mail pondered which question would confirm the answer, Riela, who had shifted to lie on her side, continued speaking.

“But something’s a bit strange.”

“Huh? What is?”

“Well, I obviously think His Majesty is my destined one, right? I mean, he’s perfect.”

Destined one? Mail paused for a second, caught off guard by the unexpected romantic sentiment, then responded in agreement.

“And?”

“And… no matter how long I wait, ‘that’ doesn’t happen.”

“That?”

“Yeah, ‘that’.”

What’s ‘that’?

Riela’s expression was serious. But Mail had no idea what she was referring to. One moment she’s talking about her destined partner, and now she’s suddenly bringing up “that”? What’s ‘that’? Just as Mail was about to bluntly ask out of frustration, Riela revealed the answer.

“Spark.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m talking about the feeling of spark.”

For a moment, Mail couldn’t believe what she was hearing. What feeling?

“I was expecting it back when we met at the main palace too. When would it happen? It should have happened by now, right? Even though last night we were far apart, we were really close just now. It should have definitely happened, but strangely, no matter how long I waited, I didn’t feel any spark.”

“….”

“It doesn’t make any sense. When you meet your destined partner, you’re supposed to feel spark.”

Mail’s brain briefly declared a strike. Strike! Strike! After a moment, she finally regained her composure and, with a barely managed expression, asked,

“Princess, so… you’re saying that when you meet your destined partner, you feel some sort of spark?”

“Yes.”

“Uh… could you describe exactly what that feels like?”

“It’s like a tingling electric current climbing up from your toes to your head. You don’t know?”

Riela looked at Mail as if she couldn’t believe she didn’t know. Mail let go of the faint hope that Riela was using a metaphor. Nope, she’s serious. She’s really talking about actual spark.

‘Just when I thought nothing about the princess could surprise me anymore…’

Mail had grown accustomed to surprises, but this was unexpected. Truly, the purity of her naivety was staggering.

Mail barely managed to hold on to her sanity. Where on earth had Riela learned something like that? She even seemed to believe everyone knew this, as if it were common knowledge.

“Princess.”

“Yes?”

“Where did you hear about this? This… spark theory?”

“From a book.”

“…Sounds like quite the book.”

“Isn’t it just common knowledge? Surely you didn’t really not know? It’s basic.”

Regardless of where she picked it up, it was clear that Riela fully believed in this spark theory. Mail, taken aback by Riela’s disbelief, was momentarily at a loss for words, then suddenly had a thought.

‘Wait, isn’t this actually perfect?’

Realization dawned. Setting aside the absurdity of the theory, this could be a golden opportunity.

Could she use this to convince Riela to withdraw from the empress selection? Like a flash of inspiration, Mail quickly changed her tone and expression.

“Oh no! I completely forgot, Princess. You’re right! Everyone knows that when you meet your destined partner, you feel spark. I just had a momentary lapse.”

“Right?”

“Hmm… but it’s really a shame. You said you didn’t feel spark when you met His Majesty, right? Not once, but twice, both yesterday and today.”

“Yes.”

“That means, unfortunately, His Majesty is not your destined partner. It’s certain.”

Mail spoke solemnly, as if stating an undeniable truth. Acting had become her specialty. Riela’s eyes widened, and she furrowed her brow.

“Really?”

“You already know, Princess. When you meet your destined partner, you must feel spark.”

“But… could there really be someone more perfect than His Majesty? His Majesty is the most perfect person, so he must be my destined partner.”

“Even if you can’t see him now, there may be someone even more perfect out there. Or perhaps the gods who pair destinies made a mistake. But what matters is that you didn’t feel the spark, Princess. You know, don’t you? If you didn’t feel it after meeting him twice, even if you met him a hundred more times, it won’t change.”

Riela showed signs of doubt in Mail’s sly fabrication. Good, she’s falling for it. Seizing the moment, Mail shifted her chair closer to Riela to make the conversation more convincing.

“But it’s such a pity… His Majesty was so handsome earlier that I momentarily forgot what I was thinking.”

“Princess, don’t you know?”

“Know what?”

“Destined partners are chosen by the gods, right? But what do you think would happen if you married someone who wasn’t your destined partner? The gods would be furious. A heavenly punishment would befall you.”

“Heavenly punishment? What kind of punishment?”

Riela blinked, clearly intrigued. It seemed this part hadn’t been explained in her previous education. Well, that meant Mail could make it up. She lowered her voice dramatically.

“You’d become ugly.”

“U-ugly?”

“Yes, heavenly punishment comes in the form of a lightning bolt from the sky. There’s no avoiding it. When you’re struck, your hair will frizzle, your face and limbs will turn black, and you’ll become terribly ugly…”

“I-I don’t want that! I won’t take that punishment. No way.”

Riela, pale as a sheet, frantically shook her head, even while lying down. Just imagining it seemed to be enough to terrify her.

Mail suppressed a laugh as she watched the princess, who feared ugliness more than death, shudder at the thought of divine retribution. She smiled gently, trying to soothe her.

“Don’t worry, Princess. As long as you don’t marry someone who isn’t your destined partner, the punishment will never come. You’re going to give up on His Majesty, right?”

“…Yes. I have no choice. It would be a national loss if I became ugly.”

Riela, surprisingly using a sophisticated word, left Mail briefly stunned before she stifled her laughter and patted her comfortingly. Our princess will stay pretty for a thousand years, no doubt. How precious.

“Shall we pack, then?”

“Why? Why should I?”

“Why? We need to go home. Since there’s no need for me to become the Empress, there’s no reason to stay here any longer, right? Let’s pack up and head back to our homeland.”

“Really? Alright… Oh, wait!”

“What’s wrong?”

“You know, what if Oatmeal becomes the Empress?”

Mail was caught off guard by the sudden and terrifying suggestion. What! Oatmeal as the Empress! What kind of insane future is that!

“There’s no way that would happen.”

“You never know.”

Riela’s expression darkened noticeably. Deep wrinkles formed between her delicate brows, as if she was imagining some horrible scenario. She spoke again, clearly upset.

“If Oatmeal becomes the Empress, she’ll mock me, won’t she?”

This was Riela’s greatest concern at the moment. What if that awful Oatmeal somehow became Empress and started mocking her? Just imagining it made her fume with rage.

Of course, if Ormil Petten actually did become the Empress and all that happened was some mocking, it would be a blessing in disguise. But Riela’s simple mind hadn’t reached that conclusion.

All she could think was that if Oatmeal mocked her, she would be furious beyond belief.

Mail quietly imagined a future where Ormil became the mother of the empire. Ugh, she felt dizzy in just five seconds. No matter how unpredictable life is, that scenario was just… too much.

“Princess, I’m sure the Empire would prefer to choose a sane person as Empress. Lady Petten, I mean Oatmeal, becoming the Empress is… highly unlikely.”

“No, I’ve decided. I’m staying here.”

“Pardon?”

“I won’t leave until I see who gets chosen as the Empress.”

Riela declared this with firm resolve. Her expression made it clear she wouldn’t leave until she personally witnessed Ormil’s elimination from the selection. Mail sighed deeply. Judging by those determined eyes, there was no talking her out of it.

‘It’s a bit unfortunate, but…’

There was no other choice. Since Riela had lost interest in the Emperor, the terrible event from the dream was now almost certainly averted. She wouldn’t be jealous, so she wouldn’t resort to poisoning anyone.

A few more days in the Empire wouldn’t pose too much danger. And Ormil would surely be eliminated quickly. Mail decided to think positively.

‘It’s not entirely reassuring… but it should be fine.’

“Alright, Princess. Let’s stay and make sure Oatmeal gets eliminated.”

“Yes!”