Chapter 70

I was weak, so I instinctively took a step back from the overwhelming aura radiating off the male lead.

In a battle of wills, losing is sometimes winning.
That may sound like an excuse, but… well, it isn’t. Really.

The tension cracked a little when I flinched.

Seizing the moment, I smiled breezily and waved a hand.
“I meant you didn’t need to worry about me since you’re busy. I guess I spoke a little harshly.”

Alex, who had been watching me in silence, let out an annoyed sigh and walked toward me.

Stopping just in front of me, he asked quietly,
“Daisy.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Are you afraid of me?”

“Yes, I am.”

He went quiet.

I set aside my pride and smiled again, this time more diplomatically.
“Of course, I know Your Highness is noble, kind, and full of compassion. But people have emotional boundaries, right? It’s not rational fear—it’s more like the distance created by your intimidating aura. Like… your dignity.”

Alex let out a short laugh.
“You’re good at this.”

As expected, royalty notices insincerity immediately.

Still, I protested.
“It’s not wrong. You also think I’m some honest, innocent noble lady secretly working for the Winter Kingdom Reconstruction Association. And I get it! That’s how people are—misunderstandings, emotional distance. That’s life.”

I shrugged.
“Anyway, from now on, I’ve decided to believe you’re not a scary person. So let’s call it even, okay?”

But Alex’s brow furrowed.

“Suspicion?”

Huh?

Oh no. He latched onto that word?

“Why are you like this?” I muttered. “You always act like I’m hiding something. I assumed that’s what this was about—your frustration with me not confessing I’m in cahoots with the Winter Restoration crew…”

“No,” he cut in.
“I’m not denying that I’ve had suspicions. But that’s not why I’m angry. Let’s get that straight.”

“…Then why are you angry?”

I stared at him.

Seriously, why?

A beat passed. Alex still didn’t answer.

I thought hard… and then realization struck.
Wait—was he mad because he almost lost his personal translator-slave?

“Oh my god. You were planning to drag me to Autumn Kingdom.”

Make me decipher demon records, run field ops, and die of overwork. You’re mad because you lost a capable… employee?

My face soured, and I didn’t bother hiding it.

Alex burst out laughing.

Still, I delivered my objection like a professional.
“Your Highness, I may lack the elegance of a noble lady, but I am a noble lady.”

Okay, I was possessed not too long ago, so I still had some rough edges. But I’m a #noble #femalelead.
I don’t do manual labor. I’m not a part-time hire. I’m a decorative character!

I took a deep breath and made my official suggestion.
“Maybe… hire someone who’s into demon cult records. There’s always that one person who loves obscure fandoms. Find them and make them work overtime.”

“…Otaku? Minority taste? What are you even saying?”

Oops. I got too excited and started using slang.

I coughed and pivoted.
“Anyway. Honestly, I’m a little hurt. I’ve done so much for you, and all you’ve done is doubt me.”

I lowered my voice to maximize emotional impact.

Then—buzz.
My wristwatch lit up.

[Kisuka: Young-ae! I found it! There’s a base at the Summer-Autumn border.]

I nearly screamed.

Oh Kisuka, my queen. The power of a female lead buff is unmatched.

[Kisuka: I found documents stamped with the association’s seal and a royal pendant. This is solid proof! >_< I’ll inform Diana!]

“Hehe…”

A delighted giggle slipped out.

From above, Alex’s voice dropped low.
“…Are you crying?”

His face appeared on my watch’s reflection, visibly flustered.

Oh no. He thought I was crying because I had lowered my head.

Should I clarify?

Nah. It’s kind of fun.

Surprisingly, the prince of stone-faced glares… actually looked guilty.

Suppressing my grin, I whispered,
“…I try so hard for you, but you never appreciate me…”

I let out a quiet sigh.
“…Sometimes it just feels meaningless.”

Alex’s brows twitched. He spoke haltingly.
“Are you really crying?”

“No. I’m not crying.”

He huffed.
“This is driving me crazy.”

Oh? Flustered, are we?

Alex—stone cold, unshakeable Alex—was actually panicking.

Delicious.

“I said it before,” I continued, “Il-geom being the culprit doesn’t make sense. He’s needed right now. Why would he kill me out of nowhere?”

Alex was silent.

Whether he was listening or just stunned, I couldn’t tell. But the teasing mood had passed.

I stopped playing around.

Quietly, I turned my face away and brushed at my dry cheeks.

“I did everything I could.”

Alex said nothing.

I kept my gaze elsewhere and added,
“You don’t have to thank me.”

You’re free now. The Winter Restoration Association will be exposed. You’re welcome.

I lowered my gaze to read Kisuka’s messages and walked quickly out of the emperor’s palace.

But even after I left, I couldn’t shake the feeling…

…That someone was still watching me.

---

Extra Chapter: The Origin of the Bug

A murky darkness.
Loud, terrifying noise—like a bomb going off.
Panic.

Something warm curled around my waist, gently lifting me.

I was spinning. Floating. Drowning.

“Short?”

My limbs flailed, and I realized something horrifying.

I was small.

I wasn’t in my body.

Someone’s arms wrapped around me, tapping my back with rhythmic force.

I didn’t know what was happening—until I heard a voice:

[Be careful. Newborns are fragile. One misstep, and they’ll log out.]

Newborn?

The voice explained:

This was The Moon and Flowers of the Imperial Palace.
Or rather, the VR game based on that novel.

I had been possessed.
In a game.
As a newborn baby.

The main character. The female lead.
Of a tragic imperial palace drama.

And now, I was just a gurgling bundle of limbs and regrets.

The AI’s voice chimed again.

[A minor bug caused your timeline to start early. We apologize.]

Minor bug?!

Apparently, this wasn’t just a solo game. It was multiplayer—a game where 100 players were connected simultaneously.

Among them were users with the keyword #palaceintrigue.

To protect their gameplay from devolving into chaos, I had been chosen as the central character to anchor them.

The emperor.

Twenty users, my concubines.
All strangers. All players.
All watching me grow from a baby into their future husband.

The AI said this was a “bonus” childhood arc. I’d rack up 100K characters, so I’d thank them later.

Apparently, only #childhoodfriend and #parenting keywords usually get infant arcs, but they made an exception for me.

Wow. So generous.

I didn’t protest. I just thought about the 20 billion won prize for finishing the story.

…Fine. I’ll grow up. I’ll rule. I’ll romance. I’ll clear this bugged game.

But I’m still getting therapy after this.

A soft warmth pressed against my cheek.

Someone cooed. Cheered. Clapped. Their voice vibrated with excitement.

My tiny body instinctively responded.

“Kyaa.”

Silence.

Then a tidal wave of reactions.

My caregivers? Obsessed. Worshipping me like I’d just recited the national anthem.

As the world blurred and warmth surrounded me again, I finally relaxed.

If I had to be a baby emperor in a fantasy harem VR game…

…at least they were nice about it.