PRIDE
AGH… My head hurts.
That was the first thought that struck me. I couldn’t see anything, but I realized I’d only just woken up. It was too much of a bother to open my eyes, so I remained in a twilight state.
Why am I…? Where am I?
I could find the answers if I opened my eyes, but I kept them closed. It was so quiet. Smooth sheets caressed my skin and lay softly atop me. I must have been in a bed, then.
My muscles felt too heavy to move. I searched my memory, but I still didn’t understand. I’d danced with everyone, then Mother had introduced me to the crowd so I could announce the postal system…but everything else was a blur. What happened to the postal system?
As I pondered the matter, my thoughts finally took shape. Aah, that’s right.
Now that my brain was working, I slowly opened my eyes and found myself in bed, as expected. I stared at the ceiling as my vision gradually cleared. Maids and knights bustled around my bed—raising a fuss, running out of the room, shouting for people—but none of it reached me.
It’s already been ten years…
So much time had passed. I didn’t feel like sitting up yet, so I focused on the ceiling. A doctor and a few familiar faces came to the bedside and peered down at me. Strangely, I didn’t want to answer their questions. I was too deep in thought.
Goodness, what was I thinking all these years?
The more I went over my memories from the past decade, the more shame burned inside me. I’d regained my past-life memories. Then I met Stale, Tiara, the knights, Arthur, Prime Minister Gilbert, Maria, Val, Sefekh, Khemet, Leon, Anemone, Cedric, and the kings from Hanazuo.
Ugh… Why did I waste my time meddling in their lives?
I was such a fool. Getting up to that nonsense was just going to ruin everything. Why had I spent ten precious years wasting my energy instead of doing something meaningful?
Lotte, my personal maid, reached out to me when I didn’t respond. I swatted her hand away, and everyone around my bed gaped in surprise. Since everyone was making such a commotion, I had no choice but to sit up.
Mary, my other personal maid, tried to support my back, but I bent to avoid her. Even once I was sitting, my head swirled with troubling thoughts. I didn’t care to reply to anyone around me, too full of regret to bother.
Why did I believe I had a future? Why did I assume this world was “reality?” After everything played out exactly like the game from my past life, why did I keep averting my eyes from my true role?
I was Pride Royal Ivy, the firstborn princess and heir to the Freesian throne.
I spent my days with my beloved siblings, forming new relationships and alliances, dedicated to serving the citizens alongside the people I cared about…and now I was a slave to those delusions. Somewhere along the way, I’d stopped doubting the fantasy. Deep down in my heart, did I really think I could beat them? Did I think I’d make do somehow, and that as the chosen one with the power of precognition, there was no one who could defeat me? Did I think no one could kill the last boss? That must have been what I thought. It explained why I spent my life acting like a fool without a care in the world.
Goodness… I can’t believe how “prideful” I’ve been.
“Heh… Ha ha… Ha ha ha ha… Ha ha ha! Aha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!”
Ah, how amusing. It was just so funny. I clutched my sides and howled with laughter. I couldn’t stop myself, even as I started to wonder if I was going to die from cackling.
I’d been so stupid. I was the last boss! I was the prideful queen who deserved her execution in the end! How could I ever hope for a different future?
“What’s wrong, Princess Pride?”
“Your Highness, please calm down!”
Voices came at me from all directions. How annoying. Why do they have to ruin my good mood?
Suddenly, the door burst open. Wham! I turned toward the sound and found Arthur and Stale charging into the room. They’d arrived at the same time, like they’d been somewhere together.
“Elder Sister?!”
“Princess Pride?!”
Their pretty eyes went as wide as saucers, but I couldn’t stop. My gaze lingered on them as I laughed and laughed.
“Aha ha ha ha ha! Aha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!”
My throat was getting sore by the time another figure appeared in the doorway. Her presence finally quieted me.
“Big Sister?!”
Tiara gaped at me from the doorway, perhaps frightened by my laughter. Cedric joined her. Even from across the room, I could see her face was pale with terror. When she took a timid step toward me, something like ice—or maybe bile—lurched up and down inside me. Desperate to keep her away, I grabbed the water pitcher at the bedside, cocking my arm to throw it at her, but my body was too sluggish to wield it. Without giving Tiara a chance to say anything more, I sloshed the water in her direction.
Splash! The water shot at Tiara, but Arthur swooped in to block it. Of course he’d managed to protect Tiara. Cedric had tried to step in front of her as well, but he was too slow. She’d really become a fitting heroine, having two love interests swoop in to rescue her at once.
Seeing Arthur drenched and dazed and Tiara so frightened, Stale cried out, “What are you doing?!”
Tiara was hiding behind Arthur, so I didn’t get the pleasure of seeing her expression, but the knight was scrunching his brows in consternation. Stale blinked in wide-eyed bewilderment. Their expressions were so, so sweet.
“Don’t speak to me like we’re close,” I snapped. “I’m Pride Royal Ivy, or have you forgotten? You will address me as ‘Princess Pride’ or ‘Your Highness.’”
I jabbed a finger at myself and laughed, my excitement giving me a surge of vigor.
Yes, I was Princess Pride Royal Ivy. I wasn’t someone the protagonist or love interests should call “Big Sister” or “Elder Sister.” I was the wicked, destructive last boss. Maybe it would be fun to hear them call me their sister as they spit hateful words at me. I decided I didn’t much care which form of address they chose.
Everyone was frozen, watching me in horror. A puddle soaked the floor at Arthur’s feet. I glared at Mary and Lotte, shouting, “Hey, you two! Do something about the floor!” The pale-faced women flew into action, and I threw the pitcher on the floor.
Before I could get out of bed, the doctor timidly asked, “Do you feel well?”
“Of course I do,” I said, shoving him out of my path. “There’re too many of you in here. All of you, get out. You’re a bunch of eyesores.”
I wore nothing but pajamas, so I headed to my dresser. I worked to sort out my thoughts as I rooted around for a gown to wear. Here I assumed everyone had left when I demanded it, but I turned around to find the dumbfounded group still gaping at me. Angered by their disobedience, I took a deep breath to shout at them once more.
“Pride, what’s wrong?” Leon cut in. Confusion dulled his jade-green eyes, and he took a tentative step closer. “Everyone was so worried about you…”
Cedric and the others started speaking as well, finally snapping out of their trances.
Auuugh… How annoying. Don’t they understand I have my own problems to worry about?
They were getting in my way and wouldn’t shut up. I didn’t need those looks of concern and dismay. What I really needed was…
“You won’t listen to me. Very well, then.”
I kept my tone casual as I surveyed the men in the room, which included everyone except for Tiara and the maids. I shoved Leon back and began to unbutton my nightgown.
“What are you doing?!” Leon cried.
Once I got to the lowest button I could reach, I fixed them with a look and raised my voice.
“I wonder how many of you men would face harsh questions if word got out that someone raped the firstborn princess? I can’t wait to find out.”
My lips curled into a smirk. Their bug-eyed, pale expressions sent a thrill through my chest.
How delightful.
“I’ll say it again. Get out, all of you. I want to be alone.”