The Talentless Wicked Prince Wants To Survive ~ The Only Way For Me, Reincarnated As The Punching Bag Third Prince In A Romance Smartphone RPG, To Live Is To Not Break Off My Engagement With The Duke’s Yandere Daughter Who’s Stronger Than The Heroine~

“U-um, Monica… there’s something I’d like to ask you about Sandra.”

Some time had passed since the delegation from the Holy Kingdom of Baltian had departed when Prince Harold spoke to me, his expression solemn.

Normally, he would be far more casual, but seeing his demeanor, I realized that this was not the time for my usual teasing.

“If it is something I can answer, Your Highness.”

Placing my hand to my chest, I bowed politely.

I didn’t know how much help I could be, but for my beloved master’s sake, I would tell him everything I knew.

“Thank you. The truth is…”

Prince Harold began to explain in a halting tone about the events that had transpired between my lady and the Saint after the match with Lady Carla.

…Yes. This was not something I could possibly answer.

If His Highness were to learn the truth, there was no doubt it would drive a wedge between the two of them.

“So if you happen to know anything, Monica, could you tell me?”

“I’m terribly sorry. Regrettably, I know nothing of the sort…”

Of course, that was a lie.

I knew full well what had happened to my lady.

It was the result of her unique power, the one and only gift that had gone out of control.

A blessing bestowed only upon the chosen few of the Chevalier family, a lineage that had stood since the founding of the Kingdom of Dehaubarz.

The name of that power was the Dragon’s Blessing.

Those who possessed the Dragon’s Blessing gained overwhelming strength when they loved someone with all-consuming passion.

It had all begun when the young Siglus of Chevalier, the first head of the Chevalier house, had received power from the legendary dragon Fafnir.

Siglus had first invoked the Blessing when he’d fallen in love with Princess Rune, sister to the first king, Savelin Well Dehaubarz.

With that power, he’d repelled the mighty Nordia Empire that had invaded from across the sea, and the Kingdom of Dehaubarz had thus risen to become one of the great powers of the world.

However… in the three hundred years since then, only two descendants of the Chevalier family had ever inherited this power besides Lord Siglus himself.

One of them… was my lady.

That was why she was the rightful head of the Chevalier house.

“I see… I thought you, being almost like her sister, might know something.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of help, Your Highness.”

It pained me to lie, but it couldn’t be helped.

I would have to question my lady about this matter later.

After offering a heartfelt apology to the dejected Prince Harold, I immediately set off for the Chevalier townhouse.

◇

“Now then, my lady, why did you do such a thing?”

“…”

No matter how many times I asked, my lady only averted her eyes awkwardly. She must have known herself that she had gone too far.

“Sigh… what would you have done if Prince Harold had lost faith in you?”

“Huh!? I-It couldn’t be helped! That woman, the Saint, was terribly rude to my dear Haru-sama! How could I possibly contain my anger!?”

“It’s no use getting angry after ignoring your own misstep, my lady.”

“Ahhh…”

The Dragon’s Blessing granted immense power, but not without cost.

Because its power was born from love, the more deeply one loved, the more dangerously it ran wild.

To the point that no one could stop it.

Seven years ago, when my lady had first laid eyes on Prince Harold, the Blessing had awakened. She’d then gone berserk.

It had taken many people, including the head of the family and Lord Cedric, to finally stop her.

Ever since, she’d trained rigorously to keep herself under control, so that such a thing would never happen again in the prince’s presence. And after all that effort, she’d finally earned her engagement to him.

To throw it all away now would be unthinkable.

“At least His Highness was there to calm you. Still, after witnessing such a scene, he may have felt even the slightest disappointment in you.”

“T-that can’t be true…”

Well, judging from the prince’s attitude, I doubted that he felt that way, but it served as a good lesson for her nonetheless.

“In any case, please take great care not to lose control again. Especially when it concerns Prince Harold.”

Yes… the most terrifying thing about a rampage caused by the Dragon’s Blessing was when it turned upon the very one the bearer loved.

According to the Chevalier family records, Lord Siglus himself had barely managed to maintain his sanity through sheer willpower, but the other who’d possessed the Blessing could not resist.

She’d imprisoned the one she’d loved, offering him a twisted devotion until her mind had finally broken.

Were such a thing to happen again, both my lady and His Highness would be doomed to misery.

“In any case, this must never happen again, my lady.”

“Y-yes…”

It might have sounded harsh, but there was no other way.

I, Monica Ashton, wished for nothing more than the happiness of both Prince Harold and my lady.

Bowing to the downcast young lady, I took my leave and returned to the royal palace.