NOVPUBInside the Waiting Room
“Haah...”
Sighing deeply, Shartia sat alone in the waiting room, preparing herself. Her next opponent was going to be troublesome.
She’d managed to reach the quarterfinals by luck, thanks to a favorable bracket. While no one in Group B was exactly weak, the opponents weren’t quite on par with the monstrous talents in Group A.
Except for one.
Her next opponent, none other than the First Prince, Crown Prince Leogarde Teo, Shartia’s half-brother and the empire’s heir.
He was backed by the powerful empress, the firstborn son of the emperor, and bore the prestigious title of the Crown Prince. Not only did he possess an aptitude for magic and swordsmanship, but his greatest asset was the unique “Eye of Truth” — a gift only those with the purest imperial blood could awaken.
And he was the one obstacle standing between Shartia and the semifinals.
“....”
Shartia despised Teo.
It wasn’t because of the discrimination she endured due to her commoner mother. She understood that a bastard child faced inherent prejudice. No, her reasons were more grounded.
Leogarde Teo... was unfit to be king.
From a young age, Shartia had crossed paths with the Crown Prince enough to know his character. She understood how he perceived the empire and how he viewed the throne he claimed he would one day inherit.
Teo, who wandered aimlessly, showed no sense of responsibility for the empire that would soon be his to govern. He gallivanted about, throwing around the title of Crown Prince to smooth over whatever mess he left in his wake, claiming he needed freedom to broaden his horizons.
For Teo, the throne was a mere plaything. He didn’t care that the lives of the empire’s citizens would one day be in his hands.
As someone who had endured countless trials to protect her own mother’s honor and legitimacy, Shartia found his freedom-seeking antics a bitter reminder of the snake coiled around her heart.
She was studying to survive, fighting to be respected. Watching Teo, who had achieved all this effortlessly, filled her with frustration.
Once, the emperor had praised her for her dedication.
“Shartia, it’s admirable how hard you work. Someday, I hope you’ll help Teo become a wise ruler.” “...Yes, Father.” “Continue your efforts.”
The emperor’s words stung.
If I were on the throne... I could do it better.
Shartia knew the throne was meant to be out of reach for ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) someone like her, but she couldn’t shake the desire to be recognized. She wanted people to see her as a worthy ruler — a validation of all her years of hard work.
“....”
Currently, power was in Teo’s hands. The emperor supported him without question.
And Shartia believed Teo had the qualities to be a beloved figure, but not to lead the empire to greatness. He was playful, impulsive, and prone to rash decisions.
She still remembered an incident long ago, when Teo had once casually suggested to the emperor that they simply go to war with a neighboring country, as though it were no more consequential than flipping a coin.
Shartia took a steadying breath, her resolve hardening.
“Next competitors, please prepare.”
It was then that someone entered her waiting room.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Holding a snack, Teo approached, a confident, almost smug smile on his face. His posture radiated the assurance of someone who already believed himself the victor.
Seeing his face, Shartia scowled and spoke sharply.
“Aren’t contestants forbidden from entering each other’s waiting rooms?”
“I just wanted to chat with my dear sister. I’ll leave soon; no need to be so prickly.”
“...”
Teo settled a respectful distance from her and brushed a hand through his hair, speaking calmly.
“Are you prepared for the match?”
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Hmm... I see.”
The Crown Prince nodded, a faint smile lingering as he continued.
“So, graduation is just around the corner, huh?”
“...”
“You’re a fourth-year. How does it feel, knowing you’re almost done?”
“Since when did you care about my plans?”
“Haha... I suppose that’s fair.”
Teo chuckled, flashing a mischievous grin.
“Have you thought about what you’ll do after you graduate?”
“Why do you care?”
“Why wouldn’t I? As your elder brother, I’m naturally concerned for your future.”
“I...”
Cutting her off, Teo’s casual expression hardened as he spoke in a low tone.
“Listen, Shartia.”
“...”
“When I become emperor, I plan to exile all our siblings.”
“What...?!”
“There will be those who rebel. Some may even consider taking up arms against me. But...”
The Crown Prince’s eyes gleamed with a chilling light.
“It doesn’t matter how many of them oppose me. I can tell who among our kin is likely to stab me in the back and who isn’t, even if I seem like I’m wandering aimlessly. So, I’m giving you this advice.”
Teo’s golden eyes held a fierce glint.
“Think about your future.”
“...”
“And remember, you have your mother to consider.”
With a final, condescending smile, Teo inclined his head slightly.
“See you in the arena. Think hard about what I said.”
As he turned to leave, Shartia called out.
“...You... never even cared about the throne.”
“Hmm?”
“When we were kids, you said you didn’t want to be king. You even asked me to make you a rich noble if I ever became emperor.”
“Oh...”
Teo’s gaze turned cold as he leaned in, his words barely a whisper.
“I changed my mind.”
“What...?”
“I found something I want.”
Shartia’s eyes followed his gaze as he glanced toward the arena where Yuria stood.
“I have competition now.”
Turning back to her, Teo added one final, chilling remark.
“Oh, and Shartia...”
“...”
“Calling me ‘brother’ isn’t exactly polite, coming from a bastard child.” 𝚗𝚘v𝚙𝚞b.𝚌𝚘m
“...!!!”
“Mind your tongue.”
With a smirk, Teo slowly made his way out of the room, leaving behind a tense silence and a suffocating heaviness.
Tap.
A hollow feeling began to settle in her chest.
Tap.
It felt like her old wounds had been ripped open, an echo of the painful past her mother had endured, an agony now reflected within her like a shattered mirror.
Shartia whispered to herself, “It’s fine.”
She had survived so far, endured countless humiliations. There was no reason to let this get to her.
But the way Teo now wore his smile like a mask, having treated her so distantly all these years, left Shartia shaken.
Just as he reached the door, Teo paused, throwing out one last remark.
“I’ll find a decent suitor for you soon. How about a political marriage?”
“...”
“If you’d like to stay in the palace, make a choice soon.”
At that moment, fear gripped Shartia’s heart.
And then...
Creeeak.
“What nonsense is this?”
A familiar voice broke through, mocking the imperial decorum.
Standing in the doorway, bathed in light, a man’s crimson hair seemed to blaze.
Seeing him, Teo’s face tightened in irritation.
“Who dares speak to royalty like that?”
The man smiled, seemingly delighted at Teo’s irritation.
“Crown Prince.”
“...”
“You’re not emperor yet.”
“...”
“Are you planning to rule the empire alone?”
It was Ricardo.
“Your arrogance is astounding. Is it thanks to that ‘reliable father’ of yours?”
“Silence.”
“Sorry, I can’t help it — I have a mouth, after all.”
Ricardo, the most baffling man she knew, looked down at Teo with a cold, mocking smile.
“Connections run deep, don’t they?”
“...”
“Well, I have connections too.”
And he began taunting a man no one else would dare to challenge.
