A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 31.1
With that loud proclamation, the doors of the banquet hall swung open.
Through them stepped a youth with brilliant blond hair and violet eyes, of a slight and slender build.
Freckles scattered across the bridge of his nose. His face still bore the traces of adolescence, as if he had only just passed puberty.
‘The Imperial Crown Prince? Was there a Crown Prince in this novel?’
Maybe there was…
Near the end of the novel, the female lead becomes the Emperor’s adopted daughter.
There were so many characters who cherished and loved her, aside from the male leads, that I couldn’t possibly remember them all.
Adding one more like a younger brother-type Crown Prince wouldn’t make much difference.
Given that I couldn’t recall any specific scenes involving him, it seemed fortunate that the Crown Prince wasn’t an important character.
“We greet the Empire’s Small Sun.”
The gathered nobles quickly bowed their heads in respect.
I also hurriedly lowered my head along with them.
Leading his attendants, the Crown Prince crossed the hall and naturally took his place at the very center of the dais.
“Raise your heads.”
A cheerful and clear voice, still untouched by puberty, rang out overhead.
“It’s a fine evening. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to come.”
“……”
“Tonight’s banquet was hosted by Grand Duke Belnac to commemorate the successful Gate subjugation in northern Tezeron, but unfortunately, the Grand Duke is unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.”
“……”
“So, I’ll be presiding over the event in his stead. Please, enjoy yourselves to the fullest.”
As the Crown Prince’s opening remarks ended, the music, which had paused, resumed once more.
“…The Grand Duke isn’t coming?”
Vincent tilted his head to the side, muttering.
He wasn’t the only one confused. Many nobles looked around, whispering with puzzled expressions.
“Unforeseen circumstances? But the Gate has already been closed. What could have come up?”
“I came up to the capital two days ago just to see the Grand Duke. What is this…?”
“Is it really appropriate for His Highness the Crown Prince to host such a banquet? He hasn’t even awakened yet…”
“That’s what I’m saying. I wonder if he got permission from His Majesty. Tsk.”
Even without trying to listen in, it was clear who sat at the center of this web of power.
The nobles all exuded a subtle air of disregard toward the young Crown Prince, who had yet to awaken.
‘So what if someone’s an Awakener? They really do look down on others.’
Clicking my tongue, I watched the Crown Prince.
Unfortunately, no nobles dared to approach him.
He had to be aware of the atmosphere, but even so, the Crown Prince held his ground.
His chin was lifted high, and the stubborn set of his lips revealed a fierce determination to reclaim his authority.
— No matter if you’re a Ducal Lady. If you haven’t awakened, that’s just how things are.
The Duke’s words suddenly echoed in my mind as I watched the Crown Prince.
Honestly, they’d annoyed me at the time.
‘Haven’t you ever heard of making do with what you’ve got?’
Not everyone in the world is awakened. In fact, they only make up about 5% of the total population.
Are the rest supposed to just sit on their hands and wait to die, relying on Awakeners for everything?
‘People like me can do just fine by putting their skills to use!’
But seeing the Crown Prince now, I started to understand what the Duke had meant.
For unawakened people to live as equals among Awakeners, the right environment is essential.
In a society as archaic and rigid as this, where social hierarchies still exist, it’s only natural for ability-based meritocracy to be the law of survival.
‘…Honestly, the world I came from wasn’t all that different.’
No matter how advanced science and technology get, invisible hierarchies still exist.
Awakeners become the ruling class.
The unawakened remain the ruled.
Just as the Crown Prince was being dismissed by the nobles, and just as even a biological daughter could get beaten by adopted siblings…
Suddenly, I was swept by a hollow sense of futility at how some things never change, no matter where you go.
“Why? Do you feel some kind of kinship, seeing someone in the same boat as you?”
A mocking voice pierced my thoughts.
Startled, I looked up to see Vincent staring down at me with an amused expression.
“No need to pity the Crown Prince so much. He might look gentle, but unlike you, he’s not an easy mark.”
“……”
“Do you really think the Grand Duke isn’t coming because of ‘unforeseen circumstances’? The man himself arranged this banquet to celebrate his own victory.”
I frowned at his words.
‘What nonsense is this guy spouting?’
I had enough of my own problems to deal with. Who was I to pity anyone else?
‘And who cares if the Grand Duke shows up or not?’
If Male Lead #4 didn’t appear, it was all the better for me.
“…Aren’t you going to go look for the Purifier?”
Just leave already!
I asked, hoping he’d get the hint, and he shot me a look of annoyance.
“She’s not here yet.”
“Then when she arrives, will you go talk to her? I really don’t want to waste any more breath talking to you. I’m already being dumb enough to let you use me, so you can at least do me this one favor, right?”
At my polite request, a vein bulged in Vincent’s forehead.
“You seriously… Since last time—”
That was when it happened.
Flash!
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the center of the ballroom, and light began to gather in midair.
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