You Can't Scare Me

"Come down and eat," Kaguya called, turning back and gesturing to Kurome.

Upon seeing Kaguya, Kurome's pink cheeks turned beet red, and she nearly fled in embarrassment.

Fortunately, Kaguya noticed in time and grabbed her small wrist, dragging her to the dining table. She pressed her down into a chair and handed her some bread and milk, saying, "Eat something first. I figure you haven't had much to eat these past few days."

Kurome had intended to walk away, but she couldn't resist the temptation of food. As Kaguya had pointed out, in this icy weather, it was hard to find anything edible. The only rabbit she had caught was disturbed by a Danger Beast, leaving her without a meal. The intense battles that followed had drained her strength.

Now, she was starving, her stomach aching with hunger. The sight of food quickly broke her resolve, though she still struggled to maintain her dignity.

Seeing Kurome gulping down her saliva, Kaguya found it amusing and forcefully placed the fragrant bread and milk into her hands.

"Eat up, and let me know when you're finished."

Perhaps to ease Kurome's embarrassment, Kaguya left the room after speaking.

The moment Kaguya stepped outside, Kurome eagerly grabbed the fragrant bread and stuffed it into her mouth, eating in large bites, and gulping down the warm, sweet milk.

Just then, the door suddenly opened again, and a silver-haired girl poked her head in, smiling slyly at Kurome. "By the way, don't think of running off after you eat. If you do, I'll give you a good spanking."

Kurome, who had been eating heartily, froze in place, her hand holding the bread suspended mid-air, clearly not expecting Kaguya to come back.

With a bang, the door closed again, and the room returned to silence.

"Cough, cough."

Perhaps startled by the sudden intrusion, Kurome choked, coughing several times as she clutched her throat. Finally, after gulping down some milk, she let out a long sigh of relief.

Looking in the direction Kaguya had left, Kurome felt a bit indignant.

Her Highness the Princess is perfect in every way, except that she bullies people too much.

They say it's not the falling snow that's cold, but the thaw that is truly chilling. Now was the coldest time.

The snow on the ground had begun to harden, and stepping on it produced a crisp crunching sound. The biting northern wind howled through the air, lashing against faces with a numbing chill.

However, the sky had cleared, and the winter sun, though faint, cast a soft glow that warmed the skin pleasantly.

"Imperial Princess, what's your real name?" Leone had stepped out of the room at some point, leaning against the wall and teasingly asking.

"Haven't you already learned my name?" Kaguya responded with a smile, walking gracefully over and leaning against the wall beside Leone, basking in the warm sunlight.

"Kaguya, is that it?" Leone rested her arms behind her head, chuckling. "For some reason, the name feels strange, a bit awkward."

"Every name can feel awkward until you get used to it," Kaguya replied with a smile. "It's like a habit—once you're used to it, it no longer feels odd."

"So, what about you?" Leone propped her chin on her hands, looking thoughtful. "In my eyes, most of the Imperial Army is the same—few are good people. As for the Imperial rulers, they're the root of all evil. But you seem different."

"What's different?" Kaguya tilted her head and smiled. "Aren't I an Imperial Princess too?"

"That's not what I mean. You don't seem as bad as the others," Leone said hesitantly.

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Kaguya chuckled. "I'm flattered."

"We don't quite understand you. As an Imperial Princess," Leone said, "why do you oppose the Empire? I've heard people say you're trying to seize the Empire's throne by winning people's hearts."

"Is that really the rumor?" Kaguya's face showed a moment of surprise, then she asked with curiosity.

"Yes, but you don't seem like the kind of person who would do anything for power," Leone remarked, observing the silver-haired girl in front of her.

"Sorry," Kaguya said, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "But they're right—my ultimate goal is indeed the Imperial throne."

"You..."

Leone was momentarily speechless, and the atmosphere grew awkward.

"Why do you do it?" Leone asked, forcing a smile to break the tension. "Is it to give the common people a better life?"

"I think you've misunderstood," Kaguya interrupted her with a light laugh, flipping her silver hair over her shoulder. "I simply find them displeasing."

Leone was speechless.

The soft winter sunlight bathed the two girls in a gentle golden hue, filling the air with a lazy, dreamy warmth.

"Hey, you could easily kill us all, couldn't you?" Leone suddenly asked.

"Yes. Why, do you want to die?" Kaguya's demeanor shifted, her lips curving into a dangerous smile as a wave of killing intent radiated from her. She took a step closer to Leone, lifting her chin with a delicate finger, her eyes piercing as she said, "If that's what you want, I could oblige."

Leone's pupils contracted, and a wave of intense fear surged through her. It was as if the beautiful silver-haired girl before her had transformed into a super-dangerous beast, ready to devour her in an instant.

Kaguya smiled, a bit pleased with herself. Her eye technique wasn't something just anyone could withstand. In the past, she had used it to defeat many formidable opponents.

But at that moment, Leone suddenly reached out with her white arm, wrapping it around Kaguya's shoulder with a grin. "Your aura is terrifying, but sorry, it doesn't scare me. Hahaha!"

Kaguya was speechless.