A Bratty Issue

Gathering himself quickly, he assumed his role as the princess once again, hoping to maintain a facade of normalcy. With a composed voice, he said, "One moment, my love!"

He took a deep breath, mustering a bright smile on his face as he opened the door to greet the unexpected visitor, ["Ugh, this is so humiliating!"]

Yuto suppressed his annoyance and discomfort, putting on a sweet smile and a fake tone of affection. "Darling!" he exclaimed, feigning enthusiasm. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your unannounced visit?"

Wanless entered the room, and wrapped his arms around Yuto, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Ah, my love," he murmured, his voice dripping with forced affection. "I couldn't bear the thought of not being beside you. I had to see you, to hold you"

Yuto fought the urge to recoil, forcing himself to reciprocate the embrace. "I'm delighted to see you too, darling," he replied, his voice strained but maintaining a semblance of warmth.

["Don't punch him, get it together Yuto"]

Wanless pulled away slightly, gazing into Yuto's eyes with a feigned tenderness. "You look... different," he noted, his brows furrowing slightly as if trying to pinpoint the discrepancy. Yuto tensed, trying to maintain his composure.

"Different? How so?" he inquired, playing coy and trying to deflect any suspicions

"Rose, you have a few cuts, and you're not wearing your usual pajamas"

"Oh, these?" he said casually. "Just a little mishap while exploring the castle gardens. A few thorns, you know how it is." He chuckled softly, hoping to dismiss any concerns

"And as for the pajamas," he added, ad-libbing swiftly, "I decided to try something different tonight. It's good to switch things up now and then, don't you think?"

"Don't I look cute?", ["How does Mizuki say all this with a straight face?"]

Wanless furrowed his brow, appearing unconvinced but unwilling to press further. "Hmm...Yes, you do," he muttered, a hint of skepticism lingering in his voice. "As long as you're safe and sound, that's all that matters"

He tightened his grip around Yuto, drawing him closer once more. "Let's make the most of our time together, shall we?" he suggested, his tone oozing with affection

"How about a kiss Rose?"

Yuto tensed up even more, a wave of discomfort washing over him. The very thought of being intimate with Wanless made his stomach churn. He tried to hide his disdain with a forced smile

"Oh, darling," he responded, his voice tinged with reluctance, "I... I'm feeling a bit unwell at the moment. Perhaps we can save that for another time?" he suggested, hoping to sidestep the situation

["I would rather fail this quest than do that!"]

"Honey, I hope you understand. Let's focus on spending quality time together. We can do something that doesn't require physical intimacy, like talking or playing games. What do you say?"

He tried to convey sincerity and care in his words, hoping to diffuse the situation and find an alternate way to connect with Wanless

Wanless sighed, a hint of disappointment evident in his expression. "Very well, Rose," he conceded, reluctantly accepting Yuto's refusal. "If you're feeling unwell, we'll save the physical affection for another time"

He released Yuto from his grip and stepped back slightly. "You're right. Spending time together is what matters most. We can talk, play games, or enjoy each other's company"

Though his voice held a tinge of sadness, Wanless seemed willing to respect Yuto's boundaries

Yuto breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for Wanless's understanding. "Thank you for being so patient and understanding, darling," he expressed sincerely

"Let's make the most of our time together in a way that's comfortable for both of us"

He suggested some engaging activities that could occupy their time and strengthen their bond, ensuring that physical intimacy wasn't the focus of their interaction

The rest of their time together was spent sharing stories and playing board games without any unwanted advances or discomfort

Wanless soon left after a while leaving Yuto drained of social energy Yuto closed the door behind Wanless, finally having some moments to himself. He took a deep breath, exhaling heavily, and leaned against the wall

He glanced around the room, grateful for the solitude. In this precious moment alone, he allowed himself to shed the facade of the princess and just be himself. His shoulders relaxed, and a sigh of relief escaped him

"A whole week having to avoid a moron like that?"

Yuto groaned, realizing that he would need to navigate this delicate situation for the next week. The thought of enduring Wanless's unwanted advances and forced affection for seven full days made him cringe inwardly

Yuto's thoughts were interrupted by the knock on the door. He swiftly composed himself once more, assuming the role of the princess, he called out sweetly, "Come in."

The door opened, and it was Claudia, the younger sister of Rosalind, who poked her head through the doorway, her youthful face peering curiously into the room

Rosalind, can I come in?" she asked, her voice filled with what sounded like bitterness but tried masking it with a polite and sweet tone

Yuto's expression softened at the sight of Claudia. Despite his current predicament, seeing her innocent smile brought a sense of comfort, it reminded him of Cynthia and how she was doing right now

"Of course, Claudia," he responded warmly, gesturing for her to enter. "Come in, dear."

["How did Rosalind treat her younger sister, nah I'll treat her like I treat Cynthia"]

Though the question of how Rosalind treated her younger sister crossed Yuto's mind, he decided based on his own experiences he would treat Claudia with the same kindness and affection he treated Cynthia

Even if it got him some strange looks like the one Claudia was giving him now as he noticed the somewhat baffled expression on Claudia's face. Perhaps she was taken aback by his unexpected display of affection

He chuckled softly, sensing her confusion. "Is something on your mind, dear?" he inquired gently

Yuto's brow furrowed as he noticed Claudia's sudden shift from surprise to horror. Concern etched across his face

"What's wrong, Claudia?" he asked, his voice laced with worry. "You look distressed. Tell me what's troubling you"

Claudia quickly composed herself and took a seat on the couch, she noticed that Yuto was drinking a cup of green tea, "I saw Rose walking out fast. Did you do something to her?"

Yuto's heart skipped a beat as Claudia's question hit him like a ton of bricks. He hadn't anticipated this turn of events

He quickly gathered his composure and responded, feigning ignorance. "What do you mean, Claudia? I didn't do anything to Rose. What makes you ask such a question?"

"Right as if you haven't before, look Rose was the only one who volunteered to be your maid so you best treat her with some respect"

["How bad was the original Rosalind to make Claudia believe something like that?"]

He composed himself and spoke gently, trying to reassure Claudia. "I assure you, Claudia, I have no intention of mistreating Rose. She serves me with devotion, and I treat her with the utmost respect"

"Sister, with any respect I have for you, I do not believe you"

Yuto, taken aback by Claudia's bluntness, felt a pang of disbelief. "Why would you doubt me, Claudia?" he asked, his voice tinged with hurt

"I assure you, I hold great respect for Rose. She is one of the most loyal and hardworking individuals in this castle"

"And Wanless?" Claudia's hands were gripping the end of her dress, clearly waiting for "Rosalind's" response

Yuto couldn't help but grimace inwardly at the mention of Wanless. Though he feigned a pleasant expression, the thought of the hero made his skin crawl

"What about Wanless?" he inquired, trying to maintain a neutral tone

"Hah, what did I expect? As soon as you find and seduce the hero, you're already done with him?"

["Well, I'm not the real Princess, so why would I care about the dude"]

"And here I thought you changed, I've been hearing how much better you've been treating the maids, and yet the same old story with you"

["What did Rosalind do to be outcasted?"]

"You are just the same old Rosalind, hurting whoever you please because father loves you so much!"

["Why does she hate Rosalind so much?"]

"A selfish woman who only relies on our father's-"

"ENOUGH!"

Yuto's outburst surprised even himself. His voice was firm and authoritative, echoing in the room. He quickly realized that his outburst could have been dangerous given his situation as the princess

Clearing his throat, he spoke with a softer tone, "I apologize for raising my voice, Claudia," he said, trying to calm the situation. "I... I don't like how the conversation soured. Let's change the topic."

"Like I thought you don't change" Claudia smirked, her head shaking as she let out a chuckle in an almost mocking tone, Claudia excused herself and left the room without even taking a sip of the tea

Yuto watched Claudia leave, feeling a mixture of frustration and disappointment. His attempt to explain himself had backfired completely, and now he had unintentionally given credence to the image of the uncaring princess.

He sat down heavily on the bed, running a hand through his hair in exasperation, "Great," he mumbled to himself. "Just... great."

[-System-]

How rude of her

Yuto let out a frustrated sigh. "I know, right?" he muttered to himself. "That didn't go as planned. She practically accused me of mistreating Rose and discarding Wanless like some used toy"

[-System-]

You talk as if you're the princess herself

Yuto chuckled softly at the system's comment. "I guess I'm getting a bit too much into character, huh?" he replied, his tone a mix of self-awareness and amusement

[-System-]

No, it's because the princess mentality stat is higher than yours

Yuto raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the system's revelation. "Wait, are you telling me that my actions and thoughts are influenced by the princess mentality stat?"

[-System-]

That is the conclusion I've come to, but do not worry, I will not let her influence you as much as it usually would

Yuto nodded, absorbing the information. "So, the princess mentality stat is making me act and think more like a princess. Interesting..."

He paused for a moment, a thought crossing his mind. "And what about you, system? Can you intervene if the princess mentality starts overpowering me?"

[-System-]

I will send you back to your body if need be, it's dangerous that even with the system her willpower seems to be overpowering us

Yuto let out a small sigh of relief. "That's good to know," he replied, reassured that the system would have his back if necessary

He sat silently for a moment, contemplating his current situation. "The princess mentality stat is quite a powerful influence, isn't it?" he mused

[-System-]

Mizuki and Cynthia would enjoy seeing you act like a princess

Yuto rolled his eyes at the system's comment. "Yeah, yeah, I know," he muttered, a hint of sarcasm in his voice

"They would find amusement in my predicament. Mizuki would probably make some sarcastic remarks, and Cynthia would mock me for being a princess"

[-System-]

They would have a field day with it, Mizuki, especially with all the teasing she does to you in bed

Yuto chuckled, "Oh, definitely, you know I miss Mizuki and her little comments"

[-System-]

New Quest - Get some rest

Yuto acknowledged the new quest announcement from the system. "Rest, huh? Considering how draining this day has been, that might be a good idea"

He lay down on the bed, letting out a sigh as his weary body sunk into the soft mattress. Exhaustion tugged at his eyelids, and he closed his eyes, ready to embrace the temporary respite that sleep offered

-Morning 7 AM-

Yuto was jolted awake from his sleep, momentarily disoriented. It took a moment for him to regain his bearings and remember the current reality. He sat up on the bed, running a hand through his tousled hair

The knock on the door brought his attention to Rose, standing there, ready for Rosalind's morning baths. Yuto swallowed and shook off any grogginess. He had to stay in character, at least in front of Rose

"Ah, good morning, Rose," he greeted her with a forced smile

["This is getting old fast,"]

Yuto rose from the bed, stretching his limbs. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in a soft glow

"I trust you have everything prepared for my bath?" he asked, trying to sound as princess-like as possible

Rose nodded, her expression neutral. "Yes, milady. I've drawn a hot bath, and everything is prepared as you like it"

Yuto smiled faintly, masking his exhaustion with false politeness, "Excellent," he replied. "Lead the way, Rose"

-Bath-

This time, Yuto was prepared and covered his eyes with a towel as he undressed, Yuto let out a slight sigh as he allowed Rose to tend to him. The sense of vulnerability was uncomfortable, but he swallowed his discomfort and endured the bathing in silence

He tried to relax as Rose gently washed his body, but the foreignness of the situation kept him on edge. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of embarrassment as Rose attended to his every need

After what felt like an eternity, the bathing process was finally over. Yuto was once again dressed in his usual princess attire. He ran a hand through his damp hair, feeling fresh yet still a bit rattled from the experience

Yuto glanced in the mirror, fixing his hair and adjusting his appearance. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that he had to keep up the princess persona, especially with Wanless being a factor

"Am I presentable, Rose?" he asked, seeking confirmation from the maid

Rose appraised Yuto's appearance and gave a nod of approval. "You look perfectly appropriate, milady," she assured him. "Your hair is neatly arranged, and your gown is immaculate"

Yuto managed a small smile, grateful for her affirmation. He took a moment to compose himself and then turned towards the door

"I suppose I should face the day, then," he said, trying to hide the fatigue in his voice. "Thank you, Rose, for your assistance"

With that, Yuto exited the room, he walked down the hallway, he couldn't shake the unease that settled in his chest. The weight of his situation and the constant need to maintain Princess Rosalind's facade were exhausting

[-New Quest-]

Unlock the lock of Claudia's heart - Undo the past mistakes of Rosalind and reconnect with her younger sister

Yuto received the new quest notification from the system. He pondered over the objective and sighed internally. Repairing strained relationships wasn't something he had ever cared for, but he supposed it was necessary now

"Making up with Claudia, huh?" he mumbled to himself. "This is going to be fun…"

[-System-]

You have a little sister. Just treat her how you would treat Cynthia

Perhaps treating Claudia as he would Cynthia might soften her animosity towards him

"Alright," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "I'll try to approach this like I would with Cynthia. Can't hurt to try, right?"

[-System-]

May the Goddess Elise be with you

Yuto chuckled at the system's comment. "Yeah, I'll need all the divine help I can get," he muttered, half-jokingly

As he made his way through the castle, Yuto replayed the system's advice in his head. Treat Claudia the way he would treat Cynthia. It seemed simple enough, but he knew he also had to tread carefully

Claudia was already hostile towards him, thanks to the original Rosalind's actions

Yuto chuckled darkly, silently agreeing with himself. "From battling ferocious monsters to trying to please a princess's younger sister," he mumbled under his breath. "I never thought this day would come"

He took a deep breath, gathering his composure. He couldn't let his true identity slip out, even in private musings

But as he prepared himself to meet Claudia, doubts wormed their way into his mind. How could he possibly mend a strained relationship with a girl who loathed him for the actions of the original Rosalind?

"Rosalind love!"

Yuto froze mid-step, a slight shiver running down his spine as he heard Wanless's voice calling out to him. He turned slowly, plastering a polite smile on his face

["MOTHER F-"]

"Yes, Wanless?" he responded, mentally steeling himself for the inevitable interaction

Yuto clenched his fists, his smile faltering as he fought the urge to curse aloud. Wanless's presence and incessant affection were testing his patience

He took a deep, discreet breath, reminding himself to maintain his composure and keep up the princess facade, "Is there something you need, Wanless?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady

Wanless approached him, a lovesick smile on his face. "Oh, I just wanted to spend some time with you," he professed, his voice oozing with affection

"I also learned a new technique, but I'm better than the old Sword Master right?"

This was a bit of a sore spot for Yuto as his father was the old Sword Master, and to think a brat like him even thinks he suppressed his father was nothing more than an insult

But he couldn't show his annoyance in front of Wanless. He forced a neutral expression and responded. "I'm certain your technique is noteworthy, but have you seen Claudia?"

"Claudia? Why do you need her?" Wanless asked, a hint of possessiveness in his voice

Yuto feigned a nonchalant shrug. "Oh, I simply want to speak with her about something," he replied, trying to keep his tone light

Wanless's eyes narrowed slightly, his suspicion evident. "Why can't you discuss it with me?"

["I don't need to tell you that"]

Yuto maintained his composure, fighting the instinct to snap back a harsh reply. He forced a polite smile

"It's something personal between me and Claudia," he explained evenly. "I assure you, it doesn't concern you"

[-System-]

New Passive - Cold-Blooded - lack of emotion or sympathy, able to hide true feelings

Yuto felt a subtle shift within him as the system announced the new passive. It was as if a veil was placed over his emotions, allowing him to hide any signs of anger or irritation towards Wanless.

He felt numb, cold even, as he continued the conversation with the clingy Hero

It was a bit disconcerting, the way his emotions seemed to recede behind the veil of coldness. But it also made dealing with Wanless slightly more tolerable. He felt more detached, less prone to reacting explosively to the boy's advances

He observed Wanless closely, noting the slight disappointment in his eyes at the lack of emotional response. It was as if Wanless expected Rosalind's usual sweet, docile nature, and Yuto's distant attitude caught him off guard

"She's in the green palace. You know the place built for her specifically"

["Good to know"]

Yuto gave a small nod, maintaining his cold-blooded facade. "Thank you for the information," he replied, his voice devoid of any warmth or affection

He then turned on his heel and started walking towards the green palace, silently glad to be excused from Wanless's company

As he walked, Yuto pondered over the changes brought about by the passive "Cold Blooded". It was a strange, almost alien sensation to feel so detached from his emotions, but he was thankful for the reprieve it offered from dealing with Wanless's constant clinginess

-10 Minutes later-

After a short walk, Yuto arrived in front of the green palace. The building stood out among its surroundings, its verdant hue making it a stark contrast, but somehow fitting. Yuto pushed open the door and stepped inside, still firmly under the effects of "Cold Blooded"

The interior of the palace was as lavish as expected, adorned with luxurious fabrics and elegant furniture. The color green was prominent throughout, from the emerald carpet to the verdant curtains. It was almost overwhelming but in a strangely aesthetically pleasing way

In the middle was Claudia, drinking tea with cake to the side. She was reading a newspaper and seemed to be at peace

Yuto observed Claudia from a small distance, noting her serene demeanor. She appeared relaxed, engrossed in her reading. For a moment, he considered the situation. If he wanted to fix his relationship with her, he needed to approach her the way he would Cynthia

Taking a deep breath, Yuto walked up to Claudia, his steps measured and unhurried. He stopped beside her and waited for her to notice him

Claudia lowered the newspaper, her gaze meeting Yuto's. Her expression was initially neutral, but a flicker of annoyance crossed her face when she recognized him

"What do you want?" she asked, her tone brusque

Yuto maintained his composure, his demeanor aloof yet polite. He kept his voice steady and calm. "I'd like to talk with you if you wouldn't mind"

"Take a seat"

Yuto nodded and settled into a chair beside Claudia. He folded his hands, his expression stoic. "Thank you," he said, then waited until Claudia had put down her newspaper and given him her full attention

Claudia leaned back in her chair, her eyes cool as they regarded Yuto. "Well? What is it you want to talk about?" she asked, her tone betraying no warmth or goodwill

"Claudia, what is it that makes you dislike me?"

Claudia raised an eyebrow at the direct question, seemingly taken aback by Yuto's bluntness. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding

"What isn't there to dislike about you?" she replied, her voice tinged with bitterness

"You're everything that I despise: pampered, coddled by everyone, and utterly useless"

"And do you have any proof?" Yuto poured himself a cup of tea and took a piece of cake, ignoring Claudia's annoyed look

Claudia let out a scoff, her expression darkening slightly. "Proof? You want proof?" she repeated, her voice laced with derision. "You're the princess, aren't you? The pampered little girl who has people catering to her every whim. You have no real responsibilities, no hardships. You've been sheltered from the real world your entire life"

"Claudia, need I remind you that you are the second princess, so how are you any different?"

Claudia's eyes narrowed, her expression turning defensive. "That's different," she said, her voice tight. "I wasn't raised as the heir. I wasn't groomed for the throne. And I certainly didn't get everything handed to me on a silver platter like you did!"

Yuto remained silent, letting Claudia's words hang in the air. He could feel the frustration and resentment emanating from her. It was clear that her anger ran deep, likely fueled by years of feeling overshadowed and overlooked as the younger sister

["But so what? Rosalind only ever wrote that she wanted Claudia to look up to her, to be regular siblings"]

Claudia continued, her voice sharpening with each word. "You've never had to struggle, never had to prove yourself. You were simply handed the crown. You didn't have to fight for your place, for your position. You have no idea what it's like to live as the second daughter, always living in the shadow of the perfect princess!"

Even though it was Rosalind's actions, not his, that had created this rift, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Claudia and for the Rosalind no one cares to see

"So you hate me for something I could not control?"

Claudia clenched her fists, her expression hardening. "It's not just that," she responded, her voice low. "It's everything. Your easy life, your constant adoration, the way everything revolves around you. It's infuriating. You have no idea what it's like to be the other sister, always in the shadows, always compared, and never measured up"

"Even the times you act out and hurt the maids, no one bats an eye!"

Despite her words, Yuto couldn't help but find her complaints somewhat childish. After all, she was the second princess, still enjoying a life of privilege and comfort

But he knew better than to express that thought aloud, ["Is it ignorance?"]

Instead, he chose to respond calmly, his voice level. "I understand your resentment, Claudia. It must be difficult to feel overshadowed. But hate me for the things I have control over, not because of my privileged upbringing. I didn't choose to be the crown princess, nor did I ask for special treatment"

Claudia's eyes narrowed further, her jaw clenching. "Don't act like you suddenly care about my feelings," she retorted, her voice icy

"It's easy for you to say that when you've been in the spotlight your whole life. You don't understand what it's like to always be seen as the less important sibling"

"Did I say I hate you?"

Passive - Cold-Blooded is activated

Claudia faltered momentarily, taken aback by Yuto's question. Her anger momentarily gave way to confusion. "What?" she asked, her voice slightly softer

"Did I ever despise you, hurt you, even raise my voice even once?"

The question seemed to catch Claudia off guard, her expression shifting from anger to confusion and then to realization. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. She seemed to be searching for a valid counterargument, but couldn't find one

"No..." she finally admitted, her voice quieter. "You haven't done any of those things…"

"Yet you make me an outcast, you say everyone loves me, but that is not true, there are those who think low of me and those who wish me dead"

Claudia furrowed her brow, a hint of guilt in her eyes. It seemed like she was grasping the reality of Yuto's words, but stubbornly tried to maintain her hostile facade

"That's... that's not the same," she protested weakly. "You still have people who worship the ground you walk on. People who would do anything to protect you"

"Worship and love are different, I am not the goddess Elise, I am me, and you are you"

Claudia's gaze faltered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. Yuto's words seemed to make her hesitate, causing her anger to waver just a bit. She averted her eyes, her voice becoming slightly less hostile

"You... you just don't understand," she mumbled, her tone petulant

"Then help me understand"

Claudia looked back at Yuto, her eyes reflecting a conflicted mixture of emotions—residual anger, begrudging curiosity, and a hint of vulnerability. She didn't like how Yuto was second-guessing her hatred

"It... it's complicated," she began, her voice tinged with a trace of doubt. "You... you wouldn't understand even if I tried to explain"

["Cynthia, it seems I took you for granted"]