Chapter 83: The 3rd Day

Rina sighed softly as she watched Suzuki absentmindedly pick at her meal. At least she was eating—even if it was only in small bites.

It was better than yesterday, when she barely touched her food at all.

But still…

"This won't do."

Rina carefully adjusted Suzuki's sleeves, smoothing the delicate fabric of her azure consort robes.

"My lady," Rina finally spoke, her voice gentle but firm. "You must not let this weigh on you so heavily. You are still a princess consort of the Imperial Family."

Suzuki didn't respond right away. She simply stared down at her half-eaten meal.

"...I know," Suzuki finally muttered.

It was weak, as if she was forcing herself to say it.

Rina frowned slightly.

"You are looking a little better today," she pointed out, trying to sound encouraging. "That is good. But... you are still sad."

Suzuki let out a small, bitter laugh.

"How can I not be?"

Rina hesitated before sighing. "My lady—"

"I was so stupid, Rina," Suzuki whispered, gripping the fabric of her robes. "I thought... I thought maybe if I tried hard enough, if I just kept showing him my love... he'd finally look at me the way I wanted him to."

Her fingers trembled slightly.

"But instead... all I did was push him further away. I hurt him, Rina... I didn't even realize how much until it was too late."

Rina bit her lip. She couldn't deny it.

Suzuki had been relentless in her pursuit of Rin, but she never once stopped to think about what it might be doing to him.

And last night, she had learned the hard way.

"...What do you wish to do now, my lady?" Rina finally asked.

Suzuki didn't answer immediately.

She simply closed her eyes, leaning against the carriage window as if trying to escape the overwhelming weight in her chest.

"...I don't know."

Suzuki stared blankly out the carriage window, watching the scenery blur past. Her chest still ached.

She couldn't forget his words.

The way Rin had shut her down so brutally—the way he looked at her, not with warmth, but with a cold finality.

"He really rejected me."

Her fingers trembled slightly as she clutched the fabric of her robes.

Rina, who had been watching her mistress silently, finally spoke.

"My lady," her voice was gentle, careful, "are you truly willing to give up on Lord Rin?"

Suzuki's grip tightened.

"...Never."

Rina sighed in relief.

"Then there is no need to force yourself to forget him," she said simply. "Your feelings are yours to hold onto."

Suzuki let out a weak laugh, shaking her head.

"But what's the point, Rina? If he doesn't love me back, then what am I even holding onto?"

Rina leaned closer, lowering her voice as if whispering a secret.

"My lady… have you ever considered making him regret rejecting you?"

Suzuki blinked.

"...What?"

Rina smiled slyly.

"Rather than chasing him, perhaps you should rise so high that he is the one looking up at you," she suggested. "Make yourself so irreplaceable that his name will always be tied to yours, no matter where he goes. Rather than running after him…"

Rina leaned in even closer, whispering into Suzuki's ear.

"...Wouldn't it be satisfying to see him on his knees, begging to elope with you?"

Suzuki's breath hitched.

The mere thought of Rin, the man who had cast her aside, looking at her with desperation and longing instead of rejection—it sent a strange thrill through her.

She swallowed. "But... how?"

Rina smirked.

"Your magic, my lady," she said smoothly. "Illusion and Psychic arts are rare. If you hone your skills and become someone unstoppable, not even Rin will be able to ignore you."

Suzuki's fingers loosened slightly.

"...You really think so?"

Rina nodded.

"And perhaps," she added carefully, "as you walk this path, you may even find someone better than Rin."

Suzuki snapped her gaze toward her maid, eyes sharp.

"There will never be anyone better than Rin."

Rina sighed internally. There she goes again…

Still, at least her mistress looked a little better. Perhaps she had finally found an answer within herself.

But deep down, Rina felt a little guilty.

I just planted some dangerous ideas in her head, didn't I…?

The rhythmic rocking of the carriage did little to distract Princess Akane from her current thoughts. Sitting gracefully on the velvet cushions, she tapped her fingers idly against the wooden frame, her mind elsewhere.

"Emi," she said, her voice smooth yet laced with curiosity. "Tell me… is Rin here?"

Her head maid, Emi, flinched.

"My lady," she began cautiously, "that is… not a good idea."

Akane raised an eyebrow, her intrigue deepening.

"Oh? And why is that?"

Emi hesitated before sighing. "Because of what happened with Princess Suzuki. She's been utterly shattered after seeing him."

Akane's expression remained unreadable, but internally, her mind clicked pieces together.

So he really is here.

She had suspected it the moment Kazuo mentioned the "sun" of the Imperial Family. And now, this confirmation was too coincidental to ignore.

Still, Emi continued, her voice cautious.

"Princess, please tell me you're not planning to approach him…"

Akane's lips curled into a small, almost devilish smile.

"I just have a few questions for him, that's all," she said smoothly.

Emi stared.

Akane blushed slightly, clearing her throat. "It's not about me pursuing him," she defended herself, crossing her arms.

Emi narrowed her eyes.

"Then why, pray tell, do you suddenly have such an urgent need to talk to him?"

Akane looked away for a second, before smoothly replying, "I simply have some… interesting news regarding the Imperial Family. News that he should probably be aware of."

Emi's frown deepened.

"And why," she asked slowly, "does a commoner like Rin need to know about Imperial Family affairs?"

Akane froze.

For a split second, her well-crafted mask cracked.

She had forgotten—Rin's identity as the Second Imperial Prince was a secret.

She quickly composed herself, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Because," she said smoothly, "he's—"trustworthy." And I owe him a little honesty."

Emi let out a long, exhausted sigh, rubbing her temples.

"...You have a soft spot for him, don't you?"

Akane stiffened.

"What nonsense are you—"

"Princess." Emi cut her off flatly, crossing her arms.

The White Princess clicked her tongue, turning away as she leaned against the cushioned seat.

"...Perhaps," she admitted in a rare moment of honesty.

After all, Rin had trusted her. Even knowing her reputation—**her manipulation, her ambition, her hunger for power—**he still trusted her.

And that made him dangerous.

Because now, he was the only person she couldn't bear to betray.

Emi let out another sigh, giving in. "Fine… I'll try to find out where he is."

Akane turned back to her, smiling sweetly.

"Good girl."

Emi rolled her eyes.

"...With the convoy constantly moving, though, it won't be easy," she added begrudgingly.

Akane chuckled.

"Oh, that's fine," she said, crossing her legs elegantly. "It just makes the game all the more interesting."

Akane rested her chin on her hand, her sharp golden eyes clouded in thought.

What should I wear?

She wasn't planning to seduce him—not yet, at least—but she still needed to leave an impression. Something practical yet elegant, simple yet undeniable.

Her casual robes, then.

Yes. Light fabric, easy to move in—perfect for a visit to the animal sanctuary where they were headed next. She could still maintain her status as the White Princess Consort while making sure she wasn't held back by excess layers.

She hummed to herself, smiling innocently as she envisioned her next move.

Across from her, Head Maid Emi watched cautiously.

Seeing her mistress lost in thought like this—not plotting, not scheming, but **daydreaming—**was a rare sight.

It was almost… sweet.

Still, Emi couldn't help but sigh internally.

I just hope she doesn't end up like Suzuki…

One lovesick noblewoman was already too much for this convoy.

Two?

That would be a disaster.

The sun hung high in the sky as the Imperial Convoy's security detail continued their sweep of the route.

Ahead, a group of soldiers on horseback chased after a pack of wild boars, their shouts mixing with the sounds of pounding hooves.

Officer Tsutomu, riding beside Rin, chuckled as he watched the men give chase.

"Rin, you sure you don't wanna join them? Good way to let off some steam."

Rin, who remained on his own horse, shook his head. "I don't like killing unnecessarily," he replied, his voice calm. "I only hunt when I need to eat."

Tsutomu glanced at him, a bit surprised. "You're a mature one, aren't you?" he mused.

Rin simply shrugged.

As they continued their patrol, a small blue bird suddenly fluttered down, landing gracefully on Rin's shoulder.

It chirped and sang, unbothered by the movement of the horse beneath him.

Tsutomu laughed. "Well, if a bird's willing to sing on your shoulder like that, you must be a likeable guy."

Before Rin could respond, three more birds—red, black, and white—swooped down, perching on him as well.

They nuzzled into him, wings lightly brushing against his cheek, completely at ease.

Tsutomu raised an eyebrow. "Wow… talk about lovebirds."

Rin sighed, his gaze softening.

It reminds me of them…

He slowly lifted his hand, letting the blue bird hop onto his finger.

It tilted its head and danced happily, flapping its small wings.

Rin watched it for a moment before whispering, almost as if speaking to someone far away.

"…I'm sorry."

The bird chirped in response, tilting its head.

Tsutomu, oblivious to the deeper meaning behind Rin's words, only smiled. "Hah, don't tell me you're apologizing to a bird now?"

Rin just chuckled lightly, stroking the bird's soft feathers.

If only he could say those words to Suzuki directly.

But for now… this would have to do.

The Imperial Convoy had finally arrived at the Gakuen Animal Sanctuary.

With the Imperial Courtship in full effect, the sanctuary was completely reserved for the Crown Prince and the four consorts. Their official tour wouldn't begin until morning, so for now, everyone was settling in for the night.

From the rooftop of the residential quarters, Rin stood watch.

A cool breeze passed through his hair as he overlooked the bustling convoy below.

Guards moved in coordinated formations, running between checkpoints and carrying messages. Servants prepared accommodations. Imperial attendants finalized security arrangements.

It was all in service of protecting Kazuo and the four consorts—a momentous occasion for the empire's future.

But for Rin, it was just another event he had no place in.

He let out a quiet sigh, his eyes drifting toward the horizon.

The city lights of Gakuen shimmered in the distance, blending seamlessly with the gentle glow of the moon.

It was a view that stirred something in him.

Watching from above… seeing the lives of the people unfold beneath him.

Some were cheerful, laughing with friends as they finished their work for the day.

Some were melancholy, walking alone under the moonlit paths, lost in thought.

Others moved naturally, as if nothing could disturb their daily rhythm.

It reminded him of the past.

Of who he once was.

Of Hoshimi Rin, the Second Imperial Prince.

Even now, after stepping away from that title, he still found himself watching over others.

Some things never change, huh…?

His hand clenched slightly.

Since coming to this world, he had always wished for people to live in peace.

And yet, no matter how much he tried to stay in the background, fate kept pulling him back into the center of it all.

As if the world refused to let him go.

As Rin continued watching the bustling movement of the convoy below, a presence landed softly behind him.

It was so silent, so controlled, that most wouldn't have noticed.

But Rin did.

He turned his head slightly, his eyes catching the unmistakable flow of black silk in the moonlight.

Black robes.

A sense of familiarity settled over him before he even saw her face.

When their gazes finally met, recognition flashed in his eyes.

Urakawa Miharu.

The Black Princess Consort.

A former co-worker of his from their brief time together at the White Flower Palace. Back then, she was simply another palace worker— efficient, composed, and intelligent.

But that month… no, perhaps even before then…

She had fallen for him.

Just like the others.

And now, she stood before him, watching him with unreadable golden eyes.

But beyond all of that, there was one thing about Miharu that Rin could never forget.

She was the protagonist.

The very protagonist of The Golden Girl's Rise—the novel he had read before awakening in this world.

This was her story.

Her path to power, influence, and love.

A path that he was never meant to walk.

And yet, here they were.