ISEKAI? More like I See Crap!

Ellyn stepped out from her room, now fully dressed in her royal attire.

Faria bowed lightly and began walking ahead.

Ellyn quietly followed her down the long, polished corridor of the palace.

"Princess," Faria said without looking back. "As usual—please behave."

"What for?" Ellyn replied, puffing her cheeks slightly.

Faria sigh. "The audience in the throne room is important. Representatives from the human country, halfling country, and elven country are present."

"Oh? So?"

"They're here for a peace-talk summit. And they specifically requested your presence."

"Hmph…" Ellyn's tail flicked once. "Isn't that weird though? I'm not even the one in line for the throne. My older brothers are."

Faria finally turned her head slightly and replied, "Yes, that's correct. But the world sees you differently now, Princess."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You may not realize it, but words of your 'Absolute Eye'… and your mysterious link to that 'black-haired human'—have already spread quietly across multiple nations."

"…Eh?" Ellyn tilted her head.

"Don't worry. The rumors are mostly harmless… but enough to make you a point of interest."

"Ugh… that's troublesome…"

"That's what happens when you sent word declaring he was your fiancé while he was still at Macia Town," Faria added casually.

Ellyn flinched.

"Mou~! It's not like I was wrong!" she pouted, crossing her arms. "Besides, we were the first ones to make a pinky promise! You know no one dares to do that nowadays."

"Yes, Princess," Faria replied calmly. "Of course, the news about you making a pinky promise spread far and wide…"

She paused slightly and gave a small sigh.

"…But at that time, no one knew who your partner was."

Ellyn smirked proudly. "Then let them find out slowly~ They'll all be shocked once they know it's that 'black-haired human" are."

Faria gave a sideways glance. "Princess… you do realize he's now classified as Rank B+… and survived two Rift events alone?"

Ellyn giggled. "Hehe~ That's my Hazuki~"

"Now, Princess… at least try to behave," Faria said firmly. "Since no one dares to speak about making you their bride anymore."

"Mm… okay~" Ellyn replied with a playful grin.

Faria glanced back just in time to see the princess—now in her childlike form—skipping lightly down the hall behind her, golden hair bouncing with each step, her small tiara perfectly in place, and her tail swaying like she was heading to a festival instead of a royal summit.

"...At least try to walk like a royal."

"Tehe~" Ellyn giggled but didn't stop skipping.

Once they arrived at the throne room, the two royal guards stationed at the massive double doors gave a firm nod and pushed them open.

The sound of heavy oak creaking filled the hall.

Ellyn stepped inside with elegance, despite her childlike appearance, and walked gracefully down the carpeted path toward the throne.

Then, she stopped midway, lifted her skirt slightly, and gave a very formal curtsey.

"My liege," she spoke softly, her voice polite and composed.

King Lioness III, seated on the high throne, leaned forward slightly.

"Ellyna?"

Ellyn raised her head and smiled, walking over to the smaller seat placed beside the main throne—her designated position during official court.

She climbed up lightly and sat down, posture proper, hands on her lap, legs crossed like a noble young lady trained in royal etiquette.

King Lioness tried his best not to sigh.

Inside his mind...

"This daughter of mine... still insists on staying in her child form... even during royal assembly…"

One of the guests stepped forward—an elder gentleman clad in formal robes, bearing the insignia of the Human Kingdom. He bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty," he began. "May I inquire about something?"

King Lioness III nodded, resting one hand on the armrest of his throne.

"Proceed."

The guest continued, "According to our own King Aswand… it is said that Princess Ellyna is, in fact, a grown woman. Yet… the one seated beside you appears quite youthful."

Lioness opened his mouth to respond. "Hmm… indeed, that is—"

But before he could finish, Ellyn stood up smoothly and stepped forward.

She gave a graceful curtsey, golden eyes gleaming politely.

"My liege, if I may?"

King Lioness narrowed his eyes slightly. He caught that smirk—hidden behind her formal tone.

"I shall explain it to our esteemed guests," Ellyn said sweetly.

Ellyn raised her chin slightly, her hands neatly folded in front of her as she addressed the room with perfect poise.

"This appearance," she began calmly, "is the result of a curse tied to my Absolute Eye."

Gasps and murmurs quietly echoed across the room.

"Curse?" the elven envoy blinked, clearly surprised.

Ellyn nodded solemnly, though a mischievous glint hid behind her golden eyes.

"Yes. A consequence from awakening the Absolute Eye prematurely. As a result... my body regresses during long periods of mana stability."

King Lioness pressed a knuckle to his mouth, hiding the twitch of his brow.

She just made that up on the spot...

"I assure you, however," Ellyn continued with a serene smile, "that this form does not lessen my capability to fulfill my royal duties."

She curtseyed again with grace.

"I hope this clears your concern, noble guests."

The halfling representative nodded slowly.

"Well-spoken, Princess."

The elven envoy whispered, "So young... yet composed..."

King Lioness leaned back slightly, sighing internally.

This daughter of mine… lying so boldly, yet looking completely innocent.

The elven envoy stepped forward slightly, lowering his head respectfully.

"Pardon our rudeness, Princess… but according to accounts and talk among the people… there were sightings of you in your adult form during previous travels."

Ellyn gave a soft, almost angelic smile.

"Oh yes~ That is true," she replied, nodding lightly.

"The reason," she continued calmly, "is because the black-haired human, Hazuki, is my fiancé—"

King Lioness flinched slightly on his throne.

Here we go again…

"—and the Pinky Promise I made with him serves a second purpose."

The delegates leaned in with interest.

"To nullify the curse tied to my Absolute Eye."

Murmurs filled the throne room again.

"The magic behind the Pinky Promise is sacred," Ellyn said with conviction, placing a hand gently over her chest. "When bound by it, the cursed effects are softened… and I may regain my true form temporarily, as long as we are near each other."

Faria—standing nearby—quietly rubbed her forehead.

This girl's tongue is sharper than any royal advisor we've ever trained.

Ellyn gave a polite bow once more.

"I hope that satisfies your curiosity, honored guests."

The elven envoy gave a small bow of acknowledgment.

"Very well, Princess. Your explanation is most enlightening."

He then turned his gaze toward King Lioness, his expression returning to a composed, diplomatic tone.

"And Your Highness… if I may—shall we proceed to discuss the matter regarding the peace treaty between our nations?"

King Lioness gave a slow nod.

"Of course. That is the purpose of your visit."

He gestured with one hand. "Let us begin."

Ellyn quietly returned to her seat beside the throne, her tail swaying gently as she sat with a graceful smile—content, and clearly proud of her performance.

The diplomatic talks continued.

Discussions about trade routes, border patrol adjustments, magical artifact regulations, and shared monster threat responses…

Ellyn sat gracefully at her small throne beside her father.

She wore her best serene and composed expression, nodding politely at times, giving the occasional gentle smile, and keeping her hands folded perfectly in her lap.

But inside her mind.

Ugh… this is so boring...

They're just talking in circles. These peace treaty things can be done without me!

They only invited me to "observe"... but all I'm doing is sitting here while they argue about taxation rights for border caravans.

She sighed… but masked it quickly as a soft yawn, covering her mouth with two fingers like a well-trained lady.

Her tail swayed lazily behind her, the rhythm betraying her boredom.

Ellyn's golden eyes slowly scanned the hall, boredom still evident behind her noble expression.

She yawned again, but mid-yawn.

Her gaze landed on one of the halfling envoy's escorts.

He was fidgeting oddly. His lips moved. Quiet… but clearly chanting.

Suspicious…

Without a word, Ellyn narrowed her eyes.

And silently activated her Absolute Eye.

A faint shimmer passed through her irises as her vision shifted, piercing through magical layers and illusions.

Her eyes widened.

That man...! He's cloaked in distortion magic—!

But before she could shout—

The escort rushed forward, pushing past the guards with sudden speed.

"Teleport!!"

He thrust his palm forward, aimed straight at Ellyn.

A burst of unstable teleportation magic surged toward her like a pulse of warped mana.

An invisible wall formed around Ellyn in an instant, encasing her like a barrier.

She instinctively tried to activate her Absolute Eye again.

But her pupils froze.

What...?

She looked at the escort's hand.

There, embedded in his palm, was a faintly glowing artifact rune, etched with ancient sealwork.

A magic channeling lock artifact.

A rare device known to halt all magic within its radius for a full ten seconds once activated.

"Ellyna!!" King Lioness roared, shooting up from his throne.

The royal guards immediately rushed forward.

But the invisible wall held firm.

Faria, eyes wide with panic, was already at Ellyn's side—her sword drawn in one smooth motion.

She slashed the invisible wall with full strength.

It didn't even crack.

The teleportation circle beneath Ellyn's feet flared.

Ancient glyphs rotated rapidly.

A blinding light engulfed her.

And...

She vanished.

( End Of Chapter )