“Thinking about it, this ‘Wanted Poster’ does have some suspicious points,” Shuna mused, stroking her chin.
“Yes, first of all, a wanted poster isn’t an arrest warrant. Even if someone sees it, they can only provide clues; they can’t just grab me and throw me in front of Treya.”
“Mhm, and if she really wanted to capture someone, why wouldn’t she use the ‘Guard Patrols’ that are ubiquitous in the streets?”
“Finally, you’ll notice… the information provided on the wanted poster is too sparse. Even if a dog goes missing, they’ll at least write where it was last seen, where it might have gone, and what it was wearing. This only has my photo.”
In summary, the effect of this wanted poster became rather subtle. In other words, posting this wanted poster didn’t seem to align with the assumption that “Treya wants to capture him back as soon as possible.”
But…
If one puts themselves in her shoes, it becomes clear – they had only just emerged from the dungeon, and for the past day, they had indeed been “missing.” Treya definitely didn’t know he had encountered the “blackened” Liya; everything she did was based on that premise.
So…
“This is a ‘Wanted Poster’ meant only for me to see…”
To tell him that “Treya” was looking for him. Looking for him in the “Royal Palace.” And was even looking for him with such urgency that it required deploying guards, without being able to write any other information.
“She thinks that when I see this wanted poster, I’ll assume she’s encountered a tricky problem in the Royal Palace and is asking for my help. Therefore, I’ll definitely go to her side.”
Will, having already encountered the blackened Liya, had his mind twist a full 360 degrees. Coincidentally… this wanted poster, which was one level lower in mandatory enforcement than an “arrest warrant,” was very much in line with the behavior of Treya, whom he had personally taught. He knew very well – that innocent Half-elf Princess, the princess who neither knew what she sought nor what she lacked, the princess who couldn’t express her emotions… what would she be like if she were to blacken? What actions would she take? Like Liya, she would use the ingenious techniques of witches she could access to make herself “empathize.” But Treya… after understanding the dark side of the Royal Family and her own family, and learning about what she had to do, and finally learning how to express her emotions – she would be like her siblings, concealing her true ” mục tiêu.” Madly and passionately pursuing her “desires.” Therefore, yearning to have her emotions discovered. Disguising her emotions with a cold exterior, hiding her turbulent inner turmoil with a detached expression, obtaining what she desired through “unintentional” plans, and expressing her attachment in the most obscure ways.
Therefore… this “Wanted Poster,” whose meaning only Will understood, was the most veiled form of “showing weakness” and “confession” from her blackened self, a message only she and Will could decipher. She had wanted posters plastered in every city across the land. With her own little thoughts mixed in, she made it so only one person could understand her. She even waited like a hunter for this sole person to take the bait. More than the outcome, the “trap” within this process, the “trap” that controlled Will’s inner feelings, truly made him take the initiative, and brought him to her as the Will she desired… was a part of what she sought.
“Based on my analysis, no… based on my teachings, she is indeed such a person.”
“Interesting. This is the first time I’ve learned that the Half-elf Ninth Princess had such a side to her.” Shuna showed a rare expression of “admiration.” A princess who set a “Wanted Poster” as a trap, possessing the possessiveness unique to royalty. But… this “trap” precisely exploited Treya’s “weakness” before Will; only by appearing sufficiently vulnerable would Will turn back. A possessive yet vulnerable princess? That sounds too fascinating.
“To be honest, if it weren’t for Liya, if I hadn’t had a foreknowledge… I definitely would have taken the bait.” It was too terrifying. Will would certainly fall for it not just because of the inertia from “helping Treya survive in the Royal Family” all these years, but because… of a very subtle “factor of fate.” A year before Edward’s death, which is now, the Hysterm Family had disrupted a royal infighting, forcing the “Fourth Prince,” who had concentrated military power, to lose his concentrated authority. It was dispersed among other princes who were not adept at managing armies. This event was very important to the Hysterm Family; without it, the Entak royal family would not have dispersed such crucial power. This event was important to Treya; although she did not participate, by influencing the royal family, it indirectly affected Treya’s future fate. Therefore, knowing that Treya appeared in the wrong place at this time, he would definitely fall for it.
“So, Will, what will you do now?”
“…”
This question silenced Will. He pulled his hood down a little, unsure how to answer. If one wanted to avoid “yandere execution,” the best method was indeed “escape.” Since he knew it was a trap, he naturally wouldn’t step into it. Why would anyone jump into a pit they saw? After all, Will had no idea what would happen to him if he fell into her hands.
But…
He looked at the “Wanted Poster.” A simple wanted poster, full of traps and lies. However, Will understood that the handwriting was genuine. Treya was particularly fond of writing beautifully and formally in flowery script, a writing style inherited from her mother’s “Elvish script.” Her normal self would never abandon the writing method her mother taught her. Her mental state had truly “blackened” to the point of writing so sloppily. In this state, she should not be feeling comfortable or happy. Moreover… she left behind such a “confession”-like “trap.” A sweet yet poisonous “confession” that only “you and I” would know, that was too much of a cheat. Would the current Treya also be in the Royal Palace, caressing this wanted poster, eagerly awaiting his arrival?
“So, let’s run. Let me think, how about going to Nov! Don’t you have someone waiting for you there? And a house too?” Shuna seemed to sense his intent to flee and patted his shoulder.
“I…” Will paused. He took off his hood and, with the same appearance as on the wanted poster, raised his head.
— Are you kidding me? This is a yandere he himself raised!
— Of course, no one in this world understands her better than him!
— In works throughout history, there have always been people who use their love to redeem yanderes, right?
— Then why can’t that person be himself, who personally taught them?!
“I’m going to step into this trap. Not only will I step into it, but I will also turn danger into safety!” He was quite confident, even pushing up his new, handsome glasses.
“Oh?” Shuna didn’t get angry; instead, she showed an expression of intrigued anticipation for his performance.
“I just spent a whole segment planning a confession to Liya, promising not to abandon her. And now I might abandon the little princess who’s practically throwing her affection in my face—how could I possibly do such a thing?”
“Hmm?”
“I need to treat both sides fairly. I, Will, accept it all.”
“You’re actually saying something so classically ‘scumbag’ with such a righteous expression?”
“I haven’t abandoned them, so it doesn’t count as being a scumbag, right?”
“…As expected of you.” Shuna showed a hint of “disgust” on her face, though this disgust was more like the performance of a familiar, teasing friend who would naturally react this way to such words.
However, Will immediately dropped his flippancy and spoke with a serious tone: “However, Shuna. This decision is full of risk. I… I can do it alone. If you’re unwilling to face the danger.”
“It’s completely fine to back out now.”
“You don’t have to come with me.”
