EP.11

“To Sir Rupert Somerset,

Count Somerset’s second son, Rupert, listen well. I had an opportunity to look over the fairy tale book you created. It had its own charm and style, making it quite impressive.

However, I must ask, why … [midsection omitted] … hence, the conclusion must absolutely not turn out that way.

In my view, the Queen should receive a punishment commensurate with her crimes, ensuring satisfaction for all readers … [midsection omitted] … Therefore, what I wish to convey is the following.

Ailin Bell.”

‘What is this? Am I dreaming?’

I knelt down to receive the letter delivered by the Princess’s Head Butler and slowly read it, feeling disconnected from reality.

The elderly butler, whose white hair contrasted with his fierce gaze, glared at me as I read the letter, making my heart feel as if it would explode.

How could the Empire’s flower, the Princess ‘Ailin Bell,’ have read the fairy tale I wrote and sent me a letter?

‘Come to think of it, the last time the Guild Leader gave me a photo of the custom version’s winner…’

That person had previously sent me a lengthy complaint letter, expressing dissatisfaction with the ending.

Though there was no name, just the photo, I should have figured it out then.

A person of noble birth with black hair and eyes. Of course, there are other noble families with such features, but is there a family that would make the Guild Leader tremble in fear? No, there is not.

The only place that fits that description is the Imperial Family ‘Bell.’

Now the pieces of the memory puzzle are starting to fit together. Did that Guild Leader sell me out?

As much as I wanted to grab him by the collar and shake him, I had to present myself as politely receiving the Princess’s letter in front of the butler.

Suddenly, I recalled the anonymously sent letter that the Princess had tossed onto the reception room desk.

‘I hope it’s still there?’

At least I was relieved that it was the Princess, not the male lead, the Third Prince, who had shown interest in my fairy tale.

I thought that since the Princess had little content in the original work, it shouldn’t be a big problem, and I calmed myself down.

“I will reply as quickly as possible.”

After politely sending back the Princess’s butler, I immediately summoned the artisans.

The dissatisfied Princess. I needed a new way to please her.

“It seems I have no choice but to create a new story.”

Thanks to the relentless pressure from the Imperial Family, I had to write the book again.

As a member of a democratic state, my blood boiled. The Imperial Family in this feudal world truly has no compassion whatsoever.

*

In reality, few people know that the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, including *Snow White*, are quite hardcore.

I was shocked when I learned the true endings of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales myself.

I had decided to create a widely known sanitized version, fearing it would be problematic if children were to read the original content.

“I have to lift the seal.”

Honestly, the basic structure won’t change much.

However, I needed to add scenes that I had previously omitted for being too cruel, like the stepmother disguised as a merchant choking *Snow White* or trying to poison her with a comb…

Well, those kinds of scenes are necessary to highlight ‘that scene’ at the end.

“I never expected to receive a summons while enjoying my saved beer.”

“It was such a rare family meal… ”

“And the bouquet I prepared for a date is just… sigh.”

As I diligently wrote the new story and sketched illustrations, I kept hearing crying from somewhere.

Surely, my artisans wouldn’t cry just because their brief rest time had been taken away. It must be Aida fussing about.

Think about it, would those stubborn and inflexible artisans really weep just because their break was interrupted?
“Even though they promised to pay 1.5 times the salary for overtime, I would probably cry tears of joy if I were them.”

‘Oh, maybe the artisans are crying out of happiness.’

I quickened my sketching, using the sounds of crying as ASMR.

If another letter from the Princess were to arrive, or if she decided to visit personally, the mansion would surely be filled with cries.

*

Ailin Bell.

The only daughter of the Emperor, renowned for her beauty and wisdom since childhood, earning her the title of the flower of the Empire.

Her gentle and forgiving nature towards her subordinates earned her the reputation among the palace staff as a living goddess.

However, there was one thing that even the Princess could not overlook.

Those who abused their power and treated others poorly, regardless of their rank, were thoroughly punished.

A well-known tale is of Count Prios, who once served as a court count but tried to shift the blame for his mistakes onto the palace maids.

Upon discovering this, the Princess personally intervened and pleaded with the Emperor to save the maids, resulting in Count Prios’s punishment and his expulsion from his position.

“Her Highness, the Princess, has sent a letter along with a book from Count Somerset.”

The Princess’s Head Butler, Aiden, respectfully handed the letter and book to her.

Though somewhat presumptuous, Aiden regarded the Princess as if she were his granddaughter.

Having watched her grow from birth, he took pride in knowing the Princess better than anyone, even more so than the Emperor himself.

While she was gentle and soft-spoken, the Princess always displayed a cold demeanor when dealing with public matters, earning the admiration of even her Head Butler.

Yet lately, the Princess had shown such emotional displays that even Aiden began to doubt his own eyes.

She was hastily opening the letter and book he had brought her, a stark departure from her usual composure.

‘This is not good! How could you disappoint me?’

Suddenly, the image of the Princess asking him to personally deliver a letter to Count Somerset came to mind.

He remembered how her behavior had changed since she ordered him to procure the “fairy tale book” that had become a hot topic in social circles.

When he first presented her with the *Cinderella* fairy tale, she hadn’t acted like this.

‘This book may hold more value than I thought. It’s perfect for children, especially girls.’

She had coldly evaluated its worth, suggesting it would be educational for commoners if it were widely disseminated.

But after reading it a few more times while carrying it around, she had begun to express her anger unexpectedly during meals, tea, and walks.

‘The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Why isn’t the fate of the stepmother and the stepsisters depicted?’

It seemed she was particularly unhappy with the content, especially the ending.

When news spread that a new fairy tale book was about to be published, she instructed him to procure a custom version, limited to only ten copies.

Following her orders, he quietly visited the merchant selling the books and showed them the imperial seal.

Despite other nobles asserting that absolute fairness prohibited any underhanded dealings, the guild leader only promised to prepare the book quietly.

‘Requesting the Princess’s photo and name? That could be problematic.’

‘Well… If we must keep the Princess’s name confidential, we still need a photo to create a custom version. Without it, it would just be a regular book.’

While there was no issue in providing the Princess’s name and photo, he ultimately decided to only hand over the photo, in accordance with her wishes.
“Since she said she didn’t want to reveal her name,

I simply delivered the anonymous letter containing the Princess’s handwritten note to the guild leader as per the command.

After about a week had passed,

on the night I delivered the completed book received from the guild leader to Her Highness, a youthful shriek escaped the chambers.

‘This author! Ignoring the sincere advice of true readers to the end! Do they intend to assassinate me with their frustration?!’

When a palace maid, who was waiting outside, rushed in, she found the Princess trembling while clutching the book.

It was not surprising that the next day I received an order to deliver the problematic handwritten letter.

Though I could not dare to open it, I had an inkling of its contents.

Considering the expression of the man who knelt while reading the Princess’s letter, it was surely related to

‘Rupert Somerset.’

What I knew about the Somerset household was that the current family head, Count Somerset, was quite amiable, and, although I wasn’t sure, the family was facing some difficulties due to investment failures.

His eldest son had gone missing after running away to join the war with the Silberia Kingdom a few years ago,

and Rupert Somerset, the second son, was the practical heir.

There were rumors about his weakness, but when I met him, he gave off no such impression.

Ordinarily, even ordinary noble families would tremble at my presence as the Head Butler of the Imperial Family,

but he responded with little change in expression, remaining calm.

However, he did not act against decorum, naturally accepting the letter from Her Highness that I delivered.

His expression only changed when reading the contents of the letter.

Who would consider someone weak when they frowned while reading a letter from the Princess?

“Right! This is the story that should exist. So it was someone capable who has been troubling me all this time.”

The Princess, attentively examining the newly presented book, seemed genuinely satisfied, breaking into a smile instead of exhibiting her recent sensitivity.

“Are you pleased, Your Highness?”

“Indeed. It had an excellent conclusion. The wicked Queen dies after dancing madly in heated iron shoes.”

Chills ran down Aiden’s spine at the words flowing from the Princess’s lips.

Iron shoes? To make someone wear such shoes and thrash about until death…

I remembered the original story of *Snow White*, where everything ended happily and was forgiving, so this new horrible tale was quite shocking.

“This is the story that should exist. I want to reward that writer.”

Though Aiden found the tale terrifying, it seemed to bring the Princess satisfaction.

Speaking of the reward,

it didn’t seem likely that the previously cold Rupert would show any greed for material wealth.

“I think the one I saw would probably value something honorable.”

“Good thought. I originally intended to offer a monetary reward, but that means ‘it’ should be fine.”

Indeed. The formerly sensitive Princess had returned to her cold demeanor. ‘It’ would likely impress and satisfy even the composed second son.

After all, it was an object that demonstrated noble honor, not something material like money.”