When I first said out my plans, the three of them were pessimistic about it.

  It would have been fine if they weren’t supportive. They asked if I was trying out for different ways of committing suicide and tried to get me out of the idea.

  Who was I? Wasn’t Ariadna the true icon of victory in this era, the one who ate well, lived well under Caitel, and grew up peacefully till this ripe age?

  After many threats and glares, I managed to get the three of them onto my side. Well, Sanse was the most difficult one; the rest was easy.

  “I will travel.”


  “Uh, that sounds like fun!”


  Maybe that was how a simple-minded brain worked? As I watched Valer bit the bait, I felt very great at myself.

  Caught him! Talking about traveling the world made it easy for others to understand.

  It was strange yet nice that they didn’t stop me.

  Cito was easier to persuade than Valer.

  With a smile, I just said one thing to Cito.

  “Swear on Evelyn.”


  “.……”


  As expected, Cito gulped down his tears since he couldn’t put his love on the line.

  The last one left was Sanse, who would never allow it. But I felt relaxed; I wasn’t Sanse’s sister for no reason.

  I smiled kindly and warned Sanse.

  “If you don’t help me, I’ll spread the collection of women’s clothing and portraits you drew when you were between five to ten!”


  Sanse turned numb.

  I could understand his emotions. This was the kind of past anyone would want to hide, right?

  “Evil, plain evil!”


  The three of them seemed like crying children to me.

  But what else could I do? I couldn’t live this way! I didn’t intend to take drastic measures, but I was dealing with my father. I couldn’t just use an easy plan.

  I had to deal with everything as closely and intimately as possible!

  Defeating those three was a success, but the biggest problem would be the ones that came after this, Assisi and Serira.

  Ah, how on earth was I supposed to convince them? I couldn’t think of a good reason.

  However, when Assisi heard my plan, he came onto my side relatively quickly.

  “Fine, I get it.”


  “Huh? really?”


  I couldn’t believe Assisi took my side so quickly! Noticing the suspicion in my eyes, he asked.

  “Fine. Even if I say NO, you will go, right?”


  “Uh? Yes, pretty much.”


  Yes, but……

  Assisi smiled. His selfless smile made me feel very uncomfortable.

  I was out thinking that the elders had to be convinced at all costs, even if it meant threatening them, but my plans were in vain? Not that I wanted to threaten them.

  I just felt terrible about thinking like that about them, but Assisi’s smile widened.

  “I am fine with it. As long as I get to protect the princess, I don’t care about other things.”


  That was really fortunate.

  Thanks to that, Assisi’s acceptance put me in an excellent mood. Maybe Assisi just didn’t want to see me be chummy with Havel?

  Well, Assisi was a difficult man to understand, but it was clear that he differed from yesterday when he walked out of the room after confronting me about the rumors.

  Was it like that?

  I was glad to have Assisi on my side! My knight, cheers!

  With that out of the way, Serira was the last person I had to convince, and everything would fall into place.

  Usually, when planning things like this, it was better to relay the information to a small number of people. The Imperial Palace was quick at figuring out such things. Thanks to that, I tried to be as careful as I could. If the plan went out, it would be a massive loss for me and my future.

  I was fortunate that my maids, including Libby, decided to help me out. Well, they were right next to me all my life; seeing how I had been living, they were bound to take my side, so things sorted out by themselves. Huh.

  That was how I felt.

  Ah, people always needed to feel good about themselves, feel virtuous. This would be the virtue they created and built for themselves.

  Thanks to that, my plan went incredibly smoothly. Still, having to bring Serira on my side was the real challenge.

  How would a mother behave to such a request of her child?

  I couldn’t threaten her, nor would it be easy to intimidate her; there was nothing I could do apart from asking her.

  I was getting too concerned over it. I was contemplating how to speak to her and get her blessing, but my mom just came over and said something like this.

  “My dear Ria, you seem to be making up cute plans these days?”


  Blink, Blink.

  I couldn’t answer her since I was too shocked, but after seeing me blink continuously, mom smiled. Seeing me frozen, Serira waved her hand as if telling me to not worry.

  “It’s okay. I am a maid in the palace; it is obvious that I know.”


  “Ah, right!”


  Right. The maids had told her.

  I felt stupid and pathetic about all the plans I was creating.

  Still, I was glad that my plans weren’t leaked elsewhere.

  I was also glad that Serira’s reaction was better.

  How puzzling.

  “Aren’t you against it?”


  I asked very cautiously; surprised with my question, Serira asked back.

  “Why would I be against it?”


  “Uh, really?”


  This is really an unexpected reaction.

  Seeing me surprised, Serira laughed. Putting her finger on my forehead, she lightly tapped me.

  “Your Majesty is being very rude to the princess. This is when the princess has to experience the world outside and learn to stand alone.”
……

  mom is really hardcore.

  I felt really grateful. In front of my mom, I still seemed like a child. It felt like I was a long way from turning into a strong woman like my mom.

  Suddenly, I realized why Graecito grew up so well. It was all thanks to mom that even I got to change like this. I felt great. Looking into my eyes, Serira spoke.

  “Because children turn into adults when parents don’t look at them.”


  She smiled at me.

  “I think that this is the time.”


  “Huh?”


  I was still in doubt.

  Serira took something out of her sleeve, something wrapped in clean white silk.

  Taking it, I looked up at Serira. It looked like she wanted me to open it based on her glance.

  With a strange feeling, I carefully unwrapped the fabric.

  The soft cloth around it loosened, and what came out was a small pendant with a light glow.

  I was at a loss for words. The gem in the pendant was something I had never seen before.

  It wasn’t a spirit stone but not a ruby either. Looking at the jewel, it felt like I saw something I shouldn’t see.

  While I was still frozen, Serira touched my shoulder.

  “I was asked to hand this over to you when you grew up.”


  “Who?”


  “Princess’ mother.”


  My mouth stiffened; I couldn’t get myself to speak. I bit down on my lower lip. Unknown emotions were wrapping around my body; this was the first time I felt something like this.

  After a long silence, words finally came out of my lips. I asked, looking at Serira.

  “Did you…… meet?”


  “Only once.”


  Serira smiled as she rubbed my cheek with her fingers.

  “She was a beautiful person.”


  A faint but heartfelt gaze.

  Serira’s gaze was warm, but it didn’t seem like I was the one she was looking at. As if she was trying to look for someone else in me. I couldn’t say anything because of the new emotions I was feeling.

  “.…… it would have been nice if the princess didn’t do that.”


  A sigh escaped from her mouth.

  Receiving the memento from my mother made me feel worse; she was someone I never knew. I couldn’t understand why I felt so horrible.

  I just leaned on Serira.

  Was it possible to love a mother I had never met or seen before? I didn’t know the answer. Suddenly, my mom from my previous life and my dead mom in this world seemed to overlap.

  A sense of loss washed over me.

  I could just whimper at the new sensation and frustration of not knowing anything about my very own feelings.

  While patting my back, Serira spoke in a low voice.

  “At this age, it isn’t nice to carry too much burden on yourself.”