/
Of course, she mustered up the courage to the Empress and said she didn’t want this engagement. It was an act of rebellion that she had never done before.
However, the Empress showed her a cold reaction. It was the first time she had done so towards Siervian.
All of a sudden, she was going to be sent to a faraway, unfamiliar land. It was enough to make her visit her father first.
‘What is the reason?’
When she said that she didn’t want this political marriage, the Emperor asked back sternly.
At that time, her relationship with her father was at its worst. Because she was the black sheep of the family, and everyone was pointing their fingers at her.
As soon as she heard this question, Siervian couldn’t say any excuses.
She realized that no matter what she said, she would only appear to be a spoiled, immature, incompetent princess.
’I apologize.’
She bowed deeply in front of her father.
After that, she was caught up in the conspiracy of treason and suffered for a long time. However, as she looked back, it seemed that talks of her political marriage had also died down at that time.
There was no way for her to know now, but what choice did her father make then?
“Hm, hm, hmm
”
[ Jane Millas ]
Thoughts: This color will suit our Princess, right?
Ellie, the chief lady-in-waiting, was often away to oversee the Princess’ Palace.
In those times, Jane filled the vacant spot.
She was as caring to the princess as Ellie, and these days, she’s been sewing more.
It’s a present for the princess on her birthday.
“Princess? Should I open the window if you’re feeling stuffy?”
“Noo. I’m fwine.”
“Alright. If Your Highness needs anything, please let me know.”
“Okayy.”
When she looked over at Jane for a second, she realized that she reacted too quickly.
Jane was always paying close attention to Siervian, who couldn’t speak well when there was something she did need.
Siervian loved the unconscious humming that Jane sang whenever she was concentrating.
‘I have to pretend that I don’t know.’
She tried very hard to pretend that Jane’s hand didn’t measure her doll just then.
Knowing about a surprise gift in advance had both its advantages and disadvantages.
She couldn’t be shocked by it anymore, but she could happily anticipate it and wait for it.
‘Right. Everything’s just perfect now.’
Reflecting on her wish for everything to stay the same, she was lost in thought as she watched Jane prepare a ribbon for her favorite doll.
‘Will the future flow in the same direction as it is?’
She didn’t know if there would still be marriage talks with her and the kingdom in the southern region.
However, it was true that there weren’t many places to choose who she could be politically engaged to since she was an Imperial Princess. The one who was of a similar age to Siervian was a prince in the south.
‘If possible, I wish it’s close to this place.’
The best way to be able to stay here is to find a use for herself.
But she was sad because she didn’t know how to do anything. There was a small hope in her that the scent of mana that Karmen sensed with her was real.
Why couldn’t she do anything?
‘No. There’s one thing.’
Habitually putting herself down, she finally raised her head. She remembered Hex’s voice as he said that she saved the west coast.
‘I was forced to learn against my will
 but I did study history hard.’
If this continued and she could have a good influence on the future just as she did with the west, even a mana-less princess might be able to do something.
Maybe her father would look at her in a good way. Even if she couldn’t take an active role, she wouldn’t give up.
There must be something else she could do besides entering a political marriage.
‘Oh, I’ll have to find out what the previous princesses did.’
The history of the Imperial Family!
If she looked at the books containing the biographies of her predecessors, the princesses would definitely come up.
“The Impewial Libwawy!”
“Pardon?”
She would have to go to the Imperial Palace’s Library. She might find her hope there.
It might take her some time, but once she had set a goal, she wouldn’t be able to stand it until she took action.
Having lost her patience like a real child, she jumped up from her seat.
“Let’s go!”
“Ah, Princess, are you going out?”
Despite the sudden words, Jane did not panic and simply set down the things that were in her hands.
This was because the princess was being very active outside recently.
‘Come to think of it, I still haven’t learned to write.’
It might be questionable how she knew the existence of the Imperial Palace.
Even if she thought about it carefully, she couldn’t think of a reason how she’d know about it at the age of five, so she hesitated.
‘What excuse can I make?’
She could say that she wanted to look around the library because she saw it while passing by. But she might get in trouble if she was caught reading.
“I-I’m going awone!”
“Pardon? Your Highness is going alone?”
[ Jane Millas ]
Thoughts: What’s going on? That can’t happen. It’s too dangerous.
The sudden excuse wasn’t good enough, even Siervian thought so. There’s no way that a child, let alone a princess, could go around alone. And what about the promise she made with Ellie after meeting Karmen?
She regretted moving too hastily. She should have tried to find a way to get there more naturally.
Seeing the princess hesitate, Jane was worried if there was something she wanted to say but couldn’t. So she asked,
“Princess, do you not want to go with me? Would you like me to call another lady-in-waiting?”
But when Siervian heard this, she quickly went and hugged Jane.
If Jane had a misunderstanding, she would be sad. Siervian knew more than anyone else.
“No! I like Jane!”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’m sowwy. I like Jane!”
Watching the princess’ cute honesty, Jane hugged Siervian back very tightly.
“I like the Princess, too.”
As a result, it became even more difficult to make it possible for her to go out alone.
Instead of insisting on it, Siervian worried over it.
“Our Princess, why do you want to go alone?”
“Mm
 Jwust because
”
Fortunately, Jane interpreted this as a child’s whim.
So Siervian tried something else.
Wouldn’t it be alright to insist once more like a real child’s impulse?
“Theeen I’ll go to inside the libwawy alone.”
“Your Highness wants to go inside the library alone?”
“Yeah. Jane, make a pwomise!”
Jane readily intertwined her pinky with Siervian’s.
“Yes, Princess. Instead, please go with me on the way to the library.”
This was good. She was sure that there would be more than enough room where she could hide and read books. After reading books at the library like that, she should just say that she looked around.
“Jane, huwwy, huwwy!”
[ Jane Millas ]
Thoughts: You must be in a good mood, our Princess.
As Siervian saw her thoughts, she felt great after a long time.
Her heart was fluttering in excitement and her steps were very light.
It was enough excitement that made her move her legs hastily, but it was still difficult for her to run.
“Yes, Princess. Please walk carefully. If you fall, it would be a big trouble.”
As they got closer and closer to the library, she realized that this really was hope.
Hope that there might be something she could do.
A glimmering hope that she may be able to stay close to her family.
[ Jane Millas ]
Thoughts: But how does Your Highness know the way to the library? Maybe you’ve been here with Ellie.
After seeing Jane’s thoughts in her periphery, Siervian decided not to mind it. She was in such a hurry.
In the distance, she could already see the white exterior walls of the Imperial Palace’s Library.
She was out of breath, but she rushed to the library with a pounding heart.
‘First, I need to go in alone and pretend to look at some magical books, then I’ll go further inside.’
In fact, there was no guarantee that there would be an answer for her in her predecessors’ biographies.
Still, she thought that she could find a clue while reading about the lives of the other Imperial Princesses.
She also vowed to herself in advance that she wouldn’t get frustrated if all that she could find would be magic-related things.
‘The books listed in the register inside aren’t being read that much, so there shouldn’t be many people inside.’
With a well thought out tactic, Siervian entered the Imperial Library.
Jane saw her off, saying that she would wait for the princess out front just like she promised.
“It’s only for a little while, Your Highness. I’ll fetch you soon.”
Jane knew that there would always be an escort knight near Siervian.
So she thought it would be nice to let the princess be since she was excited to explore alone for just a short time.
‘Oh no, then I should move quickly.’
Not knowing Jane’s thoughts, Siervian walked bravely.
The stairs at the entrance of the library were a little too steep for her.
Then, at that moment.
She ran into a familiar face.
“Oh my, Your Highness. It is nice to meet you for the first time.”
Just then, the person exiting the library brightened the moment he saw the princess.
As if he had thought of a great idea.
“

!”
As soon as she heard his voice, Siervian’s entire body froze up and it felt as though her heart had sunken to the ground.
[ Antonio Ciphernom ]
Occupation: Mage (Lv.25)
Favorability: 500
Thoughts: Why is the ever-elusive princess here? Anyway, this is a good opportunity. If I can get along with her, I can gain His Majesty’s favor
!
When Siervian raised her head, even though he was a little younger than she remembered, she saw the person and the name that she wouldn’t be able to forget.
She recalled the memory of that day in an instant.
’This is definitely a trace of black magic. And it’s very malicious.’
He was the first mage who accused Siervian of using black magic.
“Ah, uh
”
Her small body trembled as she faltered back.
“I greet Your Highness the Imperial Princess. I am Antonio, a mage. I’ve heard very distinct acclamations of how Your Highness had saved Garambell.”
[ Antonio ]
Thoughts: She’s still a little kid, so she should be easy to butter up.
Her light steps up the stairs suddenly felt so heavy.
The sky swirled suddenly and she became breathless.
“Hiccup!”
“Your Highness?”
Seeing his face as he looked down curiously, Siervian could only feel scared.
She was going to get imprisoned again.
This time, too. She was going to be falsely accused once again.
“Princess!”
Strangely, she couldn’t control her fear. Her hiccups became louder and she still couldn’t breathe.
When the princess suddenly behaved strangely, Jane came running to her side right away.
As soon as the warm arms wrapped around her as though she was being protected, Siervian instantly felt relieved.
“My goodness, Princess!”
And darkness surrounded her.
As though it was just to rest.
* * *
She had a very sad dream.
’With all due respect, the Princess is an Imperial Family member who cannot wield magic. This is why she got her hands on something as dangerous as this.’
These words were enough.
This was enough of a reason to rationalize why the princess, and not anyone else, had touched black magic.
No one believed that she had never done so.
‘On my honor, I guarantee it.’
And it was because Antonio, a high-ranking mage at that time, had confirmed the supposed sins of Siervian. The memories that made her so sorrowful faded out in a daze. Then, she noticed that there was someone next to her.
“Have you woken up now, Siervy?”