Let me set the stage for the blooming of a new love. The main characters are a young man and woman, with one audience member witnessing. I looked at the two people in-front of my rocking chair with twinkling eyes. The tense moment made my heart want to leap out of my chest. I bit on my lips a little harder than usual.

‘This is it.’

Standing in-front of me were a beautiful young lady, with loosely tied golden hair, and a man with a neat appearance.

He had a small, square box in his hands.

Just as nervous as the man, I clenched my hands in suspense.

‘This time for sure!’

The young man is the second son of Count Malone. He is a dependable man who likes to spend his time quietly studying. He’s a first class husband candidate.

‘Nobody else better to pick from.’

The young lady is my lovely aunt, Lucinda. Aside from her beauty, she has a gentle yet strong personality! Anyone who passed by her would attest to this without question. They were a pair matched in heaven!

‘So please confess to my aunt now!’

My hands were sweating and I looked at them with blazing, fiery eyes. I wondered if I chose a man who was too shy.

The Count of Malone, instead of confessing his sweet love, handed the box to her.

“My gift.”

“A gift?”

‘Oh- Oh- Oh?’

Seeing him unable to confess, I pouted my lips.

‘Yes, that’s right. Confessions aren’t limited to words only after all.’

Who knows, maybe there were purple sapphires designed in the shape of hearts.

‘So, come on! Open it quickly, auntie!’

Clenching my fists, I looked at my aunt’s delicate hands slowly opening the box. She let out a small gasp after opening it.

“Oh my goodness.”

‘What, what? W-what did you see?’

No, it must be an opal or a rare gem! A love letter!

“It’s a pretty pin.”

My aunt smiled brightly and picked up the small pin inside the box. This must be it.

‘Why are you bringing it to me?’

I straightened myself up and looked at my aunt approaching me. My aunt gathered my short, fine hair and put the hair pin on my head. Then, she laughed brilliantly.

“It suits her well, right? Thank you for the gift, Count. The princess must be happy.”

‘I think that gift was for Auntie… not me.’

“Ha ha ha, yes… She looks great.”

‘I was right!’

There were tears in my eyes as well [ as the Count ].

‘Gathering up the courage to confess and bringing gifts with me, only to have the person give it to someone else.’

I gave him a small apology from my heart. I’m so sorry, Count Malone.

‘This is all because I am so cute!’

I simply can’t stop my aunt’s love from overflowing. I let out a sigh.

If you become drunk and walk home by yourself, can you suddenly wake up in another world? Even in the body of a one-year-old baby?

I opened my eyes in the world of Lopan in the book ‘Spring Came to the Dry Land’ which I had read before I died. I had become Amelia, the crown princess.

‘I’m going to be a queen! Jackpot!’

Working as an ordinary employee in Korea to suddenly becoming a future empress, I must’ve received a golden spoon change of fate.

It was something worth dancing about and enjoying.

However, what was the plot of ‘Spring Came to the Dry Land’? I knew I was reading a healing romance book…

Even though the character Amelia never appeared in the chapters. It was because she was already dead by the beginning of the story! I sighed.

‘A character who is destined to die, I am ruined.’

The main couple of the novel are my aunt Lucinda and Tess, the current emperor of the country.

My father Lloyd, the late emperor, was madly in love with a commoner woman. Due to the difference in status my mother was unable to enter the palace.

In a sudden accident, the emperor passed away but he left a testament of his child.

“Tess, I believe in you. With my child, her…..”

“Older brother!!”

Tess, who looked up to Lloyd like a god, tried to keep his will. But, when he finally found Amelia she was already dead and only my aunt Lucinda remained.

“You couldn’t even protect a little child!”

Tess directed his anger at Lucinda at his own inability to keep his brother’s will. However, since the genre is romance they eventually fall in love….

‘My aunt was too modest compared to him. Tess was an arrogant jerk. She forgave him too quickly even though he pointed fingers at her.’

The novel was a total disaster. It had a happy ending, but nobody was truly happy!

After all of that I, the empress Amelia, was about to die.

“A-ababa-ba (God, why am I her).”

I blamed my poor speech on my tiny baby tongue.

‘I am royalty! A real princess!’

I’m not even being treated like a crown princess. Just going to die early.

“Uh hmph”

My heart was bursting and I cried out with a voice that didn’t suit a one year old baby.

I am one years old. I’ve barely mastered flipping over and crawling. There’s nothing that I can do on my own, even if I manage to speak.

“Woo a-boo (I’m going to end it).”

I furiously beat the pillow with my tiny fists, soaking the bed with tears.

A warm hand wrapped around my chest and hugged my body.

“Why are you crying, Amel? Are you hungry? Or maybe tired?”

Suddenly hearing the voice, I turned around, tears filling my eyes. A pretty woman with honey-colored hair tied on one side was staring affectionately at me with sweet brown eyes. I called to her cooing.

“Mama-! (Auntie)”

She was my aunt Lucinda. The protagonist who gets trampled on over and over in this terrible novel.

‘I have to announce that I am a crown princess and go to the imperial palace as soon as possible.’

There was only one way to escape this poor and miserable situation.

I needed to let others know that I am the heir of Lloyd and return as empress unlike the novel.

However I was hesitant because Lucinda, who was in the imperial palace in the original novel, was always unhappy.

‘Maybe it’s better for my aunt to not show herself. It’ll be risky if the original timeline of the story gets activated.’

“Our beloved, Amel.”

Lucinda was only twenty-one years old.

When her only sister, whom she had relied on, died during childbirth she was left with nothing. The world became burdensome and full of difficulties.

What would it be like to bring up a newborn baby by oneself, how did she bear the hardships alone. Yet, Lucinda never gave up on me.

I had to keep myself alive no matter what. Of course, it wasn’t going to be a smooth journey.

‘Look at my aunt’s hands and face.’

I looked at Lucinda with sad eyes. Lucinda had a very beautiful face, but in recent years she suffered from extreme exhaustion. It seemed the dark circles under her eyes would never disappear.

‘I would have abandoned my nephew. Taking care of a child everyday gets you cranky and beat up.’

But Lucinda did not. After working all day, she would still come home laughing brightly at me instead of being angry.

“Oh-oh~ my cute, Amel. Did you become quiet today?”

Could my mother give me a love as sweet as this? I blushed, overwhelmed with the love that couldn’t be denied.

“Huu wooo”

No matter how poor we were, at least we were better than beggars. There were no parents, no family members to help, and no inherited property.

Although Lucinda’s face was beautiful and could marry into a generous home, the country was in a pitiful state and she wouldn’t abandon me.

‘It’s all my fault.’

I’m royalty, yet I feel guilty for being born. I lamented once again.

“Abuuu buuuu (gosh)”

“Dragon? What?” [sounded like that to Lucinda]

“…….”

If I cry, then aunt Lucinda will get worried thus I swallowed all my tears. Honestly, I was quite upset but it wasn’t too terrible.

‘If you meet Tess, then things may get worse.’

There’s no sense of relief.

‘Tess doesn’t have much of a personality. He may not be happy to see me.’

Thinking about it, I wondered how to get in touch with the palace. After patting my back a few times, Lucinda put me back in the crib.

“Are you hungry? Let’s eat quickly!”

“Waaa!”

I instantly cheered up at the thought of rice, so I made a babbling sound. Honestly, I was tired and impatient – even hungry enough to try milk.

“Woo aaa! Woo aaa! (Feed me fast, auntie!)”

“Hahaha, okay. Give me a moment, Amel.”

My aunt laughed gently at the sound of my excitement. It was time to go to the kitchen.

Thump!

A hard knock was heard from the outside. The sound made my body freeze.

We only had each other in this world. Visitors were never good people.

Thump! Thump!

We looked at each other quietly for a moment. The knocking was persistent. It was evident that we were at home.

Eventually my aunt went to answer the door, anxiously biting her lips.

“Who is it….”

“Hey there, Lucinda.”

She carefully opened the door, but a thick finger harshly pushed it out of the way.

The man who forcefully came in was ugly with bushy hair like a gorilla.

My aunt frowned and asked, “What is it, James?”

“Have you considered my proposal?”

“If you came just to say that, then please leave. I’m about to have dinner.”

The gorilla had been following my aunt for days. When auntie attempted to shut the door by answering furiously, he shoved his thick body inside and gleamed.

“What man would want to marry a girl with a kid like you? Just admit that you cannot refuse me.”

‘Is there a limit to the people who fall in love with my aunt’s face?’

I was thinking to myself when hearing my aunt’s words made me sick.

“You’re a married man!”

‘What, he’s not a bachelor? He’s a bad man!’

It was apparent that the married man was trying to trick a young girl. The gorilla had no sense of shame as a human and started shouting.

“Even if the offer is good? I am the richest man in this town.”

“Stop with the nonsense!”

My aunt shut the door tightly. The gorilla was spewing out bulls*t until the end.

“You better make up your mind quickly! I am not a patient man!”

‘That filthy man!!”

I clenched my round fist.

‘Pests like him should not roam the streets of society!’

I decided that I would not let that gorilla wander freely in the town. But, what could a baby do?

Actually, there was something! I wasn’t an ordinary being!

“Pupu!”

I reached out into the air. A cat with fluffy light blue hair appeared from the air. There were two small horns on its head and wings on its back like a bat.

It was a familiar that only the Illuminas bloodline could summon!

“What’s going on?”

My familiar Pupu asked, licking his fur with his tongue. Due to familiars being influenced by their casting masters, Pupu was an adorable baby cat like me. I sincerely spoke to him.

“Beat that bast*rd’s *ss! Make him unable to walk!”

“Haha, I am given an interesting order today. I see.”

Pupu was very playful like a cat, he smiled with slender eyes and disappeared into the air.

‘He won’t be able to come back to my house for a while.’

If a person trips a dozen times after visiting a certain house and their hips start to ache, then they won’t go to that house again.

‘If you come back next time, then you will not be able to return.’

I looked back at my aunt with a runny nose.

My aunt was always so strong and brave, but she was crying now.

...  ...

Tears escaped from Lucinda’s exquisite eyes.

“I’m sorry, Ariel. Aunt is having a hard time. Please wait…hik!”

“Mama.”

Lucinda was young and capable. She would be able to earn a living

anywhere without a problem. Yet, she turned out to be this way because

of me. I watched my aunt crying and lowered my head.

‘It’s my fault.’

My aunt, who saw my body curled up, gently picked me up. Her tears started to dampen my shoulders. Then, she patted me and said,

“I’m sorry to startle you. I’m fine.”

‘In fact, she’s not okay. Poor Lucinda.’

As a one-year-old baby, I was incapable of helping her. That’s why we couldn’t get out of this misery.

‘So what should I do?’

I pondered about my next move for about four days. However, there was only one solution I could think of.

‘……Tessa.’

Amelia’s only uncle, the young emperor of this country, the bad

tyrant. In the original story, he was a character who pushed Lucinda’s

limits until she took her own life.

‘Even though he said he regretted it, I still hate him.’

But no matter how much I thought about it, there was no other way.

The world was too harsh for a poor, helpless young woman and a child.

‘The reason why Lucinda decided to do such thoughtless action was

because she couldn’t protect Amelia. But now, I will protect myself so

that the original story won’t happen.’

After two months being in Amelia’s body, I decided to let Tessa know

about my existence. As a baby, I had no way to get to the capital, so I

decided to borrow Pupu’s power again this time.

‘There’s my father’s memento in the drawer over there. Give it to the emperor as a proof.’

Because I was still young and weak, Pupu only seemed to be a bunch of

twinkling light in other’s eyes, except for Tessa who could see Pupu’s

form. At my request, Pupu smiled.

[Are you finally going to announce your existence?]

‘Yes. I don’t want my aunt to suffer anymore.’

[It’s a good idea. Just leave it to me.]

Pupu disappeared back into the air at my request. I let out a sigh.

‘In the original story, Tessa is not a very reliable person.’

He was a man who took part in his niece’s tragedy and slandered a

woman who was grieving. He was far from being suitable to be my

caretaker.

‘But he won’t pretend not to know me, Llyod’s child. Because he loves my father.’

All I could count on was my father, Lloyd.

May Tessa care for and love me as much as he loves Llyod.

‘So please, Pupu!’

What I sent to the palace was a ring that Lloyd gave to my mother as

an evidence of love. In the original story, the ring reveals Amelia’s

existence to the world. It happened after Lucinda, who was grieving due

to Amelia’s death, disposed of all of her belongings to clear her mind.

Hence, through one way or another, the existence of the ring was

revealed.

‘This time, I sent the proof to the Imperial Palace directly, so they’ll run here right away.’

A month has passed since Pupu went away.

“Ariel, let’s eat.”

“Em.”

After having two teeth, I could start eating baby food. I called it

baby food, but it’s actually an oatmeal porridge that my aunt makes for

me. There’s a slight problem about this, the porridge tasted incredibly

bland.

‘Still, because of our circumstances, it’s better to eat something bland rather than to starve.’

When I opened my mouth in front of a clunky wooden spoon, I was

reminded again how hard it was to eat other than the bland taste, the

spoon was too big for my petite mouth.

Thump, thump, thump!

Suddenly, we could hear thousands of footsteps marching. Me and Lucinda looked around in confusion.

“Wha, what?”

“Abu?”

There were multiple sounds of footsteps thumping simultaneously, as

if an entire army were marching our way. Despite my aunt’s fear, the

first thing she did was hold my hand.

“Don’t worry, Ariel. I’m here.”

“Mama….”

I looked at my aunt with astonishment. How could my aunt, who had no blood relation to me, cherished and loved me this much?

‘My aunt needs to be happy. I will make sure she’ll be happy.’

While I was thinking about it, the footsteps seemed to have subsided, but this time the sound came from our door.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Yes? Who are you?”

“……I’m here to see my niece.”

It was the sexiest voice I’ve ever heard in my past and present life.

‘Wow.’

Just like me, my aunt’s eyes widened. She took a deep breath and opened the door…

‘Is he an angel?’

A handsome man with neat black hair and green eyes was standing in

front of the door. Unlike his delicate facial features, he has a

muscular physique, which could fill the door of our house. Having read

the original story, I knew who it was.

‘It’s my uncle! My uncle!’

The character who imprisoned and tortured Lucinda for failing to protect Amelia was Tessa. Emperor Tessa Illuminas.

* * *

[I brought him here!]

Pupu waved its tail in excitement.

Every time Pupu moved, twinkling rays of light fell from his wings.

People couldn’t see Pupu. But maybe they could see twinkling rays of light, as everyone’s eyes were on Pupu.

[I missed you! How have you been without me?]

‘I missed you too, Pupu.  I believed you would do well.’

[Meow!]

Pupu was in a good mood, so it flew over to me and licked my face.

Its tongue felt prickly like a cat, it was tickly so I laughed out loud.

Then, a knight who came along with Tessa bowed his head and said,

“Your Majesty, there’s a light shining over there.”

“Is that.….”

Yes, It’s me, the only daughter of Emperor Lloyd, Amelia!

‘Oh, I’m nervous.’

I rubbed my cheek against Pupu’s fur and glanced at the man who was staring at me.

A man who never met me in the original story.

‘I don’t know what he’s thinking.’

His cold eyes were piercing me. I was nervous and gulped.

‘No way is he skeptical of me? Because I don’t look like my father?’

Tessa is an illegitimate child, and since childhood he was given the

cold shoulder by everyone at the palace. The only person who treated him

kindly at that time was my father, Lloyd.

‘He swears that he will only live for his brother.’

Tessa, who was moved by his kindness, vows eternal loyalty. Sadly

their touching story couldn’t continue when my father died in a carriage

incident.

“Tessa, Tessa… I believe in you. My child…  … My ring…”

“Brother!”

With that story, now we’ll know how much my father meant to him.

‘But what about me, the daughter of my father?’

Tessa’s feelings for me determined the treatment of me and Lucinda, so I was nervous.

‘Are you going to cherish me too?’

Suddenly, I had a bad premonition. Lloyd died because he was in an

accident on his way back from persuading nobles who opposed the commoner

empress.

‘No way, will he blame me?’

Holding Pupu’s paws gave me strength. I looked up at Tessa with great determination.

‘But he searched for me frantically. In the original story, it was

also mentioned that Tessa had been searching for me all along.’

To be honest, I’m afraid that he was not what I expected. Still, I didn’t show anything on my face.

‘Yes, I’m the niece you’ve been looking for!’

I lifted my chin up confidently. But after facing his icy eyes, my confidence disappeared in an instant. I groaned inwardly.

‘… Can’t you just hurry and let us out of this poverty? I want to stop eating oatmeal.’

I didn’t expect anything big. I only want him to bring us out of this rathole, I won’t even ask for his acceptance nor affecton.

‘Byebye, eczema. Byebye, oatmeal.’

…Why is he taking so long? No way, he won’t leave me in this shabby

hut right? But I’m the only princess! What’s wrong with him? Tessa

looked at me in a strange way.

“You….”

His eyes were trembling yet at the same time was filled with joy, pain, and longing. His cold face was filled with emotions.

“This child…?”

But what’s up with that expression? It was the kind of expression people would have when they were at loss on what to do.

‘No, why? He’s not that kind of person.’

But why is he looking at me like that? I blinked at the unexpected

response. As our eyes met, I realized my eyes and his were the same

color. Clear green eyes like fresh leaves just sprouting up after the

rain. I felt a little surprised when I found a resemblance to someone I

thought I would not have resembled at all.

“W, wait!”

Aunt Lucinda who was 155cm stood in front of Tessa who was 185cm. The

scene looked like a baby deer standing in front of the bear.

Tessa’s fine eyebrows moved in confusion and slight irritation.

“What is it?”

A normal person would have felt intimidated by Tessa’s sharp eyes and

huge size. But aunt Lucinda put her hand on her waist and lifted her

head upright, getting mad at Tessa.

“Who are you to come all of a sudden to look for my niece?”

“What?”

Tessa’s eyebrows twitched. Knowing his temper in the original story, I took a deep breath.

“Fyuh!”

‘Aunt, he’s a famous tyrant who cuts people’s throats easily! What if you stand in the way?!’

I called Tessa so that she wouldn’t suffer, but she might die sooner instead. I pulled my aunt’s clothes in tears.

“M, Mama.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you, Ariel.”

Why is my aunt so powerful in the midst of this?

‘How can I not worry? He could kill my aunt!’

In the original story, Lucinda was bullied by Tessa. His words were so harsh that I always skimmed that part.

‘I wish I looked a lot like my father.’

My fluffy, golden hair was lovely, but it did nothing to win Tessa’s sympathy. Because my dad had black hair like Tessa.

‘Ugh, I’m even more nervous now that I think about it.’

I have no appearance buff, so there is less reason for Tessa to like

me. I have to say something to Tessa that will appeal to him. I opened

my mouth after contemplating. The problem was that I am only a one year

old baby.

“Papa.”

I was going to call you uncle!