How did this happen?

“You devil!”

“Go ahead and die! You evil wench!”

The outraged crowd doubled down on Siervian as if they were pummeling her whole body mercilessly.

It was already difficult to continue trudging forward with these magic restraints on her body, but it was the harsh criticism all around her that made her stumble.

“Throw some trash over!”

“Yeah! Throw it!”

Something was flung straight at me, hitting the back of my head with a thud.

The guards tried to stop it, but it was already too late. The guards barely made a move to do so, anyway.

The rancid stench of food waste wove into her hair.

“Rotten food just for you, you damn wench!”

“There are children starving!”

Tying to pay them no mind, Siervian continued her march silently.

“There’s a limit to luxury!”

The mob grew angrier when Siervian did not respond, but unbeknownst to them, her lips curled up at the mention of ‘luxury’. I tried my best, but it was still just ‘luxury’.

It’s unfair.

“Didn’t they say she goes on violent rampages? The people at the palace couldn’t even describe how harsh it was for them.”

“How is it possible that this kind of princess came from the saint-like Emperor . . . ”

Those in the crowd who had nothing in their hands to throw instead whispered amongst themselves in a purposely loud voice for her to hear.

With the exception of one person, the entire capital was thrown into a celebratory mood as if there was a festival. News of the wicked woman’s execution fuelled the curious madness permeating the air, finally facing persecution for her luxury and indulgence.

‘It’s really unfair.’

Their brimming emotions were slowing her pace. She wanted to lift her head proudly and declare that she never did any such thing.

“And she also mastered black magic? I’m telling you, she’s gone crazy.”

“She doesn’t deserve to be a princess.”

She wanted to raise her head, but at these condemning words, she cowered once more

That it was unjust, that it wasn’t the case—even if she said so, nothing would change. No one would believe her. It had been like this for a long time.

‘As those people said, I really don’t deserve the position.’

She was rigorously educated to become a rightful princess.

She never rebelled. She didn’t even remember her own childhood because she had to commit herself fully.

She did all that, yet this was the result.

“Ooohh . . . !”

“That person? She’s the evil witch?”

It grew harder for her to raise her head when innocent children’s voices joined in the jeering. She continued trudging forward.

As she had been imprisoned for a prolonged period, her feet quickly grew cold. Though the temperature around the Empire’s capital was being controlled by magic, it was still torturous to walk barefoot outside. Blood gradually began to trickle from the cuts on her feet.

“Climb.”

But no one cared, so no one gave her any shoes. The many guards around her even resorted to mocking her, saying that it was a small price for all the evil deeds she had done.

Like this guard ushering her to the gallows.

‘This is the end, isn’t it.’

Siervian slowly climbed the stairs. As she ascended one step at a time, her body grew heavier.

She was about to face her family.

Today, of all days, was a day before Siervian’s coming-of-age. She would have become an adult after her birthday tomorrow.

“Here, here! The sinner, Siervian, shall be judged under the strict laws of the Erveldotte Empire!”

She couldn’t help but grin as her name was called by the executioner.

It was very like her cold-hearted father to order the removal of the Erveldotte title from his daughter’s name just as he handed down her sentence.

And even with the death sentence of his own child, he let the executioner handle it.

“For all the evil deeds you have done, for going as far as touching black magic . . .”

Even mentioning black magic was ridiculous.

Siervian didn’t even know what it was, let alone having mastered it. Nevertheless, she was known as a witch who dealt with black magic.

If she really had that power, then the first thing she would have done was run away.

“Ugh . . .”

Her arms were tied firmly behind her back. She wouldn’t be able to move anyway because of the magic binding her body.

In all of the Empire’s 500-year history, Siervian was the first princess to be executed.

And she’s probably the first to be framed like this as well.

“. . . . . . Princess . . .”

The faint call of the Empress drifted in the air. At the sound of her trembling voice, Siervian realized she was the only family who cared for her.

The Empress was different from the father and brother who gave only cold gazes to the princess they deemed useless and unworthy.

They uttered no words.

“Ugh.”

With all her remaining strength, Siervian twisted her body because she wanted to look up.

Her father and brother must be next to the Empress. However, after the Empress’s faint call, no other sound could be heard from them.

Especially her father. She wanted to ask how it was possible for him to say nothing when his own child was about to die.

“For the crime of plundering the national treasury for luxury and pleasure, for failing to protect your dignity as an Imperial Princess . . .”

In the end, Siervian couldn’t raise her head.

The binding spell that had been cast on her was meant to restrict a sinner’s movements in case they try to escape, but apart from this purpose, the spell also intended to force the sinner to kneel down in repentance.

Which was why she had been unable to lift her gaze all this time.

‘How could you . . .’

She desperately tried to force her gaze upward, but he was too high up. She could barely see her aloof father’s chin.

The distance between a sinner and an Emperor’s throne was far too great . . .

“. . . For the crime of besmirching the Imperial Family’s eminence through black magic . . .”

The executioner continued going down the list of Siervian’s sins. They were all unwarranted, all ridiculous.

Especially about besmirching the Imperial Family. It never happened.

“For the felony of planning a coup against the Crown Prince . . .”

She never wanted the Emperor’s throne. She never even wanted to be Crown Princess.

There was only one thing that Siervian wanted.

—It was just a little bit of their love.

As the executioner continued his oration, Karmen, the Magic Tower’s liege, stepped forward. That cold gaze, which expressed a deep-seated hatred clearly, met Siervian’s eyes directly.

The small object in Karmen’s hand was probably the detonator that would be used to kill Siervian.

“Execute the death penalty.”

At the low voice’s prompting, the small object began to shine. In it’s reflective glow, Siervian realized that it was a silver pendant with a diamond-shaped red jewel.

In an instant, her eyes rolled up and turned white.

‘It’s too bright to call this death.’

It was a beautiful, magical brilliance that instantly killed a person.

But she was a princess. Karmen was meant to use a water spell that led to one’s death without any pain.

Siervian was told that this was the case.

‘Lies . . .”

It felt like her heart felt like it was about to explode.

Everything was a lie.

It wasn’t long before life slowly drained from her body. Her head, which had previously been rigid, now lolled down freely.

“. . . Siervian.”

Only then did the Emperor call her name quietly.

But the hushed voice could not be heard by his daughter, whose consciousness was slipping away.

With her eyelids becoming heavier, Siervian thought, ‘Father . . . I wonder how you . . .’

However, her eyes closed soon before she took her last breath.

Siervian would never know what kind of expression his father had as he called her name for the last time.

* * *

“Princess, please wake up. Your Highness!”

There was a loud voice.

Siervian, who had been thinking blankly, opened her eyes all of a sudden.

However, there was a disconnect in her actions.

How was it possible for her to open her eyes?

“Oh dear. Princess, why is it hard to wake you up, especially today?”

The first thing that entered her vision was the radiant sunlight.

‘Why is there sunlight . . .’

Having been locked up in a dungeon for a long period of time, it’s been a long time since she felt the chilly sunlight of the North.

In a daze, Siervian sat up.

Although she had only a little strength in her body, the pain from her long life in prison had noticeably disappeared.

‘My body isn’t in pain! I don’t feel cold!’

She looked around absently and realized that she was in a familiar room. It was a room at the Princess’s Palace, the place she resided in until she was imprisoned.

The cumbersome, dark-colored furniture that the Empress specifically selected. A bed that had a design that was too heavy for her when she was younger.

‘Has this room . . . always been this big?’

Something was off.

At first, it seemed like an elaborate dream, as if it were a hallucination that anyone on the verge of death would see.

“You have to get up and have your breakfast, Your Highness.”

It was a familiar voice. Siervian, who had been absent-minded, abruptly focused her gaze.

Indeed, the person in front of Siervian was Sarah, albeit with a younger appearance.

“Princess?”

There was something strange about her eye level, but Siervian brushed this off. She was only glad to see the other person.

Of course she felt this way. After all, Sarah, the head maid, was the only one in this cold palace who smiled at her.

“Sarah!”

Without giving it any more thought, Siervian reached out with her arms wide open.

It was a somewhat awkward greeting for an adult to express her delight, but she did so unconsciously.

[ Sarah ]

Occupation: Head Maid (Lv.14)

At that exact moment, something floating by her periphery caught her eye.

‘Huh?’

It was a translucent light blue rectangle, sort of like a small window that moved along with her gaze.

[ Sarah ]

Occupation: Head Maid (Lv.14)

Favorability: 400

Mood: Annoyed

‘ . . . What?’

Framing the window was a colorful embroidered pattern, and inside were words that showed Sarah’s name, favorability, and mood.

“Princess? It’s time for you to wake up.”

“Uh . . .”

Disoriented, Siervian simply gaped. She fully thought this was just a dream, but Sarah continued to peer down at her.

Right then, the contents of the translucent window changed.

[ Sarah ]

Thoughts: Why aren’t you rising from bed properly today? I really hate kids that need so much work. So annoying.

Siervian, who read the text in a hurry without realizing, was speechless.

She was so stunned that her heart skipped a beat. No matter how many times she read the words, the window that continued to follow her vision stayed there.

“Now, now, our well-mannered Princess must rise early.”

She shook her head back and forth, but the bizarre text did not disappear.

Sarah pulled Siervian’s little body up.

Wait . . . small body?

Only then did she realize the source of the disconnect that she felt since earlier.

Her body, wasn’t it too small?

“Princess, do you not hear my voice?”

Siervian, who came to her senses through the older woman’s rough touch, finally managed to answer.

“Yes.”

[ Sarah ]

Thoughts: I really have to hold myself back from swearing.

Could it be that . . . the window revealed what people truly felt?

Apparently, she became young again.

After mulling it over again and again for the past few days, Siervian finally admitted it.

“The dispway cabinet is still fwine . . .”

Seeing as the blue jeweled cabinet was still intact, it’s clear that this was a period before she turned eight years old.

It was her favorite cabinet, but one day she came back to her room and found it broken. From that day on, there was a rumor that the Imperial Princess went on violent rampages.

My hand . . . why dwon’t I have any stwength . . .”

Sensitive to the changes around her, Siervian stared at the cabinet and gripped her spoon once more.

The daze continued in the next couple of days. At first, she thought it was a dream, but then later

realized that it was all too realistic.

She wouldn’t be able to remember her childhood with this much detail.

[ Sarah ]

Thoughts: What’s wrong with this kid these days. How annoying.

Sarah was smiling sweetly, but beside her were those words on the window.

Over the past few days, Siervian confirmed that Sarah’s thoughts on the window changed according to her actions.

If the sentences shown in that window really showed Sarah’s thoughts, then the smiles that Siervian used to find solace in were all fake.

“Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere, Princess?”

“I’m okaaay.”

Siervian’s pronunciation was off because she still couldn’t adapt to her young voice. The same was true for the little hand that gripped her spoon.

This was definitely the Princess’s Palace where she grew up, but now everything was too big and too high up.

“Go ahead and eat now.”

If she acted like she did as before, she would have thought the soup was meant to be eaten before it was cooled down, even if she couldn’t taste anything.

Sarah was still smiling.

But the translucent window in front of her was saying something else.

[ Sarah ]

Thoughts: How many times should I repeat myself. Ugh.

The font on the window changed from time to time as it portrayed the true feelings of the window’s owner.

Siervian decided to call it a ‘status window’.

‘I’m really surprised I can see their thoughts like this . . . even though the content is shocking.’

Today, the soup was sour and tasteless. It didn’t have any solid ingredients, and there was too much of the pepper she hated.

“If you continue being picky, His Majesty will get mad.”

As Siervian lowered her hand, the Emperor rose to the forefront of her mind. Every time she thought of him, Siervian’s expression would harden as she was reminded of the bright light that the death penalty tool emitted.

She wouldn’t be able to forget it.

“Oouuooh.”

Aside from the status window, Siervian had another dilemma.

“Pepper, bad!”

“Princess!”

Even though it was a lousy meal, a princess must still always embody elegance.

That’s how it was. She knew this.

But her body was rejecting it.

“This isn’t soup!”

Helpless, Siervian watched her hands push away the soup bowl.

There was a reason why she couldn’t control her own body like this.

In the mirror, she could see a status window floating beside her.

[ Siervian Erveldotte (5 y.o.) ]

Body and soul synchronization · · · 1%

Current actions are in line with the body.

:◈:

The appearance of Sarah’s status window was similar, but the words on this one were different. There was also an unknown diamond function here.

What stood out the most was the mention of “current actions are in line with the body.” It was a grim sign that she would continue acting like a five-year-old regardless of her mental age.

This was why the words that came out of her lips were different from what she was thinking. She couldn’t help but click her tongue at this.

Meanwhile, Sarah rose from her seat, looking as if she couldn’t hold back the irritation she felt anymore.

“Then, do as you please.”

[ Sarah ]

Thoughts: Whatever. I have to go and report this.

Report?

Siervian, who reflexively flinched after seeing Sarah’s stern face, couldn’t hide her look of curiosity when she read the status window.

She couldn’t hide her expressions, just like a child.

“Ellie, look after the Princess.”

“Yes.”

Sarah left the room without saying goodbye or asking for permission to be dismissed. It seemed to be because she was undermining Siervian.

It was very rude to act this way in front of a princess, but Siervian just lowered her gaze.

‘I don’t know about anything else, but I do know that I shouldn’t complain about the food. Especially me.’

Desperate, Siervian picked up the rough bread next to the soup. Made from low quality grains, the bread was too big for her small hands so she couldn’t hold it properly.

With tasteless soup and bread like this, it made her wonder. It was strange that a growing child had a diet this messy.

‘Ah, I get it. I’ve been hated ever since then.’

Siervian ate very little back then and left a lot of food on her plate, so she didn’t know she was being served horrible meals like this.

Throughout these gloomy thoughts, she silently chewed on the crumbly bread.

She let it be and just listened to what her young body wanted to do.

“Princess.”

“Yesh?”

Ellie, who had been standing in the corner, approached Siervian. It was memorable how strict Ellie was with her, so she immediately felt nervous on reflex.

Ellie didn’t notice Siervian’s reaction. As she was approaching, for some reason she went to the door and looked out briefly, then hurried back.

Then, she took out a small piece of white bread from her sleeve and carefully held it out to Siervian.

“Please take this, Princess.”

“This?”

“Yes.”

Her behavior was a little weird, but Siervian said nothing.

Because she saw the floating window beside Ellie.

[ Ellie ]

Occupation: Maid (Lv.60)

Favorability: 9,867

Mood: Sorrowful

Thoughts: I can’t believe they served this kind of food to such a cute and lovely person. My poor little princess.

Ellie had a lower position than Sarah, but she had a much higher level than her. And her thoughts . . . were a little strange.

[ Ellie ]

Thoughts: Please dig in. Go ahead, please eat! Good for your body and tastes amazing—soft white bread!

The maid’s facial expression didn’t change at all, but according to the status window, she seemed to be enthusiastic about Siervian eating. She unconsciously took a bite.

“. . . !”

It tasted a lot different from what she was used to.

‘It’s softer, sweeter, tastier bread!’

Ellie looked at Siervian’s surprised expression with indifference.

She didn’t know that Siervian was looking closely at the floating window.

[ Ellie ]

Favorability: 9,867

Her favorability points were also much higher than Sarah.

Why was it like this?

* * *

“Now then, let’s use this ribbon for your hair today, Princess.”

“Not that . . .”

“Princess, I’m sure that the Emperor will get angry if you complain like this.”

“Okaaay.”

The thick sea-colored ribbon in Sarah’s hand didn’t suit Siervian’s black hair.

All of the clothes in her closet were mismatched and the colors were all wrong. The materials used for them were all high quality, so it was questionable how this all came to be.

‘I don’t care if the clothes don’t suit me, but why is everything so luxurious?’

Sarah’s attitude was also strange. She definitely had an amiable expression on, but the words on her status window were too harsh.

She never listened to what Siervian had to say, but she would always retort that Siervian complained for no reason whenever she opened her mouth. And she would always mention that His Majesty would surely get mad at her.

‘Would father really be angry?’

Siervian winced involuntarily. She was frightened just by the thought of her father.

Just as her body moved by itself to push away the pepper soup, she was having an out-of-body experience again.

‘It’s scary.’

While Siervian was shaking in fright, Ellie stood in front of her with an expressionless face. Then, the status window popped up.

[ Ellie ]

Mood: Frustrated

Thoughts: Look at that hair, so soft and glossy . . . Just letting it hang naturally already makes her look like a painting. I can style it better . . . Sarah doesn’t know how to use her hands.

Thanks to the status window, Siervian managed to snap out of her fear.

But then she looked at the status window strangely.

It was an eerie but extremely useful advantage to have the ability to know what the other person was thinking.

“Please raise your head,” murmured Sarah.

Because she could see what’s inside, she knew what’s really going on. Sarah, even as she was talking in a sweet voice, was being awfully rude right now.

“Princess, you have to keep your back straight,” Ellie said.

On the other hand, even if Ellie’s voice was a little harsh, she couldn’t help but express her innermost feelings by expressing her concern like this.

. . . If this status window could be utilized well, couldn’t she prevent her enemies from hating her? Maybe this time she could avoid an execution in the future.

‘Perhaps also my father?’

Maybe her father was the same as them, that he also felt different from what he outwardly expressed?

Siervian had this brief thought, but she soon shook her head.

To straighten her posture, Sarah moved her head and quickly berated Siervian—all while pretending to be sweet. Siervian’s scalp was throbbing because Sarah kept pulling on her hair on purpose.

‘In the first place, what reason would there be for the Emperor to be conscious of his actions.’

Siervian’s father, the stern ruler of the Empire, would not behave differently like other people.

The fleeting thought quickly disappeared from her mind, and what’s left for her to worry about was her small, undeveloped body that refused to move at her will.

‘But why am I getting dressed up today?’

Well, she didn’t look good at all, regardless. The noble air of the Imperial Family should still be reflected outwardly, so it was important for her to look dignified as a princess.

Sarah gave Siervian a bath, but neither dried her hair nor brought her new clothes.

Meals were given only once a day, and it was always pepper-laden soup with hard bread.

All the small chores, like drying Siervian’s hair and dressing her in her mismatched clothes, were Ellie’s responsibility. Ellie didn’t talk to Siervian while doing so, but the status window in front of her would keep showing that she was feeling sorry for her.

‘I want to go outside.’

She already went back to the past, but it felt like she was imprisoned once more. Her young body especially felt uncomfortable in the palace.

“I’m going outswide today?”

Having been dressed up for the first time in a long while, Siervian’s expectations were raised. She thought she might be going out for a stroll.

“His Majesty will be visiting today. Did you forget, Your Highness?”

[ Sarah ]

Thoughts: What an idiot. I can’t even remember how many times I told you already.

Contrary to Siervian’s previous impression of her, Sarah’s thoughts were like a thunderbolt flashing throughout a downcast sky. Exasperated, she continued combing Siervian’s hair roughly.

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”

As soon as Siervian got ready, she heard the Emperor’s footsteps outside the door.

‘I-I’m scared . . . !’

The young Siervian’s body quivered tremendously.

‘I’m not prepared to face him yet!’

Apart from her body, the soul of the adult Siervian was also tense. Ultimately, she had died after having been abandoned by her father.

At that moment, the door burst open. Sarah and Ellie bowed deeply and quickly stepped back.

Like a snowstorm, a tall man with wavy, silver hair came into the room. He had on a look of indifference.

It was the same cold expression that she remembered, but he now looked younger.

“Siervian.”

She needed to convey her greetings.

He might kill her again otherwise.

But the unexpected sight before her kept her nailed to her seat.

There was a status window floating near the Emperor’s chest.

[ Alderuan Erveldotte ]

Occupation: Emperor (Lv.99)

Favorability: 90,980,984

Mood: ♡ My Daughter ♡ I – Miss – You

Thoughts: It’s such a cold day, but it’s a lovely day anyway because I finally get to see my precious darling Siervian.

My arrival was delayed by one minute because that bloody duke held me up. Does his greed know no bounds? I’ll have to order a tax investigation on that duke to dig up dirt on him. It at least won’t be a decapitation, so I’m being merciful enough.

. . . Father?

What the hell is this?!

Chapter 3

“What are you looking so intently at?”

The emperor asked Siervian, who was staring blankly at her father’s status window. His blue eyes, as cold as the wind of the north, pierced directly through hers.

It was the cold, heartless gaze she remembered.

“You’re not running away from me today.”

[ Alderuan Erveldotte ]

Thoughts: She’s looking at me longer this time. Maybe she grew up a little. I should have come earlier. I’ll leave you alone this time, you damn Duke.

The Emperor walked closer to where Siervian was sitting and looked down at his daughter. A heavy silence descended upon the air around them.

She could remember what happened until this point.

But . . .

[ Alderuan Erveldotte ]

Favorability: +100

Thoughts: Everytime I see her, she gets lovelier and lovelier. I can’t believe how prettily she sparkles. Is the God of Mana playing tricks on me? As expected, I should celebrate this auspicious day. The festival should be named ‘Mana God’s Trick Anniversary’.

The silence stretched further. On the other hand, the status window was being too noisy.

She didn’t know which was more shocking, this or—no, no. This was infinitely more shocking.

‘My father? To me? Really? But why . . . ?’

Siervian’s clothes today were luxurious, but they didn’t look good on her at all. Well, it’s not to the point that anyone should be raving about it.

. . . She was terrified of him just a while ago, but seeing his thoughts like this made her fear go away.

‘I can’t believe it . . . If this is how Father thinks, then . . .’

A strange feeling enveloped Siervian. Was her father like this the entire time in her previous life?

No. He wouldn’t have let her die if that was the case.

“I need to go now.”

[ Alderuan Erveldotte ]

Thoughts: Is this the limit? But we’ve been together for one whole minute today. I should order a memorial tree to be planted in my palace’s garden to commemorate this day.

Dreadfully confused, Siervian reflexively clenched the skirt of her dress.

As soon as the Emperor saw her small, tiny hands turning white, he thought that he should go and come back next time.

Feeling his gaze on her, Siervian soon figured out the situation.

‘Come to think of it, you said I wasn’t running away today.’

If she remembered right, was it at this time of the year that she was hiding from her father?

Still, her body wouldn’t move at all. It was exactly the behavior of a little girl who was scared.

“I’ll be back next week.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

It was then that Sarah’s strange status window appeared.

[ Sarah ]

Thoughts: Haaa, this week, too. Do you have to come here every time? Not much happens anyway.

Siervian’s father seemed to visit every week to check up on her. It must be that those dresses in her closet were meant to clothe her in some semblance of reasonable fashion.

“It’s a relief, Your Majesty. The Princess didn’t run away today.”

Chancellor Hex, who came here with the Emperor, suddenly talked to him in hushed excitement.

“Hmm.”

[ Alderuan Erveldotte ]

Favorability: +100

The emperor wanted Siervian to see him off, but he turned away without saying anything. Up until that moment, the floating status window that showed his innermost feelings was still there.

Wait, if you go like this, then . . . !

“Hm?”

Gasp.

Siervian could hear everyone around her stifle their astonishment.

Her small, dainty hand entered their sight, holding the Emperor’s collar with all her might.

“What’s wrong?”

Sievian took a small breath. She couldn’t believe what she’d just done, grabbing the Emperor’s collar without permission. She didn’t know why he wouldn’t just push her away if he didn’t like it.

However, she managed to pluck up the courage to do so after looking at the status window.

[ Alderuan Erveldotte ]

Mood: ♡ My Daughter ♡ I’m – so – touched!

Thoughts: You know how to grab collars with your small hands! Now that I can see them closer, I can see that your hands look like mine. Siervian’s hands are sooo cute that I didn’t notice.

Maybe this status window was just a fever dream.

But if it was real, then . . .

‘If it is, then I want to confirm. Why was it like that in the past?’

She needed to talk to him very clearly and very coherently from now on.

‘Maybe the future can be changed.’

Give her a minute. She needed to speak like a well-educated princess. Formal. Calm.

But then, something unexpected came out of her lips.

“Bre-bread!”

That’s not it! What bread!

She was overcome by embarrassment. What she was trying to say was:

‘Your Majesty, please allow me a moment of your time. I want to have tea with you.’

No matter how unsynchronized her body was with her mind, where on earth did bread come from?!

At that moment, the Emperor’s eyes became harsh at her sudden exclamation. The status window didn’t show up this time, so Siervian let go of his collar at once, doubting herself.

She needs to shut herself up . . . she just made her father mad.

“Are the Princess’s meals insufficient?”

But contrary to Siervian’s concern, the Emperor’s heated gaze settled on Sarah instead.

It was Sarah who was practically starving her. The lady-in-waiting’s plump body trembled and her status window kept flickering, revealing her unease.

“T-that is not the case, Your Majesty.”

“Then why is Siervian looking for bread at this hour?”

The Emperor’s wrath was solely directed at Sarah. Bewildered, Siervian clasped her hands together and clenched tight.

‘You’re not mad at me?’

Just then, in her periphery, a status window popped up in front of Hex, who was standing next to the Emperor.

[ Hex ]

Occupation: Chancellor (Lv.89)

Favorability: +10

Siervian looked up in a daze, but Hex was looking elsewhere. Then, his status window changed.

[ Hex ]

Thoughts: Phew, I almost got caught staring at the Princess. I shouldn’t surprise her because she’s so wary around people. By the way, her hands are really cute.

Siervian could only gape wildly.

What’s wrong with everyone?

“Princess, do you want to have dinner with H-His Majesty?” Sarah stuttered nervously.

Siervian felt her body flinch at the mention of ‘dinner’. She remembered that she really hated dinner when she was young.

[ Sarah ]

Thoughts: Shit, you’re killing me here. But we’ll see. You’re scared of dinnertime, aren’t you? You’re in big trouble now.

Even Sarah seemed to know this well.

Thanks to this, Siervian confirmed it again. The status window really was telling the truth.

“. . . Is that so. It’ll be difficult.”

[ Alderuan Erveldotte ]

Favorability: +100

Favorability: +100

For someone who said he’d be inconvenienced, his status window sure expressed otherwise.

“I’ll check my schedule, then I’ll let you know.”

[ Alderuan Erveldotte ]

Favorability: +100

Favorability: +100

Siervian watched her father leave her palace with a baffled expression on her face.

* * *

“At the command of His Highness Emperor Alderuan Erveldotte, the glorious sun of the Empire, the presence of Her Highness Princess Siervian Erveldotte, the little moon of the Empire, is requested at the dining hall.”

Was it because they’re suddenly preparing dinner in the afternoon?

Due to the abrupt presence of the Emperor’s messenger, the Princess’s Palace was thrown into a state of panic.

“What the hell did you just do!”

“Owie . . . It hurts . . .”

Sarah combed Siervian with an enraged fervor. Because of her rough manhandling, Siervian’s neck was bent back, and it hurt so much that she started crying.

“It’s a good thing I handled it well. Do you know how much I hate it when you don’t behave yourself?”

[ Sarah ]

Favorability: 350

Sarah’s favorability went down by 50 from 400 to 350. Siervian began to wonder what would happen if that number dropped to 0.

Finally, the torturous combing ended. The jittery Sarah left Siervian to Ellie and scuttled away.

[ Sarah ]

Thoughts: Something big just happened. Something really big. I really won’t be able to survive this time.

Was it such a huge deal for Siervian to have dinner with her father?

‘And where exactly do you go every time you disappear?’

There were times when Sarah would rush off somewhere. She did this even though she really should focus on her work as the head maid in the Imperial Princess’s Palace.

“Let’s be on our way, Princess.”

“Mmm.”

Replying without any enthusiasm, Siervian trudged forward.

The unnecessarily luxurious, high-quality dress made it difficult for her to walk. Surely, she looked like an ugly ball from afar.

[ Ellie ]

Thoughts: Our Princess, you really look like a lovely lily of the valley . . .

Siervian apparently didn’t look ugly in Ellie’s eyes . . . but she still couldn’t get used to the intensity of the maid’s thoughts.

Anyway, she continued on her way because an order was an order.

‘This small body is already exhausted.’

“Princess, shall I call a carriage for you?”

Siervian shook her head right away.

The Emperor’s Palace was right around the corner. If she rode a carriage just to cross such a short distance, then she’d definitely be talked about as a Princess who treated her subordinates harshly.

That had been her reality.

Moving cautiously, Siervian pondered about the dinner with her father. As she walked along the road leading to the Emperor’s Palace, she finally remembered.

‘Around this time . . . I think I often had dinner with my father.’

Of course, she had never invited her father first because of his frighteningly frosty eyes.

Then, at some point, he had stopped eating with her.

“It’s been a long time since you had dinner together, Your Highness.”

“That’s wight.”

“How fortunate, Your Highness. His Majesty is going to have dinner again with you.”

Thanks to Ellie’s words, Siervian confirmed that at this point in time, they had already stopped having dinner regularly.

The dinners with the Emperor, which were halted so suddenly, began again when Siervian was around twelve years old. At that time, she was already surrounded by many bad rumors.

[ Ellie ]

Thoughts: Really. It’s such a relief.

For the first time since Siervian started seeing the status window, Ellie’s thoughts were uncharacteristically gentle. It seemed like she was genuinely relieved.

Siervian decided not to think about it deeply.

But then again, she remembered something.

‘Doesn’t Ellie have a sibling who’s sick?’

When Siervian found out about it before, Ellie’s sibling had already passed away. It lingered on her mind for a long time because Ellie, who had always been strict with Siervian, laughed bitterly when she talked about her deceased younger sibling.

“Where is Eri’s fwamily?”

After asking casually like that, Siervian immediately regretted it.

She wanted to ask more carefully, but children couldn’t keep their curiosity to themselves.

“I have one younger sibling . . .”

Ellie, who hesitated with great difficulty, continued talking.

“. . . who’s a bit sick.”

“I’m sowwy . . .”

“It’s alright, Princess.”

[ Ellie ]

Favorability: +20

Mood: Pained

It’s a good thing that Siervian apologized right away. Seeing the maid’s rise in favorability, it seemed like Ellie really was fine. However, Siervian still felt sorry for bringing it up.

Ellie spoke up as if to change the subject.

“By the way, His Highness the Crown Prince shall be joining you today.”

Recalling the memory of her indifferent older brother, Siervian clenched her fists secretly.

Siervian and the Crown Prince had different mothers.

Because she was a concubine’s child and because there were so many bad rumors about her, she couldn’t do anything about her brother’s disapproval.

“The Empwess, too?”

Nonetheless, she still looked for the Empress.

She wasn’t her real mother, but she had always been kind and warm.

“. . . Her Majesty the Empress said she won’t attend dinner tonight.”

If the Empress was there, then the atmosphere at the table would have been a little softer.

Hiding her dejection, Siervian only nodded.

“Your Majesty. Her Highness Princess Siervian has arrived.

“Come in.”

Upon her arrival at the Emperor’s Palace, the chief attendant announced her presence.

For some reason, Siervian was led to a place that wasn’t small in the slightest. It was the ‘Room of Mana’ where state guests were usually received.

Siervian was very nervous. She knew that she might not leave today’s dinner unscathed.

“Sit down.”

[ Alderuan Erveldotte ]

Favorability: +100

In the middle of the big room was a colorful table.

Siervian greeted her father in a notably formal manner to make up for her bread mistake earlier.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“. . .”

[ Alderuan Erveldotte ]

Favorability: +100

Thoughts: I’m disappointed. So disappointed . . .

Here she was with her foot aching while she curtseyed, but Siervian couldn’t believe he got upset.

Still, Siervian thought, it was better now that she could see her father’s thoughts. In this life, she wouldn’t make any more mistakes. She wouldn’t let herself get executed again.

‘It’s too quiet.’

A terrible silence plunged down at the dining hall as Siervian approached.

“. . .”

It was stifling. Siervian took a furtive glance to the side where she could feel a burning gaze.

She wouldn’t be received well anyway, seeing as her brother was the one avoiding her gaze.

But then . . .

[ Damian Erveldotte ]

Occupation: Crown Prince (Lv.80)

Favorability: 90,000,087

Mood: Excited to see ♡ my sister ♡

Thoughts: I wanna talk to you TT^TT

Her brother’s status wasn’t normal either . . . ?