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 hone