From the next day, my instant princess education began.

Even so, it was merely a makeshift. If compared to the authentic princess education, it was merely child’s play.

When bowing, do not only lower the head, but the waist must also follow suit—or something like that.

Even if I was a plain girl, I was still a noble lady. I had already learned the standard etiquette.

“How are you doing, Nidorina.”

It’s Adelina, Your Highness…

…However, at that point, I was already tired of correcting him.

I laughed and brilliantly glossed over the prince’s mistake.

“I’m properly listening to the teacher. As such, I don’t think I’ll be an embarrassment in public.”

Whether it was good or not, it was a delicate assessment. I didn’t know if I should be relieved.

But I had reached the minimum requirement, so it should be alright.

As a result, the welcome party ended without a hitch.

I was already used to hearing comments like, “For a destined princess, isn’t she too plain?” I no longer cared.

“Well done, Katerina. The goodwill ambassador from the Southern Country is very pleased.”

The prince also complimented me. With that, my head would remain attached to my neck—phew.

But apart from that, I didn’t do anything that was worth being complimented for.

Originally, my appearance was more modest than my older sister and stepsister. Hence, I rarely went out to socialize, and my daily routine was to read books I borrowed from the library.

Therefore, I learned a lot of irrelevant trivia.

At that time, the goodwill ambassador had happened to share an interest with me. That was all.

If he was a cheerful partygoer, surely, his impression of me would have plummeted to the ground. How dangerous.

However, ever since that welcome party, my NEET life had changed.

“Look, Princess! So many invitations!”

“Everyone can’t help but want to get to know the wise princess!”

Uwa, overlook me with the invitations, please! I had never been good at socializing!

What was more, ‘wise princess’, they said… a ridiculous rumor was spreading… Those people would surely be disappointed once they met the real thing.

But if I were to ignore all the invitations, I might end up offending a ridiculously important person.

Once that happened, my life would scatter like wind.

I didn’t like that! Once I got the divorce, I’d probably get the country life I had been yearning for!

…It couldn’t be helped. At the very least, attend, and don’t be an embarrassment.

I was merely invited due to the trending rumors, once they met me, surely, I wouldn’t be invited anymore.

I was also the princess—I wanted to believe I wouldn’t suffer any mistreatment.

“Can you sort the invitations based on the priority? It’ll be impossible to participate in all of them.”

“I understand!”

…Haa.

Prince, please find another princess to replace me as soon as possible.

　◇◇◇

Contrary to my expectations, the number of invitations which came my way didn’t decrease.

In fact, it was the opposite—the number kept increasing!

It was a big mistake to think that once I attended, I wouldn’t be invited again.

Hmm, I didn’t understand the mindset of those energetic people.

“You look tired, Karina.”

At the tea partiesy I was invited to, I forced myself to smile all the time. As a result, my face became sore.

The visiting prince smiled bitterly at me as I dejectedly pinched my cheeks.

“You’ve worked hard. Would you like to go to the summer retreat for about a week?”

I heard that he’d take me to the palace intended for a summer retreat, one which was owned by the royal family.

I would have been happy to leave that place—even if only for a week.

I nodded without a second thought.

Mountains! Rivers! Lakes! Nature!!!

At the summer palace the prince invited me to, I finally regained my energy.

I was worried that if I went there, I wouldn’t be able to have any fun. But thankfully, the prince left me be.

Maybe he went to that place with the intention of meeting with his mistress?

Nevertheless, it was still a good place.

If I were to be able to get divorced, I wanted that remote palace as an alimony—was I being too greedy?

While preparing a wild vegetable dish, I was thinking about such grandeur.

On the last night of my stay, I was invited by the prince for a walk along the lake.

Oh, was he about to reveal the existence of his mistress?

I ended up getting excited—despite so, no such reveal came from the prince, no matter how long I waited.

“There’s a small boat, let’s ride it together.”

Oh, was he about to reveal the existence of his mistress in a secluded place?

As expected of a prince. What a tactician he was.

The prince and I rode on the small wooden boat. We rowed over the lake.

…We are in the center of the lake already, if you reveal it now, no one will notice, right?

I was waiting for the prince to just cut straight to the chase, but for some reason, the prince said something that had nothing to do with that whatsoever.

“Look above.”

While wondering what his intention was, I lifted my face obediently.

I inadvertently swooned at the scenery I saw.

A sky full of stars was spreading above my head. If I were to look closely, countless stars were reflected on the surface of the lake. Such a beautiful sight, I had never once seen anything like it before.

“It’s rare for me to see such a beautiful starry sky… I’m glad I saw it with you.”

“It’s very beautiful. Thank you, Your Highness.”

The prince probably intended to give me a present. After all, I had been tired recently.

I decided to interpret his gesture in the most favorable way.

If possible, please divulge the existence of your mistress, too! That way, I’d be even happier!

“Oh! A shooting star!”

At that moment, many shooting stars ffell across the night sky.

“Your Highness, did you know? If you utter your wish three times before the shooting star vanishes, your wish will come true.”

“Is that so? If so, do you want to make a wish?”

Alimony! Alimony! Alimony!

Next to the desperate me, the prince stared at the shooting stars, seemingly wishing for something.

Even if there was the unexpected existence of his mistress, in the end, the prince still had an unrequited love.

---

E/N: Nidorina??  So, she’s one stone away from becoming a queen??

***T/N: Lmao when the atmosphere is romantic af but the top of your mind is filled with whether or not your partner is going to reveal his mistress.

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