Inside a luxurious carriage unbefitting for a sinner, I sat while gazing at the outside scenery.

Soon, I wouldn’t be able to see that view anymore.

“Could that party have been your final gift for me?”

I asked the crown prince who sat with me.

“Well, that’s right. I want you to make some memories.”

“Thank you. Because of you, I can die without regrets.”

At my words, the crown prince spoke.

“You provided us with information—which, in turn, led us to victory. For you to betray your own homeland… it must’ve been a daunting task. Even if you were the princess of an enemy country, you should’ve been pardoned. And yet, you only wished for the execution to be postponed for a year. Do you still bear the same sentiment?”

I nodded.

“Had the war ravaged on, many would have died. In the first place, it was unlikely my country would have triumphed over your national power. I refused to let anyone die just because of my father’s greed. Regardless, the fact remains that I betrayed my country, and people resenting me is inevitable. Even more so since I’m the last surviving member of the royal family. If someone doesn’t put an end to our bloodline, it might spark new conflict.”

I smiled at the crown prince.

“Therefore, my dying is for the best.”

The crown prince smiled sadly.

“I see, I understand.”

The carriage halted. Apparently, we had arrived at the destination.

When I alighted from the carriage, I saw a small tower.

“Please remain here for a while. I’ll let you know once the execution date is decided.”

“Understood.”

“If you were thinking of escaping—”

“—I won’t.”

After smiling wryly, the crown prince left the place.

I entered the tower. Although it seemed to be within the royal castle grounds, it was quite far from the main palace.

“…I’d rather have been placed in a jail.”

He’s kind.

With that person as the crown prince, the people of this country must be prospering.

“It’s so different from my country.”

***

I was born as the youngest princess of Ismar.

However, my mother was a commoner, and was kept in seclusion by my father in town. As a result, my status was practically non-existent.

…To be used as an emotional punching bag was but a daily occurrence.

Sometimes, I’d be doused with cold water and forced to stand outside overnight.

After all, to release their frustration, the royal family of Ismar had long been accustomed to subjecting their lowest-ranking family member to torment.

During that day, I was told that an important guest from the neighboring country of Linnenburg had visited, and I was sent to help. Dressed more poorly than a servant, I somehow managed to wait on the table.

However, working with a malnourished body was harsh. When my vision began to wane and I found myself falling, someone caught me.

I warily opened my eyes, only to find a black-haired boy staring at me with his purple eyes.

I fell in love with him at the first sight.

But soon, I regained my senses.

“M, my apologize…!”

Whenever I committed a mistake, I’d be beaten.

I apologized and fervently shook my head.

Although perplexed by my behavior, the boy let me sit down.

“There’s no need to apologize. Why are you serving me? Those ruby eyes… Aren’t you supposed to be a member of the royal family of Ismar?”

The royal family of Ismar had unique ruby eyes.

For that reason, even though my mother was a commoner, I was still acknowledged as a member of the royal family.

“Ah, uhm—…”

“Hey! What are you lazing around for!?”

My second sister glared at me upon discovering what I was doing.

“Work properly, you filth!”

The moment my older sister raised her hand towards me, I involuntarily closed my eyes—

—However, there was no impact.

Once again, I cautiously opened my eyes and saw that the boy had caught my sister’s hand.

“What are you doing—!?”

“…For a child to be abused before a guest, and not to mention, by her own sister… While I had heard that Ismar is an old-fashioned country, this is just horrid.”

Despite not really comprehending his words, my sister must’ve understood that she was being ridiculed, and her face became flushed.

“Why, you…!”

My older sister turned her hand towards the boy, but he was unfaltering.

“What are you doing!?”

My father, who was previously engaged in a conversation, came over.

“Father, this boy is…!”

“Your Excellency the Duke, it seems that my daughter still lacks discipline. Please forgive me.”

My father appealed to the strong-willed boy. My sister immediately became flustered at that.

“T, this child is, His Excellency…?”

“That’s correct. Despite his young age, this boy is His Excellency the Duke.”

Despite his mid-teen appearance, which gave off a childish vibe, his dignified appearance was truly worthy of the title duke.

“What happened?”

A person who seemed to be the king of Linnenburg, and a youth who resembled him came over. The youth was probably the crown prince.

“As you can see, Your Majesty the King of Linnenburg, and Your Highness Cliff, this is nothing more than a trifle…”

The black-haired boy interrupted my lying father.

“In this country, child abuse seems to be commonplace.”

“What?”

Upon hearing that, the crown prince frowned.

“Come to think of it, I think that such a custom existed in this country a long time ago… What, it’s still being practiced? To this child? How pitiful…”

The crown prince pitifully gazed at me.

“How long do you intend to keep this terrible habit? As royalty, instead of using your children to vent, you should better reign in your emotions.”

Upon being told such by the king of Linnenburg, my father gritted his teeth.

Since there was a difference in national power between Ismar and Linnenburg, even my bullish father couldn’t stand up to them.

Then, my father said that he’d make up for it.

“You’re right. We should put an end to such misbehavior…”

“Otherwise, I’ll consider you of bad character. Be sure to feed that child proper meals.”

“Ophelia, you may withdraw. From now on, I’ll be sure to feed you properly.”

Despite his dissatisfaction, my father maintained a smile in front of the king of Linnenburg.

“Be sure to do it from now on, and not just this once. I’ll come to check from time to time.”

My father clicked his tongue. However, it wasn’t like he could be uncouth to the king of Linnenburg. Not only that, he was probably wise enough to not offend the king any further.

“Of course. From today, you may sleep on a bed. After all, you are royalty.”

From that day onwards, my large-scale bullying stopped.

Although my sister was still mean to me, I was no longer abused, and was instead given a hot meal and bed. Furthermore, I was allowed to receive an education, and experienced what it was like to live as royalty—

—everything was because of that boy.

At that time, as I thought of the young duke, there was a snug feeling in my heart.

As time passed, I sometimes recalled him—

—Surely, he had grown up, become stronger, all the while maintaining his beauty.

I recalled him fondly.

If only we could meet again—

Thus, I spent my days thinking about that.

“I’ve been thinking about your engagement.”

My father approached me with a smile.

Even though I was no longer bullied, he still treated me with contempt, and usually kept his distance.

However, the fact that he went out of his way to approach me must’ve meant that it was important.

“My engagement…?”

What kind of husband am I going to get? Is it an abusive one?

Having given up on my father, I believed that he’d go to such lengths to torment me. Ever since my father started to give me a proper education, I knew this day would come.

Nevertheless, he said something unexpected.

“You’ll be engaged to the crown prince of Linnenburg. It isn’t so bad, is it?”

I blinked my eyes.

…Linnenburg.

It was the country where the black-haired boy from my childhood lived.

If I went to Linnenburg, I might be able to see him again.

As my heart fluttered, a wicked grin spread across my father’s face.

“You’re to be a spy.”

“Eh?”

A spy…?

Did I hear him wrong?

I hoped so, but my father wasn’t the kind of man to tell such jokes.

As I stiffened in surprise, my father went on.

“By making you a spy, we’ll be able to obtain inside information and usurp their kingdom. Serves them right for making a fool of me!”

…No way, was he referring to what happened a few years ago?

Since my father was as vindictive as a snake, the incident at the party where I collapsed never left his mind.

…Apparently, he was looking for an opportunity to get even.

“You’ll be able to do it. The reason I had you properly education was so that you could become his fiancée. As long as you maintain your attitude as a noble lady, you can spy on them without being suspected.”

—And then, overthrow that kingdom.

That was what my father said.

“…Even if we manage to gain some advantage through espionage, our difference in power is simply too vast. As such, even if we somehow achieve victory, many lives will perish—”

“—Who cares? All that matters is that we win.”

Such a preposterous statement came from my father, the king.

If he proceeded with his intentions, how many would die, and how much would we suffer…?

In contrast to my pale face, my father was beaming.

…He doesn’t care about anyone else.

Hence why I decided—

—I wouldn’t let my father have his way.

---

***T/N: Oh gosh… It’s not because of the usual, “But my beloved live in that country! I won’t let any harm befall him!” But because she’s worried about her people. In that family, as oppressed as she was,

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