“Your Highness, as His Majesty has given his permission, you may join the inspection. The purpose is to supplement your knowledge as our future ruler.”

“As expected of Father! Then, I shall properly look at those injured people to hopefully come up with a proper solution.”

“…”

The princess laughed merrily, giving the impression she was there to play.

Those who were injured in war, even if she was familiar with the concept, knowing and understanding were two different things. I didn’t know how the inspection would play out. Despite that, I wished it’d broaden her horizon.

I wished that she’d finally understand that decisions were followed by consequences—

—that the lives of the people of Paides were in her hands.

Otherwise, the dead wouldn’t be able to find peace.

“Please refrain from doing or saying anything that might provoke the public.”

“It’s fine. I’m the princess, so I’m well aware. …Rather, shouldn’t you direct that at someone else?”

The princess glanced at the crown prince.

In response, the crown prince calmly asked. “What is it?”

“How dare you—!”

The princess seemed ready to grab the crown prince by his collar at any moment.

“You—”

“—Your Highness.”

Although it was disrespectful to interrupt the words of a superior—moreover, a member of the royal family—I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.

I had to make sure that the king who doted on the princess didn’t continue the war over this matter. At the same time, I also had to prevent Elda from doing the same over the princess’ insults.

“That’s enough. Please try to get along with each other.”

“Why should I?”

I beg of you, stop.

“To begin with, Elda is overseeing this inspection. Therefore, it is only natural that His Highness the Crown Prince, who is visiting as Elda’s ambassador, to conduct it. If anything, Your Highness is the one who interrupted the inspection. Keep in mind that Lowenberg is currently unsafe for the princess.”

“…Now that Father has told me to study hard, I can’t possibly go home.”

Even while saying that, the princess was still glaring daggers at the crown prince. She didn’t even bother to conceal her contempt for him.

Does the king really intend to appoint her as the next ruler?

“—Then, Your Highness, please properly learn about my territory’s situation.”

The outcome of the war waged by the royal family all because of greed.

“Of my people.”

Those whom you had hurt.

“Look at them.”

The everyday scene you stole away and ruined.

The people always had to pay the price for the greed of the nation.

◆◇◆

The first place we visited only suffered minor damage and had been rebuilt to an extent. It was less impactful.

As the village chief had been notified that the princess had joined, no one was surprised when we alighted from the carriage. Everyone openly stared at the princess and the crown prince of Elda with vigilance in their eyes.

Some of them watched the inspection group with their lips pursed. Of course, the princess was no exception to their eyes. However, she innocently enjoyed the tour, not paying any heed to her surroundings.

Then, she tried to approach some children who were watching from afar with the adults.

“Your Highness, please don’t get too close.”

“It’s okay, we aren’t in an enemy country. There’s no way the people of this country will hurt me, the princess. Besides, they’re just children.”

The king, the supreme officials, and ignorant nobles all praised her for being a kind and compassionate princess who trusted her people. But did she?

Wasn’t it the height of arrogance for her to take her position as a princess for granted?

“Shallow.”

The word of contempt was too fleeting for the princess to hear, but I didn’t miss it. When I turned around, I was greeted by the crown prince’s smile. He probably realized that I heard him, but it wasn’t like I could say anything back.

In fact, I decided to pretend that I didn’t hear it.

“Say, does something trouble you?”

I’d heard that the princess often visited the orphanage. She seemed to be accustomed to dealing with children, speaking to them while maintaining eye contact.

She was kind-hearted, to the point she couldn’t possibly ignore those in need. She was also able to empathize with others, and shed tears as if their pain was her own.

She was a benevolent person, and I couldn’t deny that. If she hadn’t been born a princess, she’d have fallen into the category of good people. But that wasn’t reality. She was born with a weapon; her title as a princess. Whether or not she was aware of it didn’t matter. She had carried it since birth, making her dangerous.

Therefore, she couldn’t be the good person she aspired to become.

“Your Highness.”

The child’s father appeared. He protectively held the child in his arms.

“Thank you for sparing your thoughts for us lowly peasants, but we’re fine. Our lord has arranged for everything, and if we need anything, we can simply ask her.”

There was hatred in his eyes.

From those very same eyes, I could infer that even if he was in trouble, he wouldn’t ask for the princess’ help.

Surely, if he could, he’d have unleashed both his overwhelming hatred and murderous intent on her. But that’s the thing—he was a commoner. He couldn’t rebel against the country, so he had to bear with it.

“I know. While I’m aware that Iris is a capable lord, I don’t think she’ll be able to handle it alone. I’ve been to an orphanage and a relief center, so I have some knowledge. Don’t hesitate to ask me anything.”

“…Thank you.”

The princess smiled in approval, before turning her back on him and returning to my side. Thus, she failed to notice that the man had grit his teeth, or even clenched his fist.

Upon seeing that, the Devil whispered into my ear—

—Destroy her reality this instance.

[She jests at scars that never felt a wound.]

In that case, I should give her a wound.

---

***T/N: Uwow, Shakespeare’s quote! To be fair, it could help the princess shapes up as the future ruler of her country…

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