Chapter 2
It was only after Madam Meren took my hand that she seemed relieved, her eyes welling up with emotion as she looked at me. Even Fel, who’d been watching over me, hadn’t reacted like this when I woke up.
Just as things were starting to get a little awkward, thankfully, she composed herself and helped me move.
“Would you like to go to the bath now?”
“Yes.”
The first time I tried to stand, my legs buckled without warning. I couldn’t keep myself upright, like all the strength had left my body. Maybe it was because I’d been lying in bed for two weeks straight.
When I stepped into the steamy bathroom with trembling legs, a wave of heat washed over my face. Fel had already drawn the bath. So quick.
“Would you like me to assist—”
“No, I’ll do it myself.”
“Then please call me if you need anything.”
Sheila stayed just long enough to see me step into the tub, then left. It was only then that I could gather my thoughts.
‘First of all, if that wasn’t just a dream but truly my past life…’
It wasn’t a guess; it was certainty. It had felt far too vivid to be some fleeting dream.
Hugging my knees to my chest, I carefully began retracing my memories.
A damned fire. That’s what ended my life in my previous world.
The goshiwon I lived in had been swallowed by flames, thick with choking smoke. I had fallen asleep without meaning to and couldn’t escape in time. Maybe it was karma for dozing off on my bed in the middle of exam prep while reading a novel.
And just my luck.
“This world is from the book I was reading right before I died.”
It was a fantasy novel. What was the title again?
“The Emperor’s Return?”
Yes, that was it. A story about a male lead with a tragic past who went on a solo rampage of revenge.
The general plot was that the main character lost his parents, home, and status at a young age, becoming the fallen prince of a ruined nation. The story was all about his righteous revenge on the ones who destroyed his country. Crushing each enemy one by one—total catharsis. I remember enjoying it quite a bit.
“The problem is… I didn’t finish reading it.”
I dozed off while reading, and then died.
Anyway, from what I remember, the Craydon Empire—the one I was born into—was among the enemies the main character sought revenge on. Still, no matter how powerful the protagonist was, it wasn’t easy to bring down such a vast empire. Craydon had become a continental superpower after annexing the hero’s fallen nation.
And yet Craydon fell. Because…
“Because of the succession war.”
The empire was rocked by a bloody succession battle. When things are chaotic at the top, the bottom doesn’t fare much better. With the empire in disarray, the main character’s hand reached in—and it all collapsed.
What I needed to focus on was this very succession war.
Why? Because I’m the fifteenth princess of Craydon!
Rebicia White. Commonly called Rebit White.
That’s who I was in this world—a nameless member of the Craydon imperial family.
Though technically royalty, I wasn’t allowed to carry the name Craydon. Not just me—most of the royals didn’t. That’s because both the former and current emperors had adopted a ridiculous number of children: twelve and eighteen, respectively.
If there was ever a definition of a dysfunctional family, this was it. A royal house shattered into powder.
Of course, there are always complicated reasons behind these things. I’ll explain that later.
At present, there were six officially recognized heirs to the throne. All of them had legitimate bloodlines and overwhelming talent—absolute monsters.
And those very people…
…are the ones who will destroy Craydon. Lord, have mercy.
As for me? I was just a minor side character fated to get caught up in their succession war and die.
“I can’t stay here.”
If I lingered, I’d either get caught in the crossfire of the power struggle or be crushed by the protagonist’s revenge. Either way, I’d die. My best option was to live quietly, stay out of sight, and one day slip away from the palace without a trace.
So I clenched my fist and made a vow.
“Damn it. I’ve gotta get out of this screwed-up family.”
But there was a problem with leaving the palace. Even if I was the fifteenth out of thirty-eight imperial children, I was still a “princess.” So I needed a way around that…
Fortunately, I didn’t have to think long.
“I have something to say.”
Late that night, I called Fel and Sheila into my room. They gathered with puzzled expressions.
“You could’ve waited until morning.”
“Fel, is that any way to speak to Her Highness?”
Sheila lightly smacked Fel on the shoulder, making him frown. He clearly didn’t like it.
Sheila was one of the only people who could touch Fel. Her hands were too fast—he couldn’t dodge them.
True to his nature, Fel glared at us with sharp eyes, like a bristling cat.
“Sorry for keeping you up.”
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. Fel was just worried you might be overexerting yourself after only just waking up.”
As always… overanalyzing everything, Sheila. Instead of commenting, I simply shrugged.
Yes, I felt bad for calling them at a late hour, but I had to talk to them about something important.
“So, what is it you wanted to discuss?” Sheila asked kindly.
I took a deep breath and spoke with as much gravity as I could muster.
“I’m leaving the palace.”
“…What?”
“…?”
Of course they were stunned. I would’ve been, too, if they’d suddenly said they were leaving without warning.
“Not right away. Once I’ve prepared and come of age.”
Fel seemed to grasp my plan immediately.
“You intend to fail the aptitude test, give up your claim to the throne, and renounce your surname.”
Fail? Well, it is a test, so sure, let’s call it that. I met Fel’s gaze and nodded.
“That’s right.”
On the year we come of age, we take an aptitude test. All I had to do was prove I had no meaningful ability and forfeit my right as royalty. Then I’d be free to leave.
“But if you do that, you’ll never be able to use your powers again.”
“…That’s true.”
Fel was surprisingly well-informed about how this broken imperial family works.
As he said, once I left the palace, I couldn’t reveal or use my abilities ever again. It was a taboo to preserve the legitimacy of the royal bloodline. Breaking it meant death—for both me and anyone who learned about my powers.
Has anyone ever actually been executed for it? I don’t know. No one’s ever renounced their royal name before.
But it’s possible.
Given how absurdly powerful the other heirs are, erasing someone like me from existence would be child’s play.
“If I leave, you two will be bound by the taboo too.”
Sheila looked at Fel. Fel looked at Sheila. Then, almost in unison, they both turned back to me.
“That doesn’t matter.”
“Anyone serving the royal family lives with restrictions, Your Highness. Not speaking of one’s master is the most basic rule of all.”
…Really?
They acted like it wasn’t even an issue. I’d been bracing for resistance, but I was the only one caught off guard.
“But, Your Highness,” Sheila said gently, “the idea of you going out into the world alone is deeply concerning.”
Of course. In her eyes, I was a delicate flower raised in a greenhouse. I nodded in acknowledgment. But I wasn’t finished yet.
“That’s why—I want both of you to come with me.”
Their expressions changed. Like they’d just been blindsided.
I knew both of them had nowhere else to go outside the palace. Sheila had cared for me since I was little, so I naturally knew about her situation. Fel never spoke of his past, but it was obvious.
He never even left the palace on his days off.
Sheila guessed Fel came from a small, weak noble family in the outskirts. Whether she was right or not, I didn’t know. But one thing was certain: the three of us were in the same boat.
No place to call home. No real family. All we had was each other. No way I was leaving either of them behind.
“Of course, I’m not asking you to serve me once we’re out. I won’t have a title anymore anyway.”
“Don’t say such things, Your Highness,” Sheila said, trying to comfort me.
I smiled softly… but it didn’t last long. Fidgeting with my fingers, I tried to find the right words to convince them.
It might sound selfish, but honestly, if I left the palace alone, I think I’d be unbearably lonely.
“If I go by myself, you two will…”
“Find new masters, of course.”
“Fel!”
This time, not even Sheila’s hand could catch him. Fel stood up abruptly, looking between us, and shook his head.
“I just… I don’t think this is a sound plan at all.”
“Which part?”
“All of it, from start to finish.”
His response was firm. I pressed my fingers to my furrowing brow and asked,
“Specifically?”
“You plan to hide your powers during the test. That means deceiving the emperor himself. There’s no way that’s possible.”
I paused, unsure where to begin correcting him. Wow, Fel…
You really overestimate me, huh?
If my power was so impressive it needed hiding, wouldn’t I already have the Craydon name—the name reserved only for monsters?
“To be honest, there’s nothing to hide. My ability’s so weak, no one would even notice it.”
