Chapter 01
In the peaceful imperial palace, a young girl perched atop a tree peeked her head out.
Below her, palace maids surrounded the tree, pale with worry and stamping their feet.
“Princess! Please come down. Did Your Highness not promise this humble maid? You said you’d behave just for today!”
“Ha! When did I ever? I only nodded my head, but I never said that.”
Though ten years old, she looked barely seven at first glance.
The small-framed princess sat at the very top of the tree, lips jutting out in a pout.
“I’m not coming down!”
“Why are you doing this, Your Highness! His Majesty, who keeps no one by his side, seeks only you! Even though he has many children, he cherishes none as he does you!”
“And I hate that!”
Just leave me alone!
The princess was stubborn to the bone, arms and legs trembling as she clung on.
“What is this commotion?”
“Y–Your Majesty!”
“You were standing around idly while my precious daughter climbed all the way up there?”
“T–That is not so, Your Majesty. The princess, she suddenly…”
She had been preparing to go greet His Majesty when she abruptly began climbing the tree.
A palace maid could never dare speak so bluntly.
Besides, the man before her was the infamous tyrant who had slaughtered even his own empress mother—yet the one in the tree was his beloved daughter, Princess Amang.
The maid bowed deeply, trembling, and pressed herself flat to the ground.
“P–Please… kill me, Your Majesty!”
“If that is what you desire.”
A smile curved at the emperor’s lips.
His narrowed eyes gave off the illusion of reeking of blood.
His loyal guard unsheathed his blade and held it before the maid.
The maid squeezed her eyes shut. So this is how it ends.
Executed for failing to look after the princess properly.
“No!”
The voice from atop the tree shattered the stillness.
Princess Amang shot to her feet, eyes blazing.
She glared down at her father.
“Amang. If you come down nicely, I’ll spare this maid’s life. You want that, don’t you?”
Bastard.
A foul word burst from her cherry-like lips.
“Haa… Fine, I’ll come down.”
“Someone go fetch the princess!”
“N–No need to come up.”
By imperial order, four or five guards surrounded the tree, prepared to throw their bodies beneath her if she fell.
This was the emperor’s cherished princess.
If a single scratch appeared on her, their heads would hang at the city gates by morning.
The princess inhaled deeply and jumped.
It was a reckless move, showing no concern for safety.
The guards panicked, bumping into each other and falling over.
Landing neatly on the ground, the princess dusted off her skirt and expertly wiped the dirt from her hands.
“You exceed expectations every time, Princess.”
“Well, I am your daughter, after all.”
“That, too, pleases me.”
“Why do you keep looking for me?”
“Because you always stir something in my heart.”
The emperor lifted the young princess into his arms.
Startled, she wriggled to escape, but it was futile; he was a grown man, and her struggles were mere child’s play.
“Amang. What wise counsel will delight my ears today?”
“I won’t say anything for free. I require compensation.”
“Compensation?”
“Grant me my wish.”
The emperor’s large hand brushed through her hair.
The princess bit his finger.
“Princess!”
“My Amang has grown so much.”
“Y–Your Majesty!”
“It’s fine. How much could a child’s bite really hurt?”
Laughing warmly, he set her down and knelt to meet her eyes.
She was much smaller than children her age—almost like she hadn’t grown properly.
“Now, what is your wish?”
“Give me a page. Then I’ll conclude today’s counseling session.”
With confidence, she planted her hands on her hips and offered him a handshake.
Emperor Wu chuckled and took it.
How did it come to this?
She slowly sifted through her memories.
The tyrant Emperor Wu, infamous for slaughtering his own consorts and children—
and his delinquent youngest daughter, Princess Amang.
The Tyrant’s Youngest Daughter is a Delinquent.
That was the title of a popular web novel.
How did I…?
Yeong-eun’s head throbbed.
She had been on the subway after work yesterday.
Her last memory was nodding off from exhaustion.
Of all things, I got dragged into a fantasy trope.
Twenty-five-year-old Yeong-eun had graduated with a degree in psychology.
She had only been working at the National Counseling Center for a week.
And then she was born again.
As the tyrant’s youngest daughter.
Did I… die?
Her memories were missing, like someone had plucked them out whole.
Yeong-eun—no, Amang—was now a ten-year-old princess.
In the story, Amang didn’t embroider or practice etiquette.
She climbed trees and did parkour.
A five-star difficulty child to raise.
What am I supposed to do after possessing someone like this?
Her father was a tyrant—she wouldn’t live long anyway.
Her mother was also dead.
Truly a powerless princess.
Amang let out a long sigh.
“Princess, did you cough?”
“Nanny… Chief Lady?”
“You must still be half-asleep. Please prepare yourself.”
“Prepare?”
“Oh my. Have you forgotten already? Today is the yearly gathering in which His Majesty lectures his children!”
“L–Lecture?”
That wasn’t in the story.
Not that Yeong-eun had read past chapter one.
She had no time—too many clients to counsel, too many reports to write.
Even that night, she had worked late until past eight.
She had staggered toward the subway and, for some reason, started reading that web novel.
And then…
Everything went blank.
“His Majesty is difficult to approach, but his love for his children is unmatched in the whole empire! Win his heart today and you may become the darling of the palace!”
“Do I have to be the darling?”
“Wouldn’t it be better if you were?”
“I think I’m cute enough already.”
Soft cheeks, round features, surprisingly sturdy body—
A ninja-aspiring princess indeed.
“Leave everything to me! I will make you the most beautiful princess in the empire!”
“O–Okay…”
This was overwhelming. Extremely overwhelming.
Amang forced a smile and tried to process the situation.
Let’s summarize.
She didn’t remember yesterday, and now she was inside Princess Amang’s body.
Princess Amang: ninja wannabe, hopeless troublemaker, the palace’s headache.
Why did it have to be the one web novel I only read the first chapter of?
All the stories she had fully read many times—ignored.
But this one, barely skimmed for a moment—bam, possession.
Unbelievable rotten luck.
Live quietly. Don’t draw attention.
Her mother was dead, her father a tyrant.
A headache-inducing family.
To survive here, only one rule mattered: keep quiet and stay invisible.
I’ve been nearly invisible my whole life. I can do this.
Amang took a deep breath, feeling hopeful.
Until the maids returned with outfits sparkling like they’d swallowed stars.
“Oh my, Princess! You look just like a doll!”
“I–Isn’t this too much?”
“In the empire, this is nothing!”
“Really…”
Dressed in layers twice her body weight, Amang waddled.
Supported by maids, she arrived at the banquet hall.
As the doors opened, she saw the emperor, many consorts, and their children.
Don’t tell me I’m late?
The layers pressed heavily on her shoulders, choking her small frame.
She took one shaky step into the hall—
and tripped on her skirt, falling flat.
“Pft.”
A laugh.
Distinct and clear, even among the shouts of “Princess!” and rushing maids.
Amang slowly lifted her head.
The emperor was smirking.
You’re laughing?
A ten-year-old fell, and he was amused?
The maids helped her up.
Around her, none of the consorts rose from their seats.
“Princess Amang appears wrapped like a candy in its wrapper.”
“Raised without a mother’s care, I suppose. A child needs her mother.”
“That explains her tardiness. No proper adults around her.”
“How could mere maids fill the role of a mother?”
Two consorts whispered on the left—loud enough for the whole hall to hear.
Neither the emperor nor the empress reacted.
The empress calmly sipped her tea, as if deaf.
Of course. Bad feelings were always right.
So that’s how it is.
Why Princess Amang had turned out so unruly.
Why she climbed trees and caused trouble, desperate for attention.
Because everyone hated her.
But why?
She posed no threat.
She was powerless, practically hidden away.
Then her eyes widened.
Of course.
She had no backing, no power.
Bullying her had no consequences.
Great. Now I’m a hated princess.
Amang tried to stand, but her legs trembled and she sank back down.
“Amang.”
A sweet floral scent pricked her nose.
“Princess, this is Lady Hwa-jeong.”
“Hwa-jeong?”
Lady Hwa-jeong, Consort Myo-hee, extended her hand.
Her smile was gentle, free of malice.
“Stand up, child.”
Almost bewitched, Amang took her hand and rose.
Then, maids and lower-ranking consorts rushed to support her.
Only the emperor and empress remained motionless in their seats.
