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Once alone, countless thoughts rushed through my mind. Why had the royal family been slaughtered? Why were their heads put on display? The most likely explanation was unrest within the kingdom. A coup had occurred, and the royal family had been massacred.

Someone must have incited the people and turned them against us. We’d underestimated the situation, thinking it was still under control—clearly, we had misjudged the enemy’s capabilities. If that was the case, then the traitor was likely now doing as they pleased within the palace.

As royalty, I couldn’t tolerate such actions.

At the same time, I remembered what Finis had said: “What used to be a kingdom.”

It was true—this had once been the Fraus Kingdom. The royal family was dead. The regime had changed. And though the outward appearance had barely altered, it had become a different kingdom. Or perhaps, it no longer functioned as a kingdom at all.

What I had to do now was reclaim the castle and tell the people the truth. Until I did, I couldn’t afford to die. Of course, I couldn’t help but feel something toward the citizens who had murdered my family. My kind older brother, the younger siblings who looked up to me, my worrywart mother, my father who gave everything for our kingdom…

Why? Why had it come to this?

Tears fell from my eyes, unbefitting my age.

But I was royalty. I always had to put the people first. Even in sorrow, even in despair, I had to cast aside myself and live for the greater good. So, just for now. While I was alone—only now—I would pray for my family’s souls.

Once Soter returned, I would likely have no time for such things. As the last royal of Fraus, even if the kingdom was no more, I had to leave the truth behind for its people.

◇◇◇

How much time had passed? I heard someone enter the hiding house. At first, I thought it was Soter, but the footsteps told a different story. There were several of them, heavy and unhurried. Voices followed, low and muffled, and as the footsteps drew nearer, I could tell they were getting closer to where I was hiding.

Were they friend or foe?

I readied a spell, preparing to strike the moment someone entered.

Slowly, the door creaked open—and I saw who it was.

If it had been a stranger, I would have attacked. If it had been an enemy, I would have killed them. But the one who appeared was Soter, and my guard dropped instinctively.

I forgot about the multiple footsteps.

That’s how much I trusted her. There were things I couldn’t even tell my family—but I could tell her. She knew the mistakes I had kept hidden from everyone else.

I knew that, despite being a perfect maid, she had a weakness for sweets. I knew that she originally hadn’t intended to serve me. She said again and again that serving royalty was far too daunting.

And yet, and yet…

From her lips came the words, “Seize her!”

Surrounded by knights I recognized, I was immediately bound with shackles that sealed my magic. But more than the restraints, I couldn’t believe that Soter had betrayed me. I kept calling her name.

“Soter… Tell me this is a lie. This must be some cruel joke, isn’t it?”
“I’ve always respected you deeply, Princess Topersion.”

Soter’s words sounded sincere—so sincere I felt a glimmer of hope. But then she continued, “If this were before, I would have pledged my life to being loyal. But now… I’ve found someone else to whom my loyalty belongs.”

What did she mean by that? Before I could ask, I saw a familiar, detestable face behind her. Avaritia. The man known as the leader of the anti-royalist faction. Had Soter truly pledged herself to someone like him?

I couldn’t look away, and Avaritia noticed. He laughed—quietly, mockingly, as if savoring his victory.

“That’s right. Your beloved servant has pledged herself to me.”
“Don’t be absurd. Why would I ever swear loyalty to the likes of you?”
“If only you had played along, we might have broken Topersion’s spirit right here.”
“And why would I want to break the spirit of the princess I so dearly respect? It’s because that person desires the princess’ death…that I chose to be the one to carry it out with my own hands.”
“Twisted. You truly are twisted.”
“Say what you will.”

It was clear that Soter wasn’t truly following Avaritia. But then… who was she obeying? One thing was certain—our bond had been defeated.

An unbearable emptiness filled my heart.

Soter pointed her finger, giving the order, “Take her away.” And I was dragged toward the prison. On the way, I tried asking the knights what had happened. One of them retorted, saying, “You royals deceived us all!”

Yes, we were royalty. There were times we withheld the truth, even deliberately. But it was always for the good of the people. We never deserved to be condemned for deceiving the people.

I was the only one who believed that. No one else would tell me anything. Why the royal family had been killed. What was happening in Fraus now? Whether the natural disasters had spared the people. I asked, but no one answered.

The cell they threw me into wasn’t meant for nobility or royals—it was for the most heinous criminals. Unthinkable treatment. And yet… I didn’t even care anymore. After being betrayed by Soter, I found myself beginning to stop caring about anything.

All I had left was my pride as a member of the royal family of Fraus.