It was when I put down my empty teacup and gushed with plain water.
Cedella opened her mouth a little gloomily while cleaning up the teacup.
''But you know what? In fact, many homunculus want to be loyal to Her Highness Evienrose.''
''Are you trying to become the exclusive knight of a Princess with no backs like me? Oh, that can't be true. You should also filter out more than half of what the Hadelun Times says.''
''No. Not the Hadelun Times, but what I saw, heard, and felt. I'm telling you. How is our princess among the homunculus? You have a good reputation.''
''Ah, as expected, this is my exclusive maid, Cedella. You look at me so kindly.''
''It's true''
''I don't know about anyone else, but I have to be nice to Cedella. Later, when I become successful, I will buy Cedella a townhouse and a high position in the imperial palace. I will recognize you and find you a true husband. Do you believe me? Hang in there.''
''Your Highness, please listen seriously. It's not a joke, it's real.''
''I'm the truth too.''
For some reason, we couldn't reach each other's true feelings.
Cedella seemed frustrated and sad and finally said what she had in mind.
''It would be good if Your Highness had a knight under your direct command.''
''...'''
''Oh! I'm sorry, Your Highness. You don’t like stories like this. Me too...'
''It's okay.''
I shook my head quietly.
It wasn't just because I decided to live flexibly.
Even before the regression, I would not have been angry with Cedella.
''I know that Cedella always worries about me. Because I'm stubborn. I'm sorry for always giving you trouble.''
''Your Highness..."
For me, Cedella was special.
Although Cedella suffered mentally and physically in the imperial palace because of me, she was the only person who steadfastly stayed by my side.
My position within the imperial palace was very poor.
The cause was primarily the birth of me.
My mother did not belong to the Imperial Alchemist Association and lived in the forest. She was a commoner alchemist who quietly practiced alchemy in seclusion.
If she had continued to sharpen her studies in the forest, she would have risen to the rank of wise man.
Unfortunately, she caught the eye of Desmond II, who was visiting and became the ninth Empress.
A hillbilly who neither belongs to the Imperial Alchemist Association nor comes from a noble family.
The aristocratic society's view of the Empress was not kind.
In the end, my mother could not bear the frustrating life in the imperial palace.
My life was cut short before I turned seven.
I, who lost my mother who would support me, had no choice but to become a hard bread from a young age.
'If birth was the only issue, it would have been ignored, but that wasn't the case.'
My mother was an alchemist who created golems (soulless clay dolls).
She was a person who cherished everything that had consciousness and self.
I, who grew up under the influence of my mother, came to realize that Homunculus was no different from humans.
However, in the imperial court, my righteousness was never considered a virtue.
The issue of homunculus is mentioned as a topic that is not even mentioned, but they talk about improvements in treatment and the appointment of direct knights of the imperial family.
I, who rejected important traditions, was like an angular stone in the imperial palace.
To top it all off, I was looked down upon not only by my fellow royal family members but also by the officials of the imperial palace.
Whenever a budget was allocated to the royal family, my share was almost at the basic level, and I was better than most noble ladies.
Only by living frugally could one maintain one's life in the imperial palace.
'Ah, now that I think about it again, I put Cedella through so much trouble!'
I, who twisted my own arms out of stubbornness, must have been extremely frustrating in Cedella's eyes.
By hiring my own knights and complying with imperial traditions, I won the favor of Emperor Desmond II.
Because I could enjoy the rights of a Princess.
'There were many royal family members who coveted Cedella.'
Cedella, who was recognized for her ability to manage the 7th Princess's household almost on her own, was loved by other Princesses and the Prince.
Although she received many love calls, she never left me until the end.
Because Cedella was always by my side, I was able to survive in the imperial palace.
'Of course, I have no intention of doing it again.'
I learned the hard way in my last life that what is right and what is wise can be different.
If I were to repeat it, there was no point in paying expensive tuition.
The last life ended with Cedella suffering.
After I was imprisoned in a secret prison, I was unable to meet Cedella again.
I heard from the jailer that Cedella was not executed but was released from the imperial palace.
Fortunately, she survived, but Cedella was kicked out of the palace and had no one to rely on.
My heart throbs when I think of the hardships she endured while wandering around.
Burns brought bitter regret.
I said, holding onto one of Cedella's hands to shake it off.
''I'll give you a real boost."
"I really swear, um, thank you, but Your Highness."
''Yes, Cedella.''
''I hope you know that the path to prosperity for Your Highness is the path to prosperity for me.''
"..."
Eve, who was trying to impress Cedella, felt like I had been counterattacked.
For some reason, I felt like crying, but I smiled brightly and said.
''Is that so? Let's be strong together, Cedella."
''Yes, Your Highness!
Morning dressing has begun.
There was no separate powder room in my residence, so I washed my face.
Before starting to choose a dress and accessories, I decided to check one thing with Cedella.
''Who is giving morning greetings to His Majesty today?''
Polygamy or polyandry is permitted by the Emperor of the Hadelamid Empire.
Desmond II, who was particularly energetic, already had 18 children in total, including 10 Princesses and 8 Princes.
It was impossible to bring 18 children together at once and share family bonding, so we held a meeting every week.
We divided ourselves into groups of four or five and decided on a weekday morning visitation schedule.
I met Desmond II today and had something to ask him.
However, no matter how much the Princess wants to see the Emperor, the waiting turn is pushed back a long way.
As it was planned, there was no better opportunity than a morning greeting.
Cedella answered.
''Her Royal Highness the 3rd Princess, Her Royal Highness the 7th Princess, Her Royal Highness the 8th Princess, His Royal Highness the 4th Prince, and His Royal Highness the 5th Prince. Including Your Highness Evienrose."
"Good... Wait, 3rd Princess and 8th Princess?''
''Yes.''
I don't know about the two twin Princes in the back, but the rest of the lineup wasn't good.
As the third Princess, Bridgette ruined the country by building a harem as soon as she was appointed as the Crown Princess.
If it's the 8th Princess, isn't she the white rose of the Empire who poisoned me?
Both were difficult opponents.
‘It’s not often that we get together with those two, isn’t it? Oh, that's right. I guess today is the day.'
I just remembered.
To Desmond II, a week before Rosenit's sixteenth birthday.
The morning greeting remained one of my worst experiences.
''Yes.''
I don't know about the two twin Princes in the back, but the rest of the lineup wasn't good.
As the third Princess, Bridgette ruined the country by building a harem as soon as she was appointed as the Crown Princess.
If it's the 8th Princess, isn't she the white rose of the Empire who poisoned me?
Both were difficult opponents.
‘It’s not often that we get together with those two, isn’t it? Oh, that's right. I guess today is the day.'
I just remembered.
To Desmond II, a week before Rosenit's sixteenth birthday.
The morning greeting remained one of my worst experiences.
The 3rd Princess, Brigitte, spared no efforts to win the favor of Desmond II to be Crowned Princess.
That day was the day when Brigitte trapped me and thoroughly exploited me to show off her abilities.
At that time, Desmond II was suffering from a decrease in the amount of magic stone mined to the point where he complained of headaches.
Brigitte brought up the topic and said that as a short-term solution, stricter quotas for mining workers would be imposed.
A suggestion was made to manage it.
The ones in charge of mining labor were low-grade Homunculus called ‘failures.’
I can't help but listen to Brigitte's words, which are trying to put more pressure on the people who are already being abused.
There wasn't it.
I, who is tactless and stubborn, refute Brigitte's words.
I expressed my opinion that there is an urgent need to improve treatment.
Brigitte interpreted my words maliciously and made me a Princess who kept an eye on the traditions of the imperial family.
Here, Rosenit, a week before the appointment of her direct knight, joins in.
'So you're saying that I'm a bad person who exploits Humunculus too?'
Rosenit whimpered, and the mood got out of hand.
Desmond II, who had a headache due to another matter, had more than that.
He did not like to hear arguments, and the pearl-like tears shed by the white rose of the empire made me become a rare person in an instant.
It was enough to make me into a villainess.
I was ordered by Desmond II to return to my palace without even getting a chance to plead my case.
I was kicked out.
Not only was the incident humiliating, but it also served as an opportunity for me to fall out of favor with Desmond II.
In addition, it acted as one of the factors that caused Desmond II, who became emotional, to implement wrong policies and destroy the country.
'That's right, I regretted it and went back to the past. Strangely, the day I returned wasn't an important turning point.'
It wasn't just a morning greeting, it was an important matter that depended on one's life.
My face became serious like someone going into battle to fight an enemy.
''Phew, maybe it would be good.''
''Maybe it's a good thing, Your Highness.''
''Huh?''
As if asking what I was worrying about, Cedella smiled brightly and put on the most gorgeous dress.
She held it out.
''You have to decorate yourself carefully.''
Desmond II, who had a headache due to another matter, had more than that.
He did not like to hear arguments, and the pearl-like tears shed by the white rose of the empire made me become a rare person in an instant.
It was enough to make me into a villainess.
I was ordered by Desmond II to return to my palace without even getting a chance to plead my case.
I was kicked out.
Not only was the incident humiliating, but it also served as an opportunity for me to fall out of favor with Desmond II.
In addition, it acted as one of the factors that caused Desmond II, who became emotional, to implement wrong policies and destroy the country.
'That's right, I regretted it and went back to the past. Strangely, the day I returned wasn't an important turning point.'
It wasn't just a morning greeting, it was an important matter that depended on one's life.
My face became serious like someone going into battle to fight an enemy.
''Phew, maybe it would be good.''
''Maybe it's a good thing, Your Highness.''
''Huh?''
As if asking what I was worrying about, Cedella smiled brightly and put on the most gorgeous dress.
She held it out.
''You have to decorate yourself carefully.''
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