Published at 26th of December 2025 7:39 am

Chapter 449: Interlude: The Beginning of a Nightmare

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This and the next two chapters will be from Margarets perspective.

I, Margaret Kiltz Fondaria, am just an ordinary girl. Well, some might get angry if I call being born a princess ordinary, but at least from my perspective, thats how it is.

As the youngest child, and a daughter at that, I was quite doted on by Father. Also, being in a position far from power with clearly no chance at the throne, I received relatively light treatment from those around me, for better or worse.

However, that wasnt an unfortunate thing. As a slightly tomboyish and willful young princess, I was loved by the servants with a somewhat casual attitude, and even when I became aware of things in my girlhood, I didnt receive overly strict education and was able to live quite freely.

And today, I turn 15. Joining the ranks of adults and officially gaining the right of succession to the throne will surely change how others treat me. But I find myself looking forward to even that change.

My heart flutters with expectation and anxiety at the prospect of seeing a world I couldnt see before. Enjoying the last moments of being allowed to be a girl, Ill become an adult from tomorrow. As I walk this dream-like boundary, many people come to celebrate my birthday and the man standing at the forefront addresses me with a gentle smile.

Happy birthday, Margaret.

Your Majesty! Thank you very much.

Hahaha, you can call me Andalt Nii-sama like in the old days, at least for today.

The one laughing cheerfully was Andalt Nii-sama, who married a foreign princess three years ago and officially succeeded to the throne. He should be 27 this year, but hes troubled by his lack of dignity.

With domestic and foreign affairs stable now, whats required of a king was unremarkable and ordinary governance. In that respect, Nii-sama, who wasnt too excellent, was well-received by the people, but being a king must come with various troubles. His originally slender body has become even thinner, and it seems it will take another 10 years before he gains the dignity and presence similar to that of Father.

Fufu, Im an adult now too, so I cant be so disrespectful. By the way, Your Majesty, is Levia-sama

Ah, Levia isnt here. She wanted to come, but

Well, it cant be helped if shes pregnant, right?

Sister Levia, who married into the royal family of a neighboring country, was currently pregnant with her second child. I was quite fond of her and wanted her to celebrate, but naturally, we cant make her travel by carriage with such a big belly. In that case, Ill visit her when things settle down a bit. Im sure shell welcome me and let me hold the baby Fufu, Im looking forward to it already.

Oi, Margaret! Congratulations.

Gilberia Nii-sama! Thank you very much.

The next to come was Gilberia Nii-sama. Hes seven years older than me and used to tease me in various ways, but now hes completely settled down and serves as a general in this country.

Youre finally 15, huh So, how about it? Have you found yourself a good man yet?

Nii-sama! Im not yet

Hahaha! When I was your age, I was like a goblin in heat. Even though we have different mothers, we share the same father. If youre having trouble, I could introduce you to some of my men, you know?

I dont need that! Really, Nii-sama!

I take back what I said. It seems he was still a mischievous child at heart. There was a time when he apparently made a fuss about wanting to become king himself, but now I dont hear anything like that at all.

Well, he always got along well with Andalt Nii-sama, and it seems he only vaguely wanted to be a king, not particularly fixated on being the king of this country Father also laughed it off as something like an epidemic that affects boys of that age, so maybe he wasnt that serious about it in the first place.

Congratulations, Margaret.

Sister Mitoruna

Lastly, hiding behind Gilberia Nii-samas back as if to greet me, was Sister Mitoruna, three years my senior.

To think that a servants daughter would finally become an official member of the royal family. Its really disgusting.

Ahahahaha

Hey, Mitoruna! Are you still saying such things?!

But, Nii-sama!

In front of me, Sister Mitoruna and Gilberia Nii-sama began a light argument.

Father had three wives, and the official queen, Remno-sama, was a princess who married in from another country. Andalt-sama and Levia-sama are her children.

The second wife, Storia-sama, was the daughter of a great noble of this country, and Gilberia-sama and Mitoruna-sama are her children.

And I am the daughter of the third wife, Mariana Actually, my mother was a servant in this castle when Father took a liking to her and married her.

Of course, even as a servant, serving in the royal palace means my mother was a proper noble. She was the second daughter of a small viscount family, so her family status wasnt that high, but shes not someone to be looked down upon by Sister Mitoruna.

However, Gilberia-sama and Mitoruna-sama, being the children of Storia-sama, the eldest daughter of the largest marquis family in this country, have firmly inherited those values, and there was a period when they would bully me just because of the fact that I was the daughter of someone who was once a castle servant.

Now, now, thats enough, you two. Listen, Mitoruna. From today, Margaret is given the official right of succession to the throne as an adult. If you continue with this attitude, its you who will be punished, you know?

Ugh I understand, Your Majesty. But still

I can understand that long-ingrained values are hard to discard. But the time when that could be tolerated is over. If you cant change, then keep your mouth shut. If you cant help but glare, then close your eyes. This is the last advice as a brother Next time, Ill have to pass judgment as a king, okay?

I humbly obey.

Told off by His Majesty, Mitolnas shoulders drooped dejectedly. But at the end, she sticks out her tongue at me from an angle only I can see, then runs off at a trot. Watching her go, Gilberia Nii-sama let out a small sigh with an exasperated look.

Hah, shes still Im sorry, Margaret.

No, Im used to it by now.

Hahaha, its hard to tell which of you is older. Well, anyway!?

At that moment, the world shook. The impact was so strong that I couldnt stand, and I involuntarily fell to my knees.

(What!? Whats happening!?)

Confusion spread through the party venue, and everyone looked around trying to grasp the situation and then noticed something strange.

Its not shaking? No, but?

The food on the tables, the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, none of it was shaking at all. Not even a ripple formed on the wine in the glasses, and yet of course I, and even the knights on guard duty, seem unable to stand up properly.

Your Majesty! Are you alright?!

Whats going on!? Report the situation!

General Gilberia! What is this

Move your body before your mouth! Even if you cant move, force yourself to move! Securing evacuation routes and protecting His Majesty are the top priorities!

My two brothers shout instructions, and the knights struggle to stand up by holding onto pillars and tables, desperately trying to guide the nobles who had gathered to celebrate my birthday.

But it was all in vain. Black smoke rose from the center of the party venue, slowly taking on a human shape.

Fuhahaha! Finally! I have finally resurrected! Now, world, this time I will push all that you protect to the depths of the earth!

The outline of a semi-transparent human form. It gradually increased in density, and the face wasabout to become visible. While everyone was shocked and trembling, I stared blankly at that figure and suddenly everything turned black. This was my first memory, and my first experience of death.

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