Published at 26th of December 2025 7:39 am

Chapter 450: Interlude: The Trigger

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Hah!?

Its a familiar ceiling. My back, drenched in sweat, felt uncomfortable as I moved, and the soft futon clinged to my body.

(Was I sleeping? A dream? Am I?)

Cough, cough. Ugh, my throat hurts?

My parched throat caught, and I involuntarily coughed. The sound of my own voice that escaped was high-pitched, as if it belonged to someone else.

No, thats wrong. Its undoubtedly my voice. The problem is

My voice is high or rather, eh!?

The hand I extended from under the covers, with its oddly mismatched body sensation, was small and plump like a young childs. While Ive certainly lived a life free from rough hands, this is on a different level entirely.

I throw off the covers and sit up. Rolling out of bed, I approach the full-length mirror, almost stumbling and am shocked by the reflection I see.

Eh, eh!? Whats going on!?

Its my younger self. Probably around five or six years old. Even slapping my face doesnt wake me up any further, thinking this might be a dream.

What is this!? Whats happening!? Who am I really?

For a moment, I thought everything might have been a dream. That I had just woken up from a scary dream. But I quickly realize thats not the case.

No, that wasnt a dream. If it were a dream, the current me wouldnt be able to think like this.

My five-year-old self shouldnt be capable of such complex thoughts. Regardless of whether those memories are real or not, the fact that I possess wisdom and knowledge inappropriate for my age is undeniable.

So, what happened? The answer I can think of is very cliche, but it seems to be the only explanation.

Time has rewound?

On the night of my 15th birthday, I certainly died. But at the same time as I died, my memories, or soul, or something like that entered my past self. If thats the case, who or what made this happen?

God surely God has sent me back! To stop the Demon Kings revival, Ive been chosen by God!

I was elated by this miracle. I had no way of knowing if it was actually true, but at the time, it was the only thing I could think of.

Ten years Yes, I have ten years. If I do my best from now on, Im sure I can change fate! Alright, lets do this!

With my body becoming younger, my heart seems to have returned a bit to my childhood days as well. I rejoiced innocently, eager to surprise everyone with adult wisdom and knowledge of the future and I failed.

Why did this happen?

My self-awareness, which had matured overnight, received much praise from those around me. Possessing wisdom unthinkable for a five-year-old, being considerate of others, and behaving intelligently and elegantly. It was said to be like the return of a goddess, and I think I was quite full of myself at the time.

However, not everyone celebrated me. In particular, those who became hostile were Gilberia Nii-sama and Sister Mitoruna, who had been mean to me at the time.

As I had guessed, I seemed to have returned to the day after my fifth birthday, meaning Gilberia Nii-sama was only 12 years old. From my perspective, having returned from the night of my 15th birthday, he was younger than me. Because of this, I forgave their mischief with adult tolerance.

But from the perspective of those around us, this appeared as a 12-year-old boy being treated like an adult by his 5-year-old sister, which naturally didnt sit well with him. The same went for his sister, Mitoruna, and their mischief gradually became more extreme, transforming into cruel violence and heart-wrenching harassment.

Above all, what I miscalculated was myself. Despite acting like an adult, my body was that of a young girl, and when confronted with force, all I could do was cry, cower, and curl up in fear. Even my mind was still that of a 15-year-old girl. It was far from being a true adult with the unwavering strength I thought I had.

As a result, by the time I was 12, I had become mentally ill and unable to leave my room. I shut myself in a dark room, hugging my knees alone until my 15th birthday

When I realized it, I had returned to the morning of my fifth birthday again. But returning didnt heal the wounds in my heart. I continued to shut myself in my room and this change threw the castle into turmoil.

Of course it would. The princess who had been full of energy until the day before had suddenly become a mentally broken patient. Was it a curse, poison, or had some vile thief snuck in unnoticed Healing mages were gathered from all over the country, and everyone in the castle, regardless of whether they were nobles or servants, was investigated.

But of course, they couldnt find the cause, and therefore couldnt treat it. Only God would know that my heart had been broken in a previous timeline. As everyone was at a loss and the castle was enveloped in a gloomy atmosphere one day, there was a knock on my door.

Im coming in.

!?

Despite my lack of response, the door was opened anyway. The figures that appeared made me involuntarily hold my breath.

Gilberia Nii-sama and Sister Mitoruna. As I flinched, for some reason, my siblings looked scared. They slowly approached me and

Im sorry!

Eh?

I let out a voiceless sound as Nii-sama bowed his head straight at me. Without noticing my reaction, he continued his words of apology.

Its because of me, because of our bullying! Im sorry, we were wrong! Come on, Mitoruna, you too.

Im sorry, Margaret.

The two who had been symbols of fear for me were now apologizing to me. What arose in my chest upon seeing this was not a curse of why now, but a question of what was happening.

As I later learned, in the process of investigating the cause of my condition, naturally, the topic of what both of them did came up. But the mischief they had done to me at the time was just things like showing me caterpillars they had caught or scribbling on my favorite handkerchief trivial matters at best. They were lightly cautioned that such things surely couldnt have suddenly broken my heart but my siblings didnt think so.

They thought that because of their mischief, I had been severely hurt. This pang of conscience overcame their values that were beginning to be tainted by nobility, leading them to choose the path of apologizing to me.

Nii-sama. Nee-sama too.

When I raised my face from my knees and looked up, what I saw were the faces of children about to cry. Words naturally spilled from my mouth, and tears fell from my eyes.

Wah!? D-Dont cry! Im sorry! We wont do it anymore!

I cant promise well be close friends, but I wont be mean to you anymore.

Gilberia Nii-sam panicked, and Sister Mitoruna looked away awkwardly. True to their words, they began to care for me and treat me kindly As a result, by the time I turned 12, I finally managed to recover to about the same state as before.

Youve been smiling a lot lately, Margaret.

Andalt Nii-sama! Or should I call you Your Majesty now?

Hahaha, either is fine. Compared to you calling me by name, titles are just an afterthought.

Brother, thats a bit Margaret has finished her debut, so we should be more proper about these things.

Youre one to talk, Gilberia. But well, youve been supporting Margaret well too. And Mitoruna as well.

Im not Its only natural for an older sister to take care of her younger sister

Sister Mitoruna!

W-What!?

No, its nothing. I was just a little happy.

H-Hmph!

I cant help but smile at the sight of Sister Mitoruna turning away in embarrassment. Healed by the people who had broken me, I regained myself. I feel a strange, ticklish sensation at this peculiar relationship.

People relly do change. I wish Levia could see this scene

Nii-sama, that sounds as if Sister has passed away.

Thats right! Shes probably sneezing in her castle right now.

Hahaha, thats scary. Then to prevent that, maybe I should send a letter later.

Ah! In that case, Your Majesty, Ill write one too! Would it be alright to send it along with yours?

Of course. Reading Margarets letter might even help Levia give birth to a healthy baby.

Andalt-sama, thats really too much of a stretch.

I-Is that so? Hahaha

It was a warm atmosphere, just like that birthday. Seeing this, I thought to myself.

(Ah, I see. People the future can change. We can change it however we want with our own hands, living in the present.)

Having realized this obvious truth, I devoted the remaining three years primarily to studying. Considering what lay ahead, I knew that the more knowledge and skills I had, the better, and no matter how much I acquired, it would never be enough.

And then came the night of my 15th birthday. Once again, the world shook, and black smoke billowed up from the floor.

(I wont lose. I may not be able to do anything now, but)

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

(Someday, I will surely prevent your revival!)

With determination and resolve in my heart, my consciousness once again sank into darkness and I awoke again on the morning of my fifth birthday.

I will protect them. My country, my family, everything!

I raised my small fist to the sky and made this firm, unshakeable vow.

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