Chapter 111: An Unneeded Imperial Princess

The Ninth Imperial Princess of Allegretto Empire, Risha e Allegretto. That is my title and name. But I know that title has no meaning. My mother was a lady-in-waiting serving Sister Leticia. A merchant’s daughter of commoner origin, though wealthy. Apparently, she happened to catch Father’s… His Majesty the Emperor’s eye and became a concubine. For a commoner-born mother to enter the inner palace, she was apparently adopted by a Baron House once before marrying, but I have never seen anyone from that Baron House… my adoptive grandparents’ house. It was probably just an existence lending a name. My mother passed away soon after giving birth to me. I don’t know the cause of death. Because no one tells me. No one in the inner palace speaks of the reason for my mother’s death. I suspect my mother was killed. Because the other consorts all curse me foully along with my mother.

“Can’t be helped for that woman’s daughter.” “After all, child of a commoner. Unsightly.” “Daughter of lowly blood has no value.”

Every time I failed something, such words were thrown at me. Those serving by my side also pretended not to see. I stopped expecting anything from them long ago. The Empress (Seihi) never directed heartless words at me, but never spoke to me either. I am probably considered non-existent to that person. Father also has no interest in me. Father isn’t very interested in his own children to begin with, so I felt saved by that alone. Knowing I wasn’t the only one he had no interest in… I could only cling to such dark joy. My only pleasure is when reading books. As long as I hold the title of Imperial Princess, even if just in name, I receive appropriate education, so reading books was allowed. But by reading books and knowing the world, I came to know how painful my surrounding environment is. Warm family, kind parents and siblings, friends one can trust… While yearning for the happy stories inside books, I am thrust with the cruel reality that they are absolutely unobtainable for me. I have four older brothers, six older sisters, and one younger brother, but it is not a warm relationship like in books at all. Apparently there were more siblings originally, but several have already passed away. It is said to be illness or death in battle, but is it really so…? The consorts are all on bad terms. Naturally, their children cannot be on good terms. Older brothers and sisters generally have two attitudes toward me. Scorn or ignore. First Imperial Prince and Crown Prince, Brother Frost, is sickly, so I have hardly met him. Second Imperial Prince, Brother Darkel, yells at me every time he sees me. Telling me not to enter his sight. Sixth Imperial Princess, my sister from the same mother, and Eighth Imperial Prince, Brother Dias, are the same. I have been hit several times too. Other brothers and sisters ignore me. Even if we meet by chance and I greet them, they give a curt attitude or no reply returns. Two older sisters who married away before I was old enough to remember, I haven’t met so don’t know, but only Fourth Imperial Princess, Sister Leticia, was a little different. I don’t know what Sister, rumored as ‘Iron Mask’ or ‘Ice Princess’, is thinking either. Whether she is angry at my failures or exasperated… I understand nothing. She just points out what was bad. In that sense, I think Sister Leticia is fair. She is a very strict person, but due to the connection that my mother served her originally, I think… she doesn’t hate me that much. Probably Sister Leticia cannot forgive me being pathetic as a member of the Imperial Family. Directing anger at me is same as other siblings, but Sister Leticia sees me as a member of the Imperial Family. …At least, for now. Probably, if she judges further effort is useless, Sister Leticia will stop involving herself with me. Sister hates useless things. She would try to use time for more meaningful things. That seemed very scary to me. Inside this castle where no one looks at me, only Sister looks at me. Even if it comes from pride or duty of the Imperial Family, it was happy for me. Before long, just as Sister Leticia said, I came to think fulfilling duties as royalty is my only value. Eventually I will be married off as a pawn of the Imperial Family to where it benefits the Empire. Since that is the only reason I am kept alive. Though I don’t know what treatment I’ll receive at the destination… At such time, it was decided that Sister Leticia and I would go to Symphonia Imperial Kingdom. Initially it seemed to be just me. But thinking sending me alone is worrying, Sister Leticia also decided to accompany. Sister probably feared I would fail in the Kingdom and become the Empire’s shame. I feel great anxiety about my first diplomacy. What if I fail… Nothing difficult. Just don’t say unnecessary things and obey Sister. Un… Before leaving the Empire, Brother Darkel told me with a sneer, ‘Make yourself useful for the country at best’. Even though he didn’t expect anything from the start… By Brother Darkel‘s order, head lady-in-waiting Viscountess Kupo accompanied us, but as expected, she seals her usual sarcasms in front of Sister. Only that was grateful. Well, complained grumblingly where Sister wasn’t present though… I will attend the tea party hosted by the Empress in the Kingdom. According to Sister, this time also has an aspect of confirming what kind of person the Ducal daughter of same age as me, Lady Sakuraile, is. Niece of current Emperor, chosen wielder of [Holy Sword], a girl said to have slaughtered a Dark Dragon. There is even talk of her commanding a Divine Beast. Her rumors reaching even the Empire were all full of praises: beautiful appearance, perfectly serene, brilliant wit, combining wisdom and courage, brave and daring, knowledgeable and talented… Even with some exaggeration, undoubtedly a very excellent person. Probably same as Sister in front of me… a genius who can do anything immediately. Inevitably I think God is unfair. Why so different. She is needed by everyone, and I am needed by no one. Feeling great inferiority complex, I headed to the Kingdom. The Kingdom visited for the first time seemed lively and bright compared to the Empire. Those in the castle have many smiles. Many are wary of us, but I didn’t feel that much malice. Much better than when in Empire’s castle… The Empire was always tense, always an atmosphere like conflict about to occur. In this country, there is no such air at all. I envied Symphonia Imperial Kingdom.

“Nice to meet you Highness Leticia, Highness Risha. I am Symphonia Imperial Kingdom’s Crown Prince, Elliott Ri Symphonia. Welcome.”

Welcoming us arriving at the Kingdom was Crown Prince Elliott. Even though this person is also same age as me, he is dignified. Demeanor is soft, and doesn’t look at me with contemptuous eyes. Huge difference from Brother Darkel and Brother Dias. He looked at me and smiled several times, but I looked down in embarrassment. Because of that, I got glared at by Sister. As Empire’s royalty, she probably wants to say be dignified like him. But I couldn’t meet eyes with him. I hate my cowardice… Eventually, le Philharmonie Ducal House daughter, Lady Sakuraile appeared. Hearing Lady Sakuraile happened to be in the castle, Sister called her out to meet.

“Sakuraile le Philharmonie, have arrived at your summons.”

Lady Sakuraile seen for the first time was completely different from what I imagined. A girl smaller than me. Is she really same age? Jade eyes and cherry blossom colored hair. Looks only like a cute girl. Rude to say, but can’t believe she defeated a dragon. Is it some mistake? Lady Sakuraile was a very kind person. Just like Crown Prince Elliott. Heard they are cousins. Thought they suited each other, but apparently not fiancés. Thanks to the kind two, conversation bounced, and Lady Sakuraile gave me small animal ornaments, but they were taken away by head lady-in-waiting Viscountess Kupo. This person dislikes everything I do, always harassing me. Was angry at first, but now resignation comes first. Whatever I say or do is useless… But Highness Elliott used his wit and retrieved just one for me. Happy. Truly a kind person. I hid the small rabbit in my hand so not to be found and brought it back to the room. After everyone left the room, secretly gazed at it. Rabbit nibbling a carrot. Round and cute. For me who cannot keep animals, this child is a very precious existence. I will cherish it. Fortunately it’s small, so can hide it anywhere. My treasure. While I was happy obtaining a small treasure, Viscountess Kupo said sarcastic things. ‘It’s nice to be carefree without responsibility’, she said. Felt bad, but endured. Clutching the rabbit hidden in hand calms my feelings. After that, Highness Elliott visited several times to talk. The Highness is a very friendly person, considerate of me. Viscountess Kupo picking faults every time I said something was annoying, but talking with Crown Prince was fun. And the day of Autumn Cooling Party. The tea party hosted by the Empress was quite large-scale, and at the table I was guided to, there were Princess Lucariora of Prelude Kingdom, Princess Tifania of Minuet Queendom, and Lady Eltiria, daughter of Elf Village Chief. After exchanging light greetings, tea and sweets were brought immediately. Casually eating a sweet never seen in the Empire, I involuntarily froze at the excessive deliciousness. Wh-What is this, this taste…! The most delicious sweet I ever ate…! Until Lady Sakuraile called out to me, I was intoxicated by that taste. Embarrassing… Did they think I’m not fed decent things usually…? True though… Lady Sakuraile, Lady Lucariora, Lady Tifania, Lady Eltiria seem to be very good friends. Talking in casual words. Envious… Couldn’t help wishing I had friends like this too. Topic moved from Lady Sakuraile to the Empire. Lady Tifania asked about Brother Frost and Brother Darkel, but I couldn’t answer anything. Because I hardly know the two. Viscountess Kupo intruded and started explaining that I and Brothers are not equal. So it can’t be helped that I don’t know. Pretending to protect me, in reality, demeaning me. It was frustrating. And myself unable to refute that… Truly pathetic. Is there a need for someone like me to be an Imperial Princess… Swallowing the pathetic self, I mouth the sweet juice poured by Viscountess Kupo. Next moment, burning pain ran deep in my throat, Dokun, heard the sound of my heartbeat jumping in ears. Glass falls from hand. Vision swayed giddily, and I tumbled from the chair. Lady Sakuraile supported me instantly, but at the moment of falling, I saw the figure of Viscountess Kupo wearing a twisted smile. I see… Judged I am no longer needed… Behind Viscountess Kupo is Brother Darkel. ‘Make yourself useful for the Empire’, meant this. Brother Darkel intends to cause an incident using my death. Feelings like anger or sadness towards Viscountess or Brother didn’t well up. Just, empty. Was there meaning for me, needed by no one, to be born… Already tired… Will I meet Mother if I die. …No, don’t want to meet anyone anymore. In a place like a birdcage where no one disturbs, want to disappear quietly like this. Just… the rabbit child in my pocket was my only worry.