FSW Chapter 2

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Standing before the mirror, Nishina slowly examined her own face.

Ebony-black hair, deep blue eyes, red lips, and pale skin. These were the imperial family's characteristics that both the Emperor and Prince possessed. Even though she saw them every time, not necessarily through a mirror, somehow they felt unfamiliar.

Nishina, who had stopped her gaze on her fair skin, carefully stroked her cheek. Her translucent skin was like white snow, but she wasn't Snow White. The moment she reminded herself of that, her hand dropped powerlessly. What pulled her hand down wasn't disappointment but helplessness.

Though she'd set her goal boldly, even after agonizing all night, she hadn't found a single certain method. It felt like having to scale a massive wall with her bare body. And the wall was covered entirely in thorns. In short, there was no answer.

First, the first goal: persuading the Emperor.

As a father, he was gentle, but if we're talking about Dargan Royce Arthur of White Snow—that is, as the Emperor of the Snow Empire—the story was different. As a monarch, he was as resolute and cold as the previous Emperor, who'd been notorious for his politics of terror.

The succession issue wasn't the father's choice but the Emperor's choice. Even if she begged desperately from a subject's position, it would easily be dismissed.

Therefore, she needed people who would become her allies. In other words, she had to first persuade those who supported her, including her mother and the retainers.

And the second goal: not being hated by her brother.

This... Recalling the fury she'd faced that day, even the courage to attempt it withered away.

Perhaps it was already too late. She forcefully shook off that devastating possibility.

All that remained was the third goal...

But 'earning sympathy' from that person who would become her brother's knight wasn't easy either. In the book, he was described as if he had no emotions whatsoever. Even if she built rapport with him, if his lord commanded it, he would undoubtedly raise his sword without hesitation.

Nishina, who had finally released the sigh she'd been holding back, buried her face in both hands. Her future looked pitch black. Even having recalled the memories, she was only fourteen years old.

While she wasn't at an age to act spoiled, she also wasn't at an age where she should have to worry about the future.

But what could she do?

The burden weighing on her shoulders was impossibly heavy, but she couldn't just stagnate and rot.

Nishina, who had steeled her resolve, straightened her back. She couldn't guarantee the outcome, but she had to begin.

Breakfast was usually lightly settled with fruit and bread brought by the maids, but once a week she had a feast-like meal with the Emperor and Imperial Consort. He seemed to want to dine together more often if possible, but the Empire's Emperor was far too busy to match schedules daily.

However, this week alone marked the second time dining together, and Nishina clicked her tongue inwardly. Seeing the aide beside the butler fidgeting anxiously, it seemed he'd even postponed work to come.

"Um, Father. I know you have urgent state affairs..."

"They're not urgent."

At his firm words, aggrievement filled the aide's eyes. It was clearly urgent enough that there wasn't even time for a leisurely meal. As she cast a sympathetic gaze toward the aide being thoroughly ignored, the Imperial Consort at the adjacent seat urged her to eat with a face full of concern.

"Shina, this is chicken boiled with medicinal ingredients, so eat just a little more. Hmm?"

She watched absently as nutritious foods were busily pushed in front of her, then picked up her utensils again. Her stomach was already full, but seeing those two pairs of worried eyes, she simply couldn't refuse.

Finally, after forcing food down to her throat, the excessive morning feast ended. The Emperor, who hadn't even touched his after-meal tea, gazed at Nishina with the same scrutinizing look and asked worriedly:

"I was told by the physician there's no problem, but how are you feeling?"

"Yes, it was just that I'd been lacking sleep from reading all night lately."

Accumulated fatigue. That was all the diagnosis the physician had given Nishina, who'd collapsed for no reason. The period she'd slept was long for such a thing, but she also couldn't very well confess that she'd been asleep so long while recovering memories.

"I suppose I should have built up my stamina beforehand."

When she spoke in a light tone, the Emperor also nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, the physician said it would be good for your health to build up your stamina a bit."

"That's what I wanted to talk about—I'm thinking of learning the sword."

"The sword?"

The Emperor who asked back seemed puzzled.

Well, unlike Aiden who had started swordsmanship early, Nishina had consistently refused to learn martial arts, saying she had neither talent nor interest.

But this was an important first step toward achieving her goal. Nishina, her eyes sparkling brightly, leaned her upper body fully toward the Emperor and expressed her opinion.

"Yes! I won't become an outstanding swordsman, but wouldn't it help with building stamina?"

"That's true, but..."

A healthy body and martial arts sufficient to protect oneself were among the virtues an heir should possess. Of course, even if she didn't learn swordsmanship, she would master spirit arts in a few years anyway.

In any case, the Emperor seemed quite flustered by the sudden proposal. After deliberating, he soon nodded. It wasn't as if she was saying she'd do something bad, and since it was for her health, there was no reason to stop her.

"Then Sir Hilton could—"

"No!"

When she reflexively shouted, not only the Emperor who had begun speaking but also the person in question, who had been silently maintaining his position behind them, widened his eyes in surprise.

Realizing she'd raised her voice too much, Nishina coughed and hurriedly added:

"W-well, Sir Hilton is Father's knight. If the skill level is too high, I think an ordinary person like me would have trouble keeping up."

Sir Hilton belonged to the Imperial Guard but had been assigned as Nishina's escort knight seven years ago by the Emperor's command. In other words, he was originally the Emperor's direct knight. Just being an imperial knight guaranteed excellent skill, but if someone was the Emperor's direct knight, their skill was on another level. It meant he was one of the Empire's top masters.

"Even so, wouldn't a teacher be best if they're the most outstanding in that field—"

"And when sparring, the levels wouldn't match."

Nishina firmly cut off the Emperor's words and added a reason.

"...You're planning to spar too?"

"Well, if possible?"

The Imperial Consort asked as if bewildered, but Nishina affirmed as if it were obvious. The Emperor's mouth closed, as if he hadn't expected her to say she'd learn that seriously.

But who learned the sword without sparring even once? She might not be able to exchange many moves, but it was a beginner's dream. She couldn't give it up.

"Of course, I should spar only after I've accumulated some skill."

"Then, a different knight—"

"Other knights are also busy protecting the Empire and imperial family, so I feel apologetic taking their time for my personal reasons. So I think an apprentice knight, not yet a formal knight, would be good."

She casually brought up the main point while adding reasons. Yes, in truth, all of this was to create a point of contact with that person—no, the hunter.

The hunter would become a formal knight at seventeen. It had been described as an achievement unusually accomplished within two years of entering the palace, so he should currently have apprentice status.

"If they're an apprentice knight of the Imperial Knights, they'd certainly have sufficient skill to teach me, the levels would roughly match when sparring, and since Father has also told me it might be good to make friends, if I become good friends with that person, wouldn't it be killing two birds with one stone?"

The apprentice knights belonging to the Imperial Knights were children of nobles who had received education to become knights from a young age. Their status or skill wouldn't be an issue for becoming the Princess's friend and teacher.

But a boy of similar age.

The Emperor's brow furrowed involuntarily. Though he'd agreed with the Imperial Consort's words that it would be good for Nishina to make friends and had said so, that definitely hadn't meant someone of the opposite sex.

Just before a firm refusal could be uttered, Nishina looked up at him with wide, earnest eyes.

"Please."

The Emperor couldn't refuse his daughter's request when she pleaded with those eyes. Finally, a sigh of resignation leaked through his lips.

"I'll permit it for one month for now. However, if after that you judge it's not helpful, you must receive instruction from Sir Hilton without complaint, understood?"

"Yes! Thank you, Father!"

Watching that brightly smiling face, even the slightest reluctance evaporated. The Emperor, who smiled contentedly following Nishina, finally picked up his teacup.

Excluding one escort knight who'd been flatly rejected, it was quite a peaceful morning.

"Ugh, do I have to drink it?"

"You have to."

Firm Joy pressed forward the medicine bowl as if urging her. The liquid with its musty smell had even the worst color. If fruit juice were stored for a thousand years, would it turn this color?

It felt outrageous having to take medicine when she wasn't even sick, but Joy seemed determined not to permit an outing until this bowl was emptied.

She pinched her nose as if drinking poison and gulped down the medicine. Her face twisted involuntarily at the bitter taste, and as if waiting for this, Joy popped an unwrapped candy into her mouth. Only after rolling the candy around a few times did the medicine's taste finally fade.

"Can I go out now?"

"Of course."

Once you're dressed.

Joy, who'd curved her lips into a grin, added the words ominously.

She hadn't been in pajamas since she'd attended the morning feast, so why grooming? She looked down at her clothes with puzzled eyes, but they still seemed fine. However, before she could say anything, following Joy's instructions, maids streamed in carrying clothes and accessories as if they'd been waiting.

Nishina closed her eyes at the clothes that instantly filled the room. If she tried on all of those, she'd surely end up back in bed. Very fortunately, Joy finished her selection merely by examining the clothes with careful eyes.

A comfortable chemise dress was chosen, citing the reason that she'd only recently gotten out of bed. She put on the white dress with a blue ribbon accent at the waist, and her perfumed hair was neatly braided and brought over one shoulder.

Perhaps because she hadn't seen light for days, her already-pale skin had grown even more pallid, so only after lightly coloring her cheeks and lips did the grooming end.

"Perfect!"

Joy nodded her head as if satisfied. Though she was dull when it came to clothes and accessories and didn't feel much change, even Ellis, who'd styled her hair, was smiling contentedly, so it probably wasn't an exaggeration.

Nishina, who'd awkwardly turned her eyes from the mirror, quickly rose from her seat. She'd also received permission—she intended to go meet him right away.

"I'll be back!"

Receiving their farewells, Nishina picked up the basket she'd had prepared in advance and left the room.