Chapter – 02

Wintear Sergel Rislumen, the biological father of Ethern and the emperor of the Cidernel Empire, was, without a doubt, a mad tyrant for the ages.

He traveled across the continent, committing massacres and conquests for no reason, burning every nation he trampled upon. Even those who surrendered could not escape his cruel destruction.

Usually, tyrants are confined to their own kingdoms and eventually fall on their own…

Most tyrants in history were incompetent and useless. They indulged in lust and luxury until they were eventually overthrown from their thrones.

But Emperor Wintear was different.

“Dora.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Dora’s voice trembled with tension.

Ethern gently patted Dora’s large hand as if to reassure her and then changed the subject.

“When your father was crown prince, Dora… you were in the palace then, right?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“At that time, people called him ‘a miracle the god Bellis bestowed upon the empire,’ right? Because he was so intelligent.”

“That’s true…”

Dora continued.

“The crown prince… now Emperor, was incredibly clever and capable. Once he learned something, he never forgot it, and he would even outsmart his teachers in debates.”

That’s right. Ethern pursed her lips.

The reason Emperor Wintear became a mad tyrant, infamous for generations, was partly because of his overwhelming talent.

If he had been incompetent, he might have suffered defeat in wars and perhaps come to his senses.

While wandering through death, Ethern could even glimpse future records of her father.

Seeing historians in strange clothes lecturing countless students endlessly on Emperor Wintear’s atrocities made her feel her face flush even though she existed only in spirit.

Thankfully, it hasn’t reached that level yet.

There was still time before her father’s name would become a curse that sent shivers across the continent.

He only went completely mad after mother died.

The palace had been frozen like eternal snow, a memory she could never forget.

This time, I won’t repeat the same mistakes.

Ethern’s resolve was steadfast.

“About my father…”

Dora looked at Ethern again.

I wish he were a bit more lenient. Don’t you think so too, Dora?

Naturally, Dora wisely chose to remain silent.

He wasn’t quite at the level of madness yet, but he was already a terrifying presence.

Emperor Wintear tolerated no mistakes or failures. Even the highest-ranking officials could lose their heads over a single misstep.

His sharp, honed scrutiny and merciless judgment left only incompetent people around him—those who could only follow orders.

To prevent this, Ethern knew what needed to be done: “The water above must be clean for the water below to be clear.”

I must reform my father’s twisted temperament first. Otherwise, neither my future nor the empire’s future will survive.

She glanced at the still-sleeping empress, her expression calm.

If only mother could awaken, father would improve greatly.

Empress Maikelren, who had given birth to Ethern, had lost consciousness and never woken up.

Everyone had thought she would die, but strangely, she didn’t. She was just deeply asleep.

At least for now.

Even though she didn’t awaken, Maikelren grew weak when Ethern was ten and eventually passed away.

That was when Emperor Wintear became obsessed with war.

I’m eight now, so there are still two years left. Mother won’t die in these two years. So…

Ethern had to make the most of those two years to somehow save Empress Maikelren.

If the empress didn’t die, at least she could prevent her father from going completely insane, and Ethern could avoid the horrors of her past life.

Even if she failed to save the empress, if she could gain another person just as precious…

“All right, I have to go see my father.”

“Yes, Your Highness. That is… Yes?”

“You don’t need to come, Dora. Go back and bake some peanut cookies. I want them for a snack.”

“Your Highness. The Emperor is meeting with officials right now. At this moment…”

Dora tried desperately to stop her, but Ethern dashed outside before hearing the rest.

“My goodness, Your Highness! Wait!”

Dora sighed helplessly as she chased after Ethern, who ran downhill like a rolling acorn.

After running until she was nearly out of breath, Ethern finally arrived at the emperor’s audience chamber.

Huff… huff… I got lost because I don’t come here often! Ugh, to think I almost got lost in the palace as a princess.

A guard, standing at a distance, hurried toward Ethern.

“Wait, wait! Stop right there!”

Huh?

Ethern blinked and made a ring with her fingers at the guard.

— Lantz Tash

A new palace guard, 22 years old.

1. Wait, this face…
2. …
3. …

Ah, that’s right. He just joined and probably doesn’t recognize me yet. That’s understandable.

Ethern tilted her head and pointed at the tightly shut audience chamber door.

“Is my father inside?”

Lantz’s mouth opened in surprise. He recognized her face and realized his ominous suspicion was correct.

“Y-Your Highness!”

Blushing, Lantz dropped to one knee and swallowed nervously.

“You must forgive me for not recognizing Your Highness and committing such a breach of etiquette. Please… spare me!”

There’s no need for that…

“It’s fine, you might not have known. But I came to see my father…”

“Your Majesty the Emperor is currently receiving reports from officials.”

After saying this, Lantz gave a cautious look, worried that Ethern might anger the emperor.

“Then, please come back later, Your Highness…”

At that moment, a loud crashing sound came from inside the room, followed by shouting.

That’s my father’s voice!

Startled, Ethern flung open the audience chamber door without a second thought.

“Your Highness!”

Lantz, white as a sheet, reached out to stop her, but Ethern, being small, was out of reach.

The officials’ eyes widened as Ethern suddenly burst into the chamber.

“Isn’t that… Your Highness?”

“What on earth is going on?”

Amid anxious murmurs, a cold voice thundered above Ethern and Lantz.

“What are you doing?”

A chill ran down Lantz’s spine.

This was bad. He had just passed the knight order test a few months ago, and now his head might end up on the chopping block.

Frozen, he quickly knelt, and the ice-cold voice of the emperor echoed again.

“I asked, what are you doing?”

Ethern glanced at Lantz, swallowing nervously.

If I say something wrong here, he could be in danger too…

Then—

“It is my fault!”

A voice rang so loudly that even Ethern was startled. She turned to see Lantz bowing his head deeply, eyes shut tight.

“It is my fault, Your Majesty. Your Highness nearly fell in excitement, and I failed to support her in time, causing this incident.”

Ethern’s clear eyes rippled softly.

“Your Highness did nothing wrong. Please be merciful toward him!”