Side Story. The Crown Princess of Mercy and Character.

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Seo-rae’s transformation was by no means a mere few days’ happening.

Even after the banquet that had plunged everyone into astonishment, she remained in the palace, creating various heartwarming stories.

 

She began treating the maids, whom she hadn’t even considered human and had been killing indiscriminately, with utmost care. She also summoned nobles, consulting them on political matters or engaging in personal chats, building friendships.

 

Furthermore, she gathered envoys from various countries, threw banquets, and gifted them with enormous presents, emptying her own personal wealth.

 

In just one month, her image underwent a dramatic change.

Shedding the moniker of the “Mad Princess,” she even gained the nickname of the “Compassionate and Virtuous Crown Princess.”

 

Just a week ago, there were still people who brought up her early days, saying, “That’s all an act!” but they were slowly disappearing.

This was because concealing oneself and acting was a highly advanced skill, and even if one did, it was very difficult to maintain for more than a month.

 

Also, humans tend to see what they want to see, so rather than believing in the ‘exhausting Seo-rae’, they wanted to remember her as the ‘transformed, gentle, and benevolent princess’.

 

In the end, these reasons combined, and Seo-rae’s image as a benevolent and compassionate Crown Princess was firmly established.

 

 

 

“I was so sorry back then. Although I was immature, I did things I shouldn’t have…”

“No… it’s not… *hoo*… Seeing Your Highness like this… that child must surely…”

 

After gaining some recognition, Seo-rae embarked on her second act.

She began traveling around the country, apologizing to numerous noble families.

 

The maids, young ladies, and young masters she had been killing without a second thought…

They were all precious children of noble families.

 

Especially in the case of maids, it was a very high position that required being at least the second daughter of an influential family. The competition was fierce, and their pride in their profession was incredibly high.

 

Just saying you worked as a maid in the royal palace was enough to earn you respect anywhere.

 

How much resentment must have built up from killing such people indiscriminately?

 

Also, she had been summoning and raping countless young ladies and young masters under the guise of satisfying her sexual desires, so her infamy must have reached the heavens.

 

She was going around resolving that.

 

 

She offered sincere apologies and provided compensation appropriate to their status.

 

After spending almost a year traveling like that, no one remembered her former self.

 

 

 

.

.

 

 

 

“I’m delighted, Seo-rae-ya.”

“You flatter me.”

 

Sora held up her wine glass with a smile on her face.

 

Over the past year.

The actions Seo-rae, who had been a hellraiser, had shown were truly remarkable.

She had been visiting noble families, sometimes several a day, offering apologies and compensation as if on a pilgrimage.

Who else could have done this?

 

It could be interpreted as having many things to atone for, but if she had accomplished such a feat, one could only think that she had truly changed, not just acting.

 

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Not at all. It’s all my fault. I chose to commit acts that should never have been done, so you must have been very heartbroken.”

“Hehe. No, it’s not. Now that you’ve changed like this, it feels like everything is being washed away.”

 

Sora happily drank her wine.

She no longer had to worry about her.

 

“So, what are you planning to do now?”

“I will summon envoys from various countries.”

“Hmm?”

“There must be many who are anxious because of my past words. I want to reassure them.”

“You’re not planning to reassure them and then stab them in the back, are you?”

“Oh, Mother… I’m not that kind of person anymore.”

“Haha! It’s a joke, a joke.”

 

Sora laughed heartily.

She looked like a mother who was genuinely happy about her daughter’s growth.

 

Seo-rae put on a seemingly wistful expression.

 

“War is truly terrible. Even when one person dies, there are so many who grieve, but war takes the lives of thousands, tens of thousands, without a second thought. When I was immature, I might have liked such things, but not anymore. I’ve become a pacifist more than anyone else.”

“That is truly fortunate. If you, of all people, think that way, then surely this world can achieve true peace.”

“I really hope so.”

“Hehe… let’s toast. To the peace of this country and the world.”

 

 

 

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The delegations that Seo-rae summoned were from Sparta, Athens, Budinaum, and others.

All of them were independent countries, not vassal states, and they had many conflicts due to their proximity to the Mei Empire, but their relationship had improved during the peaceful ‘Sora’ era.

 

They were also countries that Seo-rae, before her transformation, had openly declared she would conquer.

 

They met Seo-rae with strange expressions, half expecting and half anxious.

 

 

“We greet Her Highness the Crown Princess!”

“Welcome. I’ve prepared a modest feast for you.”

 

Contrary to their slight anxiety, Seo-rae was the person they had heard about.

Gentle, dignified, and compassionate… that was the princess.

 

Reassured by her appearance, everyone shared various stories, and even the envoys from the arch-rivals Athens and Sparta exchanged cups with smiles.

 

“The most important thing is peace. Let’s all strive to protect the peace of the Eastern Continent… and furthermore, the peace of the entire world.”

“We are deeply moved that Your Highness the Crown Princess would say such a thing!”

“Hoho. Is that so?”

 

Her outstanding ability to act and her way of speaking that made everyone feel comfortable, combined with her radiant smile, made her unbeatable.

 

 

 

In this way, Seo-rae gained immense popularity, regardless of status or occupation, among the nobles, commoners, and priests of various countries.

Everyone in the Eastern Continent believed without a doubt that peace would last for more than 100 years.

 

Even scholars in the Western Continent predicted that peace in the Eastern Continent would last for 100 years or more.

With many days of Sora’s reign still remaining, and Seo-rae succeeding her, wouldn’t it truly be 100 years of peace?

 

Therefore, smiles never left everyone’s faces.

 

Until now…

 

 

 

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Peace, which always seemed to be by our side, unexpectedly disappears in an instant.

At this very moment, that was the situation.

 

 

“Aaaagh… Aaaaaagh!!!”

“Your Highness…! Your Highness!”

“Kyaaagh! D-do something!!”

“I’m doing it! I’m doing it, I tell you!!”

 

Seo-rae collapsed.

It happened after she held a feast for the envoys from various countries.

 

“What… what is going on!!”

 

A shout filled with panic and worry erupted from Sora’s mouth.

 

“Poison…! A deadly poison is melting Her Highness’s body from the inside!!”

“Poison? Quickly… quickly do something!”

 

The situation unfolded very rapidly.

Seo-rae’s face changed every moment, and beyond turning blue and white, even black poison began to surface.

 

“Do something, quickly!!”

 

The more it happened, the more desperate Sora became.

A few years ago, Mia, whom she had lost to illness, suddenly came to mind.

 

Mia, whom she had believed without a doubt would succeed her and govern the country excellently.

She had sent her away so futilely.

Leaving aside being an Emperor, how could a mother not grieve over her daughter’s death?

 

She had sent Mia away like that, she couldn’t send Seo-rae away too.

She had to save her, no matter what.

 

 

 

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Fortunately, Seo-rae barely survived at the brink of death.

It was truly a narrow escape (nine deaths, one life).

 

If the measures had been delayed even a little, it would have been beyond help.

 

“Haa… haa…”

 

Her clothes and bedding were soaked with sweat.

Her flushed face showed that the symptoms were still present, but she had saved her life.

 

 

 

“…Who is it.”

 

Sora, who had returned to her room at the words of the royal physician and priests that she needed absolute rest.

Her mouth opened.

It was an eerie tone that she had never heard before.

 

“…Yes?”

“I asked who it is.”

 

Important parts were omitted, but she understood the situation.

However, perhaps because the atmosphere was so serious,

the noble made the mistake of asking again.

 

Then…

 

“WHO THE FUCK POISONED HER!!!!!”

 

A fierce storm of anger erupted, sending the objects in the room flying haphazardly.

Even the noble, who had served her for over 20 years, was facing her great rage for the first time.

 

“T-that is still… Th-those who were with her at the scene were the envoys from Sparta, Athens, and Budinaum!!”

“Envoys…”

 

Her eyes were filled with tears and bloodshot.

Her expression, with sadness and anger intertwined to the extreme, was like that of a demon.

 

There was a terrible venom in those eyes, which had loved peace and believed that it must be protected at all costs.

 

“Bring them here.”