A Happy Life in the Empire - The Princess Once Called a “Failure” Becomes the “Most Important Person” as a Hostage in the Empire - Chapter 1
“…Sophia, you will go to the Elysion Empire.”
The grand hall of the royal palace was filled with an unusually tense atmosphere.
My father, King Julius of the Luminar Kingdom, looked down at me with a harsher expression than ever before.
The sunlight reflected on the floor flickered as if mocking my heart.
“…You are sending me as a hostage, aren’t you?”
I struggled to keep my voice from trembling and raised my chin slightly as I spoke.
The king let out a short snort, then smiled thinly as if reaffirming my existence.
“That’s right. The Elysion Empire has placed our kingdom under its rule. If they wanted to, they could put an end to our history. If offering one daughter can prevent that, it’s a small price to pay. Especially if it’s you—the ‘failure.’ Even a daughter like you, with barely any magic, can serve as a hostage.”
“Failure”— the word my parents and siblings had always used to mock me.
The royal family had a long history of possessing powerful magic, using countless spells to maintain dominance.
Yet, looking back through the kingdom’s history, I was the only royal born with such weak magic.
“…I understand.”
I lowered my gaze and answered.
The battle against the Elysion Empire had ended in our kingdom’s complete defeat.
My father and siblings fought valiantly with their overwhelming magic, but even they were no match for the empire.
I could do nothing—I could only watch.
After the loss, my father, King Julius, accepted the empire’s demand for submission.
One of the conditions was to offer one of his children as a hostage.
Naturally, they chose me—the one with magic too weak to be of any use.
“Sophia, are you listening? A carriage will leave today. Pack your things. …Not that you have anything of value to take.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Upon hearing my reply, my father turned his back to me.
The sight of him, wearing his heavy crown, felt colder than ever before.
“Sophia, you disgrace. If only you had as much magic as Clarissa or Leopold, we might have been able to defeat the empire.”
His muttered words pierced my heart.
But I only bit my lip and said nothing.
I had heard words like these so many times before that I had grown used to them.
“Begone, Sophia. Return to your room at once and prepare to depart by evening.”
“…Yes, Father.”
I bowed deeply.
Without another word, my father sat back down on his throne.
The guards didn’t even glance at me.
(Perhaps this is for the best.)
Not just the royal family—all the nobles looked down on me.
Despite being a princess, no one had ever even considered a political marriage for me.
I would never find happiness if I stayed in the kingdom.
At least by being sent to the empire, I wouldn’t have to be scorned anymore.
Perhaps this was the best outcome for both me and the kingdom.
Thinking that way, I was able to see my sudden fate as a hostage in a slightly more positive light.
◇
As I packed my clothes and belongings in my room, I heard the door creak open.
When I turned around, I was met with an overwhelming magical presence so powerful it was terrifying.
It was my sister, Clarissa, and my brother, Leopold.
“My, Sophia. So you’re going to the empire as a hostage now. It seems our failure of a little sister is finally doing something useful for the royal family.”
Clarissa spoke with a sneer.
She was dressed in an elegant gown, her cheeks rosy, radiating nobility.
But as always, her eyes were full of mockery.
“Clarissa…”
“What? Are you going to thank me? Oh, I see. You have no choice but to crawl and grovel until the very end.”
Clarissa smirked.
As I struggled to find words, Leopold stroked his beard and spoke.
“Sophia, what did you do during the war? Nothing. Your magic is so weak that you weren’t even allowed on the battlefield. You just stayed safe in the palace. But don’t worry. This time, your only task is to go to the empire. That’s the one thing you’re capable of, isn’t it?”
“…Yes, I suppose so.”
“Sophia, you are a disgrace to the royal family. I feel relieved that we can push your tainted bl00d onto the empire. I’m sure Father feels the same.”
“…………”
I had no words to respond.
Clarissa’s words weren’t just her opinion—they reflected the view of the entire royal court.
“Clarissa, don’t waste any more time. There’s no point in talking to a failure.”
“I understand. Well then, Sophia, do your best to fulfill your role as a hostage.”
The two of them turned their backs on me and left.
The only sound in the room was my own weak breathing.
“…Failure, huh?”
At first, the word hurt.
But now, I felt nothing.
I had been called that so often that, at some point, it stopped bothering me.
◇
Several days later—
I arrived in Rockwell, a small town in the Elysion Empire.
The journey by carriage was long, taking several days.
The distance alone was great, but we had taken a detour to avoid areas with monsters.
Along the way, I had to switch carriages multiple times.
After crossing the border, I was placed in an imperial carriage, with an imperial soldier as the driver.
“This will be your residence.”
I stepped out in front of a mansion.
It was a respectable-looking building, but the garden was overgrown with weeds.
It was clear that no one had taken care of it.
“…Ah, food and basic necessities have been prepared inside. Please use them as you need. If anything is missing, contact the imperial government through the town hall.”
“Thank you for your help.”
I expressed my gratitude to the driver, but he didn’t respond.
With only a brief nod, he rode off on his horse.
(I expected as much…)
No one was there to welcome me.
The townspeople watched me with curiosity, but none spoke to me.
I didn’t feel outright rejected, but I wasn’t being accepted either.
That was the impression I got.
“…So this is where I will live.”
I straightened my back.
I could wallow in sorrow later.
For now, this was where I had to survive.
I pushed open the door. Inside, the mansion was empty.
A wide entrance hall, long corridors, dusty vases, and neglected furniture filled my sight.
“There are no servants, I see.”
Normally, I would have been assigned at least a few maids or attendants.
But I was given no one.
“So this is how a ‘failure’ is treated, huh?”
I let out a dry laugh.
The sound of my laughter seeped into the silent hallway.
“But that’s fine.”
There was no point in grieving.
The days of being scorned and mocked in the kingdom—those were over now.
“I have to do my best! I won’t let anyone call me a failure anymore! …Not that there’s anyone left to say it.”
I clenched my fists.
I had made up my mind.
From now on, I would live here.