I’m Supposed to Be the Neglected Princess in the Future, but Something Seems Strange... - 1 - The Neglected Bride of the Future Thinks

In the south of the Kingdom of Gridor lies the port of Roanne.

From there, the Princess Lea ship is set to depart.

Crown Prince Raphael of the great nation of Martan had come all the way to Gridor for this very journey. His beautiful citrine-colored hair sparkled in the sunlight, and his eyes, red like pomegranates, narrowed as he smiled. Standing on the deck with Lea, Rose’s older sister, he waved gracefully to the crowd of citizens gathered at the port.

Lea, with her black hair and emerald-green eyes, was also a stunning beauty by anyone’s standards. The port was in a frenzy, swept up in excitement over the dashing prince and his beautiful fiancée. The noise was so loud it nearly drowned out the ship’s whistle.

It seems it was none other than Princess Lea herself who requested that Rose also board the Princess Lea.

—That poor girl should get to see a beautiful world, at least once.

This comment from Lea deeply touched the hearts of the king, queen, and Rose’s older brothers. And to grant the wish of Lea, who was not only beautiful on the outside but inside like a goddess, the king ordered that Rose be allowed to board the ship.

But Rose knew the truth. Lea didn’t bring her along out of pity for her neglected younger sister.

(If my memory is right… my sister disappears after boarding this ship.)

Yes. After getting on the ship, Lea vanishes, leaving only a letter behind.

The note says, “I cannot be your wife. I offer my sister in my place.” It’s obvious this was meant for Raphael.

No matter how hard they search the ship, Lea is nowhere to be found. But the engagement between the two countries can’t simply be canceled, so Rose is forced to marry Raphael as her sister’s substitute.

(And then I’ll be half-locked away in a tower at the edge of the palace…)

Because of the heartbreak, Raphael grows to despise women, yet needing an heir, he surrounds himself with many mistresses. Rose becomes a neglected consort, barely acknowledged.

While Raphael and Lea kept waving to the crowd, Rose turned her back to them and headed to her assigned cabin with her maid, Mira.

Lea, “as beautiful as a goddess,” must have thought it would look bad in front of Raphael to push her sister into second-class cabins. So, although Rose’s room was far from theirs, it was still a first-class suite.

The Princess Lea had one basement level and three levels above ground. First- and second-class cabins took up the first and part of the second floor. The rest of the second floor had restaurants and entertainment areas. The third floor was for first-class cabins, exclusive salons, and bars.

These luxurious rooms were designed for nobles and rich travelers. Each one came with servant quarters—sometimes two rooms, as some passengers like Lea brought five or six attendants. Rose had only Mira with her and no personal guards, so her first-class suite was even bigger than her room back in the castle.

“This is amazing! A bedroom, bathroom, main room, even a study? On a ship? It’s like a hotel suite!”

Rose remembered all this from her future memories, but for Mira, it was her first time. Without even putting down Rose’s bag, Mira wandered around, eyes wide with wonder.

“They modeled it after a hotel suite,” Rose replied calmly. “I think there’s also a lounge and game deck near the bow, where my sister’s room is.”

“Really? You’re so knowledgeable, Rose.”

“Ah… I, um, just saw the ship map earlier.”

“Oh yes, it was posted in the hallway! This place is huge, so I should probably study it too.”

Rose let out a sigh of relief. That was close. Knowing the future meant she also knew things she technically shouldn’t. She had to be careful not to make Mira suspicious.

While Mira unpacked, Rose opened the balcony door and stepped outside.

The ship hadn’t departed yet, but a gentle sea breeze brushed her cheeks, making her deep blue hair sway.

Her tanzanite-colored eyes, often called eerie—like the sky turning from twilight to night—narrowed as she looked up at the cloudless blue sky.

(The night of the masquerade… that’s when my sister disappears. But I can’t let my guard down afterward either. I need to watch carefully.)

Lea and Raphael’s rooms were at the front of the ship. Rose’s room was at the back. On such a large ship, it wasn’t easy to go back and forth. She couldn’t stay near Lea all the time.

The king had also ordered Rose not to take part in any onboard events. He declared, “Rose is the shame of Gridor. She is forbidden from showing herself in public.”

Rose gently touched her own cheek.

When she was younger, her face was covered in freckles. But over the years, her appearance improved, thanks to Mira. Angered by how Rose was treated, Mira had insisted, “Let’s show them!” and carefully maintained her skin using special oils. Now, Rose’s skin was soft and radiant. Even if people said she was average in looks, her glowing skin was something she took pride in.

“Rose, why don’t we cut your bangs while we’re on this ship? No one here will complain! I doubt Lady Lea will come check on you anyway!”

Mira had finished unpacking and now stood with scissors and a comb in hand.

Rose had kept most of her face covered with bangs since she was five. The king had ordered her to “never show that ugly face,” and her mother hated the sight of her dark tanzanite eyes—so different from both parents. If their eyes met, her mother would slap her. So Rose hid behind her bangs.

“…Alright.”

She had grown used to having them, but she didn’t like how they blocked her vision. Mira was right—Lea wouldn’t come looking for her, and now that she was away from her parents, maybe she could finally cut them.

“But… I’ll be back at the castle in a month.”

“Ta-da! That’s why I had a wig made just in case!”

“…You’re really well-prepared, Mira.”

(But in my future memories, I don’t remember ever cutting my bangs…)

Then again, just because she had future memories didn’t mean she remembered every detail of the ten years. And if she was trying to change her future, there was no point in worrying about small things.

Mira had gone to the trouble of preparing. Rose might as well do it.

When she nodded, Mira beamed with joy.

“Alright, please sit here! And don’t move, okay? I’m not responsible if you end up with no bangs at all!”

Rose felt a little nervous seeing the serious look in Mira’s eyes.

Sensing her worry, Mira combed her bangs and spoke with confidence.

“Don’t worry! I’ve cut my mom’s bangs before!”

“Did it turn out okay?”

“No, it was a disaster. She told me never to do it again.”

“…………”

Maybe she made the wrong choice.

Rose’s face twitched, but she kept quiet. If she said the wrong thing, Mira might really chop all her bangs off. So she stiffened, hoping Mira wouldn’t mess up.

“You don’t have to be so tense. Um… just above the eyebrows, right?”

“Y-Yes. Not too short, please.”

If it’s long, you can fix it. If it’s too short, there’s no going back.

Mira nodded with understanding and then snipped boldly into her bangs.

Each time hair fell to the floor, Rose’s worry grew.

(It’s fine… It’s just cutting bangs. Mira isn’t clumsy… probably.)

Watching made her more anxious, so Rose shut her eyes tight and decided to wait until it was done.

She heard snipping sounds for a while, then softer ones at the end as Mira evened out the edges. Finally, she felt a comb through her bangs and Mira’s proud voice.

“All done! I nailed it!”

Really? Rose opened her eyes nervously and blinked at the sudden clear view.

At the castle, she usually brushed her bangs to the side. But here on the bright and open ship, the difference was huge.

(It’s… beautiful…)

Just seeing clearly made the world feel this amazing.

Mira handed her a mirror. As she looked, she saw her neatly trimmed bangs and, beneath them, her large tanzanite eyes.

“Should I shape your eyebrows too? You never let me touch them since they were always hidden.”

“Y-Yes… please. But first…”

Rose glanced toward the balcony.

“Can I go outside? I want to see the view.”

She wanted to see the sea and sky with her new, clear vision.

With Mira’s permission, she stepped outside. The endlessly blue sky and sparkling horizon made her heart tremble.

“…It’s beautiful.”

Her voice trembled. She didn’t even know if it counted as words.

She had lived for seventeen years in a narrow, dark world. She thought she was used to it. But now, just seeing the sky so clearly filled her with emotion beyond words.

A single tear slipped from her eye, and Mira gently handed her a handkerchief.

I want to keep seeing this beautiful world. I want to be free. To do that—

(I’ll definitely change the future.)

She would never become Martan’s neglected bride. She would change her fate, gain her freedom, and enjoy this beautiful world to the fullest.

As she wiped away her tears, Rose renewed her determination.

This month would decide everything.