The Princess Who Saw the Fall of Her Homeland Strives to Change Fate by Becoming the Cold Prince's Bride! - Chapter 1

Elze ran desperately through the raging flames.

The castle where she was born and raised was engulfed in fire. The servants who had always cared for her lay motionless in pools of bl00d.

(Why…? Why is this happening…!?)

What had they done to deserve this?

Their kingdom was so small that calling it a “country” felt exaggerated. They simply lived peacefully, supporting each other.

Yet, in an instant, their happy days were crushed.

“Is anyone there…!? Somebody, please…!”

Elze cried out, searching for survivors.

But no one answered.

She soon arrived at the throne room.

Clinging to her last hope, she pushed open the heavy doors.

And the sight before her was—

“…! Father! Mother!”

Her parents lay on the floor, collapsed together near the throne.

“No… This can’t be…”

Elze staggered forward, her unsteady steps bringing her closer to yet another unbearable sight.

“Brother…? Sister…?”

On the bl00d-soaked carpet, her brother and sister, who had helped her escape moments ago, lay as if shielding each other.

— “Listen, Elze. Stay hidden until it’s quiet.”
— “You must survive, no matter what…!”

“Ah… Ahhh…!”

She reached out in desperation, but their bodies had long gone cold.

“Why…? Why did this happen…?”

Through her tear-blurred vision, Elze saw the scene outside the window.

The lively voices that once filled the castle town were gone, replaced by a sea of crimson flames.

It looked like the end of the world.

(Tell me, God… What crime did we commit to deserve this hell?)

As she crumbled in despair, footsteps echoed, approaching her.

Slowly, she turned around.

A young man stood there—someone she had never seen before.

“That outfit… You must be the surviving princess.”

His clothes and the sword in his hand were drenched in bl00d.

His presence—no, more than that, his icy, piercing gaze—made it clear.

He was the one responsible for all of this.

It didn’t matter who he was.

Elze glared straight at him and demanded—

“…Why? Why would you do this? What have we done to deserve this…?”

Even in the face of her overwhelming grief, the young man’s expression remained unchanged.

As if offering a final truth before death, he coldly replied—

“Your ‘Future-Seer Clan’ brings disaster. We must wipe you out completely.”

“What…?”

Their mere existence was unforgivable?

That couldn’t be real. It didn’t make sense.

As Elze stood in shock, the young man raised his sword.

The sharp tip aimed for her heart.

And in the next moment—

◇◇◇

“…!”

Elze’s eyes shot open.

But instead of a burning castle, a peaceful scene spread before her.

Birds chirped near a fountain, and trees swayed in the gentle breeze.

In the distance, the castle town stood untouched, lively voices filling the air.

(What…? What’s going on…?)

As she blinked in confusion, footsteps approached from behind.

Could it be that man again?

Elze quickly turned around—

But standing there was an elderly priest she knew well.

“Oh dear, Princess. Judging by that face, you must have dozed off during meditation again.”

His teasing words made her blink in surprise.

“Dozed off…? I was asleep?”

“I suppose you finally got your hands on a book you were looking forward to? Reading is good, but staying up all night is not wise.”

At his words, Elze finally remembered.

Yes, this was the meditation area behind the church.

And just as he said, last night, she had found a book she had been wanting for so long. She stayed up all night reading it.

That must be why she fell asleep during meditation.

Then, what she saw just now was—

(Just… a nightmare?)

She could still remember the scent of bl00d, the heat of the flames, and the despair of touching her family’s lifeless bodies.

Normally, she would have quickly denied it, saying, “I wasn’t sleeping! I was just really focused on meditating!”

But today, she remained quiet.

Noticing her unusual behavior, the priest looked at her seriously and asked—

“Princess… Did you see something in the future?”

His words sent a chill down Elze’s spine.

—The ‘Future-Seer Clan’…

Yes, her royal family had always been called that.

But could she really tell someone about that apocalyptic vision?

No, she didn’t want to.

“…Nope! I just ate too much for lunch and got a stomachache. Since I’m done meditating, I’ll go take a nice nap now!”

Stretching her arms with an exaggerated yawn, Elze stood up.

The priest narrowed his eyes with a gentle smile.

“Honestly… If you don’t train properly, you won’t become a fine princess like your sister.”

“Sister is special. I don’t mind just being her shadow.”

Waving her hand, Elze dashed down the path leading back to the castle.

Maybe she should have talked to him.

But she didn’t want to burden the priest, who had always cared for her like his own grandchild.

(It’s okay. It was just a dream. It will never become real…!)

She convinced herself that staying up all night had exhausted her, leading to such a horrible nightmare.

With that thought, Elze hurried back to the castle.