The Princess Who Saw the Fall of Her Homeland Strives to Change Fate by Becoming the Cold Prince's Bride! - Chapter 4

From that day on, Elze worked harder than ever, as if her past laziness had been a lie.

“Princess, can you tell which of these teas is from Belgarden?”

“Hmm… Is it the one on the far right?”

“Wrong! It’s the cup in the center.”

“Alright, now bow— Hey! You’re moving too fast! You’re not a rabbit running through the fields, you’re a candidate to be the bride of a great prince! Move with grace! Slowly!”

“Ugh… Mother, you’re so strict…”

“This is only natural!”

“Elze, do you know the year King Dietmar of Ernstahl returned in triumph to Verdam?”

“Ugh… Um… Sister! Give me a hint!”

“Fufu, no way. Mother told me not to spoil you.”

Etiquette, knowledge, refinement—Elze was trained in everything necessary to be a proper princess of Maglier.

There were times she felt like giving up, but whenever she remembered the nightmare she had seen, she pushed through.

At first, everyone around her assumed she would quit soon, but their attitude gradually changed.

Now, they were genuinely raising her as a serious candidate for marriage.

And there was one more thing—

As a princess of Maglier, Elze had something she could never forget.

“It’s still a while away, but I looked into the weather for your departure day. It’ll be a beautiful, sunny day—almost as if the heavens are blessing you.”

“Thank you, Brother. That makes me happy.”

Standing on the castle balcony with her older brother, Ortwin, Elze looked out at the scenery below.

The road from the castle stretched down into the main street of the town.

People and carriages bustled about, and smoke curled up from the chimneys of distant buildings.

The sight of everyday life always warmed her heart.

Beyond the town, majestic mountains surrounded them like a precious jewel.

(I have to protect this place… No matter what.)

As she strengthened her resolve, Ortwin spoke beside her.

“Now then, Elze. There’s something I must teach you as a member of the ‘Future-Seer’ Clan.”

Elze nodded solemnly, and Ortwin continued.

“The most important thing… is that no one must ever know we are ‘Future-Seers’.”

Elze carefully took in his words.

The royal family of Maglier had always inherited the mysterious ability known as “Future Sight.”

Men could foresee good omens like bountiful harvests and clear skies.

Women could see bad omens like storms and droughts.

However, only the royal family, a few trusted retainers, and the priests knew this secret.

Even the people of Maglier did not realize that their country was protected by this power.

“Our ability exists to protect others. It must never be used for selfish desires or to harm people.”

“…I know.”

Even though Elze had never used Future Sight before—except for that nightmare—this was a lesson she had been taught since childhood.

Revealing their power was incredibly dangerous.

“Long ago, our clan served a great king. But one of our ancestors misused their power for personal gain, leading to a terrible war. Our people were persecuted, forced to flee, and our ancestors eventually found their way here.”

The true history of Maglier’s founding.

When she first learned this secret, Elze had listened with fascination.

“I’m glad they ended up here. We’ve been able to live in peace all this time.”

“Yes… I feel the same way.”

Since its founding, this small kingdom had remained untouched by major conflicts.

Protecting that peace was Elze’s duty as a princess.

(Right now, Richard doesn’t know we are Future-Seers… yet.)

In the future, something must have led him to discover their secret, which was why he came to destroy them.

(If I become his bride first, he won’t be able to harm us…!)

With renewed determination, Elze straightened her posture.

“It’s okay, Brother. No matter what, I will become Prince Richard’s bride!”

But when Ortwin heard her declaration, he let out a troubled laugh.

“I admire your determination, but don’t cause too much trouble for the people of Ernstahl, alright? If you ever feel like crying, you can always come home. Even if Prince Richard rejects you, you’ll still be our beloved princess.”

(Brother…! Why does everyone assume I’ll be rejected!)

Her heart swelled at his kindness, but she couldn’t ignore the fact that even he didn’t believe she had a chance of being chosen.

(Well… I suppose that’s fair…)

Ernstahl was a powerful empire—nothing like Maglier.

The fact that they were even considering candidates from small kingdoms like hers meant they were gathering only the finest women from across the continent.

Logically, Elze’s chances of being chosen were close to zero.

But—

(I have a reason why I must become his bride, no matter what.)

To prevent the terrible future that awaited her kingdom.

She would do whatever it took to succeed.

“Oh, Brother! Just wait! When I become Prince Richard’s bride, we’ll have the grandest wedding ever!”

Elze spoke cheerfully, and for a moment, Ortwin looked surprised—

Before smiling warmly.

“Fufu… That’s the spirit. Do your best, Elze.”

He gently patted her head, and tears nearly welled up in her eyes.

She didn’t want to lose this warmth.

(I will protect the people I love. No matter what it takes.)

She was prepared to do whatever it took.