The Princess Who Saw the Fall of Her Homeland Strives to Change Fate by Becoming the Cold Prince's Bride! - Chapter 9

(Amazing… everything is shining. It’s nothing like my old castle, where the wind blows through the cracks.)

The pillars were intricately carved, and dazzling chandeliers hung from the ceiling, almost blinding in their brilliance.

When she looked down, Elze could see her own reflection on the polished marble floor.

Everything was refined, beautiful, and elegant.

Fighting off the feeling of being overwhelmed, Elze lifted her chin and walked forward with confidence.

(I can’t let myself feel small just because I come from the countryside. Even if my clothes are plain, my heart is strong!)

She absolutely could not afford to lose this battle.

No matter what, she had to win Prince Richard’s bride selection.

“This will be your room, Princess Elze.”

“Wow, it’s lovely!”

The room she was led to was… a bit small for a princess’s quarters.

Still, it had the necessary furniture, including a bed.

It wasn’t inconvenient enough to complain about.

As Elze looked around, the lady-in-waiting informed her in a businesslike manner.

“Not all the bride candidates have arrived yet, so please wait a little longer until the selection begins.”

“I don’t mind. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.”

Elze smiled, but the lady-in-waiting’s face only grew more disinterested.

…As expected, she didn’t seem to think highly of Elze.

“If you need anything, ring this bell to call a servant. Also… please do not leave this room until we give you permission.”

“What!?”

Elze couldn’t help but raise her voice in surprise.

“Are you saying I can’t even walk in the hallways?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Your meals will be brought here, so you will eat in your room. That should not be an issue.”

“…Understood.”

She wasn’t happy about it, but protesting would only make the lady-in-waiting think even less of her.

Deciding not to argue, Elze reluctantly agreed.

Once the lady-in-waiting left and she was alone, she let out a small sigh.

(…Is there a reason I’m not allowed to leave? To prevent the bride candidates from forming alliances, maybe?)

As she pondered, cheerful voices drifted in from outside the window.

When she quietly opened it and looked down, she saw a beautiful garden.

Several young women were chatting and laughing below, their voices filled with joy.

(Those women… they aren’t bride candidates, are they?)

The candidates were supposed to be confined to their rooms, just like her.

Even so, Elze listened carefully.

—When she was young, Elze had been troubled by her lack of “Future Sight.”

Back then, she took her training much more seriously than she did now.

She had worked hard, and a bishop had once told her:

—“Princess, there is still much we do not know about ‘Future Sight.’ Even I do not fully understand it. However… it is said to be a power that ‘stands against the world.’”

Elze had interpreted that in her own way.

By understanding the world, she might awaken the “Future Sight” that lay dormant within her.

She had lain on hills, watching the sky shift from dawn to dusk.

She had listened to the sounds of insects and the wind, learning the music of nature.

She had run through the fields with rabbits and deer, drunk on the scent of wildflowers.

And in the end—

(I never awakened my “Future Sight,” but my senses became unnaturally sharp.)

She could pick up sounds that ordinary people would miss if she focused.

Thanks to that, she could now eavesdrop on the conversation in the garden.

Sharpening her focus, she listened.

“It seems more bride candidates are arriving from all over.”

“But they’re all just nobodies from the countryside! Did you see that princess who arrived earlier? She looked so plain, I couldn’t stop laughing!”

“At this rate, there’s no way anyone but Lady Gloria will become Prince Richard’s empress!”

“Please don’t worry, Lady Gloria. We’ve infiltrated the selection as candidates, and we will thoroughly sabotage the others!”

(They’re completely working together!)

Elze had assumed the confinement rule was to prevent candidates from forming alliances, but it clearly wasn’t working.

The other young women were gathered around one, showering her with praise.

(Wait… aren’t they bride candidates too? But they’re walking around freely.)

It seemed the rule about staying in her room was nothing more than an excuse to harass her because she came from a weak, rural kingdom.

“Hah… I knew it.”

If the rules were truly fair, she would have followed them.

But since they weren’t, she would do as she pleased.

(I can’t afford to lose.)

As she listened to the girls’ chatter, like the chirping of little birds, Elze began forming a plan in her mind.