The Regressed Tyrant Princess Rewrites Her Dark History - Chapter 1.13
The administration of the Princess’s Palace was officially handed over to Ariadne.
That said, Ariadne was not the type to ignore capable subordinates. She delegated much of the work she had inherited to Heino. By going through the proper processes, she ultimately secured the final decision-making authority—establishing her control over the Princess’s Palace.
Now, she could use her knowledge from her past life to take bolder actions.
(But this power is limited to the Princess’s Palace. House Restoul exists only at the mercy of Granheim. I need to gain even more power.)
Siegbert was not a fool. For now, she was using her knowledge from the past to manipulate him, but sooner or later, he would realize she was his enemy.
If she lacked the strength to oppose him when that time came, she would be the one to fall.
In other words, she needed to gather allies—quickly.
And the first potential ally that came to mind was the knight commander serving under Arnold—the man fated to die during the upcoming hunting tournament.
If she could save him, he would become a powerful ally.
However, Ariadne did not yet have the strength to fight off assassins alone.
So—
(First, I need to choose a personal guard.)
Ariadne had no personal knights assigned to her.
Of course, there were knights who guarded the Princess’s Palace. Most of them had served the royal family since before Restour’s fall, so their loyalty was unquestionable.
But their loyalty was to Aria.
Simply put, if Ariadne attempted something dangerous, they would stop her.
If she was going to operate in the shadows, she needed a knight who prioritized her orders above all else.
With that in mind, Ariadne made her way to the training grounds within the Princess’s Palace.
Normally, the knights would be training at this hour.
However, today, training had been halted.
An older knight and a younger one were engaged in a heated argument.
“What is the issue here?”
As soon as Ariadne spoke, the knights turned to face her and bowed their heads. The rest quickly followed suit, offering her the proper courtesies.
The older knight, one of the two who had been arguing, stepped forward.
“Princess Ariadne… To what do we owe this honor?”
“I have business here. But first, tell me—what were you arguing about?”
“That is…”
The older knight hesitated.
Seeing this, Ariadne shifted her attention to the younger knight—the one he had been quarreling with.
“Explain the situation.”
“Yes, Your Highness. The truth is… Captain Hans feels responsible.”
“…Responsible? Ah, for my mother’s attack.”
“…Yes. It was a tragic incident, but the captain was not solely to blame. Yet, he insists on resigning to take responsibility.”
“Enough, Wolf. Regardless of the circumstances, I failed to protect Princess Aria. That is my responsibility as a knight.”
“I see.”
(So, they’ve been going in circles over whether or not the captain should resign.)
Ariadne did not remember a knight captain named Hans.
But she did remember Wolf.
In her past life, he had served as her personal guard.
Most likely, Hans had indeed resigned after failing to protect his charge.
“I understand your sense of responsibility as a knight. However, you do not have the right to judge yourself. Only my mother does.”
“No… With Princess Aria unable to issue a verdict, there is another who has the authority to do so. Is that not correct, Princess Ariadne?”
“So, you know that I’ve taken over my mother’s duties.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Therefore, I ask that you pass judgment upon this foolish knight who failed to protect his master.”
Ariadne did indeed have the authority to do so.
Hans, knowing this, wished to be punished by Aria’s daughter.
“…You will abide by my decision?”
“Without question.”
“Very well. Then I shall pass judgment.”
“Princess Ariadne!”
Wolf moved to protest, and the other knights, who had been silently observing, also stepped forward—each declaring that they, too, bore responsibility.
(Wolf and the others care for Hans deeply. He must be a well-respected leader… Was I ever regarded this way? No, there’s no need to ask.)
When she had been condemned, not a single person had defended her.
She still vividly remembered the manner in which she had been executed.
The fate of the so-called “Tyrant Princess.”
(This time, I refuse to meet such a tragic end.)
That was why—
“Be silent. I understand how you all feel. I also acknowledge that the situation was complicated. However, it does not change the fact that Hans failed to protect my mother. Therefore, I am relieving him of his duties as her personal guard. Do you object, Hans?”
“No, Your Highness. I accept your judgment.”
Hans bowed his head in acknowledgment, while the other knights fell into bitter silence.
“Now, who should take his place? Hans, give me your recommendation.”
“If I may, I nominate Wolf. He is still young, but his skills are undeniable. I trust he will protect Princess Aria with his life.”
Ariadne had expected that answer.
More importantly, she knew Wolf’s capabilities from her past life.
If he was guarding Aria, she could trust that her mother was in good hands.
“Very well. Wolf, I hereby appoint you as Princess Aria’s personal guard.”
“…I…”
“Please, Wolf. Protect Princess Aria in my stead.”
“Captain Hans… I understand.”
Wolf’s golden eyes burned with resolve as he nodded.
Then, he knelt before Ariadne.
“I humbly accept this duty.”
“Then, in my mother’s stead, I shall conduct the appointment ceremony. Lend me your sword.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Wolf knelt on one knee and drew his sword from its sheath, presenting it to her.
Ariadne accepted the blade, pressing its tip lightly to his shoulder.
“Yes, I swear it.”
Upon hearing his oath, Ariadne tapped the blade lightly against his neck before finally pointing the sword at him.
“The vow has been made. I hereby recognize you as my mother’s personal knight.”
With the return of his sword, the ceremony was complete.
It should have been a solemn and dignified ritual, one of great honor.
Yet, the knights’ expressions were clouded.
Understanding the reason for their unease, Ariadne turned her gaze to Hans.
“Now, it’s time for your punishment.”
“…Punishment, Your Highness?”
“Yes. Surely you didn’t think simply being relieved of your duties as a royal guard was enough?”
“Of course not, Your Highness.”
Hans looked surprised but did not seem dissatisfied with Ariadne’s decision.
However, the other knights clearly showed discontent on their faces.
At that moment, Ariadne’s lips curved into a playful smile.
“Hans, lend me your sword.”
“…Understood. As of today, I relinquish my blade.”
Hans moved to hand over his sword, still sheathed.
“That’s not what I meant. I only need the sword itself.”
“…Oh? My apologies. But what do you intend to do with it?”
Though confused, he obediently unsheathed the sword and handed it to her.
Ariadne accepted it and commanded him to kneel.
Still bewildered, Hans complied, and she rested the blade lightly against his neck.
“Hans, knight of the House of Restour. With your steadfast blade, swear to become the sword that will strike down my enemies.”
The knights murmured in shock, while Hans looked up at her in disbelief.
“P-Princess Ariadne, what is the meaning of this?”
“As you know, my mother has been incapacitated by poison. For the time being, I will assume the responsibilities of the head of our house. I will be required to leave the palace frequently… and my life will be in constant danger.”
For a royal guard, failing to protect their master was the greatest disgrace.
“You… You wish for me to serve as Your Highness’s personal knight? But I have already failed in my duty once! I cannot accept such an honor!”
“Indeed, your failure nearly cost my mother her life. It was a grave mistake for any knight. However—”
She turned her gaze to the knights watching with concern.
“You are admired by your men. That must mean you were a good knight.”
“I wish to give you a second chance. And besides—”
Ariadne’s lips curled into an impish smile.
“Did you not hear me? Serving as my guard will be an arduous task. Whoever takes the position is truly drawing the short straw. That is why this is your punishment. Hans, you will serve as my personal knight.”
Hans’s eyes widened, and then his shoulders trembled as he lowered his head.
“…I humbly accept.”
As Hans bowed, Ariadne prepared to complete the ritual.
But before she could—
“However, if I may be permitted one correction, Your Highness.”
“You may speak.”
“Becoming Princess Ariadne’s personal knight is no punishment. Therefore, I swear to protect you with my life—to redeem my honor through my service.”
“Very well. The vow has been made.”
With the appointment complete, the surrounding knights rushed to Hans’s side.
Though they served the House of Restour, in truth, they were knights devoted to Aria.
Ariadne, who had grown up without her mother’s affection, had never commanded their loyalty.
But now—
The kindness she had shown in granting Hans a second chance was something they would never forget.