The Regressed Tyrant Princess Rewrites Her Dark History - Chapter 1.24
“Princess Ariadne, please look at this!”
On a sunny afternoon, as Ariadne enjoyed her tea in the courtyard, Ashley came running toward her, her light blue dress fluttering with her movement.
Her pink-gold hair was styled into twin tails, perfectly in place.
“Your twin tails are looking perfect as always. Very cute.”
“T-Thank you… No, wait! That’s not what I wanted you to see!”
Ashley, flustered but determined, held out a device with both hands as if offering a heartfelt gift to a loved one.
Her enthusiasm was amusing, and Ariadne chuckled.
“It’s finished, then?”
Taking the device from Ashley, Ariadne lightly channeled her magic into it. The engraved circuits activated immediately—sending a sudden jet of water bursting out, completely drenching Ashley.
“…My apologies.”
“N-No, I should have warned you before handing it over.”
Despite being soaked, Ashley laughed joyfully. The device had worked as intended, and that was all that mattered to her.
(She finished it faster than I expected.)
Magic tools had existed for a long time, but the method Ariadne had taught Ashley incorporated the culmination of her research from the previous timeline.
Specifically, it had high magical efficiency—unlike traditional luxury-oriented models, this was a design meant for mass production and practical use.
“It works with low-grade mana stones too, correct?”
“Yes, of course! I’ve conducted activation tests, and it performs excellently.”
“Well done. As expected of a top student from the Magic Academy.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Princess Ariadne!”
Ashley beamed with unrestrained happiness.
(I never imagined I’d be talking to her like this in this lifetime.)
Their relationship had undoubtedly changed.
Satisfied that she was steering fate in a different direction, Ariadne cleared her throat.
“By the way, you might want to go change.”
“…Huh? Why?”
“Your undergarments are completely see-through.”
“…What?—Waaaaah!”
Leaving only a panicked shriek behind, Ashley bolted away at an incredible speed.
Ariadne smirked as she watched her go, then turned toward Anise.
“The time is right. Prepare to depart.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
Ashley, still sulking about nearly being left behind while changing, accompanied the group as they left the princess’s palace.
They met up with Olivia and proceeded to visit Count Hoffman’s estate.
“My father will be with you shortly. Please wait just a moment.”
They were received in the drawing room by Lynette, the count’s daughter, who served as Olivia’s lady-in-waiting.
This was an opportune moment.
Ariadne settled onto the sofa gracefully.
“Lynette, there is something I would like to ask you.”
“…What would that be?”
Even in her own home, Lynette maintained the composed demeanor of a lady-in-waiting, standing as she addressed the princess.
“The head of the Hoffman family was originally your late mother. Your father, Khalid, has been ruling as acting head of the house and has since remarried, fathering a son with his new wife. That boy is your half-brother, correct?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Lynette’s eyes flickered ever so slightly.
Ariadne didn’t miss it.
“Khalid plans to have your half-brother inherit the title and has arranged for him to marry the daughter of one of Prince Siegbert’s close aides. Do you have no objections to this?”
“I do not.”
Lynette’s voice was calm and unwavering.
Ariadne studied her expression, assessing the sincerity behind her answer.
“If you appealed to the royal family, you could reclaim your inheritance.”
“Thank you for the suggestion. However, I have no interest in doing so. He may only be my half-brother, but he is still my family.”
“…I see. It was not my place to suggest it.”
If she had no desire for the title, then there was no need to press the matter further.
“Then, one more question. Princess Olivia told me she does not want to lose you. What about you? What do you wish for?”
“Of course, I want to continue serving as her lady-in-waiting. That is why I told my father about your proposal—the one that would allow us to avoid siding with the Second Prince.”
“I see. Thank you for your honesty.”
(It seems I won’t have to change my plans after all—at least for now.)
She lowered her gaze slightly, silently hoping that Lynette wouldn’t have to suffer too much.
Before long, Khalid, the current acting head of the Hoffman family, entered the room.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Khalid, acting head of the Hoffman family.”
His arrogance was evident in the way he carried himself, declaring himself head of the house as if he were the rightful heir.
Some of the maids present frowned at his attitude, but Ariadne maintained her composed smile.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Likewise. I have heard much about you, Princess Ariadne. Lynette mentioned that you had an interesting proposal for my estate?”
Ariadne nodded slightly.
She then retrieved one of the magic tools that Ashley had created.
“This device can be powered using low-grade mana stones.”
“Low-grade mana stones!? Are you saying these can actually be used for magic tools!?”
Khalid’s eyes widened in shock.
It was common knowledge that magic tools required high-quality mana stones to function, making them an expensive luxury. Mana stones that lacked the necessary magical concentration were deemed useless—hence the term “low-grade” mana stones.
If those stones suddenly became valuable, the entire market would be upended.
“…Princess Ariadne.”
Olivia spoke up, her tone carrying subtle concern.
Ariadne turned to her with an effortless smile.
“Princess Olivia, you agreed to leave this negotiation to me, did you not?”
“…Very well.”
Though still visibly uneasy, Olivia backed down.
Ariadne refocused on Khalid, her posture poised and unwavering.
“What do you think?”
“…Can these be mass-produced?”
As Khalid reached out to touch the magic tool, Ariadne swiftly took it in her own hands first.
“This can be mass-produced at a much lower cost than conventional magic tools. Instead of high-end enchantments like wind barriers, we will focus on practical, everyday-use tools for the market.”
If these magic tools became widely available, low-grade mana stones would no longer be worthless. The mines in Hoffman territory, once seen as unprofitable, would suddenly hold significant value.
While it wouldn’t generate immediate wealth, investors would undoubtedly jump at the opportunity.
“With this, there is no longer any need to accept the Second Prince’s faction’s offers, is there?”
“…Indeed, Princess Ariadne, you are correct.”
“Then, the tariffs?”
“Of course.”
Khalid extended his hand.
Ariadne accepted it, shaking his hand firmly.
“Then, we have a deal.”
At that moment, Olivia looked as if she wanted to say something.
But Ariadne simply rose from her seat, offering a polite farewell before leaving the room.
One Week Later
Lynette, still serving as Olivia’s lady-in-waiting, stormed into her father’s office upon hearing that the tariffs had not been reduced despite the agreement with Ariadne.
“Father, why have you not revoked the tariffs as you promised!?”
“Ah, that? I’ve reconsidered. The magic tools will be sold in the old Restour capital regardless. That means I can still profit even if the tariffs remain high.”
He spoke casually, as if it were of no consequence.
Lynette stared at him in disbelief.
“Father… do you understand what you’re saying? You made a deal with Princess Ariadne!”
“What are you talking about? She made a proposal, but I never agreed to anything formally. We didn’t sign any contracts, did we?”
“Father!”
While it was true that Ariadne had not insisted on a formal contract, this was a betrayal.
Not only would it disgrace Olivia, who had acted as a mediator, but it was also an unforgivable breach of trust.
“What are you planning to do now?”
“Naturally, I will proceed with Queen Carla’s proposal as originally planned.”
“—Father!?”
For the first time, Lynette raised her voice.
“Have you forgotten that Mother entrusted me to serve Princess Olivia as her lady-in-waiting!?”
“I am the head of this house now. The next head will be my son—not you.”
Lynette’s mother, the previous Countess Hoffman, had chosen to support the First Prince’s faction.
Yet, Khalid—a mere acting head—had chosen to align himself with the Second Prince’s faction.
If he had done so out of financial desperation, she might have understood.
But at this moment, his decision was nothing short of a betrayal.
“…Does my brother know about this?”
“Of course. Unlike you, he understands where our true allegiance should lie. This engagement with the Second Prince’s faction was a convenient opportunity, but we had already intended to arrange a marriage alliance with them.”
“…I see. Then from the beginning, you planned to betray Mother.”
Lynette’s fists trembled.
“Very well. If that is your decision… then I will not allow you to do as you please! I will take the Hoffman title for myself!”
Khalid laughed mockingly.
“And how do you plan to do that?”
Lynette hesitated.
Then, she remembered Ariadne’s words.
“I will petition His Majesty!”
“Ha! Do not waste your time. You forget—the tariffs were proposed by Queen Carla herself. Do you think King Raphael will go against her?”
“…!”
Lynette bit her lip in frustration.
“If you were willing to swear loyalty to the Second Prince’s faction, I would have arranged a political marriage for you. But clearly, that would be a waste. From this day forward, you are no longer a member of the Hoffman family.”
Lynette’s Exile
“…I deeply apologize!”
Having been disowned and cast out of her home, Lynette now knelt before Olivia, confessing everything.
She had expected harsh condemnation for disgracing her mistress.
But Olivia only gave her a sympathetic look.
“I already know.”
(…Huh? From whom?)
Lynette tilted her head in confusion, but Olivia continued.
“I was asked to confirm something with you. Do you wish to become the head of the Hoffman family? Or would you rather take a husband and allow him to inherit the title on your behalf?”
“…If it were possible, I would take the title myself.”
Though she answered firmly, her expression was bitter.
She had already accepted that it was impossible.
“‘If it were possible,’ you say. Then if it were possible, would you be willing to commit to it?”
“Is there… a way?”
“There is. But before we discuss it, answer my question first.”
Encouraged by Olivia’s unyielding gaze, Lynette nodded decisively.
“I have resolved myself.”
“May I ask why? It isn’t just for revenge, is it?”
“My father has no right to call himself Count Hoffman when he tramples upon my mother’s will. She valued honor above all else. We owe it to Princess Ariadne to keep our word.”
“True. Breaking one’s promise, even if it was a verbal agreement, is disgraceful.”
“Yes. And Princess Ariadne only relied on a verbal agreement because she trusted us. To betray that trust so easily… It’s unforgivable!”
At her passionate words, sympathetic glances were exchanged among those present.
“…Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just…”
Olivia sighed, then smirked.
“Princess Ariadne… seems to have expected this betrayal from the start.”
“…What?”
“She said, ‘If they are going to betray us, it’s better that they do so quickly, so it can be dealt with sooner rather than later.’”
“…”
“And she asked me to confirm your resolve—whether or not you are willing to abandon your father’s path and side with the First Prince.”
“She asked to confirm… my resolve?”
Lynette repeated, still processing the words.
With a small sigh, Olivia glanced toward the side of the room.
There stood Anise, one of Princess Ariadne’s trusted maids.
“Lady Lynette, I have confirmed your resolve. By the authority of Princess Ariadne, I promise you the title of Countess Hoffman. Please, rest assured and await the outcome.”
“W-What does that mean…?”
“It means everything has gone exactly as Princess Ariadne predicted. And, well… she had faith in you, you know?”
In other words—
Ariadne had never trusted Khalid at all.
Realizing this, those present once again looked at Lynette with pity.