The Regressed Tyrant Princess Rewrites Her Dark History - Chapter 1.6

Several days had passed since Ariadne requested intelligence gathering from the underground guild. During that time, she remained in her chambers, training to increase her magical power and stamina.

In her previous life, she had enrolled in the Academy of Magic, where her talents had been cultivated. She retained the techniques she had learned, but her physical abilities had reverted to what they were at this age.

As a result, while she possessed the knowledge and skill, she lacked the necessary magical power and endurance. To compensate for these shortcomings, she diligently continued her self-training.

(…I struggled to improve in my past life, but my body now is developing at an incredible pace.)

While her stamina was still lacking, her magical reserves were growing at an astonishing rate.

Once barely at the level of an apprentice mage, she had already reached the capacity of an intermediate mage. Even compared to her past self, the speed of her progress was remarkable.

Excited by her rapid growth, she concentrated further to expand her magical reserves—only to be interrupted by a knock on the door. Sighing, she dissipated the gathered energy and called for the visitor to enter.

The one who stepped inside was her personal maid, Sybilla.

“Prince Arnold has come to see you.”

“…What?”

She froze in shock.

(Wait a minute. Why is Prince Arnold here? Yes, technically, any member of the royal family can visit the princess’s palace. But this place is crawling with Siegbelt’s spies!)

She couldn’t understand his motives.

Yet refusing to meet him was not an option.

“Prepare tea in the garden.”

“Understood.”

Soon, a table was arranged in the courtyard, where Ariadne and Prince Arnold sat across from each other. Their maids and guards withdrew to a distance where they couldn’t overhear the conversation.

“Prince Arnold, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

“Am I a bother?”

His expression turned into that of a forlorn puppy.

(Huh…? Wait, what? The same Prince Arnold who made my life miserable as an enemy in my past life… is looking at me like that just because I was a little distant?)

“N-No, of course not.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. However… there are still spies from the second prince’s faction lurking in the palace. They will undoubtedly report your visit.”

“Oh, that’s not a problem.”

(Not a problem?) She tilted her head in confusion.

“My official reason for being here is simply ‘to express gratitude for my mother’s recovery.'”

Prince Arnold jutted his chin toward the palace staff standing in the distance, raising his voice just enough for them to hear. He sounded purposefully indifferent, as though he were merely fulfilling a tedious obligation.

(Ah, so that’s the cover story.)

“I appreciate your discretion.”

She spoke in a low voice, to which Prince Arnold’s expression brightened as if pleased by her understanding.

(This is so awkward. Unbearably awkward.)

In her past life, Ariadne had poisoned this very prince. Now, he was smiling at her, oblivious to the fact. She wasn’t sure what expression she was supposed to make in response.

“Now, as for my real reason for coming…”

“Ah, yes. What brings you here?”

“First, regarding the issue we discussed—I have made sure that Siegbelt will no longer interfere. He will not have a say in the appointment of your maids.”

“I’m grateful. Please convey my thanks to the former Queen Amelia as well.”

With this, all that remained was removing the spies who had already infiltrated her household.

Ariadne let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“Also, are you aware of the upcoming ceremony?”

“…Yes, the Founding Anniversary Ceremony, correct?”

“That’s right. I would like to escort you as my partner for the event.”

“That is…”

If she attended the ceremony with Arnold, it would mark her as a member of the first prince’s faction. That was acceptable if she were his fiancée—but if not, it would be an unnecessary risk to her safety.

“I appreciate the offer, but—”

“Please, wait. My mother suggested that I oversee your Petite Débutante at the ceremony.”

“My… Petite Débutante?”

A Débutante was a formal event marking a noblewoman’s debut into high society. In contrast, a Petite Débutante was a preliminary introduction, signifying that a child had received the basic education necessary to enter aristocratic circles.

While nearly all noblewomen had a Débutante, the Petite Débutante was often omitted.

“By custom, Your Highness’s Petite Débutante should have been the recent soirée. However, considering the circumstances, it would be rather unfortunate to leave it at that. Thus, I was asked to oversee the occasion instead.”

“…I see.”

Ariadne had attended her first noble gathering at the recent soirée. Technically, that could be considered her Petite Débutante.

However, the moment she arrived, Queen Amelia’s poisoning incident occurred, and she was taken into custody.

To consider that disastrous event as her formal introduction to high society was indeed unfortunate. It seemed Queen Amelia had decided that Prince Arnold should officially oversee her Petite Débutante instead.

—Or so the narrative went.

(If that’s the case, the First Prince’s faction can make it seem as though they are merely taking an interest in me. That should be enough to deceive the Second Prince’s faction for a while. But is it worth taking such a risk?)

“Princess Ariadne, do you believe you can protect yourself without anyone’s help?”

“…No, I don’t.”

Prince Siegbelt was her sworn enemy. Inevitably, she would have to confront the Second Prince’s faction. When that time came, without any backing, she would be crushed instantly.

In that sense, accepting Prince Arnold as her partner was not a bad option. It was not as secure as a formal engagement, but at the very least, it would mark her as someone not to be trifled with easily.

(Was this idea Queen Amelia’s? As expected, the former queen who led the First Prince’s faction against the Second Prince’s after King Walter’s death is formidable. She was a dangerous opponent, but having her as an ally would be invaluable.)

However, this was not a formal agreement or negotiation. It was an offer made out of goodwill.

Ariadne understood this.

That was precisely why she hesitated.

Because—

(In my past life, I poisoned Prince Arnold.)

She couldn’t ignore that fact and simply take advantage of his kindness.

“…I apologize. This was inconsiderate of me. Please forget my suggestion.”

Prince Arnold smiled faintly, his expression tinged with sadness, and rose from his seat. His face carried the look of someone who had just given up on something, and he turned to leave.

The sight of that lonely expression made Ariadne’s chest tighten painfully.

(I feel guilty for what I did to Prince Arnold. But does letting that guilt dictate my actions—allowing it to hurt him further—really count as atonement?)

Of course not.

Before she even realized it, she had grabbed his sleeve.

“…Princess Ariadne?”

“Please wait. I haven’t given you an answer yet.”

“…Then, will you accept?”

“If… it wouldn’t trouble you.”

When Ariadne offered an awkward smile, Prince Arnold’s expression lit up with pure joy.

(Oh, honestly… with a face like that, how could I refuse?)

She would atone for the good people she had wronged. And she would exact revenge on those who had exploited her.

Thus, by aligning herself with the First Prince’s faction, Ariadne took the first step in making the Second Prince’s faction her enemy.