The Regressed Tyrant Princess Rewrites Her Dark History - Chapter 1.9

After the spies were expelled, Sybilla’s younger sister was brought to the royal palace. The physician diagnosed her with mild asthma, stating that with proper treatment, she would gradually recover. Once her health improved, she would be offered a position as a maid. Perhaps because of this, Sybilla had become even more devoted to serving Ariadne.

With Siegbert’s informants removed and a loyal handmaiden secured, Ariadne’s first order to Sybilla was simple—continue feeding Siegbert information.

It was common for spies to be placed among palace servants, and as long as the two factions weren’t in outright conflict, it was often best to turn a blind eye.

Thus, Ariadne had Sybilla relay a carefully crafted message to Siegbert.

The story was as follows: Delilah and Louise, while serving as informants, had also engaged in embezzlement. Since their crime was undeniable, Ariadne had no choice but to cast them out, and Sybilla had simply assisted in the matter.

In other words, the message conveyed that their dismissal was due to financial misconduct, not because Ariadne harbored any defiance toward Siegbert. This allowed Sybilla to maintain her cover.

Furthermore, both Delilah and Louise had confessed to embezzlement, and since they had never been questioned about the assassination attempt, they would vehemently insist that they had said nothing of importance.

Moreover, Ariadne had already confirmed that Sybilla had no involvement in the attempted assassination of Aria.

From Siegbert’s perspective, the two spies who had been privy to dangerous information were conveniently eliminated under unrelated circumstances, while the more “harmless” Sybilla remained in place.

It was a scenario that didn’t put him at a disadvantage.

He might suspect the details, but as long as Sybilla continued providing him with intelligence, he would find it useful to keep her in place.

And with that, the issue of the spies was temporarily resolved.

There would likely be further probes in the future, but Ariadne would deal with them when the time came. For now, she had secured a brief moment of peace—a rare luxury she hadn’t experienced in quite some time.

“Sybilla, I think I’ll take a walk in the courtyard today.”

“I’ll prepare everything at once, Your Highness.”

Dressed in a soft spring-hued gown, Ariadne stepped out of her chambers with a lightness in her step.

As she moved through the halls, she encountered Heino, the steward overseeing the royal palace.

“Your Highness, are you heading somewhere?”

“It’s been a hectic few days, so I thought I’d enjoy some tea in the courtyard. And you? Did you need something from me?”

“It is not an urgent matter. Please, take your time and enjoy yourself.”

“…I see. In that case, I will.”

Confident in Heino’s competence, Ariadne continued on her way.

Upon reaching the courtyard, she was greeted by a garden of crimson roses in full bloom.

In her past life, she had adored these flowers, often adorning herself with them. They had become synonymous with her name—”The Crimson Rose”—a title whispered in admiration and fear throughout high society.

And yet—

“Oh, how lovely! I didn’t know red roses were planted here this year,” Sybilla remarked in surprise.

“This year?” Ariadne turned toward her handmaiden. “You mean last year’s flowers were different?”

“Yes. Up until last year, the garden was filled with white roses—the same color as your hair, Your Highness.”

“…Were they?”

Having lived another lifetime, last year’s events felt like a distant past to Ariadne. She had no recollection of what had been planted in the garden before.

“But I see… White roses, the same color as my hair. And now they’ve been replaced. Mother must have truly despised me.”

“T-That’s not true!”

“You don’t have to force yourself to defend her, Sybilla.”

“I’m not just saying it, Your Highness. And besides, we don’t know for sure, do we? That’s why—why don’t we ask the gardener over there? Excuse me!”

Before Ariadne could protest, Sybilla had already called over a gardener tending to the flower beds.

Upon noticing Ariadne, the elderly gardener hurried over, bowing respectfully.

“How may I be of service, Your Highness?”

“It’s about the roses. Last year, white roses were planted here, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right. The entire garden was filled with white roses,” the gardener confirmed.

Ariadne had expected as much, but now that the conversation had started, curiosity crept in.

She found herself asking the next question before she even realized it.

“…Then why were they replaced?”

The gardener blinked, tilting his head.

“Your Highness, have you forgotten? You once mentioned that you preferred red roses. When Lady Aria heard that, she personally ordered the garden to be changed to suit your tastes.”

“…What?”

Ariadne’s breath hitched.

“It is as I said, Your Highness. I remember it quite clearly.”

“…I see.”

She had always believed she had grown up without a single shred of parental love.

But perhaps—just perhaps—her mother had cared for her in her own way.

“Your Highness?” Sybilla prompted.

“It’s nothing. Thank you for telling me. You may go.”

The gardener bowed deeply before returning to his work.

Sybilla, watching Ariadne’s expression carefully, smiled knowingly.

“See? Aren’t you glad we asked?”

“…I suppose,” Ariadne admitted, exhaling softly. “Fine, you did well. But what if his answer had been something far worse?”

“I knew it wouldn’t be. I remembered that conversation.”

“…Oh?”

Ariadne finally connected the dots.

“That’s why you always prepared a single red rose for me, wasn’t it?”

Sybilla grinned. “Exactly.”

Ariadne had never realized—her handmaiden had remembered her favorite flower all along.

“You are quite competent, Sybilla,” Ariadne murmured, a genuine note of appreciation in her voice. “In that case, I’ll leave the tea preparations to you.”

“Consider it done, Your Highness!”

Sybilla smiled cheerfully and hurried off. Watching her go, Ariadne took a seat at the table in the courtyard, her thoughts drifting to her mother.

“What did Mother really think of me?”

She had always believed she was unloved.

But the fact that her mother had the roses in the courtyard changed to her favorite color contradicted that belief. More than that, her mother had risked her life to protect her when she was in danger.

(I want to know what she truly thought of me…)

But right now, her mother was unable to express her thoughts. Until she recovered, Ariadne could do nothing but wait.

As she pondered this, Sybilla returned carrying a tea set, but she was not alone. Two women followed closely behind her.

“I’ve brought your tea, Your Highness,” Sybilla announced.

“I appreciate it,” Ariadne replied, her gaze shifting to the women behind her. “And who might these two be?”

“These are the new maid and handmaid I’ve hired. You’re already acquainted with this one, I believe,” Sybilla gestured toward one of them.

Ariadne’s expression faltered slightly as she recognized the woman.

She had pink-gold twin tails and striking green eyes that radiated a strong-willed aura. Ashley, the daughter of Count Granis—the same young lady who had confronted her at the soirée.

Clearly, she had been sent as a liaison for the First Prince’s faction.

“Ashley Granis. It is a pleasure to serve you, Your Highness,” she said with a composed demeanor.

(At least she knows how to act appropriately when necessary.)

“You seem to understand time and place quite well,” Ariadne remarked.

“W-What do you take me for!?” Ashley huffed.

“It was just a joke. I look forward to working with you.”

Ariadne chuckled, pleased with Ashley’s reaction, before turning her gaze to the other woman.

This one had brown hair and a composed expression. She was Anise, the younger sister of the leader of Black Sun, the rival guild to Black Moon.

Her presence here was no accident. During the previous incident, Anise had posed as a messenger for the Second Prince’s faction. This was all arranged with Haino’s assistance, ensuring someone unknown to Delilah and Louise, with excellent acting skills, would be placed in the household.

Of course, Ariadne had pulled the strings to ensure Anise was hired as well.

“Anise, at your service. I hope to meet your expectations, Your Highness,” she said smoothly.

“I have no doubt you will,” Ariadne responded with a polite smile, though inwardly, she mused—

(My household staff… is a little too colorful, isn’t it?)

A double agent, a liaison for the First Prince, and a spy from an underground guild. Not a single normal servant among them.

Then again—

(Well, this much adversity is nothing compared to what I faced before.)

There was no reason to be concerned. She had endured far worse in her past life.

Just as she was considering her next move, another maid approached, looking nervous.

“Your Highness… the Second Prince has arrived.”

Ariadne froze for a moment before repeating the words as if to confirm them.

“…Prince Siegbert?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Prince Siegbert has come to visit the Princess’s Palace.”

The moment his name was spoken, the atmosphere grew heavy.

“…Siegbert, here?”

Ariadne slowly placed her teacup on the table, taking a deep breath.

(What could he possibly want?)

Siegbert—the one who orchestrated her mother’s assassination attempt, the man who had manipulated and ruined her in her past life.

Now, without warning, he had appeared at her doorstep. There was no doubt he had a reason.

“Shall I escort him in?” Sybilla asked cautiously.

Ariadne quickly considered her options.

(Avoiding him would be simple… but that would only make him think I’m afraid.)

This was a battle of wits. She couldn’t let Siegbert have the upper hand.

More than that—

(It’s time I showed him just how much I’ve changed.)

Ariadne straightened her posture.

“Bring him to the courtyard,” she instructed.

Sybilla bowed and departed to deliver the message.

Ariadne adjusted her posture and picked up her teacup, hiding a small smile.

(Siegbert… let’s see how well you handle the new me.)