I've Suffered for Five Years, Now It's Your Turn. ~The Crown Princess Has No Intention of Forgiving~ - Episode 1

It was the day when my marriage was decided through political arrangements that I first met him–––

“Nice to meet you, Filia. My name is Erik, and I will be your fiancé.”

It was our first meeting, and Erik, who was also my fiancé, seemed to sense my nervousness.
He had a gentle manner and kindly escorted me.

“Thank you. I’m a little nervous.”

“That’s understandable. Our engagement was arranged by the royal families, and it happened quite suddenly.”

As he said, Erik and I were engaged in a political marriage arranged by our parents.
Still, such marriages were not rare in our aristocratic society.

What made it unusual was that I was the first princess of the Kingdom of Sylvan.
And Erik was the crown prince of the neighboring country.

“Filia, this marriage is also a mission to strengthen the diplomatic ties between our nations. Accept it.”

I remember my father, the King of my homeland, telling me this.

“Our marriage will be a symbol of peace between our two countries.”

As Erik had said when we first met, our two countries had been at war decades ago, but now they had signed a peace treaty.
To show this newfound friendship, it was decided that the prince and princess of each country would marry.
The political arrangement succeeded, and at the wedding reception, both nobles and citizens cheered with hope.

“Applause for His Highness Prince Erik’s bride!”

“To the great prince! Let the sounds of blessing ring out!”

The wedding ceremony took place in Erik’s home country, the Kingdom of Harvin.
The people showered him with praise, and it became clear that he was an excellent crown prince.
He was never arrogant and treated every citizen with respect.

“You’ve chosen a good partner, Filia.”

I remember nodding at my father’s words.
And after the ceremony, as I was still nervous, Erik smiled gently at me.

“You don’t need to be perfect. Just becoming my wife makes me happy.”

“Erik…”

“And I truly feel that you’re the one I’ve been waiting for.”

Erik smiled brightly, hugged me, and gently moved my silver hair aside to kiss my forehead.

“It was love at first sight… is that okay? Ever since the first time I saw you, I wanted to do this.”

Though I was confused and nervous, I dreamt of a happy future.
I felt that I could work hard for this kind and gentle man.
And so, we were married, and I moved to his country as his wife.
But…

“I’m afraid… Filia-sama seems unable to bear children.”

“What…?”

After the wedding was completed, Erik had a doctor called in to check on our health.
After the examination, the doctor delivered this news.

“Are you certain?”

“There is no mistake.”

I felt dizzy, even nauseous.
As a princess who had moved from the Kingdom of Sylvan, it was my duty to bear a son to inherit Erik’s bloodline.
Everyone around us expected a child to continue his legacy.

“What should I do…?”

“…It’s okay, Filia.”

Without children, I would be considered unfit as the Crown Princess.
If I could not bear children, my position as a princess would fall into disgrace.
It wasn’t just that—if a princess who couldn’t bear children had been married off, my homeland’s trust would also be shaken.
But despite this, Erik spoke to me.

“Let’s hide this fact, Filia.”

“Wha!? Erik… But I can’t bear your child.”

“If we don’t, you will be exposed to ridicule. I can’t let that happen.”

How much comfort did I find in his kind words?
In his embrace, I cried.
But… I should have realized it then.
Surely, at that moment, he was **”smiling.”

A year had passed since our marriage.
That was when the first sense of discomfort began to grow.

“Filia, I’m sorry, but could you handle the financial paperwork for me?”

Erik said this as he placed documents on the desk where I was working.
At that time, he was often helping with the administration of the current king, as he was being groomed to be the next king, but Erik had entrusted everything to me.
Given the enormous amount of work assigned to me, I couldn’t help but ask.

“Erik, I’m busy with my own duties as a potential queen. You still have all these documents that should be your responsibility.”

“Aren’t you going to listen to me? This is troublesome.”

“You’re free because you can’t bear children, right? You don’t even have the responsibility of raising them. Please, help me out.”

“Eh…?”

With that, he placed the documents down and walked away.
He didn’t listen to my attempts to stop him… the tasks continued to increase.

“Filia, I’ve heard that the administration is falling behind. Please get it together.”

One day, during a meal, he looked at me and muttered.

“I have my duties as the crown prince, and I’m busier than you. Can’t you understand that?”

He placed his cutlery down a bit roughly and stood up.
Then he hugged me and whispered softly.

“You have more time than the other wives. Since you don’t have the responsibility of raising children, I need you to work harder. I’m telling you this because I love you, you know?”

“But Erik, I’m not just handling your administrative work. I have my duties as a candidate for queen as well.”

“Come on, can’t you think about doing something for me? Please.”

The words he told me, using the fact that I couldn’t have children as leverage.
The increasing workload and the administrative tasks that were forced onto me.
I had sleepless nights, and I was nearing my breaking point.
But…

“Filia. There are items needed for the next social event. Please arrange the funds.”

Four years had passed since our marriage.
Once again, he said this, placing more paperwork in front of me.

“Again? Um… the crown prince’s assets are limited, so excessive spending…”

“Isn’t it you who’s overspending? I’ve entrusted you with managing the assets, and you can’t even handle that?”

Erik’s expenses had been so high that I had to use the preparation money I received when I married him just to cover them.
Yet he sighed deeply, as if everything was my fault.

“Get it together. Do you understand?”

I had reached my limit.
I could feel my frayed mental state breaking down with a cracking sound.
But if the truth were to come out that I could not bear children, there would be no way for me to live.

“…What should I do?”

I muttered without knowing the answer, holding back tears as I bit my lip.
It was a life of unbearable humiliation.
But something happened that caused me to change my feelings toward Erik completely.