I've Suffered for Five Years, Now It's Your Turn. ~The Crown Princess Has No Intention of Forgiving~ - Episode 3

“I can’t believe it. I don’t want to believe it.
But the words I hear, so clearly, freeze me to the core as if my whole body is paralyzed.

‘’I should love Filia as the crown princess. However, my feelings for Rosaline cannot be stopped. I can’t give them up.’’

I… somewhere deep in my heart, I had believed.
Erik may be distant and cold now, but it’s only because of the pressure he bears as the future king.
After supporting him, even though I can’t bear him children, I thought I would still find happiness.

But now, the emotional support I’ve been relying on crumbles away.

‘’As my mother said, it was good that I was able to sway the doctor and have him make a false report.’’

‘’Heh. It was also good that we kept that doctor under surveillance, especially since he was taking bribes from other noble families. Those with a dirty past are easy to use when the time comes. A fool can be useful, depending on how you use them, Erik.’’

‘’Yes, mother. It was also the right choice to reinforce Filia’s guard with our own men and cut off the information.’

“Then, as planned. In one year, make Filia your former empress. If it’s been five years of infertility, both the people and other nobles will sympathize with you.”
“After that, I will officially become engaged to Rosaline. With some sympathy on our side, my father will surely accept it this time.”

“Yes, as a mother… I would be happy if you could spend your life with the one you truly love.”

I can hear the schemes, the conspiracies, the hidden manipulations.
I am being treated like an unnecessary piece on the board, removed without my knowledge.
What I understand is that Erik’s sole purpose is to be with Rosaline.

“As crown princess, Filia will continue to fulfill her duties until the very end.”

“Yes, she has been a useful pawn in this political game.”

I was filled with frustration, my chest aching as though it would tear apart.
But it wasn’t sorrow that I felt, but a heartbeat driven by anger.

The life I had dedicated, the four years I had endured as crown princess.
Labeled as ‘unable to bear children,’ bound and treated like a puppet.

Had my days of suffering in a foreign land been all part of a plan?
Could it be that…

“Don’t mess with me. What’s this?”

To think I had been bound by the lies they had created all along.
It’s absurd.
The days I endured as a representative of the Kingdom of Sylvan, for the sake of the people, were all for nothing…

“That knight, was he here to deliver this message?”

There was no sign that the two of them were calling for me beyond the door.
I don’t know the identity or the purpose of that nameless knight, but I want to thank him.

According to what was said earlier, I was supposed to be discarded in one year.
But instead, I’ve learned I have one year’s grace.
It would be easy to cry to my homeland, claiming I was deceived about the fact that I couldn’t bear children.

However, that would only result in Erik and the others burying the evidence and covering it up.
The insult I’ve endured, the rudeness, the humiliation.
To let it end with just silently accepting it would be unthinkable, for the name of Sylvan would never allow it.

“Ugh, enough… I’m done.”

It wasn’t despair that filled my chest, but a different kind of emotion.
Even after they had done as they pleased with me, I was no longer willing to endure it.

“I’ll expose everything to the light.”

Once I had made up my mind, the steps ahead were simple.
In this year of grace, I would prepare and show them.
Erik and the others who had bound me, used me.
I would not allow their insult to the Sylvan royal family. The pride I have carried for my country would never permit it.

…And I was recalling the details of the past, but that’s the end of it.
The year passed in the blink of an eye, and today, I have finally completed the preparations to start everything.
A year has passed, and the preparations are perfect. The plan to overturn this game board is set.

“Head maid, come here.”

I immediately call for the head maid to begin.

“Princess Filia. Is there something you need? I’m rather busy…”

The head maid, with her sullen expression, is one of the few who knows about my situation, as the queen told her.
She must think she’s in a superior position by holding my weaknesses, but for these five years… she has been constantly glued to me, harassing me.
For example…

“This tea you made for me. Do you really think this is acceptable?”
This was a comment about the tea she had just made, warning her that the water she used was made from muddy water.
What a childish and crude form of harassment.

“Is there a problem? You’re complaining even though I made it. The crown princess is quite sarcastic, especially considering she hasn’t fulfilled her duty of bearing children.”
“I’m asking if this is acceptable.”

“There’s no problem. That tea, made with muddy water, is quite fitting for a crown princess who has no children, isn’t it?”

I’ve already investigated why the head maid has become so arrogant.
She lost her beloved grandfather in a past war and holds a deep grudge against my homeland.
That’s why she has escalated her harassment towards me.
A difficult environment, a sad past, special circumstances.
But you know?
I don’t feel the slightest bit of sympathy.

“Head maid, it seems you don’t understand anything.”

“What are you saying…?”

Would I tolerate the way I’ve been treated—this degrading treatment of me and the Sylvan royal family—just because of sympathy?
Such naive thoughts are unacceptable. This is an insult to the people of my homeland.

“Do you understand who you’re insulting? Shall I make you understand properly?”

“Eh…?”

I stand up and pour the tea over the head maid’s head.
The steaming tea, made from the muddy water she had prepared, drips down her skin.

“I-Iiih! It’s hot!!”

“Stop making noise. Turn this way.”

I grab the head maid by the collar and lean my face close to her ear.
The distinct stench of muddy water mixes with the elegant scent of chamomile tea, creating a horrible odor.

“As the crown princess, who was married to this kingdom for the sake of Sylvan’s friendship, I have the authority to sentence you to prison or even death by hanging for your insulting behavior. I’ll ask you again—do you understand who you are insulting?”

“Wh-Why… all of a sudden…”

“I’m the one asking the questions. Be quiet.”

The tea drips down, and the head maid’s face contorts in fear.
She must be shocked by the transformation of the crown princess, but I’ve simply stopped pretending.
The meek princess is now gone, never to return after today.

“Listen, for your insulting behavior… I have the right to choose between a life in solitary confinement or execution by hanging. Do you understand?”

“Ah… Ah, I… I’m sorry…”

“I’ll make an exception and allow you a life in solitary confinement. Now, answer me. At this very moment… where are Erik and Rosaline? You were ordered to prevent anyone from approaching them, so you must know where they are.”
“Ugh!! P-Please forgive me! If I tell you, I’ll lose my job—”

“Don’t make me ask twice. Your job or your life. Make a wise decision and choose quickly.”

“Ah… I… I…”

“Answer me. Now.”

No need for confusing excuses.
What I seek is only an answer.
I know that Erik and Rosaline meet alone once a month.
They meet in the royal castle and… I will expose what they are doing in broad daylight.

“Tell me. Or do you want to be hanged for insulting me?”

“Ah… Aahhh. Stop… I-I’ll tell you!”

I might be labeled as cruel.
But I carry the pride of my homeland.
Now that I’ve realized it was all undermined through political maneuvering… I will no longer tolerate it.
Today, I, Filia Sylvan, will raise the banner of retaliation against those who have slandered me and mocked my homeland.