Chapter 1

It was something that shouldn't have existed. It was just for a moment. But for that moment, it was undoubtedly there.

It was an Adam's apple.

I wanted to doubt my eyes, but they were my own. There was no mistaking it. I wished I hadn't seen it. I lowered my gaze to the embroidery in my hands. For now, I decided to pretend I hadn't noticed.

At the Royal Academy, the children of nobility study. I, the daughter of a baronial family, am one of them. Our baronial family has a certain history, but our financial situation leaves much to be desired. I was doing embroidery to earn some pocket money.

Once, the daughter of a ducal family in this country was married to the crown prince of a neighboring country. They were said to be a happy couple. But their happiness was fleeting. The second prince, the younger brother of the crown prince, murdered his father, the king, and his brother, the crown prince, and seized control of the country.

The crown prince of the neighboring country, sensing the signs of civil unrest, had sent his pregnant beloved wife back to her homeland, promising to come and fetch her. But that promise was never fulfilled. The wife, having lost her husband, was consumed by grief and gave birth to a daughter before passing away. The daughter is being raised as the daughter of the duke and duchess, her grandparents. In the neighboring country, even if one is of royal blood, a daughter has no right to succession. The man who usurped the throne and became the king of the neighboring country seems to have no interest in the girl.

This happened just before I was born, but anyone who lives in this country knows about it.

Therefore, that person should not have an Adam's apple. I decided to act as if I hadn't seen anything.