Chapter 1

Six-year-old Princess Claudia remembered her past life.

At the same time, she understood that she was about to be killed—by the man in front of her, her uncle by blood, who had just pushed her out of the tower window.

"Don't hate me. Once you're dead, I can raise Leonora as the princess! I can also live a luxurious life as her guardian—"

"..."

While falling, she stretched out her hand, feeling a fresh sensation from its smallness. Claudia looked at her uncle's face, which was now several meters away, and blinked.

Then, she smiled gently.

(What a fool.)

"!?"

Her uncle's face twisted in shock, but no sound reached her ears. Claudia's body was falling toward the forest below.

(Does he really think he can get away with pretending his own daughter is the princess? —Of course, in this life, where I'm under house arrest by my real father and stepmother, no one would likely notice if I were switched with my cousin.)

As she fell, she recalled the words of the maids who took care of her.

"Serving the 'deficient princess' is such a misfortune! She's a princess, yet she doesn't have a single bit of magic, right?"

"Given her mother's lowly status, it's no surprise, even if her father is the king. No matter how much she's praised for her beauty and singing, she's just a commoner with no connections."

"I wish we could return to the capital. Being in this remote forest, where even monsters appear! Oh, if only Princess Claudia weren't here..."

Recalling these words, Claudia felt a giggle rising in her throat.

(For me to be called 'deficient' and 'magicless'—haha! I never would have thought such a thing in my previous life.)

In her past life, as 'Ardelheit,' she was a perfect being.

Blessed with noble blood, overflowing talent, and a mind to utilize it, she had been praised by many. Yet, she died unexpectedly and found herself reborn.

Thus, she was reborn into this life, where even the servants despised her.

"—Well then."

The wind cut through the air beside her, and birds screeched. The tips of the trees, which had suddenly come into view, were about to pierce her. She lowered her small right hand and silently chanted a spell in her mind.

(Stop.)

At that moment, Claudia's body came to an abrupt halt. A moment later, the hem of her dress fluttered down. Claudia slowly descended to the ground, moving her small hands to confirm the sensation of magic circulating within her.

(I made it a silent incantation just to be safe, but this level seems fine. For more powerful magic, a verbal incantation would probably be better.)

This body was not expected to be much, but it seemed to be more capable than she thought. The activation speed was fast for a child's body, and it was handling the backlash well.

With that in mind, she considered what to do next.

(I could go straight back to the tower, but it would be more interesting to wait until I grow a bit more to crush my uncle's ambitions. For now, I'll take a walk in the forest, but the problem is...)

Claudia swept her hand through the air, and a mirror appeared.

(The problem is that I'm dressed in a way that doesn't suit me.)

In the mirror, she saw the figure of a small child, shorter than a typical six-year-old.

Her thin limbs and cracked nails, her shoes with scuffed toes, and a dress that was too plain. Her hair, which had been allowed to grow without care, was messy and disordered.

Her complexion was pale and unhealthy, a testament to her poor treatment.

"..."

After pouting, Claudia tapped the heel of her shoe.

(Cleanse, Repair, Mend, Organize, Reinforce...)

As she layered the single-word incantations, particles of light burst from the heel of her shoe. The light enveloped Claudia, caressing her with a pleasant warmth. After the light faded, she checked herself in the mirror again.

(Well, this will do.)

She ran her fingers through her sweet, milky tea-colored hair. In the mirror, a girl with large, long-lashed eyes, a straight nose, and small lips was reflected.

Her hair, cut to her back, shone like it had been combed. Straight and smooth, it swayed in the gentle forest breeze. Her skin, polished by magic, and her worn, plain dress were transformed into a fluffy, top-quality one. Though her thin limbs couldn't be changed, her shoes were polished to perfection, and she was satisfied.

She then examined her eyes.

Her large, round, and expressive eyes, which had been hidden by her unkempt bangs, were now visible.

The color of her eyes was not fixed; it changed with the light, displaying a variety of hues.

They were like a mix of different gemstones, scattered and blended together, creating a kaleidoscope of colors.

"Great witch. True magician, Lady Ardelheit!"

"The seven-colored eyes you possess are proof of your mastery over all magic. You are truly a beloved child of magic!"

Recalling the words of her former disciples, Claudia sighed.

The legend of Ardelheit, the great magician, was known to all. Even the listless Claudia, before she regained her memories, had heard of her name.

(I only wished to live doing what I loved in my next life. Who would have thought I'd be reborn as a princess, and one who is oppressed and under house arrest at that?)

Looking up at the tower from which she had fallen, Claudia squinted her eyes. She smiled with the face of a wicked witch.

(What perfect circumstances!)

Today was a day to celebrate. Claudia was in high spirits as she snapped the mirror out of existence and began walking into the depths of the forest.

(Now, let's go for a walk. First, to the forest rumored to be a den of monsters!)

Unconsciously, she hummed a song from her past life. Her childlike, lisping voice echoed through the forest.