Chapter 1

That day, the upper echelons of the empire were in turmoil.

After all, Shannon Uranus, the secluded princess who was supposed to become the empress, had appeared alone. In the snow, she rode a silver wolf, and moreover, she was dressed in tattered, bloodstained clothes.

At first, she was suspected to be an impostor, but the travel permit and letter she held, along with the pendant hanging from her neck, clearly proved that she was the princess herself.

"Hello. There were a few accidents along the way, but I've come all this way to become the ornamental empress!"

Seeing the princess smile and say this, those present felt a sense of impending turmoil.

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The story goes back about a week.

―――Marriage, something every girl dreams of at least once.

Of course, I had dreamed of it too.

However, without my knowledge, my marriage had been arranged at some point when I was fourteen.

My marriage was decided as casually as if I were a pet dog or cat being given away.

"Too much."

I, who had never even had a proper romance, cried for days after hearing the news.

At fourteen, I think it's reasonable to have had a few romances, but my circumstances were a bit unusual, and I was in no position to fall in love.

My late parents had had a rather unusual romance, and as the niece of the current king's sister, I was in a delicate position within the kingdom. However, due to my parents and grandparents, my lineage was apparently very distinguished, and I was raised quietly and carefully in a secluded palace, just in case something happened.

And it seems that something did happen.

In the continent where we live, our country and the empire I was to marry into are the two major powers. Of course, if there are countries of similar strength, they tend to be a thorn in each other's side, and until recently, the two countries were in a cold war. It had just ended.

During this time, the emperor of the other country had passed the throne to a successor, who turned out to be quite capable. As a result, our country was in a slightly disadvantageous position and had to sign a peace treaty. As a symbol of peace, I, who could be called a hidden treasure, was to be offered.

All that is required of me is to serve as a link between the two countries. Therefore, I am not expected to perform duties as an empress or bear an heir. The heir is already decided to be the emperor's brother's son.

In other words, I am to be an ornamental empress.

I feel like I'm being unfairly punished. I only see my uncle, the king of this country, once a year.

I hardly ever leave this secluded palace, so I don't even know the faces of the citizens. No matter how much I am a member of the royal family, I can't just say "Yes, sir" when asked to marry a stranger for the sake of the country, especially one from a former enemy country.

The only fortunate thing is that the new emperor is young. I really don't think there's anything else good about it.

The maids who take care of me sympathize with me, but they can't object to a decision made between countries.

I set out for the Altima Empire a week later.

It's winter, so it's snowing outside.

I like snow, but I'm not in the mood now. It's just cold.

I think it would be better to go to the empire in the spring, not in this bad weather, but apparently, I can't afford to be so leisurely.

I hug the maids who have taken care of me for so long, thanking them and saying goodbye. I can't bring any of the maids from here to the other country. The holy beast knights surrounding the carriage I will ride in will return to this country, leaving me behind when we arrive.

When I get to the other country, I will be all alone.

My tears have dried up, but I feel incredibly lonely.

"Princess?"

"Uh-huh."

Prompted by the holy beast knight, I got into the carriage.

A holy beast knight is a knight who has made a contract with a holy beast. When a contract is made with a holy beast, the knight gains the ability to use magic corresponding to the rank of the contracted holy beast.

All the members of my country's royal family have made contracts with holy beasts. I am the only one who hasn't.

I wonder why. I don't feel like I'm disliked by the holy beasts, but for some reason, no one will make a contract with me. When I suggest it, I get a vague reaction like, "No, no, not that."

Then, there are the demons, which are the opposite of holy beasts. Demons have powers similar to holy beasts but lack reason. Holy beasts have reason.

They don't always attack people, but they can be dangerous if they are hungry or angry.

These knights are responsible for protecting me from demons on the way to the empire.

It seems that in the ancient sacred kingdom, there were divine beasts that were different from both holy beasts and demons, but their true nature is not well understood. After all, it was a country that was destroyed long ago.

While I was thinking about this, a voice called out from outside the carriage.

"Princess, we are about to depart."

"Uh-huh, thank you."

"Understood!"

And so, the carriage carrying me set off for the empire, running through the cold snow.