Chapter 1

"Thus, Your Highness. This is how you gouge out someone's eyes."

Bernard demonstrated with his thumb, saying, "Like this, like this."

I tried hard not to let my cheeks twitch and managed to maintain a smile.

– I wondered to myself, why did this conversation turn so violent?

It was a perfect day for autumn, with a refreshing sky.

The warmth of the sunlight streaming through the window made the office I was in quite cozy.

I had been busy from morning till now. As the royal advisor, I had hurried through the palace, attending several meetings. I listened to the opinions of the officials, spoke up where necessary, and remained silent when it was appropriate. I also heard the requests of the local lords and made decisions where I could, while deferring matters that required the king's attention.

As the princess and the king's advisor, my duties mainly involved listening to people and making judgments.

Once the day's schedule was mostly done, a stack of documents awaiting my signature awaited me at my desk.

By the time I had cleared half the pile, the afternoon sun had started to tilt.

I stretched lightly to relax my body, and at that moment, my personal maid arrived with a tea set, as if on cue.

I nodded to her suggestion to take a break and moved from my desk chair to the sofa.

Then, I struck up a casual conversation with the knights guarding the room.

As the princess, I have my own personal guard.

Today, my guards were Bernard, the captain of the royal guard, and the new recruit, Simon. Bernard is the strongest knight in the royal guard – no, perhaps the strongest in the kingdom, and maybe even the continent.

That's why he often pairs with new recruits for guard duty. The idea is that if the new recruit makes a mistake, Bernard can handle it.

Once, when I said, "Bernard can cover for the new recruits," his subordinates grimaced and said, "No... Captain would abandon a subordinate who makes a mistake... But don't worry. Even if we lose one new recruit, Captain can still protect Your Highness. He probably considers that when assigning duties."

Anyway, I tried to help Simon get used to his new workplace by starting a casual conversation, like, "The weather is so nice today, isn't it?" But somehow, the conversation turned to self-defense techniques.

Perhaps it was a mistake to continue with, "On such a beautiful day, I feel like sneaking out of the castle and going out to play." Even though I said it in a joking tone, Bernard started talking about what to do if a suspicious person approached.

"You gouge out their eyes. Like this, you stick your fingers out. It's easy, right? Even a weak person like Your Highness can do it easily."

"…Bernard, that's a bit difficult for me."

"Just stick out your fingers? Oh, are you worried about getting your nails dirty?"

I couldn't help but press my forehead. Nails. Why are we talking about dirty nails in this context? There are more important things to worry about.

Bernard is an excellent knight, but he's often called a "man who was mistakenly born human," a "cursed magic sword in human form," or a "mad dog with less heart than a berserker" because of his words and actions.

Moreover, Simon was clearly terrified, looking at Bernard. I wanted him to get used to his new workplace, but this might make him quit early. My personal guard is always understaffed.

When I mentioned this to the other knights, they said, "Well, even all of us together would be wiped out by the captain in seconds... In terms of combat power, having the captain alone is better than the entire royal guard... If a bad recruit joins and gets in the way of protecting Your Highness, the captain might kill them, so we don't want unnecessary reinforcements..."

I feel bad for always causing them trouble.

I looked up at Bernard, who was standing beside me.

"If you're going to teach me self-defense, why not teach me how to use a sword?"

"When did your job become a fight? I always say, if you have enough distance to draw a sword, your first priority should be to run. Run as fast as you can until I arrive. Don't think about anything else. It's not necessary for an amateur to fight back."

"Does blinding someone not count as fighting back?"

"This is for when the attacker is very close. Use it when you're forced into a corner."

I thought to myself, he's not just talking about self-defense; he must have heard the recent rumors in the palace.

About the king considering my marriage.

It's been about two years since my brother ascended the throne. The country has stabilized, and it's not unusual for both of us to start hearing marriage proposals.

However, for my brother to marry, I must marry first. That's how things are in our country.

Finding a suitable husband for me is extremely difficult. I haven't received any marriage proposals since the incident two years ago, and I suspect there are none.

Well, I'm content with my current life, so I don't mind not having any proposals.

But the fact that I need to marry for my brother to marry is a problem.

My brother said he would find a way, but I wonder if he really can.

As I was thinking, Simon, who had been listening to our conversation, hesitantly spoke up.

"But, Captain... Only a few people can get close to Your Highness, and if you gouge out the eyes of a noble, it would cause a huge problem. You shouldn't even joke about it..."

"It won't be a problem if it doesn't come to light."

Simon looked at Bernard with a puzzled expression, as if to say, "How will it not come to light?"

I also looked at him with a confused face.

The strongest knight in the guard said casually,

"It won't be discovered if the body isn't found."

Silence fell.

The color drained from Simon's face.

I pressed my forehead, trying to figure out where to start, but managed to choose my words carefully.

"…Bernard, I think gouging out someone's eyes won't kill them."

"What, that's what you're worried about, Your Highness!?"

"Of course, it won't kill them instantly. That's why I'll cut off their head. Did you think I would make you do it? I would never do such a thing."

"Yes, yes... But, Bernard, even a disappearance would be a problem."

"Isn't there a bigger issue here!? A more fundamental one!!"

"Quiet, Simon. Don't make a fuss in front of the princess. It might cause some problems, but without evidence, it's over. They could have run away or eloped with someone of a different status. Right?"

Bernard said this with a smile.

As I was trying to think of a response, a slightly puzzled maid came in to announce the arrival of the king's attendant.

When she said, "The king has summoned you," I wondered if my marriage had finally been arranged.