Chapter 1

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

---

The golden angel spoke sadly, "You've lost your father and mother, haven't you?"

Twelve-year-old Sara nodded and clutched the black dress she wore as a substitute for mourning attire.

"Poor thing... It must have been hard. Do you have a place to stay from now on?"

No, I don't. I'm all alone now.

Upon hearing this, the angel smiled softly.

"If that's the case, come to my place. ...You are my cousin, right? I've always wanted to meet the girl who is my relative and looks a lot like me. Let's live together from now on."

Sara looked up.

The angel, younger than herself, smiled and took Sara's hand.

"Your father would surely approve. Come, let's be friends. I want to be good friends with you from now on."

The angel's words seeped into Sara's heart, which was still raw from the loss of her parents, and gently illuminated her heart, which had turned as dark as the dress she wore.

--- Thus, Sara was given a place to belong. The one who saved her, now alone in the world, was Princess Elmine of the Kingdom of Sareil.

Sara vowed to dedicate her life to her. For the princess who had saved her, for the princess to be able to smile, she would do anything.

Six years after making that vow, at the age of eighteen, Sara was summoned by the king and ordered to marry into another country in place of Elmine.

---

The Kingdom of Sareil, which governs a basin slightly west of the center of the continent, is a country that continues to uphold old traditions. Compared to other countries, it is somewhat behind the times and is not politically strong. However, the people were grateful for the policy of successive kings who did not favor war, and the ancient and good culture was the pride of Sareil.

--- In the audience chamber of the royal palace of Sareil.

Sara, dressed in a simple blue dress, opened her eyes wide and looked up at the king on the throne and the princess Elmine, who was sobbing beside him.

(What did His Majesty just say?)

Sara clenched her fists and stared at the king with a stern expression.

"Your Majesty, may I speak?"

"Permission granted."

"About... me marrying in place of Princess Elmine... May I ask for more details?"

It was a rather shocking command, but Sara was not the type to immediately respond with "Yes, I understand" without asking for details. As a retainer, she believed it was her duty to understand the context before carrying out the order, and she also had trouble fully comprehending the king's command.

The king, who had employed Sara as his daughter's maid six years ago, was well aware of her character. He nodded and ordered the prime minister to bring the document on the stand to Sara.

"This document summarizes the peace conference with the Kingdom of Ferrie, which forced our army into a corner and signed a ceasefire treaty six months ago."

Sara put on the gloves handed to her by the prime minister and took the document. As she read it with a pounding heart, it stated, "As a symbol of peace, the first princess of Sareil, Elmine, will marry the king's half-brother, Richard of Ferrie."

"King Richard..."

"The current king of Ferrie is a young man of sixteen. The king plans to send the princess to Richard, his half-brother, as a deterrent against us."

To help Sara, who was not very knowledgeable about politics and economics, the prime minister explained clearly.

"Ferrie is a small island nation with about half the land area of Sareil, but you know the reason why our army was forced into a corner in the recent border war, right?"

"...Yes. Ferrie has a long history of producing people with special abilities, and although it is a small country, the royal family has organized an army of such people. Six months ago, our army was defeated by the army of special abilities."

The border war six months ago broke out because Ferrie, after the death of the previous king, ignored Sareil's opposition and made a fifteen-year-old prince the new king. Sara cannot judge which country was in the wrong, but Sareil was not pleased with Ferrie's actions and engaged in a border conflict, which resulted in a defeat.

Among the special abilities, there were those who could spew fire from their hands and those who could make people faint by touch. The most powerful were those who could control black beasts, and it was said that most of the casualties in the border war were devoured by these terrifying beasts.

The defeat in the border war was a bitter memory for the prime minister, and he nodded with a slight frown.

"Due to the defeat in the border war, we were forced to recognize the ascension of King Edouard of Ferrie and to offer the princess as a symbol of peace by marrying her to the king's half-brother."

"...So, I am to take Princess Elmine's place...?"

She glanced at the dais, and Elmine, covering her mouth with a handkerchief, shook her head. Her lustrous golden hair, similar to Sara's eggshell color, swayed.

"I... I was prepared to do what I could for the country. However, I am afraid and anxious about marrying into Ferrie, a gathering of special abilities..."

Elmine's voice was like a delicate instrument.

Her face resembled Sara's, but this delicate voice was difficult for Sara to produce. She could try to mimic it a little, but it would likely strain her throat.

(...I understand how Princess Elmine feels.)

Sara placed her hand on her chest and bit her lip.

Special abilities are terrifying. In the past, special abilities existed all over the continent, but now they are only found in Ferrie. It is said that the island nation is blessed by spirits, and those born in Ferrie have a high probability of possessing some special ability. Occasionally, a child with a terrifying power is born.

In the past, a single person with a special ability has been known to annihilate a hundred soldiers in a matter of seconds. It is natural to be anxious about marrying into such a country, especially one that defeated our army six months ago.

Moreover, Elmine is a delicate princess, not strong-willed. Over the six years they spent together, Sara has seen that Elmine always walks behind her, is startled by the sound of the wind, and is a fragile girl who dreams of a happy marriage.

(King must care deeply for Princess Elmine. That's why he ordered me to take her place...)

"Your Majesty, may I ask a question?"

"Permission granted."

"It would be the greatest honor to offer myself for the country, having been saved by Princess Elmine six years ago. However, if I were to marry into Ferrie, would I not be discovered?"

Over the six years, the spirit of working for the country—more precisely, for Elmine—had been well honed. Therefore, while she had some hesitation about taking Elmine's place, she understood that there was no reason to refuse.

What she was more worried about was whether she would be discovered. There are various special abilities, and if there were someone who could read minds, they might realize the switch.

The king dismissed Sara's concern with a simple, "There is no need to worry."

"As long as you perfectly take Princess Elmine's place, you will not be discovered. There are various special abilities, but none that can affect another's mind. Also, no one in Ferrie knows what Elmine looks or sounds like. At most, they might have a portrait. As long as you behave correctly, no one will notice."

(...I see.)

A small drop of emotion fell in the depths of her heart. She couldn't tell if it was acceptance, resignation, or sadness.

But Sara had no right to say "No."

(If I can repay the kindness of His Majesty and Princess Elmine...)

"Sara."

Called by the king, Sara nodded, returned the document to the prime minister, and bowed deeply.

"I humbly accept the order. ...I will serve Sareil."

If she could endure and work hard, Elmine could smile.

Even if she had to deceive the people of her new home, as long as it was for Elmine, Sara could live.