Chapter 2

After leaving the audience chamber, Sara was led by an attendant to the reception room.

Soon enough, as expected, Ermine came running in, her eyes red.

"Sara, Sara!"

"Princess Ermine..."

As Ermine, who was staggering, was embraced, she burst into tears in Sara's arms.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I... I..."

"No, it's fine. As long as you don't have to suffer, that's what matters most."

Gently stroking Ermine's soft blonde hair, she looked up.

Her skin, white as a pearl even without makeup, and large brown eyes. Ermine was slightly shorter than Sara, with slender arms and waist, but her chest was plump, as befitting a young lady of her age.

Six years ago, Sara's family, the baronial house, failed in their business. Her parents, who had been trying to revive the business, were killed in a carriage accident.

Suddenly losing her parents and the estate, and with the servants gone due to debt, it was Ermine who reached out to help Sara. Sara's mother had originally been from a collateral branch of a ducal family but had eloped with her father, so no one was willing to take Sara in as family.

Sara and Ermine, despite the difference in their status as a baronial daughter and a princess, were actually cousins. Upon hearing of Sara's plight, Ermine proposed to the king that Sara be made her lady-in-waiting.

(Anyway, the king must have made me a lady-in-waiting because he thought I could be a double for Ermine...)

Sara had known this since she was twelve.

Because they were cousins, Sara and Ermine had somewhat similar features. By some twist of fate, both had blonde hair and brown eyes, and with the same makeup and clothing, they could easily pass for sisters.

The king ordered Sara to study while also commanding her to live exactly like Ermine. From the length of her hair to her clothing preferences, makeup, and personal items, nothing was left to Sara's choice.

Sara understood that, as a lady-in-waiting, and one who had been taken in by a princess, this was to be expected. She really wanted to cut her hair shorter and wear dresses in colors other than pink and yellow, like purple and green. She preferred playing in the garden to doing embroidery and wanted to laugh out loud as she used to.

(But that's impossible.)

Sara smiled and touched Ermine's shoulder.

"Princess Ermine has always borne the heavy responsibilities of a princess. It's only natural that a political marriage would be difficult for her."

"But... from now on, you will be taking my name and marrying for political reasons, while I will take your name and live a carefree life."

Ermine's words pierced Sara's heart a little, but she shook her head.

"That's true. However, the king's decision is all for your sake. I feel guilty that I can only give you my name."

Sara would go as Ermine to marry into another country, and in turn, Ermine would take Sara's name and live as a commoner.

Losing her status as a princess and being left with only the name of a ruined baronial daughter must be very painful for Ermine, who had been raised in a warm environment.

(Princess Ermine is kind, but not very strong-willed. ...If only I had more to offer, but I can only give her my name, which is regrettable.)

"Princess Ermine, thank you for taking me in six years ago. I am truly grateful to be able to repay you and the king."

"Sara..."

"Please, take care of 'Sara' from now on."

As Sara smiled, Ermine's delicate face crumpled, and she threw herself into Sara's chest.

Ermine, fragile, naive, and endlessly kind.

(...If Princess Ermine can live a peaceful life, that will be my happiness. So... it's okay.)

That's what she believed.

The next day, Sara became Ermine, and Ermine became Sara.

To the public, it was announced that "Lady-in-waiting Sara was taking a leave of absence due to illness." Ermine, who was currently emotionally unstable, would spend some time quietly at a royal villa in the town below the castle, and would adjust her condition to see Sara off when she departed.

Sara would receive princess training for the upcoming marriage in two months. However, she had already been attending Ermine's lessons frequently, as per the king's orders, to be ready to step in at any time.

Thus, her training focused more on "how to act like Ermine" rather than learning new knowledge.

(I'm glad I studied hard all this time...)

In truth, Ermine was not very good at studying and often turned to Sara for help. Sara, being two years older and having walked around the town more during her time as a baronial daughter, had many more talents than Ermine.

While her voice was unchangeable, Sara knew all of Ermine's habits, her way of laughing, walking, and other small characteristics. Her tutors had even said, "From behind, you look just like Princess Ermine," which was a relief.

Studying seemed manageable.

(But... I can't tell Filman until a bit later.)

While resting in her room, she thought about her lover.

Filman was the second son of a viscount's family and a member of the royal guard. He was Sara's childhood friend and lover.

Sara's family, the baronial house, had risen from a wealthy commoner background and, being at the lowest level of the nobility, had few close relationships. However, Filman's father had been supportive of the baronial family's business and had helped Sara, who was inexperienced in managing the estate after her parents' death six years ago.

Filman had been her childhood friend for ten years, and about two years ago, he had confessed, and they had started dating. The viscount and his wife, who were close to Sara's father, had approved of their relationship and had planned for them to marry when Sara turned twenty.

(Of course, my relationship with Filman will be over, and I have to tell him about the switch...)

The king had strictly warned her not to reveal the switch to anyone unrelated, but Filman was an exception. Since Ermine would take Sara's name, even if she tried to keep it a secret, Filman would recognize her immediately.

Therefore, she should tell him the situation and break up with him as soon as possible.

(Filman is quite popular in the royal guard... I'm sure he'll find someone else soon after we break up.)

She felt guilty for Filman's continued kindness to her, a fallen noble. Still, Sara was happy just to hold his hand, chat in the garden, and receive kisses on her cheek. Without him and his parents, she wouldn't have been able to recover from her parents' death.

(Filman will return from his expedition... around the end of this month, I think.)

She sighed, looking at her schedule.

Filman was on an expedition with the royal guard, and even if he returned at the end of the month, it would be difficult for her to see him as the princess.

(Maybe if Princess Ermine allows it, I could send him a letter...)

She had often talked about Filman to Ermine, who had often said, "If he's important to Sara, I'd like to meet him too." Since Ermine was staying at a villa in the town, she might be willing to secretly deliver a letter to Filman. Although it would be presumptuous to ask a former princess to do this, Ermine would likely agree.

"...I'm sorry, Filman."

Taking out writing materials from her desk drawer, Sara murmured.

How would Filman react? Would he be a little sad? No, he would definitely be sad.

But he would eventually accept her decision and bless her, saying, "I wish you well."

...At that time, she believed this.