"Extra! Extra! Hey, ladies over there, take a copy, please!"
It was the bustling daytime hours.In front of the towering statue at the heart of the royal capital, young men wearing casquettes and shoulder-slung bags waved newspapers over their heads, shouting aloud.It was rare for a newspaper company to issue an extra edition, so people stopped in their tracks, bought a paper from the young men, and some hurried home while others eagerly showed the paper to nearby pedestrians, talking excitedly.
"...Ah, you there! Please take one too! There aren't many left, and I'll throw in a discount if you take it now!"
The Kingdom of Philandell is a monarchy—an absolute monarchy at that.The kings who had ruled this land for generations wielded power freely, without being bound by constraints or restrictions. With a standing army directly under the king as their foundation, they expanded the kingdom and dominated other nations.Among these kings, the most outstanding ruler was King Ishura Shilandria. It's still fresh in memory how he became the next king candidate at the young age of twelve.
Then, just five years later at the age of seventeen, Ishura Shilandria was crowned the youngest king in history. The joyous cries of the citizens didn't cease at the birth of such a young and powerful monarch, and records say the celebrations continued day and night.
Now, the Kingdom of Philandell has two princes—the sons of King Ishura—who stand as potential successors.However… the first prince, long rumored to be the most likely candidate, was never nominated even at the age of twelve, when King Ishura himself was chosen. There also seems to be no sign of the second prince being selected either.
So, just who would be named as the next king? Public interest swelled—and then, just the other day, the royal family officially announced the next heir to the throne.
From mass-market newspapers aimed at commoners to our own Riolot Times, which caters to the middle and upper nobility, all the headlines of the special editions released simultaneously read:"A Queen is Born."
We understand how shocked our readers must be.
After all, we too were stunned when we first heard the news. Not only was the chosen successor an unexpected person—it was a princess whose very existence had been unknown.
When people saw the illustration of the princess on the front page, surely their eyes widened in disbelief.
She was even younger than King Ishura when he was nominated—at the mere age of ten, she surpassed the other princes and was chosen.That dazzlingly beautiful girl was none other than Princess Listia Shilandria.
Shimmering blond hair. Porcelain skin untouched by sunlight. A flawless appearance destined to grow into a peerless beauty.
And those violet eyes, possessed only by the direct royal lineage.
One look at the image and it was clear: she was undeniably the blood of King Ishura.
But then—why had Princess Listia's existence been hidden until now?
Before the speculation could spiral out of control, and prior to any formal public introduction, our newspaper was granted a special audience with the princess—personally selected by the royal family.
Though brief, it was a rare and deeply surprising encounter.
In one of the palace rooms, Princess Listia sat calmly on a chair, flanked by several knight guards.Her eyes, which gazed directly at us reporters, showed neither childish curiosity nor fear. She already held the dignity befitting the next monarch.
To our astonishment, among the knights guarding her was the heir of a count's house—a young man already in command of a full division of the king's elite standing army, which was extremely rare. Not only that, but the maid quietly standing in the corner—unless my eyes deceived me—was the same woman who once served as King Ishura's wet nurse.
The mystery only deepened.
Why was such a cherished princess—far more favored than her brothers—hidden away?
Despite being overwhelmed by her serene smile, we managed to ask her a few questions.
—There hasn't been a single rumor of you in the public sphere, the royal palace, or even among the nobility. No one has ever seen you before.
"I lived a very quiet life with my beloved family in a modest home. Besides, His Majesty the King seemed to prefer that my existence be kept as if it never was."
It's likely King Ishura had always intended for Princess Listia to be his successor.That would explain why he hid her away—so that until the day of her official announcement, she would be free of duties and responsibilities.He probably wanted to spend time with her not as a king and heir, but as a father giving his love unconditionally.A modest life may also have helped her understand the lives of the common people.
From the way her lips moved so smoothly without hesitation, it was clear she wasn't just repeating memorized lines.
—There are rumors in high society that a baron's daughter of your age is being favored by the royal family. Do you know anything about that?
"No, I've never heard of such a thing. Unless the person had some extraordinary accomplishments, it would be absurd for a mere baron's daughter to be favored over children of higher nobility. If that rumor were true, the royal family would become a laughingstock."
She answered even this somewhat uncomfortable question without the slightest trace of displeasure.
When she tilted her head and gave a gentle smile, I felt a chill down my spine—not from fear, but awe.She reminded me so much of King Ishura.Later, I found out that the others who had accompanied me felt the same way.
I swallowed nervously, realizing: This is the rightful heir. No one else could be more fitting.
The rumors that had circulated among nobles and commoners alike were surely lies, deliberately spread with malice.
Still, could a child raised so carefully truly be this composed while speaking with adults?
Was this aura and intelligence the reason she was chosen?
Or had King Ishura educated her to be that way?
—All of the people are watching you now, Princess Listia. Why, out of all the royal children, was it you—the youngest—who was chosen?
"I cannot speak to His Majesty's thoughts. We are not particularly close."
Even as the chosen heir, she couldn't guess the king's true intentions—or perhaps she was dodging the question with skill.
Ordinarily, not knowing would be understandable, yet with her, I had the odd feeling she did know and simply wasn't saying.
At that point, the knights signaled the end of the audience.
"It was an honor to witness such wisdom and composure beyond your years. I truly look forward to the day you become queen."
I wiped the nervous sweat from my brow with a cloth. The words I spoke as a parting greeting were sincere.
As I waited for her response to exit, she fell silent, lost in thought. After a few minutes, she gave a slight nod.
I took that as my cue to rise—
"Because it's the third time."—The third time?
Those were the words Princess Listia softly muttered.
I never got the chance to ask her what they meant, and the meeting ended there.But what could she have meant by "the third time"?
Later, I and the others who had attended speculated endlessly, but no clear answer emerged. The mystery remains unsolved.
Among those reading this article—does anyone understand the true meaning of Princess Listia's words?
If you have any insight, please contact the Riolot Times.
※※※※
"How was it? Well written, wasn't it?"
"An absolute monarchy really is something. No matter what's said, it's always interpreted in the best possible way."
"Of course it is."
Raising my head from the newspaper, I shot a sarcastic remark at the man sitting across from me—my self-proclaimed father.He only smiled, clearly enjoying himself.
"So? What was it you wanted to say?"
He'd shown up at the breakfast table, handed me the paper, and silently waited until I finished reading it. So obviously, he had a reason.
"What did you mean by 'the third time'?"
So that's what it was.
That had just slipped out unintentionally when I reacted to the reporter's line about maturity beyond my age. It didn't mean anything.
I can't believe they even caught that whisper... Reporters really are impressive.
"I don't remember."
"But it's written here. If this is a fabrication by the journalist, then they must be punished."
"He probably said it because he was nervous."
"Nervous? According to your wet nurse, you showed no signs of nervousness at all and handled yourself with admirable composure."
"I'm glad it looked that way. Anyway, shouldn't you be paying attention to other matters?"
"Should I?"
It was maddening how this man in his thirties could tilt his head and look adorable.I had to stop myself from stabbing that unnecessarily handsome face with my fork. I exhaled deeply and lowered my raised arm.
No—he is the king. Stabbing him would be treason.
"What do you plan to do about that baron's daughter?"
"She's not under my jurisdiction."
Then whose jurisdiction is she under?!
Abandoning all decorum, I stabbed my fork into the ham on my plate.My so-called father, as if copying me, stabbed the ham on his own plate in the exact same way.
"Don't worry about it. She's just a toy for those boys. Once they get bored, they'll lose interest."
"If they do get bored..."
Lose interest?There's no way he hadn't heard the cheerful voices outside the open window.
Baroness Melia Assen—who isn't even royalty—has a room inside the royal palace, and acts as if she belongs at even the most exclusive royal dinners.She's currently having breakfast on the terrace just below with my brothers, all laughing together.
In six years, she'll study abroad backed by royal endorsement, be treated like a princess, and fall in love with a prince who's already engaged.
So even if I just watch quietly... she won't be tossed aside for at least another six years.
"You'll get scolded later, you know?"