Chapter 1: In One's Footsteps

 

A son-in-law swept away by the fire, the screams everywhere, and a place that'd been completely destroyed.

 

One day 16 years ago, the last remains of those unknown people were scattered as ashes.

 

'Oh dear, why don't you come with me?'

 

A hand reached out in front of a little girl, who looked- at most, seven years old.

 

The girl looked around her for a moment, then, without hesitation, took the hand.

 

It was the beginning of a relationship.

 

***

 

Blink, blink.

 

Inside the rattling carriage, large blue eyes slowly closed, then opened again.

 

The girl looked slightly dazed, but at the same time, curious. After that, she continued to fiddle with her white hair while looking at everything around her. 

 

"Ah, my dear,"

 

The man looked at the girl affectionately and opened his mouth. She shifted her gaze from the carriage window to the man.

 

"Can you please tell me your name?"

 

The man asked this with a smile, but the girl remained silent.

 

'Could it be that she doesn't know the language of our country?'

 

After all, the child had been found at the border, so there was a possibility of not knowing Cardion's language…

 

"Princess."

 

At this, a rather low voice came out of the girl's mouth.

 

"My name... Princess."

 

The man tilted his head at these words.

 

'I'm guessing that it's what your parents always called you, and you remember it rather than your real name because it was called more often…'

 

'As far as I know, there aren't any other princesses in the other countries like this, and even if there were, there most certainly wouldn't be a princess in that place…'

TL/N: That place=the place where he rescued the girl from, this is from the man's perspective.

 

"My name is Bernhardt. What is your real name?"

 

"Princess."

 

"Do you not remember your real name?"

 

"You're a princess."

TL/N: The girl doesn't know the language, so she's saying, "You're a royal."

 

"Ah yes, I am the emperor."

 

"I'm a real princess."

 

I think that's what I was called…

TL/N: From the girl's perspective.

 

The girl frowned slightly and repeated this. It was frustrating since the man didn't seem to believe her.

 

Bernhardt then opened his mouth, smiling.

 

"I'm a real emperor, too."

 

He turned away from the girl, gazing out of the carriage window. Then, he shifted his gaze once again and smiled at the girl.

 

"I'll give you a new name, then."

 

***

 

Emperor Bernhardt has returned, but why did he bring a girl with him?

 

The girl's presence naturally turned the whole palace upside-down.

 

I can't believe you brought such a young child back…

 

"There were no survivors in the area. If I hadn't found her, she would've starved to death."

 

Emperor Bernhardt dismissed the matter with those couple of words.

 

"Because of myself, I have not been able to properly care for my people. It is only right that I take her in."

 

"Your Majesty is so compassionate, to the point where it becomes a problem…"

 

The maid who was combing the girl's hair said this.

 

Instead of rolling her eyes or doing something else, the girl just stared at the maid through the mirror.

 

"You said you named her yourself…"

 

Next to him, another maid, who was picking out clothes, glanced at the girl.

 

The girl didn't seem to care.

 

She blinked a couple of times and tapped her feet on the chair.

 

'From now on, your name is Elisha.'

 

That is what the black-haired man had said to her.

 

'Elisha'...

 

The girl liked the name quite a lot.

 

So from now on, my name will be Elisha.

 

"You're not going to adopt her, are you?"

 

"That would cause way too much trouble!"

 

A continuous squabble happened behind Elisha while she was lost in her thoughts.

 

"You may have gotten past it this time, but what will the nobles think?"

 

"But just by looking at how you gave the Soltar Palace…"

TL/N: The emperor let Elisha live in the Soltar Palace, and it's a palace usually used by the royal family.

 

"This is only until we find a good family for her to be adopted."

 

It was rumoured that he would adopt her himself, but in reality, that was impossible.

 

After all, Elisha wasn't trained in the basics needed to live in the palace on the long run.

 

"I'm just doing what I've been ordered to do, but to be frank, this isn't some kind of daycare. What about the Prince?"

 

The woman looked at Elisha unhappily through the mirror.

 

Elisha fluttered her eyelashes a couple of times, all while holding the woman's gaze. 

 

Just to remind you all that I'm listening, you know.

 

Yet, it was only for a short moment.

 

The woman averted her eyes first, and only then did Elisha shift her gaze away from the mirror and resume lightly tapping her foot on the chair.

 

Since then, the women hadn't said anything, and of course, Elisha hadn't opened her mouth either.

 

She liked the peace and quiet much better.

 

"You!"

 

But the tranquil silence didn't last long. Someone opened the large door with a bang and came in.

 

As the door was flung wide open, the eyes of the three people inside all turned to face one person.

 

"I greet the Prince."

 

At the same time, the two maids, having recognized the owner of the voice, hurriedly bowed their heads in greeting.

 

Elisha slowly raised her head, gazing at the boy in front of her. However, it was the prince who was rather embarrassed by acting like that.

 

Waist-length, snow white hair, and clear, blue eyes... although her origins were unclear, the image of her gazing at him in such an elegant manner…

 

"You, who are you!!"

 

Having come back to his senses, the boy shouted and pointed at her.

 

Elisha glanced at the boy, then gestured at the maids and said, "You...those maids…"

 

"......"

 

"Everyone here is spoiled."