Prologue – A Cry Rings Out Because You Died
Mary Pulsherima was a member of the royal family of the kingdom, and the second daughter of the outstanding family of sorcerers, Pulsherima.
Sorcerers used an energy called mana that dwells within their bodies to control fire, water, wind, earth and such.
Both her parents, older brother, older sister, and everyone else were top-grade sorcerers.
But Mary was the only one with no talent for sorcery.
(I’m completely empty. I have no value as a lady of the royal family, and my magical powers are completely useless.)
Both her parents seemed to love Mary on the surface level, but they had become completely alienated with her recently.
Her older brother did not think well of her either.
Her older sister Francis was always Mary’s one and only ally, but Mary could not have a positive attitude by her power alone after living for 16 years among rumors like ‘she doesn’t even have the royal family’s blood in her.’
As such, when an offer came for her to marry the heir of Duke of Slava, Romeo Slava, her reply was immediate.
(The more the duke’s presence is felt within the kingdom, the more rumors spread of his solitude. If I handle things well now, I should be able to increase my value and have my father recognize me. I have to make the party today a success.)
Her own feelings did not matter.
There was never anyone she liked anyhow, and Romeo was not a bad person.
However, one definitely could not say that things were on friendly terms between the Pulsherima family and the Slava family.
She did not know what kind of a deal each family’s head made behind the doors for this marriage, but it was certain that their interests must have aligned.
The marriage talks progressed well.
Then, today, was the day where Mary would be revealed as Romeo’s fiance.
It would take place on the territory of the Duchy of Slava, in an estate located in the town of Captis at the center of this territory.
Mary was dancing in the hall in her vividly colored dress under the massive hanging chandeliers.
“There’s no need to be so nervous, Princess Mary. Leave yourself in my hands.”
Romeo muttered with a gentle voice.
“I cannot do that.”
“Even if your fiance is satisfied?”
“I cannot say that I’ve fulfilled my duties if all the guests are not satisfied.”
“I guess this is no time to tell you to enjoy the final stages of the party then, is it?”
“Am I making myself seem like an annoying woman?”
“No, you’re the woman who will be my wife. This is the least I would expect.”
Even if mediocre, Mary was still a princess.
In terms of ranking, she had a higher one than her partner, but from the way he spoke, Romeo seemed to have a lot of confidence in himself.
But his character did not matter right now.
Mary was the center of attention, and all eyes were on her.
She could not let loose even for a moment.
Indeed, Mary was being tested.
She was not the type who was good at being useful to others, and her confidence in her outward appearance was also lacking due to her lack of self-esteem… Yet, there were more than a few people who got charmed by her swinging long golden colored hair and her beautifully ephemeral facial features.
The dance was over, and the party approached its end.
I want to be alone and relax already, Mary thought, but then, baaam! The doors were slammed open.
Armed with guns, soldiers of the Duchy of Slava charged into the room.
“Aaaaaaaah!”
“What’s the meaning of this!?”
“How dare you trespass on the Duke’s estate!?”
The guests were in disarray as one woman, who seemed to be leading the soldiers, stepped out in front.
Meanwhile, Romeo stepped out in front of Mary to protect her.
“Who the hell are you!? Regardless of who you may be, if you intend on getting in the way of my engagement, I will show no mercy!”
Romeo’s threatening voice reverberated through the hall.
Yet the woman did not flinch, and in fact stepped forward to speak to him.
“Lord Romeo, I have come here to make public the sins of that woman, Mary Pulsherima!”
Mary could not tell who this was, no matter how much she stared at her.
She did not know this woman.
“How rude. You dare name Princess Mary without using her title!?”
“That’s the gravity of her sins.”
The woman looked down on Mary with an unpleasant gaze.
Mary could not stand this any longer and objected.
“My sins? What are you saying I’ve done?”
“Shameless. I have proof.”
The woman threw an envelope to Romeo.
There were dozens of photos within.
“These are… photos of clandestine meetings between Princess Mary and a soldier from a neighboring state…..? And they’re embracing each other!”
Romeo was astounded.
Mary peeked at the photos as well and instinctively screamed.
“That’s not possible… I don’t know what this is! I never met with any soldiers from the neighboring states!”
“The photos are very clear, however. Mary, you were born into the royal family, but possess no magical powers. Perhaps you’ve grown to detest your family because of this?”
“What are you saying…..?”
“I see, Princess Mary…… You hate your family, and even the Kingdom of Orvis, and planned on selling them out…..?”
“You too, Lord Romeo!? Absolutely not! Not in a million years!”
“Then, shall we have the witnesses come in?”
The woman turned around, and three people entered the hall.
These were people who should not have been there.
“His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen!”
“Even the prince is here, what’s going on!?”
The commotion caused by the nobles grew louder and louder.
Even Mary could not imagine these would be the people called in to give testimony for her sins.
“Father, mother… and even you, brother…..?”
The woman kneeled and spoke to the king.
The king rubbed his lengthy beard, and looked down on the woman with a sour face.
“I shall humbly ask you, Your Majesty. Is it true that this woman has betrayed her motherland and has been conducting spy activities?”
“Yeah, it’s certain. I have proof as well. I cannot believe that the princess has been committing adultery with a man from another state.”
“Wait, wha…… W-Why, father…..?”
Mary was at a loss for words in the face of the cold gaze turned towards her after her father’s remark.
Then, her mother and brother also started speaking out against her.
“Not only do you possess no magical powers, but you’re also a completely irredeemable daughter who would force my family to forfeit its trust in you.”
“I’m embarrassed to have a sister like this. I feel like the royalty’s blood has been tainted.”
Heartless… and utterly cold words from her family.
Mary’s heart was pushed down into a deep pit.
“You’ve heard their words, Mary. Isn’t it best that you admit it now?”
“No… You’re wrong!….. I didn’t do it…… I would never! Father, mother, brother, you should all know this!”
“It’s no use Princess Mary, all the proof is gathered here.”
“Lord Romeo!? Please wait, this is some kind of mistake!”
“The culprit always says that, Mary.”
Romeo wasn’t even calling her a princess now.
“This is wrong…… Please believe me, someone…… Someone…… Yes, my sister! She would believe me!”
“You’re a bad loser, Mary. Whether you accept it or not, the result remains the same.”
The soldiers grabbed Mary by both arms.
She desperately struggled, but she was only a weak girl.
Her family watched on and continued to pour salt on the wound.
“I suppose you will be given the death penalty soon.”
“A quick execution is necessary to preserve this beautiful world.”
“We have to immediately remove this stain from the Pulsherima Family.”
“I didn’t do it! This has to be some kind of mistake! Father, mother, brother! Please say something! I don’t want to be executed! Let go!….. Not like this…… Nooooooooo!”
No matter how much Mary screamed, the only answer she got were her family’s insulting gazes.
The guests, Romeo, the woman who brought in the soldiers, and even her family all watched on with the same gaze as she was led out.
◇◇◇
Mary was restrained and put in a car, then thrown into a gloomy dungeon.
“Uuh…… Uuuuh…… Why…… Me, a spy…..? But I didn’t do it……”
She truly had no idea why this happened.
In the first place, it was no simple thing for someone like Mary, a princess with no magical powers, to secretly meet with a soldier from a neighboring state.
These were clearly false accusations, and she could not accept the fact that she would be executed under false charges.
“Someone! Please let me out of here! This is some kind of mistake! I’m sure…… Yes, my sister will understand! Please! Someone!”
It didn’t matter how much she grabbed the bars and screamed, no one would come.
Finally, Mary was too tired to stand up, and fell on her knees with her head hanging down.
“Noone…… is going to save me…… Why, father, mother, brother….. Why did they say those things?”
Was she abandoned?
No, that made no sense.
She could not find a way to make it make sense, so much so that she could almost dismiss all this as a nightmare.
“If this is a dream…… maybe I can close my eyes and wake up…… and go back to my normal life……”
Her chest broke under the burden of her sorrow, and when she closed her eyes, the nightmare obviously did not end.
Then, the sound of footsteps coming from afar reached her ears.
She opened her eyes to look, and saw a familiar, and thus beloved face.
“Francis…..!”
Francis Pulsherima – Mary’s sister, and the first princess.
Short golden colored hair, a slender frame, and somnolent eyes… She had a very cool outward appearance.
In truth, she spoke very little and loved to wear casual clothing, so she did not appear much like a princess.
However, she was extremely fond of her little sister.
That’s why Mary also cherished Francis, and Mary was sure that Francis had come here to save her.
“Sister, please listen to me! I didn’t do any spying! That’s some kind of mistake!”
“I know, Mary. It’s all a hoax.”
“Yes, so you do believe me…..!”
“Unfortunately however, it would be difficult to prove your truth.”
“Why?”
“Father has already decided on your execution. It will be carried out at four o’clock in the morning tomorrow.”
“Four o’clock in the morning…… there’s only a few hours left! Besides, why is my father the one to make the decision despite the fact that we’re in the territory of the Duchy of Slava!? I thought the duke and my father were on bad terms!”
“I don’t understand any of this either. Normally, it would not be such a simple thing to execute someone for being accused of spying, especially if she is the princess. That’s why one thing is clear. Father always intended on-“
Francis bit her lips and closed her eyes, and continued after a pause.
“…killing you.”