In his previous life as an emperor, there had been frequent rebellions, so he knew the results of human malice that wanted to overturn the status quo.

Power, greed, and revenge.

These three things complicated his thoughts, and he quickly returned to his bedroom.

It was getting chilly as he had been outside for a while in his pajamas.

And a few days later, he received new information.

The Vladimir family had taken the lead in rooting out those involved in the spy incident. The maidservant who had been a spy admitted, after lengthy interrogation, to wanting to harm him with dark energy.

Moreover, she said she had gained power by ingesting an illegally made alchemy potion and refused to disclose its source till the end.

The incident served as evidence that there were rebellious groups within the empire. When everything was finally sorted out, 7 years had already passed.

And before he knew it, he became the crown prince at the age of 10 and revealed himself to the public for the first time since awakening from the princess’s body.

“Have you heard that the princess will be officially announced as the next emperor today?”

“Of course. Everyone’s coming up from the provinces to see the princess. It’s crazy.”

Despite his growth, the people’s response to the proclamation ceremony, as relayed by the knights who had been spying, was mostly positive.

Woahhhhh[dash].

‘It seems everyone’s gathered to see my face.’

On the day of the proclamation ceremony, when the trumpet sound announcing the start of the event echoed from all sides, the entire empire became bustling as if a festival was taking place, just like when Hecate had returned after subjugation.

‘Well, this is the first time I’m revealing myself to the people of the empire.’

Standing on the royal balcony where he had hastily been crowned emperor in his previous life because of Ulika, the feeling of being designated the next emperor was new and different.
Having grown taller and finally donning formal attire that was a far cry from my infantile garments, coupled with the genuine golden crown on my head, the reward for enduring seven years felt within reach.

‘Isn’t being designated as the next emperor at age 10 without heir lessons a bit too fast?’

This life is ruined.

I stepped onto the footrest and ascended, waving and smiling at the crowd below.

‘Seems like I’ll be swamped with work in this life too.’

I wanted to flee after appointing just anyone as the princess.

I suddenly wondered why I had died in my previous life from overwork. My inner self was pouting.

“Indeed, our daughter is a true war hero!”

“Look at our little emperor!”

After maintaining a smile for a few minutes and waving until my wrists were sore, I returned to my room where Jep and Hecate instantly clung to either side of me, their eyes gleaming.

“Ah, just thinking about starting heir lessons soon gives me a headache.”

I spoke quickly, anticipating the nonsense that would spew from these chatterboxes.

“The most concerning thing is that, starting today, I’ll have to visit the territories of the nobles who swore loyalty to the royal family.”

I cut off any irrelevant conversations by throwing out this topic, something I’d overheard during preparations for the public ceremony.

“Don’t worry, both Mom and Dad will go with you.”

Innocent Jep and Hecate were busy trying to comfort me, assuming that I was just being cranky.

“Thankfully, we don’t have to go as far as the frontier. So, which family are we visiting first today?”

“It’s customary to start with those closest to the royal family.”

I deftly turned the topic of conversation, and Jep, rubbing his chin, took his time before winking and replying.

“Our daughter will first visit the Vladimir family!”

Then the only options are the Vladimir and Fleur families.

I wondered how much the children I’d seen sporadically over a few years had changed due to the chaotic political situation caused by the spy incident.

Squeak—

Before I knew it, the day of the territorial visit arrived. The carriage was slowing down as it reached Vladimir territory.

“Welcome, Your Majesty.”

Greeting me at the entrance of the grand, clean, and somehow refined mansion was Sasha, whose hair had grown along with the passage of time.

“The honor is ours, hosting Your Majesty on our territory.”

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

I did not refuse Sasha’s offer to escort me. It was all according to royal etiquette, so I naturally accepted.

“Vladimir, the Shield of the South, greets Your Majesty.”

As I entered the building, flanked by Poppy and a maid, Duke Vladimir placed one hand on his chest and bowed.

“We pledge our continued loyalty to Your Majesty.”

“Thank you.”

If not, we’d end up in a bloody internal war. I swallowed my further thoughts and nodded.

Whoosh—

“Aaaaaah!!”

“Duchess, please calm down!”

Ah, what a shock. I thought my heart would drop as I looked at Duke Vladimir, who was about to speak.

“This is impossible!”

A middle-aged woman in a nightgown, her hair unkempt, suddenly screamed and leapt.

“Why is she still in the mansion? Freiri is dead!”

Oddly enough, the maid from the Vladimir family had just called this hysterical woman ‘Duchess.’

‘Is that the Duchess? Her appearance is…’

Impossible. Thrown off by her insane appearance, so distant from the frail image I had expected, I took a step back.
“My daughter is dead!”

‘She resembled the maid who was revealed to be a spy 7 years ago!’

But what was even more shocking was that the blonde maid who tried to harm me looked similar to the Duchess.