Chapter 1: The Time Loop of the Nameless Princess
CHIEF Lady in Waiting Mion furrowed her brow while looking at the young girl before her. Based on the report, the girl should have been wearing a Yulan one-piece dress. However, she was wearing pajamas.
Deflated, Mion glared at a palace lady sitting at the table. This maid had passed the information along to her. She’d even asked to become Mion’s personal handmaid in exchange for the report. Now, the maid’s shoulders trembled beneath Mion’s cold gaze.
Well, what else did I expect? Mion thought. I’ll have to change my line of attack. Still, it’s impossible to find good help these days.
Mion shifted her gaze from the palace lady to the homemade cakes in a row on the table. She sighed in exasperation. Cake was a rare delicacy in this country. The empress had died three years ago, but she’d brought this foreign dessert to Jinlong when she’d first married the emperor.
“After the empress’s death, the emperor decreed three years of mourning,” Mion said. “Yesterday marked the third anniversary of her death. Even so, when I heard the outrageous rumors of people celebrating, I came to check in disbelief. Is that cake you’re eating? I’m disappointed in all of you…”
As a departure from usual, two knights were accompanying Mion. Both glanced at the cake on the table. Afterward, they observed the faces of the wet nurse and the palace ladies seated there.
Mion kept her tone gentle. She’d been a loyal servant of the emperor since before he’d usurped the throne. Since there was no empress, she was put in charge of the inner court. Everyone trusted Mion as the chief lady-in-waiting. Thus, no one would ever suspect her of abusing a young girl. While brushing aside her long, jet-black hair, she turned a look of disappointment on the girl in front of her.
That girl had light pink hair.
Why do I have to see Mion at the beginning of a loop?! the girl wondered, anger seething in the pit of her stomach. I just died after being betrayed by someone I trusted! I didn’t even have time to grieve! This is all Mion’s fault! Usually, she only brings palace ladies, but today, of all days, she brought knights too. Is this woman seriously trying to accuse a three-year-old girl of a crime? She had it out for me even at this age, huh? Ugh, now I’m pissed! If I’m going to die no matter what I do, I’m done groveling to this woman!
The young girl had made up her mind. This was her third time loop—in other words, her fourth life. When she timidly lifted her head, a rainbow-colored luster shone from her teary, azure eyes.
Take this! Baby Ming Ming’s signature move: “Adorable little girl on the verge of tears, BEAM!”