I Became the Maid of the Lout Prince

With the defeat of Noctis, a member of the Demon King's Four Heavenly Kings (True), handling the aftermath was unexpectedly straightforward.

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Just as Princess Rainy’s overpowering fortune began to assert itself, the First Knight Order of Defrin Kingdom, led by its captain, arrived at the villa.

“Rescue Princess Rainy! Cut down anyone in the Fourth Knight Order who doesn’t swear allegiance to the Princess!”

The First Knight Order members arrived to support the four who had been fighting on the other side. It was essentially a civil war between Queen Veronica’s faction and Princess Rainy’s, and there was no need for us to intervene. Besides, we were too drained of mana to participate.

‘While they claim they came to protect Princess Rainy... their true intent must be different.’

If their purpose was truly to protect her, they should have arrived before midnight. It wasn’t hard to guess that the First Knight Order captain was using this moment to align with Rainy’s faction, now that her misfortune had ended, showing that his position wasn’t solely earned through skill.

Watching the knights clash from a safe distance, Princess Rainy quietly murmured, “It’s amusing to see the knight orders split like this. I’d bet the First Knight Order was at the royal palace when I went there three days ago.”

“Princess Rainy....”

“You’ll see more of this in the future. People’s attitudes change with shifting power.”

“...I’ll remember that.”

Nodding at my words, Princess Rainy continued observing the two knight orders fighting fiercely. Her side, the First Knight Order, wasn’t overcoming the Fourth Knight Order as easily as one might expect.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

After about two hours following the First Knight Order's arrival, despite the early hour, we began our journey back to the Defrin Kingdom’s royal palace.

“Princess Rainy! Are you uncomfortable in any way?”

“No, I’m fine. Just focus on driving, Captain Douglas.”

“If there’s anything I can do for your comfort, please tell me! I’ll ensure we reach the palace as quickly and safely as—”

“Your voice is the most uncomfortable part. Please drive quietly.”

“...Understood.”

We rode in the royal carriage, driven by Douglas, the captain of the First Knight Order. He wasn’t an outright villain and was technically on our side now, but it was true that he hadn’t helped while Princess Rainy had struggled under her mother’s regency.

Though I knew the importance of our relationship with him, I could understand why it might be ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ hard for a young girl’s heart to fully accept it.

“I find it fascinating that someone who never cared whether I was banished to a remote villa or sent to study in a distant academy suddenly changes their attitude overnight.”

“He may feel burdensome to you now, but he could be a valuable ally in the long term. He understands your unique magic and knows how to manage his position, so he’s unlikely to betray you.”

“...I know. I was just being a bit petty. If he’d done his job controlling the knights properly, maybe Neris and Lora wouldn’t have....”

“...It would be wise to provide both of them with enough compensation to help them move on. The past can’t be changed, but you now have the power to make a difference for them.”

“You’re right. Although I’m not sure exactly how my ‘Misfortune Absorption’ ability works, I’ve heard that my ancestor used this power to found our nation.”

“I hope you use it wisely, Your Highness.”

...Normally, this would be Lydia’s role to advise her. However, Lydia was in a separate carriage with Neris and Lora. With Neris still having a fear of men, putting her in the same carriage as Ethan or the hero was out of the question. And considering the knights’ uniforms triggered trauma for them, it was even more logical to keep them at a distance from the knightly escort. But with Rainy’s immense fortune protecting them, I wasn’t concerned.

Princess Rainy, a person who understood gratitude, would never forget those who stood by her in her hardest times.

“I won’t forget the help you’ve given me, Miss Lilith. Nor you, Sir Gedralt, Master Ethan, Lady Agnes, Miss Silena, Miss Natalie, and Thomas as well.”

“You’re too kind, Princess.”

“We only did what needed to be done.”

“Likewise.”

With this much rapport built, progressing through the remaining parts of Book 3 and the storyline of Book 4 would be easier. With half of the hero’s party now favorably inclined toward Princess Rainy, things should go more smoothly.

‘With the current atmosphere, I could probably even ask for a small house in a Defrin border town.’

However, I didn’t plan to mention it just yet. Saying something now would mean Ethan might overhear, and he could discover my intention to leave the Blackwood family over the winter break. Besides, I didn’t want to exploit the Princess’s goodwill. She was, after all, Ethan’s fiancée, and it would be risky to base any future plans around her.

By the time I’d finished musing, we had reached the capital of Defrin Kingdom. After nearly half a day’s journey, we arrived at the palace, where members of the knight order were still “cleaning up.”

“Well, look who it is—Captain Douglas of the First Knight Order, who deserted his post under Queen Veronica’s orders. Have you returned to pay for your crime?”

“Seeing that you still address her as queen explains why you’re merely a vice-captain in the Third Knight Order.”

“...What?”

“We’ve arrived, Princess Rainy... no, Queen Rainy Ariete Defrin.”

“...Thank you, Captain Douglas.”

“What?! Have you lost your mind? Calling Princess Rainy a queen when Queen Veronica still reigns—this is practically treason....”

“Hmph, if anyone committed treason, it’s the woman sitting in the palace. After playing queen for 15 years, she won’t regret leaving.”

“What... what do you mean?”

“It’s just as Captain Douglas said, Vice-Captain Hennessy. The regency is over. As of today, I will officially inherit the throne of Defrin Kingdom.”

“Wh-what are you saying...?”

“If you still don’t understand, you’re welcome to stand by that woman’s side and resist to the end. I’m even giving you one last chance.”

“I... I understand, Queen Rainy Ariete Defrin.”

“I apologize to all of you. I’d love to entertain you properly, but there’s still much to tidy up within the palace.”

...It felt like Princess Rainy’s personality had truly changed.

In the original story, she underwent some personality shifts after her 20th birthday, but not to this extent. Someone who hadn’t spoken for over a decade wouldn’t suddenly possess such eloquence.

Yet here she was, now Queen Rainy, exuding charisma as she asserted her authority over the palace.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Three days had passed since we arrived at Queen Rainy’s palace.

While I casually say “three days passed,” it had been anything but quiet. The palace had undergone a massive purge, nearly filling the execution grounds to capacity.

Most of those targeted were Queen Veronica’s closest confidants and those who executed her orders—individuals who had advised her on how to retain power or interfered with Rainy’s faction during her regency. Anyone remotely involved in the villa assault was purged as if the act itself were the beginning of reparation for Lora and Neris.

With Princess Rainy’s fortune, no villain would “luckily” escape the kingdom, nor would anyone innocent suffer “unfortunate” injustice. Her power didn’t allow such outcomes.

While her fortune’s strength would wane slightly each year, it would likely persist for many years, ensuring that everything she wished came to pass.

“Rainy! This... this can’t be! How can you treat your own mother this way...!”

“What should we do with her, Queen Rainy? Ordinarily, ‘this woman’ would be a target for purging....”

“...I suppose I’m still human, seeing as I hesitate at the sight of my own mother begging. She is, after all, my mother, so it feels wrong to send her to the gallows.”

“Yes, that’s right... Rainy! I’ll give up any ambitions and live quietly if you grant me a small castle somewhere distant....”

“‘This woman’ is to have her wrists and ankles removed and used as a slave for satisfying carnal needs at a northern border fortress. Killing my mother by my own hand would feel too sinful.”

“...W-what?”

“...As you command, Queen Rainy.”

“Wait! What do you mean, Rainy?! No, please!! What are you planning to do to your mother?! Rainy!!!”

And so, a bloody purge swept through the palace of Defrin Kingdom.