Hmm, is this what is called jealousy?
I replied lightly without much thought.
“Well, yes. Even the princess has her own flaws.”
“Not knowing what those flaws are is what’s scary. Seraphina, I hope this trip helps you learn to judge people better. From now on, try to get along with Aurora.”
“Yes, I’ll definitely seek out Aurora.”
Because I need to get my money back from that crazy woman. Seriously, what a mess.
“I have to leave soon. I promised to meet in the plaza in front. I need to pack now.”
“What? You’re leaving today?”
“Yes, so I’ll be going now!”
I shouted this and ran to my room.
I began packing in a hurry, urging Abigail to help.
My father, who had followed me to my room, started nagging from behind.
“Seraphina! Take some magic recovery potions with you. They’re expensive, and I only use them once a year, but I can’t not give them to you.”
…Is there something like that?
“And I’ll make sure you have plenty of pocket money, so don’t worry. Stay at a nice place.”
“Everyone I’m traveling with is wealthy, so that should be fine.”
“And there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you about magic…”
Thinking it might be useful, I stopped packing and turned to listen. My father began speaking seriously.
“Seraphina, a mage has a mage’s mindset.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t just pass over things you can’t understand. That’s the mage’s mindset. Everything in this world has a reason, even things you don’t understand. So always be inquisitive.”
“Ah, yes…”
“Magic has always developed through exploring the world.”
It might sound like a cliché, but that’s exactly what’s written in the first chapter of every magic book. Every magic book I own says something like, ‘Every phenomenon has a reason,’ or ‘Even things you don’t understand have a reason.’
Until I finished packing, my father didn’t stop his nagging.
After he left and I finished packing, I realized I still had an hour left.
Thanks to my simple packing, unlike a typical noble lady. Even Abigail was surprised.
‘Every phenomenon has a reason…’
My father’s words came back to me then. This helps in developing magic.
…Wait, does that mean…
Is there a reason I was reincarnated into this world?
At that moment, a strong question arose in me.
What did I do in my previous life?
I wasn’t hit by a truck and killed, nor was I reading a web novel when I died, nor did I meet a god or strange spirit before coming to this world.
So why am I here? Through what process?
If there’s a reason for me coming to this world…
Is it because of some power I don’t understand, like magic?
To find the answer to this question…
‘Seraphina’s diary!’
I hurriedly searched the bookshelf and found Seraphina’s diary.
The half-read diary I had abandoned.
But even as I turned the pages, I couldn’t find anything particularly strange.
However, Seraphina’s description of Princess Eva felt unsettling.
– April 2nd
Today, Princess Eva invited me to the palace! I never thought such a day would come! It proves that earnest wishes come true.
The princess’s ideas are always fascinating. Today, she talked about a world that operates purely on ability, without inherent status.
It’s not quite fitting for a princess to say, and it’s hard for me to fully accept that concept, but it’s still interesting. The more I hear from the princess, the more interesting it becomes.
She promised to invite me again next time. I hope this isn’t a dream!
Certainly, Seraphina’s ordinary admiration for Princess Eva…
– May 3rd
Princess Eva is different from others.
She is truly a great person, beyond our insignificant understanding…
She must have grand plans. She envisions a world I can’t even imagine and will bring it into reality.
A new world order, not based on status or capital, will arrive.
I’m honored to be chosen as her follower to understand her will.
– May 17th
Oh, I’m the only one who understands Princess Eva in this world…
Only I can be her follower and servant.
I am her first apostle. I will be the first human in the new world.
– May 28th
For Princess Eva, I’m willing to give my life.
Even if the world persecutes her, I will be her martyr.
Princess Eva is my religion.
Her devotion to Eva grew more fanatical over time. Anyone could see it was strange. My face grew more and more twisted as I flipped through the diary.
– May 30th
No matter what secret my princess hides, it doesn’t matter.
Whatever it is, I will gladly endure it.
I look forward to what great invention she has made.
Passing through the parts that sounded like a fanatic’s ravings, the diary continued until two days before I possessed this body.
– June 1st
Run, run, I have to run away.
I can’t handle this.
Where? Where should I run to?
But I must run away.
You have discovered the truth.
She will kill you. You must run away.
She is not a god.
Run, run, run.
– June 2nd
I found a way to escape.
Ultimately, the humanities have triumphed.
…Seraphina Viviana, what on earth happened to you?
***
The room was decorated with spinning golden cogs.
A chandelier, operated by gears, hung from the ceiling, and canary automata singing and chirping adorned the room in harmony.
Sometimes, a maid automaton would enter the room to deliver letters.
Although the room was beautifully decorated, it was the inventions scattered everywhere that caught the eye.
At the same time, the room felt devoid of life, giving it an eerie atmosphere, like a dollhouse or a museum.
But what made the room truly unsettling was the woman sitting elegantly on the sofa in the center.
Her posture was flawless, as if she were the doll residing in this dollhouse.
Her platinum blonde hair, reaching down to her waist, her violet eyes, and her perfect features made her appear almost divine.
That woman, Princess Eva, was holding a lavender letter just delivered by a maid automaton.
There was only one person who would send her such a childishly cute letter.
“My Seraphina…”
After reading the letter with her violet eyes, Eva’s lips curved into a soft smile. The sight was elegant and beautiful, yet…
A normal person would feel no desire to approach her.
Her eyes, overly cold and dry, made her look like a living doll.
“Yes, our Seraphina has finally made her choice.”
Despite her appearance, Eva was deeply sad and sorrowful.
She thought of the girl who always followed her with eyes full of admiration.
Though an ordinary person would have immediately taken a liking to her cute appearance, Eva watched her until the very end.
Normally, she wouldn’t reveal her true self to others, but there was something about Seraphina that touched her heart.
Many noble ladies possess lovable looks and bright personalities.
What set Seraphina apart was…
“She is too idealistic.”
Despite being born into a family of mages, she indulged in the humanities instead of mathematics. It was laughable, but she believed in the power of the humanities more strongly than anyone else. She believed she could change the world with it.
Princess Eva wanted to crush her dreams. She wanted to destroy her hopes and then take her for herself.
So, it wasn’t long ago that she began revealing parts of herself to Seraphina. Eventually, last week, she disclosed all her secrets to her.
“Seraphina, I am truly disappointed.”
The response she received was clear.
Seraphina decided to escape the capital.
It meant she wouldn’t take Eva’s hand.
Of course, Eva had no intention of letting Seraphina go. She had entrusted Seraphina with all her secrets, and after hearing them, Seraphina decided to flee.
So Eva had to reclaim Seraphina and make her pay. Once that was done, Seraphina would obediently follow her again.
“Seraphina, try running away.”
Because I’ll chase you to the end.
***
Even the most foolish person would understand what Seraphina Viviana meant by finding a way to escape.
She ran away. To my world.
She summoned a foreign soul into her own body.
