Prologue

「——I was told it was best not talk to Ottilie-sama.」

I remember well the day my life changed.

My name is Ottilie Shefinko. I am the eldest daughter of the Duchess of Shefinko.

It was at the age of five, when I attended my first public party. I was flatly rejected at that party.

「Why is that?? This I say, I want to talk to you!」

To be honest, at that time, I was adored as the duke’s long-awaited baby girl. They was listened to for anything, even my selfishness. If there was a dress or a toy I wanted, Mother and Father would buy me whatever I wanted. I even begged them for a hairpiece that a lady-in-waiting had.

I am blessed, as if I am the center of the world—— That’s what I thought at the time.

Deep down I was loved, and it was natural that people around me would listen to what I had to say, and—— That’s how I felt.

But such things were only my assumption.

They turn their cold eyes on me, as if rejecting me—— What awaited me when I ventured out from the pampered world I had grown up in was a surprisingly respectful distance.

I had never spoken to or engaged with any of the people who were there. However—— The words of a single person were reason enough not to talk to me, the daughter of a duke. And even if I did, I was distant.

「——Why, why won’t you talk to me!」

I was puzzled as to why he wouldn’t talk to me, and I selfishly raised my voice again at that party. I had taken it for granted that I would be taken care of.

That’s why I couldn’t understand a situation like this where I was left out of the picture and I wasn’t the center of attention.

But the more I did, the colder the eyes around me turned, and a voice whispered,「Louise-sama was right.」

I did not know who “Louise” was at the time. I did not even understand who she was. I didn’t know I was in that situation because of that person’s words.

Then I went to a few parties, and despite my selfishness, it was always the same. Father and Mother were confused. Even at the place set up by Father, the other side was distant. And Brother had a cold look in his eyes.

I was hurt by it, sad, and wanted to talk—— That’s why, I decided to interview the people in the mansion. I was aware that I had been the one that people didn’t want to talk about it.

「Hey, did I, do something bad!?」

After several parties, I asked the people in the mansion, whom I had never paid attention to before. I had always thought that I was special and that the people in the house were lowly and didn’t need to care about me.

So it was only natural for them to look puzzled that I had spoken to them.

——Looking back, I think I was selfish, but suddenly I started saying such things and was worried that I might be in trouble if I did something wrong.

At first they didn’t answer me, but after I asked them many times, they finally told me what was wrong with me.

There I realized for the first time that I was selfish and disliked. I wondered if everyone was distant from me because of my selfishness.

That’s why—— I tried my best to fix what was wrong, asking the people in the mansion.

As a daughter of a duke, it’s fine to be aware of being a noble. But if you overdo it, you will be hated. That you should not want what belongs to others. That you cannot be the center of everything.

I was aware of this and reflected on it. I returned the few things I had taken from the servants. I gave them new ones that I had used.

And so I think I am no longer what I used to be.

That was the day my life changed. The moment I was reborn.

But ten years later…

「Impossible, I didn’t think it would still look like this a decade later.」

「They all have such knotty eyes to hate you, Milady!」

I remain hated.

I have since made friends with the servants. Miloda, my maid of honor, looks indignant.

I spend my time giving up on being liked, and soon I will be enrolled in an academy for royalty and nobility.

It’s a hell of a place for me, with all the royalty and nobility hating me… No, it’s enough, seriously.

To be honest, even for free, I have been hated for ten years, and I have already quickly consulted with Mother and Father about my future plans after graduation from the school.

One promise was made.

——If I couldn’t make a fiancée while at the academy, I will live to become a commoner.

I am amazingly disliked, but fortunately my parents adore me.

They seem perplexed that I am disliked, but they do care about me.

The Crown Prince and his brother, who is the same age as Brother, seem to hate me to death and have only seen me countless times.

My academy life for the next three years—— I was very depressed, but I was also hopeful that once I get through this I will be free to live as a commoner.

「I’m going to live the life of a commoner. I’m going to be a commoner without a fiancée at the academy, and I’m going to live comfortably!!」

After the party was over, I would proclaim such a resolution as I rocked in my carriage.

Hearing my words, my maid of honor, who has served me for a long time, cheered me up and said,「That’s the spirit!!」