My name was Kinesta.
Kinesta Kiine Kin Laguelelf.
The daughter of the Emperor of the Elf Empire.
I held the position of Imperial Princess.
As such, I had been living a life of leisure, but then the Empire suddenly collapsed.
How could such a thing have happened?
First and foremost, who was to blame?
"Do not dawdle. Step forward and identify yourself at once."
"Uhm... well, Princess. What will happen to the person who identifies themselves?"
"It is already decided. First, they will be executed. After that, I will hear their side of the story, and then they will be executed once more."
"You intend to hear their side of the story after the first execution?"
"Of course. I am a fair person, after all. I will listen to their arguments properly."
"After the first execution?"
"That is correct. Do you have a problem with that?"
"No. However, if those are the terms, I do not believe anyone will step forward."
"Is that so? Then everyone, line up in a single row."
"And what do you intend to do now?"
"I shall tip over this stick. Whomever it points to will be deemed the guilty party and executed."
"I see. Understood. Let us proceed then."
Oh?
My maid, who usually opposed everything I did, was being strangely obedient.
That was a good sign.
Now then, everyone was lined up.
I set the stick upright and... hup!
It was the woman over there!
"Please wait, Princess."
"What is it? Are you going to object now? Your timing is rather poor, isn't it?"
"No, that is not it. Please look closely at the stick."
"What? It’s just an ordinary stick, isn't it?"
"Look at the direction it is pointing."
"I told you, it’s pointing at that girl over there."
"Please look more carefully. It isn't pointing at just one person. It is pointing in the opposite direction as well."
"Eh?"
"The other end is pointing directly at you, Princess. In other words, that is how it is."
"............"
"It was an execution, was it not? Shall I strangle you? Or would you prefer to be beheaded?"
"Fufu. Whatever are you saying? Such barbaric things as executions are quite improper."
"Oh? So the execution is cancelled?"
"It is barbaric, so yes, it is cancelled."
"That is a pity."
"Could you please not look at me with such a genuinely disappointed expression? It’s frightening."
She surely knew that my planned executions always ended as mere attempts.
"The situation is what it is. Please try not to make those around us more anxious than they already are."
"Yes, yes."
"With that said, have you finished packing? It is almost time to depart."
"For the most part. The bare minimum should be enough, right? After all, once I arrive, I’m sure I’ll be showered with all sorts of gifts."
"...Princess. I believe your outlook is a bit naive."
"Is it?"
"It is incredibly naive."
"That much?"
"To begin with, the Elf Empire has surrendered to the Demon Kingdom. Do you truly understand the weight of that?"
"More than I would like to."
"That is good to hear. Then, Princess, for what purpose are you heading to the Demon Kingdom?"
"As a hostage, obviously."
"Wonderful. I am moved by the depth of your understanding."
"I suspect you are mocking me."
"No, no. The mocking comes later. If you understand that you are a hostage, how can you possibly imagine you will be receiving presents?"
"Eh? Am I not going to be married off into the house of some noble in the Demon Kingdom?"
"Do you really think there is anyone who would desire a princess of the Elf Empire after we have been marked by a Dragon?"
"W-With my beauty, I’m sure at least ten people would..."
"It would be nice if that were the case."
I wondered if she was disparaging my looks.
Surely not.
Even if I say so myself, I was quite the beauty.
My figure wasn't bad, either.
Ah, I see. This was her way of being considerate, trying to help me face the fate awaiting me with a brave face.
I was a hostage.
If a man in power demanded my body, I could not refuse.
I see. My heart felt a little lighter knowing that.
"Then, what exactly should I bring with me?"
"A change of clothes is a given, but primarily valuables. In this world, everything ultimately comes down to money."
"How... how cynical."
"It is. The world is a cynical place. Therefore, Princess, you must never let your guard down, no matter where you go."
"I understand."
"Operate under the assumption that men are constantly targeting women."
"I will."
"I do not know what kind of hardships await you from here on... but even if I am not by your side, I am certain that you will be fine, Princess."
"Thank you. I am an Imperial Princess, after all. I will manage somehow with my wits and my words."
"Fufu. Please do nothing too dangerous."
I was currently tilling a field in Village Five.
Apparently, it was part of my training.
I had been forced to run for a considerable amount of time just before this, so I was in a great deal of pain.
......
Uhm, I was an Imperial Princess, you know?
That didn't matter?
I see.
Excuse me, what do you think of my beauty?
You think I should wear clothes more suited for farm work...
I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful from now on.
Err... are there any lecherous sorts in Village Five?
You know, like a man who is a bundle of raw desire?
I was hoping I could start a conversation about someone buying out my contract...
You won't entertain any such talk until the training is over?
When exactly is this training scheduled to end?
Six months to two years?
......
I immediately began searching for an escape route.
Hostage?
I didn't care about that anymore.
If I didn't run while I could still move, I was going to die.
Believing my maid's words and sewing money and valuables into my clothes had been the right move.
The plan would be carried out tonight.
I would invite the other elves who came to Village Five with me.
Eh?
Running away was a bad idea?
Ah, I see, I see.
You all don't know, do you?
I happened to overhear a conversation between the instructors earlier...
"Did you go easy on them today? The real thing starts tomorrow, you know."
"I know. Today was just half of a half of the usual intensity. We’ll start getting serious tomorrow."
We all escaped together.
It was impossible.
By us running away, my father's position might worsen.
However, I was truly sorry.
I didn't think I could endure it.
This was entirely different from the hardships I had imagined!
I thought it would be more... glamorous, like something out of a story.
A faint love blooming amidst tears and tragedy.
I was expecting something like that!
Regardless of my title, I was just a frail girl who had lived a life of leisure.
Running and farm work were out of the question.
Please forgive my weakness.
We were all caught immediately.
It seemed they had fully anticipated our escape.
......
Someone, please save me!
I’m no good at cooking, but I’ll be completely devoted to you!
To the point where people would call me calculating!