ATIRPBT 06

CHAPTER 06

The Imperial Archives were located in a tall, ivy-covered building nestled within the inner palace grounds.

Even from a distance, it exuded a kind of solemn dignity—ancient, weighty, and untouched by the trivial chatter of the court.

I stood at the entrance, holding the Emperor’s handwritten decree in my hand.

A librarian glanced at the seal and bowed deeply.

“You may enter, Your Highness.”

I stepped inside.

Immediately, I was enveloped in silence. Rows upon rows of tall bookshelves stretched into the distance, filled with countless volumes bound in worn leather and gilded script.

It smelled like paper, ink, and centuries of forgotten truths.

I let out a slow breath.

So this is the place that was always off-limits to me.

The same place that had been fully open to Yevgeny.

She had studied here often—using knowledge as another weapon to cement her power.

And now, I had access too.

Let’s see what I was never allowed to learn.

I moved toward the shelves with purpose.

For the next several hours, I lost myself in reading.

I didn’t focus on just one topic. I chose books on state affairs, trade routes, military tactics, and even imperial etiquette.

Every word was a revelation.

So much had been kept from me.

In my previous life, they had said I was too dull, too weak, too unsuitable to learn these things.

But it wasn’t that I lacked the ability—it was that no one gave me the chance.

I felt no frustration.

Only quiet resolve.

This time, I would earn everything I had been denied.

As the sun began to set, I finally set my last book aside.

My eyes were tired, but my mind was burning with clarity.

I left the archive in silence, the weight of everything I had read still sitting on my shoulders like a new cloak.

When I returned to my chambers, Emyn came running.

“Sis! Where were you?”

“The library.”

“Did you find something fun?”

I smiled and knelt down to meet his eyes.

“I found out that I can learn anything I want.”

He tilted his head.

“Wasn’t that always true?”

I paused.

Then let out a soft laugh.

“…You’re right.”

Sometimes children saw things more clearly than adults.

He was right. It had always been possible—I had just never believed it.

Until now.

The next morning, something unexpected happened.

A letter arrived—sealed with green wax bearing the crest of House Verdein.

House Verdein…?

That name was familiar.

They were a military noble house, proud and blunt, with no great love for palace politics. In my previous life, they had kept a respectful distance from me, never hostile—but never warm, either.

I broke the seal and read the contents.

To Her Highness, Princess Lirien:
We send this letter in humble recognition of Your Highness’s recent grace and wisdom displayed before the court. House Verdein offers its respects and hopes to speak with you in person, should you be willing.
—With honor,
Viscountess Verdein

I stared at the letter in silence.

They want to meet me?

Another ripple. Another shift.

Yevgeny had always kept noble houses like Verdein in her orbit through her tight grip on court alliances. The fact that they were now reaching out to me… meant they sensed something changing.

And they were testing the waters.

I tapped the edge of the parchment.

Good.

Let them wonder.

Let them try to understand what kind of princess I would become.

Later that day, while walking through the garden with Emyn, I spotted Yevgeny in the distance.

She was surrounded by her usual entourage, as graceful and elegant as ever.

But her expression tightened the moment she saw me.

She walked toward us, slow and measured.

“Out for a walk, Sister?”

“Just enjoying the breeze.”

I offered a pleasant smile.