ATIRPBT 02

Here’s a polished translation of Episode 2 of “I Regressed as the Useless Princess”, keeping the tone and nuance faithful to the original Korean:

CHAPTER 02

“Did you sleep well, Sister?”

Yevgeny smiled sweetly, her maids standing behind her like shadows. I responded with an equally graceful expression.

“I did, thanks to your concern.”

“That’s a relief. I was a bit worried since you’ve seemed so down lately.”

Down? Who wouldn’t be down after being poisoned?

If I hadn’t come back to the past, that is.

But in this moment, I wasn’t sad. In fact, I was thrilled to see her again.

Yevgeny, oblivious to my thoughts, continued with her usual sickeningly sweet tone.

“By the way… your attire today is quite unusual.”

“Unusual?”

“Mm… how do I put this? It’s much more flamboyant than your usual look.”

My expression remained calm.

It was clear she was trying to say I looked ridiculous without saying it outright.

I turned to Emyn and asked gently,

“Emyn, does my outfit look weird today?”

“No! Not at all! It’s super pretty!”

He puffed out his cheeks, glaring at Yevgeny.

Yevgeny’s smile wavered.

I returned my gaze to her and smiled calmly.

“Seems like your opinion is different from Emyn’s.”

“…I didn’t mean it in a bad way, Sister. It just caught me off guard.”

“That’s okay. I suppose even someone like you can be surprised sometimes.”

Yevgeny’s brow twitched slightly. That was enough for me.

In the past, I would’ve stuttered and looked away at this point, crushed by her passive aggression.

But now?

Now I was prepared.

I locked eyes with her and tilted my head ever so slightly.

“You look quite plain today, Yevgeny.”

“…Excuse me?”

Her voice, sweet as honey, had an edge of frost.

Still, I smiled innocently.

“Your hair looks slightly frizzy. Did you oversleep?”

She blinked, stunned.

“…No, I woke up early as usual.”

“Oh. That’s odd. Maybe your hairdresser is slacking. Shall I send someone from my palace to help?”

I was absolutely mocking her.

Her expression remained calm, but I saw her hand clench tightly at her side.

Emyn, sensing the tension, whispered,

“Sis… Yevgeny looks mad.”

Of course she does.

Who wouldn’t be, after being talked down to by the very girl she’s always trampled on?

“I’m just offering help as a good sister should.”

I smiled sweetly, just like her.

The corners of her lips trembled.

After a pause, she gave an equally sugary response.

“Thank you, Sister. But I’ll have a word with my maid myself.”

“Ah, I see. That might be for the best.”

We exchanged smiles, both knowing full well they were fake.

Yevgeny was seething inside. I could tell.

But she had her image to protect, so she couldn’t retaliate openly—not yet.

That was her weakness.

I’d endured her tyranny once, but not this time.

This time, I would be the one holding the reins.

Emyn suddenly whispered again,

“…Sis, you’re kinda scary today.”

I chuckled.

No, Emyn. I’m just finally awake.

Later, in the grand hall.

A royal gathering was underway—minor nobles and members of the court trickled in.

As a princess, I was required to attend. In the past, I used to stand quietly in a corner, doing my best to be invisible.

But not anymore.

Today, I stepped into the hall with confidence, head held high.

The murmuring started instantly.

“Is that Princess Lirien…?”

“She looks completely different…”

“What a transformation…”

I could hear the whispers, the shock. But I didn’t flinch.

Instead, I made eye contact—intentionally—with those who used to mock me.

I even greeted some with a smile.

“Good morning, Countess Ristal. You’re looking rather healthy today. Still doing your morning stretches?”

The countess blanched.

“Y-Your Highness… you remember?”

“Of course. I remember you said if I ever showed up dressed like this, you’d stand on your head and clap.”

She flushed crimson, avoiding my gaze.

That’s right. I remember everything.

Yevgeny always spread false rumors about me to these very people—how I was sickly, mentally unstable, even a bad omen.

And they lapped it up.

They laughed behind my back. Some even joined in tormenting me outright.

But from today on, I’d make sure none of them ever dared look down on me again.

As I stepped farther into the hall, I caught sight of him.

Sitting with a group of nobles, laughing politely.

My breath hitched for a moment.

Luca…

Luca von Eistein.

My former fiancé.

Or rather, the man who had pretended to love me for political gain, only to throw me away when I became inconvenient.

I stared at him, letting the bitterness wash over me.

In the past, I would’ve looked at him with longing. I had loved him dearly.

I had thought he was my salvation—someone who’d pull me out of Yevgeny’s shadow.

Instead, he’d used me.

Just like everyone else.

But this time?

This time I would never let myself fall for that face again.

He turned as if sensing my gaze, our eyes meeting for a brief moment.

His expression shifted—surprise, then confusion.

Of course. I wasn’t the same timid girl he remembered.

“Princess Lirien?”

He walked over, cautious.

“Good morning, Sir Luca.”

“I… didn’t recognize you.”

“Is that so? That’s unfortunate.”

“…You seem different today.”

“People change. Especially when they’re close to death.”

“…What?”

I smiled faintly.

“Oh, nothing. Just thinking out loud.”

He looked troubled, clearly thrown off by my demeanor.

I tilted my head.

“Don’t worry, Sir Luca. I have no expectations of you.”

“…That’s not—”

“I hope you enjoy the banquet.”

I turned before he could finish and walked away.

Let him wonder.

Let him stew in uncertainty.

Because the next time he tries to manipulate me, he’ll find I’ve already outplayed him.

This time, I would not just survive.

I would reign.