I was Reincarnated as the Youngest Child of a Villainous Noble Family Who Controls the Kingdom from Behind the Scenes

Letitia's pov 

I, Princess Letitia of the Sailrand Kingdom, was bored.

No, to be more accurate, I felt a sense of unease from being too bored.

This country has been peaceful ever since I was born.

I had heard that before I was born, the kingdom was at war with a neighboring country, but that conflict ended in less than a year.

I remember being excited as a child when I heard that the kingdom had suffered almost no casualties, but now that I think about it, it’s strange.

Once, I went around to observe the kingdom’s knights.

The guards were sloppy, yawning and indulging in entertainment at their posts.

A man who couldn’t even be called competent by any stretch of the imagination was sitting in the position of squad leader, having been promoted.

The training   was also terrible.

The training consisted of only a little physical exercise and a few mock battles, and then it was over.

None of the knights had any sense of tension.

When I asked my father about it, he just casually said that it was fine.

I had always wondered if people like that could really protect the peace of this country.

Filled with doubt, I often snuck out of the castle to observe the capital.

If the peace was truly being maintained thanks to the knights, then fine.

But I couldn’t quite accept it.

Tonight, too, I was sneaking around the capital late at night.

I am the princess of this country.

If the knights aren’t maintaining order, then I, as the princess, must do it.

If evil were to stir, it would be in the dead of night, and I had no intention of letting even the smallest sign of it slip by.

With that determination, I noticed a few people standing in front of a warehouse.

It was too dark to see clearly, but they looked suspicious!

Evil! It’s evil! I won’t let this slide!

I need to get closer!

I stealthily observed them from the shadows of the warehouse.

“Here’s the drug for this time. Hehehe…”

“Sorry ‘bout that. Honestly, who’d have thought a noble would be spreading Veranna around? The world’s gone to hell.”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

It was too dark to see clearly, but the  name “Veranna” rang a bell.

It was a magic-enhancing drug that had spread explosively throughout the kingdom during the war with the neighboring country.

I had heard that its side effects were so problematic that its trade was banned after the war.

The ones making the deal were an old man with white hair and a man with a black beard.

One of them looked familiar. The white-haired man was the butler of the Demaseka family.

I had seen him several times at palace parties.

“You can’t get by on just pretty words. All you need in this world are status and money.”

“Ain’t that the truth. Thanks to you, we in the Gargo family are making easy money.”

What is this?!

The butler of the Demaseka family and the mafia-like Gargo family are making an illegal deal?!

I can’t let this slide.

“Stop right there! I’ve seen your evil deeds with my own eyes!”

“W-who’s there?!”

When I revealed myself in front of the villains, they were clearly flustered.

I’ve been trained in swordsmanship at the castle, so I’m not afraid of petty villains like these.

“Oh my, if it isn’t the tomboy princess. It’s not good to be out playing at night.”

“Silence! You villains, committing evil deeds behind the peace of the kingdom! I will punish you!”

“Hehe, how brave…”

I’m not the type to be scared of some frail old butler.

Even though I’m young, I have the strength to overpower adults.

I drew my sword. But in an instant, my spine froze.

“My, my, it’s been a while since I’ve been  fighting …”

The butler equipped a massive claw and spread his arms.

I was speechless, not expecting the butler to wield such a weapon.

His silhouette in the night looked demonic, and my grip on the sword loosened.

“Back in the day, I killed over a hundred people in the war with the neighboring country. Ah, the good old mercenary days… I’m no match for a royal princess, though… Hehehe!”

“T-that doesn’t matter! Take this!”

With determination, I charged at the butler.

It’s fine, I’ve mastered the basics.

That weapon of his is just big, that’s all.

“Oh my, you’re quite sharp for a child.”

“Haaah!”

“Tough, tough.”

“Yaaah!”

The butler effortlessly dodged my sword.

I couldn’t land a single hit. Why?

Unlike the knights, I never compromised on my training.

I’ve mastered the basics and studied tactics thoroughly.

Even my instructors praised my growth.

I shouldn’t be inferior to any adult at this point.

So why is that claw right in front of me—?

“Kyaaah!”

“Oh my, did I graze you? Does it hurt? It must hurt. Ah, poor thing… Hehehe!”

“I’m not done yet!”

“Oh my, dangerous, dangerous.”

Even my full-powered strike was dodged, and this time I took a kick from the butler.

The kick sank into my stomach, and I couldn’t help but fall.

“O-oweeeh…!”

“Oh my, oh my, oh my! Poor thing, poor thing! There, there, there!”

“N-not yet…”

“What’s this? Still not giving up? Is this the blood and pride of royalty? What do you think, Mr. Gargo?”

The butler called out to Gargo, who was watching, and laughed again.

I couldn’t stand, tasting blood and feeling utterly powerless.

Why, after all that training?

Is it because I’m still young?

Could I have won if I were an adult?

The fact that he used a kick instead of his claw felt like mockery and disdain.

“Hueeeh, hueeeeh…”

“Oh my, oh my! You’re crying now! Back in my day, I was called the Black Death Butterfly  on the battlefield! So losing to me is no shame! Don’t worry, okay?”

The pain and humiliation left me with nowhere to direct my emotions.@@novelbin@@

Being this close, having my head patted, I realized I wasn’t even seen as a worthy opponent.

In the face of evil threatening the kingdom, I was powerless.

Am I doomed to just watch as the kingdom falls into ruin?

Will I succumb to evil and be killed like this?

What kind of royalty can’t even protect their own country?

“Ah, I’m getting excited… I’ve killed countless children, but it never gets old… Fuhihi, hehehe…”

“I don’t get it. Women are better when they’re adults. Besides, isn’t killing royalty a bad idea?”

“Mr. Gargo, you’re such a villain. I can’t contain this excitement anymore, so I’ll take my time enjoying this.”

The man’s face looked like that of a beast.

No, perhaps he was a beast himself.

Right now, I’m just a helpless rabbit about to be devoured by a ferocious beast.

Father, Mother. Please forgive your reckless Letitia.

“Found it. Is that it?”

A voice came from the darkness beyond.

A passerby? If so, they’re in danger, they need to run.

“Alphiss-sama , there’s something creepy here. Look at those long claws!”

“Seems like we hit the jackpot.”

From their voices, it sounded like a boy and a girl?

Strangely, they didn’t seem like lost children; there was a certain confidence in their voicees .