I Raised Snow White!

“The Chancellor has requested an audience with Your Majesty.”

“The Chancellor?”

Why the Chancellor all of a sudden…?

The maid who had informed me in such a curt manner glanced around the room, as if searching for something. Then, with a tilt of her head, she seemed to notice something odd.

“Were you perhaps speaking with someone?”

“Oh, no?”

“…I thought I heard a conversation…”

Hearing the maid muttering to herself, I gulped unconsciously. Shifting only my eyes, I glanced at the mirror beside me.

—Shh. Don’t look at me or respond. Others only see me as an ordinary mirror. If you speak to me now… you know what would happen, right?

Inside the mirror, Ainsel lifted her index finger to her lips, gesturing for me to remain silent. I gave a barely noticeable nod, signaling my understanding without the maid catching on.

Ainsel appeared as an ordinary mirror to others.

If I was caught talking to Ainsel in front of others…

I’d look like a madwoman talking to a mirror. It was bad enough that Vivian was already known as “the menace”; I had no desire to add the title “madwoman who talks to mirrors.”

“Haa—”

Lost in thought for a moment, I heard the maid in front of me let out a deep sigh, clearly intended for me to hear.

“Your Majesty, the Queen? His Excellency, the Chancellor, is requesting an audience… What shall I do? Do you need to prepare? Or shall I tell him to leave?”

Seeing the maid’s attitude, I started to get a sense of Vivian’s position within the palace. Despite being the queen, even a maid would openly disregard her.

As I was pondering how to respond to the maid’s question, Ainsel scoffed beside me.

-Ha, the maid who couldn’t even meet Vivian’s eyes while she was alive suddenly acts all brazen as soon as she hears Vivian lost her memory?

…?

Um, Ainsel?

Ainsel’s voice turned icy, as if irritated by the maid’s insolence or perhaps by the way she treated Vivian.

-Didn’t you ask me earlier how Vivian usually spoke and behaved? Follow my instructions carefully; this is a perfect chance.

Could this really be the same Ainsel who was crying like a child not long ago? Her voice was so cold that I nervously began following her lead.

-Ellie. Come here.

“Ellie, come here.”

So the maid’s name was “Ellie.” As soon as I called her name, she flinched visibly. Like a machine creaking into motion, the maid turned her head, her pupils trembling as she looked at me.

“Y-Your Majesty…?”

“I told you to come here, didn’t I? You always need to be told twice.”

A cold, subdued voice. It was so chilly that I could hardly believe it was my own. Mimicking Ainsel’s tone, I watched as Ellie approached, her steps trembling.

-Slap Ellie’s cheek hard. She’ll kneel automatically.

“…Your gaze is a bit too high.”

…Though I thought hitting her might be going too far, I softened it with words instead. Understanding, Ellie slowly knelt in front of me.

-…You’re certainly different from Vivian. Fine, let’s continue. Follow my instructions closely.

It was overwhelming enough just to mimic Ainsel’s words, and I didn’t want to resort to violence.

And besides, I had never laid a hand on anyone.

“Ellie, you’ve disobeyed me.”

“Y-yes..?”

“What did I tell you last time? How should you come when I call?”

Ellie’s face turned even paler, beyond shock, as if the life had drained from it. It seemed she had served under Vivian even when she was alive.

“Like a… like a dog, on all fours…”

“You remember well. Just like I do.”

Following Ainsel’s words with a smile, I watched as Ellie began to tremble like a leaf, her entire body shaking. Her teeth chattered, and her eyes quivered.

Realizing the rumor of Vivian’s memory loss was false, Ellie pressed her forehead almost to the floor, confessing her guilt like a criminal awaiting execution.

“P-please forgive me… I… I dared to mock Your Majesty…”

Apparently, Ellie had believed the rumor and thought she could make a fool of Vivian. Did she assume Vivian wouldn’t remember, that she could get away with it?

I couldn’t help but wonder why she’d make such a foolish choice, but… perhaps, after suffering under Vivian, she wanted a bit of revenge.

It confirmed what I had suspected: Vivian’s personality must have been vile, and the people around her truly despised her.

“Ellie, how stupid you are. To receive my forgiveness, what did I say you should do?”

As soon as our eyes met, Ellie flashed a nervous smile, filled with fear. Without even waiting for me to stop her, she lowered her head sharply to the ground.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Once, twice, three times.

‘…This is insane.’

Even as blood began to trickle from her forehead, Ellie continued, not stopping until her forehead was stained red. Only then did she look up at me with a shaky smile.

“Will… will I be forgiven by Your Majesty now..?”

“…Yes, I am pleased.”

I didn’t follow Ainsel’s words this time. I simply couldn’t bear to watch Ellie’s disturbing display any longer.

Ellie, overjoyed to have gained my forgiveness, smiled at me, blood running down her injured forehead.

‘…First, I need to improve Vivian’s reputation. At this rate, I might get assassinated even if I keep my head down.’

I worried that someone with a grudge against Vivian might come after me. I had to avoid the fate of being killed in my sleep.

As I contemplated how to boost her reputation, Ainsel growled at the prostrate Ellie.

-How dare a mere maid behave this way with Vivian? Know your place!

It was odd to see Ainsel, who seemingly despised Vivian to the point of nausea, act as if she had been personally insulted on her behalf.

Was it one of those “only I can criticize my own” things?

‘…Well, I get it. I should avoid bad-mouthing Vivian in front of Ainsel.’

Just as I wondered if I should clean the blood off Ellie’s forehead, I heard a sudden knock at the door.

Startled, I turned to see a middle-aged man with receding hair and a weary expression glancing between Ellie and me. With a sigh, he spoke.

“…It seems the doctor misdiagnosed Your Majesty’s condition.”

“Y-Your Excellency, the Chancellor..?”

Ellie turned, startled, to look at “the Chancellor.” His gray hair, partially receded, and dull blue eyes hinted at exhaustion.

Fifty? Sixty? The middle-aged man, worn out by life, knelt beside Ellie and looked up at me.

“I’m relieved to see that you’re well, Your Majesty.”

His words were kind and concerned, yet his expression and voice betrayed no warmth. It was clear that the Chancellor’s tone was entirely void of emotion as he greeted me with a polite smile.

In return, I mimicked Ainsel’s words.

I returned his smile, even brighter than his.

“…Indeed, I am well, but I worry your hair is not.”

A small vein pulsed on the Chancellor’s forehead in response to my sarcastic remark.

*

In a “life-simulation game,” there are numerous NPCs to support the princess’s growth.

Apart from the royal family, there are teachers, social mentors, and various other NPCs that the protagonist meets.

The Chancellor was no exception.

While his exact surname was unknown, he went by the name “Bainshaw.”

An aging chancellor suffering from stress-induced hair loss, he was one of the characters who assisted the princess in her education within the royal court.

‘Looks just like his illustration. Maybe his hair’s a bit fuller? Not that it’ll matter—he’ll be fully bald by the end.’

As I observed Bainshaw’s receding hairline, he let out a loud cough, clearly displeased.

“First, I apologize for entering Your Majesty’s room without permission. The sounds from within were somewhat alarming, and I grew concerned for Your Majesty’s safety.”

I could easily tell from his tone that there was no sincerity in his words. He sounded so indifferent that I almost mistook him for a machine.

“Yes… and? I’m sure the Chancellor is busy. What brings you to request an audience?”

“Of course, it was out of concern for Your Majesty. As the kingdom’s queen, my role is to serve and protect Your Majesty.”

Hah… Had he oiled his tongue before coming here?

His response came so swiftly that I couldn’t hide my surprise. Glancing over, I saw Ellie still kneeling beside me.

“You may leave now.”

“Y-yes..!”

Upon receiving my permission, Ellie bolted from the room as if fleeing for her life.

Once the door closed, Ainsel and I finally had a chance to question Bainshaw.

“Speak plainly. You didn’t come here just to offer your assistance.”

“My devotion to Your Majesty is genuine—”

“Enough. Do I need to rip out your well-lubricated tongue to stop you?”

With a smirk, Bainshaw stood, dusting off his knees before taking a seat across from me.

“I came primarily to assess Your Majesty’s condition. The doctor claimed Your Majesty suffered memory loss. However… it seems that diagnosis was a mistake. Haha.”

It wasn’t a misdiagnosis. Vivian’s memories were truly gone, replaced only by the spirit of Ainsel, who guided me.

“Hmph.”

I simply smiled, offering no further response to Bainshaw.

He chuckled along briefly before falling silent, then spoke up again.

“…It’s wonderful news that Your Majesty is in good health, but I’m afraid not all the news is positive.”

“Bad news?”

Seeing Bainshaw’s now somber expression, a chill ran down my spine. In stories, such moments typically preceded a grim revelation.

“Due to Your Majesty’s ‘resurrection’ at the funeral, rumors are spreading that you’re a ‘witch.’ Though a gag order has been imposed on the witnesses…”

“And so?”

“The Council of Elders is discussing the matter. They’re even suggesting annulment with His Majesty. Should that occur…”

With Bainshaw’s severe tone, I felt a pang of anxiety, though I brushed it off.

“It seems Your Majesty won’t be able to avoid a ‘witch trial’ at the temple. The rumors have reached them, but thanks to the authority of Your Majesty and His Majesty, it hasn’t escalated… yet.”

Damn.

I barely restrained myself from cursing.

In other words, if I lost my position as queen, the temple would accuse me of witchcraft and drag me into a “witch trial,” branding me a heretic to be burned.

What on earth am I supposed to do..?