People rushed into the princess’s palace.

“What? What’s going on?”

“Your Highness has been appointed as a diplomatic envoy.”

The woman who introduced herself as a Grade 2 foreign service officer working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs efficiently directed the people she had brought.

They bustled about carrying books and documents.

Feeling ominous when her usually quiet palace became crowded with people, Acelia urgently grabbed the woman.

“Why?”

“It’s a decision made by His Majesty. We need to prepare for protocol, so please cooperate.”

What? Prepare for protocol?

Isn’t that what they do when important state guests visit?

Belatedly, Acelia learned that becoming a diplomatic envoy wasn’t just empty talk and that Duke Seta had strongly recommended her.

‘What’s this? Is he trying to get back at me because I refused his gratitude?’

Like a raccoon washed with cotton candy, Acelia helplessly watched people occupy her palace.

Dragged into the reception room, a tailor unfolded a measuring tape in front of her.

“I’ll take your measurements first.”

“No! Shouldn’t you explain what’s going on?”

“Didn’t I tell you?”

The foreign affairs officer asked, seeming perplexed.

“I don’t know anything about diplomacy, negotiations, or any of that!”

Not to mention I don’t even know which country we’re dealing with?

“Don’t worry. We will support you perfectly.”

“That’s not enough!”

“It is. This was decided urgently, so please understand that time is limited.”

The foreign affairs officer nodded, and the tailor turned Acelia’s body, measuring various parts.

Just when she thought it was over, they brought piles of fabrics to show her.

The dazzling parade of patterns made her head spin, and Acelia surrendered.

“Do whatever you want……”

“Then, since this is your first political appearance, we’ll go with classic white as the base and match it with purple…… Oh, do you prefer skirts or pants? We should prepare both just in case.”

What? Political appearance? I’m making a political appearance?

The situation grew more overwhelming by the minute.

Acelia, an introvert, wanted to lock herself in her room.

All she did was save a lady in danger, so why did it come to this?

“Excuse me, what did you say your name was?”

“I told you it’s Camilla Hoden.”

“I was too confused earlier…… Right, Miss Hoden. Do I really look like someone who could be a diplomatic envoy? Shouldn’t we advise His Majesty against this now?”

“His Majesty has high expectations for Your Highness.”

What expectations? I can’t even remember when we last saw each other.

She did briefly see him during the hunting competition, but only for a moment.

“Please don’t worry too much. I will do my best to assist you.”

Acelia felt like crying. She couldn’t see any way out of this situation……

Fortunately, her assigned assistant seemed competent.

Though it was unfortunate for that person. Having to deal with a complete novice like herself.

* * *

“Hahaha! You, a diplomatic envoy?”

When Gale heard the news, he rushed over to tease her.

“You will surely do well, Princess.”

Liliana also came and added her thoughts.

“Look, I already have a headache, so could both of you please be quiet?”

Acelia, looking miserable from having to study something she never expected, pressed her temples.

Around her were mountains of books recommended by Camilla and documents she absolutely needed to memorize.

“Ha, this is hilarious. Pfft-kekeke…… Ahem. Hmm. Congratulations on escaping unemployment, Acelia.”

“I heard you laughing.”

“I’m so excited to see the Princess at an official event!”

“Liliana, could you please ask the duke to take this over? It’s not too late.”

“No.”

For some reason, Liliana was firm with a smile on her face.

Why? Isn’t a proper repayment giving what the other person wants?

I never wanted this position.

Could he actually have a grudge while pretending to be grateful?

“I’m going crazy, stars. How am I supposed to memorize all this……”

The meeting topic Acelia was assigned concerned the subsidiary measures for the 〈Maritime Peace Agreement〉 with the Yulitas Empire.

While she was flipping through documents, Gale approached and glanced at the contents.

She let him look since they weren’t confidential documents.

“This? Hmm. ……Huh?”

“What?”

“This? Don’t you know? Seems like you hit the jackpot?”

“What do you mean?”

Acelia snapped, thinking he was joking again. But Gale was serious.

“From what I remember, the conclusion for this is already set. In the end, the Yulitas Empire will raise salt prices, and they’re so adamant that there’s no room for negotiation. So the nobles pretend to be all serious, but they actually don’t expect much?”

Acelia blinked. She had never seen Gale being smart before. But soon she became suspicious.

“……How do you know so much?”

“My ex-girlfriend was a foreign affairs officer.”

That explains it. But his ex-girlfriend being a foreign affairs officer was unexpected. Does he like intelligent people?

No, someone like Gale wouldn’t be picky about partners, so maybe intelligent women liked Gale.

“Hey, take it easy~ Even if you mess up, nobody will blame you. Unless you grab their collars or something.”

With doubtful eyes, Acelia looked at Liliana. When their eyes met, Liliana winked.

‘What, so that’s what this is about?’

Her previously tight chest suddenly felt clear, like she had eaten scones.

Acelia wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, though she wasn’t sweating.

If the conclusion was already set for failure, if Acelia’s presence wouldn’t affect the negotiations at all, she could proceed without pressure.

‘Political debut, hey you can do it!’

Someone aiming for the throne might obsess over results in this situation, but not Acelia.

She wanted to live quietly more than anyone else.

Thus, the suddenly assigned diplomatic envoy job seemed easy to handle.

However.

“No, you’re all talking bullshit right now!”

Acelia, who needed to speak her mind to feel satisfied, couldn’t hold back.

* * *

A diplomatic delegation arrived from the Yulitas Empire.

Watching the majestic procession approaching from afar, Acelia checked her information window after a long time.

Ding!

[Checking the updated information.

Name: Acelia Hedwig (Baek Seyeon)

Title: The Princess Beginning to Be Known (Fame 48/100)

Age: 23

Traits: 〈Sickly〉, 〈Timid〉, 〈Cheating Fiancé〉, 〈Excellent Actor〉, 〈Mastery of Swordsmanship—Swordmaster trait (limited to the first thrust in combat)〉, 〈A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step!〉

Status Abnormalities:

▶〈Abandoned in this Shitty World!〉

— The roulette activates in unspecified situations.

▶Poison (!#@world O□ ■ing)

— Makes the body weak and sometimes causes coughing up blood, nausea, chills, fever, etc.

▶The Last Leaf (D-40)

— If ‘Poison (!#@world O□ ■ing)’ is not resolved within 40 days, you will contract an incurable disease and die!]

‘Ugh, I need to finish this negotiation quickly and visit the temple again.’

After healing her cracked leg during the hunting competition, Joachim had disappeared again.

She had many questions about what happened to the statue, the investigation results, and why he was hiding his identity there, but she couldn’t do anything since he was nowhere to be found.

‘Just wait until I catch you.’

She gritted her teeth. While Acelia had many secrets, that man was no ordinary person either.

She vowed to squeeze everything out of him if she caught him, even his underwear, when the procession approached close by.

“They’re here.”

“Just do as you’ve learned, Your Highness.”

Camilla, her assistant, whispered.

Today, Acelia shone from head to toe, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the foreign affairs team and the palace maids.

She was not only beautiful but also exuded an intelligent and sophisticated aura befitting a diplomatic envoy.

A pure white pantsuit with a purple cape draped over one shoulder and the back, accented with gold trim.

She wore black high heels and makeup with elongated eyeliner to erase her sickly impression. Her long platinum blonde hair was tied high in a ponytail, elegantly revealing her neck.

Just when Acelia was about to greet the Yulitas delegation—

“Oh, my dear friend, Joachim!”

‘?!’

Fifth Prince Roberto, the delegation’s representative, suddenly turned toward where the priests stood.

Since a delegation was coming from a foreign country, the temple had also sent people, but when she checked earlier, Joachim definitely wasn’t there.

‘Why is Joachim here? And what relationship does he have with the Fifth Prince?’

Despite Roberto’s friendly greeting, Joachim’s expression remained stoic.

Enough to embarrass the person who spoke to him.

To Acelia’s eyes, he even looked annoyed.

“Haha, this friend. Still the same!”

But Roberto was strong. Camilla urgently whispered beside her.

“They’re expressing dissatisfaction with Your Highness being the representative. You must maintain a dignified appearance now more than ever.”

‘Ah, so they’re completely ignoring me?’

They probably expected the First or Second Prince, and they’re dissatisfied that someone without influence like her showed up?

She was already nervous enough, and now being blatantly ignored made Acelia’s brows furrow.

‘Should I establish dominance right away?’

She felt it would be good to put them in their place here, both because she felt offended and to increase her damage level.

Her mother, Mrs. Lim Kyungsook, always said first impressions matter in any situation.

That meant showing those who disrespect you who’s boss.

Additionally, she needed to warn Joachim to stop playing hide and seek.

Without thinking too much, Acelia activated her skill, 〈A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step!〉

They could disrespect her country, but she couldn’t tolerate them disrespecting her.

The next moment, Acelia stood between Joachim and Roberto.

She met a pair of surprised blue eyes but naturally turned around to face Roberto.

“My! Fifth Prince Roberto of the Yulitas Empire. What connection do you have with our High Priest Joachim? You seem even more delighted to see him than me. I’m curious about that story. Would you tell me?”

“P-Princess……?”