Chapter 01
There is a saying that goes, “They must have saved a country in their past life.” It’s a phrase used to describe someone with a good family, outstanding looks, exceptional talent, or an undeservedly wonderful partner or friend.
They say that person is so fortunate because they accumulated merits and virtues in their previous life. By assuming such cause and effect, we reduce our jealousy and envy towards them, or acknowledge the blessings they enjoy in their current life.
However, Serena lived an ordinary life in her past life, yet she was reincarnated as a princess.
Reincarnation isn’t determined by karma from a past life—it’s random luck!
Her shock at suddenly being handed a diamond spoon was short-lived. Serena was content with the happiness given to her for no reason.
But now.
“So it wasn’t pay-in-advance, it was pay-later. I see, I see.”
Serena realized she had to pay the price for being reincarnated as a princess.
If she wasn’t a nation-saver in her past life but was reincarnated as a princess anyway? Then it means she has to save a nation in *this* life! This bloodline-spoon reincarnation was pay-later! A forced princess service with no refunds, well past the return period!
“If I’d known this, I would have indulged more! Lived life recklessly!”
Regretting not having enjoyed the princess life she received upfront more fully—
Today, too, the princess enters the labyrinth.
To draw lots and rescue the 100,000 citizens trapped in the labyrinth.
If she’s going to rescue them, why draw lots?
Because it *is* a lottery.
This is the story of Princess Serena, who enthusiastically explores the labyrinth in order to rescue 100,000 citizens by drawing lots. Serena is the princess of the Huji Kingdom. Strictly speaking, she’s not yet the princess, but the crown princess. She is the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Kipan of Huji.
Since her father hasn’t ascended to the throne yet, Serena’s official title is Grand Duchess of Pacling.
In countries with many royals, they’d be strict about it, but in Huji, where royals are precious, it was a bit different. Everyone called Serena “Princess.”
As the only female among just five royals, Serena monopolized all the wealth and glory she could enjoy.
‘This is life.’
Even lying still and just breathing, praise poured in from all sides, and people offered gold, silver, and treasures while singing of Serena’s long life and freedom from illness. Completely free from the pressure of finding a job and the pain of labor.
Reincarnated and found myself a princess? And second in line for the throne? Even though her rank dropped by one after her younger brother was born, she actually preferred it. She had no interest in the throne or ruling.
The inheritance she received from relatives who died before she was born was so vast that her wealth only grew even when she did nothing but loaf around. Life was so easy it made her yawn.
She was content, paid her taxes without complaint, and felt grateful to her beloved subjects for accepting her as royalty—but that feeling didn’t last long.
Serena had grown accustomed to a life of leisure and luxury. Thanks to memories of her commoner past life, she still felt some gratitude toward the people, but it had shrunk considerably.
‘Our country is probably better off to live in than others, right? Since there are so few royals, using the surplus budget for luxury is fine, isn’t it?’
Just as Serena was happily enjoying a legitimate, high-class freeloader life, a dark cloud called ‘labor’ loomed before her—starting with the approach of the National Foundation Day celebrating the kingdom’s 1000th anniversary.
The Huji Kingdom, where Serena was reincarnated as a princess, is the longest-established nation on the continent. To the west lies a sea full of reefs, and the east, south, and north are surrounded by rugged mountain ranges.
Thanks to these natural fortifications, the Huji Kingdom grew into a small but prosperous nation, never invading or being invaded. And now, 1000 years had passed.
Celebrating its 1000th anniversary for the first time since its founding, Huji was flooded with congratulatory envoys. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they came from all over the continent.
Socializing and diplomacy are duties of royalty. Serena, too, intended to faithfully fulfill her royal duties in proportion to how much she’d loafed around… but.
‘Could you please stop coming?’
There were simply too many guests.
Since they were envoys celebrating a full 1000 years, each delegation was spectacular. Royals absolutely had to attend to them.
And the events held in celebration of the festival were countless. Whether it was an exhibition or a concert, she had to show her face at least once. She couldn’t neglect the competition winners, so royals had to present the prizes and give speeches.
Priests? In the world Serena reincarnated into, there were as many gods as in a neighboring island nation, so there were many religious orders too. In a world where gods actually exist, neglecting priests would be blasphemy, so of course Serena, as the host, had to attend.
Guests poured in from all over the continent, but only five royals were available to handle them. One was practically incapacitated, and one was a moody adolescent boy who could snap at any moment, making him unreliable for sensitive events.
As a result, the more difficult guests inevitably concentrated on the three relatively functional (?) royals, including Serena. She had to deal with guests whose slightest misstep could become a diplomatic incident.
For an entire month.
Serena’s physical strength, mental fortitude, and patience reached their limits. Fortunately, today was a holiday. The princess swore she would spend the holiday she’d barely earned after a month of frantic work, lying in bed.
But.
“Princess Serena.”
Serena shuddered at the sight of the Minister of Foreign Affairs visiting during breakfast.
“Today is my day off. Wasn’t it Count Baker who told me I could rest today?”
“I’m terribly sorry, but the Eastern delegation said they’d arrive late, yet they arrived on schedule. A Crown Prince has come, so you absolutely must attend, Princess.”
“Isn’t this too much? Seraph or His Highness the Crown Prince should be the ones to go there!”
If a vassal state from the East sent their Crown Prince, this side should send the Crown Prince or the Crown Prince’s heir to match the rank. Not Serena, who is called a princess but is technically not a princess, but a grand duchess.
“As you know, Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince and the Prince are… not well.”
They were in no condition to appear before important congratulatory envoys. Annoyed that her hard-won holiday might be cancelled, Serena mentioned someone else.
“Then go find Grand Duke Oren! He’d probably enjoy it more anyway!”
“Ugh! Princess! How can you say such a thing! I, Count Baker, am a loyal subject to you and the Prince.”
“So? Are you telling me to force my swollen feet into shoes and greet more guests? No. I’m resting today. I’m sick of people. I’m getting people-phobia.”
“Princess, please! If you don’t go, there’s no one else to go!”
“I said no.”
“We’re counting on you, Princess!”
The Minister groaned, then unilaterally added to her workload and fled.
“Tch.”
Serena clicked her tongue. No matter how she thought about it, it was too much.
‘I tried to let it slide as much as possible, but this is crossing the line.’
Serena knew there were only three functional (?) people in this household, so she’d endured the hectic schedule of the past month.
But Serena was who she was.
Reincarnated as a princess, cheering as she reveled in the dazzling royal spoon, living a life dedicated to playing, playing, and more playing—she was a growing, full-time freeloader.
She wanted to coast through life. She didn’t want to work. More than anyone, more than others, she wanted to coast through life and suck the honey out of it.
That was Serena’s life goal. She’d done nothing but play her whole life, and suddenly work was piling up—she couldn’t take it anymore.
‘I worked for a month without holidays, without shifts, day and night. That’s plenty of endurance.’
She lived off taxes, so she intended to fulfill at least the minimum responsibility as royalty, but this crossed the line. It was entirely the Foreign Ministry’s fault for failing to coordinate the schedule.
‘Yeah, no. I’m bailing.’
Her cheeks twitched from forcing smiles in front of dignitaries, and her feet were on fire from dancing so much.
She was also tired of having to think before speaking to avoid diplomatic blunders, when she’d always said whatever she wanted.
Serena’s life was already at zero. Physically, mentally, both.
Once she made up her mind, she acted fast. Serena left her room and called over a knight from the Royal Knights passing by.
“Today, you’ll be my escort, Guigyeong.”
“Huh? Grand Duchess, where are you going? You can’t leave the palace arbitrarily.”
Serena ignored the knight.
‘I can’t get caught, so a carriage without a crest… Ah, there it is!’
“Grand Duchess! Can you hear me? Are you ignoring me?”
The coachman wasn’t as nitpicky as the knight.
“Where shall I take you?”
‘Hmm, where would be good? My feet hurt so much I want a massage, but my usual place will be spotted right away. Right. Let’s go there.’
“To Lavenda’s Vieta-style massage parlor. It’s in District 7.”
Serena had recently discovered a new massage parlor. The owner was a foreigner, and she’d only been twice, so even her ladies-in-waiting, who usually followed her like a shadow, hadn’t been there yet. If she went there, it would take the Foreign Ministry officials a long time to find her.
“Ugh.”
The knight, who couldn’t let the princess go without an escort, reluctantly boarded the carriage.
The streets were so crowded the carriage couldn’t pick up speed. Serena dozed off from exhaustion and woke to the announcement of their arrival.
Serena stopped the knight from following her into the shop.
“Beyond this point is a men-forbidden zone.”
“Excuse me? But security…”
“Wait nearby. I’ll send word when I’m done.”
Serena cut him off and pointed to a café across the street from the massage parlor.
The knight looked displeased with Serena’s order, but after seeing the “Men Not Allowed” sign on the shop door, his cheeks flushed slightly and he nodded.
Inside the massage parlor, soft music played and a relaxing scent filled the air. The employees all rushed over when they saw the princess.
‘I’m so sick of people!’
Serena let out a deep sigh.
“Princess, are you alright?”
Lavenda, the shop owner, was startled. Not only Lavenda, but everyone inside was shocked.
Serena waved her hand, dismissing those trying to assist her.
“Today, don’t swarm me. Just you, Lavenda, handle me alone. Can you do that?”
“It would be my honor.”
As the people cleared out, Serena finally stretched with relief.
“Don’t take any other customers either.”
“Of course.”
This was the Huji Kingdom, and Serena was the daughter of the Crown Prince. There was no woman more noble than Serena in the current Huji royal family. This wasn’t an unreasonable request.
“Start with my feet today. I’ve danced so much in my life that my feet are tingling for the first time.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Lavenda, about to start the foot massage as Serena requested, was surprised.
“Princess. It looks like blisters are forming here. And here too.”
There were red patches all over Serena’s fair, delicate feet. The skin and flesh looked tender and weak.
“I know. Avoid those areas.”
“I heard there’s a ball every day at the palace.”
“Yes. Every day? It’s going on all day long.”
Thanks to that, Serena’s feet were ruined. She desperately wanted to refuse dances whenever possible, but the guests’ statuses were the problem.
Many were of higher rank or more renowned than Serena, and there were also many young men her age who seemed to be there to scope out potential marriage partners.
‘Why are there so many princes? My feet hurt so much I could die.’
Refusing some and accepting others would cause a diplomatic disaster, so she accepted every dance request equally. As a result, blisters were forming on her feet that had always been soft even in shoes.
‘I really worked too hard. This escape today is a survival move.’
The masseuse pressed on her feet. Serena let out a small yelp but gestured for her to continue. Enduring the pain now would bring peace to her feet tomorrow.
After the foot and calf massage, it was time for her back.
Lavenda scooped a generous amount of scented oil into her palm and warmed it with her body heat. The oil, a blend of sweet fruit and floral scents, released an even sweeter fragrance as it melted.
Gently, as if washing a baby, the skilled masseuse’s hands glided over Serena’s back. Serena let out a long moan, enjoying the peaceful languor that made her feel like she might fall asleep.
“Hmm.”
“Your back is very tense too. It must hurt so much.”
This was all from dealing with those high and mighty people.
Since being reincarnated, she’d had to bow her head to strangers—something she’d only ever done before to the dead, her grandfather, and the gods—which caused her neck and back muscles to malfunction.
*Bang! Pabang!*
Fireworks exploding outside interrupted the soft music echoing in the shop several times.
“I’ve never seen such a big festival. A 1000th anniversary—it’s truly amazing.”
“Well, strictly speaking, this year isn’t actually the 1000th anniversary. It seems a bit excessive.”
“Are there some discrepancies?”
Over 1000 years, a few years’ discrepancy could occur. Even accounting for that, no nation on the continent had a longer history than Huji.
“The year I was in my mother’s womb was exactly the 1000th year.”
Serena is 18 this year, so that was 18 years ago.
“Oh, then why are you holding the celebration almost 20 years later this year?”
“There was an unfortunate incident that year. So they postponed it, and it kept getting pushed back until this year.”
“I see.”
The Tragedy of Huji, which once made the entire continent mourn the royal House of Huaim.
Serena smiled faintly. Whether the whole continent mourned or not, as time passed and people who weren’t directly involved forgot.
Honestly, Serena wasn’t particularly moved either. They were all people she’d only seen in portraits. No one ever told her stories about the dead.
“It’s really surprising that people are flocking here for a so-called 1000th anniversary that isn’t even the real one.”
“Everyone wanted to visit Huji. It’s a mysterious country, after all. Unlike Vieta.”
The masseuse mentioned her homeland.
“Really? I’ve wanted to visit Vieta. It’s famous for being great for sightseeing.”
The Vieta Kingdom is at the eastern end of the continent. Unlike Huji, which is closed off due to its geography, Vieta is renowned as a tourist destination.
“Thinking of traveling from one end of the continent to the other. You’re quite bold.”
Serena thought of the continent’s map and was impressed. The masseuse, not much older than her, had crossed the continent to earn money, and Serena saw her in a new light.
“Vieta has a lot of competition. The owner suggested a partnership, saying my skills would work here in Huji…”
Indeed, Lavenda’s massage parlor had caused quite a stir in the stagnant Huji massage industry.
Word of it had reached Serena, who had several exclusive masseuses of her own, yet she still came to this shop.
“Your Highness’s visit is such an honor. I’m so glad I came to Huji.”
Lavenda’s voice trembled. Whether from emotion or a desire to become Serena’s exclusive masseuse, she diligently worked out the tension in Serena’s back.
Lavenda’s hands moved from Serena’s back to her shoulders. Serena flinched.
“Ouch!”
“I’m so sorry! Your shoulders are even more tense… I’ll be gentler.”
“Tch. Can’t be helped. Work on my shoulders carefully. They get tense easily.”
“Yes.”
As she was enjoying the masseuse’s hands gliding over her neck and shoulders, she heard some flattery.
“The prince who receives Your Highness’s love will be truly fortunate. While in Vieta, I served many noble ladies from various countries, but none were as beautiful as you, Princess.”
‘Those princes were busy sneaking glances at my cleavage.’
Throughout the National Foundation Day period, every prince Serena met and danced with had brightened at the sight of her deep, generous cleavage.
Of course, Serena also snuck peeks at handsome princes or young men with good bodies. Even so, calling it fair would be a loss for Serena.
‘Thanks to the dress trend, I had to show my cleavage, but the princes were all wrapped up tight. If I’m showing cleavage, they should show chest or back muscles to be fair.’
Unaware of what Serena was thinking, the masseuse continued her flattery.
“You’re beautiful even as you are, but your purple hair and orange eyes make you look even more noble and mysterious. I’ve heard that your eyes, which are rarely seen outside the Huji royal family, have a captivating magic about them.”
With her voluminous, waist-length purple hair, and her alluring, tilted eyes with their uniquely charming orange hue. Her fair skin and rather ample chest.
Objectively speaking, Serena’s beauty was in the top tier. But Serena didn’t let that go to her head.
‘If I spent that much money and time on maintenance and wasn’t pretty, it’d be a crime.’
In a position where she’d have to enter a political marriage, the prettier a princess is, the better it is for the country and for herself.
Maintaining beauty is more arduous than it seems. She could leave massages, skincare, and makeup to others, but diet and body maintenance ultimately required her own effort.
‘I really have a conscience for putting in this much effort. Sometimes I really wanted to let myself go.’
As someone living on taxes and enjoying luxury and laziness, she became a lovely princess out of a minimum of patriotism. Vanity also played a part—since she was reincarnated as a princess, she wanted to live like one.
‘Hah. Natural beauties are pretty even when they let themselves go.’
While thinking of a few face geniuses she knew and feeling a sense of deprivation, the masseuse’s flattery continued uninterrupted.
“It’s not flattery, I truly mean it.”
Which is exactly what flattery is.
“If you’re this beautiful, word should have spread all the way to Vieta. It’s strange that it hasn’t.”
“Really? I know why.”
*Ugh.* Serena groaned every time her knotted shoulders were pressed, wiggling her toes. Having a large chest made lying face down uncomfortable, as it was suffocating and hard to breathe.
“Eh? Why is that?”
“That is—”
“Is she here?”
Suddenly, the door to the massage room burst open amidst commotion outside.
