Only afterward did Shien learn that no one had known about Roxie's true nature.
Neither the Knights who had always guarded her side, nor the teachers, friends, and sisters who had long associated with her, not even the current King and Queen Consort, her parents, knew that Roxie had such a side hidden away.
In other words, Roxie had always interacted with others in her Princess mode, even when those people were her own family.
"Isn't that taking things a little too far?"
Shien was rendered speechless as he listened, holding the honey tea he had just successfully snatched from Roxie.
"You think I wanted to?" Roxie glared at Shien indignantly, though her hands were not empty either. Holding a fresh teacup, she muttered, "Everyone, including Father and Mother, has enormous expectations of me."
"They hope I can become a pillar of the kingdom."
"They hope I can become someone worthy of the Goddess's and the Holy Sword's recognition."
"They hope I can become a royal icon comparable to our ancestors."
"They hope that the Hero's heir, whom the kingdom has awaited for a thousand years, can bring peace and prosperity to this nation and this world, just like the Hero of old."
"That is what everyone has hoped for, ever since I became aware of myself. It has always been that way."
As she said this, a trace of self-mockery appeared on Roxie's face.
"As a result, in order to live up to everyone's expectations and be better than anyone else, I gradually became like that without even realizing it. If everyone saw me as I am now, they would probably faint on the spot, wouldn't they?"
That was no exaggeration at all.
Just from how the commoners wished they could see Roxie every day, and how all those