Dawn.

Rhode dragged himself out of bed. No charming girl beside him—just annoying sparrows chirping on the windowsill.

This was truly a simple and unadorned life.

"Ugh, hurts," Rhode muttered, lightly touching the bruises on his face and sucking in a sharp breath.

If only this "simple and unadorned" life came with a little less beating.

It wasn’t society that beat him—it was a certain little princess named Leona.

Since Leona insisted on hand-to-hand combat, Rhode couldn’t use his dagger. Result? He got pummeled.

Without the dagger, years of training wasted. Seriously?

And that girl was brutally physical—every punch landed with solid force. Afterward, she even grinned and said, "So refreshing."

Gritting his teeth through the pain, he washed up, changed, and stepped out.

Rhode settled onto the swing with a book, hoping to soothe his fragile heart.

Later, he’d visit his teacher for new skills. Only then could life feel truly "simple and unadorned."

"Good morning."

Just as Rhode thought peace had arrived, a devilish voice whispered behind him.

He hesitated a few seconds before replying, "Morning."

"You know, little princess," Rhode closed the barely-touched book and met Leona’s gaze with unusual solemnity.

Leona blinked, slightly flustered by his serious tone.

"I think I finally understand why *Your Highness* is called the 'Ironfist Princess'."

"Your combat skills are impressive. I know a great fight club in Clinton—I’d recommend it."

Leona fell silent. "...I’m called 'Ironfist Princess' not because I fight well."

"I just punched a few guys I disliked at a banquet. Honestly? Landing those hits felt… incredibly satisfying."

Rhode leaned back a little, wary she might find *him* displeasing next.

Let’s be real—that banquet was elite tier.

Guests were royalty, nobility, or at minimum, decorated figures.

Total big shots… and Leona had beaten them up.

"Truly worthy of *Your Highness*," Rhode gave a thumbs-up.

"Stop saying 'Your Highness'—it sounds weird," Leona frowned. She always felt Rhode’s formality carried a sarcastic edge.

That honorific just tasted off coming from him.

"Alright. Truly worthy of *you*," Rhode corrected. "Why didn’t you like them?"

"Hmm… I overheard something deeply unpleasant," Leona said.

Truthfully, Leona was refreshingly straightforward. Royal quirks aside, she wasn’t unlikable.

In royalty, having few flaws practically meant "perfect."

Though after this? Few would call her flawless.

"How unpleasant?"

"Do you know about slaves?"

"Uh… yeah," Rhode paused, nodding slowly.

Leona summarized the banquet conversation. No need for details.

It was the kind of talk that slips out when people stop seeing others as human—

discussing lives like livestock, not fellow beings.

Rhode stayed silent a long moment. His fingers instinctively brushed the dagger at his waist.

Such people were vile. Sadly, the Empire had many.

Even royals openly backed slavery. The Emperor turned a blind eye.

Wasn’t that silent approval?

No wonder Rhode felt the Empire advanced in some ways, regressed in others.

Born here, anyone would want change.

But he was fifteen. Even grown, reforming this? Nearly impossible.

Rhode came from a noble house—oddly placed: a notch above commoners, yet far below true nobility.

So he never believed anyone was "noble" enough to treat others as beasts.

Don’t be fooled by Vankarel’s visible diversity—the Empire was deeply xenophobic. Among slaves, humans were the minority; most were other races.

"After hearing that, didn’t you just want to punch them?" Leona finished, cutely waving her fist.

Rhode instinctively covered his bruises and shifted on the swing.

"Yeah… makes you want to hit someone. But is that really safe?"

"Of course! I’m a princess," Leona patted her chest proudly.

"A princess is still human. And humans… can die," Rhode blurted without thinking.

Leona froze, stunned.

"Ah—joking! Totally joking," Rhode let out a dry chuckle. Oops. Dangerous words.

"No… I agree. We’re all human," Leona said earnestly, nodding.

"Huh?" Rhode hadn’t expected her to be this reasonable.

"Slaves are people too!"

"Uh-huh," Rhode nodded casually, playing along.

"I will reform this! The Empire must abolish slavery," Leona’s eyes sparkled—bright as stars.

"Uh-huh… wait, *what*?" Rhode’s absent nod turned to shock.

"Say that again?"

"I will reform!"

"Your Highness, let me brew you tea. Please… calm down first," Rhode whispered urgently. If anyone overheard *that*, they’d be dead.