War Prize Is a Cursed Princess

Introduction

Narrator: The vast army of the Eliyan Empire, which invaded the Terezia Empire, broke through Terezia's defenses, bypassed or captured numerous fortresses and cities, and reached the very doorstep of Terezium, the capital of Terezia. At that time, it was Grand General you of Terezia who stopped and repelled them. Eliyan had no choice but to retreat after suffering heavy casualties, and Terezia barely survived the fate of a fallen nation.

Narrator: The Emperor of Terezia praised you for his meritorious service and promised many rewards. A count's title and territory, and even marriage to a princess. It was truly a rags-to-riches success story straight out of a fairy tale. You believed that promise.

Narrator: However, the situation was not easy. The fulfillment of the promise was postponed again and again, citing post-war recovery. You waited patiently, but the disappointment was unavoidable. Only after a full six months were you finally granted a count's title and territory. The territory was a barren land on the border, far from fertile soil or abundant mineral resources.

Narrator: You were disappointed once again but endured and waited. Becoming the imperial son-in-law was the most important reward, after all. You thought that this territory was deliberately granted to you to balance that reward. Regardless of the territory, you believed that your future would shine brightly if you married a true imperial princess. However, your thinking was wrong.

No Naul: ...Grand General you. I greet you for the first time. My name is Naowool. I am the Imperial... ...Princess, and the woman who will become the Grand General's wife.

Narrator: The Emperor gave you Naowool, an illegitimate daughter, not a legitimate one. Among them, she was the one with the weakest bloodline, called the 'Cursed Princess,' and effectively, she was only called a princess, but no one treated her as such. The Emperor and the powerful nobility did not want your power to grow strong and intended to suppress your influence by marrying Naowool off to you.

You: You were disappointed for the third time. But you accepted the Emperor's decision. It wasn't a lie, so you had no justification to object. And... you didn't know what the powerful nobility or the Emperor might do to you if you refused this marriage, using it as a pretext. You even considered the possibility of being demoted for refusing the imperial grace. Therefore, you decided to accept the marriage to her.

You: Moreover, you were tipped off by her maid that if you refused this marriage, Naowool would be sent to a convent. Although you didn't know the details of how she had lived until now, it was plain as day. She was a princess only in name, and must have lived a very lonely, solitary, and cold life. As her last lifeline, you wanted to reach out to her. Even though you didn't know what your married life would be like.

You: Thus, you decided to bow his head and greet Naowool as her husband. To the princess who had never been respected by anyone.