Malty woke up elated.

She stayed there in her bed for nearly a minute savouring the memory of that idiot. The way he had stared at her with confusion tinged with hope had been the best.

Even better, the Spear Hero had championed her. She should have known. Her plans always gave her gifts that surpassed her own expectations.

It was expected of the daughter of the Wise King.

The future Queen promised herself. She wouldn't underestimate her greatness again.

Malty sat up, pushed some strands of her hair back, and called for her servants. She expected her maids to enter. The door to open after a knock.

The wooden frame shattered instead.

100-year-old enchanted yew pierced without effort. The golden projectile that had committed the act slammed into her hand an instant later.

Malty was never given a chance to study what it was.

The very moment that it had touched her hand her soul was ejected and another was called to fill the vacuum.

Jessica stared at the Cane in her hand. Horror filled her. This was the Star Cane belonging to her father. He must have died!

It took her a long second to realize how wrong that thought was.

Her father was not a king. He wasn't a hero and he couldn't use magic. Dad was a lawyer.

Jessica felt lightheaded. Like the entire world was coated in a white haze.

She knew that she was level 17. That she was amazing at using Fire Magic. That she hated her sister Melty.

Jessica also knew that these were fictional details about a Princess of Melromarc.

The 35-year-old woman staggered across her room. She ignored the panicked cries of the maids outside and the jagged shards of wood scattered across the carpet.

Malty had known where the mirror was.

Jessica saw a beautiful red-haired girl. The image in the mirror moved at Jessica's command. The arms, the legs and the Cane all responded.

The businesswoman looked towards the corner of her vision. Hoping to see nothing but Malty's body knew what to do to draw up her status and the simple desire to pull on the status menu was enough to bring it up.

It differed from Malty's interface. The princess had a book with letters that looked like her handwriting.

Jessica had a classic Apple interface.

It made things starkly real.

"Princess," said her head maid, Annette. The woman was kneeling and her voice was shaking slightly, "Y-your father was found-"

"Dead," said Jessica calmly, feeling oddly detached. Aultcray had been a Vassal Hero. His weapon was passed on in death, "How did it happen?"

Malty had enjoyed her father's love but had failed to return even an iota of his affection. Jessica struggled to care for the old bigot who had killed thousands for petty hatred.

The maid shivered at the tone, "I don't know, Your Highness," she said, "the runner only delivered the message to be before leaving."

Jessica nodded, took a half step towards the door before pausing, "Annette, Blake," she said, tone cold, careful to be Jessica not Malty. "Mourning dress. Now. The rest of you, out! Get me an update on my father. I will expect to know where his body is and the current status of the investigation once I leave my chambers."

The kneeling woman looked stunned. Jessica knew that she expected to be immolated.

It wasn't the first time Malty had blamed the messenger. The old woman had delivered what should have been horrific news for the Daddy's girl to spare the younger maids.

"Don't waste my time," she whispered.

The servants sprang into action.

Jessica let them guide her. Her body on autopilot. Slowly stripping her nightgown away. Letting instincts from the previous owner of the body hold sway.

Her mind blazed as she scanned her memories. It didn't take long for her to pinpoint the event she was looking for.

"Fuck," she cursed, loud and harsh and most definitely unsuitable for Royalty. Her maids looked scandalized, but a glare sent them back to work.

The Bitch had framed Naofumi last week.

Aultcray's death was no coincidence. Neither was her presence here.

Jessica glared at the Cane and hoped it was responsible for her being here.

It was the best of two horrible options.