Hiyuki Ojou-sama here! It’s been four months since everyone found out I can talk, and I’ve managed to create quite a stir in the household. Their reactions were all so amusing to me. Since then, my mother and the maids have been trying to teach me more vocabulary. They make poses and explain words and their meanings. Watching my mom do that is very entertaining, even though I sometimes don’t understand what she’s trying to say.

It seems they also considered hiring someone to teach me. However, my father rejected the idea, saying I should be allowed to develop first before taking on any responsibilities.

Next month is New Year’s and my birthday. Winter has also arrived.

“I hate this season.”

It reminds me of unpleasant things. However, my mom seems to love winter because it reminds her of her hometown and because I was born in this season.

“Well, maybe I’ll get used to it over time,” I thought as I watched snowflakes fall in the garden.

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Late November 1902

Snow started falling this month, though not heavily. Many children played in the snow outside, knowing they’d be scolded by their parents later. But as children do, they didn’t care as long as they could have fun.

At the Takeuchi residence, snow fell gently without strong winds. In the garden of the second house, Chiyo held an umbrella, sheltering Hiyuki, who clung to her kimono while looking down at the snow. She kicked at it aimlessly with her small feet.

“Ojou-sama, is something wrong?” Chiyo asked, noticing that the little princess she cared for didn’t seem excited about seeing snow for the first time.

“Nothing,” Hiyuki replied, tilting her head up to look at Chiyo.

Chiyo gazed at the little princess before her, who would soon turn one year old. Hiyuki’s snow-colored hair seemed to blend seamlessly with the surroundings, and she appeared melancholic for some reason.

“How about we go back inside, Ojou-sama?” Chiyo suggested, receiving a small nod in response.

Chiyo held Hiyuki’s hand to prevent her from slipping and guided her back inside, carrying the umbrella. She already felt like an older sister to Hiyuki, though she would never admit it, being just a commoner.

Once inside, they were greeted by the warmth of the house. Chiyo and Hiyuki headed to Hiyuki’s room. Chiyo removed Hiyuki’s coat and hung it up. She smiled, noticing that Hiyuki seemed more comfortable indoors, though she wasn’t sure how she could tell.

“Hiyuki Ojou-sama, would you like something to eat?” Chiyo asked, remembering that Hiyuki hadn’t had breakfast yet. Hiyuki tilted her head adorably as if thinking before looking at Chiyo.

“Mochi,” Hiyuki said, to which Chiyo immediately responded with a firm refusal.

“That’s not possible, Ojou-sama.”

Moments after Chiyo’s reply, Hiyuki turned and ran out of the room on her small legs, seemingly heading for the kitchen.

Chiyo quickly got up and tried to catch Hiyuki, who was running surprisingly fast. Before Hiyuki could reach the kitchen, Chiyo managed to catch her and lift her up.

“Ojou-sama, you can’t eat mochi yet; you’ll choke,” Chiyo said, holding onto the squirming Hiyuki.

“What are you two doing?” came a voice from behind. It was Fumi, who had just returned from the main house after discussing the New Year and Hiyuki’s birthday celebration with Yamamoto.

“Ah, forgive me, Fumi-sama, but Hiyuki Ojou-sama…” Before Chiyo could finish, Hiyuki wriggled free from her grasp and ran to hug her mother’s leg. She looked up at Fumi with her usual blank expression and pointed at Chiyo.

“So, what happened?” Fumi crouched down, listening as Hiyuki whispered something into her ear.

“Chiyo, that’s not good. You shouldn’t have allowed Hiyuki to eat mochi,” Fumi said, turning to Chiyo, who quickly defended herself.

“That’s not true, Fumi-sama. I was chasing Ojou-sama because she wanted to go to the kitchen to get mochi,” Chiyo explained, glancing at Hiyuki like a naughty child. For some reason, she could imagine a mischievous grin behind Hiyuki’s expressionless face.

Hearing this, Fumi looked down at Hiyuki, who said nothing and instead ran back to her room. Both Fumi and Chiyo sighed, wondering where Hiyuki had learned to play pranks like this.

“Haha, being able to move around freely is fun. But relieving stress by being a little mischievous is also enjoyable,” Hiyuki thought. It had been so long since she played like a normal child.

In her room, Hiyuki slid open the door to the garden and sat, gazing outside. She reflected on how her current life compared to her previous one, feeling that her new life was much better than the monotonous one she had before.

“Maybe I’m lucky to have been reborn here,” Hiyuki thought, trying to change her perception of the misfortunes she associated with winter in her previous world.

“Thank you.” Without realizing it, Hiyuki smiled faintly as she stared into the emptiness before her.

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Then the door to Hiyuki’s room opened, and Fumi smiled as she saw Hiyuki asleep on her futon. She walked to the garden door and closed it, worried that Hiyuki might catch a cold from the chilly air.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Asae, could you prepare food for two more people tonight? Yamamoto-dono’s parents will be coming to visit Hiyuki,” Fumi said, and Asae responded from outside the room.

“Yes, Fumi-sama,” Asae replied. She had been standing behind Fumi and now headed to the kitchen, leaving Fumi and Hiyuki alone in the room.

As Fumi stroked Hiyuki’s head, she thought about how her daughter was already asleep despite it being early in the morning. Fumi wondered if she should call a doctor to check on Hiyuki, who seemed to fall asleep so quickly. What Fumi didn’t know was that Hiyuki greatly valued her sleep, as in her previous life, she rarely had the luxury of proper rest.

Fumi then recalled her discussion at the main house with her husband, Yamamoto, about the New Year’s and Hiyuki’s birthday celebrations. Yamamoto had told her he didn’t mind how Fumi celebrated Hiyuki’s birthday. However, Tsumugi had suddenly proposed an unexpected idea: that Fumi should also take charge of preparing the New Year’s celebration.

“That annoying woman,” Fumi thought. Tsumugi’s constant meddling irritated her. But Fumi couldn’t protest, as this might be a good opportunity to introduce herself and Hiyuki to other nobles.

There was another issue: Yamamoto’s parents had unexpectedly shown up at the main house and announced they wanted to meet Hiyuki. They planned to stay at the second house for a few days.

“Why do they suddenly want to see their granddaughter? Are they just feeling nostalgic?” Fumi wondered, recalling her own childhood visits to her grandmother’s house, where she was showered with treats.

“Whatever their reason, I can’t refuse their visit,” Fumi concluded. As she mulled over these thoughts, Hiyuki seemed to wake up and stared at her.

“Good morning, Hiyuki. Are you feeling refreshed?” Fumi smiled and picked Hiyuki up, placing her on her lap.

Hiyuki yawned while resting against Fumi’s body.

“Okaa-sama. Eat,” Hiyuki said, tilting her head and placing a hand on her stomach.

“Of course. Let’s eat,” Fumi replied. She lifted Hiyuki and asked a maid to bring food to the dining area. Shortly after, Hiyuki was eating with a spoon that was too big for her tiny hands while sitting on Fumi’s lap.

Hiyuki could now eat by herself using a spoon, though she occasionally made a mess. Fumi often laughed at how adorable Hiyuki looked. Despite her usual stoic expression, Fumi always felt that Hiyuki looked serious whenever she concentrated on something.

“How is it, Hiyuki? Do you like it?” Fumi asked. Hiyuki shook her head in response.

“When will I get to eat meat? My taste buds are numb from eating this same thing over and over,” Hiyuki thought as she reluctantly chewed on her porridge and vegetables. She constantly considered spitting it out but refrained.

In the 10-tatami dining room, Chiyo and Asae entered with warm drinks for Fumi and informed her that the preparations for the afternoon were complete. Fumi nodded in acknowledgment.

And so, the chilly morning at the second Takeuchi residence passed peacefully—for now.

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Afternoon arrived, and Fumi’s in-laws reached the house after spending the morning speaking with Yamamoto at the main house.

“Welcome, Konoe-sama and Matsu-sama,” Fumi greeted them at the entrance, bowing slightly.

The elderly Takeuchi couple accepted Fumi’s greeting. What surprised and delighted them most, however, was the little girl with white hair standing beside Fumi.

“Welcome, Oji-sama and Obaa-sama,” Hiyuki said in her sweet voice, bowing alongside her mother and mimicking her movements.

The elderly Takeuchi couple were astonished. The baby before them not only greeted them politely but spoke so fluently and properly. Although they had heard the rumors, they still couldn’t believe it until they saw it themselves.

“Isn’t she such a polite child?” Matsu remarked to her husband, who simply nodded in agreement. Fuji came to take Konoe’s coat, and Hiyuki reached out her tiny hands toward Matsu, as if offering to take her coat.

“Hiyuki-chan, this isn’t your job, so let the maids handle it,” Matsu said, handing her coat to another maid. Hiyuki nodded obediently.

Fumi guided the elderly couple to their room, with Hiyuki following silently behind them.

“I can’t believe the person who pretended to feed me during my Okuizome was my grandfather, and the woman next to him is my grandmother,” Hiyuki thought, recalling the ritual as she watched them from the side. Matsu noticed Hiyuki’s gaze and responded with a smile.

After settling into their room, the elderly couple rested.

“Isn’t that child adorable?” Matsu asked Konoe as he unpacked his luggage.

“Yes, she’s incredibly smart for her age,” Konoe replied.

“Should we introduce her to other families? Perhaps arrange a betrothal?” Matsu wondered aloud, considering the noble tradition of parents arranging their children’s engagements.

“She’s not even a year old yet; it’s too soon,” Konoe said, giving Matsu a pointed look.

“I forgot she isn’t one yet. Her behavior makes me forget. On the other hand…” Matsu trailed off, comparing Hiyuki to Sukemoto, Tsumugi’s child. Sukemoto, in Matsu’s opinion, was an ordinary baby—normal compared to Hiyuki.

“Sukemoto seems so normal compared to Hiyuki,” Matsu sighed, wondering what had gone wrong with Sukemoto.

Just then, the sliding door opened slightly, revealing a pair of blue eyes peeking through. Hiyuki, feeling bored since Chiyo was at the main house and her mother was busy preparing the dining area, decided to check on her grandparents.

“Are they talking about me? Who is Sukemoto?” Hiyuki wondered. Although she had met him during her Okuizome, she hadn’t known his name.

“Hiyuki-chan, you can come in if you want,” Matsu said, waving her hand to invite Hiyuki into the room. Hiyuki glanced around before sliding the door open and stepping inside. She bowed slightly to greet them.

Hiyuki wore a black-and-white kimono with hints of red, which complemented her white hair, Matsu thought. Setting aside Hiyuki’s unusual eye and hair color, Matsu believed she would grow into an exceptionally beautiful woman.

“You can sit next to Obaa-sama if you like, Hiyuki-chan,” Matsu said, patting the space beside her. Hiyuki immediately sat down and stared at Matsu.

The three talked in the room until it was time for dinner. Meanwhile, Fumi was searching frantically for Hiyuki, thinking she had gone missing again. She finally found her as Hiyuki walked hand in hand with Matsu toward the dining area.

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“That woman’s daughter will have her birthday soon,” Tsumugi thought. She had hoped to deal with the Hiyuki issue quickly, long before the girl turned one.

However, the doctor she had summoned had been abroad and only returned this month. Although he prepared the “medicine” for Hiyuki last week, Tsumugi couldn’t act hastily because Yamamoto’s parents unexpectedly arrived today, announcing their intention to visit Hiyuki.

“Haaah, why did they have to come at such an inconvenient time? And why do they want to see that woman’s child instead of Sukemoto?” Tsumugi felt increasingly frustrated.

To her, it seemed like more people were becoming interested in Hiyuki, making her a growing obstacle. She felt insulted that people were drawn to Hiyuki, who was starting to take the spotlight.

“Well, there’s no way I’m going to let you do whatever you want,” Tsumugi muttered as she opened a beautifully decorated box containing a single piece of chocolate provided by the doctor. Knowing that children usually loved candy or chocolate, she planned to secretly give it to Hiyuki.

She also decided that between now and Hiyuki’s birthday, she would spread malicious rumors to ensure that, should Hiyuki die, people would not be suspicious and might instead believe it was divine punishment.

“This birthday won’t be a celebration for her—it’ll be a fitting gift,” Tsumugi thought. With the excuse of giving a “present,” she planned to hand the chocolate to Hiyuki. However...

“That woman would definitely refuse and throw it away if she knew it was from me. That’s where you come in...” Tsumugi understood that if she directly gave the chocolate to Hiyuki, Fumi would be suspicious of such a gesture from someone who had always been hostile toward her. Tsumugi turned her gaze to the woman standing before her.

“Chiyo.” Tsumugi smiled.