Afterword

Greetings. Again. How have you been doing? Following on the heels of volume two is volume three, along with the publication of the manga. I’ve never had multiple books coming out one after another like this, and it’s a pretty wild experience. Just trying to keep my head is a challenge.

Anyway, that was volume three for you.

In this volume, there’s a part in which Mia’s former archnemesis Tiona and the young nobles who bullied her both become Mia’s allies. When one sows seeds, one must also reap their fruit, no matter how sweet or bitter it may prove. So how will the fruits of Mia’s teary struggles taste? The answer lies in this volume, so please do find out for yourself.

On an unrelated note, when I started writing Tearmoon Empire, I’d planned for a story that reached a conclusion of sorts by the end of the second volume. That means if you consider the first two volumes to be part one of a movie series, this volume would be the first half of part two. New characters show up, friendships blossom, and all sorts of things are put into motion. I hope you enjoyed it.

Now then, with that out of the way, let’s bring out Ludwig, who’s been a tad neglected this volume, to sit down for a talk with Princess Mia. The stage is all yours!

Mia: “Ugh... Just when the future was looking so rosy, it all falls apart... Should have stopped at the end of the second volume...”

Ludwig: “As I thought, unless Your Highness becomes Empress, there is no future for us. I shall begin preparing with Balthazar immediately.”

Mia: “So... There’s no way around it, is there?”

Ludwig: “Your discretion and modesty are undoubtedly virtues, Your Highness, but the situation leaves us with little choice but to ask you to take up this task.”

Mia: What a pain... I wonder if I can find somebody else who can take my place...

Lastly, a few words of appreciation.

I’d like to thank the illustrator, Gilse, for continuing to provide such adorable artwork. All the hard work that you’ve continued to put into the second and third volumes have not gone unappreciated. Bel’s ones are the best!

I’d also like to thank my editor, F, who has helped me in many ways. I have nothing but gratitude for the successful publication of volume three. Along with the manga, I hope we can continue going full speed ahead. I look forward to putting out more volumes with you.

To my family, thank you for always supporting me.

To the readers, thank you for picking up the third volume. Your enjoyment is my greatest pleasure.

Let us meet again in the fourth volume. Goodbye for now.