Varheit (2)

***

Misunderstanding stories have a formula that appears all too often.

When the protagonist makes a name for themselves, the people around them become obsessed.

Ever since I came to believe this was a misunderstanding-story world, I had no doubt that I, too, would end up living such a life.

But reality was the exact opposite.

The imperial family and the Church, who ought to have become obsessed with me, set me free as if they had no interest in me.

Of course, it wasn't that they truly had no interest in me.

They simply chose not to put a leash on me as a sign of respect.

Up to that point, it was a pleasant miscalculation.

If I couldn't avoid the leash, I'd enjoy it, but if I could avoid it, I preferred being free...