Sophia Ashley, the seventeen-year-old daughter of a Marquis in the Kingdom of Laxaroom, possesses memories from multiple past lives. These fragmented recollections, stemming from a high fever at age five, span worlds of both advanced science and magic. Her current world is one of swords and magic, characterized by the presence of "Titles," divine blessings bestowed upon a select few. Sophia is uniquely blessed with the rare Title of "Sage," which grants her a significant boost to all magical abilities, surpassing even those with Titles like "Archmage" or "High Priest." Furthermore, the Sage Title bestows a secret search function, accessible only to her, which she keeps hidden due to its potential dangers and ethical implications.
Upon reaching the age of ten, Sophia underwent the kingdom's baptismal ceremony, where her Title was revealed, causing a considerable stir. The Sage Title, previously only known from ancient texts, had never been observed in practice. This extraordinary discovery immediately drew the attention of the royal family, leading to a marriage proposal from the King. Despite her parents' reservations and Sophia's own apprehension due to her past-life experiences, she was betrothed to Prince Henry Laxaroom.
Initially, Sophia maintained a cordial relationship with Prince Henry, employing her past-life sales skills to foster a positive connection. She diligently studied for her royal duties and made efforts to stay in contact with him. However, as they grew, Henry began to distance himself, a change Sophia couldn't fully comprehend without resorting to her forbidden search function. Her attempts to mend their relationship proved futile, as Henry became increasingly avoidant.
A rumor then surfaced about Prince Henry's close relationship with Eleanor Gordon, a Baron's daughter. While other noble ladies might have reacted with distress or jealousy, Sophia felt only a detached indifference, as her feelings for Henry had never evolved beyond familial affection. This indifference solidified when she witnessed Henry and Eleanor together, extinguishing any remaining interest she had in him and leaving only a sense of annoyance.
One day, Prince Henry summoned Sophia to the royal palace. She was led to a modest guest room, indicating his lack of regard for her. Henry, accompanied by Eleanor and his retainers, formally requested the annulment of their engagement. Sophia, having anticipated this, calmly accepted. Her swift agreement surprised Henry, who seemed to have expected a more emotional reaction, perhaps believing she was still attached to him.
Following the annulment request, Sophia's parents, the Marquis and his wife, a High Priestess known as the "Saint," became actively involved. They, along with Sophia's close friend Cyril Horton, a sharp-witted nobleman from a neighboring country, worked to ensure the annulment proceeded smoothly and to Sophia's advantage. Cyril, who possesses a unique ability to perceive spirits, had learned of the situation and offered his support. Sophia's parents, both powerful individuals with Titles themselves (her father a renowned Archmage and her mother a High Priestess), leveraged their influence to expedite the process.
Through their combined efforts, the engagement was officially dissolved, not as a breach of contract initiated by Henry, but as a mutual annulment, protecting Sophia's reputation. The speed of the annulment was remarkable, largely due to her mother's influence with the temple and her father's negotiation with the Prime Minister, who threatened to resign and retreat to their domain if the annulment wasn't granted.
With the annulment finalized, Sophia decided to temporarily relocate to her family's estate in the countryside. This decision was partly to escape the lingering gossip and partly to pursue her own interests. She realized that without the constraints of her engagement, she could now explore her past-life knowledge more freely, including her culinary expertise. Upon arriving at her estate, she was greeted by her loyal butler, Warren, and her friend Krone, a powerful being who claims to be a spirit. Krone, who had learned of the annulment through his spirit connections, expressed his support and encouraged Sophia to pursue her new endeavors, particularly her desire to experiment with new recipes, which he eagerly anticipated as potential accompaniments to his preferred alcoholic beverages.
