The Reincarnated Young Girl Is Adored by the Spirits She Helped in Her Previous Life
Neither my father, my mother, nor Marion made it in time for the audience.
It can’t be helped. That said, I think I’ll be fine.
But I’m worried about Sara.
“Sara-chan?”
“When the time comes, I will call for her again.”
It seems that my audience and Sara’s audience will be held separately.
“Sara-chan, I’ll come back as soon as my audience is over, okay?”
“Yeah. Sara will be fine on her own.”
“Yeah. Sara-chan will be fine. Luria guarantees it.”
“Luria-chan, do your best.”
“You can count on me. Attendant, please take care of Sara. Make sure no weird people like the one earlier come near her.”
“Understood.”
And so, I followed the attendant out of the room.
I walked confidently down the hallway.
“That’s the rumored ominous one…”
“Shouldn’t she be placed in a monastery? What could Grand Duke Valois possibly be thinking?”
I could hear such malicious whispers.
They were much less reserved compared to when I was walking with my parents. They must think they can look down on me because I’m just a five-year-old.
I paid them no mind, straightened my back, and walked with my chest out, full of confidence.
Looking out the window, I saw the guardian birds soaring through the sky.
And floating around me were softly glowing baby spirits.
I wasn’t alone. So I wasn’t afraid of anything.
After walking for about five minutes, I arrived in front of the audience chamber.
After waiting for about three minutes, my name was called, and the doors opened.
Following my mother’s teachings, I walked in with confidence.
I was not supposed to look directly at the king, so I lowered my gaze slightly.
However, I must not hunch over. I had to keep my chest up.
Doing so, I could see the nobles lined up on either side.
They were surely the high-ranking nobles who held key positions like ministers.
Beyond them, further in the room, ten royal guards stood on either side, forming a line between the king and the nobles.
“My, her hair really is as red as blood… like a witch of calamity.”
“…Ominous.”
“…Surely His Majesty intends to send her to a monastery.”
They whispered whatever they pleased.
I didn’t know it was acceptable to have idle chatter in the audience chamber.
“I heard she attacked the Crown Prince earlier.”
What? They already knew what had just happened a short while ago?
Just what kind of information network do they have?
“My goodness, could she truly be the reincarnation of the witch of calamity? So violent.”
“I heard she mercilessly punched, kicked, and tormented the Crown Prince, who didn’t even resist.”
“Such a rotten nature.”
“In contrast, the Crown Prince has such a beautiful heart.”
It irritated me a little, but arguing wouldn’t change anything.
So, I ignored them and kept walking.
Following my mother’s teachings, I stopped where the royal guards stood and performed a curtsy.
I thought I did it quite well.
Stopping at a distance from the king was a measure to prevent assassination.
If someone with an audience attempted an attack, the distance would give the royal guards time to intercept.
“…Her demeanor is at least somewhat acceptable.”
“It’s just an act. What truly matters is one’s nature.”
They said all sorts of things, but at least my curtsy seemed to have passed their standards.
I resisted the urge to smirk.
“Come closer.”
A voice came from beside the king. It was the chamberlain.
I stepped forward.
“Come closer.”
I stepped forward again.
“Come closer.”
When the chamberlain repeated it a third time, the room began to stir.
I recalled my mother’s words: being called closer was a great honor.
She had told me, “Luria, since you are his granddaughter, you will be called twice, following tradition.”
Normally, no one is called forward. Those who have achieved great merit or are of royal blood are called once.
The king’s children and grandchildren are called twice. That’s the custom.
Being called three times was unexpected.
But since I was summoned, I had no choice but to move forward.
I took another step.
“Come even closer—Your Majesty?”
The chamberlain, who had spoken, suddenly sounded flustered.
At the same time, the high-ranking nobles erupted into murmurs.
They were surely astonished that I had been called forward four times.
Far too many unexpected things were happening.
(My mother didn’t tell me about this?)
Even I was a bit flustered.
But since I was called, I had no choice but to go.
As I took another step forward, I saw someone approaching.
Since the initial curtsy, I had been keeping my gaze slightly lowered to avoid looking at the king directly.
So, I didn’t see the face of the person before me.
Just as I was wondering who it was—
I was lifted up.
“Luria! You’ve come!”
“…Oh, it’s you from that time.”
It was the old man who had collapsed in his own filth the other day.
“Are you well now? I was worried about you.”
“Ah, thanks to you, Luria, I’m in great health!”
The old man’s voice was loud.
Looking around, I saw the high-ranking nobles blinking in bewilderment, clearly confused.
“I see… wait, um?”
It seemed the old man had picked up on my confusion about who he was.
With a smile, he said:
“I am your grandfather.”
“Oh! That’s how it is. Oh, wait, this is bad. I mean—Is that so? It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”
If he was my grandfather, that meant he was His Majesty, the King.
This was the perfect time to use the etiquette my mother had taught me.
I straightened up and adjusted my tone.
But—
“Luria, you can speak as you normally do. And call me Grandpa.”
“Oh! That helps. Grandpa!”
At that, the nobles stirred even more.
“What? His Majesty doesn’t even allow the Crown Prince to address him any other way…”
“This is unbelievable.”
Now that I thought about it, even my father always called him “Your Majesty.”
Amidst the murmurs, the King carried me in one arm and returned to his throne.
.
.
.
.
.
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How to Invest in Index Funds for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide
Investing can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out. With so many options available, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. But there’s one investment strategy that stands out for its simplicity, low cost, and proven track record: index fund investing. If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly way to grow your wealth over time, index funds are a great place to start.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about index funds—what they are, why they’re ideal for beginners, and how to get started. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to begin your investment journey.
What Are Index Funds?
An index fund is a type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the performance of a specific market index, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Instead of trying to pick individual stocks, index funds aim to replicate the performance of the entire market or a specific sector.
For example, if you invest in an S&P 500 index fund, your money is spread across the 500 largest companies in the U.S. This means you’re not betting on a single stock but on the overall growth of the market.
Why Index Funds Are Perfect for Beginners
Index funds are often recommended for beginners because they offer several key advantages:
- Diversification: With one investment, you gain exposure to hundreds of companies, reducing the risk of losing money if one stock performs poorly.
- Low Costs: Index funds typically have lower fees than actively managed funds because they don’t require a team of analysts to pick stocks.
- Simplicity: You don’t need to be a stock market expert to invest in index funds. They’re a “set it and forget it” strategy that works well for long-term investors.
- Proven Performance: Over time, index funds have consistently outperformed many actively managed funds, making them a reliable choice for building wealth.
How to Start Investing in Index Funds: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to get started? Follow these simple steps to begin investing in index funds.
Step 1: Choose a Brokerage Account
To invest in index funds, you’ll need a brokerage account. A brokerage is a platform that allows you to buy and sell investments. Some popular options for beginners include:
- Vanguard: Known for its low-cost index funds and user-friendly platform.
- Fidelity: Offers a wide range of index funds with no minimum investment requirements.
- Charles Schwab: Provides excellent customer service and a variety of investment options.
When choosing a brokerage, look for one with low fees, a good selection of index funds, and an easy-to-use interface.
Step 2: Select the Right Index Fund
Once you have a brokerage account, it’s time to choose an index fund. Here are a few popular options:
- S&P 500 Index Funds: Tracks the 500 largest U.S. companies. Great for broad market exposure.
- Total Stock Market Index Funds: Includes small, mid, and large-cap stocks for even more diversification.
- International Index Funds: Invests in companies outside the U.S., helping you diversify globally.
For beginners, an S&P 500 or total stock market index fund is often the best starting point.
Step 3: Make Your First Investment
After selecting your index fund, it’s time to invest. Decide how much you want to start with—many brokerages allow you to begin with as little as $100. You can also set up automatic contributions to invest a fixed amount each month, which is a great way to build wealth over time.
Benefits of Index Fund Investing
Index funds offer several benefits that make them an attractive option for both new and experienced investors:
- Lower Risk: By diversifying across many companies, you reduce the risk of losing money on a single stock.
- Tax Efficiency: Index funds tend to have lower turnover, meaning fewer taxable events compared to actively managed funds.
- Long-Term Growth: Historically, the stock market has returned about 7-10% annually over the long term, making index funds a solid choice for retirement or other long-term goals.
Risks to Consider
While index funds are generally considered low-risk compared to individual stocks, they’re not without their downsides:
- Market Volatility: Index funds follow the market, so if the market drops, so does your investment. However, history shows that markets recover over time.
- No Chance to Beat the Market: Since index funds track the market, you won’t outperform it. But for most investors, matching the market is a solid strategy.
Tips for Long-Term Success with Index Funds
To make the most of your index fund investments, keep these tips in mind:
- Stay Consistent: Invest regularly, even if it’s a small amount. This strategy, known as dollar-cost averaging, helps smooth out market fluctuations.
- Diversify: Consider adding international or bond index funds to your portfolio as you grow your investments.
- Avoid Panic Selling: Market dips are normal. Stay the course and avoid selling during downturns.
Real-Life Success Story: The Power of Index Funds
Take the story of Sarah, a 30-year-old teacher who started investing $200 a month in an S&P 500 index fund. Over 30 years, with an average annual return of 7%, her investment grew to over $240,000. This simple, consistent approach allowed her to build a substantial nest egg without needing to pick individual stocks or time the market.
Conclusion: Start Your Investment Journey Today
Index funds offer a simple, low-cost way to start investing and build long-term wealth. By following the steps outlined in this guide—choosing a brokerage, selecting the right fund, and investing consistently—you can take control of your financial future.
Ready to take the next step? Open a brokerage account today and make your first investment in an index fund. Your future self will thank you!
