26.
“……Therefore, we of Bellot ask that the Empire grant us your generous consideration.”
The Bellot Crown Princess’s long-winded plea finally came to an end.
*It’s a talent, being able to drag out a request for a reduction in reparations for that long.*
“I shall consider it.”
Edwin suppressed the urge to deliver a biting remark, as his personality would dictate, and spoke as gently as possible. He didn’t want to go back to war when peace had only just been restored.
*So please, just leave already.*
Seizing the moment the Crown Princess stopped speaking, Edwin signaled the attendant to open the doors of the audience chamber.
“Then, I truly hope for a positive……”
Seeing she was about to start another speech, he cut her off with a curt nod and a forced smile. The Crown Princess’s face, previously gloomy from the state of her country—suffering from both a lost war and a drought—brightened with a sliver of hope.
*It’s her own freedom to hold onto hope, I suppose.*
Finally, the leech-like Crown Princess showed signs of leaving.
“You must still be suffering from travel fatigue; you should return and rest.”
It had been a week since her arrival, but regardless, she was suffering from travel fatigue. Edwin issued the dismissal firmly. He barely succeeded in ushering her out, having clung to him well past the scheduled time.
“So oblivious.”
As soon as the doors clicked shut, an irritated complaint escaped Edwin. It was a kingdom alliance that had been at war with the Empire for eight years, with Bellot at its core. By utilizing their geography, they had clung on stubbornly until the very end, and this Crown Princess had been quite instrumental in their eventual downfall. She had persuaded the ministers to surrender in exchange for the promise of the royal family’s safety.
*I’d like to devour them, but the land is teeming with high-level monsters, and it’s cut off from the Empire by a massive mountain range.*
Even so, he couldn’t leave the Bellot royal family alone; the majority, including the King, were hardline anti-Imperialists. Having someone with a knife behind his back wasn’t to his taste. As a backup, he had positioned a princess from the very end of the line of succession as the Crown Princess, hoping to ensure a pro-Imperial ruler was eventually crowned.
*If only the Empire weren’t forced to play the role of silent backer until she secures her position.*
Edwin clicked his tongue and glanced at the wall clock. Now was not the time for this.
“Clothes for changing, immediately.”
After a moment of despair upon seeing the time, Edwin recovered and commanded his attendant. The attendant brought a rack filled with outfits for covert outings. Edwin grabbed an inconspicuous set, changed, and slipped out of the palace.
The purpose of his departure was, naturally, Carolina Diaz.
When he arrived near the exhibition hall, Ri-Na was already waiting.
“Ms. Diaz.”
Edwin approached with quick strides.
“You’re here?”
Ri-Na didn’t ask why he was late, greeting him instead with a smile. But Edwin, feeling restless, began to make excuses.
“Work finished a little late.”
No sooner had Edwin spoken than Ri-Na sighed.
*Is she angry because she waited?*
For better or worse, Ri-Na’s sigh wasn’t directed at him.
“The Imperial Palace really overworks people.”
*Wait, no? Is it directed at me?*
While Edwin experienced an identity crisis, her eyes, filled with the professional grievances of a worker, rested on him.
“You’ve worked hard. Still, there’s plenty of time left before admission, so if we hurry, we’ll be able to see everything.”
Ri-Na lightly patted his forearm, as if telling him to cheer up. Pitied by her, Edwin entered the exhibition hall.
Whether Kyle’s investigation had been spot on or not, Ri-Na roamed the hall like a fish in water.
“Lord Rohas, they say this is the parchment used to create scrolls in ancient times. Isn’t it fascinating?”
“It is.”
Edwin replied instinctively while watching Ri-Na’s violet eyes sparkle with interest. Despite his indifferent response, she remained thoroughly excited.
“I didn’t know Lord Rohas was interested in ancient history; it seems we really have similar tastes.”
“I suppose so.”
In truth, Edwin had no interest in ancient relics. Even during his time at the Imperial Academy, he hadn’t cared for history. He was merely interested in Ri-Na, who found pieces of rotting parchment and broken quill pens as exciting as a puppy seeing its owner.
*How trivial and cute. Again.*
It was a time for Ri-Na to look at relics, and for Edwin to look at Ri-Na. Her cheeks were flushed after walking around the hall twice. Leaving the entrance, Edwin lightly fanned his hand toward her. At the breeze touching her skin, Ri-Na lowered her eyes.
Like a butterfly with silver wings landing upon a violet, Edwin felt the heat radiating from her skin transferring to him. He pulled back, stopping the movement.
“Thank you, Lord Rohas.”
When the breeze vanished, Ri-Na opened her eyes and smiled brightly. As if it were her turn, she fanned Edwin with her own hand.
“The inside of the hall was a bit hot, wasn’t it?”
Her small, white hand fluttered before his eyes.
“It was. It was hot.”
For Edwin, it was hotter here than it had been inside the hall. The heat warming his body refused to cool, even with the breeze touching his neck. Unable to endure it, Edwin carefully took hold of Ri-Na’s hand. He was startled by his own action, which his hand had committed beyond the influence of his brain.
Ri-Na’s eyes widened at the contact, but she did not pull away. The only thing Edwin worried about was that his hand might be clammy from nerves. Just before an awkward silence could envelop them, Ri-Na spoke.
“Shall we go get something cold to drink? How about fresh fruit juice?”
“Sounds good.”
Edwin replied instantly. He would have nodded even if she had asked to sample the bitter sludge Kyle brewed.
“It’s over there.”
Led by Ri-Na’s hand, which was half the size of his own, Edwin headed to the juice shop. They ordered the same drink, sat down, and soon the glasses arrived. Ri-Na took a large sip of her Pometi juice, smiling contentedly like a purring cat.
Edwin smiled along with her. She took another sip, and when some of the thick liquid stained the corner of her lips, she licked them. Edwin’s gaze was pinned entirely to her mouth.
“Aren’t you going to drink? It’s delicious.”
Sensing his gaze, Ri-Na tilted her head.
“I should.”
Edwin lifted the iced juice cautiously, as if drinking something scalding. He gulped it down, but the cold didn’t help calm his burning insides. His gaze kept drifting to one place, and his vision grew hazy.
Watching Edwin, who had gone quiet again, Ri-Na asked.
*･☪D✶༄ ‧₊˚a⋰˚☆m✶༄ ‧₊˚
“Lord Rohas, are you very tired? Would you like to head back early?”
Now that I looked closely, Everett’s eyes were a bit bloodshot. I reflected on whether I had been having too much fun by myself.
“No, I’m not tired at all.”
Everett’s slightly unfocused eyes grew sharp again.
*There’s no need to push yourself.*
Even though I urged him several times that it was okay, his answer remained the same. I couldn’t press him further as he rubbed his face with rough movements, insisting he was fine. Instead, I asked with concern.
“Is there a lot of work?”
He was the Emperor’s adjutant; he would naturally be busy. It wasn’t like things would get easier just because he confided in me, but I asked hoping it might ease his mood.
Everett chuckled.
“I’m dying.”
Then, he added like a complaint.
“I’m hopeless at paperwork, but when I arrived at the Imperial Palace, it was piled up to the ceiling.”
I felt like I probably had a share in that pile, at least by a finger’s width. I patted Everett’s hand with a heart full of consolation.
*No wonder his eyes kept unfocusing.*
Everett looked at his own hand and just smiled. His grumbling ended quickly, perhaps because he wasn’t the type to talk much about work. Instead, he spoke with the playfulness of a young boy.
“I want you to know that I went through quite a lot of trouble to make time to meet Ms. Diaz. I’m boasting about it, so stop trying to send me away.”
Unlike his brazen tone, his gaze drifted away. As if sparks had flown onto white paper, his cheeks flushed red. As if a mischievous boy had grown into a shy young man. I couldn’t verify my own face, but it would likely be in a similar state. My gaze, which had been lingering near his earlobe, couldn’t endure it and headed toward the floor.
*Ah, I think this is a green light.*
I twiddled my fingers for no reason.