13.
Philomel’s face flushed as red as a tomato.
‘I’m not a little kid anymore!’
Just when I needed to project the image of a reliable successor, here I was, being carried around like a toddler! I worried that all the ground I’d gained until now had been lost.
Ever since he first picked me up in the garden two years ago, the Emperor would scoop me up whenever my steps grew slow. Perhaps it had become a habit; he still held me as if I weighed nothing. I shouldn’t have let it slide back then, thinking it was harmless.
When Philomel remained silent, Eustis asked in a low voice.
“Are you not going to give the commemorative speech? If so, tell me. I will put you down.”
“……A-ah, no! I will do it!”
If I were to give up now, I would truly be the coward who fled out of fear.
‘I can’t let that happen.’
Philomel forced herself to lean toward the Amplification Stone and recited the prepared speech clearly.
“Dear citizens of the Belerov Empire, welcome. Today…….”
Fortunately, the sheer embarrassment acted as a distraction, draining away much of my tension.
That day, Philomel delivered an impassioned speech. The attendees left with two great surprises: first, that the Princess, once considered a troublemaker, possessed oratorical skills far beyond her years; and second, that the Emperor watched his daughter with an expression of profound, uncharacteristic gentleness.
The common consensus among the crowd was clear: *Perhaps the line of succession might change.*
That same evening, Philomel had dinner with the Emperor. When she suggested they eat together, Eustis asked, “What about the young master of Abridon?”
When I replied that I had no plans with Nasar, he wore a peculiar expression.
“Did you not spend time with him every Foundation Day?”
‘Did I? Well, apart from when I was nine, I suppose that might be true.’
But I had something to secure from the Emperor this time. When I said, “I want to eat with Your Majesty today!” Eustis said nothing more.
Swallowing a bite of meat, Philomel spoke up.
“Your Majesty. How was my speech today?”
“You did well. It was good.”
Even by my own estimation, it hadn’t been bad. Three years had passed since I began striving to be an acknowledged successor; it felt like time to bring it up.
Philomel tried her best to put on her most well-behaved expression.
“Your Majesty, actually, there is an item I would like to have.”
“What is it?”
“The Solar Flare Ring!”
Eustis’s hand, which had been cutting his steak, froze.
“No.”
The blunt refusal left Philomel struggling to hide her disappointment.
“No, that is…….”
A flustered Eustis explained, “It’s not that it’s completely out of the question. It’s just too early for you.”
“I won’t use it carelessly! I can use it well!” Philomel urged.
“That’s not the issue. The Solar Flare Ring puts a heavy strain on the body if the user is too young. You must wait until you are at least an adult.”
“B-but…….”
The age of adulthood in the Belerov Empire was eighteen. By the time Philomel reached that age, Ellensia would have already appeared.
“That’s too far away. I can’t wait that long.” Philomel’s voice trembled.
Smoothing his furrowed brow, Eustis asked, “Why do you want the Solar Flare Ring so much?”
“……Because it is the symbol that signifies the rightful heir to the throne.”
I couldn’t honestly tell him it was to run away. Philomel delivered the excuse she had prepared in advance.
“……I will give it to you when you are an adult. Ask for something else this time. I will give you anything.”
“I want the Solar Flare Ring. If it’s not that, I don’t need anything else.”
“…….”
“…….”
The conversation died out, a casualty of their unbridgeable difference in opinion.
In the heavy silence, Philomel felt a surge of regret.
‘I was too hasty. I shouldn’t have been so stubborn.’
I had snapped because of his comment about waiting until adulthood. The trust I had painstakingly built felt ready to crumble, all because of a childish temper tantrum.
Before leaving the uncomfortable meal, Philomel said as if in passing:
“I’m sorry. I won’t be unreasonable from now on. Have a good night.”
She bowed her head quickly, missing the expression that crossed the Emperor’s face.
***
‘Ah, everything is a bother.’
Philomel lounged on the sofa, wasting her free time. Usually, she would have been plotting ways to stay in Eustis’s good graces, but all her motivation had vanished since that dinner. If I couldn’t obtain the Solar Flare Ring on time, I would have to overhaul my escape plan entirely.
I couldn’t just sit idly by, but for now, I wanted to do nothing and think of nothing.
Just then, Countess Deles approached, tentatively checking Philomel’s mood.
“Um……. Your Highness.”
“Is something the matter?”
“His Majesty the Emperor is calling for you in the garden. They say precious tea leaves have been sent as a gift from Elita.”
It was the first time Eustis had called for her when Philomel hadn’t initiated the contact.
‘Well, I usually went to see him without being called, so there hadn’t been a chance for that.’
I didn’t know what he wanted to say, but since he had called, I had to go.
‘But…….’
*Thud.* Philomel’s body went limp again.
“Your Highness?”
“Tell him I’m not feeling well, so I can’t go.”
“My, are you unwell?”
“It’s not serious. How should I put it…… I’m just a bit tired.”
“Understood. Please rest, Your Highness.”
Even after the Countess left, Philomel continued to procrastinate. But soon, the Countess returned.
“Your Highness. His Majesty the Emperor has come in person.”
“……Pardon?”
Philomel jumped up from the sofa in a panic.
‘I really don’t want to face him right now…….’
“Um, tell him I’m asleep.”
Philomel lay back down, face toward the back of the sofa, and feigned sleep. She knew this was pointless spite; if the Emperor visited, one had to wake up regardless. The Countess might even be in trouble for reporting the excuse instead of waking her, but she didn’t care.
‘I still hate it…….’
A moment later, the door opened. Philomel, thinking the Countess had returned to wake her, held her breath—until she heard the voice that followed.
“Philomel.”
The Emperor said in a low voice.
“I know you are not asleep.”
*Hick.* Was he a ghost or something?
Philomel flinched. The thought of getting up crossed her mind, but she decided to play dead and kept her eyes tightly shut.
“……Do you truly dislike facing me that much now?”
His voice was deeper, heavier than usual. Something felt wrong.
‘His Majesty must be very angry!’
For some reason, she felt the urge to stop resisting.
“I still do not understand why you want that ring so much. You are my rightful successor even without it.”
Footsteps drew closer.
“But…… if you desire it that much.”
Philomel felt Eustis standing right behind her. Something light brushed her hair.
“Three years. I will give you the Solar Flare Ring the year you turn fifteen.”
“Really?”
Philomel jumped up.
Eustis withdrew his hand and nodded.
“Yes. You won’t be an adult, but by then, the burden on your body shouldn’t be too great. Still, I would prefer you use it as little as possible…….”
“Thank you! Your Majesty is the best!”
*Grasp.* Overwhelmed with emotion, Philomel hugged Eustis without thinking.
“…….”
“…….”
Her sanity returned immediately.
‘……Oh no. What have I just done?’
Philomel quickly shimmied out of his embrace. People said he carried her when necessary, but that didn’t mean he welcomed spontaneous affection. Indeed, Eustis looked quite surprised.
“Wow! I’m so happy!”
As Philomel awkwardly raised both hands, he did not press her on the hug.
“Are you that happy?”
“Yes!”
Three years. It was a long time if one lingered on it, but compared to the six years originally proposed, it was only half.
‘Besides, this is before Ellensia appears.’
Even if I were to get the ring right now, there would be limits to running away in a child’s body. I’d be lucky not to be reported as a runaway orphan. At fifteen, I would still not be an adult, but it would be an age where I could feasibly wander on my own.
Three years from now. I could leave then.
Philomel clenched her fists.