Celia Kingdom’s Prince
“U~n, I’m nervous”
“What are you saying at this point. Please get it together”
“That’s right! Give it to him straight for my sake. 『This person is my woman! Don’t you make a move on her!』”
“……do you want me to say that?”
“……as I thought, it’s fine since it’s embarrassing”
We’re shaking in the carriage while we’re talking about such trivial things. The reason is to meet the Second Prince of Celia Kingdom, who arrived at the Royal Palace the day before yesterday.
Inside the carriage currently are; Aerith, the person whom the matter concerns the most, and me. Alexia tagged along under the premise that she’s the princess of this country and she’s related to Aerith.
Everybody else said that they want to go as well, but it’s pointless to go in such a large group, so I had them refrain from doing that.
Ferris and Caro can’t come because although they may be princesses, they’re not related to the matter at hand; and because only the royalty and those who are related are gathering this time around, Helen can’t come either. It goes without saying for Priscilla and the others.
It seems they’re sending a carriage from the Royal Palace to the Runwalker House’s mansion to pick Alene-sensei up, so she will be riding that. That’s why we’ve decided to meet at the Royal Palace.
“Come to think of it; I don’t know anything about the Celia Kingdom’s Prince. Alexia, do you?”
“I don’t know very well since I didn’t have much interaction with him, but it should be a guy who turns 20 this year, an advisor for his elder brother who succeeds the throne, and a commander of the Celia Kingdom’s Army”
“Does that mean he’s quite strong?”
“Uh-huh, I heard before that he possesses one of the Eight Magic Devices, that are passed down in the Celia Kingdom”
Eight Magic Devices? What’s that. Is it something like a legendary weapon? Although I’m slightly interested, I guess I won’t get to know since I can’t be duelling the Prince though.
As I’m shaking in the carriage while asking Alexia about all kinds of other things about the Celia Kingdom, the carriage stops and the door opens from the outside. It looks like we arrived before we know it.
“I have been waiting. Lei-sama, Alexia-sama, Aerith-sama”
Ah, this person is the retainer who’s often by the King’s side. I suppose he probably came to receive us under the King’s order.
“By the way, has Alene-sensei arrived?”
“Yes, Alene-sama arrived not long ago, she is meeting with His Majesty”
Is that so. That’s great then. While thinking of that, we follow the retainer leading the way. As I’m walking inside the Royal Palace, the maids, the soldiers, and the administrative official-looking people, whom I pass by, bow to me.
I initially thought that they’re bowing to Alexia, but apparently, they’re bowing not just to Alexia, but to me as well. Is it because I’m a guest? When I ask Alexia that, she gave me a flabbergasted look that I’ve never seen before. It’s a bit shocking when a beautiful girl makes a face like that to me.
“What are you saying. They’re bowing to you because you’ve become my fiance and you’re the Hero of this country. In other words, the Royal Palace is your home too, you know? There’s no way they don’t bow to somebody like that”
It makes sense now that she mentions it. I only ever came to report Haku’s matters ever since the announcement. I was too busy thinking about what to say at that time after all.
As I walk inside the Royal Palace while thinking about something like that, the retainer stops. This place is the usual familiar office. They use the throne room for external affairs, but they use this place for important subjects.
“His Majesty is waiting inside”
“Understood. Thank you”
And then I knock on the door. Immediately after, Gayn-san shows his face from the inside.
“I have been waiting, Lei-sama, Alexia-sama, Aerith-sama. His Majesty is waiting. Please come inside”
……hah? Somehow, the way Gayn-san interacts is different from thus far though. Is this also because my engagement with Alexia was officially announced? Aerith is also giving off a similar vibe as me when I turn around; Alexia is smiling awkwardly.
“Well, I understand what Lei wants to say, but let’s enter the room first. Otou-sama is waiting”
Alexia urges us, and we enter the room. Inside, His Majesty, the Prime Minister, and Alene-sensei were seated in their seats.
“Here you are, Lei. Aerith. Alexia too, are you having fun at Lei’s house?”
“Uh-huh, every day is fun because everybody is together”
Alexia says and smiles. It makes me happy as well to hear you say that.
“It has been a while, Your Majesty Raymond. Thank you for providing the location for today”
“What, don’t worry about it. It’s for my son-in-law’s sake. I’ll help out as many times as you like if it’s something that I can help out with”
The King says and laughs. The Prime Minister is also nodding his head. Come to think of it; I was invited to the end-of-year party at the Prime Minister’s house. He told me to participate with Helen. I have to appear at the Royal Palace’s party as well. I’m mundanely busy.
As I’m thinking about such things that don’t matter now
“And since everybody has assembled, I’m thinking about bringing the Celia Kingdom’s Prince here, is that okay?”
says the King. All of us nod our head at what he said. Celia Kingdom’s Prince huh. I wonder what kind of a person he is. It’d be great if it wraps up with a talk, but he specifically came all the way to the faraway Nanor personally. Perchance there might be something else that he’s after.
We wait for several minutes in that manner.
“Your Majesty, Prince Mistgard has arrived”
the retainer knocked and entered. It’s a different person from the one just now.
“I got it. Have him come in”
And then the one who came in was; a good-looking guy who’s 180cm, tanned, and has deep-blue hair that’s bunched up at the back.
◇◇◇
“Leivelt・Runwalker?”
“Yes. He is engaged with the princess of Nanor, Worvest, and Arcadia, and is currently the most famous person in this country. It appears that he will be Margrave Runwalker’s stand-in because due to the preparation for the war against the Regalia Empire, Margrave Runwalker himself can’t come today”
“I see. He’s to the extent that that Beast King acknowledges him. He’s probably very much capable. Since Aniki, who’s completely hopeless at martial arts, was rejected for the engagement with the princess”
“Bocchama. A retainer of the Nanor Kingdom has just arrived. It looks like the preparation is done”
“Is that so. I wonder if they’ll get angry at me if I tell them the actual reason?”
“Of course. It may be a matter of life and death, but be that as it may, to make use of an engagement with a lady, I think you should just die”
“……that sharp tongue of yours, I wish you’d stop it since it’s quite hurtful though. ……it can’t be helped. I guess I’ll resolve myself and go”
I’m looking forward to whether I’ll be able to accomplish my actual goal this time around.
