Seven years ago… when I was still six years old.
At that time, I was so frail that I didn’t seem like someone from the Chevalier family. I couldn’t go outside, and my daily routine was to gaze at the scenery from my room in the main residence in the territory.
I had no friends of the same age, so I would read books and let my Feelings wander… like in stories, I would go on adventures around the world, or have a wonderful romance with a prince… fufu, since it was just in my mind, I could go anywhere.
Then, one day.
My Father, with a stern expression, told me that I had to visit the Royal Palace.
When my Maid, Monica, inquired about the situation, it seemed that His Majesty the King had chosen me as a Fiancée Candidate for Prince Harold and wanted me to participate in a meeting.
My Father, considering my frail health, had strongly refused His Majesty, but he was strongly implored to do so as a formality, and reluctantly agreed on the condition that I would definitely not be chosen as the fiancée.
Knowing this, my heart leaped with joy.
Regardless of the engagement with Prince Harold, it was my first time in the Royal Capital.
However.
“Is it really okay for me to dress like this…?”
“Yes. It’s an instruction from the Lord.”
For some reason, the outfit prepared for me wasn’t the usual dress, but a blouse and culottes that a boy (male) would wear.
I tilted my head, wondering if it was okay to meet Prince Harold as a Fiancée Candidate dressed like this.
I understood later that my Father had deliberately dressed me as a boy (male) so that I wouldn’t catch the eye of Prince Harold and the others.
Also, to see if they could evaluate me, Alexandra of Chevalier, without being misled by such an appearance.
I think my Father was quite mischievous, but thanks to that, I was able to get engaged to Lord Hal, so now I can only feel gratitude.
And so, after a week of traveling by carriage, I arrived at the Royal Palace with my Father.
“Waaaaah…!”
The journey so far had been very enjoyable and memorable, but I was captivated by the splendor of the Royal Palace, which I was visiting for the first time, and I stared in awe.
I want to see more of it.
Such desires arose, and I developed a mischievousness that I would never normally have, and I walked around the Royal Palace alone, stealing away from my Father’s sight.
At this time, I felt like an adventurer in a story.
But that fun adventure ended quickly.
An endlessly long red corridor, and darkness spreading beyond it.
There was no one I knew around, and I still vividly remember feeling suddenly uneasy.
It was then.
“Huh? Why is there a boy (male) in a place like this?”
What appeared was a boy (male) with silver hair and gray eyes.
He showed a carefree smile and kindly called out to me, who was hugging my knees and unable to move.
“W-Well…”
“Ah, you’re lost, aren’t you? Then, I’ll guide you.”
I was embarrassed to admit that I was feeling insecure, and as I hesitated, the boy (male) said that and offered his hand.
I thought about taking his hand, but at that time, I was trying to be brave, and I dared to stand up on my own.
“Hmph… by the way, what’s your name?”
“Ah… w-well, it’s ‘Alexander’.”
I blurted out a boy (male)-like name on the spur of the moment.
I had decided to pretend to be a boy (male) until the meeting as a Fiancée Candidate.
“I see.”
The boy (male) turned his back as if he had lost interest.
I was a little bewildered by the different reaction from before.
“Harold.”
“Eh…?”
“My name is Harold. Harold Wel Dehвальз. I’m the Third Prince of this country.”
He turned around with a flourish and introduced himself with a full smile, looking somewhat amused.
◇
“Hmm… I can’t seem to find him…”
“………………….”
Perhaps ten minutes had passed since the boy (male)… Prince Harold offered to guide me to my Father.
Not only have I not been able to meet up with my Father, but I feel like I’m getting further and further away from the starting point.
“I-Is my Father really ahead…?”
“There’s no mistake. The nobles have an audience with Father… His Majesty the King in the room ahead. So, he should be in this area…”
Saying that, he proceeds further into the corridor.
However, the surrounding area becomes even less populated, and I feel somewhat desolate.
“Ah! I think it’s probably in the room further beyond this Door!”
“Really?”
“Yeah!”
As if he had found something, Prince Harold happily informed me.
I will finally be freed from this feeling of unease.
I became happy and put my hand on the Door.
“Father! I’m sorry!”
Contrary to my words of apology, my voice was very cheerful.
I’ll probably be scolded, but it’s my own fault, so I’ll accept it willingly.
At that time.
“Eh…?”
Suddenly, the Door behind me closed.
“Prince Harold!? Prince Harold!?”
“Ahahahahaha! What a fool!”
The sound of Prince Harold’s laughter could be heard from beyond the Door.
Yes… it was at this moment that I finally realized.
Prince Harold… that silver-haired boy (male) had deceived me.
I couldn’t understand why he had done such a thing.
“You idiot! Listen up! I’m Harold! Harold Wel Dehвальз!”
After throwing out words that made fun of me, he finally stated his name again, and the laughter and footsteps faded further and further away.
“Please! Open it! Open it!”
I shouted desperately, but no one answered.
Looking closely, the room was very dusty, and I could immediately tell that it hadn’t been used for a long time.
“Please! Please, someone…”
I was trapped in a place like this, feeling uneasy, regretting why I had gone exploring on my own.
I hated that boy (male)… Harold Wel Dehвальз.
At the same time, the image of the prince in the story that I had held until now quickly faded.
The real prince is a terrible man who would do such a cruel thing to me.
“U… uuuu…”
I was driven by anxiety and impatience, but more than anything, I was frustrated and resentful, and I clenched my fists and shed tears.
At that time.
“Huh? Over there…”
“!”
The voice of a boy (male) could be heard from outside the window.
I immediately rushed to the window.
But.
–Swoosh.
With his onyx-like black hair fluttering, the boy (male) tilted his head and walked away.
“Please! Wait!”
I shouted desperately from the window.
But at the age of six, I couldn’t reach the lock, and I couldn’t open the window. Therefore, my voice didn’t reach the boy (male), and… finally, he disappeared from sight.
“A… aaaaaah…”
Hope was crushed, and I collapsed to my knees on the spot.
No one is here… in this room where no one comes, I might die alone.
Such fear washed over me, and the trembling of my body wouldn’t stop.
But.
“Hey… is anyone there?”
As if to blow away my fear, the voice of a boy (male) could be heard from beyond the Door.
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