With Elena-sama having come to retrieve us and our safe reunion, the battalion meant to support Cutlass-san headed to his location, leaving a portion behind. Meanwhile, Elena-sama, Ron-san… or rather, the Calfaan Empire’s Third Prince, Lawrence-sama, and I, along with a company assigned to guard them, set off for the Calfaan Empire.
During the journey, I rode in the same carriage as Elena-sama. Ordinarily, I would have been in a carriage with Dolton-san and the others, but since I was a baron’s daughter, even if only in name, and was perceived as the princess’s aide, I was naturally placed in the carriage reserved for royalty.
“Aria, it’s good you returned safely.”
“Yes, Sera-san.”
In that carriage, which Ron-san was also riding, my adoptive mother, Sera-san, was also present, serving as a handmaiden.
Since it would be problematic for a young man and woman of marriageable age to be alone together in the same carriage, a rather elderly butler, serving as Ron-san’s attendant, was also riding with us. However, the carriage was quite large, and even with five people, there was still plenty of room.
While Ron-san and the old butler were confirming the upcoming schedule, I reported to Sera-san as much as I could about what had transpired.
Reporting to Sera-san, who was on the opposite side with Elena-sama between us, meant I had to speak over Elena-sama’s head, which wasn’t ideal. However, Elena-sama had insisted that I sit next to her, so this was unavoidably the situation. It was just like her ‘Selfish Princess’ state from when we first met, but this time it wasn’t an act. The fact that her true self genuinely wanted me by her side made me feel somewhat… pleasantly awkward.
Friend… That’s what I called her back then. And even if Elena-sama didn’t voice it, she seemed to have naturally accepted it.
Sera-san had also noticed that I had reached Rank 5, but since people from the Empire were present, she settled for just giving me a silent glare. It was a gaze that seemed to scold me for having done something incredibly reckless, yet her eyes held a familial affection similar to Master’s, making me finally feel like I had truly returned.
Once I had finished speaking and touched upon the topic of the Evil Race, Ron-san, who seemed to have been waiting for our conversation to end, interjected as if he couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Aria, he’s safe, right?”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
By ‘he,’ he undoubtedly meant Camille-san. I had already given Ron-san the letter from Camille-san that Jesha-san had brought. I didn’t know what was written in it, but judging from Ron-san’s considerable relief, they likely knew each other’s circumstances.
“Aria… you can speak normally. This old man (jii) has been my ally since I was a child; think of him as someone like your Lady Layton.”
“…Understood.”
Ron-san, who had noticed my formal speech, said that, and the old butler beside him nodded with a gentle smile, so I reverted to my usual way of speaking.
“Thank you for delivering it. Please give my thanks to that former guild master as well. Tell him I’ll arrange things favorably if he intends to serve. Honestly, a Rank 4 heavy warrior is valuable.”
“I’ll pass it on.”
Though I don’t know if he himself still has that intention.
“Also, I want to talk about the upcoming schedule.”
According to what I heard from Elena-sama and Sera-san, Elena-sama had apparently stayed in the Empire until the very last minute for my sake.
According to Ron-san, that schedule was indeed extremely tight. Preparations for departure were currently underway, and even after our return, we would have to leave for the Kingdom of Claydale in just a few days. And during those few days before our departure, it seems that not only Elena-sama but I too will need to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.
“Why me?”
“Aria, you’re a baron’s daughter and the princess’s aide, aren’t you? In reality, you might be her guard, but the princess went to such lengths for that very guard. Besides, my father and mother have taken an interest. In any case, Dolton-dono is also invited, so just resign yourself to it.”
“……..”
I barely managed to swallow the words, ‘What a pain…’ The old butler might permit me to speak casually with the prince, but disrespect towards the Emperor would surely not be forgiven. Still… I never thought I’d end up meeting the king of the Evil Race and an Emperor before my own country’s king.
“Also, since the princess of a friendly nation is returning from her short-term study abroad, a soirée will be held the night before her departure. The members of the Rainbow Sword will be there as well, but Aria, your attendance is mandatory.”
“…Understood.”
That also sounded like a pain, but judging from Ron-san’s expression, was there something else? As I sent him a look conveying that thought, Elena-sama tugged at the hem of my clothes with her fingers and interjected.
“Your Highness Lawrence. I shall be the one to speak.”
“…Ah.”
Taking over from Ron-san, who seemed to find it difficult to speak, Elena-sama turned to face me beside her.
“Aria… it’s possible that your life may be targeted.”
The Third Prince, Lawrence-sama, had been targeted for his life by relatives of his elder brother prince.
However, that situation changed significantly when Ron-san became involved with Elena-sama and, through the narrative of ‘rescuing the princess of a friendly nation,’ created a form of leverage over the Kingdom of Claydale.
This narrative was decided upon through discussions among His Majesty the Emperor, Ron-san, and Elena-sama, as it held merits for both sides.
As things stand, harming Ron-san would mean damaging the Empire’s national interests, and even the neutral faction of nobles would likely become hostile towards the elder prince’s relatives.
Ron-san had not sought the imperial throne. However, to realize his Dream with Camille-san – peace between the Evil Race and humankind – obtaining the position of Emperor should be the most direct path.
But Ron-san was also aware that this path was a thorny one. A king prioritizes his own people over those of other nations, and he had learned that the more earnestly one strives, the further one strays from such childlike ideals.
That is precisely why Ron-san wavered between his ideals and reality.
That was the difference between him and Elena-sama. For the sake of her country and its people, she would likely not hesitate to stain her hands with blood.
However, regardless of which path he chose, the elder prince’s relatives, consumed by suspicion, feared that Ron-san would be endorsed for Emperor by the neutral nobles.
So, what was to be done? They simply needed to eliminate the Third Prince’s achievement – that leverage over the Kingdom of Claydale.
How shortsighted… They’re prioritizing their own power over their country’s interests.
However, they apparently possessed enough sense not to directly target Elena-sama’s life. Even now, all they could manage was to spread rumors to worsen her relationship with Ron-san, or attempt to win Elena-sama over to their side.
If Elena-sama were to ineptly meet her end, it could, at worst, lead to war between the two nations. The Emperor would surely not permit that, and to avoid war, there was even a possibility he would settle the matter with the heads of the elder prince and his relatives.
But I am different. Even if I am an aide the princess relies upon, I am, after all, merely a baron’s daughter. Even if I were to die, His Majesty the King of Claydale would prioritize relations with the Empire. At most, they figured, Ron-san’s achievement would be completely nullified, and perhaps they would face a slight disadvantage in trade.
“I, however, would absolutely not forgive them,” Elena-sama muttered in a chilling voice, and Ron-san gave a wry smile, breaking out in a cold sweat.
It’s shortsighted, but if one doesn’t consider Elena-sama’s feelings and competence, it’s an effective tactic. However, judging from Elena-sama’s demeanor, the elder prince and his relatives would likely end up in a far worse situation than Ron-san merely losing his achievement…
In short, it’s best if I’m not alone. With her return to her home country imminent, there’s also a possibility that the panicked relatives might directly harm Elena-sama as well. Therefore, until she returns home, I cannot leave Elena-sama’s side and must also attend the soirée, it seems.
“We don’t think you’ll lose, Aria. However, in that scenario, after goading you into action, they might fabricate charges and frame you as the aggressor.”
I nodded at Ron-san’s words. There’s a possibility that information about my combat strength has already reached the Empire. Even if it was Ron-san’s faction that conveyed it, one never knows where information might leak from.
If I was the guard who saved the princess, a person for whom the princess would exert such effort, then that possibility certainly existed.
“I believe the audience with His Majesty the Emperor also serves to grant you his aegis, Aria. I don’t know how effective that will be, but you too should exercise restraint, Aria.”
“Understood…”
Feeling anew just how troublesome nobles can be, I let out a small sigh right then and there.
“So you are the young lady Aria, whom Elena-dono relies upon. Your actions in risking your life to protect Elena-dono are truly commendable.”
“…Your words are too kind, Your Majesty.”
The very next day after our arrival in the Calfaan Empire, perhaps because it had been communicated in advance via a Long-Distance Communication Device, I was granted an audience with His Majesty the Emperor without any delay.
His Majesty the Emperor was a man with a gentle appearance, looking to be in his late thirties. He first rejoiced with the Empress at Elena-dono’s return, and then he addressed me.
However, contrary to his gentle appearance, his eyes stared sharply at me, as if trying to size me up. It was probably safe to assume that a certain amount of information about me had indeed circulated.
That being said, there wasn’t much to discuss; I received His Majesty the Emperor’s words, and that was the extent of it. I couldn’t possibly initiate conversation from my end, and besides, I’m not particularly skilled in matters of etiquette, so speaking carelessly might expose my flaws.
Dolton-san and Sera, standing next to me, seemed accustomed to this, but even so, the fact they were clad in brand-new formal attire showed the depth of their respect.
“My dear, that imperial dress suits you very well.”
“Thank you very much.”
The Empress, who was beside His Majesty the Emperor, spoke to me.
This time, I too was wearing a dress, a rare occurrence for me. The cool blue dress, chosen for me by a lady-in-waiting at the state guesthouse, was well-ventilated to suit the Empire’s climate and surprisingly light.
Unlike the heavy dresses of Claydale, made with many layers of silk, this attire, which created an impression of splendor by layering several pieces of thin, almost translucent fabric, felt more suited to me when I wore it than Claydale’s dresses.
Seeing me in such an imperial dress… no, seeing my pinkish-gold hair, the Empress narrowed her eyes nostalgically.
“A friend of mine also had blood from the Kingdom of Claydale, you know. Though not as striking as yours, she had very beautiful pink hair. If you were to take a liking to this country, I could even help arrange your marriage into a noble family.”
“Please do not jest so, Your Majesty the Empress.”
“Oh my, I had forgotten her parent was present. My apologies, Lady Layton.”
When my adoptive mother, Sera, gently declined, the Empress chuckled softly.
That friend was probably Camille’s mother. I don’t know if that person is a blood relative of mine, but perhaps the Empress wanted to keep me, who reminded her of that friend, close by.
Camille’s mother… it seems that woman’s mother was from Claydale, but she apparently lives in a rural area, so it’s unlikely I’ll ever meet her.
It would be a different story if I were to marry into this country, but of course, I have no such intentions myself. However, upon hearing such talk, a young man standing next to the Emperor suddenly spoke up with a radiant smile.
“Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Majesty the Empress, if we are to strengthen relations with the Kingdom of Claydale, then instead of the daughter of some baronial house, how about welcoming Elena-dono as the Crown Princess—as my wife?”
Next time, the finale of Part 2, Chapter 3 (Dun dun DUN!)
Regarding the first volume that was released last week, it seems to be well-received, all thanks to you, the readers.
Thank you all once again.