Wouldn’t A Fighting Tournament Do?

“It is apparently to thank us for the apology ceremony. They have inquired about an official visit.”

“Thank us…? That was already settled at the apology ceremony. This will never end at this rate. How many times do they plan to meet us?”

I cut in before Shitoen could say anything.

I suddenly felt her gaze on me, but I deliberately faced my eldest brother.

Shitoen was kind.

She would surely say, “It is public duty, so let us meet them.” Besides, as someone who had married into our family, it would be difficult for her to say “I refuse” or “no.” I had to step forward firmly in matters like that.

“Our country and the Kingdom of Luminous are neighboring nations. In addition, the Kingdom of Tania lies north of Luminous. They are positioned between our country and Shitoen’s homeland. They probably want to be doubly thorough in showing courtesy. I understand the feeling of not wanting this to grow any more complicated.”

My eldest brother leaned his upper body against the back of the sofa and crossed his long legs.

“As for us, well… I think we may refuse. I confirmed it with His Majesty yesterday, but he said he would leave it to me.”

“However, this visit may not be the judgment of Luminous alone. The Kingdom of Luminous is, above all, within the framework of the Karaban Union Kingdom. Its relationship with the Kingdom of Tania was repaired at the apology ceremony. But what about Tidros? I left the Kingdom of Luminous and married into Tidros. Regarding those circumstances… perhaps the Karaban Union Kingdom fears that Tidros may make some accusation. Could they be inquiring about the visit under that pressure?”

Shitoen carefully wove her words together.

The King of Tania had been furious because Crown Prince Arios unilaterally broke off the engagement.

The apology ceremony had been held to appease that anger.

This time, did they think Tidros would make some accusation, saying, “I hear you did something terrible to our bride in the past”?

“To be doubly thorough, they next want to visit the Kingdom of Tidros, which may become a threat to the Karaban Union Kingdom. If that is the case, refusing the visit would be… well…”

Shitoen lowered her chin and looked between my eldest brother and Yulia.

“If you are taking me into consideration, then I am all right. That is in the past. After all…”

Shitoen cut off her words there, looked at me, and gently held my hand.

“Right now, I am this happy at Prince Saryu’s side.”

Her eyes reddened as she smiled, but…!

She was unbelievably cuuuuuute!!!!

If we had not been in front of my eldest brother, I would have shouted, “Me too! I’m happy at Shitoen’s side too!” and hugged her!

“Saryu, your face.”

I had managed to hold back my voice, but apparently it showed on my face. My eldest brother pointed it out coldly. Crap.

“But… dear?”

Yulia furrowed her brows worriedly and looked at my eldest brother, then turned to Shitoen.

“The visit will apparently not be only Crown Prince Arios. The chancellor and… also a girl named Mail Harty are coming with him.”

“Mail!”

“Miss Mail?”

Once again, my voice overlapped with Shitoen’s.

“Huh. Did those two formally get engaged?”

Come to think of it, at the apology ceremony, they had said she was “receiving crown princess education.”

“Not yet. However, the fact that he is bringing her like this means their engagement and marriage are certainly close. According to my spy in that country, even the king has been moved by Crown Prince Arios’s enthusiasm. It seems that the girl called Mail has recently been taking her princess-consort education seriously as well.”

“Please wait, Brother! In that case, this is different! I absolutely will not let her meet Shitoen!”

Why did I have to let her meet the very person who had spread those baseless slanders about Shitoen?!

“I do think that is one method. Since this would be between crown princes, Yulia and I may entertain them instead.”

“Yes, please leave it to me.”

Yulia lightly struck her chest.

“I may not look it, but I received Mother-in-law’s education. One or two nasty little girls are nothing.”

Shitoen’s eyes widened when she saw Yulia clearly call her a “nasty little girl.”

After that, she began to giggle.

“Thank you very much for your concern. However, Lady Yulia. I, too, am Mother-in-law’s daughter-in-law, and also your sister-in-law.”

Imitating Yulia, Shitoen lightly struck her own chest as well.

“One or two nasty little girls are nothing to me at this point.”

“Oh my.”

This time, Yulia’s eyes widened, and then she began to laugh.

My eldest brother and I exchanged looks, then somehow smiled wryly. The women of the Tidros royal family really were strong.

And also…

They were broad-minded.

“Thank you very much for your consideration. However, I, too, wish to fulfill my duty as a member of the Tidros royal family. Please reply as you see fit, Your Highness.”

Shitoen told my eldest brother that while still smiling.

After nodding deeply, my eldest brother looked at me.

“Understood. Then I will reply to the Kingdom of Luminous accordingly. However, Saryu. Do not let Shitoen overexert herself.”

“Of course.”

I nodded vigorously as well.

“As I just told you, the visitors will be the crown prince and his lover. On our side, Yulia and I will be in charge of entertaining them. Saryu, I want you to handle the security.”

“Understood.”

“There is also the fact that Shitoen is currently being targeted by criminals… but it seems my spy in Luminous has reported something concerning.”

“Something concerning?”

When I repeated his words, my eldest brother drew together his well-shaped brows.

“Things around Mail smell suspicious. Accidents have been continuing. They have not resulted in serious injuries yet, but it seems rumors are spreading that someone may be targeting her.”

“Well, of course she’d be targeted.”

I ended up saying that aloud, and Shitoen admonished me with, “Prince Saryu,” but…

Her personality was awful, after all.

She was the type of woman who would say, “People often tell me I’m naturally innocent.”

She seemed like the kind of woman who mistook malice for innocence. Because she was that sort of woman, now that it had been exposed that “Shitoen was actually not a villainess,” there were probably mountains of people who wanted to erase her.

“Well… that may not be the only reason. There may still be many factors that make them uneasy about sending her abroad. That is probably why even the chancellor is coming along.”

My eldest brother did not go so far as to say it was troublesome. How admirable. If it were me, the third son, I would have said it plainly.

“I will leave security matters entirely to you, but if your knight order alone is not enough, I will place my royal guards under your command as well.”

“If it comes down to it, may I abandon Mail? With Shitoen as the top priority.”

“I would like to say no, but it depends on the situation. Shitoen is the top priority.”

Shitoen was flustered and said, “You cannot,” but Yulia was also smiling and saying, “Top priority♪ Top priority♪”

“Also, we plan to hold a ball.”

“…What did you say?”

“A ball. The first dance will be mine and Yulia’s, but next will be the visiting crown prince and the two of you. Make sure you practice.”

A ball…

I had a certain amount of confidence in escort duty, security, fighting, and horsemanship.

But…

A ball!!!!!

For me, that was nothing but risk!

“I know you are not good at it. That is why I will let you choose the type of dance.”

“…Then would a fighting tournament be unacceptable? I have some experience with that.”

My eldest brother let out a sigh like a rain cloud carrying the maximum amount of humidity.

But the one who burst out laughing was Yulia.

“A ball and a fighting tournament! My, Prince Saryu really is His Highness the Crown Prince’s younger brother! Ah, Lady Shitoen!”

“Y-Yes!?”

“When it comes to balls, His Highness the Crown Prince has an exquisite joke!”

“Ahem! Cough!! That concludes our discussion!”

“I want to hear it! I want to hear Brother’s joke!”

“Saryu! Starting today, you will practice the Viennese waltz with Shitoen! We will dance the waltz! That is all. Dismissed!”