The Reality Of A Crown Princess

“Crown Prince Arios! Have you already greeted His Majesty?!”

Before Mail could say anything unnecessary, I made the first move.

“Yes. I was granted an audience earlier. I expressed my thanks once more for sending Prince Saryu and Shitoen to the apology ceremony.”

“I see. After this, the crown prince and his wife of Tidros will host a dinner party. Please set aside the matter of the apology ceremony for now and enjoy the food.”

“I am, of course, looking forward to the cuisine of Tidros, but for my part, what pleases me above all is being able to meet the crown prince and his wife. We are in positions where we will lead our countries in the future, after all. I would very much like to learn various things from them. Could you also put in a word for me, Prince Saryu?”

“Of course.”

Even as I replied, I was intensely moved in my heart.

At the fact that we could have a normal conversation!!!!

Mail really is weird! You’re seriously going to take something like that as your wife? I’ll drink to that courage!

“Lady Mail, you have studied the language of Tidros quite a lot, haven’t you? That is amazing.”

“It was so haaard, Shitoen-samaaa!”

That was why Shitoen was too kind!

Even though I thought, Don’t talk to her, Mail stamped her feet on the spot. Stop it! You’ll raise dust!

From there, Mail endlessly complained tearfully about how strict the tutors of Luminous were, and Shitoen devoted herself entirely to the role of listener.

While feeling anxious, I guided everyone to the guest room the head butler had shown us to, and invited them to sit on the sofas and chairs.

Or at least, I did.

“……Raul.”

“Yes…… I understand.”

……Something like this.

Normally, I thought they would sit divided into “Crown Prince Arios, Mail, and the chancellor” and “me and Shitoen,” but……

Because Mail cheerfully linked arms with Shitoen and sat right beside her, the men silently probed around for a while over where to sit.

……This meant.

The three men would sit side by side on the sofa…… would we?

No, but then how were we supposed to have a conversation……? I mean, wasn’t it hard to talk about that sort of thing unless we were facing each other?

And in that case, who would be in the middle of the three?

Me?

Huh. Me? I was going to sit sandwiched between Crown Prince Arios and the chancellor?

And then converse until the dinner party? Keep the conversation going?

Impossible!!!

But if it was lined up as me, Crown Prince Arios, and the chancellor, wouldn’t the chancellor be alone the whole time?! He had been silent ever since entering the mansion, but he would stay silent from here on too, wouldn’t he?!

As I was thinking dizzyingly about the seating order, Raul moved the butlers and removed the three-seat sofa. They quickly prepared single-seat sofas instead and arranged them in a semicircle around the table, so disaster was avoided.

“S-Sorry for the delay. Please, go ahead.”

“No, we should apologize.”

“You have our gratitude.”

After confirming that Crown Prince Arios and the chancellor had sat down with apologetic expressions, I also sat down in relief.

Suddenly, my eyes met Shitoen’s. Shitoen lowered the ends of her brows and, without making a sound, mouthed in the language of Tania, “Thank you for your hard work,” looking apologetic.

“Huh? Where’s Iddy?”

After the head butler, the butlers, and the maids withdrew, Mail looked around the room restlessly.

In the room were me, Crown Prince Arios, the chancellor, Mail, and Shitoen.

Other than that, only Raul, Roze in men’s clothing, and Mone were standing by in the corner of the room.

“Is Iddy not here?”

Mail’s eyes wavered anxiously as she gripped Shitoen’s hand. Shitoen gently squeezed that hand back and asked softly.

“Who is Iddy-san?”

“She’s my maid……”

“Ah. The maids and attendants are being entertained by Eaton…… by Shitoen’s maid, in another room.”

When I added that explanation, Mail leaned uneasily against Shitoen.

“I’m sorry. She is like a mother to Mail…… Mail, it is all right. This place is safe.”

After addressing me, Crown Prince Arios smiled at Mail as if to calm her down.

I exchanged glances with Raul by the wall.

Mail was being targeted.

That was true, and she herself seemed quite aware of it.

“There are three knights here, so you will be fine.”

I also added that.

Because I thought she was pitiful, as expected.

In a sense, if one was born royalty, assassination followed from that very moment.

Interests, the royal succession, or something about one’s bloodline. If anyone thought any of it harmed them, that was the end. That was precisely why blood relatives either strengthened their unity, or became self-contained.

Mail had surely dreamed without thinking about any of that.

The crown prince she loved had chosen her, even going so far as to cast aside the fiancée decided by the country.

A romance that was just like a story.

But what lay beyond that was.

Assassination and ugly power struggles.

She surely had not imagined anything like that. She would marry the crown prince she loved, give birth to a beloved child, and build a happy family.

That must have been all she wished for.

Reality was different.

Strict education as a crown princess, and a tense life where her life was targeted.

She had finally begun to wake from her dream. That was probably the situation.

“The knights here are all people I have personally acknowledged. Well, one of them is still an apprentice, but their skill is certain. They are also tight-lipped. Please feel at ease.”

I glanced toward Raul and the others standing by. Raul bowed with his eyes, and Roze and Mone followed by imitating him.

“Kyaa♪ The knights of Tidros are all wonderful! Like actors! They should wear cooler clothes! Shall I choose some for you?!”

“No, thank you!”

When Mail suddenly revived with full energy, I answered immediately.

My concern for her had been a complete waste!!