Reunion And A Harsh Reality

I couldn’t properly process the fact that Ann—the girl who had become our friend back then—was actually the princess. My mind kept spinning with possibilities. Was it just someone who looked like her? Were we mistaken? Maybe she had a half-sister who lived among the common people?

While I was running through all those thoughts, the Ann introduced by His Majesty smiled in our direction.

“My name is Henriette Albanell. Thank you for accepting this request.”

—Her voice was the same as Ann’s.

Whoa… seriously? Ann really was the princess?

Now that I thought about it, Henriette and Ann did sound related. And the way she looked at us… it felt like there was some hidden meaning in that gaze.

“I had heard that you were heroes who saved the kingdom, so I imagined you might look rather intimidating. But I’m relieved to see that you both seem kind. You also appear to be around my age, so I hope we can get along well.”

Ann… no, Lady Henriette seemed to be implying that what happened back then was a secret. It almost felt like she was emphasizing that this was our first time meeting.

Following her lead, I forced my stunned body to move.

“I-it is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. It is an honor to receive such kind words from Your Highness.”

As I bowed deeply and spoke, I caught sight of Rebecca beside me also jerking slightly before lowering her head. For now, I hoped our reactions hadn’t revealed that we already knew her.

“You two—Henriette’s marriage is a matter of great importance for this kingdom. You must ensure it succeeds.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After that, His Majesty explained in detail the importance of this commissioned request—not just Lady Henriette’s safety, but also the relationship with the Empire. He repeatedly reminded us to deliver her safely, and the audience finally came to an end.

Once His Majesty and Lady Henriette left the audience chamber, the atmosphere in the room instantly relaxed.

“Sir Luca and Miss Rebecca, please proceed to exit.”

Prompted by an official’s voice, we walked forward more casually this time. Passing through the same large doors we had entered through, the tension loosened even further.

“Haa… it’s over.”

Rebecca let out a relieved sigh beside me, and I returned a weak smile. Considering the shocking revelation that Lady Henriette was actually Ann, I had managed to keep my composure fairly well during the audience.

No one had called us disrespectful or shot us unpleasant looks. By those standards, it was a complete success.

“Next will be the briefing for the commissioned request. May I guide you there now?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

“I am as well.”

After hearing our replies, the male official nodded and quickened his pace. The room he led us to was a meeting chamber not far from the audience hall.

Perhaps because it was used for meetings, the interior was less lavish than the other rooms, making it feel slightly more relaxing.

“Please wait here.”

The official served us tea and left the room, leaving only Rebecca and me inside.

“…Luca, the princess is going to the Empire, right?”

Come to think of it, they said she was marrying into the Empire. The shock of learning that Ann was Lady Henriette had kept me from thinking that far.

So Ann was going to that country—the one with all those terrible rumors.

—Maybe that day, she ran away from the palace because she didn’t want to accept the fate of going to the Empire.

But since she was here now, either she returned on her own… or someone brought her back.

“I just hope she’ll be happy from here on.”

Even though we were alone in the room, we were still inside the royal palace, so I spoke in a roundabout way. Rebecca nodded, her eyes slightly moist.

We chatted about harmless things for about ten minutes while we waited. Then the door opened, and a man entered. He wore a knight’s uniform and looked to be in his thirties.

“Nice to meet you. I am Hubert Lancian, a royal guard knight appointed as the commander of the escort for Her Highness the Princess’s marriage procession.”

“Thank you for the courteous introduction. I am the adventurer Luca.”

“I’m Rebecca.”

Thanks to Sir Lancian’s gentle demeanor, we were able to greet him without feeling too nervous. I had been worried about how it would be working alongside knights, but if this man was the captain, it seemed like it would be fine.

“Now then, I will explain the details of the escort mission.”

According to his explanation, the journey for the marriage procession would take about one week to reach the border, and another week within the Empire after crossing it.

At night we would stop at towns and stay in the residences of local nobles or governors who ruled those towns, so there would be no camping in the wilderness.

Our job was simply to deal with any monsters that might attack. Everything else would be handled by the knights.

“After entering the Empire, Sir Lancian and the others won’t be accompanying us, correct?”

“That’s right. From that point on, the Empire’s knights will take over. …However, the two of you will be able to continue accompanying Her Highness into the Empire, so I entrust her to your care.”

Sir Lancian lowered his face slightly as he said that, his expression dark. Seeing that made my heart ache. It seemed the knights also felt sorry that the princess had to marry into the Empire.

If everyone looked this troubled about it, then the Empire must be a pretty dangerous place.

“…What kind of country is the Empire? Is there anything we should be careful about?”

“Well… I only know rumors about its internal affairs, but I’ve heard that the key to navigating life there is to demonstrate strength. It is said to be a country where the weak cannot oppose the strong. And by strength, they do not mean intelligence or status, but pure power—strength in battle.”

“I thought so…”

Lady Henriette could use magic, but she said the fight the other day had been her first real battle. That definitely didn’t qualify her as “strong.” I couldn’t help but worry about her. What would happen after she married into that place?

Did His Majesty even think about that before deciding on this marriage…? Probably not. It felt like he had been tempted by whatever sweet offer they presented and accepted it without carefully considering the conditions.

“Is the person Her Highness is marrying… a kind man?”

“…I have heard that he is a… brave and formidable man.”

Brave and formidable… In other words, someone who solves things with force.

I could feel Rebecca beside me clench her fists. We both wanted to save Lady Henriette from the bleak future awaiting her. After all, even if it had only been for a single day, we had become her friends.

But I didn’t have the power to overturn the decision of His Majesty, the ruler of this nation.

After that, a heavy silence settled over the meeting room. The discussion about the escort request—one none of us felt good about—eventually came to an end, and Rebecca and I left the room.

After this, we were to go straight home and return to the palace the day before Lady Henriette’s departure.

“For now, let’s head back.”

“…Yeah. Let’s.”

With a gloom that felt like we had swallowed lumps of lead, Rebecca and I took a step forward to return to our everyday lives.