Return To The Royal Capital

“Is it really alright for them to do so much for us…?”

Rebecca muttered uneasily while looking at the large amount of sweets in the fortress lounge, and Ann nodded with a wry smile.

“I am still in the position of a princess, so there is no problem. On the contrary, refusing this hospitality would only cause stress for the people here.”

That was true… If I were in the position of hosting royalty, I would probably feel relieved if they gladly accepted the hospitality, thinking they were satisfied, but if they refused, I might panic thinking it didn’t please them.

People who stand at the top really do think differently about such things.

“Now that you say it, that might be true.”

“Right? So you can eat as much as you like.”

Rebecca nodded at Ann’s words and picked up a cupcake with a happy smile.

“Princess Henriette, how long do you think it will take before a messenger arrives from the Royal Capital?”

“Let’s see… ten days at the earliest, perhaps. What do you think, Hubert?”

“I share the same opinion. However, since the royal palace believed Princess Henriette had died, news of your safe return will likely cause great confusion. It may take a little longer.”

“That’s true. Then let us wait patiently.”

After that, we gathered in the lounge every day and spent our time simply talking. Since there might be various dangers if Ann left the fortress in the current situation, we decided that everyone would remain inside the fortress.

We talked about each other’s pasts, our likes and dislikes, and where we wanted to go as adventurers in the future. We talked about many things.

We also gathered in the Divine Domain to speak with Lady Seremees and Lady Milora, and the six of us talked together there as well.

Thus the days passed peacefully, and on the morning exactly two weeks later, an escort from the Royal Capital arrived at the fortress.

“Oh, it seems the members of the unit that escorted Princess Henriette have come.”

When we all looked down from the second-floor room toward the front of the fortress, there really were some familiar faces.

“That’s true. I’m happy to see everyone again.”

When we went down to the first floor with Ann and stepped outside the fortress, the escorting knights saw Ann and almost without exception had tears in their eyes.

“Princess Henriette… we are truly delighted at your safe return!”

“Everyone, I’m happy to see you again. Thank you for coming to meet me.”

“No, it is only natural. We deeply apologize for failing to protect you, Princess…!”

“There is no need to worry about that. You could not follow me into the Empire, so it could not be helped.”

At Ann’s words and smile, the knights shed tears and knelt on the spot.

After that, Hubert also rejoiced at the reunion with his former comrades, and we too were thanked by everyone. A very happy atmosphere filled the square in front of the fortress.

I hoped the royal palace would have this kind of atmosphere as well, but that probably wouldn’t be the case… After all, this was a country ruled by a king who had tried to marry Ann into that Empire.

I could only hope that Ann would be able to leave the royal family without incident.

“Then, Princess, could you please board the carriage right away? Everyone is waiting for you at the royal palace.”

“Understood. May everyone else ride in the carriage with me as well?”

“…If that is Your Highness’s wish.”

“Thank you. Then everyone, please get in.”

At Ann’s request, we were allowed to board the carriage together, and once again the four of us were alone inside. From here, it would take one week to reach the Royal Capital.

“We still have plenty of time to talk.”

“That’s true. Though it feels like we may have already talked about everything.”

“Oh? Is that so? For example, we haven’t talked about romance, have we?”

Hearing those words, Hubert looked at us with a puzzled expression.

“That’s true. I’m curious about Hubert’s romantic history.”

“I’m curious too!”

“…I don’t have anything worth talking about. More importantly, what about Luca and Rebecca?”

“I-I also… don’t have anything to talk about.”

Rebecca’s face turned red when the topic was turned toward her, and she shook her head vigorously before looking toward me.

“No, I don’t have anything either. What about you, Ann?”

“I am a princess, so of course there would be nothing like that.”

At those words, all of us looked at each other and exchanged wry smiles.

“Romance talk doesn’t suit us.”

“That’s true. Maybe we should talk about the kinds of quests we’d like to take on in the future.”

“That sounds good.”

“That would be more exciting.”

After that, we continued chatting about various things, and the journey passed pleasantly. One week later, the carriage finally arrived at the Royal Capital.

It somehow felt like it had been a very long time since I last returned here.