Epilogue

Epilogue

A sweet aroma hung in the air of the room.

In the dining hall, a piping hot brown drink was served on the table easily capable of seating dozens of people. Everyone in attendance furrowed their brows and what had been presented to them.

And this is?” one of the magistrates asked. The main type of teas in Baltzar were tinged red with a clear and refreshing citrusy aroma. They had probably never seen a tea with such a sugary-sweet aroma in a shade so dark that you couldn’t see the bottom of the cup.

(Just remember; if this concludes without a hitch, you can hole up in my greenhouse with your bucket over your head...)

Rosemarie stood in the corner of the dining hall, positively frozen in anxiety. She was sandwiched between two knights of The Second Order at both sides, so it made it even worse.

“It is called ‘Kaola.’ They drink it regularly in Volland, and it is said to have fatigue-curing properties. However, it is apparently difficult to manufacture, and banned from export into outside countries.” Everyone who was listening with an earnest gaze at Claudio’s explanation, as he sat at the edge of the long table, were people who gathered to judge Rosemarie.

In the midst of Kastner’s overly long list of crimes coming to light one after another, today marked the third day since the inquiry. And maybe because everyone wanted to square things away quickly, Rosemarie’s charges were being judged.

“Do you mean to tell us that this girl brought an item banned from export into our country?” The badger-headed magistrate cast a judging pair of eyes upon Rosemarie, making her twitch her shoulders in surprise. Claudio then intervened.

“Listen to me closely. I said that it was difficult to manufacture. I’ve been told that since it’s becoming a scarce commodity, so it’s only consumed within Volland. A small enough quantity that they don’t allow distribution to outside nations. King Volland has been sending over a supply for his daughter who loves drinking it.”

Claudio shot a glance at the magistrate that practically asked, “Do you have a problem with that, good sir?” It was a glance that made the man hush up, feeling awkward.

“Putting that aside, Doctor? When you were summoned to the princess’s room, was this aroma not drifting through the air? I assume you remember since it’s a very specific aroma.”

The middle-aged doctor who sat opposite to Claudio closed his eyes in recollection. “—Well... Hmm, yes... I do indeed remember this sweet aroma. I also remember the brown liquid spilled atop the desk. Hence why I thought you drank something and passed out as a result...”

“You mistook that for poison?”

“Yes, sir.” The doctor gave a firm nod with tensed brows and Claudio nodded back. He then held out his hand to his audience, persuasively.

“You heard it for yourselves. That day, I went out on my survey. I simply drank the Kaola and fell asleep, most likely because of my fatigue over the course of several days. The princess just jumped to conclusions and summoned the doctor. —If you doubt this, I implore you all to drink the Kaola sitting before you.”

Silence befell the room. Everyone looked down at the Kaola, not budging a muscle.

(That’s right. It might be poisoned, so there’s no way they would drink it.)

They verified that, with the processing that Edeltraud put the Kaola through, it barely had any magic-stealing effects left. So even if there was someone who had mana here, there was no risk of it being stolen. Regardless, Rosemarie was still getting nervous.

Rosemarie made up her mind and inhaled.

“I will drink it.”

As soon as she said that, Rosemarie walked over to the doctor, who was sitting the closest to her, took the cup, and put it against her lips.

The unique bitterness and slight acidity spread throughout her mouth, leaving a sour aftertaste. A smile naturally drew itself across her face, and upon noticing that everyone was still staring at her, she quickly straightened that smile out.

“The princess seems to be fine after drinking it.” Amidst the stifling silence, the sound of cups clanging off their plates could be heard.

The Second Order’s captain set his sights on her as he sat near the doctor. His face was human, but he was most certainly the wolf-headed knight who took Rosemarie into custody. He slowly lifted up the cup, without a single shift in his brows, putting the cup to his lips, and drinking it down like it were nothing.

“—It has a unique taste. However... I can see myself getting a tad hooked.” The knight’s lips curled into a faint smile. Rosemarie was pleased on the inside.

(Yes! You get hooked!)

She was trying hard to keep her face neutral, but it seemed to be slipping a little bit. She felt that Claudio was glaring at her from afar, so she once again straightened herself out.

The others timidly put their cups to their lips, convinced after the knight drank the tea with no issues. While there were some that were firm in their refusal to pick the cups up, that hadn’t broken any expectations.

There were some that winced upon sampling the tea, and some that liked it enough to down the entire cup, but the general impression that started to roll out was positive.

Claudio cleared his throat to draw everyone’s attention.

“—So, gentlemen. What of the princess’s charges now?”

***

Her vision was clouded by darkness.

Even with her eyes opened, the area was dimly lit. It was a sight that filled Rosemarie with an earnest sense of relief. The scent of the out-of-season roses tickled her nostrils, but the sweet scent of the Kaola tea tickled them more.

“Princess, shall we return to your room? Nightfall is already upon us. Come now, I have some piping hot Kaola all ready for you, as well.” Heidi brought the cup filled with Kaola over to Rosemarie, but she remained hanging her head, bucket on head, in the corner of the greenhouse.

“I’m sorry, Heidi. Just a little while longer.” That same afternoon, a verdict was passed on Rosemarie’s charges.

—She was acquitted of the charges of plotting Crown Prince Claudio’s assassination, but she was to be placed under surveillance.

Everyone probably knew that she was actually innocent of any crime considering that Claudio, the victim in question, was the one defending her. It did mean a fair end to the matter, nevertheless.

Not only was a letter with a detailed report on the incident issued to Volland, but an apology signed by both King Baltzar and Claudio as well.

Her relief was short-lived as Rosemarie bolted out of the dining hall, her legs taking her to the greenhouse Claudio gave to her, where she put her bucket squarely on her head. The continued exposure to the gazes of both human and beast alike was bringing her to the edge of her mental limits.

(Why haven’t my eyes been cured even though Prince Claudio’s mana has returned to him...?)

Perhaps her eyes would remain this way for the rest of her days.

As she let out a deep sigh, her bucket was plucked off her head from behind.

“—! Heidi, please, give that ba...”

“You’re back to wearing this thing on your head? Doesn’t it get hot?”

When she turned around in chase for her pilfered bucket, she found Claudio with it in his hands, looking disappointed.

“No, it doesn’t. I won’t wear it, so please give it back,” she pleaded with her hand extended. Claudio looked back at her sternly, but he returned the bucket to her without objections, nonetheless. Rosemarie hugged it with care, settling her shaky nerves.

“—I hate the fact that an inanimate object has me jealous.”

“...Huh? Did you say something?” Rosemarie tilted her head, perplexed. Claudio blushed slightly, shook his head to disavow having said anything, and presented his hand.

“Let’s go back to your room. I’m sure you’re tired.” She went to take his hand, hesitated, and then gave a dry smile.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking about how differently you treat me compared to the time just after the wedding...”

“Yes, as for that... I’m sorry. I feel absolutely terrible for leaving you behind in the hall.”

“Well, I’m also to blame for that happening... But, I was so happy that you came to get me when Master Edel tricked us.”

“Right, as bitter as I am about that, it ultimately worked out.”

“Still, I let you go ahead and drink Kaola without knowing it was made from Seed of Mana-Sealing.”

“You did. I thought I was a dead man because of that.”

“I’m so sorry. And despite that, you’ve given me this greenhouse and taken care of so much for me... I’ve been quite an inconvenience to you from the very start, haven’t I?”

“...No. I mean, that’s beside the point. Anyway, what is with this sudden trip down memory lane?”

She smiled at Claudio as he looked at her, dubious. Despite her remembering all the drama she shared with Claudio, one event after another, she found herself getting sentimental.

Claudio’s unsociable temperament had all but faded and she could tell that he was clearly genuine about caring for her just as he had stated. That was also why it was a tad saddening.

“—When will you be sending me back to Volland?”

Claudio gazed, perplexed, dropping his outstretched hand. “What are you talking about? Your charges have been dropped.”

“Yes, but, I believe the agreement was that I stay here until your mana returned to you, Prince Claudio.” Her own eyes hadn’t been cured, but there was no longer a reason for her to stay here if his mana was back to him.

“Since your face has returned back to normal, there are girls who would gladly marry you, seeing as how handsome and refined you are, Prince Claudio. A no-frills, gloomy backwoods princess such as myself being crown princess would be a disservice to the people of Baltzar.” With his head back to normal, Claudio was a talented and personable young man. Luck was in his favor, no matter what. Although, now that his attitude had finally started to soften, she was enjoying the conversations they were sharing.

She pretended not to notice the aching in her heart, staring at Claudio.

Claudio didn’t say a word, his face stern. Maybe he wasn’t because he was going to say something? There was a possibility that she got the jump on him and he was angry.

“Oh, but, if our divorce doesn’t happen right away, I will be fine with a year wait. You can just leave me be in a corner of the castle until then. Also, if you just allow me to walk to the greenhouse, I can—”

“Princess! Princess! Hush up! Shut your mouth!” Heidi, pale in the face for some reason, covered Rosemarie’s mouth with her hand from the side. At almost the same time, Claudio bounced his shoulders with a chuckle.

“Send you back to Volland? I never planned on doing that at all.” Claudio stated with an emotionless voice and a somewhat cold smile. Rosemarie shook off Heidi’s hand, miffed.

“That isn’t what we agreed to! You said that you would send me back home if your mana returned...” Was Claudio telling her to watch on as a different girl stood by his side? She didn’t want to see that, and just imagining that choked her. Even if she were to keep herself shut in, she couldn’t keep herself from imagining. In which case, it would have been better for her to worry about it back in Volland.

Rosemarie stared at Claudio without wiping the tears welling in her eyes. He clearly seemed shaken up.

“You... said that you would be by my side if I needed you. Was that a lie?”

“It was not a lie. But you don’t need me anymore, right?”

“As if I could do that. Do you think I’m the type of man who would kick you out because you’re useless after getting my mana back... No, I did say something similar, didn’t I? Back in the beginning, at least.” Claudio started arguing his point angrily, but he touched his forehead as if he suddenly realized.

“Um, I don’t mind. It isn’t anything that you should worry yourself about. I assure you, don’t bother yourself...”

“If you don’t think it bothers me, you’re crazy!” Claudio spun his wheels in place, pondering as though fighting an inner conflict, and then snapped his head up and looked at Rosemarie straight in the eyes. Her attention was fixed to Claudio’s pair of intense blue eyes.

“—I don’t need a woman that won’t embarrass me, the so-called handsome and personable individual. That sort of woman would bore me. In fact, I would enjoy spending my time with a certain crybaby, scaredy-cat, with a habit of holing up with a bucket over their head and impulsive behavior—namely, you.” Claudio slowly held out his hand once again.

“Also, your eyes haven’t healed up yet, right? Why don’t you let me heal you this time around?”

Rosemarie fixed her eyes on the hand held out in front of her. Was it okay for her to take the hand offered to her? Was she going to be a nuisance for Claudio? In one way she was happy that he was keeping her around, but she was at a loss as to what she should do.

“Rosemarie, stay by my side. No, please stay by my side.” Claudio called her by name plaintively, making her chest tighten. It didn’t matter to her whether that was what he truly felt or not. Noticing that part of her wanted to believe Claudio, she finally made up her mind.

“Prince Claudio, I...” Rosemarie suddenly stopped mid-thought. Behind Claudio, she doubted her own eyes as she saw the reflection in the greenhouse glass acting as a mirror in the setting sun.

(No... it can’t be...)

Rosemarie stood with her eyes wide and Heidi watched the whole thing unfold in panic. Claudio’s head was in human form—or so she thought.

Claudio’s hair had turned silver. Rosemarie ended up grabbing his collar instead of his hand.

“Your face is returning back to how it was!”

“What was that? Hey, you, maid. What does my face look like right now?!” Taken aback, Claudio turned to Heidi. Perhaps startled by the shouting, Alto, who was apparently waiting outside the greenhouse, came rushing in.

“Um, well, your hair is silver and your skin is covered by silver fur.”

“And you, Alto?”

“Sir, I see the same thing as the good maid.” The unfortunate look in Alto’s eyes made Claudio thrust a hand past his bangs and click his tongue with a sour expression.

“Guess there was no way it would come back that easy...”

Rosemarie was about to say something to the despondent Claudio, but she suddenly crossed eyes with him. Both of their faces instantly flushed up and they turned to face away each other in an instant.

“I’d appreciate it if you forgot what I said earlier.”

“Very well. I will pretend you never said it.” Having come back to their senses, that seriousness was extremely embarrassing. Not only that, but she completely forgot that Heidi had been watching them the whole time.

“...Let’s go back. We’re going to have to find another way to get back my mana starting tomorrow.” Claudio held out his hand. His wryly smiling face was still a bit red. Rosemarie put her hand atop his, suppressing her shame.

She admittedly felt just a little guilty at how happy she was to have a reason to stay by Claudio’s side for now.

Walking through the door that Alto and Heidi opened for them, Rosemarie looked up at Claudio, who suddenly seemed worn out.

“Are you tired?”

“Exhausted.”

“—Well, in that case...”

“In that case, we can make do without my head in your lap, yes.” Rosemarie shot him a glare, a tad disappointed at his response. She then forced out a smile, swinging the bucket in her other hand all the while.