Chapter 4: Pests

A soft sigh escaped my lips. And then my body jumped and I broke out of my reverie, lifting my eyes up.

Agnes, who had been explaining the procedures for the Holy Night’s Banquet, tucked the documents she was holding away. “You seem to be distracted, Lady Elianna.”

When she pointed out my lack of concentration, I felt so guilty I apologized.

We were currently seated in my private quarters in the palace. Agnes sat across from me, not moving an inch as she accurately guessed what was weighing on me. “You must be concerned about what the queen suggested before, the harem issue.”

My throat bobbed as I swallowed. I wasn’t good at expressing myself with words.

She waited a moment then prefaced by saying, “I’ll tell you this since I don’t think the queen will mention it herself...” I lifted my gaze, and our eyes met. “The reason Viscountess Dauner is trying so hard to promote her daughter is because she wants Lady Matilda to live out the dream she couldn’t have.”

“Pardon...?”

“The viscountess was one of the women being considered as a candidate for future queen. Back then, many people said the only reason she’d lost to Queen Henrietta was because Her Majesty had more political support. When the issue came up of creating a harem, the viscountess was already married, but there was still talk of her possibly divorcing.”

I blinked in surprise. I’d known since four years ago that Viscountess Dauner was trouble. She was always trying to compete with the queen at every turn—at tea parties, evening parties, and any other such social events. Her Majesty didn’t think too fondly of the other woman, but for political reasons, she was cautious and deliberate in how she handled the viscountess.

Agnes quietly analyzed the situation. “Once your reputation was established and you’d displayed your formidable intelligence, the Dauner family eased off a bit. However, Marquess Bernstein has been cracking down on the military budget yearly, and as a result, those in the military are less than pleased with him. Now Earl Dauner is arguing heatedly and going after His Highness in hopes of restoring balance to the inner palace by having a harem established and his granddaughter accepted into it.”

My heart seized as icy fingers constricted tightly around it. My father was a cabinet minister acting as the Minister of Finance, and I had heard for a while now that he wasn’t seeing eye to eye with those in the army who insisted we needed a stronger military presence. I understood that keeping a harem was one way to maintain harmony, but...

Agnes’s eyes studied me questioningly. “Well, Lady Elianna, what will you do?”

“What do you mean...?”

“You have read the history books. You already know how this goes. You didn’t need the queen to point it out to you. Historically, harems have been essential, regardless of whether there was an heir or not. Are you willing to accept the prince’s harem?”

“I—” My mouth opened before I could stop myself, but I managed to grip my knees and swallow back the rest of the words.

Ever since I had spoken with Queen Henrietta, I’d carried these emotions with me. Hideous, selfish emotions. I wondered if it was okay for me to voice them. Was I really allowed to, when all I did was drag the prince down like an extra weight on his back? My lips pulled into a tight line.

The ensuing silence gave me the impression Agnes wasn’t waiting for an answer; she was waiting for my emotions to cool down.

Her voice was hushed as she said, “There’s one more thing.”

I didn’t realize it, but at some point I had closed my eyes. When I opened them, I noticed her peering over at me. Meaningful silence stretched between the two of us.

“Someone leaked what you shared with the merchants in confidence. Do you suspect any of the maids in the inner palace?”

I didn’t even stop to consider the answer; I just blurted it out on instinct. “No.”

In the back of my mind, I pictured Sarah and the other young maids working in the inner palace. Since I first became the prince’s fiancée four years ago, I had grown to understand the hearts of the people at the palace. Those employed here were either people who had lost loved ones to the Ashen Nightmare fifteen years ago or women and children from families who no longer had a breadwinner to care for them.

The palace was the face of our country. When I realized back then that the royal family had prioritized those in crisis, it really struck a chord with me. For that reason, regardless of whether I was a mere placeholder or not, I swore I would never do anything to embarrass His Highness or the royal family. Those feelings remained steadfast, even now that I no longer thought of myself as a fake fiancée.

“None of those women would betray someone from the royal family. Even if one of them were to begrudge me for any reason, I don’t believe they would ever do anything that might tarnish Her Majesty’s good name.” Because inevitably, any faux pas I made would become the queen’s responsibility since she oversaw the inner palace.

Perhaps my conviction that they were innocent was wishful thinking. I couldn’t say with absolute certainty that none of them had done it, but I wanted to believe in them. I knew the world wasn’t perfect. I unfortunately understood not everyone who pledged fealty kept their vow. Indeed, I had once suspected the maids myself. But when Agnes asked me, the word “no” came out all on its own because those were my true feelings. Someone might call me naive or idealistic, but what king leads a country without believing in and showing consideration for his people?

“One cannot be a monarch and hope to accomplish anything if they hesitate and question whether they have traitors in their midst. They must consider what they can do for their people first and foremost, not preoccupy themselves with concerns of how other people view them. Only those who adhere to such a standard are fit to sit the throne, in my opinion.” After I spoke the words, my body seized with a realization. They shouldn’t preoccupy themselves with concerns of how other people view them.

Laughter erupted across from me. When I peered over at her, I saw that Agnes’s normally emotionless mask had slipped into an amused grin. Other giggles echoed through the room, and I soon realized they came from maids stationed nearby.

My cheeks heated up. I certainly sounded arrogant saying all of that when I’d accomplished nothing myself.

“Lady Elianna.” The mirth had drained from Agnes’s face, but the area around her eyes crinkled softly. “You have your own strengths. Please never forget that.”

“I’m sorry...?” I couldn’t help asking for clarification. Other people seemed to insist on some supposed inner strength, but I still wasn’t seeing it in myself. Perhaps if I knew what it was, I wouldn’t feel so anxious.

However, Agnes readjusted her posture and reapplied her usual mask, drawing out the documents she had temporarily stowed away. It was clear the conversation was over. I followed her example and gave up on pursuing the matter, deciding instead to focus on what we were originally discussing.

~.~.~.~

There were a lot of emotions within me that I had yet to properly work out, but I couldn’t put this off any longer. I steeled myself and headed to the prince’s office.

Ultimately, I ran off yesterday after finding that letter on his desk. I managed to attend the evening dinner with the foreign ambassadors, but His Highness had been so busy the two of us had yet to meet. That came as both a disappointment and relief; I wanted to see the prince, but I was also afraid of seeing him. There was so much I needed to talk to him about—what my gaffe with the merchants and the Yule flower meant, what had transpired at the evening party, and how things were playing out within the palace. Yet the one thing I couldn’t shake from my mind was the prince’s name written in that woman’s penmanship. Anxiety roiled in the pit of my stomach over a woman I had never even met before.

If I saw the prince right now, what nonsense might I blurt out? Bibliophile Princess though I might be, I knew I couldn’t keep avoiding this. If I didn’t act, then it would be as if nothing had changed since the incident this past spring—when I’d happened to see what looked like him being intimate with another woman and then made incorrect assumptions without verifying anything.

Things were different now. I had promised His Highness this past summer that I wouldn’t doubt his feelings anymore. I was determined to meet with him and speak about this. Inwardly, I chided myself for my own cowardice as I stepped up to his office.

The guard standing watch happily opened the door for me as he always did. Judging by the air around him, I could tell that the prince was currently inside. There was a short corridor leading into the main office room, and I paused there to take a deep breath. I was deciding in my head what order we should discuss things in, as well as whether or not I should bring up Lady Mireille.

It’s weighing on your mind, so you need to talk to him, I thought, my hands gathering into fists. But... Still, what if... Even though I had come all the way here, apprehension still filtered across my face.

As I froze right before the inner door leading to the office, it suddenly cracked open. The chamberlain came waltzing out with paperwork cradled in his arms. This chamberlain worked specifically for His Highness and was a senior member of the staff. He spotted me and gave a friendly smile. I could hear the sound of the prince’s voice on the other side of the door.

“...There was an incident at the Tessen River’s construction site?” His grave voice continued, inquiring about the current status of the location.

“One of the support beams for the bridge girder collapsed,” Lord Alexei explained. “A few people were injured. The one in charge there is Lord Wilson. He’s young and doesn’t have much experience, so perhaps they lack proper leadership.”

“No, Wilson is from the Azul Region. The people there respect him, and he has Greg, a veteran, assisting him. I don’t think it’s a personnel failure,” said the prince.

“I know you’ve taken an interest in supporting Lord Wilson because you approve of his vision. But you should consider the possibility that his ambitions may be fruitless.”

After that short exchange between the prince and Lord Alexei, silence fell as His Highness seemed to contemplate his next course of action. The chamberlain lingered in the doorway, peering back as if he was waiting for his liege to give him orders.

I could hear His Highness’s chair squeak as he stood up. “I want to visit the location myself. Alex, adjust my schedule. Glen, ready the horses.”

“What?!” Lord Glen gasped in disbelief. “You seriously intend to head to the Azul Region now? What are you going to do about the Holy Night’s Banquet?!”

“I only need three days to make a round trip. We’ll have plenty of time. Plus, it’ll raise morale if I go there myself. Now quit whining and get to it!”

“Another grueling death march...” Lord Glen groaned, voice thick with despair.

Lord Alexei already sounded like he was battling an oncoming headache as he admonished the prince. “There’s no reason for you to go yourself,” he started to say, though his voice was cut off when the door peeled fully open and the chamberlain stepped aside.

“Eli!” the prince gasped. His face and voice filled with joy upon seeing me. In the next instant, I found my vision obstructed by the fabric of his shirt, and a familiar scent flooded my nose. It took me a moment to register the prince’s steady breathing and the solid arms that had suddenly wrapped around me.

“Y-Your Highness...” Panicked, I wriggled around in his grip, but he strengthened his hold in order to trap me.

A dreary sigh drifted down from his lips. “This just isn’t enough. I need more of you...”

He pulled me closer to his chest. I could hear the sound of his heartbeat and feel the warmth of his body roll over me. For a second, I forgot to breathe.

He sounded miserable, struggling to contain his emotion as he said, “We’re both in the palace all the time. Why is it I never get to see you? Is this some kind of conspiracy? A scheme? I was getting desperate, Eli. I almost asked Glen to teach me his techniques for sneaking into girls’ rooms at night.”

Excuse me? I squirmed.

From behind the prince I could hear Lord Glen grumble, “Don’t say that, you make me sound like a creep!”

Lord Alexei seemed equally exasperated. “What kind of conspiracy would that be? Besides, Your Highness, you are the one who said—”

I could already picture the vein bulging on his forehead as he spoke, but the prince clamped his hands over my ears before I could hear everything Lord Alexei had to say.

His Highness sighed. “Intervening between two lovers is very unbecoming of you both. You’re pests. This is precisely why you were only allotted a little girl as your betrothed, Glen. And why you’re treated like the arctic tundra that no one wants to approach, Alexei. What you do in your daily lives speaks volumes, does it not, Eli?”

I’m afraid I’m not following.

“Um, Y-Your Highness...”

Lord Glen and Lord Alexei seemed to have more they wanted to say. I could hear their voices, but I was too flustered trying to deal with the man in front of me.

The prince breathed a resigned sigh and dropped his arms, straightening himself. He ignored the others behind him as he regarded me with a gentle look in his eyes. “I’m sorry I haven’t had any time for you lately, Eli. I never anticipated I would be this loaded down with work. I promise I’ll make some time before the new year’s break.”

I gawked at him, puzzled. Why did he act as if we had such a limited amount of time?

There was so much I had to speak with him about, but sensing the urgency, I hesitated to keep him. Perhaps one of the reasons for his busy schedule was the problem I had created. Plus, I heard mention of there being an accident with people injured. That was more pressing. I couldn’t stop him purely on account of my personal anxieties; he needed to see the conditions there for himself.

And yet...my hand seemed to have a mind of its own, gripping tightly at the hem of his shirt.

His Highness blinked before smiling warmly at me. His hand caressed my cheek. “Are you lonely, Eli?”

“...Ngh.” I felt my cheeks warm as I released my grip on him. I tried to step back to get out of his way, but he pulled me toward him.

Our faces were close as those sweet, blue eyes peered into mine. He opened his mouth to say something, but the other two hidden behind him interrupted us.

“If we’re gonna go, let’s get going,” said Lord Glen. “The sun sets quickly in the winter.”

“Indeed,” Lord Alexei agreed. “I’m afraid your work has piled up. If you have the free time to shower your betrothed with attention, then hurry up and finish the rest of your duties.”

The prince’s sleek brows drew together, and he clicked his tongue. My heart was still pounding in my chest as he drew his hands away and released me.

I composed myself once I heard the sound of him sighing again.

His vibrant eyes turned back toward me. “Eli, it seems some mosquitoes have appeared despite the season. I’ll have to go take down some pests. Don’t worry, I’ve already made my move. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Your Highness...”

So the prince already knew about it after all, I realized. Now I felt even more worthless than before.

His gentle hand brushed over my hair. I knew I couldn’t trouble him any more than I already had, though, so I swallowed back my self-pity and forced a smile. “Thank you, Your Highness. Please be careful and return safely.”

“Yes, I apologize for being in such a hurry, but I’ll be back soon.”

He reluctantly released his hold on my hair. Lord Glen and Lord Alexei followed behind him as they hastily left the room.

Finally, I was able to meet the prince, and yet as I stood there alone, my heart felt even heavier than it had before.

~.~.~.~

The next day, Lady Sharon requested some of my time in order to consult me about Lord Glen, so I invited her to visit me in my private quarters in the palace. She arrived with Lady Elen in tow, and as my maids poured our tea, they kept stealing glances over at the lady knight.

I was bewildered as to why they were so enamored with someone of the same gender, but I focused instead on exchanging pleasantries with Lady Sharon for a while. At first, Lady Sharon wore an adorable smile on her face as she interacted with me, but soon that faded as she blinked at me in confusion, growing gradually more and more perplexed at the course of our conversation.

Finally, she gave me a strange look as she asked, “Um, Lady Elianna, this is an extremely technical discussion. Might I ask who told you I had an interest in gardening?” Her verdant green eyes shuttered open and closed as she grappled with her own bewilderment. “I’ve heard the winters in Sauslind are harsher than the dukedom, but I’m not sure how this conversation on insect repellent really applies to me...”

“Oh...” I felt completely embarrassed. I had heard her speak before about how she’d come here to repel insects, so I’d just assumed she was interested in the topic. I must have misunderstood her.

Lady Elen was struggling to keep herself from exploding in laughter. Lady Sharon pinned her with a suspicious look before abruptly instructing her to step outside and make sure no one interrupted. Sensing she was ready to speak about Lord Glen now, I also dismissed my maids from the room for privacy.

Lady Elen hesitated, her eyes boring into Lady Sharon as she lingered at the door. The latter kept a composed look on her face as she said in a clipped voice, “I need to consult Lady Elianna about something. Leave, Elen.”

Now that the two of us were alone, Lady Sharon flashed an endearing grin at me. I met her gaze as I wracked my brain for ideas on what I could possibly do to help her in this engagement, one she wasn’t even interested in.

She then surprised me by suddenly saying, “I hate beating around the bush, Lady Elianna.”

“All right?” I was about to nod in agreement but found myself puzzled when the air around her suddenly changed.

She kept the adorable smile as she spoke. “There’s not much time, so I’m going to get straight to the point. I would like you to relinquish your position as Prince Christopher’s partner to the Holy Night’s Banquet and let me have the honors instead.”

“E-Excuse me...?”

“If he goes with someone from the Miseral Dukedom, people will understand that he’s showing special regard to Lady Mireille. Considering how things are going to unfold, I think this is the best course of action.”

I couldn’t even count the number of times I blinked at her. “Um...Lady Sharon, I thought you wanted to consult me about being Lord Glen’s partner?”

She pulled a face, nose wrinkling.

I breathed a voiceless, “Huh?” in reply.

“I have no interest in Lord Glen,” she huffed. “I don’t care how promising his future may be, there’s no end to the number of ladies he’s been with. Besides, I don’t want to be with someone who comes from a whole family of redheads. We’d have a bunch of ginger babies together! Talk about a nightmare. Especially since my own red hair is... Wait, that’s enough about me.”

She cleared her throat and then tried again. “I realize you will be the next queen. News has already spread. Plus, Lady Mireille’s already been married once before—though it was an official arrangement, nothing shady. But if Lady Mireille were to marry Prince Christopher, things would return to the way they should be. You understand, don’t you?”

I gaped at her then struggled to swallow a breath. “Umm...what do you mean by ‘things would return to the way they should be’?”

“Oh, come now. You’re as dense as you look. I gave you a hint about this already, didn’t I? Hasn’t Prince Christopher told you anything?”

“The prince?” I frantically worked my brain to try to put the pieces together, but I was coming up short.

Lady Sharon gave a sharp nod. “Yes, the Yule Lovers, it’s a love story between Prince Christopher and Lady Mireille. There was a princess and a prince of a neighboring country that had feelings for each other since they were young. The two promised to share their future together, but meddlers ripped the two apart. He had a fiancée thrust upon him that kept the two apart, and the princess was forced into marrying an older man. Just when the two seemed destined for a tragic end, people discovered that the princess was actually the Yule Maiden, beloved by the goddess. The goddess used her divine protection to shield the maiden’s purity. Then she dethroned the evil fiancée, and at last the princess and prince were able to marry and live happily ever after.” She clasped her hands together, clearly enamored with the story. The way she spoke about it so dreamily reminded me just how young she really was.

Meanwhile, I was making a world record for the number of blinks in a minute. I couldn’t even count them.

I was at a loss for how to respond. This was something I had never dealt with before. Granted, the way she seemed to cling to the story with such intense emotion did almost make me feel like she made a good case for why one shouldn’t immerse themselves too deeply in fiction lest they forget reality.

While I hesitated to respond, Lady Sharon returned to her senses and cleared her throat. “This book is wildly popular in the dukedom. Everyone knows it’s modeled after Prince Christopher and Lady Mireille. The people want them to get together and live as happily as in the tale. Besides, only six years ago, the two were on the cusp of an engagement. And for some strange reason, the proposal was dismissed and he ended up engaged to a lady from some house no one knew anything about! Everyone thinks it’s fishy.”

That makes sense, I realized, strangely impressed. The Bernsteins held no prominence; they were just a minor noble family full of book lovers. From a foreign country’s standpoint, perhaps it seemed suspicious someone like me from such an obscure family suddenly became the prince’s betrothed. It didn’t matter how much the prince had personally desired this. It still looked bizarre to their eyes.

“So you get it now, Lady Elianna?” She leaned forward. “You’re just fixing a broken relationship. Admittedly, I have heard you enjoy some popularity here within Sauslind. But you’ll be nothing more than extra baggage to the prince. Please, release him to Lady Mireille and let them be happy together.”

“‘Release’ him?” I echoed.

“Yes.” She nodded without missing a beat. “Lady Mireille can handle other harem candidates and the nobles within the palace as well. Plus, the prince will enjoy the backing of the Miseral Dukedom. But what about you, Lady Elianna?”

I swallowed hard.

I’m just extra baggage weighing the prince down...?

Lady Sharon’s smile was both girlishly innocent and unintentionally cruel. “You can be a decoration, the official queen and the Bibliophile Princess who reads books all the time. Though, all the substantial work required of your position will be performed by Lady Mireille. Do you understand? Instead of being the pest that hampers true love, release Prince Christopher and let him be with the real heroine—Lady Mireille. Vacate your position and let her take her rightful place. That is the most appropriate end for this story.”

The look in her eyes made it clear she genuinely believed, without a shadow of doubt, this was the correct way for things to be. All I could do was gulp pathetically.

After that, Lady Sharon went on to discuss the details of her being the prince’s partner and how things would play out with him marrying Lady Mireille later on down the line. She seemed disappointed when I only gave her perfunctory replies, and she finally wrapped up the conversation by saying, “Just consider what I said,” and taking her leave.

I think I spent most of the time after that just staring off blankly. By the time I realized where I was, I was standing in front of one of the shelves in the royal archives. I had no idea when I’d even made the trip here.

I stared at the neat line of book covers. Normally, I could almost feel them breathing, as though they were speaking directly to me, but now I realized I couldn’t feel anything at all. This was something I had experienced once before when I was certain our engagement was going to be annulled.

There was an endless world of unknowns spread out before me, but my heart remained frozen. My inner curiosity and longing for knowledge, my deep respect for books, my yearning for the heart-pounding adventures contained within—all of those emotions had disappeared, snuffed out. Standing before my beloved tomes and feeling so hollow left me heartbroken beyond repair.

It was silly. It wasn’t as if our engagement was going to be annulled or I wouldn’t be able to stay at his side anymore. Still, I realized the true reason why this had shocked me so much. It was the same reason rumors of the prince’s harem were spreading—because Lady Mireille and Prince Christopher had such a well-known reputation together in the Miseral Dukedom. That was precisely why the queen had said, “Since we have a guest from the dukedom, it’s the perfect occasion.” Even Agnes had mentioned that while Viscountess Dauner had gone silent for a while, she was now suddenly crawling out of the woodwork with her daughter over talk of a harem. That was all because word had spread about Lady Mireille possibly becoming a concubine for the prince.

I was the only one who hadn’t known about this.

No, that wasn’t the real shock. It wasn’t as though I believed everything Lady Sharon told me. I couldn’t know if the prince really did intend to take concubines or not until I asked him directly.

The real reason I was hurting right now was because I was disappointed in myself for not seeing reality. When talk of the prince having a harem arose, I was more preoccupied with my personal failings. I didn’t honestly think it was a real issue I was going to have to immediately face. This was probably because I took the prince’s feelings for me for granted. I had grown conceited just because the two of us cared for one another, despite the fact that Prince Christopher still held a connection with Lady Mireille.

“A pest...”

Was I really interfering in their story? Was I the meddlesome party that kept the hero and heroine apart? What if I discovered I really was? What if Prince Christopher and Lady Mireille truly had loved each other since they were children, and I was merely getting in the way?

I squeezed my hands into fists and shook my head firmly. This was a bad habit of mine, worrying by myself and coming up with my own selfish conclusions. I needed to have a proper conversation with the prince.

But...what if he confirmed it was all true? What then?

“...Ngh.”

My chest constricted so tightly I couldn’t breathe. It was a struggle to suppress the pain. I was supposed to be the Bibliophile Princess but I looked positively miserable standing there in front of my beloved books. How utterly shameful to show myself in front of our great ancestors like this.

I want to be by his side, I thought.

Ever since I found out our feelings were mutual, my desire to be with him had driven me to be the best partner I could be. Yet in reality, I was just a book-obsessed fool that paid no heed to reality.

Maybe nothing really has changed after all.

I knew it was possible this could happen. At least, I thought I knew. But now that the actual threat was pressing in, I was too distraught to take proper action. Historically, I knew harems had been a consistent issue, but when I considered it might happen to me personally, hideous emotions started welling up.

With no idea of what to do, I silently stared at the spines of the books here, hoping they might offer me some answer. As I did, I suddenly thought of Queen Henrietta. What had she done when she was faced with this same dilemma?

I spun on my heel and started out of the library, intending to ask her as much, but froze when I realized something. What if she thought I didn’t deserve to be at the prince’s side because I couldn’t handle this by myself? Once again, I was at a loss.

I tried to think of who I might rely on here at the palace, but it just made me yearn for my family—my father, my brother, or the servants who had helped raise me and knew me so well. Their faces flashed through my mind. I desperately wanted to return home, but it wasn’t like I could abandon my official duties and do whatever I liked.

The fabric over my chest bunched as my hand closed in a fist around it. Seeing my brother would at least bring me some relief, so I decided to head in his direction. I wandered around the government offices, slipping by the offices of senior statesmen, but my brother was nowhere to be found.

He’s the prime minister’s assistant, and since His Majesty must be busy as well, maybe they’re both working closely with the king? That thought occurred to me, but I couldn’t trouble a bunch of people who were crunched for time simply because I was feeling lonely.

I drifted aimlessly through the palace before finally spotting my brother at the other end of a corridor. My steps were short and quick as I started toward him, but then I realized he was speaking with someone.

It was a woman with dark navy-colored hair—Lady Anna. Her eyes were the same deep shade, set wide with surprise as the two conversed. I watched her reaction with utter confusion as my brother’s voice drifted into my ear.

“I’ll say it one more time. Lady Anna Hayden, will you attend the Holy Night’s Banquet with me as my partner?”

My eyes bulged in shock.

Lady Anna seemed similarly perplexed by the invitation as she murmured his name.

My brother’s voice was always tender when he spoke to me, but right now it was strained with nervous tension as he continued, “I’m being sincere, Lady Anna. I have fallen for you. Please, won’t you be my partner?”

She hesitated to respond.

I secretly slipped away before either of them could notice my presence. So much was happening here at once. My mind was a tangled mess even as it continued to race. Now there was an even bigger gaping hole inside my chest.

As the Holy Night’s Banquet drew closer, people were hurriedly making preparations. I was the only one left alone, unsure of where I belonged anymore, sinking into a corner of darkness.

~.~.~.~

“...That’s why I’m telling you, don’t ask for the impossible, Prince Chris. Humans have a limit for what they’re capable of doing. I don’t have ears as huge as the little circus elephant in Lady Elianna’s book. This is a foreign affair, so it takes time to look into things.”

“If you have time to flap your lips, then cooperate more with the Intelligence Department. Otherwise, what’s the point of people calling you Sharp Ears?”

“Please don’t drag that old nickname back from the grave. Right now I’m using my ears to listen to the goddess’s music. I have plans to make for the Holy Night’s Banquet as well, you know, so I’d appreciate it if you could overlook the fact that it’s taking me a bit longer than usual with these tasks. They’re taking me a bit longer than usual. Otherwise, I’ll complain that you’re overworking me.”

“Excuse me? I’d like to see you try. The paperwork would come straight to me. I’ll tear it up the moment it hits my desk.”

“Yuck. Oppressive tyranny. Abuse of power. Illegal working conditions. Protect me, worker’s rights! Down with unfair overtime! Down with autocracy! Prince Chris has donkey ears, just like the king from the legends!”

“...Don’t get the wrong impression and think doing an impersonation of Eli is going to do you any favors, Alan.” The prince’s anger-infused voice trickled out of the room.

This scene was reminiscent of my previous visit. The chamberlain was halfway out the door when he noticed me in front of him. He turned back and tried to announce my arrival, only to watch quietly with exasperation in his eyes as the two exchanged words. I could also hear Lord Alexei’s chilly voice and Lord Glen’s resigned one.

After hurrying off to see the construction sight of the bridge in the Azul Region, the prince and his compatriots had quickly returned, looking none the worse for wear. In fact, the atmosphere between them was the same as ever.

The chamberlain excused himself, and I ducked inside the room. I knew I had to ask the prince my question before I got swept along by his excitement to see me, as had happened last time. I needed to ask him if he planned on having any concubines, and if he was considering Lady Mireille as a candidate.

When His Highness noticed me standing by the door, his intense expression suddenly shifted, giving way to a broad smile. Before he could call my name as I was sure he was about to do, the words flew from my lips. “Your Highness, I would like to postpone our wedding.”

His face froze.

I slapped my hand over my mouth, stunned at what I’d just blurted out.

Instantly, the rest of the room went deathly silent, as if everyone had ceased breathing, suffocated by apprehension. Darkness seemed to descend on the room like a lunar eclipse. The air was so oppressive I couldn’t even sense any signs of life from the other people present.

Wide blue eyes pinned me with a stare. His taut lips started to move, but I couldn’t bear to hear what he had to say. I dipped my head and said, “I’m sorry!” Then I immediately fled from the room. My legs worked on their own, propelling me forward.