Chapter 202 - 3-6
Several days had passed since Lute-sama and Princess Margaret arrived in the Kingdom of Dutoit. Even in this short time, I had spent my days being pulled along by the Princess's whims. Today, I had taken them to see Torsova Academy of Magic, and that alone had left me utterly drained.
At the academy, Princess Margaret's eyes had sparkled just as they had when we first met. I lost count of how many times Lute-sama had to caution her as she looked ready to bolt off at any moment. We toured the school buildings, the library, the gardens, and the arena. Walking through the vast campus in such a short time was quite the workout. On the carriage ride back, the Princess, seemingly satisfied, had fallen into a peaceful sleep.
After seeing them back to the palace, I stayed behind instead of returning to my estate. I had a promise to meet Louis-sama.
I had been told to wait in his private study, so I occupied myself with preparing documents for the new term at Torsova Academy. I became so focused that I didn't even notice the door opening, only looking up when I heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Did I disturb you?"
"No, I just finished a good section of my work."
"I see, that's good. I've arranged for a meal to be served here. Will you join me for dinner?"
"I would love to."
I smiled as I tidied the papers on the desk, and Louis-sama nodded happily. The table was set with bread, grilled vegetables, and a beef stew so well-cooked the meat fell apart at the touch of a spoon. I tore off a small piece of warm bread and took a bite, the faint sweetness making me beam. When I looked up, my eyes met Louis-sama's; he was watching me with a smile, a glass of red wine in one hand.
"I'm glad it's to your liking."
"...It's delicious. The palace chefs are truly skilled."
"Yes, and since you'll be living here soon, I want you to eat well every day. If you prefer Samuel's cooking, I can have him transferred back to the palace."
"Samuel was originally a palace chef, wasn't he? You sent him to my home because you were worried about my poor appetite back then."
The friendly Samuel could likely get along anywhere. Above all, he took great pride in his work as a chef and didn't change his attitude or his cooking based on his workplace. Whether it was the palace, a noble's mansion, or a common tavern, he would surely cook with the same sincerity. Apparently, he even had a dream of traveling one day to learn the cuisines of different regions.
"But I don't think Samuel needs to change his life just because I'm moving. If he wants to return to the palace, he should. If he prefers the Marcel estate, I'd like him to stay there."
"...I see."
"Samuel is the one who taught me the joy of eating, so I want him to be free to choose for himself."
"Then we shall leave it to him."
Louis-sama nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. Watching him, a smile naturally spread across my face.
"Hm? Is something the matter?"
"No... it's just. I'm very happy that you imagine our life after marriage as a matter of course."
Louis-sama stopped his spoon mid-air and tilted his head curiously.
"Don't you think about it, Rachel? Our life after we're married?"
"It's not that I don't... but it still feels like a dream. It doesn't quite feel real yet."
"...I see, it doesn't feel real. That's a problem."
Louis-sama lowered his gaze, his brow furrowing as if he were facing a grave dilemma.
"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way! It's because marrying you is like a dream that I can't quite picture it yet..."
It might just be my personality, but because I was so happy, I tended to imagine the worst. I had a fear that this happiness might one day break and vanish. That was why I tried not to take the future for granted—to ensure I didn't become arrogant in the belief that I would naturally become the Crown Princess.
However, it seemed Louis-sama might have taken that to mean I wasn't looking forward to our life together.
"Rachel, I'm sorry for making you feel uneasy."
"Uneasy? Not at all..."
"No, I'm actually glad I heard how you feel."
Louis-sama gave a gentle, slightly pained smile to reassure me as I turned pale.
"I was actually thinking about something. The Marquis had strictly forbidden it, so I had reluctantly given up. But if you wish for it yourself, I think he might consider it favorably."
"Did my father do something rude?"
I wondered what kind of exchange had happened between my father and Louis-sama without my knowledge. Louis-sama shook his head at my confusion.
"No. I had been pushing for you to live at the palace for a few days or weeks beforehand to prepare for the wedding. Your dress is being finished, and there will be more occasions for you to come here to decide on the interior of the Crown Princess's chambers and other wedding preparations."
"Ah, that's true. I've left all the dress arrangements to you..."
The wedding was scheduled for autumn, six months from now. We had already begun listing guests and making detailed party plans, but lately, I had been preoccupied with the matters at Torsova Academy. While I was focused on the middle school and the international students, the busy Louis-sama had been handling the wedding preparations in my stead.
"I'm sorry for the trouble, especially when you're so busy."
"Not at all. Preparing for the wedding is a nice change of pace from work. Besides, it's an honor to be involved in the design of your dress."
"You've listened to so many of my requests, and I really wanted you to be the one to decide things for me."
"Rachel..."
A Crown Prince's wedding was a significant political event. It was a chance to invite royalty and nobility from various countries and demonstrate that the Kingdom of Dutoit remained stable. While we had to follow long-standing traditions and couldn't do everything as we pleased, Louis-sama was treating our wedding as a precious memory, not just a political move. Knowing that made me even happier.
A warmth spread through my chest, like a candle being lit. I wanted to tell him how I felt, but my heart was so full I couldn't find the words. Instead, I gave him the brightest smile I could.
"If you're willing, I'd like you to consider staying at the palace to prepare for our new life."
"Yes, I would like that."
"Besides, in the Kingdom of Orta, we were always close enough to meet instantly, weren't we? Since returning, we haven't been able to see each other as much. ...To be honest, I'm lonely when I can't see you."
Louis-sama scratched his cheek, looking away with a slight blush. My heart gave a little squeeze at his words. I couldn't possibly say no to that. After all, I felt the same way. Our time in Orta hadn't been all fun, but the long periods I spent with him were undoubtedly blissful.
"Louis-sama... I feel the same. Leave the task of persuading my father to me. I'm sure he'll agree."
I spoke while clutching my hands together, and Louis-sama smiled happily.
Over post-dinner tea, I decided to consult him about something that had been bothering me.
"Your relationship with the Princess isn't good?"
"...I can't think of any reason why, but she doesn't seem to like me."
"Today was only the second time you've met her, wasn't it?"
"Yes. I tried asking Lute-sama, but he dodged the question. Still, considering the future, I'd like to build a good relationship with her."
Princess Margaret was as adorable as a kitten. As a princess, her youth was very apparent, and she wasn't yet skilled at navigating social situations. She seemed prone to making big mistakes, which gave her a certain dangerous vulnerability. Perhaps that was why I felt like I wanted to help her.
"You were showing her around Torsova Academy today, right?"
"Yes. She seemed deeply moved and enjoyed herself the whole time. ...But there was something that bothered me."
"Bothered you?"
Louis-sama set his cup back down on the table.
"What was it?"
I recalled the Princess's behavior from earlier today.
"It seemed she had researched Torsova Academy beforehand. She appeared to understand the building's structure and the location of the classrooms perfectly."
I felt a sense of wrongness from the Princess in many ways. But the strangest thing today was how she acted as if she had the campus map completely memorized. Furthermore, she had wanted to go to the rooftop garden, a place many students often forget exists.
The rooftop garden was Louis-sama's favorite spot. During his student days, he often went there alone to rest between student council duties. He had told me that taking a breath on the central bench was his time for healing. Not only did she know the place, but she had gone straight to the specific bench he liked. That felt very strange.
The Princess and Louis-sama should have only exchanged brief greetings so far.
Perhaps I was overthinking it. The Princess, who seemed fond of Dutoit, was looking forward to attending the academy. She might have obtained a campus map, learned about the rooftop garden, and just happened to take a liking to that bench. It was possible. Yet, for some reason, the sense of wrongness only grew.
"And also..."
"Is there something else?"
"Y-yes. In the conversation between Prince Lute and Princess Margaret... the word 'Foresight' was mentioned."
That was the other thing weighing on my mind. I didn't know if they thought I couldn't hear them or if they didn't care if I did. But if I hadn't misheard, Lute-sama had definitely used that word with the Princess.
"Foresight? Are you saying one of them has the ability to see the future?"
Louis-sama's gaze sharpened.
"...I don't know for sure. But... there's a possibility that Princess Margaret possesses such an ability. I'm only guessing from their conversation, so I can't be certain."
"Foresight, huh... The power of the Saint in Dutoit is also related to time. ...It wouldn't be strange if the Dragonewt blood of the Empire granted hidden abilities beyond combat."
"...I agree."
When one thinks of Dragonewt abilities, the first things that come to mind are superhuman strength and incredible healing. But the Empire's military prowess is so exceptional that those alone don't seem to explain it. It wouldn't be surprising if they had an ability to know the future, much like the Spirit King of Light.
"If she has the power of Foresight, it would make sense. Why members of the Imperial family from a distant land would suddenly apply for an exchange program."
"Rachel, you think those two already know about the dragon you have, don't you?"
"To be honest, from the Princess's reaction, I've often thought she might not know. If she did, I'd expect her to try and probe for information. ...But neither she nor Lute-sama have shown any such sign."
"Then why?"
"...Their actions make more sense if we assume they do know."
They know the dragon is with me, but they are deliberately not mentioning it because now isn't the time. That felt like a more natural explanation. Talking to Louis-sama was clearing my thoughts. I began to feel that I shouldn't take their behavior at face value.
"The exchange period will likely be about six months if there are no issues. They might be pretending not to know while waiting for an opportunity... is that what you mean?"
"Yes. If that's the case, it would also explain why she is so harsh only toward me."
What did the Princess mean when she talked about my 'mask'? I hadn't understood it, but if she knew about the dragon, that was a different story.
"The dragon originally belonged to the Tratia Empire. She might feel you've stolen it."
"Yes. They might be planning to make contact with the dragon when the chance arises."
I channeled mana into the Bangle on my left arm. Silently, the white dragon appeared. It was sleeping as usual, showing no change. Even when I poured mana into it, it only seemed to fall into a deeper slumber, its breathing steady and peaceful.
Looking at the dragon in my hands, a sigh escaped me unconsciously. Louis-sama stood up, came over to me, and knelt down. He gently picked up the dragon from my hands and held it in his own arms.
"It's a difficult problem."
Louis-sama stared at the dragon as if observing it, his brow furrowed with intensity.
"We have no intention of fighting the Empire. But as long as the Bangle cannot be removed, it will be difficult for them to take the dragon from your hands."
"And we don't know what kind of power this dragon possesses. I hear the current Emperor is quite a violent man. If this dragon passes to the Empire and the entire continent is plunged into war..."
"Yes. We cannot defeat the Empire with military force. It could even lead to the destruction of this country."
What kind of conflict would this small, adorable-looking dragon cause? Louis-sama was surely considering that 'what if' as well. His gaze as he looked at the dragon was incredibly grim.
"Louis-sama, what shall we do?"
"...Let's try to probe them discreetly."
After a few seconds of silence, Louis-sama's murmur echoed in the room.