kscans

Chapter 19 - Interlude: Consort Habilus and the Twins

"Mother, who is Chihiro?" Theodore asked while having tea in Fatima’s room. On the table were fragrant black tea and sweets bearing the Little One’s mark. Even the honey served with it, though expensive now, was not prohibitively so. This too was because Melitta was on good terms with Count Georges. Just ten years ago, sweet confections did not exist, and honey, a sweetener, was a rare treat. The food was also blandly seasoned, with only salt and pepper or a dash of lemon or vinegar. Now, many sauces and spices had spread, adding color to the dining table. The seasoning called fermented food from Kilfan was like a magical ingredient. A single drop dramatically changed the flavor.

Associated with all of this was the name Chihiro.

"That black-haired child brought Fatima to the palace. Fatima, who was crying on a silver bed."

"A silver bed?"

"A large net. It was very wide and glittered beautifully. I lived there with Fatima, you see."

"I see...."

Theodore gave his cheerful mother a dry smile and looked at Fatima. Fatima, as if she didn't understand, shook her head slightly. I thought so.

Still, something was strange. His mother should have known Chihiro. That she was Fatima before her age regression. Though she now called herself Fatima, she had previously been a daughter of the Georges family known as the Little One. Theodore didn't know the details. He had only been told that Fatima, who had been with him since infancy, was his twin sister and had been temporarily under the care of the Georges family. During that time, she was called Chihiro and ran all over the royal palace.

Fatima now had no memory of that time, and he, along with his father and mother, had carefully protected her, as her speech was halting and uncertain. The honeybee that occasionally visited was called Pochiko-san, and knowing that Chihiro had cherished it, Theodore had hoped that perhaps her old memories might return, but no such miracle occurred. Nevertheless, Fatima was still his precious sister. He had patiently worked with her, teaching her step by step, helping her grow and watching over her. Perhaps because of his efforts, Fatima learned things at a remarkable pace, and by the time of her Baptism, she was on par with her age and had blossomed into a splendid princess. Of course, this created a rift with the other princesses, but that couldn't be helped.

As he sipped his tea, Theodore looked fondly at Fatima playing with the honeybee.

"Lady Hiro brought many honeybees with her. It was wonderful."

"Speaking of which..... is that honeybee Pochiko-san?"

It was Vifel who answered Theodore's casual question.

"No. That honeybee would only come near, but it never allowed Lady Fatima to touch it. This honeybee is very friendly with Lady Fatima."

As he said this, the corners of Vifel's mouth lifted slightly. In Theodore's view was the honeybee, looking quite pleased to be held by Fatima. It looked proud to be petted by Fatima, and seemed happy. Indeed. It does seem different from the previous one.

"Is Hiro the name of the Countess Georges?"

"Yes. Chihiro is... no, it was a name with a difficult pronunciation. She said we could call her by an easier name."

Chihiro..... Drago's daughter. Though her appearance was different, her name and the fact that she was accompanied by monsters were just like the previous Little One. As he listlessly reached for a sweet, Theodore's ear caught Vifel's murmur.

"By the way, she seems to be on good terms with His Highness the Prince Regent. She called him by name without an honorific. Furthermore, she appears to be consulted on matters of internal affairs."

Theodore’s fingers, which had been reaching for a sweet, froze.

Though Theodore hadn't understood at the time, according to the rumors he had heard, the Little One had, during the transition period nearly ten years ago, rebuilt the lost Kilfan in the northern wilderness of Frontier and, grieving for the land where the golden magic was disappearing, had lent her strength to many reforms in agriculture and animal husbandry. Theodore had caught snippets of these anecdotes, and moreover, nobles who still held gratitude and respect for her had visited Fatima.

Among the nine princesses, the one who garnered the most envy was Fatima. Since she had no memory of her achievements, she seemed to feel conflicted about it, but thanks to that, Fatima’s marriage was already decided. Crown Prince Marcello de Flowers of Flowers. A prodigy who became crown prince over his older brother. He was renowned for his excellent political sense and military prowess, and had been the first to lead reinforcements to aid Frontier in the past battle at the Castrato border.

Though there was a slight age difference, it wasn't a problem. They were scheduled to be married as soon as Fatima graduated from the academy. He held sincere respect for Fatima and had made passionate overtures to her father and Fatima herself while studying abroad in Frontier to learn magic, securing their engagement. At the time, the Crown Prince was fifteen, and Fatima was seven. The engagement was finalized after being pressured by the Crown Prince’s words that he would remain single and wait until Fatima graduated from the academy at sixteen.

Fatima, who was placed on a higher pedestal than the other princesses due to achievements she didn't remember. Since it was decided that she would become the queen of a neighboring country, she was resented and disliked by the other princesses out of envy and jealousy, and the nobles treated the princess who was scheduled to marry into another country like a delicate matter.

As a result, Fatima was isolated both at the palace and at the academy. Three more years until she graduates from the academy. I hope this honeybee can be a comfort to her. With that thought, Theodore pictured the Countess Georges in his mind. A little girl who was on good terms with his uncle and involved in the country's governance. Isn't she just like Fatima before she lost her memory? And she's not even the new Golden King. Picturing the lustrous black hair of the little girl named Chihiro in his mind, Theodore shook off the thought. Then, as if sensing it, Consort Habilus put a hand to her cheek and murmured.

"But her eye color was different, you know? The Chihiro I know had black hair and golden eyes. I wonder if eye color can change."

Golden eyes? Come to think of it, Fatima’s eyes also changed from golden to amber. No, they were originally amber, but at some point they had become golden, and her eye color changed at the same time she lost her memory. Wait a minute, does that mean?

Theodore's face stiffened in shock, and he cautiously turned his gaze to Fatima's honeybee. As if sensing something, the honeybee stuck its head under Fatima’s arm and began to feign sleep. You're not subtle at all, are you? While Theodore glared at it with fixed eyes, Fatima was ecstatic watching the sleeping honeybee. "So cute!" her sister squealed innocently. Vifel watched Fatima, who was giggling with her mother, with a fond smile.

In that peaceful room, only Theodore was tormented by a knowing gaze.

"Let’s play dumb."

"Huh?"

"Consort Habilus is a person who lives in a dream world. Let’s just pretend to go along with her fantasy stories and make it ambiguous."

Romel, don’t just toss this to me.

The Little One’s large eyes wavered, her mouth in a pout. At her clearly protesting figure, Romel’s eyes began to flutter.

"No, you see, ah..... I’m sorry! I just don’t have time for that right now! Honestly, I can handle Consort Habilus’s stories, I’m used to it, it’s fine, leave it to me!"

Don't just blurt that out. You're an adult, aren't you? With a heavy sigh, the Little One reluctantly nodded.

"So, what happened?"

"According to the spirits' report, my older brother has taken an interest in you. Or rather, he probably figured it out."

"Whaaaat??"

Apparently, the book of records of the Golden King at Dorfen’s family home was originally a copy of a book from the royal family, passed down through generations of kings. That’s why Romel didn’t know about it.

"The iridescent spirit is apparently exclusive to the Golden King..... I guess we have no choice but to talk."

"Ah......."

Come to think of it, my mother from my previous-previous life used to say that. ‘Good things travel alone, but bad things come with friends.’ It's so true. One trouble after another, barely getting through one, then another. This is Little One quality. Thrown into the midst of trouble without knowing, the Little One has gotten used to it again these days. "I was just born under this star," she muttered, her shoulders slumping as Pochiko-san comforted her. Through twists and turns, today too, the Little One seeks her own path♪