kscans

Chapter 104 - 6. The Princess, the Imperial Princess, and One Other Person

Vinder. Vinder. Vinder. Vinder.

I repeated his name over and over in my mind, as if thinking of a beloved sweetheart. And like a girl lost in love, I searched for him, though he wasn't here, heedless of my surroundings.

"Sherry-san."

At the call from my left, my neck creaked as I somehow managed to turn toward the voice.

"Y, yes... Princess Lisabet."

"Thank you, for arranging it so I could join Princess Alfina."

"Me too. I am very grateful that you invited us, Sherry-san."

"N, n, not at all..."

The princess and the imperial princess both spoke to me at once. This must be what it feels like to be completely out of place. Claudia-sama, who always guards Alfina-sama, was standing watch near the entrance.

Since I was technically the one who had invited them, I had no choice but to sit at the same table. Rilka had escaped her fate by claiming she was giving up her seat for Alfina-sama. In reality, she was inside the shop with Mia. But that didn't make me feel any less helpless.

And it was all Vinder's fault.

◇◇

"So this is the famous French toast of the Royal Capital."

Lisabet looked at the golden-brown bread. Next to it on the plate were two small bowls, one with honey and the other with smooth anko.

"Yes. It was originally a sweet that Ricardo-kun made for me," Alfina-sama said to Princess Lisabet with a smile. For some reason, her usual gentle smile sent a small shiver down my spine. She couldn't possibly be making a subtle warning, could she? Even if she were, I wouldn't be the target, right?

"Does that mean this French toast is a dish full of memories for you and Vinder-dono?"

"Y, yes, it is."

Alfina-sama pressed a hand to her cheek. Okay, good. It seems I was just imagining that whole 'subtle warning' thing.

Then again, what is Vinder planning to do about Alfina-sama? True, she's a princess and a bit detached from the everyday world, but she has been so openly affectionate toward him.

Of course, their social statuses are worlds apart. But with Vinder, I feel like he could make anything happen if he put his mind to it. He's earned the favor of the Grand Duchess and the Prince, after all.

Oh, but Alfina-sama is bound by her duties as an Oracle Princess until she turns thirty.

That's just too cruel. I still get nervous around her, but I truly want Alfina-sama to find happiness.

Do something, Vinder.

"I heard that during the first prophecy, you stood up for your people against all opposition. I find that incredibly admirable and I truly respect you for it. As for me, I am of no use at all, despite my position as an Imperial Princess."

"That's not true. I wouldn't have been able to do anything if Ricardo-kun hadn't helped me."

"Oh? So Vinder-dono performed great feats during the Monster Flood as well, not just in the dragon subjugation?"

Princess Lisabet looked surprised. I didn't know much about that, either. In fact, back then I barely knew who Vinder was. Things were so peaceful then... I feel like time moved much more slowly in those days.

"What sort of great deeds did Vinder-dono accomplish?"

"Well, I cannot share the specific details, but..."

Alfina-sama began to explain the method for organizing one's thoughts that Vinder had taught her. Come to think of it, she never goes anywhere without that pen he gave her, the one that matches his.

Anyway, I agree that it's an excellent method. But I don't think anko or matcha ice cream would be the result, no matter how many times you run through that process. Well, the Belmini company is making a fortune from it, so it's probably best not to dwell on it.

Princess Lisabet nodded as Alfina-sama explained. From my experiences with her, I think Alfina-sama is a very skilled teacher. Though I have my doubts as to whether that skill will be of any use to her as a princess.

"Ricardo-dono has apparently gone to Bertold. Could that possibly be related to the prophecy that was recently revealed?"

The atmosphere shifted slightly. The only detail of the prophecy that had been made public was that "the castle walls of a western city will be destroyed."

"As a shareholder of the Vinder Company, I am obligated to protect its trade secrets. I'm sorry."

As a merchant's daughter myself, I think Alfina-sama plays the "Vinder Company shareholder" card a little too conveniently. Though, I suppose it's the right move in this situation.

But after being deftly sidestepped by Alfina-sama, Princess Lisabet's expression grew troubled.

"Actually, I may know something about the monster that breaks through castle walls."

Then, as if she had made up her mind, she spoke.

"Is that true?"

"Yes. It is a monster seen only in very limited regions within the Empire. I cannot be certain if it is related to your prophecy, however."

Right in front of me, a conversation that could decide the future of the kingdom had begun. I want to leave. I'm perfectly happy just knowing the secrets of anko, new sugar, and matcha.

"However, I wish to speak directly with Prince Craig, who is leading the monster subjugation."

"...I heard that request was officially denied."

I knew that the Empire might have been plotting something during the carriage race. Things just keep escalating.

"I am fully aware of that. But for my people, who suffer because of dragons, we need even the smallest scrap of information."

Lisabet looked at Alfina with a serious expression. I'm not impossibly kind-hearted like Vinder. And I'm not the type to be swayed by the desperate look on another girl's face.

But Princess Lisabet truly seemed worried for her country. She was quite different from my image of a princess. Though, Alfina-sama is quite different, too.

"I cannot make any promises until I hear what you have to say," Alfina-sama said, her expression unwavering. In negotiation terms, that was a rather aggressive demand, telling the other party to play their hand first. Considering the safety of Bertold was on the line, though not explicitly stated, I thought it was admirable.

"...That said, if we can verify your information, Princess Lisabet, I believe I can act as an intermediary to Prince Craig."

When I first met her, I thought she was a bit softer, but Vinder's influence has rubbed off on her. Or perhaps, like Mia, she's growing stronger to protect the overly kind Vinder?

But more importantly, will someone please save me from having to listen to a negotiation between royalty?

Spurred by Alfina-sama's words, Princess Lisabet opened her mouth, her resolve firm.

"It is a large monster known as the Castle-Eating Worm. It rotates its hardened head..."

It seemed this tightrope act for a simple merchant's daughter was far from over.