Chapter 16
"I greet Your Highness the Imperial Princess...!"
Despite Kanter's confident greeting, Riena gave an awkward cough and walked past him.
Then...
"Y-Your Highness! I-if you could spare me just a moment...."
His voice grew quieter and quieter until it faded into an embarrassed mumble.
In the end, Riena let out a deep sigh and turned around.
"What do you want to say?"
"W-well, I...."
The way he stood there flustered and unsure what to do was almost pitiful.
Like a tiny white kitten.
"What is it? Hurry up and tell me."
After snapping at him for no reason, Riena carefully checked his expression.
Even after her clumsy attempt at intimidation, Kanter finally spoke.
"Thank you...."
A strange warmth softened Riena's heart.
Thank you.
He said it so carefully and sincerely that, for a moment, he almost sounded like someone who remembered their previous life.
Riena pressed a hand over her pounding heart and was about to answer.
But before she could, Kanter dropped to his knees.
There wasn't even time to stop him.
"For the rest of my life...! I will live only for Your Highness. Forever!"
Riena's large golden eyes trembled.
For the rest of my life? Forever?
Those were unsettling words to hear from anyone.
Coming from Kanter, they were even worse.
Wait. If this keeps going, won't everything end up exactly the same as my previous life?!
Without giving herself time to think, Riena immediately reached out to him.
Leaving him kneeling on the bare ground was bound to cause unnecessary rumors.
"Th-thank you!"
"Enough. Follow me."
Without looking back, Riena headed toward the Imperial Princess's Palace, Kanter following behind her.
I need to settle this properly now, or I'll end up tangled with him again just like last time.
Documents were stacked neatly across the broad, plain desk.
Kanter's eyes naturally drifted toward them.
I heard she's younger than me... yet she's already responsible for so much. I can't even take responsibility for myself....
Respect rose inside him.
And with it came a strange ache.
Then, as always, it ended in self-hatred.
Self-hatred born from his father's violence and the adults who had abandoned him.
He squeezed his eyes shut, shook his head, then pulled out a chair and sat down.
"I'll have cocoa. What about you?"
Riena's indifferent gaze turned toward him.
"M-me too."
Romi nodded once and left the room.
Normally, the Imperial Princess's room was lively and noisy.
But Riena had dismissed everyone, so it was unusually quiet.
"I'll be direct. I don't want things like for the rest of my life, forever, or loyalty."
Kanter's green eyes flinched before dropping weakly toward the floor.
Was that too harsh...?
Riena hesitated briefly, then hardened her resolve.
"So don't make strange vows to me. Live your own life. Understand?"
Her clear voice rang through the room.
It was both an order and a plea.
"...You're worried that I'll become a burden to Your Highness, aren't you? I'm sorry.... I forgot my place...."
Huh?
That's not what I meant.
Riena almost felt dizzy.
He had completely misunderstood her.
"No! I don't believe in anyone's loyalty or vows! Not just yours. Anyone's! And if someone needs protecting, I'll do the protecting. That's not your job. Understand?!"
Trying to speak like a seven-year-old was driving her mad.
Still, if she wanted to get through to Kanter, being painfully direct was probably her best option.
"O-one day, I'll become a wonderful duke whom Your Highness can trust...!"
Riena put a hand to her forehead.
"I-I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable...."
Right.
This was who Kanter was.
So painfully kind it became frustrating.
And with that angelic face, he still somehow managed to say exactly what he wanted.
The sort of person who looked at you with lost-kitten eyes while unknowingly getting under your skin.
She needed to be harsher.
"Kanter, I know you're a good person. But I don't want to see you anymore."
"!"
His green eyes visibly shook.
At the same time, his small hands began trembling.
He slipped them between his knees.
Riena knew that habit.
He always did it when he was nervous.
"It's not because I dislike you or don't trust you. It's just...."
Unable to find the right words, she fell silent.
She didn't want to hurt him.
She wanted him to grow up surrounded by warmth and love.
So was this really the right thing to do?
Was she only giving an already wounded child another unnecessary scar?
Those doubts flooded over her.
For a while, not even breathing could be heard in the Imperial Princess's room.
This time, Kanter spoke first.
"I'll come back after becoming an adult worthy of Your Highness's recognition...!"
With that, Kanter stood, bowed politely to Riena, and left the room.
"...Did he just reject what I said?"
Riena stared blankly at the door.
Day five.
Hank had been walking around sighing so heavily that everyone who passed him kept staring.
Finally, one particularly impatient aide couldn't stand it anymore.
"Why have you been sighing like that all day? Don't tell me you made some mistake with Her Highness the Imperial Princess."
Exactly right.
"H-how did you know?!"
Hank adjusted his glasses in shock.
"If someone who serves Her Highness is sighing like that, what other reason could there be?"
"Ah. That's true...."
He looked back down at the floor.
He looked pitiful enough to make anyone feel sorry for him.
"Just what kind of mistake did you make to sigh hard enough to wash the Imperial Palace away? Tell us."
"...Her Highness has recently become very interested in Ancient Language and magic circles."
Everyone listening stared at him with wide eyes.
That little girl?
Ancient Language and magic circles?
One of them calmly replied.
"Wasn't that your field, Hank?"
Hank weakly shook his head.
"...That was twenty-five years ago."
His shoulders sank even lower.
No matter how hard he searched, he couldn't find anyone proficient in both Ancient Language and magic circles.
Most people capable of magic were dedicated court mages.
Among the nobility, such people were extremely rare.
"Why are you sighing so much over something so simple?"
"If this isn't difficult, then what is?"
Hank couldn't hide his irritation.
The one-week deadline was almost over, yet everyone else talked as though it were somebody else's problem.
"Why not ask Grand Duke Jeremier?"
Grand Duke Jeremier?
Hank grimaced.
The Grand Duke was already busy enough.
Why would he come all the way from the north to the Imperial Palace just to teach a young princess?
Hank waved both hands.
"I know His Highness's skill has long since been proven, but how exactly am I supposed to bring the Grand Duke here?!"
"Good grief. Do you know nothing about what's happening in the palace these days?"
An older aide who had been quietly listening finally raised his voice.
It was Philip, the Emperor's personal aide.
His white hair was combed neatly back, and his stubborn square jaw made him look every bit the palace's resident scolder.
"W-well...."
"How can you properly serve Her Highness if you know so little? Honestly!"
While Hank was being thoroughly scolded, the other aides quietly scattered.
Getting involved would only earn them lectures too.
"For the upcoming organization of the Imperial Library, the Grand Duke's heir will be staying at the palace in place of His Highness."
"...I see."
Hank answered so quietly it was barely audible.
Then, as if something suddenly occurred to him, he grabbed Philip's rough hand.
"Sir Philip! Please, I'm begging you. The day I promised Her Highness is in two days. Please, please tell me what I should do...."
"This concerns Her Highness, so I will personally help you. However! If you fail to serve her properly even once more, I will report everything to His Majesty. Understand?"
"O-of course! Thank you!"
Now there was one more person threatening to report him to the Emperor.
Hank didn't care.
He bowed deeply to Philip in sheer relief.
The audience chamber was filled with the rich fragrance of black tea and the Emperor's laughter.
"The Grand Duke must be very proud of you."
"I am still lacking, but I will do my best, Your Majesty."
His tone and expression were concise and controlled, far too composed for someone his age.
Even seated alone across from the Emperor, he showed no sign of being intimidated.
He was no ordinary child.
The Emperor leaned back with a smile.
"You remind me of Grand Duke Jeremier when he was young. You look exactly like him."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"If only I had an Imperial Prince who resembled me so closely...."
Melance silently raised his teacup, avoiding both the Emperor's gaze and the need to answer.
Realizing what he'd said, the Emperor quickly changed the subject.
"There are still countless books in the Imperial Library that haven't been properly organized. Select the ones that require attention and make copies where necessary."
"Leave it to me."
"I'll assign people to help you. If they're insufficient, say so at any time. And one more thing."
His violet eyes turned toward the Emperor.
One more thing?
Melance kept his expression carefully neutral.
"I would like you to share some of your knowledge with the Imperial Princess."
One dark eyebrow twitched.
The pale skin between his brows moved with it.
It was difficult to hide the expression that clearly said, What exactly am I supposed to teach a seven-year-old brat?
Philip, standing nearby, spoke up.
"Her Highness has recently developed an intense interest in Ancient Language and magic circles."
"...Her Highness is seven years old, is she not?"
"I know she's young to be learning such things. But didn't you also master Ancient Language and magic circles at a very young age? I'm asking you as a favor."
Melance stared into space for a moment.
Then he gave a short nod.
"Leave it to me, Your Majesty."
"With a genius from the Magic Academy handling it, what could I possibly have to worry about? Hahahaha!"
The Emperor's laughter boomed through the room.
Melance, however, did not look particularly pleased.
