Fish Don't Know About Water - Chapter 39

— We shouldn’t have been able to throw such a grand garden party… It’s strange.

I deliberately looked around busily to change the subject.

— It would have been difficult for the doctor to prepare the large tent and those long tables in the garden alone. In fact, we barely managed to get the drinks and food.

— I brought the tents and other party supplies.

At that moment, a lively female voice came from right beside me. I was so startled that I sidestepped. A female officer in uniform waved at me.

— Hello. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?

The female officer adjusted her crooked glasses and greeted me. My goodness. She was the officer who had interrogated me in the investigation room last time. Wait a minute. But her true identity is…

— P-Princess Rosemary…?

— Oh my, you remembered me. I’m truly honored, Pepe.

She smiled and extended her hand for a handshake.

— I’m Viett’s younger sister, Rosemary Hartmann, and as of today, I’m part of Pepe’s family. Please take care of me.

— Please take care of me too…

I shook her hand, trembling. It wasn’t because I was nervous about meeting royalty. The memory of trembling in fear in that cold interrogation room was vivid, making my body tense up.

— So, when you said you brought the tents and party supplies…

— This is practically Pepe’s first official event as a princess consort, right? So everything should be perfect. For the honor of the Westenia royal family!

Princess Rosemary clenched her fists and smiled. Her eyes curved beautifully behind her thick glasses. She had the same pretty smile as Viett. I thought unconsciously.

— Congratulations on your wedding.

She pouted cutely, looking upset.

— And I’m really sorry I couldn’t attend the ceremony. I got held up at a checkpoint on the way and arrived later than expected.

— It’s okay. Just having you at the reception makes me really happy!

— Those fools. How can the checkpoint soldiers not recognize the face of a princess from an allied country?

My friend XX clicked her tongue and walked away. Lieutenant XX also bowed to the princess and went inside the house.

— Ah, you look stunning today.

Princess Rosemary carefully looked me up and down, noticing my restless demeanor. Her gaze fixed on my necklace. Specifically, on the sapphire ring hanging from the necklace.

— That ring on your necklace… It looks like my mother’s engagement ring. Is it?

— Yes, it is.

I nodded cautiously. When I explained that Viett had given it to me, the princess blinked her big eyes and then burst into hearty laughter.

— Haha! My brother is such a good boy, contrary to appearances. Though not at all to our father or the people. So, can you live well with our ‘royal troublemaker’?

She wiped the tears from her eyes and asked. I looked up at the rain-cleared night sky and shook my head.

— I don’t know.

Then, after a long pause, I added.

— But living with Viett seems like it might be fun.

— Really? That’s strange. My brother is incredibly boring.

The princess looked at the house with a puzzled expression. I also turned to look at the brightly lit house.
Silhouettes flickered in the yellow light spreading from the windows. Most of them were party guests who had moved indoors to avoid the rain.
I found Viett’s silhouette among them. It was amazing how quickly I spotted him. He was still sitting on the living room sofa. He seemed to be with his fellow officers, as there were many shadows around him. Yet, his figure stood out clearly.

— I’m looking forward to the future.

When I murmured absentmindedly, Princess Rosemary raised an eyebrow. (She has the same habit of raising her eyebrows when puzzled, just like Viett.)

— The future?

— Like Christmas, New Year’s Day, my birthday next year, or our first wedding anniversary. I’m curious about what interesting things Viett will show me then.

— ……

— …I don’t think Viett will ever say something formal like ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Happy Birthday.’

— Good point.

The princess smiled playfully and gestured to someone. A young soldier carrying a silver tray hurried over to her. She took two glasses from the tray and handed one to me with a question.

— And what else?

— And… I hope it makes me think.

I stared blankly at the golden liquor in the glass and spoke.

— That it’s okay to live.

The princess paused with the glass at her lips. She stared at me, then took a sip and smiled.

— You left out the part about ‘together with Viett,’ didn’t you?

I sipped my drink to avoid answering. The princess, who had been watching me with deep, calm eyes, turned her gaze to the house. The orange light spilling from the windows illuminated her face.

— Thinking that it’s okay to live… Is that really such a big deal?

— I think it is…

— In some ways, it’s really simple.

The princess shrugged after downing her drink.

— Spending Christmas or New Year’s Day with someone. Thinking about such days in your mind, cherishing today, and looking forward to the future.

— ……

— If this repeats often enough, you’ll naturally start to think that living isn’t so bad.

I fiddled with my glass, mulling over her words. My worried face reflected in the golden apple wine. Just as I gulped it down, erasing my reflection from the surface—

— What? Why is my brother in Costonia?

The princess glared sharply over my shoulder and shouted. A grumpy male voice responded from behind me.

— Why do you think? Who do you think drove all night to bring those supplies to Costonia?

— Get out! Don’t ruin the party mood!

The princess’s face overlapped with Viett’s as she lost her temper. Their faces didn’t resemble each other much, but in moments like this, they were eerily similar. (Blood really doesn’t lie!)

— You’re already drunk, Rose. What will Father think when he finds out?

A man in a coat approached me. I looked up at him in surprise. It was a familiar face.

The pride of Westenia. The treasure of the Hartmann royal family. Viett’s older brother, Prince Minute.

— And as his only brother, it’s only right to give a congratulatory speech at my little brother’s wedding… Oh, dear.

Prince Minute, who had been arguing with the princess, finally noticed me.

— Pepe…?

His face, which had been full of irritation, smoothed out. He ran a hand through his slicked-back hair and smiled. (It was a bit greasy.)

— It’s an honor to become family with the Little Lady. Today…

Prince Minute murmured, looking at me with a peculiar gaze.

— You look absolutely stunning today. Like an angel descended from the clouds.

To say something so cheesy, like from a third-rate romance novel, at our first meeting. He really isn’t an ordinary person. (Is this what it takes to marry the most beautiful woman in Westenia?)
Reacting awkwardly would only make things more difficult. So I ignored his flattery completely.

— Nice to meet you. Officer…?

Not knowing his alias used on the battlefield, I mumbled the title vaguely.

— I’m Pepe Hartmann. I look forward to your guidance.

— Wait, nice to meet you? We…

At that moment, Minister XX suddenly appeared beside Prince Minute. He struck the lawn with his cane and cleared his throat.

— Ahem!

With the minister’s arrival, Prince Minute’s face turned pale instantly. He glanced at the stern-looking minister and forced an awkward smile.

— Y-Yes. We met for the first time today. Haha, indeed…

— We’ll head inside first.

The minister bowed to me and Princess Rosemary.

— Please take your time talking.

Then he walked towards the house with the sweating prince. I watched them with curious eyes. (I guess the Minister of Magic personally escorts the heir to the throne.)

— Why is Minister XX stuck to the Crown Prince like that?

— He’s keeping an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t lose control.

The princess snorted. She was now holding new glasses of wine in both hands.

— Lose control? Why?

— There are pretty girls everywhere. There’s one right in front of me, too.

She reached out and lightly clinked her glass against my empty one. Clink! The clear sound made the princess wink playfully. Startled by the beauty’s wink, I quickly pulled myself together.

— No way. Crown Princess Amelia is the most beautiful woman in Westenia. Surely not.