“There’s a barrier here so others can’t enter. Anyone who tries to approach will hit a wall they can’t break through and have to turn back.”

In the garden was a beauty with sky-blue hair. Empress Sezanne Ruran Karna. Sezanne sat in the garden, and in a cradle a small child slept, breathing softly. Beside them, Saila silently held a milk bottle.

Saila’s personally attending to them.

I knew she was the Empress’s close aide, but I didn’t realize they were this close. Seemingly aware of our arrival, Sezanne rose from her seat and greeted us with a bright smile. Saila also greeted Fazel and me. Though Father greeted Saila first.

“Your Majesty, I’ve been waiting.”

At Sezanne’s words, Kaisiel rushed to her in one bound and rubbed his cheek against hers. My heart pounded at the affection between the loving imperial couple.

I hope Fazel and I can be like that someday.

When I grow up and bear Fazel’s child, and Fazel dotes on me. When will that day come? I must marry him once I come of age. I smiled wickedly. Fazel turned his head away for a moment beside me.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“I suddenly got goosebumps.”

Oh no, did he read my mind?

I can’t let it show. We’ve only just become truly close. 

“Louelle Asnel, welcome.”

At Sezanne’s words, I bowed my head once more and greeted her properly.

“I greet Your Majesty the Empress.”

The rest of our party also greeted her.

“The newborn is still weak, so he can’t leave the barrier.”

A barrier covered the entire palace and garden. It had the effect of blocking and protecting the child from harmful things.

“May I see the child?”

Sezanne smiled brightly.

“Of course. Fazel Asnel, come see him too. Ah, I’ll call you Fazel. We’ll have a close relationship from now on.”

At Sezanne’s words, Fazel tensed up. Seeing his stiff shoulders, I silently patted them and approached the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was sleeping soundly. 

The child had sky-blue hair like his mother. It was adorable how he kept his eyes tightly shut beneath his sky-blue eyebrows.

What color are his eyes?

The baby was so pretty that I stared without realizing it.

“When he falls asleep, he sleeps for a long time.”

At Sezanne’s words, I said regretfully.

“I’m disappointed I couldn’t see his eye color.”

“I’ll show you again later.”

“Thank you.”

I bowed my head while smiling. Inviting us again meant they viewed us favorably. The wind blew gently. The fragrance of flowers blooming in the garden entered my nose. Sezanne gazed blankly around before whispering to Kaisiel. Then Kaisiel looked at me and smiled brightly.

Why is he smiling?

“The Empress said the fruit was so delicious she wants to eat it again.”

“I brought some as a gift.”

I already prepared that.

“More than that, I’d like you to supply that fruit to the imperial family.”

That’s even better!

My eyes sparkled. Then Father quickly stepped forward and spoke.

“Your Majesty, I’d like to discuss that separately later. This time we prepared quite a generous quantity, so you’ll be able to enjoy them for a long time.”

“Then I’ll eat what’s available for now. I’d like to negotiate before we finish them all.”

The Emperor was a good person after all. He wasn’t demanding his subjects hand them over. 

My eyes sparkled at the news of additional income. When this variety was developed, I told Father repeatedly to inform the godfathers of its value and target the imperial family. If the imperial family ate them, other nobles would follow. Then eating this fruit would become high-class culture.

Things were going well according to Father’s and my thinking. The price wasn’t wickedly high enough for the imperial family to worry about. It was just slightly more expensive than regular fruit. And it had good value too!

Father also approached and looked at the Crown Prince.

“He seems to resemble Louelle a little.”

He resembles me?

I looked at the child carefully.

“Where?”

“The forehead.”

Hmm, I’m not sure about that.

Hearing Father say it, it seemed that way.

“If you shave his hair, it resembles your smooth forehead.”

If Father says so, it must be true.

I nodded and admired the sleeping Crown Prince before leaving the barrier.

“Count Asnel, enter the palace tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

Kaisiel’s personality wasn’t relaxed. He was asking to see Father tomorrow right away about the fruit matter. We greeted the Emperor and returned to the carriage. As soon as we entered the carriage, Fazel relaxed.

“That was really hard.”

He cried out with difficulty and swept back his hair.

“But will the Crown Prince remember us?”

At Fazel’s words, I shook my head.

“We came when he was asleep, so he won’t remember.”

“Mm, let’s visit often.”

Saying that, Fazel’s eyes sparkled.

“Fazel, do you want to go to the center of power?”

At my question, Fazel shook his head.

“Not that, but I’d like to have enough power to protect myself. And protect you too, of course.”

Hearing those words, Father’s eyes sparkled.

“So Louelle is someone you need to protect.”

At Father’s words, Fazel’s face flushed.

“We’re friends, aren’t we!”

“I see.”

Though I was a bit disappointed by the word “friends.”

Father looked at me and smiled meaningfully.

Why are you looking at me like that? I’m being patient! I’m disappointed by the word “friends,” but I’m still satisfied!

I couldn’t bring myself to tell Father and groaned. I should say something when Fazel isn’t around.

“But Fazel, you were cool today.”

Fazel tilted his head like he didn’t understand.

“What was?”

“When you defended me before His Majesty the Emperor. You asked him to protect me.”

“Ah, that? That’s natural.”

Saying that, Fazel smiled brightly. At his gentle smile washing over me, my heart pounded.

“I should naturally do at least that much.”

My fingertips warmed at his kindness. This is who he is. A man who is endlessly kind and caring to those who enter his circle. How kind would he become when he falls in love? My heart tickled.

Great!

Motivation wells up again.

But what happened at the ducal house?

Why did he throw away the flowers I gave him? Even now, Fazel refused flower gifts. Suran absolutely never gave Fazel flowers. I fell into thought for a moment. My pondering didn’t end until the carriage arrived at the mansion.

* * *

It was early morning. I put on my workout clothes and went outside carrying cold water. Fazel was already up, lightly running around the training grounds behind the mansion. Trean silently watched Fazel run. I thought I woke up early too, but these two moved even more diligently.

“Louelle, you’re here?”

Trean saw me and asked with a smile. I bowed my head.

“Did you sleep well?”

“I slept well. Though I drank a lot since the Commander-in-Chief came after a while.”

Godfather Garen visited yesterday. He said he came to see Trean and greeted Fazel warmly too.

“But he said he wanted to watch Fazel train in the morning, but he hasn’t appeared yet.”

After saying that, Trean shouted at Fazel.

“Fazel, you’re too slow.”

“Understood!”

Fazel ran faster. I did the stretches Trean always assigned and warmed up.

“Louelle needs to run too.”

“I know.”

“Diligent students are really convenient.”

“We’re convenient, right?”

“Of course. I want to raise only students like you for life.”

Trean nodded vigorously with sincerity. I quietly accepted this and adjusted my shoes before starting to run. Fazel was faster at running, so I didn’t think about catching up to him. By the time I completed one lap, Godfather Garen with a neat face was coming this way.

“Louelle, your godfather’s here.”

He waved his hand and called out to me. Instead of answering, I waved back at him. After lightly circling the training grounds, Fazel was already holding a wooden sword and practicing basics. After watching Fazel’s basics, Trean approached me.

“I should look after Louelle today.”

“What about Fazel?”

“Fazel’s basic form is perfect now. Nothing to criticize.”

I still made small mistakes in my basic forms. Fazel grasped the posture after seeing it once or twice, but I still needed instruction. I picked up my sword and swung it. Then Trean corrected my posture. While I practiced in the posture he corrected, Godfather Garen wandered near Fazel.

“There’s a reason his basics are solid.”

“Right?”

Trean spoke matter-of-factly.

“He trains a lot every morning, so it can’t help but be good.”

“Has he been learning swordsmanship for about half a year now?”

“A little less than half a year.”

“Yet he’s better than kids who’ve learned for years.”

That’s because Fazel’s talent shines. And he has grit and effort too. Godfather Garen focused on Fazel’s training. When their conversation stopped, I focused on my sword too. At first, I learned swordsmanship to help Fazel, but surprisingly, I was well-suited to it too.

I swung my sword diligently. After basic training ended, Fazel sparred with Trean. Unfortunately, my basics were weaker than Fazel’s, so I practiced what I was assigned today a bit more. 

Perhaps bored of just watching, Godfather Garen walked to where Trean and Fazel were sparring.

“Spar with me too.”

Trean shook his head.

“Are you going to send me flying like before? That can’t happen during class.”

“That was real combat.”

Trean narrowed his eyes.

“You’re not thinking of taking my top student, are you?”

“I’m not teaching!”

“But you’re tempted by Fazel.”

At Trean’s words, Godfather Garen flinched slightly and smiled.

“I won’t steal him. Though I’m tempted.”

“Being tempted is already wrong.”

“Anyway, I’m sparring.”

When Godfather Garen insisted, Trean sighed like he had no choice.

“What about Fazel?”

Fazel put down his wooden sword and said.

“I always welcome instruction.”

“That’s right! I like that attitude.”

Fazel said he would receive Godfather Garen’s instruction. So Fazel sparred with Godfather Garen again this time and got beaten badly as his attacks were blocked. 

But he learns from this process. Because Fazel knows this well. After the sparring ended, Godfather Garen clicked his tongue.

“You’ve grown already.”

“He’s dazzling day by day.”

“You said you wanted to adopt him too.”

“Ah, didn’t I say that was a secret!”

Godfather Garen smirked. He did that on purpose.

“Fazel, your teacher said he wants to think of you as his son.”

“Fazel, the thing is.”

Fazel looked at Trean. Recalling how he’d been getting close to Suran recently, he narrowed his eyes.