Nigel smiled crookedly as he stepped out of his office. An excellent plan lay at his feet.

“Your Highness, you seem to be in a good mood.”

Count Owen, who had been waiting at the door, wore a puzzled expression. He had thought Nigel wouldn’t want to return to the kingdom for various reasons, but looking at Nigel’s face now, that wasn’t the case at all. Nigel replied as if he had no idea while walking down the sunset-lit corridor.

“Really? Why do you think so?”

“You look like you’re expecting something.”

“Is that so? Maybe I am.”

Nigel shrugged and pressed his lips together. Expectation—it was an unfamiliar and distinctly unpleasant expression to wear. Yet, the fact that it didn’t feel entirely burdensome was….  

In the distance, the ship’s horn echoed, a low and resonant sound signaling the time to depart.

＊＊＊

This morning’s newspaper front page was occupied by an article about Egon’s delegation arriving in Zerno, the capital of Wetzel. Along with an article about the delegation members, it mentioned that Egon’s princess was accompanying them. Opinions were again divided on whether the princess’s visit meant the desert truly intended to establish exchanges with Wetzel, or if there were other ulterior motives.

Rosia, still worried about her brothers with whom she couldn’t make contact, went out to buy books to read to Rey. It was better mentally to be immersed in something rather than just sitting and waiting for contact.

Though there were several large bookstores in the capital Zerno, Rosia liked the oldest one best. The narrow, low bookstore was filled with the cozy smell of books, and a white-haired old man dusted the bookshelves regularly. A male cat named Bobby, mysterious with black fur and bright yellow eyes, acted as the proprietor, and seemed to recognize Rosia as a regular customer, always lingering beside her until she finished choosing books.

Rosia chose several out-of-print fairy tale books with Bobby. This bookstore had the advantage of having many books hard to find elsewhere because there were few people looking for them. Of course, there was no need to mention the cute cat and kind owner.

Though she had stopped visiting the bookstore recently for various reasons, she started coming back after becoming Rey’s governess. Rosia wanted to do her best while serving as Rey’s teacher.

After choosing the fairy tale books, she was looking for novels she had wanted to read when the owner, who had been organizing books near the entrance, quietly approached Rosia and spoke.

“Miss, have you finished choosing books?”

“Ah, yes. Though I’m not sure if they’ll be good enough.”

Rosia answered with a smile. The owner glanced at the books in Rosia’s arms.

“I can’t tell you how happy I was to see you visit after so long.”

“I’ve been a bit busy lately.”

“The capital has been quite bustling these past few days.”

It was a statement with multiple meanings. The owner must have also seen the newspaper articles about the Berthe family and Rosia. Otherwise, he wouldn’t wear such a worried expression. Feeling awkward, Rosia shifted her gaze to the bookshelf. Unable to remember the title of the book she was looking for, she just moved her fingers for a while when the owner cleared his throat and said,

“I heard the delegation will arrive in the capital this afternoon, will you go watch?”

“This afternoon?”

Rosia slightly turned her head to check the old pendulum clock. It was already close to noon. The delegation’s expected arrival time was soon. The owner kindly added an explanation.

“This old man heard they’ll pass by the fountain area in front.”

“I see.”

Rosia was caught in a strange feeling. While the kingdom’s citizens who should return couldn’t even be contacted, people from a foreign country would step on Wetzel’s soil first. Sometimes she resented her brothers. How did they become so excessively greedy? Couldn’t they have lived contentedly with what they had? Her brothers would tell her this:

It was all for you, Rosia. Rosia hugged the fairy tale books in her arms a little tighter. When her expression darkened, Bobby, who had been lying at her feet, rubbed against her showing affection. It was a gentle action, like he was trying to comfort her. Rosia bent down to stroke Bobby’s soft fur.

“This little guy waits for you so eagerly. He jumps up even from sleep at just the sound of the door opening.”

The owner said with a kind laugh. Rosia smiled and scratched the back of Bobby’s head several times before handing the fairy tale books to the owner.

“I’ll visit more often from now on. Could you calculate these first?”

“Of course. Today, I’ll give you a special discount to celebrate your visit after so long.”

The owner quickly took the books. Rosia met eyes with the contentedly purring Bobby and sat there for a while before heading outside after finishing payment when the packaging was done.

The weather was made up. White clouds embroidering the blue sky gathered and dispersed repeatedly. Rosia walked quickly holding the bundle of books tied with string. Perhaps due to people coming out to watch the delegation as the bookstore owner had said, the streets were more crowded than usual.

“Excuse me, coming through.”

Because of this, Rosia had to struggle to squeeze through the gaps between people. Commoners and nobles alike packed the streets densely. When she finally made it near the fountain, someone shouted,

“The delegation!”

“Where? Where?”

“It’s Egon’s flag.”

“Look, you can see the principality’s carriage too.”

“So that rumor was true?”

“What rumor?”

“You know, about Egon’s princess and Grand Duke Gragford……”

Rosia stopped abruptly. What kind of rumor was circulating about the princess and the Grand Duke? But the thought didn’t last long. People rushing to see the carriages started pushing Rosia, who had ended up at the very front. Though Rosia judged she should quickly leave this spot, it was difficult to overcome the countless people.

Rosia held the books tightly to her chest, worried about dropping them. She was concerned she might end up jumping in front of the carriages at this rate. At that moment, several carriages passed quickly in front of her. Rosia reflexively raised her head to look at the carriages.

The golden flag embroidered with the dragon symbolizing Egon fluttered. Through the open window, a strange woman inside the carriage showed her face. She had pitch-black hair and eyes, with skin darkened as if tanned by the sun. She scanned the crowd with interested eyes before giving a light wave. Rosia blankly stared at that woman and their eyes seemed to meet briefly. The woman pulled up her captivating lips in a smile, but it was just for a moment. The carriage had already gone far, and Grand Duke Gragford’s carriage followed behind it. But since the windows were closed, it was impossible to tell if Nigel was inside.

After several carriages passed, only hazy dust swirled like traces in their wake. People cheered or jeered. Rosia stood there for a long while even as she was pushed by the crowd.

The desert princess and Grand Duke Gragford. Just those two words spun around in her mind, disappeared, and emerged again. The warm sunlight seemed to smell of bone-dry sand. It was a smell she was encountering for the first time, but one she never wanted to become familiar with.

＊＊＊

The woman who came across the sea from the desert was named Phoebe Egon. The only daughter of Egon, a country covered in sand. What expectations did the king have when sending his precious princess to Wetzel? The delegation was scheduled to stay in Wetzel’s capital for over a month. It meant there was a purpose to achieve beyond simple exchange. For instance, marriage to another country’s royalty.

Nigel stared blankly at Phoebe’s face sitting across the dining table. Perhaps because her eyes slanted upward, Phoebe had a sharp impression. Moreover, her hair, darker than the night, was cropped sharply at her jawline as if cut in a single, decisive stroke. Her skin, tanned deeply as though kissed relentlessly by the sun, gave her an aura of striking otherness.

“Why are you staring like that?”

Phoebe, who had been frowning as if the carefully prepared food didn’t suit her taste, suddenly looked back at Nigel. Davion and the Queen, who had been exchanging only formal conversation without revealing their true thoughts, also shifted their gaze to him. Nigel smiled naturally and answered.

“I was curious about what kind of person my potential marriage partner might be.”

“I see such blatant staring is the etiquette in Wetzel.”

Phoebe smiled back and spat out somewhat irritably. Thanks to her sharp behavior, Nigel could be certain. She also didn’t want this marriage. Moreover, she was quite proud, and such a personality sometimes became a weakness. This might be easier than expected. Nigel hid his true thoughts and apologized calmly.

“Please forgive my rudeness.”

Phoebe closed her mouth. She seemed unwilling to deal with Nigel. Since Nigel also had no intention of discussing important matters in such a public situation anyway, he continued eating slowly.

Davion, who had been listening to their conversation, whispered something to the Queen. Nigel pretended not to see this. However, the Queen seemed to agree with Davion’s words as she immediately opened her mouth.

“We have prepared a welcome banquet for this evening, Princess of Egon.”

“Please call me Phoebe, Your Majesty.”

Phoebe smiled slightly and said firmly. The Queen gave a businesslike smile and nodded.

“Very well, Phoebe. You’ll need a partner for tonight’s banquet. I would like the Crown Prince to take on this important task, but unfortunately, he has a fiancée who will attend with him.”