Chapter 8: The Age of Ordeals (2)

“Snorrrrrr~”

“…….”

Seirin thought she’d be able to sleep comfortably once Princess Pesopotemia fell asleep, but as soon as she did, she snored so loudly, mouth agape, that Seirin spent the night wide awake.

‘I want to go home. I want to sleep in my own bed.’

More desperate than ever, Seirin stared at the ceiling, then looked at the curtained window as dawn broke and slowly got up.

“I should go for a walk.”

Seirin put on a coat and carefully left the room, greeting the busy people in the corridor, then stepped outside the palace and walked along the path, taking in the scenery.

“Sigh, nothing beats a walk. It’s the best for clearing your mind.”

She murmured to herself, feeling the fresh breeze and breathing in the crisp morning air, then stopped to admire the flower garden.

“How beautiful. No wonder Her Majesty the Empress loves flowers. Hmm~ These flowers look lovely and smell wonderful too.”

She wasn’t particularly fond of flowers, but the subtle fragrance eased her stress a little.

“Rin.”

“Huh?! Noah!”

“Did you sleep well?”

Seirin could not bring herself to say she hadn’t slept because of the princess’s snoring, so she just smiled sweetly at Noah, nodded, and wished him a good morning.

“Look, Noah. Aren’t these flowers pretty? They smell so nice too.”

“They do.”

“Her Majesty the Empress loves flowers so much that the walking paths are basically all flower beds. I heard from my father that His Majesty the Emperor built a greenhouse and garden just for Her Majesty, taking up almost half the palace.”

“Really? That’s even more impressive than I heard. His Majesty’s love for Her Majesty is something else.”

“It really is. I kind of envy that.”

“Hm?”

“I wish someone would love me that deeply and earnestly—just for me.”

Noah, watching Seirin smile bashfully at the flower beds, thought this was the perfect opportunity and was about to speak when—

“Rin~ There you are! My lovely little sister~”

“Ah…….”

Seirin’s expression crumpled as she saw Sein rushing toward her with arms wide open. Noah, who had been frowning, bowed his head slightly as Sein approached, then raised it again.

“My dear sister, you didn’t sleep well, did you? You look pale. I’ll tell Father right now so we can go back to the ducal residence!”

‘If only it were that easy, you silly brother!’

Normally, Seirin would have said that out loud, but since she was in the imperial palace, she had to maintain her image. So she smiled and spoke softly.

“Brother, really. His Majesty the Emperor invited us to join him for breakfast.”

“Ah, but still. Rin, you don’t look well.”

“I agree.”

“I’m fine, really. Don’t worry.”

Seirin smiled at her worried brother and childhood friend, then excused herself and left first.

“When Rin lies, the corner of her mouth goes up.”

“…….”

Sein looked at Noah, who replied,

“I’m worried.”

“About what?”

“Rin’s surroundings are always noisy. Especially His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Hm.”

Sein nodded, gazing down with half-closed eyes. Seeing Noah’s faint smile, he spoke.

“No need to worry. I’ll protect Rin.”

“What makes you so confident?”

“I’m a Grand Mage, after all.”

“So full of yourself.”

Sein grumbled inwardly, not liking Noah at all, and sighed, folding his arms.

“Are you planning to confess to Rin?”

“Yes. I don’t think I can keep being just childhood friends anymore.”

“Oh?”

“But now doesn’t seem like the right time.”

“…….”

“Rin still sees me as a friend rather than a man. I need to show her my masculine side before confessing if I want a chance.”

“Hm.”

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interfere, Brother.”

“Huh? Who are you calling brother?”

Noah smiled leisurely at Sein’s incredulous look.

“You’re her only brother, aren’t you?”

“So why am I your brother?”

“Because if Seirin and I get married, you’ll be my brother-in-law.”

“Who says I’ll allow that?”

Noah waved his hands, telling Sein to calm down as Sein glared menacingly.

“I know you care for Rin deeply, but you should take it easy. Otherwise, I’m worried you’ll never find a lady willing to marry you.”

“You… Enough. The only reason I’ve kept you near my sister is because she cares for you as a childhood friend.”

Sein was even more irritated at Noah’s nonchalant nodding, but he had to restrain himself—if he made a scene in the palace, his mother would not let it slide.

“I’m saying this because I genuinely care, so please don’t misunderstand. I’ll take my leave now.”

Noah straightened his back after bowing, said he’d see Sein at the dining hall, and walked away. Once Noah was out of sight and the surroundings quiet, Sein muttered irritably and rubbed his head.

“Why does it have to be that annoying guy! And why is Mother such close friends with the Marchioness of Cherbel!”

Sein pounded the floor in frustration and looked up at the sky.

“Rin… My Rin will never be sent anywhere! Whether it’s as Crown Princess or to the Marquis house! If you really want Rin—”

He gazed sharply at the towering castle with his deep emerald eyes and murmured,

“You’ll have to give up everything for her.”

***

Seirin, struggling to stay awake during breakfast, gripped her utensils tightly as her eyelids drooped. Kasel, seated across from her, chuckled and glanced at Eizel, who was sitting next to Seirin, chatting and laughing with his father.

‘What did she do…?’

Even if she was a perverted princess, Kasel hoped she hadn’t done anything inappropriate to a noble lady. He sighed and shifted his gaze to Mariana, who sat quietly next to him, eating in silence.

‘I wish she’d stay quiet and leave…’

Knowing that neither the troublesome Princess Pesopotemia nor the childhood friend Princess Tipetoria would behave, Kasel frowned even more.

‘I’ll protect her… If I save Seirin when she’s in danger…’

Smiling at the thought, Kasel met Seirin’s eyes by chance. She smiled and quickly looked back at her soup.

‘Why is he smiling? It’s annoying. I just want to go home and sleep.’

Seirin struggled to suppress her irritation, exhaustion, and the urge to yawn. When the meal finally ended, she was relieved, but the princess who had kept her up all night insisted on sharing the snacks she’d brought for dessert.

Normally, Seirin would never refuse food, but today, sleep was more urgent than eating.

‘How do I get out of this… Ugh, I feel dizzy.’

As her surroundings started spinning, Seirin collapsed into Noah’s arms, who rushed to her side and asked if she was alright.

“Rin!”

“Seirin!”

“My Lady!”

“I just feel a bit dizzy. I’ll be—”

Before she could finish, Seirin lost consciousness. Noah, cradling her like a princess, urgently asked where the infirmary was. Seirin’s father, Eric, told him to follow and led the way out of the dining hall, leaving only Princess Pesopotemia, her knight, Princess Tipetoria, and her female knight inside.

“Princess Tipetoria.”

Mariana looked sleepily at the princess who called her. Eizel, who didn’t like her, folded her arms and spoke.

“You didn’t do anything to Seirin, did you?”

“Your Highness, I’m not sure what you mean.”

Eizel curled her lip and continued.

“Just look at Lady Damarania, suddenly collapsing like that.”

“Do you have any proof I did something?”

“…….”

“Princess Pesopotemia, you’d better watch your mouth if you don’t want a war.”

“You!”

Gerard stopped Eizel from chasing after the princess who hurried out of the dining hall.

“Let go!”

“Your Highness, you were too harsh just now.”

“What! Don’t you think it’s strange too? Seirin was fine and then collapsed!”

“I’m sorry to say, but it was because of you, Your Highness.”

“What?! Why because of me?”

Gerard, barely calming the fiery Eizel, explained that Seirin couldn’t sleep because of the princess’s snoring. Naturally, the princess didn’t believe it, so Gerard played a video stone showing Eizel snoring all night.

“Is this really… my snoring?”

Gerard just nodded. Eizel blushed, covered her face with her hands, then looked at the knight.

“Then you should have woken me up!”

“Sigh. Your Highness, once you fall asleep, you don’t wake up until you do so yourself.”

“Ugh. How do I apologize to Seirin?”

“Just apologize sincerely.”

“Of course I will! I want to give her a gift too, as a sign of apology. What should I give?”

“How about a decoration that young noble ladies like these days?”

“Hm~ That’s too ordinary.”

“…….”

“Right! Seirin said she was learning to ride! Gerard! Bring me a splendid mare right now! Preferably a graceful white horse! A white horse suits Seirin perfectly!”

Gerard, after a long sigh, tried to calm the excited princess.

“The Queen always says that when giving a gift, you must consider the recipient’s feelings as much as your own sincerity.”

“Ugh, you’re always arguing with me, even though you’re my knight.”

“A white horse would be an excessive gift, Your Highness. If you care for Lady Seirin, you should be more thoughtful.”

“Hm. Then what should I do? I want to win points with Seirin.”

“Lady Seirin has a good appetite, unlike other ladies. Why not give her what she likes best?”

“Oh! That’s it! But what does Seirin like best?”

‘If you ask me that… How would I know?’

“Hey, Gerard. Why aren’t you answering? And what’s that look?”

“Why not ask Lady Damarania’s brother, Sir Damarania?”

“Oh! That’s right!”

“Your Highness!”

The knight looked exhausted as he chased after the princess, who dashed off with her pink hair flying.

***

When Seirin opened her eyes, she saw a white ceiling.

“Did I collapse? Where is this…?”

Seirin slowly sat up and learned from those nearby that she was in the imperial infirmary, having collapsed from accumulated fatigue. She nodded and stepped outside, where Noah waited with worried eyes.

“Rin.”

“Noah. Sorry for worrying you.”

“No need to apologize. The Duchess went home first. Let’s go. I’ll walk you.”

“Mother asked you again, didn’t she? Seriously. I’m not a child.”

Noah burst out laughing at Seirin’s puffed-up cheeks, and as she grumbled about his laughter, he reached out to pinch her cheeks—

“Ah! Noah! Look over there! A rabbit! Oh my! Why is there a rabbit?”

“A rabbit?”

Noah turned to where Seirin pointed and saw a rabbit hopping toward them. He immediately sensed it was no ordinary rabbit.

“Seirin, that’s…”

Before he could explain, Seirin, who adored all small animals, opened her arms to hug the rabbit. Noah’s face hardened as he watched the rabbit snuggle its tiny face into Seirin’s arms.

“Wow~ Noah, look! I’ve never seen a rabbit act so cute with people~”

“Sigh. Seirin, that’s…”

“Seirin! Get away from that thing right now!”

“P-Prince Roel…”

With a popping sound, Seirin suddenly felt a heavy weight and collapsed to the ground. As the smoke cleared, she saw Prince Luel, the younger twin prince of the Euclis Empire, sitting right on top of her, smiling brightly.

“L-Luel…”

“Hello~ Seirin~ I missed you~”

“P-Prince! Please, could you get off me…”

“Nope~ I want to stay like this~”

Luel hugged Seirin so tightly she could barely breathe, putting her at risk of suffocation.

‘Someone save me!’