Chapter 9: The Age of Ordeals (3)

Noah wanted to pry that sly prince off Seirin, but since he was a prince, he couldn’t act rashly, which only annoyed him more.

Whoosh—!

“Aaaah! My hair!”

Flames appeared above Luel’s head as he hugged Seirin, and his hair began to burn. He jumped up and down, and although Noah didn’t like him, he couldn’t watch a foreign prince burn to death in front of him, so he summoned water to douse the flames.

“D*mn! Now I’m soaked!!”

“You ill-tempered brat. If it wasn’t for the Heir of Cherbel, you’d have been roasted whole, not just your hair. Anyway, Heir of Cherbel, I’ll thank you on behalf of my foul-tempered brother.”

“It’s nothing.”

Noah bowed politely, but inside he was annoyed that instead of being grateful for saving him, Luel, the younger twin prince of the Euclis Empire, complained about being made to look like a soaked rat in front of Seirin.

“By the way, that fire just now…”

Kasel strode up, entering Roel’s view. His expressionless face and the way he looked at the twins was full of displeasure—he was their cousin and the Empire’s Crown Prince. Roel bowed as respectfully as possible, asking how he’d been.

“Why did you come without notice?”

“Who said I came to see you! I came to see lovely Seirin. And you set my hair on fire! I won’t let this go!”

“If you’re not going to leave me alone, what are you going to do?”

“Th-that!”

Luel, seeing Kasel striding toward him as if he might do him harm at any moment, quickly hid behind Seirin.

“Y-Your Highness the Prince?”

“Seirin. Please save me. That scary cousin is trying to hurt me. Hng~ I’m scared~”

Seirin used him as a shield, and couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at the sight of a twenty-four-year-old acting cute.

“Step away while I’m being nice. And go back to the Euclis Empire.”

“N-No! I ran for two whole days just to see Seirin!”

“T-That’s right! We already got permission from Aunt!”

Kasel, staring at the most bothersome and annoying twin brothers with sleepy eyes, furrowed his brow. He wanted to roast them with fire until he felt better and chase them out, but he didn’t want to show that side of himself in front of Seirin.

‘You two should be grateful to Seirin.’

Kasel exhaled briefly, then turned to Noah, who, though not much better than those twins, was at least helpful right now.

“Can you get that guy away from Seirin?”

“If you command it, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Separate him.”

“Yes.”

Noah, sensing the moment, straightened up after bowing, and then used his telekinesis to lift Luel, who was clinging to both of Seirin’s shoulders, and set him down next to his twin brother Roel.

“You jerk! What are you doing! How dare you lay hands on a foreign prince!”

“My apologies, but I was simply following the Crown Prince’s orders.”

“You—!”

“Enough. You’re only good at transforming into animals. Do you really think you can beat a Grand Mage?”

“That’s true, Kasel. Luel.”

“D*mn it! You! Just wait!”

Noah nodded with a gentle smile, ignoring Luel who was no match for him, and stood next to the visibly exhausted Seirin, facing the Crown Prince who still looked at him with disapproval.

“Now that Seirin is awake, we’ll be heading back. I think the Duchess will be worried.”

“Hm, alright.”

Seirin was surprised he let her go so easily, but then the Crown Prince strode toward her and met her gaze.

“I’ll see you again, Lady Damarania.”

“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

The thought of finally leaving the imperial palace made Seirin’s exhaustion vanish. For the first time, she smiled brightly with her white teeth in front of the Crown Prince, and Kasel, looking down at her, gently stroked her cheeks with both hands.

“Y-Your Highness?”

“I’ll miss you, My Lady.”

“Y-Your Highness.”

Kasel found even her flustered look adorable and couldn’t take his eyes off her. Sensing the disapproving gaze directed at him, he let out a faint smile, released her cheeks, and softly took Seirin’s small right hand, kissing the back of it before letting go.

“Take care, My Lady.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Then, we’ll be off.”

Kasel smiled and waved lightly. Noah, standing beside Seirin, offered his arm for her to take, causing Kasel to frown slightly as he watched the two walk away until they disappeared from view.

“T-That jerk! He definitely linked arms on purpose for us to see!”

“Hmph. I don’t like it, but what can we do? He’s a Grand Mage. The Heir of Cherbel is the youngest Grand Mage even the other Grand Mages acknowledge.”

“D*mn! He’s so annoying!”

Roel, annoyed by his younger twin’s stomping, told him to stop being so noisy. When Kasel turned around, radiating intense hostility, Roel’s legs shook.

“Stay quiet while you’re here. Or else.”

Kasel showed pillars of hot fire in both hands. The frightened twins hugged each other and trembled all over. Kasel laughed at them and walked away, stopping in front of a large window, his gaze dropping downward.

“…….”

Beside him, Noah and Seirin were laughing as they left the palace. Kasel felt a pang of disappointment at the lively face Seirin never showed him, and he sighed quietly, mumbling.

“I wish there would be a day when she smiles at me so sweetly…….”

***

Louis, who had been busily writing with his pen, paused at the knock. He watched Eric enter, bow, and approach slowly.

“How is your daughter?”

“She regained consciousness a short while ago and left the city with the Heir of Cherbel.”

“Hm, I see. With the Heir of Cherbel?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Louis, resting his chin in his hand, looked at Eric, who stood with his hands behind his back, and let out a short laugh.

“When it’s just the two of us, you can speak comfortably.”

“Is that alright?”

“Of course.”

“Whew. Louis.”

Louis just watched his friend quietly, as if the earth might sink.

“I’m grateful that both you and the Crown Prince care for our Rin. As you know, my only daughter is healthy, but very sensitive.”

Eric, looking at his friend and lord, nodded, then continued with a more earnest expression.

“Wouldn’t it be time to introduce a suitable lady to the Crown Prince? Even a princess or imperial lady from an allied nation would do.”

“Haha. You too. My son takes after me—he’s hopelessly devoted, so there’s nothing I can do.”

“Ha. Haha. You, devoted?”

“……Hey, Eric. What’s so funny?”

Louis’s voice sharpened at Eric, who was laughing so hard he clutched his stomach.

“Ah~ sorry, sorry. But everyone knows how passionately you courted Serpiana. Just like the Crown Prince does now.”

“……Whew, back then… Why bring that up now?”

“Ahaha. Sorry, sorry. Anyway, here’s what I mean. Louis. I’ll let my daughter marry the man she wants.”

“Hm.”

“So please respect some boundaries. Especially—”

Louis could feel it from Eric’s expression. He was so sincere it gave him goosebumps.

“Princess Tipetoria. Please keep an eye on her so she doesn’t do anything foolish to Seirin.”

“If that’s all, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Louis, Princess Tipetoria’s mother was a witch who practiced black magic. When she seduced the Emperor of Tipetoria, bore the princess, and became Empress, do you remember how much blood was shed?”

“Eric.”

Louis, his laughter gone, looked at Eric with a chilly gaze.

“Mariana is like a daughter to me. She’s just unusually attached to Kasel. She’s nothing like her witch mother. I’ll ask you one last time—please don’t speak badly of her.”

“Alright, I’ll be careful. But if my daughter is ever endangered by that princess, I won’t forgive you or her.”

Eric showed his firm resolve, and Louis nodded silently, and the two quietly returned to their work.

***

Normally, Seirin would have offered Noah tea for walking her home, but after two days of accumulated fatigue, she dragged herself into the mansion and collapsed on her bed, falling asleep instantly.

How long did she sleep? Annoyed by the sound waking her, Seirin opened her eyes and snapped at Remi, who appeared in her view.

“I told you not to wake me up! Not until I get up myself!”

“S-Sorry, My Lady. But…….”

Seirin guessed that Remi had a good reason—an important guest must be visiting.

‘It can’t be the Crown Prince. If it’s not the twin princes, then the only person who’d come to my house is……’

Thinking of just one person, Seirin sighed deeply and cradled her head in her hands.

“M-My Lady? Does your head hurt? Should I call Doctor Albert?”

“Hah. No. Where is he?”

“He’s chatting with Madam in the garden.”

“Alright. Tell them I’ll be out soon.”

“Yes!”

After Remi left, Seirin cradled her head again.

“I never get a moment to rest. I regret being born as a Duke’s daughter! D*mn it!”

Grumbling, Seirin got up and brushed her messy hair, then suddenly thought of a brilliant idea. If she went out looking as sick as possible, maybe the princess would leave quietly. She made her face as pale as she could, stepped out, and ran into her nanny, Rebecca, before leaving the mansion.

“M-My Lady! Y-Your face! Why are you so pale?!”

“Really? Do I look that way?”

“Y-Yes. But…….”

“Good. I’m fine, so don’t worry, Rebecca.”

“M-My Lady!”

Fully prepared, Seirin checked her face once more in a hand mirror before entering the garden. As she stepped inside, the familiar scent of something freshly baked tickled her nose, making her mouth water.

‘Th-That crispy, freshly baked smell!’

“Your Highness the Princess, it’s an honor to have you visit my humble home for my daughter, but how did you even bring such things?”

“Hehe, Seirin is precious to me. Sir Damarania said Seirin loves desserts, especially from her favorite shop. So I brought every dessert they sell.”

Seirin wiped her drool and entered the garden. She knew her foolish brother couldn’t help but invite Princess Pesopotemia, but she still shot him a cold glare as he waved and greeted her, then thanked the princess for coming, even though she didn’t mean it.

“Oh my. Seirin. Your face!”

“Oh, this won’t do. Mother, call Doctor Albert right away!”

“I’m fine, Mother, Brother. Princess, I’m sorry you came all this way for me… only to see me like this.”

“It’s alright. But why is your face so pale, Seirin?”

Seirin felt a pang of guilt at their genuine concern, but she had no choice if she wanted the princess to leave.

“I’m fine. Cough! Cough! I’ll be better after a day of rest.”

“Sigh, alright. Then eat these when you’re well. I brought them all for you.”

“Thank you so much, Princess. I have nothing to give you in return.”

“Hehe~ It’s alright, Seirin. You can marry me later.”

“Ahaha. Wh-What?!”

Seirin’s eyes nearly popped out at the princess’s words, and Eizel burst into laughter, finding her reaction adorable. Gerard approached, sighing briefly before speaking.

“Your Highness, even as a joke, that’s a bit much…….”

“Hm? It’s not a joke. I’m always sincere with Seirin. If you come to me, I’ll love you forever. I’ll make you happy. If you want, I’ll even make you queen of my country. I promise in front of everyone here.”

Everyone stared at the serious princess with dumbfounded faces, while Seirin silently cried inside, wondering why this was happening to her.