Chapter 6

But what did Raihan say in response to that?

“Is that so? That makes me happy.”

‘Why was he happy…?’

Perhaps because Raihan truly looked pleased, the Crown Prince seemed to lose words for a reply. Even though the Crown Prince openly showed a baffled expression, Raihan just let it pass without comment. Anyway, seeing him like this, one would wonder how someone so inherently kind and gentle could survive in the world.

“Why are you biting your lip again?”

Lost in thought, Dione had fallen into another bad habit. And since Raihan had learned about her habits, he always redirected her attention whenever she did this.

“Ah, I just have a bit to think about.”

“Again? I thought I’d helped you with all your worries.”

“Hmm. This one is something even you can’t do anything about, Your Highness.”

That was her marriage problem. Becoming simple friends with Raihan was nice, but getting close to a man like him had inevitably raised her standards.

‘Enough, enough. The marriage issue… I’ll think about it after I properly finish the delegation work.’

* * *

Today was the last day of the delegation’s roughly three-week stay, and to commemorate it, the small banquet hall of the palace where they were staying was opened.

Although the two empires weren’t exactly close, they were bound together by a treaty, so every time they met, things were wrapped up in a comfortable atmosphere.

…But even so, she hadn’t expected to be drinking alcohol.

“Young Heiress, are you good with alcohol?”

“I’m about average.”

“Oh ho…….”

What was that look? One of the Elvirtein nobles visiting as part of the delegation, Count Teisido, gave her a meaningful glance at her answer. Then, suddenly, he called out to Raihan, who was sitting quietly at the head table.

“Your Highness! Didn’t you bring ‘that’ with you?”

‘That?’

While chatting with someone else, Raihan turned his head at being called, eyes widening as if he’d just remembered.

Dione was the only one wearing a bewildered expression.

“Ah, that. Lady Dione, please wait a moment.”

“Huh? Yes…….”

While Dione remained confused, Raihan left his seat, and Count Teisido kept talking to her. He said she could look forward to it, it wasn’t something just brought out any time, and that she’d probably heard of it before.

Of course, Dione wasn’t the only guest. Several other nobles were also sitting together in the banquet hall, drinking and chatting.

Apparently, their conversation drew the attention of others, and soon everyone was crowding around, pestering Count Teisido about what it was. Just then, Raihan returned to the hall carrying something.

‘Wine?’

Raihan held a wine bottle in each hand. He handed one to Count Teisido, who sat beside Dione, acting generous—she later learned he really was being generous.

“There were only two bottles. I almost forgot to bring them… As a token of gratitude, I’ll give one to the Count.”

“Oh, how gracious!”

Seeing how delighted the Count was, Dione guessed it must be a famous wine. She discreetly checked the label on the bottle and, sure enough, recognized the kind.

“…Valduero?”

“You know it, of course.”

“Of course. It’s the most delicious and expensive wine in Elvirtein, and…”

As Dione trailed off, Raihan sat in front of her and continued.

“It’s also the wine that became even more famous when Vega Aviles and Sicart Estellon were known to have shared it thirty years ago.”

Hearing her mother and father’s names mentioned like this felt strange. Especially in connection with Valduero wine.

Anyway, after that, there was nothing particularly special. 

The Valduero wine, true to its reputation and price, tasted wonderful, and went down easily.

There was just one problem: it was much stronger than she’d expected.

Dione… wasn’t as strong as her mother, who, according to stories, would get her father drunk and then, well, devour him.

What this meant was, she ended up talking a bit too much nonsense.

“I’d like to try a cruise… someday. I’ve heard a lot about it from my parents.”

“Have you?”

“Yeees……. But cruises are really expensive, aren’t they?”

“…And that’s what you’re thinking about?”

“Well, people can think about these things too, Your Highness, honestly…”

“I didn’t mean anything by it… Hmm, don’t you want to have one? Like the one your parents rode?”

“Having one… is just… too big?”

“What is?”

“The size…….”

Raihan burst out laughing at Dione’s absurd comment, and she, insisting she was serious and telling him not to laugh, ended up flopping down and dozing off lightly.

“Your Highness, let me do it.”

“No, I’ll do it. It’s partly my fault.”

With those words, her body was lifted up. Being carried comfortably in someone’s arms was a first for Dione, but even in her hazy state, she didn’t feel any anxiety about being dropped.

…To put it simply, the kiss was an accident. Truly.

Her body was warm from the alcohol, and when she separated from someone she’d been close to, she suddenly felt cold. Of course, it wasn’t as cold as winter since it was September, but the palace was always kept cool in summer.

When Raihan laid her on the bed and pulled away, Dione grabbed his collar and pulled him toward her, and then their lips collided—just like something out of a third-rate romance novel. After that, she either laughed foolishly or did something else.

And perhaps moved by that silly laugh, or something else… Anyway, Raihan took her that night.

* * *

Returning to the infamous September 9th, the article read as follows.

[Breaking News] Heiress to the Marquisate, Dione Estellon, revealed to be in a secret relationship with Raihan Elvirtein, the 4th Prince?!

Everyone living in the Essen Empire would know this story: about three weeks ago, the Elvirtein Empire’s delegation visited to renew the treaty, and just yesterday, they returned home. And the representative from Elvirtein was none other than Raihan Elvirtein, the Fourth Prince, known to be the only one who would survive the succession struggle.

The person responsible for welcoming the delegation in the Essen Empire was Dione Estellon, Young Heiress of Estellon, and here is where the interesting story begins.

First, only those who know them would know just how close and friendly the two have been over the past three weeks. Of course, since she was tasked with accompanying the state guest, it was only natural for her to be with Prince Raihan. However, most journalists speculated that the two were not simply linked by official duties.

And as expected. When the party at the palace ended three days ago, all other attendees boarded carriages to return home, but Dione Estellon did not appear.

And at around 10 a.m. two days ago, only this writer and Prince Raihan Elvirtein would know how dazed and bewildered Dione Estellon looked as she left the palace!

Will the romance from thirty years ago be revived? The outcome is drawing much attention.

Meanwhile, Young Heiress Estellon is the only daughter of the previous Estellon Marquis couple…

(rest omitted)

– Written by reporter Henry Pierrot.

* * *

Alongside the article was a photo of Dione’s side profile, hurriedly leaving the palace. She was even pictured in a carriage. How could they publish such a speculative article based on just that photo? She quickly checked the name of the newspaper.

Chronicles Weekly.

…If it had been a gossip rag, she could have just laughed it off, but it wasn’t. Chronicles Weekly was a fairly large newspaper, and it was known for its credibility.

“Are they crazy?”

Standing frozen with the newspaper in her hands, Dione could feel Hugo and Mary, who were standing in front of her, fidgeting anxiously. Come to think of it, the two didn’t even know whether the story was true or not, so their reaction was understandable.

“Should we send a letter of protest?”

“…….”

If it weren’t true, she should have gotten angry and called it nonsense. But… the article was true. Regrettably. As Dione was left speechless, the two seemed to realize the truth, exchanging glances.