episode_0044

His physique was somewhat petite to call him a man, and his appearance was so beautiful that the word “handsome” suited him.

The prince’s outward appearance was distant from the feeling of being manly.

I feel truly sorry for him who is to inherit the emperor’s throne, but I even thought that he would have been better suited if he had been born a woman.

However, it wasn’t as if he seemed feminine.

His actions were more manly than anyone else’s. From his brisk stride to the way he shook hands, every little gesture.

It’s hard to describe the subtle sensation caused by this alien gap. It was a feeling of a “beautiful man,” perhaps even called effeminate, blending with his voice, which was fashionable among women these days.

In a way, he and I were completely opposite. In many ways, I was someone distant from beauty.

“Perhaps you too…”

I turned my head to look at Luna.

Maybe Luna, like me, wouldn’t prefer a rugged person but rather an elegant man like the prince.

Rumors suggest that all women are like that.

It was such a foolish thought, but I couldn’t help but be concerned.

That was when it happened.

Whether she noticed my gaze or not, Luna suddenly turned her head and met my eyes.

An expressionless face that felt truly consistent.

However, for some reason, as our eyes met, I felt only a sense of comfort. My anxious mind settled down, and tranquility came over me.

Swoosh-.

Luna leaned a little closer to me.

Her clothes brushed against me, creating a subtle, tingling distance.

I resisted the urge for the corners of my mouth to lift and bowed my head.

“Albert David greets the empire’s little sun.”

In response to my greeting, Luna also politely bowed her head.

Given that she couldn’t speak, there was no other choice, but the fact that we greeted each other made me so happy that in the end, I couldn’t hold back the corners of my mouth from lifting.

It was truly fortunate that I was bowing my head.

“It’s nice to meet again. Your Highness, please raise your heads, both of you.”

The prince, who had been flustered just moments ago, accepted the greeting with a calm tone that seemed almost like a lie.

Certainly, whatever had happened, I didn’t particularly want to pay attention to it.

It was because I didn’t want Luna to ruin the good mood that had come about.

We raised our heads and faced the prince.

“Thank you both for accepting the invitation. Since there’s some time left until the scheduled meal, why don’t we enjoy a little tea time?”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

I didn’t particularly feel like drinking tea.

No matter how much of a restraint the duke was, being with the prince was not comfortable.

I just wanted to finish the meal as soon as possible and go back.

However, his suggestion was no different from an order.

If the prince wanted to drink tea, there was no choice other than to drink it.

So, we set off together.

“Was it always like this…?”

When I lived at Duke David’s estate, there were times when I visited the palace. Whenever there was a big event, the emperor used to summon the estates.

But was the purpose different this time? The visible scenery and the sensations felt truly new.

Should I say it looked a little more beautiful? Finally, it seemed like I was seeing the surroundings properly.

Well, at that time, I was so busy doing my part that I couldn’t look around.

As I walked with the prince for a while, Aaron, his bodyguard, who was talking with him, approached me.

“It’s an honor to see you again.”

“Yes, have you been well?”

“Haha…”

Aaron awkwardly scratched his head.

It seemed that being the prince’s bodyguard was not an easy task.

“Is he in a bad mood?”

People whose inside and outside don’t match are not that common, so perhaps the prince might be one of them.

Of course, Aaron didn’t say exactly what it was, and I hadn’t seen the prince properly, so it was a matter of possibility…

If that were true, I couldn’t simply say that the future of the empire was good.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“It’s an honor to serve the prince.”

“I think so too. I believe you will lead the empire well.”

I finished the brief conversation with Aaron, hoping that Luna and I wouldn’t encounter any more problems in our lives.

Aaron bowed to me, greeted me, and then returned to the side of the prince.

As expected, he was an incredibly loyal knight. I found myself wishing for more retainers like him.

It was at that moment when Aaron, who had overheard a whisper from the prince, looked flustered and shook his head.

I don’t know what the conversation was about, but it was clear that Aaron was in an awkward situation.

“Stay strong.”

What else can I do? Perhaps just offering words of encouragement is enough.

The path you’ve chosen must be endured with determination and strength.

After a while, we arrived at the garden.

More precisely, it was a small space prepared for teatime within the garden.

The surroundings were filled with flowers, and the scent of blossoms wafted from all directions, quite pleasant.

“I heard that the gardens of Duke David and Duchess Iris are splendid, but how does the Imperial Palace’s garden compare?”

“Even if the gardens of the dukes are excellent, can they compare to the palace’s? Even as an outsider, it looks remarkably beautiful to me.”

It was indeed the palace’s garden. If it falls short compared to the gardens of the nobles despite growing alongside the empire’s rich history, that would be even more remarkable.

Thinking so, I sipped my tea.

Of course, the tea was also exceptionally good.

“It’s about time to get to the point.”

There must be a real reason why the prince invited us to dine.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense for him to single out the two of us among the many attendees at the social gathering.

If he wanted to choose a noble’s offspring, he could have invited someone other than a fool and a mute.

It wasn’t even such an important matter as to call us directly to the palace. So, it wouldn’t be strange for the conversation to come up without delay.

Thus, I made some small talk while sipping my tea, trying to lead the conversation.

It was meant to make it easier for the prince to speak.

However, no matter how much time passed, the prince didn’t show any signs of bringing up such a topic.

In the end, unable to wait any longer, I made a decision.

“Your Highness, forgive me for being forward, but may I ask you one question?”

“Yes, please feel free to do as you wish.”

“I’m curious about the reason for inviting us to dinner.”

The prince’s head tilted slightly to the side.

Perhaps it was his mood, but the atmosphere around seemed to subtly change.

“There isn’t any particular reason, but did you perhaps suspect there was a hidden meaning?”

“Would I do that? I simply asked because there might be something I failed to understand with my humble mind.”

“If that’s the case, you need not worry. Today, I simply wanted to enjoy a meal with all of you.”

The prince spoke in this manner and then smiled gently.

Is there really no hidden intention?

Or is he still concealing something?

It was frustrating not being able to read his true feelings.

After that, time passed in a similar fashion. Light conversations without anything significant dominated.

In the midst of this, a servant came to inform us that the meal was ready, and we naturally rose from our seats and left the garden.

It was another story altogether that Luna’s gaze lingered regretfully on the garden.

* * * * *

On the table, an extravagant array of food was laid out. From various meats to vegetables, and even fish, it seemed like they had gathered all the precious ingredients available.

The quantity was substantial, almost as if it was never expected to be finished from the start.

“All paid for by my taxes…,” I thought, and the prince chuckled wryly.

“I made a special effort upon hearing guests were coming. It’s not usually like this.”

“We appreciate your consideration.”

“Of course, it’s only natural. Well then, please, go ahead and eat.”

I started eating without hesitation. Just because I’m a duke doesn’t mean I can easily handle this kind of food.

Truly, whether it could be attributed to the chefs working at the palace, the food was generally excellent. I almost wanted to bring the chef to the ducal residence.

It seemed Luna also enjoyed the food, as she ate as she normally would despite the uncomfortable situation.

How much time had passed like this?

Clank!

The sound of the prince setting down his utensils echoed.

“Lady Luna, I have a question.”

Luna carefully set down the tableware she was holding.

Then, she politely folded her hands and gazed at him.

“Do you happen to know anything about me?”

Luna looked at the prince with hesitation, as if pondering something.

After a moment, she slowly nodded.