Ch.33Status Window-Viewing Princess (1)

Signs of change arrived with splendid ceremony.

It had been a month since the commotion at Marquis Ruat’s household was settled. A special guest visited the Empire, which had just regained its stability.

It was a delegation from the Carnar Kingdom.

The Carnar Kingdom shared a border with the western part of the Empire and had established the most amicable relationship among neighboring countries. Since the profits from trade were substantial, welcoming their delegation with grandeur was customary.

Unusually, the delegation was accompanied by the kingdom’s chancellor, a noble figure. The chancellor looked forward to the celebratory banquet commemorating the delegation’s visit. His mission was extremely important, and he could not afford to waste any opportunity.

“Your Imperial Majesty, I have a humble request.”

“Speak freely.”

“I wish to personally deliver the Second Prince’s private letter to Her Highness the Imperial Princess.”

“What?”

The Emperor’s imposing expression suddenly hardened. No matter how he considered the intention behind delivering the letter, his thoughts only turned negative.

Serin and the Second Prince of Carnar Kingdom had never interacted before. A private letter between such formal acquaintances? The Emperor’s features gradually contorted as he suspected the prince might be attempting to seduce his daughter.

“I understand Your Majesty’s concerns, but there is one more person who wishes to deliver a letter of identical content.”

“Ahem! I-I see. If it’s a matter I should know about, I’d very much like to hear it.”

“There’s no reason why Your Majesty shouldn’t know about the Empire’s affairs.”

He was someone who knew how to express things euphemistically and gently. The Emperor seemed to appreciate the chancellor’s manner of speaking, showing signs of guilt for his hasty suspicion.

Finally, the chancellor opened his mouth and revealed the other sender of the letter.

“It is Your Imperial Majesty himself.”

◇

Since the attempted rebellion at the Marquis’s estate, I had been staying on the estate for about a month. I followed the suggestion that it would be good to help Eshtiel adjust to estate life as Count Elenot.

During that time, Serin’s surprise visits when she was free from official duties were occasionally troublesome. While Eshtiel welcomed her like a puppy wagging its tail, I sometimes wanted to avoid Serin.

When I was with her, I felt a strange tickling sensation around my chest. It was like something was relentlessly pounding on the large, solid wall surrounding my heart.

Somehow, it felt awkward yet not unpleasant. It was a paradoxical phenomenon difficult to describe in words.

While I was surrounded by this puzzling daily life, one day an imperial summons arrived from the palace.

It was a document with no specific purpose written on it. Rodrick, out of concern, chose to accompany me. Eshtiel, who insisted on coming along, sadly agreed to stay and play with the maids.

That’s how I ended up in the imperial audience chamber without knowing what was happening.

“It’s been a while, Commander Rihart. No, I should call you Captain Rihart now?”

“I’ve been blessed by Your Majesty’s grace.”

“Don’t attribute your achievements to me. Isn’t it a title you rightfully earned?”

“…Thank you for your consideration.”

The formal greetings ended there. In the warmly heated atmosphere, the Emperor brought up his business.

“Thank you for coming to the palace. I sent the summons because I wanted to ask for Captain Rihart’s help.”

“My help, Your Majesty?”

“Serin will soon leave the Empire as an ambassador to the Carnar Kingdom. I would like Captain Rihart to accompany her as her guard.”

This was surprising news.

A member of the imperial family being dispatched as an ambassador to another country carried meaning beyond appearances. The current Emperor, who wore the crown through revolution, and the absolute majority of emperors except those who were deposed, had experience serving as ambassadors to foreign countries.

In other words, Serin being appointed as ambassador meant she had taken one step closer to the throne. And as the ambassador to the Carnar Kingdom, the Empire’s greatest ally, no less.

‘Her younger brother Tesser is still young, so it would be difficult for the hierarchy to be reversed.’

Serin is kind-hearted, so she wouldn’t treat her brother harshly. In that sense, I believe Serin ascending to the throne would be the best outcome.

Then the Emperor asked again.

“Will you accept? I called you here trusting your skills, which easily surpass those of the Imperial Knights’ Captain… Hmm.”

“I will gladly obey Your Majesty’s command.”

This was a mission I had to accept unconditionally. Serving as a guard to an imperial princess acting as ambassador would bring substantial financial rewards. Moreover, since I, as the captain, was taking to the field directly, the reputation of the Windmill Knights would also rise.

In fact, Rodrick didn’t object either.

He just grumbled about whether that monster of a woman really needed protection.

“Ah, that reminds me.”

The Emperor turned his piercing eyes toward me. It was truly a fearsome gaze befitting an absolute ruler. Though meant to convey authority, it was threateningly intense.

He spoke in a low voice, wrapped in several layers of solemnity.

“My daughter is truly innocent.”

“…Pardon?”

“I hope you remember that and conduct yourself properly.”

“I… understand.”

I didn’t really understand what he was saying, but I agreed unconditionally.

It was difficult to agree with the false premise that Serin was innocent, and his words suggesting he cared for her despite her being neglected in the palace were also puzzling.

Perhaps the truly innocent one was the Emperor himself, I thought irreverently.

The audience with the Emperor ended that way.

There shouldn’t be any problems, I presumed. I remember thinking that quite recently.

But there was a problem. A massive one, beyond imagination.

At the mansion I had purchased on the estate—now named Count Elenot’s Estate—a young girl’s wail erupted.

“Nooooooooo! I don’t want to, don’t want to, don’t want to! I want to go tooooo! I want to travel tooooo!”

It was Eshtiel’s tantrum.

Exercising the privilege of a child, the tyrant Eshtiel. Rodrick tried to soothe her.

“Little one, it’s not a trip, it’s a diplomatic event. Please stop crying…”

“Rodrick, you traitor!”

“Oh boy.”

“Why can’t I go? I want to go too! I’ll be so damn cool!”

“Good grief.”

Rodrick grabbed the back of his neck, wondering where she had learned such language. I too was taken aback by Eshtiel’s shocking vocabulary and squeezed my eyes shut.

“Eshtiel.”

“Mmm.”

“If you come with me, you’ll have to study by my side every day.”

“Ugh.”

“But while I’m gone, I can’t monitor you, so there’s nothing I can do.”

“…”

“I’m just saying. I won’t be able to know what you’re doing, so I can’t worry about it.”

Eshtiel’s crying and fussing stopped abruptly. It seemed like high-level calculations were racing through that tiny head. I was worried her wisdom teeth might break through prematurely.

After finishing her calculations, Eshtiel pursed her lips like a duck’s bill.

“Have you decided?”

“…”

She nodded.

“Well done, our Count Eshtiel.”

“…”

Whisk!

Eshtiel turned her back and walked away sulkily. She’d probably lock herself in her room for three or four hours, but she’d soon come out. By the time of my departure, she would surely come to see me off with an adorable smile.

Meanwhile, Rodrick seemed troubled.

“I swear, that, that, that! I wonder who she’s taking after with that bad temper.”

“Who knows.”

Since it’s not me, it’s reasonable to assume it’s Rodrick.

“She’ll get over it soon anyway.”

“I know, she’s just a kid after all.”

What an optimistic dismissal.

Little did we know we would soon pay the price for our carelessness.

Eshtiel’s mind was more extraordinary than adults could imagine.

I would soon learn that lesson painfully, as if struck by lightning.

◇

The long-awaited day arrived.

The day I would visit the Carnar Kingdom as Bellonin Empire’s ambassador. And the precious days when I could enjoy intimate dates with Rahilt at the same time!

As soon as we were far from the imperial palace, I invited Rahilt into my carriage. Under the pretext of needing close protection, no one could object.

Rumors quickly spread that Knight Captain Ruslet had gone into seclusion after being defeated by Rahilt. And that it was a completely one-sided defeat.

Since Ruslet didn’t bother to correct the rumors, they became established facts in social circles.

Not allowed in the carriage? It’s inefficient? Nonsense! If you don’t like it, you should be stronger than Rahilt.

That’s how the current situation came to be. The happy arrangement of facing each other alone in a carriage that was spacious yet intimate!

I asked him, who seemed somewhat dazed.

“Hey, Rian. What are you thinking about?”

“I was thinking about Eshtiel.”

“Tiel?”

“Yes. She didn’t even come to see us off, so I’m worried about where she might be hiding. Rodrick will find her, but I can’t help feeling anxious.”

“Oh dear…”

Our sweet Cupitiel seems quite angry. I thought she would follow Rahilt around for anything related to him…

I too had fallen helplessly for Tiel’s cuteness, so I was concerned about her.

Still, I didn’t want to see Rahilt looking dejected. I wanted him to cheer up and smile, even a little.

I quietly lifted my bottom and moved to sit beside Rahilt. His shoulders flinched, and he slightly pushed his hips into the corner. Like prey cornered by a predator.

I found it somehow cute and unconsciously licked my lips. Oh my, what if I really become a beast at this rate?

Rustle.

The sound of uniforms brushing against each other. Since Rahilt had tucked his hips in, I pushed mine in that direction too.

I’m so glad I’m not wearing a dress. As I was dispatched as an ambassador, I wore a uniform today. Thanks to that, the distance between us could become even closer.

“Rian.”

“…Yes, Serin.”

“Why are you avoiding me like that?”

“We’re close. Too close.”

“Come on, aren’t we familiar enough with this kind of distance?”

“I… I really don’t understand what you mean by ‘familiar’…”

Oh my, not knowing isn’t an excuse. After all this time I’ve been teaching you.

If you don’t know, you should learn. Ignorance isn’t a sin, but knowing and not acting—that’s a sin!

So shouldn’t I, who knows better, take action first?

“I told you during the attack incident, didn’t I? That Rian is my person. And I’ve never called anyone else my person before.”

“Is… that so.”

“That means Rian is my only person. At this point, we’re not just an ordinary relationship, don’t you think?”

“That seems… reasonable…?”

“In other words, distance isn’t an issue between us!”

“Uh, um. Hmm…”

See? I’ve only pushed a little, and he’s already about to give in. When it’s this easy, I feel a tingling sense of guilt beneath my chest. Why is he so innocent?

“Makes me want to pinch him…”

“…Serin?”

“Eek, I let that slip.”

“I didn’t hear anything…”

But since I’ve brought it up, maybe I could ask for permission. Before Rian could pretend he hadn’t heard, I made my move.

“Can I pinch you?”

“P-pardon?”

“Just lightly. Just a little.”

Rahilt agonized. Though he was reserving his answer, I could already predict his conclusion. This was the same Rahilt who had previously consented to letting me touch his hair as much as I wanted. The hurdle for approving slight physical contact must have lowered considerably.

Eventually, Rahilt dropped his head weakly.

“If it’s gentle… I suppose it’s fine.”

Is he seriously asking me to be gentle?

How does he so perfectly hit the points that provoke my sadistic tendencies?

Is Rahilt a genius at male behavior?

‘I see… Is this what they call a match made in heaven… Is this what marriage is?’

My husband drives me crazy.

So without hesitation, I lightly pinched the back of Rahilt’s hand.

“Ugh.”

“Haah…”

Our moans mingled. It was just slightly lifting the skin, yet why was it so exciting? I became afraid of myself, feeling like I might cross a line.

“Hey, Rian. How far can I pinch you?”

“How far…?”

“Like the back of your hand. Or your forearm. Or the nape of your neck. Or your thigh.”

And if it’s the thigh, how deep is the permissible range—I want to know everything.

While saying this, I lightly pinched his forearm. Rahilt’s moan was so close it was troubling. At this rate, I might feel it through my ears.

“Ugh…”

“Haah…”

“It’s… difficult to say. How about you stop if I can’t handle it?”

“Haha…”

Rahilt must not be in his right mind either. His reasoning must have deteriorated rapidly from trying to stop me. If he were in his right mind, he would have refused, saying we’d enjoyed enough.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t a woman who declined a feast laid before me.

“Then a position where it’s easier for Rian to stop me would be better, right?”

“Is there such a position?”

“Why wouldn’t there be?”

I gently stood up and slowly sat down on Rahilt’s lap. I stretched my legs out on the long seat and leaned my back against the side of the carriage.

It was like being held like a princess.

My shoulders used Rahilt’s chest as a backrest, which was comfortable. Literally, Rahilt’s profile was right in front of me. The sensation of our body heat mixing was thrilling.

The feeling of his firm thighs was rather uncomfortable, but that added to the excitement.

“Eep.”

“Serin… hnngh.”

“Rian… when you make strange sounds like that, it makes me want to pinch harder.”

“This… I, I really don’t understand what Serin is trying to do…”

“It’s okay. Let’s learn slowly, together.”

We have plenty of time.

Let’s spend lots of time together while I serve as ambassador.

“Rian, how do you feel like this?”

“…”

For a moment, Rahilt, whose entire body from collarbone to earlobe had turned bright red, buried his head against me as if giving up.

“Whoa…”

I almost screamed at the unexpected action. It seemed impossible to control my desires without screaming. However, I managed to endure and embraced Rahilt to my chest.

‘This is… maternal love…’

No, it was just plain desire.

Now, about the question of how he felt.

Rahilt squeezed out an answer in a shrinking voice.

“I don’t know…”

And so Rahilt broke his promise with Rodrick to seal away the “I don’t know” answer.

For a while, his hot body temperature soaked me thoroughly.

It was an afternoon when I felt my heart might stop.