Chapter 43 (2/2)
At first, Prince Edwill was bewildered by the dishes he had never seen before, but after Prince Sedrim and I started eating, he resolved himself and placed it in his mouth.
Immediately following, his body trembled and stiffened as if he was mesmerised, but after returning from his stiffness, he started eating with incredible vigor.
He had one serving of stewed hamburger steak and two servings of potage, after asking for seconds, he also had five servings of bread.
Prince Sedrim was disheartened he didn’t get a second serving for himself, but I’ll be omitting it since it’s a trivial matter.
After finis.h.i.+ng the meal, I took out some b.u.t.ter cookies and cold herb tea for the two princes, then cleaned up.
While I was cleaning up, I hear the two people’s voices from behind me.
「Oi, Sedrim. Are you always eating such delicious things?」
「Let me see, I can’t say always, but.」
Well, he only comes to eat without permission.
「Alright, I’ve decided I’ll also eat dinner here from tomorrow.」
Eh? What are they talking about?
Please wait! Just the Prince alone is enough you know!?
「Wait, elder brother!」
That’s right! Prince, do your best!
Prince Sedrim says ‘please come here’, drags him to the corner of the room, then says something while whispering in a low voice.
The two people occasionally looked my way, then continued on whispering.
After finis.h.i.+ng their secret talk and returning, Prince Edwill started talking with a grin.
「Since that’s the case, I’ll refrain myself. Sedrim, do your best.」
He slapped Sedrim’s back with enough strength to make a banban sound.
As Prince Sedrim responded with a frown, he stopped.1
What could they have talked about…?
I’m also bothered by that expression Prince Edwill had but…
「But, you know. It’s unforgiveable that only Sedrim alone gets to eat such delicious things. Even if it’s just that bread, can’t you do something about it?」
Like I’ve said, Prince Sedrim just decided on his own to come here to eat.
Or rather, earlier when I heard the First Prince speak, didn’t he have that annoying formal speech?
Rather, I feel he’s a troublesome character…
Although it’s a different meaning from annoying, it’s still annoying.2!
When I checked with Prince Sedrim,「the pride of a royalty is high」, is what he said.
In other words, if his pride isn’t damaged then he won’t be hard to deal with, is what it seems. As expected, he appears to be a troublesome person.
So that means, the way I should deal with this situation is…
「Haa, I can’t promise anything but… If it’s just once in a while, how about letting Prince Sedrim to bring you along?」
In other words, even if I only give him a gift once, I haven’t particularly lied.3
「Fu, that will be fine. I’m looking forward to it.」
Alright, the matter of having two princes intrude me everyday has disappeared.
「Fu, then, I should be heading back. Sedrim, you, haven’t had that talk yet right? Quickly finish it then come back. Well then.」
Uーn, a free spirit ne. As expected, this prince, is also person of royalty ne.
Prince Edwill grabbed several pieces of bread from the kitchen, then headed back home.
Please don’t just take them without permission…
「And, what is this ‘talk’ about?」
We returned to the living room after seeing off Prince Edwill, we faced each other while drinking iced tea.
「Aah, there’s something I want to request of Sakura, but.」
「I’ll decline.」
I have a terrible premonition it’s a something troublesome.
「Come on, at least decline after hearing the story.」
Somehow, just from hearing that, why do I feel it’ll be a troublesome matter?
When the Prince fixedly gazed at me, I started back at him(with upturned eyes because of the difference in height).
The Prince blushed and averted his eyes.
In this situation, what’s there to be shy about…?
「To tell the truth, I want Sakura to attend the next ball.」
Even though I didn’t say I wanted to hear it, he still started talking on his own accord!?
「As my partner.」
As expected, it’s something troublesome!
「For the next ball, there’s a rule where we need to be accompanied by a partner you see. However, since I’m obligated to partic.i.p.ate…」
「How do you usually do it? Isn’t it fine if you just do it like before?」
It should be fine to do something similar this time as well.
「I usually ask my little sister, Aria, but Aria is currently doing an inspection. I don’t have a partner this time.」
Even if you say that, why does it have to be me?
「Isn’t it fine if you just ask out a n.o.ble’s daughter since you’re a prince? Such as one of your fiancée candidates. Wouldn’t they accept with pleasure?」
Honestly, I have a feeling of ‘I want to see it’.
Although I know it’s a place where maliciousness are exchanged behind smiles, it might be worth taking a glimpse of the gorgeous exterior. Though I’d decline going twice ne.
「That, wouldn’t work na. I’ve told you the reason why I didn’t get engaged right? If I take one as a partner to the ball, everybody around me would see. When that happens, it’ll become troublesome afterwards.」
Is it my imagination? The Prince has a unpleasant-like expression.
「Then isn’t it the same if you go together with me? Rather, I hate being seen with those kinds of eyes you know?」
「Sakura is a commoner right? I believe the chances of that happening is little since you’re different from n.o.bles, but it won’t make much difference what they think4. Please Sakura, I can only rely on you. You understand right?」
After saying that, the Prince lowered his head.
Like I’ve said, even as a joke, royalty(following omitted). (note: it’s like this in the raw)
As expected, this sure is a troublesome matter. A bad natured one in addition…
Which was why I didn’t want to hear it you know.
「As expected, is it impossible…?」
When I said nothing, the Prince slightly raised his head and peeped at me.
With eyes like an abandoned puppy!
AAAAAAH, there’s an illusion of a pair of ears and a tail drooping down!
This is hard to deal with, this fellow with round and cute eyes of a small animal!
「I understand! Since I understand, please raise your head!」
As I shouted after being defeated, the Prince suddenly raised his head, no, let alone his head, he stood up and approached my direction and hugged me.
「Thank you! I had faith Sakura would accept! With this, it’s going according to plan!!」
Although the Prince shouted out something, I didn’t take heed of it.5
As I was being hugged while still sitting down, I was lifted up.
The Prince’s height is 184cm, mine is 140cm, rounded up.
My legs were completely lifted off the ground you know?
Since I was shaken and swung around in that situation, I held onto the Prince’s neck and franticly clung on in order not to fall.
As one would expect, being a knight, he has a fine body ne…
Nono, this isn’t the situation to be thinking of such things!
For an instant, in the corner of my vision, I had a feeling I saw Prince Edwill peeking into the living room from the garden but… It’s my imagination, right?
「Well then, when’s that ball or whatever?」
After finally being released, I verify the necessary matters.
「It’s the day after tomorrow.」
Ha?
「Since the ball is in the evening of the day after tomorrow, a dress will be prepared tomorrow. Come over to the castle at 4-2 koku.」
「Day after tomorrow you say…. No matter how you put it, isn’t this too sudden? I, won’t be able to do any preparations you know!?」
Right, even temporarily, I’m going as the partner of a prince. I also can’t behave badly.6
「The preparations will be done on our end. What’s necessary should just be the dress’ measurements? You don’t have to worry, it’ll be fine to just stay beside me. It’s not necessary to dance either okay.」
Eh? Is it okay if I don’t do anything?
Something’s strange. This was only the beginning of the discomfort I felt about this matter.
「That’s why I’d like you to come over to the castle tomorrow morning. As expected, since if we don’t hurry, there won’t be enough time for the dress.」
Umm, 4-2 koku should be 9am ne. Maa, if it’s that much…
「Well for now, I understand. Since I’ve taken this responsibility, I’ll do my best.」
「I’ll be relying on you.」
A short time later, the Prince returned home.
A fuzziness was left in my chest…7
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