Chapter 18 - Curiosity (1) (1/2)

Chapter 18 – Curiosity (1)

His voice was soft and sweet, but there was a note of self-important pride in it.

And he had called me Queen. He was not the only foreigner to do so, but the word felt strange as I had been sending messages with Queen the bird.

Did that mean…Prince Heinley was Queen’s owner? Did he think I was his letter acquaintance? I had a moment of suspicion, but soon dismissed it. It didn’t matter if he wrote those letters. I had no intention of meeting Queen’s owner in real life.

The knight standing next to me frowned as if offended. He seemed to think that it was rude for the prince to ask me to guide him around the palace.

“Alright.”

Nevertheless, there was no knowing when his country would surpass the Eastern Empire. I would not stir up unnecessary trouble with a prince who might succeed to the throne in the future.

After a moment’s thought, the proud attitude on the Prince Heinley’s face vanished, replaced with an innocent smile as he offered his arm to me. I took it, and contrary to his beautiful and fine appearance, his arm felt densely muscled. I let go of it in surprise, and he looked at me curiously.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

I couldn’t very well say that he was more solid than I expected, so I quickly looked away.

“Have you ever been to the Silver Garden? It’s the closest garden to the southern palace. It’s very beautiful.”

“I’ve been around the southern palace, naturally.”

I pondered for a moment as we walked along the corridor exiting the central palace. The central palace was primarily used for work, with many forbidden areas to outsiders, so it was inappropriate for me to show him around there. The southern palace was used to house the foreign guests, and he must have toured around the area.

Then there was still the western palace…we could share a cup of tea, so the western palace should be at the end.

I could escort him to the Emperor’s eastern palace, but I was reluctant to run across Rashta. We could easily skip that and go to the north palace…

“Your Majesty?”

I was strolling forward without saying a word, and Prince Heinley called out me. Something in his voice made my ears tingle.

“I was thinking about what to show you first.”

“Ah. Then I want to go–”

Before Prince Heinley finished speaking, a familiar person ran towards us from the garden bushes.

“Your Majesty!”

Rashta. Despite my efforts to avoid here, she still appeared in front of me. I sighed, keeping on my mask as I nodded to her.

“Your Majesty, are you talking a walk? Rashta’s taking a walk too.”

“Yes.”

I had no idea where her inexhaustible energy came from. Last time I saw her, we didn’t part on the best terms.

“I came from over there.”

She pointed her finger at the path she had followed, then smiled brightly and bowed to the prince.

“Hello, I’m Rashta.”

I thought the prince would be offended by this unnoble greeting, but he smiled unexpectedly and copied Rashta’s mannerism.

“Hello, I’m Heinley.”

Rashta’s giggle was like a silver bell.

“You’re funny! Your Majesty, who is this? I’ve never seen him before.”

Heinley introduced himself before I could.

“I’m Prince Heinley from the Western Kingdom.”

“Wow! Prince?!”

Rashta covered her mouth with her hands, then squealed in excitement.

“Rashta has never seen a prince!”

“Haha, is that so?”

“You really look like a prince. From a fairy tale book.”

“Goodness. You flatter me, Rashta.”

A pink flush rose on Rashta’s cheeks.

“Are you two taking a walk together?”

“I asked the Empress to show me around.”

“This place is wonderful, isn’t it? There are a lot of places to see.”

“I haven’t seen everything, but so far, it’s been incredible.”