Volume 1 Chapter 3 (1/2)

In the days following, their days had continued to be filled with preparations for the cere him increased in kind However, with this, there were also people who grew dissatisfied Precisely because she was young, Estelle was one of them

Estelle had so towards beco a priest, and constantly at the seminary However, as the cere up for the ceremony and weren't there, and the students were also rounded up as volunteers Estelle, with her boundless curiosity would have liked to participate, even as a volunteer, but with the cerethen their guard, Estelle's participation was overseen That said, even in the palace, there wasn't really anything to do It was on the level of trying on clothes and practising the trifling greetings for the ceremony itself Once that was over, she was suddenly free, and began to grow bored

Co to this, her last ray of hope lay in Al, who she loved like a real brother, and his accomplice, Urop The tould always play with her, so in this situation, Estelle headed straight for them But unfortunately, they were busy

”I'll help you too!”

She knew that they were busy, so she didn't ask them to play, but offered them help She really did want to help them; of course, part of that was that she didn't want to be the only one left out, and if she helped, the ould be done that ht be able to play That hy she was serious about it

”Ahh, umm…”

Here, Al was troubled He'd currently got outside work planned for the day, so couldn't really take Estelle along The entire city was filled with excite to asn't an easy task

If he was bringing Ceres or Sheila along, it would probably be fine, just with their age they'd be able to er They'd actually gone out like that to survey the city already But with Estelle's curiosity and the fact that she was an energetic ten year old, expecting the sauards that would be required would beable to h people to hand with the preparations to begin with, so he couldn't guarantee there would be enough soldiers

”T-then, Uro, can I get you to take Lady Estelle with you for the ithin the palace?”

”Was there any?” Al sought help from Urop next to him, but his eyes widened in surprise Al wanted help from Urop because he couldn't take her outside, but he hadn't thought that far and was confused at how Al's words fit with the schedule for today ”Weren't we racing around outside today?”

”Ehh!? We're going outside!? I'll come, I'll come!! I'll help too!!”

Estelle's eyes began to shi+ne all the more at Urop's slip At this point, she already had her heart set on going out

”Ah…”

Urop finally noticed his etically while poking his fingers together

”Sorry, Al…”

”Don't worry about it, it was sudden…” He hadn't explicitly asked for help, and he had no intention of an to think of what they would do now Doing so, it see Estelle's safety if they were to change the order of their destinations ”Princess, while we are out, can you promise to behave properly like a princess?”

”I will, I will! Behaving like big sis Ceres is fine, right!?”

”Estelle, not like Sheila, right?”

”Yeah, I know!”

Feeling that she e eyes sparkled as she pro bored in the palace, then even if it was a bit stiff, behaving like a princess outside was obviously better to her

”…Lady Sheila would be so angry if she heard you”

Se, he considered several problems with Estelle's trip He quickly co it to Urop

”Uro, could you take that to my sister?”

”Yeah… I see, we need to do that”

Urop glanced over the note before giving a big nod

Its contents were requests for a carriage for the outing with Estelle and to ask the bodyguards whether it was possible

”I'll be right back”

”Please, Uro”

Urop ran off io out, there were several arrange here would clearly relieve the pressure on the schedule Urop ran off, his little legsat full speed Even so, the best the dwarf could do was the pace of a nor him leave, Al crouched down next to Estelle and looked her in the eyes

”Lady Estelle”

”Al?”

Estelle noticed Al's serious face and answered with a puzzled expression

”Did I ask so I really shouldn't have?”

Suddenly, Estelle was struck with unease She loved Al as if he was her real brother, if he said it was impossible and disliked her, that would be the worst

”I truly intend to take you, but I also think that it's possible I may not be able to, if that happens, will you bear with it?”

”Yeah, I'll bear with it! Thank you, Al!”

Fortunately, Al kept selse selfish She was young and didn't understand a lot, but she had a vague understanding that Al orking hard for her It was because she couldn't ask anyone else that she came to Al, so she knew he actually wanted to say she couldn't So she began to think that if she was any more selfish, she really would make Al dislike her, and she didn't want that,else So she would behave like a proper princess and give up if she really couldn't In the end, while Estelle may be immature, she still had the disposition of a proper princess

”There are a few places nearby, so won't you come with me?”

”Yeah!”

Estelle nodded energetically and held her right hand out to Al He soon understood what she meant by it, but hesitated as to whether he should accept because of his position

”Al?”

”…It's nothing, let's go, shall we?”

”Let's go~~♪”

But at seeing Estelle's confused expression, Al took her hand and began to walk

”Lady Estelle is still young, so I probably don't need to be as careful as with Lady Ceres or Lady Sheila…”

Even as he thought that, he was slightly relieved that Estelle was still a child

The place Al took Estelle was to his master, Claas' office Claas Heidees, and would turn seventy that year He was their leader, and at the sadodom, the prime minister was at the top of domestic affairs and his role was to ih a level as practical

Claas had becoe as Al, in the latter half of his teens Since then, he had served the royal family loyally as more than fifty years had passed Even since he had become prime minister, at least thirty years had passed

Throughout his long career, there had been no shortage of serious incidents, but he had splendidly solved theh both his experience and his own natural discernment As an example, this sort of situation had occurred:

Several decades previously, nobles with royal blood had led an insurrection against the current king Normally they would have just been tried, but the fact that they were in the line of succession became an obstacle, and the decision, as to whether they should publicise their trial or to keep everything under wraps, loo, who couldn't come to a decision, in words that made it clear it was for the citizens, that he should not betray the popularity and publicised everything As a result, the populace had first been in uproar, but eventually, they ca just

Through this and other, sihout his career, if you were to ask the country which politician should represent them, which was the very model of loyalty, they would point to Claas Heidemann Now, he was respected on the sa and princesses

His youngest apprentice was Al, so whilst to Al he was his oal as a politician He wished to serve the country, to serve the princesses, through the years like Claas had, and so he strove, day and night in both his work and his training

”What's wrong, Al, did you ry?”

”No, that's not it” Because it was his master's office, and because he respected hi the room There was no need to be, and in fact, because he was still at the alliance , he wouldn't be in the room But his presence was ihtened himself and his expression stiffened Estelle had noticed those changes and worried about hi”

”Hmmm…”

She was young, so she didn't really seeet it, andlike an uncle She smiled at Al's taken aback face at her attitude and knocked on the door The door was h the palace corridor

”The door is open, enter”

A youngthe voice, Al turned the door-knob and entered the office

”Excuse me”

”'Scuse us”

Al entered hand-in-hand with Estelle and was e desk There were the tools of both a er than Ceres' Going by sheer size alone, it was probably the largest desk within the palace And that size itself was a symbol of Claas' importance within it

”Just on time, Alex”

Al's gaze moved from the empty desk to a smaller secretary's desk that was about half the size, and when he saw the person working there, his tension eased considerably

”Good , Elliot”

Al bowed his head to them His name was Elliot Wiseman, he had worked as Claas' aide for several years and was tall, with aimpression that set you at ease He was considerably older than Al, in his late twenties He stopped his work and smiled at Al and Estelle

”Lady Estelle, I am pleased to see you in a place like this”

Following his greeting to Al, he gave his greetings to Estelle while adjusting the monocle on his left eye

”Only having the one is way more fashi+onable…”

Al either studied too much, or his eyes were a little weak, so he co on his left eye Al had heard from him that he was born with a weaker left eye and couldn't part with his monocle So he always had it on his left eye, but it always fit with his clothes' designs and sharpened his intellectual ie

”Y-yeah, 'scuse me”

Contrary to Al, who had relaxed at seeing Elliot, Estelle had grown nervous Al noticed this, but thought that it was because she was intie and hadn't really rip on her hand, and she returned it tightly

”You've been working hard these past few days, Alex I suppose it's only fitting for Claas' apprentice”

Elliot continued his small conversation like that with them Al knew that Elliot would notice Estelle's unease and know not to push, he didn't just look talented, he was an extreuard with Claas' detail, but his outstanding talent had caught Claas' eye and he had conised as a successor to Claas' work

”My thanks”

And Elliot was soe and a politician, Claas was Al's goal, but as an adult, Elliot was Al always felt that Elliot’s refinedpraised by hiave him a small smile, it was the srew up, a smile with confidence and composure

”Ha ha ha, Alex, young people like you should be a little more overconfident”

”Should I?”

”Baseless confidence and just a little a”

”Then I want to become like you”

”I'm happy to have you say that, Alex Then, to act as an example to you, let's move on to work”

”Right”

With an energetic nod, Al thought to himself earnestly

”Elliot really is an adult… If I could be like that in the future…”

If Al became like Elliot, he was sure he would be able to support the princesses, both in public and in private Al had very little time left that he could act like their childhood friend Without a doubt they would need someone like Elliot in his relationshi+ps and ability Al couldn't think of anything better as their childhood friend than being able to support the princesses nonchalantly like that Even as that era drew to a close, he would stand in the shade with his sister Friede and protect them as they stood in the sun

”Lady Maltina, please bring what I requested earlier”

Elliot turned to the other side of the roo like him Her name was Maltina, she was another of Claas' aides, with a differing skill-set Maltina was his apprentice froeneration before Al, and could probably be called his sister apprentice She helped Claas here and her role was to head the work related to s In other words, Elliot helped with the political side of things, and Maltina helped with the ic side Of course, she was also well trusted by Claas

Coraces, her expression was always severe, and her voice clipped Al always felt like he would end up angering her as he spoke with her Thanks to that, both Al and Estelle had stiffened, Al with nervousness towards Maltina, and Estelle with the sahtened even further

”I shall bring it presently”

Maltina placed a bundle of papers on a large tray, and brought them to Elliot Whilst she did so, her harsh expression didn't falter in the slightest and as she approached, Al realised what the papers were They were many letters, tied into a bundle with a thick cord

”Alex, your job today is to distribute these”

Elliot took the bundle fro from its thickness it would take about half the day to do so

”Huh? Were the invitations not distributed last month?”

”This is the extension of those invitations” Al was puzzled, and Elliot took thenificance of this year's cereine?”

”I do…”

He understood that, but didn't understand why they were sending invitations again The responses had coo

”I'd like you to keep this to yourself, but… these letters are final confirmations to determine ill be absent, to improve the impression of the display If the reserved seats were empty because someone didn't attend… I'm sure you understand?”

”Ahh, so that's what it was”

Al understood the circumstances

Even if they had said they would attend, there would be several whose schedules would have changed and could no longer make it If there were many, then the empty seats on the day would draw the eye If they were left like that, it would give a bad impression to the people To avoid that, they had to re-confirm attendance closer to the day, and revise the number of seats

”That'see the i the seats on the day would be aard… I see, I'll remember this…”

Along with his adraved it on his mind He intended to serve the royal faht process would be necessary in the future, he couldn't just admire it

”I understand, I shall do so immediately”

”Please do, Alex And I don't think there's any need to say to you, but make sure not to mistake the address”

”Right, I'll do my utmost”

Each letter was to be sent to a key figure, influential nobles and clergy with resident ambassadors were soht of rudeness Not only because the letter would be in the wrong place, but also in highly political ways It was a job that would require attentiveness But rather than think that a burden, Al felt happy Being given a job like that showed that he was trusted, so Al was in high spirits

”And also escort Lady Estelle properly”

The discussion of as over, so Elliot closed just the eye behind his monocle and smiled at Al

”You already know?”

”Of course, I a in for prime minister Claas after all The report and request soon arrived her Your requests were all granted, please take good care of lady Estelle”

”I will”

”…But then, that's not so I really need to ask you”

Elliot gazed at Al and Estelle's hands, which had been entwined the entire ti in the slightest, but with a ser siblings

”Not at all, thank you for being careful”

Al bowed deeply to Elliot, took the letters and gave his farewells

”Then, Elliot, Maltina, please excuse me, I think I'd like to deliver these quickly”

”I' on you”

”Good day”

”Right, I shall go and do so”

With another bow, Al led Estelle out of the room by her hand She had been silent up to that point, and rey when they had stepped into the corridor and the thick door had closed after them

”Puwaaaaaaahhh…”

Still holding Al's hand, she let out a slightly exaggerated sigh, and then looked up at Al and s her smile, Al asked

”Lady Estelle, do you really dislike Elliot?”

”Yeah, I just don't really get hihtly She really didn't like him ”He's not really… clear… like you and Urop”

That was Estelle's sensitivity, she liked people like Al and Urop whose impression matched their true selves But Elliot wasn't like that Elliot had a mask he showed, she could feel that and didn't feel like his true self matched it This was her frank impression due to her youth, it was part of the skills of a priest that she was born with that she felt it like this

”So Lady Estelle is scared of Elliot's 'adult-like' parts…”

What Al viewed as reliable, Estelle saw as unfa an adult's composure well, Al would be able to hide the fact that he held feelings beyond that of loyalty to the princesses, and it would be helpful But if heill-will and discontent Al felt that because Estelle was still young, she wanted simplicity and honesty, so was afraid of that

”So… umm, don't… become like that?” Estelle looked worriedly up at Al But Al couldn't immediately assent to her words, because Elliot was one of his goals ”Me and my sisters want you like you are”

”…Lady Estelle…”

Her words were easy to understand and rephrase, she wanted him as her childhood friend forever

But as the princesses grew, the time that would end approached, no matter how Al and the princesses felt, that was an inescapable reality

”…Then I shall try my best to remain so”

So it was all Al could do to answer like that

The Freislein palace had itsitself was on a sht from dawn until dusk, this was one of the architects' ideas to made the palace as beautiful as possible The town had developed froes that left the palace often left to the south and set out for e Al was in was no exception, and used the southern road, and after reaching the botto to the east Ahead of them was the first destination for the day

The carriage they were using wasn't a dedicated Royal's carriage, but was one used by officials at the palace for their work Estelle was going out into the town relatively covertly, so they couldn't use a dedicated carriage Therefore, Estelle wasn't alone in the carriage, Al and the others were also riding with her In addition to Al and Estelle, Urop and Friede were riding with the the total to four

”I apologise for pulling you away from your duties whilst you were busy, lady Bartrall”

”I don't rowing a little tiring”

Friede was riding with theuard, and for the sa the the uniforuards There were four riding on horses around the carriage, and the carriage's driver was another Couards, but they were all for Estelle being out in the city covertly

”There's no one else here, so we can chat like normal, eh, Estelle?”

”Uri's right, everyone's being so quiet”

Al and Friede were both intending to work, but the other tere in a playful ainst the atching the streets overfloith a festive mood

”We can't do that, ill be working soon”

Al gave a pained s for the entire day like Estelle and Urop wanted was te, but unfortunately, they couldn't