Chapter 6 - Volume 01; Act 04 – Part 01 (1/2)

Volume 01; Act 04 – Part 01

Act 04: After Getting Off the Stage

I remained in a daze as His Highness kept his hands on my waist, and we walked down the familiar corridor, which lead to his office.

His Highness heard more about the situation at the river from Sir Glenn, who looked tired and gave him further instructions. We joined up with Prince Theodore and Lord Alexei, who was waiting for His Highness half-way to the office.

I finally realised now that these two weren’t present at the stage play. Did His Highness’s close aides all appear because they were worried that it would have looked like a really well-devised plot? In the books that my aunt made me read to her, the main characters were always on the stage.

…… No.

When did this stage begin and what kind of plot was prepared?

Wasn’t my role 『Princess Bibliophile』? Did I misread the script somewhere?

My head was turning in chaos.

Prince Theodore, who was returning a book to His Highness, took a quick look at me in concern, “――― Elli? Are you alright?”

His ultramarine eyes, which were deeper than His Highness’s, looked at me with sincerity.

“I’m sorry. I’m sure Chris told you, but I kept you away from the archives because of the dangers. The staff also kept you away because we were worried about you. They were all worried that you might have been offended by this. There’s nothing to be concerned about anymore, so you can use the archives like you used to.”

This is the same Prince Theodore, whom I know from when we would discuss books. Without knowing, I relaxed and sighed in relief.

“… Okay.”

Prince Theodore suddenly let out a small mischievously laughter.

“Even so… You’ve done it, Chris. I didn’t think you would use that situation to press your marriage forward.”

They must have seen the whole thing from somewhere. His Highness’s changed entirely from somewhat displeased, and he smiled vividly.

“The early bird gets the worm. My last barrier, Viscount Casull, has also been removed. With this, old man Bernstein won’t have anything to complain about.”

I looked up at His Highness curiously when he said my grandfather’s name. Prince Theodore smiled somewhat sadistically.

“I thought it was almost time for the finale, so you should thank me for calling Elli, Chris. ――― Well, personally, I wouldn’t have cared if the situation got worse.”

His Highness suddenly dishevelled as if he was scuffed.

“I’m sure I’ve told you many times to stop acting as if you’re in love with your nephew’s fiancée… How much younger do you think Elli is from you?”

“You lolicon,” I think I heard words that sounded like something His Highness wouldn’t say. I’m sure it was just my imagination.

“It’s common for there to be an age difference in marriages between nobles. Besides, I’m the one who gets along with her the best. But a certain someone always glares at me.”

“It’s because you’re overly familiar with her, Uncle! And, stop calling her in a friendly manner, Elli this and Elli that!”

… Where did His Highness, who had calmly exposed other’s crimes from a while ago, go?

I watched their exchange with my eyes sparkling, and a frosty voice containing displeasure spoke, “Please keep your banter at that. There’s a pile of new work to do thanks to the clean-up and Your Highness’s words.”

“Ah,” Sir Glenn hung his head down exhaustingly.

“Seriously… Give me a break. You can’t just wrap everything up suddenly no matter how much you’re being pestered about the deadline. We collected evidence in three days for a case that we’ve been secretly investigating for a month. Are you planning to work us to death? I’ll freaking resent you if my guards start wanting to change their post one after the other.”

“Geez,” Lord Alexei didn’t try to hide his irritation.

“Isn’t it about time to let the 『Brains of Southlynd』go back to their secluded life after we dragged them out onto the main stage for the first time in several generations? What the heck was the handsome Prince doing when he had four years?” This was the relentless Sir Alexei’s sarcasm. His Highness looked sullen.

“I didn’t want Elli as my partner just because she’s a Bernstein.”

“I know. Please confess your first love to her while you two are alone. It’s absurd, and I can’t stand listening to it.”

Lord Alexei flipped through the bundle of paper indifferently like usual. Then, a new member appeared with a bright voice, “――― Honestly, the handsome Prince is actually such a good-for-nothing. If she had known, Ireeeennne would have taken a different offence.”

It was Alan, the Royal Maestro with honey-coloured hair. He laughed mischievously.

He quickly took my hand as soon as he reached us and dropped his mouth on it. His cunning green eyes captured me.

“Let me introduce myself again, Miss Elianna Bernstein. I’m Alan Ferrera. I’m the one who spread your nickname as ‘Fairy Princess’. I’ll be happy if you treat me as close as Alex and the others from now on.”

Fairy Princess?

I blinked and denied in my mind. What kind of joke is this?

To tell the truth, I had another nickname when I was staying at the fief. It was… 『Ghost of the Library』.

My light blonde hair, which I had inherited from my late mother, was thin and spread out messily. It looks as if my hair faintly floats in the dim-darkness. Also, my skin paler than white because I only read books in a room, and I’m expressionless because I prefer books over people.

Those features of mine further enhanced the image of a ghost.