Chapter 7 - Volume 01; Act 04 – Part 02 (2/2)

“But in the end, it caused you to come to a misunderstanding. My mind really went blank at that time… Well, but thanks to that, you were made aware of me,” he said, smiled and wholly regained his composure. He continued to smile as he walked back and sat down next to me again.

He stared at me with his kind and somewhat mischievous eyes, and it was like he could see the change in my heart.

I suddenly realised that blood was flowing to my cheeks. To what extent was I under his control?

“But, I really regret that I hurt you enough for you to give me back this book. I’ve been searching for this book for a long time for you. I wanted to see you happy… Will you receive it again?”

He offered me the rare book that I had given back to him the other day.

The feelings of loss I felt when I had parted with this book, and the feelings which had faded was refreshed in my mind. My chest felt tight.

The thoughts, this was a little present to give me, and it wasn’t anything special, swirled in my mind.

But now, those thoughts had been overturned, and His Highness stared at me while looking serious and tense. Feelings that I couldn’t put into words swelled up within me.

He searched for this book for me. He wanted to see me happy.

“Yes… Thank you very much, Prince Christopher.”

I frantically fought the urge to run away as if I was reliving the feelings I had felt at that time while staring back at His Highness.

His Highness relaxed when I received the book. He wasn’t acting. He was really relieved.

“… Elli.”

His Highness grasped my hand again and smiled beautifully as he looked at me.

His sparkling smile, and approaching blue eyes looked as if they were silently urging me to close my eyes.

“Your Highness…” I opened my mouth as usual in this sweet aura.

“――― What is the hidden name of my family?”

His Highness’s face which was on the verge of touching me, sunk… “Can’t you ask that later, Elli?” His mutter sounded somewhat sorrowful.

Did I say something, inexcusable?

He softly sighed sadly. He pressed the corner of his eyes as if to change his mood and aligned his eyesight with mine again.

“Before I tell you that, I will tell you this, so you don’t misunderstand.”

“Okay.”

“I don’t want you by my side because of the Bernstein’s hidden name. I want you to keep that in mind.”

His beautiful blue eyes captured me and didn’t let me go. He has been calling me by my pet name for a while now, but I don’t even care about that.

His Highness’s smile became somewhat intense as I faltered.

“If you don’t believe me, then I don’t mind pushing you down right now.”

What?!

I quickly backed away and nodded like a bobby doll.

He began speaking with a smile.

The hidden name of my family is 『Brains of Southlynd』. Only the royal family and a small number of people know this. The Kings who the Bernstein House have served have prospered equally.

“That… is an honour…”

I was a bit puzzled.

Hasn’t my House just been a group of book-lovers for generations? Even father and brother aren’t the exception…

His Highness’s voice is mixed with bitter laughter, “Both Marquis Bernstein and Alfred have been outstanding ever since they started working in court. But, they didn’t desire promotions because of the Bernstein trait, and just wanted to be surrounded by books. So, the Prime Minister, Alex, and some others wanted to be appointed in their post and are always looking out for the opportunity to do so.”

“Oh…”

It seems that father and brother didn’t take on heavy responsibilities because I was chosen as His Highness’s fiancée.

Once again, I was surprised by the truth that he had revealed, and at the same time, I fully understood that it was because of my House’s hidden name, that conditions were applied to a proposal from the royal family.

However… in spite of this, my House has only weak and puny nobles in political relations.

His Highness laughed, “It’s good that the Bernstein House doesn’t put much importance on their abilities, but it is also a weakness. They’ve been working in the archives for generations because of this.”

No, Your Highness. That is the best job for Bernstein people.

“Elli, you’ve also shown that ability too. Don’t you remember?”

His Highness puffed out as if he was about to laugh as he watched me frown, “Jeez. ――― The embezzlement case in Weimar.”

He hinted, and I traced my memories.

If I’m not mistaken, that had happened when I first became His Highness’s fiancée. I wasn’t used to reading in his office at that time, so I listened in on the conversation between His Highness and Lord Alexei, and that was how it started.