Reunion with the Imperial Princess (3)

Click, clack.

In the silent hall, only the sound of the princess’s footsteps echoed.

People swallowed nervously, keeping their eyes fixed on the princess.

‘Wait, wait.’

She had even directly invited me to the Founding Festival, so I suspected she might approach me.

But to think she would actually come to me in front of all these people?

As the princess drew closer and closer, I couldn’t help but feel flustered.

‘… They say dragons are extremely greedy for what they consider theirs, don’t they?’

As I looked into the princess’s eyes, I suddenly remembered what Grancesia had once said.

Tap.

As expected, the princess stopped right in front of me.

She slowly took in my appearance, then looked up at me deliberately.

“It is an honor to meet Your Highness, the princess renowned as the imperial treasure…”

As the princess came up close, I prepared to bow in greeting.

But the princess acted a step faster than I.

“W-what is…!”

“Why is Her Highness the Princess…?!”

The formerly quiet hall instantly became noisy.

It was natural. After all, the princess had just dropped to one knee before me, bowing deeply.

Such an extreme gesture of respect was reserved only for the emperor, so confusion overtaking the hall was inevitable.

I myself was momentarily so stunned I just stood there.

“It’s an honor to see you again, sir Clay Vanhart. Or are you a count now?”

Rising slowly, the princess looked unbothered.

Whether the people around her were shocked or not, her expression gave the impression that she hardly cared.

“… You really do remember me.”

“Fufu, how could I possibly forget that day? Can you see this?”

The princess pointed to her waist. Hanging there was an ornament made from a broken horn.

“I remember it all. Every word Count Clay spoke to me back then…”

Having said that, the princess glanced fleetingly at my hand.

I was wearing a pair of black gloves.

She must be interested in what is hidden under them.

“The gift you left me, Princess, is still under here.”

“That’s a relief. Ah, and your thumb—does it still bear that scar…?”

The thumb? Was she talking about the wound she gave me with her bite?

I never imagined she’d still remember something like that.

“There’s still a small scar, but nothing serious.”

According to Michelle, treatment was delayed as the wound on my thumb wasn’t discovered immediately.

So there was a small scar left, but it hasn’t really been a problem.

With my reply, the princess’s red lips gently curled into a soft smile.

“That is… truly fortunate.”

[Wow, that’s creepy.]

At the princess’s words, Grancesia mumbled as if disgusted.

What on earth is so creepy?

I was puzzled by Grancesia’s response, but more than that, I felt the need to address the situation.

Every eye in the hall was turned to me and the princess.

Noticing my discomfort, the princess turned and spoke.

“The music has stopped… For a banquet, the atmosphere is not what it should be.”

At her words, the orchestra, which had been frozen stiff, resumed its playing.

“This banquet is for the heroes who graciously attended the Founding Festival of the Empire on my invitation. Please, think nothing of me and enjoy yourselves.”

With those words, those who had been staring turned away, somewhat embarrassed.

Although I could still feel furtive glances, it was far less intense than before.

Besides, with the princess standing by my side, no one else came near.

‘Actually, maybe this is for the best.’

I never expected an awkward opportunity like this would arise, but since delaying things would do no good, I thought it was just as well.

I spoke to the princess in a quiet voice only she could hear.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

“After this banquet, there is something I must discuss privately with you. Would that be all right?”

“Oh my.”

She laughed, seemingly delighted.

“That’s a most welcome invitation.”

As if she had been waiting for those very words.

* * *

“What exactly is your relationship with the princess, Count Vanhart?”

Right after the banquet ended.

Alex, along with Eric and Floria, all rushed over to me. Even Zelbin was visibly curious.

‘But didn’t Zelbin see the princess? Or was he too far to see her face clearly?’

Otherwise, he couldn’t have stayed so calm after encountering her.

If Michelle had seen her that close, he might have even freaked out right here.

“I met Her Highness by chance once, a long time ago, during the Empire’s New Year Festival. That’s all.”

“That’s all? That’s hard to believe…”

No one seemed satisfied by my explanation that it was just a chance encounter.

I didn’t bother to elaborate, since I had no real reason to convince them.

“More importantly, I have a separate appointment with the princess, so I’ll be going ahead.”

“What, an appointment? With Princess Riya Asktalin!?”

Startled, Alex shouted, then quickly nodded and stepped back.

“… Understood. Anyway, thanks to you, Count, our kingdom’s prestige was upheld today. Thank you.”

That must be his gratitude for putting that representative from Darsha, Arsabin Hozen, in his place.

“But I swear, I’ll defeat Arsabin myself, sooner or later.”

Alex’s eyes still burned with anger, perhaps unable to forget the humiliation.

‘At first I thought he was a bit abrasive, but turns out he’s got principles.’

At first, Alex spoke down to me, but as his understanding of me grew, so did his respect.

He was just a bit rough, not a bad guy after all.

Which must be why he was chosen as a representative.

If not for my appointment with the princess, I would have wanted to chat more with them at the lodging tonight, but, unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time.

“See you all at the lodgings later.”

As I waved gently, the others looked regretful.

But none could stop me, not with the princess waiting.

[You sure are bold. Are you really going to meet with her?]

‘You’re the one who suggested it in the first place.’

[Yeah, but… you know, she’s even crazier than I thought.]

No one but this girl would call the princess crazy.

It’s fascinating how a woman who speaks like a seventy-year-old saint can be so blunt, like a mercenary.

[Hmph! Just because I’m a priest, I don’t have to use polite language. That’s your prejudice.]

‘Aren’t you not just a priest but a saint?’

[Like I said before, I don’t need a title that tries to dress up the power I fought for as some kind of divine blessing!]

‘Still, I knew you’ll pull it out whenever it’s convenient later.’

She really was shameless.

For once, my teasing seemed to hit a nerve, and Grancesia grew quiet.

“By the way, after I walk out of the banquet hall, a maid is supposed to meet me…”

After arriving at the meeting spot, I glanced around, only to sense someone behind me.

I turned my head, and sure enough, a maid was standing there — though I had no idea when she’d appeared.

“I have been waiting for you, Count Clay Vanhart.”

The maid spoke in a flat voice and immediately began to guide me.

It truly was the imperial palace; the corridors were complex and vast.

It took me at least thirty minutes before I arrived at the princess’s quarters.

“Her Highness is inside.”

The maid spoke in a dull tone as she opened the door to the chambers.

‘Somehow, I sense fear.’

I sensed a strange fear in the maid’s demeanor. She was trying to look calm, but she was clearly terrified.

‘… Is she afraid of the princess?’

The doors the maid opened were like the jaws of a dragon, greedy and gaping wide.

* * *

The interior of the palace was overall dim.

For the residence of a princess known as the treasure of the empire, the atmosphere was too somber.

Following a faintly lit corridor, I soon entered a large reception room.

“Welcome, Count Clay.”

Standing at the center of the room was the princess, Riya Asktalin.

Dressed in a pure silvery-white gown, she turned to me and smiled gently.

‘Wait, is… is she alone?’

I’d had an odd feeling on the way here, but now I was sure.

The only ones in this palace tonight were the princess and me.

Not even the usual maids or guard knights were present.

“I had everyone leave since you said it was a private matter, Count.”

As if reading my mind, the princess smiled gracefully and sat in a lavish chair.

I too sat across from her, fixing my gaze on her calmly.

“Well then, Count.”

“You can just call me by my name. Honestly, I’m still not used to the title ‘Count’ yet.”

It was true; being called ‘Count’ still felt awkward, and it seemed like a good idea to get a bit closer to the princess now.

At that, the princess’s eyes sparkled as if she’d been waiting for me to say that.

“Oh my, then, will you call me by my name as well?”

… Is she serious?

If I called the princess of the empire by her name, there’d be hell to pay if anyone found out.

Sensing my concern, the princess smiled with a strangely disappointed look.

“Fufu. Of course, it could be a problem if there are others around. But when we are alone like this, shouldn’t it be fine?”

“No, but…”

“If you refuse, then let’s pretend this meeting never happened.”

What?

That was truly unreasonable.

‘Since when did addressing someone become such a big deal…’

If I called the princess by her name, there’s no telling what problems it might cause later.

But thinking of the topic I planned to discuss tonight, it would be troublesome if this opportunity ended here.

After brief hesitation, I finally spoke up.

“… All right, Riya.”

“Hm.”

Even though I finally summoned the courage to call her by name, the princess still seemed unsatisfied.

Did using her name actually offend her?

“That’s not enough.”

“Excuse me?”

“According to what I’ve learned, Clay speaks informally with those he’s close to. And the tone is a bit more… hmm, yes. A roughness like commoners use.”

What exactly did this princess research?

Of course I use informal speech with people I’m close to. Who would speak formally with their friends?

I wanted to say that, but she was the imperial princess.

“I tend to be more polite to women.”

“But you use informal speech with that maid, Monet, don’t you?”

Well, she’s a maid.

You, however, are a princess.

[Just give up and do as she says… If you don’t, you’ll never even get to the main topic.]

Grancesia sounded thoroughly defeated. Indeed, if I kept resisting, this pointless conversation would never end.

“All right, fine. … No, fine.”

“A little rougher.”

She was more demanding than I expected.

I did my best to conjure up every informal phrase I could think of.

“Yeah, yeah. Got it, okay? Satisfied now?”

“Yes, that’s good enough.”

That was the most uncomfortable informal speech I had ever used in my life.

Even now I felt awkward, but seeing the princess so pleased, I couldn’t bring myself to take it back.

“But how about you, Your Highness—no, Riya? Won’t you speak informally as well?”

My tongue stumbled awkwardly over the informal words, and the princess gave an elegant smile.

“The imperial princess does not use informal speech lightly with others.”

[Crazy woman.]

For once, I couldn’t refute Grancesia’s comment.

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