The King's Request
“W-what are you doing there…….”
While Edwin stood frozen in shock, Kaiden gently set the princess down on the floor and offered a greeting.
“Good morning, Your Highness the Third Prince.”
“Ah, well……”
Unable to find the right words, Edwin eventually returned the greeting in kind.
“Good morning, Your Majesty the King.”
“Uung, Lia wants another ride! Another one!”
Emilia began fussing again, demanding another piggyback ride.
“Lia, come here!”
Edwin pulled Emilia’s hand and hid her behind him.
What should I do?
He recalled the Emperor’s words about properly entertaining the guest.
Master said that treating the delegation well would prove to Father that I have diplomatic skill…….
Diplomacy, he had been told, was like making friends.
Yet for a young prince who still struggled to befriend children his own age, being told to befriend the king of an entire nation was overwhelming.
But I never expected Emilia to cause such a scene.
Just as Edwin was pondering how to apologize for his sister’s rudeness, Kaiden spoke.
“It seems the painter wasn’t particularly skilled.”
Edwin’s eyes widened as he stared at him.
“It would have been better if he had captured more beauty and vitality.”
Kaiden’s gaze remained fixed on the portrait of the Third Imperial Consort hanging on the wall.
Edwin watched Kaiden blankly as the man studied his mother’s portrait.
“Upon closer inspection, the brushwork lacks refinement.”
“Ah……”
Was that so?
Edwin wore a puzzled expression. He knew nothing about art, and he had never once examined his mother’s portrait in detail. Naturally, he had no idea how delicate the brushstrokes were.
“Your Highnesses,”
Kaiden spoke again.
“You resemble Her Highness the Imperial Consort a great deal.”
“Ah, I’ve heard that often. Though I don’t see it myself……”
Edwin unconsciously fiddled with the pearl bracelet on his wrist.
“That bracelet.”
Meanwhile, Kaiden’s brow furrowed slightly the moment he noticed it.
“Does it belong to Your Highness?”
“Ah, yes. It’s a keepsake left by my previous nanny.”
“…A keepsake, you say?”
“Yes.”
At the prince’s answer, Kaiden’s expression grew subtle. Edwin glanced up at the much larger man.
Why does he look like that?
The young prince thought the emotion clouding Kaiden’s expressionless face resembled sorrow, though he couldn’t understand why.
“Um……”
Edwin tried to speak, but Kaiden was faster.
“I seem to have worked up an appetite after rising so early. When is breakfast served?”
“Ah! Of course you must eat! I’ll inform the attendants at once. It will be ready shortly.”
“I would appreciate it.”
“Yes!”
Edwin dragged Emilia—who was still protesting—out of the reception room in a hurry.
“……”
Left alone, Kaiden slowly turned his head. He looked up at the portrait and spoke.
“I warned you, didn’t I, Sister.”
His voice was endlessly cold.
“I told you not to live kindly.”
Edith Lionel, the last princess of the Lionel Kingdom.
The only one among Kaiden’s half-siblings who had treated him with kindness—the youngest sister.
Foolishly kind, she had allowed herself to be sold off as a hostage to the Empire.
“You didn’t come here just to be stuffed into a frame after death, did you?”
Kaiden stared quietly at Edith’s portrait.
But of course, the portrait offered no reply.
“…With your personality, leaving those little brats behind and going first must have left you unable to close your eyes in peace.”
Kaiden frowned as he looked at the faintly smiling Edith in the portrait.
“You think smiling like that will change anything? Foolish sister.”
The young king of Adamant clicked his tongue and turned away coldly, as though he had no lingering attachment to a mere portrait.
* * *
The dining hall of the Third Prince’s Palace, unusually lavishly decorated.
The maids carried dishes with tense faces.
Everyone seems far too nervous.
That was understandable—this was the first official meal being served to the guest visiting the Third Prince’s Palace.
Well, I suppose the same goes for this side.
I swallowed a sigh as I watched the sweat beading on the back of Edwin’s neck. The silverware in his grip kept slipping against the plate, unable to find its way.
He’s unnecessarily tense.
Edwin was glancing around, wondering if he should say something first.
But Kaiden, whether aware of the young prince’s feelings or not, simply continued eating in silence.
Hmm. He does seem like a well-bred young lord in that regard.
Kaiden’s table manners were impeccable.
Given his commoner origins, I had expected him to forgo etiquette entirely, yet his posture suggested he had been properly trained.
Well, a king appearing unrefined would hardly reflect well on his country.
He must have taken on an etiquette tutor after ascending the throne.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to cut his food with such elegance…….
Clang.
I snapped back to attention at the sharp sound. Kaiden had lightly tapped his plate with the fork he held.
Golden eyes were fixed on me.
Is it such a big deal that I glanced at him eating?
Instead of looking away, I met his gaze head-on. Invisible sparks flew between our locked eyes.
“Your Highness Edwin.”
At that moment, Kaiden turned his gaze from me and spoke.
“Would you mind if I made a request?”
Despite his serious tone, his expression was rather cheerful.
“To me?”
Edwin, who had been struggling with a particularly tough piece of meat, looked at the king in surprise.
“What sort of……”
“I would like to tour the imperial palace. Could you show me around?”
I hadn’t expected the God of War to have such an innocent hobby as sightseeing in another nation’s imperial palace.
I watched Kaiden with skeptical eyes.
“Of course it’s possible……”
Meanwhile, Edwin started to nod readily, only to furrow his brow.
Unfortunately, the Third Prince’s schedule was unusually packed today.
Right after breakfast, he was expected to attend sword dance practice.
“You appear to be busy.”
Seeing Edwin unable to answer easily, Kaiden smiled faintly.
“Then, would you assign someone trustworthy in Your Highness’s stead?”
The grand founding festival banquet wouldn’t begin for another two days.
For the delegation left with nothing to do but wait, it was bound to be tedious.
“Ah, then the head maid……”
“If you mean the head maid, do you refer to the woman who guided me yesterday? She mentioned not feeling well. Perhaps you could assign someone else.”
“Kathryn—the head maid—is unwell?”
Edwin turned to me with a bewildered expression.
Well, of course he’d be confused. Kathryn is currently tending to Emilia’s meal without issue.
I gave Edwin a small wink.
Though still looking unconvinced, he naturally changed the subject.
“Then I’ll assign another maid……”
“Hmm. If Your Highness permits.”
Kaiden set down his utensils and leaned back against his chair. Smiling faintly, he fixed his gaze on the prince—more precisely, on me.
“I would like to request guidance from the person standing behind Your Highness.”
What is this man saying now?
I widened my eyes and shot Kaiden an unfriendly look.
But that damned brat—Edwin—readily accepted the proposal.
Without even asking for my opinion.
“Ah, if it’s Rachel, I can trust her. She’ll guide you well.”
Edwin, at the very least, should have asked why Kaiden had singled me out.
Handing me over so easily made me feel almost betrayed.
“Then I’ll be counting on you, Lady Brown.”
Kaiden smiled at me, wearing his most courteous mask.
I really want to crack open that head of his and see what he’s thinking.
I stared at the smiling Kaiden for a moment before lowering my head.
“…You flatter me. It is an honor to escort you, Your Majesty the King.”
All while lamenting my fate—then and now—of having no choice but to obey my superiors.
* * *
Being the center of attention from so many people in broad daylight was truly burdensome.
But today, I simply had to endure it.
All because of the man behind me, who was curiously observing his surroundings.
“Is that the rumored King of Adamant?”
“They call him the God of War, but he doesn’t look the part.”
“But who’s that woman……”
The gazes of those wandering the imperial palace were fixed on Kaiden.
It was only natural, given that the renowned founding king of Adamant was strolling through the palace.
“The building over there is the Empress’s Palace. And next to it is the First Prince’s Palace.”
I deliberately kept my eyes forward as I continued explaining.
I had no desire to engage in personal conversation with the man who had been pestering me since last night.
“And this is, as you know, the Central Garden. It is the largest garden within the imperial palace. And to the east, you can see the Second Imperial Consort’s Palace and the Second Prince’s Palace.”
“I see. Then what’s that over there?”
Kaiden pointed toward the barracks of the Gloria Knights, where silk banners fluttered proudly.