Volume 2, Epilogue: The Strength the Prince Wishes For
Say Gille. Today youre in such a good mood that its eerie.
I couldnt help but tilt my head at Vernoux, who said that so abruptly.
Its so rude of you to say that its eerie. Do I look that happy to you?
Yeah. You should learn self-control if you dont realise it yourself. Theres nothing good about a future king who lets his feelings show on his face. Fix that right now.
I looked at Vernoux, who had said that firmly, and sighed on purpose. Sure, I was in a good mood, but I wasnt planning on advertising it so someone could point it out.
So, it was a little surprising; especially the eerie part.
You dont have to worry about it, you know I have always acted properly until now, dont you, Vernoux?
Until now, that is. When I look at you now, I cant help but worry about when your mask will fall off.
Its rude to say its a mask. But, I cant help but act this way now, can I? Youre the only person here after all.
It was tiring to be tense when I dont have to be. And what Vernoux had just said didnt just apply to me. Vernoux was talking to GillenotSylvester, so we were completely in private mode. I guess were even.
Well, dont overdo it.
Vernoux, who received my gaze, said, and then shrugged his shoulders. It seemed that he understood that.
It might have been too late to say it, but the reason why Im in such a good mood is that I was finally able to meet Dilly, after four years. And I even got to meet her twice.
I couldnt help but be happy.
Our letter exchange continued without pause, but I never had the chance to see how much she had changed. Its great that I dont have to be jealous of Vernoux for a while. I think it was a coincidence, but Vernoux probably didnt have the golden lion embroidery that matched my eyes.
Speaking of Vernoux, he would probably say something like, Its not like Im jealous of you.
And now, I was writing letters addressed to Dilly as Gille. I felt like I could write a lot more in them than I did before.
Youre really fuel-efficient.
I couldnt tell if he was shocked or amazed. But, it couldnt mean anything good, since Vernoux was the one who was saying it.
I admit that I was too happy, but what is this next part? I dont even know why he brought up fuel in the first place. Vernoux, who was receiving my stare, grinned unpleasantly.
Even if you say that you met her, you couldnt even tell her that youre Sylvester, and she runs away straight away if you try to talk to her as Sylvester. You spoke to her at the Hale mansion as Gille. Even so, youre happy about that, and thats why youre fuel-efficient.
I still dont know why shes avoiding me, I looked at Vernoux, who was speaking and thought that.
Vernoux certainly had the power to change a flower garden into a snowy field.
My bad. Dont glare at me.
Im not.
But, I did make a chance for you to meet Dilly, you know?
And Im thankful for that.
I wouldnt have been able to meet Dilly, or exchange letters with her, without Vernouxs help.
( She still avoids me, even after four years, huh.)
To be honest, I would like to know why she was avoiding me. As long as I know that, then I might be able to dispel my fear.
Speaking of which, I recently heard this from the magician at Dillys house.
Mm?
Dilly said she liked knights before, right? Apparently thats because she was using Earl Pameradia as reference.
I thought he had seen right through me, and was going to give me some advice, but he uttered something unexpected.
Hah?
Well, the usual magician told me, When Ojou-sama was younger, she told Master I will marry Otou-sama!.
Why did your conversation turn that way?
Well, I wasnt going to ask about Dillys taste in men or anything. The conversation just ended up that way.
Vernoux often talked about theFunny and Odd Magician. He was probably talking about that magician, this time as well. I dont know much about him, since the only contact Ive had with him, was when I saw him for a moment, when I first met Dilly.
But, I somehow get that this magician knows Dilly well, from the way Vernoux acts.
Gille?
Nothing. I was just thinking that its surprising. So, she also says things like that.
Well, it doesnt seem to be her pattern.
I didnt say that. Isnt it cute? Its just that I thought that Dilly is mature, so Im a little surprised.
When, and in what situation, did she say it? Even though I thought that, I was a little puzzled by the seriousness of those words.
The Earl, huh
I knew that Dilly seems to be attracted to knights. I cant become a knight, but I intend to do my best to be like a knight, even if just by a little.
But, I never imagined that the knight that Dilly was speaking of was the Earl.
Earl Pameradia, the person who she might have based her ideals of a knight on. I have seen him around the castle before, but Ive never had a deep conversation with him. However, I have heard of his past achievements and a lot of rumours about him.
(If I get to know the Earl, then I might be able to understand a little about what Dilly thinks about.)
But, how do create the opportunity to interact with him? It might be a bit easier for me to create the opportunity if I was an adult. I couldnt help but resent the fact that I was still a child.
???????
It seemed that I was very lucky. The situation that I thought was helpless, wasnt blocked on all sides.
Sylvester. Its nearly your birthday, isnt it?
Yes, father.
It happened when I passed by my father in the corridor.
My father was particularly busy lately, and he didnt talk to me much. However, I was honestly happy that he had remembered my birthday.
Is there anything you want? Dont be afraid to tell me.
Father said that to me every year, on my birthday. However, up until now, I had only one thing to say to his kind words.
Which wereAnything father gives me would make me happy.
Of course, it wasnt like I didnt want anything, but I was satisfied with the usual things. There are times when I wanted something new, but I was satisfied with buying it with the money I received, so I couldnt come up with anything I particularly needed.
I was going to give him the same answer this year when I suddenly noticed.
I was a little worried about whether I could say it.
Isma widened his eyes when he heard that and then smiled wryly.
My father is strong, isnt he?
Yeah. Even though the Earl was only countering my attacks, he still struck in the places where I was careless I thought that I might be able to do better before, but I couldnt at all.
Is that so?
Why are you smiling?
Isma is the type of person to always smiles anyway, but this smile is definitely different.
As I thought that, Isma put a hand to his mouth to try suppress his smile and said, Im sorry.
I had the same feelings as Your Highness when I was younger, so I understand it well.
Really?
Yes.
Ismas answer was surprising. Of course, I can image that Isma had a childhood, but Isma was a man who excelled amongst the knights. I couldnt imagine him being in the same situation as me, where he was helpless.
Do you doubt me?
No, I dont
It was when I was a child, so father was younger and his power was still unmatched. And he wasnt as soft as he is now, so I was really depressed on days when I had to practice.
So even something like that happens to you, Isma?
Yes, of course.
Isma. Do you think I could become stronger?
If he had the same thoughts as me when he was younger, then would I be able to gain the power to compete with that sword on equal footing someday? I thought, while looking straight into Ismas eyes.
I want him to tell me that I could.
I wanted those reassuring words from a person who had experienced that before.
But the words that Isma uttered were different.
Your Highness, what is the definition of strongto you? If you can decide that, then it is possible.
Does Your Highness wish for strong militarypower?
I, who was asked that question, couldnt answer straight away, and flinched for an instant.
Isma smiled at me.
Hesitate, Your Highness. And then, materialise your strong self.
Isma said that and I nodded reflectively. Then, I became aware of it.
Ah, so this is the kind of adults around Dilly.
Seems like Im still not a match.
I thought that, and once again resolved myself and nodded strongly.
Your Highness, it will be dark outside soon. I will send you to your room.
Ah. But, arent you still in the middle of something?
Hes probably still in the middle of an errand, since hes holding a package. I didnt mind returning to somewhere like my room by myself, I thought and Isma looked at the package in my sight and briefly denied, No.
This package was sent by my little sister.
Package? From Cordelia-sama?
Yes. You know my sister, dont you Your Highness.
Yeah. I met her at the Flantheim House. I also hear a lot about her from Vernoux.
He desperately swallowed the words that he was going to say on reflex; From Dilly?
It wasnt a surprise for Sylvester to know Cordelia, but he had no reason to call her intimately by the name Dilly.
If I could call her that, then I would be able to hear more about her. I got disappointed when I thought that, but I definitely wont say it.
This is the materials for the compress that I received from my sister. You use it by mixing it with water and adding a towel.
A compress, is it?
I wont give this to you, you know?
He said a bit playfully, but maybe he didnt know that those words disheartened me more than he could imagine. I knew that it was a selfish complaint, but forgive me, just for today, for being a little jealous of him.
I slowly stood up and returned to my room with Isma.
Its nearly time for the Founding Festival, isnt it?
Yes, it is.
I replied to Isma, who was looking at the people, who were carrying cloth decorations, as he said that, and once again thought, its already time for the Founding Festival this year.
It was the biggest festival in the kingdom.
And, I took the opportunity to ask Isma a single question.
Will Cordelia-sama be coming to the castle?
A part of the castle would be opened to the general public, so people who didnt usually come here would be able to come.
But then again, in Dillys case, she gets invited to visit, but she doesnt No, it isnt necessarily true that Dilly refused, just because the Earl did, so the Founding Festival might be a different story.
However, Isma, who was tilting his head, answered easily.
No, she wont be. Neither my father, brother, nor I could take her here around that time.
I see.
I didnt ask any more than that, as not to sound strangely suspicious. Of course, I was disheartened.
I hope that the festival will be good this year too.
Yeah.
It would be good if everyone could enjoy the festival.
Thats what I also wish for. I might not be able to meet Dilly, but I hope that I can do my duty well, and after the Founding Festival is over, Ill go to meet her as Gille.
Because I probably wont be able to make Dilly pay attention to me if Im someone who cant fulfil his own duty.
Translator: Blushy
Editor: SenjiQ