CH 18

“Don’t worry. The princess will not be able to refuse the Grand Prince’s request.”

“Of course she is. That’s why I came all the way here myself.”

Ash responded irritably to his aide’s words.

“But to be involved with Siani Felicite again? I’m tired just thinking about it.”

He couldn’t believe he had to bring himself this far just because of a few words.

Ash murmured as he stared at himself in the carriage window. His meticulously arranged, well-groomed hair sparkled brilliantly. “How is it?”

“It’s perfect. Even I, a man, would fall for you.”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

Then the carriage stopped, and the door opened.

“You are here, Grand Prince.”

Butler Loid and Irik came out to the front gate to greet him.

“It’s an honor to have you here.”

“Thank you for your hospitality despite my sudden visit.” Ash changed his expression skillfully and smiled.

Duke Felicite wouldn’t have appeared in person. He thought as he entered the main hall where they formally received the guests, Siani must have been waiting for him.

How long has it been? After such a long hallway came to an end.

“Welcome.”

Where his feet stopped, a woman with a strange face greeted him.

“It’s an honor to be able to greet the Grand Prince.”

Fair cheeks with pink hair.

“My name is Luna.”

It wasn’t Siani.

“His Grace was also pleased to hear that the Grand Prince was coming.” Then Luna continued regretfully. “But the meeting with the vassals got longer, so His Grace couldn’t come out.”

Ash had no intention of meeting the duke anyway since he wasn’t even formally invited. They’re all adopted. However, that didn’t mean he came all the way here to deal with the insignificant commoners.

An unpleasant feeling rose. Where is Siani? She must have heard that he was coming.

“Thank you for your hospitality.” Ash forced a smile.

The lady in front of him was Luna Lev. She was a person he was interested in.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Lev.”

Unlike Siani, she had the impression that she was always smiling since birth. There was a pure atmosphere that couldn’t be found within the strict noble family tradition…

She’s quite lovely. But he couldn’t bring himself to say she was beautiful.

“Let’s go and have a detailed conversation to the place we prepared, Grand Prince,” said Irik after the two of them greeted each other.

“Lady Luna also prepared desserts for you.”

Luna blushed embarrassedly when the butler also helped.

“Oh my, Lady, you went through unnecessary trouble.”

He would have gladly smiled if everything had gone according to his plan. In the situation where everything was going wrong, Ash found it difficult to remain calm. Where on earth are you? But he couldn’t bring himself to ask about Siani first.

“It would be better to say my greetings to the duke first. I’ll wait here until the meeting is over.”

“Yes?”

“Since I haven’t been formally invited, I think walking around the mansion without saying hello to His Grace is not polite.”

“It’s not proper for a distinguished guest like you to wait here. It goes against the etiquette of our Felicite family.”

“We don’t know how long the meeting with the vassals will last, Grand Prince.”

Then Irik and the butler dissuaded him with a look of embarrassment.

He thought he would run into Siani by chance if he dragged on, but that didn’t seem easy either. Damn it, what should I do?

But then.

“Ah! Lady.” The butler looked up at the stairs leading to the main hall.

“Is His Grace already done with the meeting?”

Lady? Ash, who immediately turned his eyes, froze in place. “…!”

There stood Siani. She was wearing a plain dress, her blonde hair adorned with nothing but a white scarf, with a bare face without makeup. It was so unfamiliar that he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Why did His Grace urgently look for Lady?”

“He didn’t mention anything specific.”

“I see. Ah, by the way, Lady. Grand Prince Benio is here.”

The butler informed Siani of Ash’s visit. The surrounding air became awkward due to the servants who were familiar with the relationship between the two. However, on the other hand, everyone was looking forward to seeing what kind of reaction Siani would show.

“Is she going to stand outside the door, waiting for the conversation to end again?”

“She might try serving tea to share a word with him.”

“Sadly, the Grand Prince must have come to see Lady Luna today.”

“…” However, Siani just looked down at Ash. There wasn’t even a bit of tension on her beautiful face.

“You’re here.” Siani bowed slightly.

“Luna is good at making desserts, so enjoy it.” It was a soft, soulless tone.

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

“Siani.”

And then she turned around and walked away without indulging in the anticipated spectacle. The people who had expected an entertaining scene could only roll their eyes in disappointment.

“…”

Among them, Ash was the one who remained frozen.

* * *

He’s completely lost his mind. On my way to the annex, I thought of Ash and burst into laughter. From my hair ornament to my clothes, I intended it on purpose, but he looked really surprised.

“Still, he’s handsome.”

In fact, Ash Benio was literally like a prince. The only problem was that my eyes got used to all kinds of handsome men during my N life. Moreover, after meeting Redian, they soared to the heavenly realm.

What did he come for? However, I felt uncomfortable because his eyes that looked at me were intense. Well, it wouldn’t be a problem if I wasn’t involved.

I took the candies from the annex and headed straight to the basement.

He doesn’t seem to hurt. As soon as I entered the training ground, I could see Redian’s back. He doesn’t seem to be hurt anywhere. I scanned him quickly and nodded. Today, he looked perfect. I was proud to see him training in such a normal way after watching him fall down in a bloody state before.

“Doesn’t anyone bother you these days?”

“…”

At my voice, Redian’s sword stopped in the air. His face that turned to look at me was red with sweat.

“Hmm, the wound around your eye has also healed a lot.”

I lifted my heel and stared all over his face. My babe looked better from up close.

“…Now.”

Having taken a step back, Redian answered me.

“I think Princess is bothering me.”

“I?”

It was truly unfair. I gave you all my sincerity, but you said I’m bothering you.

“It’s unfair. When did I do that?”

“Go away.”

As I took a step closer, Redian took a step back.

“It’s hot, so don’t come near me.”

Seeing that his earlobes were also red, he seemed to have gotten hot from training.

“Don’t you remember when you were covered in blood, and I cleaned it all up for you? How quickly you forget.”

At my words, Redian’s eyes narrowed.

In fact, based on the original… Siani and Redian are not that much apart in age. However, if I count my whole life together, Redian was bound to be a little kid to me. Of course, his face and physique weren’t something a kid could have.

“I came to see you train. Go on.”

“But, that.”

Redian hesitated for a moment.

“After checking your skills, I’m thinking of attaching a trainer brought from outside.”

It was difficult for him to properly train with the trainers from the basement.

“I told you. I can only give you the best things.”

As long as I decided to protect Redian, I thought I should do it immediately. Because that’s what power is for.

“So, you only need to accept what I’m saying.”

“…”

Redian, who hadn’t said what he was thinking, grabbed his sword. Then he quickly and accurately cut down the straw scarecrow. Every time his sword flashed, the scarecrow’s neck and arms fell to the ground and rolled.

Wow, as expected from natural talent. He could do it to that extent, even with a dull-edged training sword and no equipment. Suddenly, a chill went down my spine. That’s how he blew up Siani’s head in the original story.

“Redian, come here for a second.” I beckoned to Redian.

Redian, who stopped the sword with a short breath, approached. He’s cute in the midst of this. It felt quite cute that he walked calmly after crushing the scarecrow.

“Hand.”

“What…”

“Give me your hand.”

As I grabbed his hand, I felt his hand flinch.

“Isn’t it hard to maintain the strength of your fingers until the end when you hold the sword?”

“…!”

When I held it tighter to avoid him shaking it off, Redian squeaked as if he had malfunctioned.

“It’s because you don’t have proper training gloves.”

Seeing the red marks on the palm of his hand along the shape of the sword, it seemed obvious that he would feel pain.

“Compared to the training sword, the long sword used in actual combat is harder and heavier.”

“…”

“So it would be better to train with the right gear from now on.”

“…”

“I’ll get you a new pair of gloves first. I’ve already called the tailor.” I murmured, examining Redian’s hand carefully.  Indeed, it was definitely a hand that should hold a famous sword, not those toy-like training swords.

“Come with me and—” The moment I raised my head, I was speechless.

“Princess.”

It was because Redian was looking at me with indescribable eyes.

“…Yes?”

The first feeling of overwhelmingness made the end of my sentence blurry. His blue eyes were so strange, as if ashamed that I treated him like a child.

“To the others….”

He slowly opened his mouth without averting his gaze.

“Do you also do this?”