"I'm done."
"That was quick."
"Not like I could exactly relax, is it?"
I adjusted my white robe as we conversed. I'd hung up my wet clothes, so that was all I had to wear. It made me feel weird and extremely uncomfortable to be wearing a bathrobe in front of Elna. I went and sat down in the chair she'd been occupying.
Soon, I heard the sound of rustling clothes. Elna was getting undressed. I hadn't paid any mind while I was getting undressed myself, but being the one listening added to the tension.
I was looking around the room to distract myself when I noticed the mirror at the edge of the bed...and I also noticed something else.
"...?!"
I had an unencumbered view of Elna as she was taking off her clothes.
She already had her white blouse off, and I watched as she took her red skirt and slid it down her legs. The feminine design of her matching pink and frilly underwear would have been a surprise for anyone else who knew her.
Wet from the rain, her underwear clung to her skin, and she frowned in discomfort as she started to take them off.
My perverse male instinct to keep watching fought against the knowledge that I really shouldn't, since getting caught meant having my head eternally severed from my body.
Meanwhile, Elna finished taking off her bra, exposing her comparatively underdeveloped chest. Then her hands went to her panties.
It was at that point I finally wrenched my neck around to face the other direction.
That was close. I'd nearly lost the battle against my libido, as well as my life.
As I sat there frozen in my seat, I heard the sound of running water. I could also hear Elna washing, and images of the body I'd just seen rushed unbidden into my head to furnish my imagination with details of what was happening.
You're not a dumb little kid. Enough fantasizing!
I scolded myself and shook the inappropriate images from my head. At long last, after a few heavenly yet torturous minutes, Elna got out of the bath.
"Okay, you can look now."
She quietly gave her permission.
When I looked over, she was also wrapped in a bathrobe. However, her face was bright red. She tried to act casual, but quickly gave up and slid under the bed covers with an embarrassed groan when the weight of my gaze became unbearable.
"If you're that embarrassed, we didn't have to come in here in the first place."
"I know, but...but..."
She sounded close to tears, and her voice was surprisingly frail. Apparently, the situation had been pretty traumatizing after all.
"If I break my word as a knight even once...it'll cheapen everything else I've ever said...like all my vows and declarations..."
"It will not. At least, I don't think so."
"Well, I do think so... So I'm not breaking my word."
"And instead you're just going to cry about it?"
"I am not crying..."
Even as she said that, I could hear the tears in her voice. Frustrated, I sighed, and for some reason that made Elna angry.
"It's all your fault, for saying things to make me upset!"
"Now it's my fault?"
"And how did you even know this place was a love hotel now, anyway? Who did you come here with?! The girl with giant boobs those kids were talking about?!"
I sighed again.
"Well, you must not be too upset if you have the energy to be mad at me."
"Don't change the subject!"
Elna wouldn't let it go. I took a moment before responding. Unfortunately, when she'd told off that group of naughty kids earlier, they'd responded with the story about seeing me walking with that other girl. Now that Elna knew, there was no point in keeping it a secret.
So, I decided to tell her the truth.
"At the brothels I visit from time to time, there are tons of girls who've been sold by their parents as children and have no choice but to live as prostitutes."
"So? What's your point?"
"I pay them and pretend to take them to a love hotel as an excuse for them to get out and enjoy themselves for a day. It was probably one of those girls that the kids saw me with. They can get into places where they're normally banned if they're with me, and no one would expect a prince to be out walking in public with a prostitute."
"Really? You did that?"
"Even from the brothel's side of things, the only work they can be given is that of prostitutes. That's just a fact of life for them. It's probably better than being homeless and starving. But even prostitutes want a chance to just walk around town, go shopping, and have some fun occasionally. So I give them that opportunity. I'm aware it doesn't really change anything, but I figure I should do whatever good I can, no matter how small."
The prostitutes I brought to the love hotel usually offered to sleep with me, but I'd never taken them up on it. If I did, it would look like that was my real objective.
If I was going to pretend to be a good person, I'd better see the charade through to the end. That was my logic.
"Why don't you make it more obvious to people that's what you're doing?"
"If they knew the truth, I'd be stopped. Just the news that an imperial prince was going to some random brothel would be bad enough. It'd be annoying if people started telling me to take more upscale prostitutes instead."
"But...you're only hurting your reputation if everyone thinks you go out with lots of women."
"I don't mind. That's more or less what I'm doing, and it's not like I haven't ever been a player, anyway."
It wasn't like I had a reputation to spoil in the first place. Mine was already bad enough, so I didn't care about it being sullied further.
"Isn't that painful for you?"
"It might be, if I were all alone. But I'm not. I have people who like and respect me. Including you, right?"
"No fair...when you put it like that..."
I thought maybe I could hear her faintly sulking as her voice faded to a mumble.
After that, our conversation turned to lighter topics as we waited for our clothes to dry. It had been a long time since Elna and I had just hung out and talked like that, and it was surprisingly enjoyable.
10
The day of Arn and Leo's scheduled departure from the capital arrived. Since they were leaving in an official capacity, the emperor would be saying a few words to them before they headed off to the port with a robust security detail.
They had only one worry—whether the people they were leaving behind would survive the treacherous situation at home.
"Well, we're off. Hold down the fort for me here, Marie."
"Of course, Master Leo."
In preparation, Arn had procured a new helping hand in Lynphia and sent her along with the most trustworthy Sebas to assist Finne. Likewise, Leo had decided to place Marie, his loyal maid-cum-secretarial assistant, in charge of his influence.
"The other factions of influence will be launching attacks while we're gone. I want you to work together with Finne to fend them off."
"We'll be just fine. All of your attendants will still be here, and Lady Finne is a strong symbol of your influence. What I'm worried about is you."
Leo smiled grimly at Marie's words of concern. He knew what she was referring to.
"Are you inferring that I'll be shorthanded?"
"If I'm to be honest, then yes. Your safety is not a concern as long as Lady Elna is with you. But I'm worried you might be low on help in...other areas."
"Don't be. I'll have my brother."
"That is what worries me most, actually."
This time Marie didn't mince words, and Leo grimaced at her mercilessness. She delivered even the harshest truths without ever changing her tone or raising an eyebrow. Most people would've gotten angry at this. But it never did get a rise out of Arn, and that fact irritated Marie all the more.
His younger brother was vying for the emperor's throne. And when people made fun of him, they may as well have been disrespecting Leo himself. Given all that, he could at least care enough to get angry. That's how Marie felt, anyway.
But instead, Leo's response was to admonish her.
"Listen, Marie. You probably don't understand, but my brother is an incredible person."
"You're too generous in your assessment of him. No matter what childhood memories you might share, that has no bearing on the present."
"That's not true. You'll understand someday. Everyone calls him the Insipid Prince...but it's not true. Not to brag, but I can accomplish most anything if I work hard enough at it. My brother is different. He can do pretty much anything he puts his mind to with hardly any effort at all. So, as long as he's around, you don't have to worry about me."
Marie's expression grew darker as she listened to Leo's unwavering conviction. If what he said was correct, and his brother really was as talented as he claimed, then it could be a detriment to Leo someday. Not to mention, placing such excessive faith and reliance in Arn could become a weakness for others to exploit.
But Marie kept her opinions to herself. When she'd come into Leo's employ, she had made a vow to support him. No matter what path Leo chose, she would be there to help him, no questions asked.
"If you're sure, then I won't say any more. I wish you luck and safe travels."
"Thanks. I'm sorry for leaving you with so much to look after. I promise to fulfill my duty."
After their conversation, Leo climbed into the carriage.
Thus, the imperial ambassadorial envoy left the capital. Their destination—the southern region of the Vogel continent. It was an unstable region of contention between two nations.