In the Palace of Albion, medals were conferred in April of every year.
The ceremony was held at the Pisces Palace. That was also where Arcrayne and Estelle’s engagement had been announced at the New Year’s party.
The prince led Estelle inside the palace. Today, she would receive the Rosalian Cross for slaying the dragon.
As they stepped inside, they gathered the looks of those already present. To Estelle, who could see the mana of living things and the emotion contained within, such an environment was far from comfortable.
Aware of this, Arcrayne sneaked a glance at her and saw her facing forward, looking undaunted. She’d grown much stronger since the day he’d met her. Her strength dazzled him. At the same time, it made him somewhat uneasy.
Ever since he’d brought her to the Libra Palace as his betrothed, she’d grown dramatically more beautiful. She’d been lovely from the start, but her attendants at the palace must’ve further refined her into a city woman.
When Arcrayne had seen Estelle unconscious, injured in the dragon attack at the hunting contest, he’d become aware of it—aware of the fact that he’d become physically attracted to Estelle at some point. He’d wondered what he would do if he lost her.
Fortunately, she’d lived. But he couldn’t forgive himself for not making it back in time during the dragon’s attack. Had he been there, Estelle might not have been scarred.
Ever since that day, guilt had plagued Arcrayne every time he looked at her.
But that wasn’t all. When they’d first met and he’d decided to marry her, he’d told her he would act like he was deeply in love with her—that was another thing he felt guilty about.
At some point, his fake love had become real. But how was he supposed to tell her that at this point?
Estelle had been somewhat cold with him as of late. That change in her attitude was another reason he hesitated to tell her the truth.
His mana probably darkened every time he felt guilty. Estelle must’ve seen it, yet she didn’t say anything. That was why he couldn’t tell what was going through her mind.
If only my power weren’t telekinesis but the ability to see mana... he thought to himself. Glancing at Estelle walking beside him, he shook his head slightly.
There was no use wishing for the impossible. And besides, it was thanks to his telekinesis that he’d survived to this day.
Shaking off these thoughts, Arcrayne led Estelle to the seats for those who would be awarded medals and quietly told her, “Good luck.”
Estelle nodded, a stiff expression on her face. She seemed nervous.
Arcrayne put a hand on her shoulder to encourage her, then walked toward the throne.
✦ ✦ ✦
Once the ceremony had ended and Estelle was free, she headed to Arcrayne straightaway.
“You were good out there, Estelle,” said the prince.
Estelle replied with a smile. “Thank you, Lord Arc. Did I do everything right?”
“You did. You were dignified and striking.”
“That is good to hear... I was so nervous.” A look of relief appeared on Estelle’s face.
“You didn’t look it.”
“I kept telling myself to stand proud and not think too much.”
The newly attached Rosalian Cross on the chest of Estelle’s dress shone brilliantly. Her robe montante—the formal afternoon wear—suited her well, but Arcrayne felt bitter inside.
“I am all right, so please do not make such a face,” Estelle said with an awkward smile—she must’ve sensed how he felt with her power.
“It doesn’t change that this puts us both in a more difficult position...”
Had it been possible, Arcrayne wished he could’ve prevented Estelle from becoming famous for slaying the dragon, as well as from receiving a medal for it. Unfortunately, there had been too many witnesses. All they could do at this point was accept their fate.
I’ll take the throne, the prince said to himself. He looked toward Sachis, who was still present and having a pleasant chat with other recipients of medals. The king had wanted to give him the throne for a long time, and soon his wish would come true. The thought of it got on Arcrayne’s nerves somewhat.
“Medals are surprisingly heavy,” uttered Estelle. “I never knew, as I’ve never worn one before.”
Was she talking about their physical weight or the emotional one? Maybe both...?
It must be both, concluded the prince. He turned toward Estelle and looked intently at the medal shining on her chest.
Aiming for the throne meant coming into direct confrontation with the second prince’s faction.
Appearing at the back of Arcrayne’s mind were his stepmother, Queen Truteliese, and her father, Duke Marwick.
✦ ✦ ✦
Meanwhile...
Mircea Marwick was visiting Truteliese’s private room in the Leo Palace.
“They must be giving her the medal in the Pisces Palace right now,” he said.
“I suppose so,” replied Truteliese.
Mircea struck his stick against the ground in anger and glared at her. “Damn you. Why didn’t you stop it?”
“If I could, I would have. But too many people at the contest saw Lady Estelle land the killing blow on that dragon... If you still insist on blaming me, then please do tell me how I was meant to prevent the ceremony from taking place.”
Her matter-of-fact tone further angered Mircea.
How dare you talk back to me... he said in his mind. As a woman and as his daughter, Truteliese was his property and his pawn. It was utterly humiliating to have someone like that talk back to him.
Despite everything, however, she was a queen, so he couldn’t afford to lash out at her and had to suppress his anger.
“Things will certainly change after this ceremony,” she said.
“Then we must make our next move,” uttered Mircea.
“Is it not time to finally take a firm stance?”
“I suppose it is.” Mircea heaved a big sigh.