Bonus Story:
The First Prince’s Fiancée
“PRINCE REICHARDT PROPOSED TO YOU? Congratulations, Liz!”
Elizabeth Elcrantz was my cousin. The saint of the kingdom of Parnacorta, she was a marvelous individual.
On this day, my father and I had travelled from Bolmern to pay the Elcrantz family a visit. It was then that she told us the wonderful news.
“Thank you. Don’t tell my uncle and father this, but I was a little unsure.”
“Unsure? After receiving a proposal from His Highness, the crown prince?”
“Yes. In fact, I was,” said Elizabeth. “Mr. Reichardt is far too good for me. I was sure he would find someone more suitable.”
Reichardt Parnacorta was first in line for the throne of Parnacorta. According to Liz, he had a sharp mind and an austere, sensible nature. He adored his country and took his duties seriously, determined for his country to prosper.
If her words were anything to go by, he sounded like the ideal prince.
“I’m not exactly in optimal health, you know. I didn’t feel like the best person to be a prince’s wife.”
“Th-that’s not true!” I found myself jumping to my feet and raising my voice. “You’re a saint, Liz! You’re the perfect person to mingle with royalty!”
Liz wasn’t in the best of health—that much was true—but this just made it more impressive that she’d become a saint. She had put in an extraordinary amount of work.
Liz laughed gently. “You’re so sweet, Grace.”
“Liz…”
“Don’t worry. I said yes. After all, I completely adore the man. I tried to reason my way out of it, but I simply couldn’t lie to myself.”
At that moment, Liz looked even more striking and mature than usual. What a beautiful person she was. My father and uncle always said that we were the spitting image of one another, but she bore no resemblance to the reflection I saw in the mirror.
Maybe it was because she was in love. Or rather, because love flowed out of her…
“You’re a wonderful person, too, Liz.”
“What?”
“You’re beautiful, good-natured, and as the saint of Parnacorta, you do everything you possibly can for your country. I’m sure Prince Reichardt sees those qualities. It’s why he chose you as his partner.”
She was so self-conscious about her poor health. I wished I could steal even 10% of Emily’s useless confidence and give it to Liz, but all I could do was try my best to encourage her.
“Thank you for the reassurance. The truth is, I know that, too.”
“What?”
“He loves me. That’s one thing I’m willing to believe, no questions asked. As unsure as I feel, I would never dream of disappointing Mr. Reichardt.”
Oh. I never needed to worry in the first place.
I hope your future will be a happy one, Liz, I prayed as I watched her speak contentedly about Prince Reichardt.
✦ ✦ ✦
“You’re just like Elizabeth said you were, Prince Reichardt.”
“Oh? Am I? What did she say about me?”
As I was chatting with Prince Reichardt, memories of my conversation with Liz came flooding back. I idolized her as much as I did Miss Philia.
“Oh, she was always boasting about what a splendid gentleman you were. Merely listening to it was enough to make me blush.”
His Highness laughed. “Talk about embarrassing. Still, I always believed she loved me, no questions asked.”
It was the same expression I remembered Liz using.
Loving someone that much, and receiving so much love in return… I couldn’t help but envy them.
Liz, without a question, you made the right decision by accepting this man’s proposal.