While sitting upon wooden boxes in a corner of Kingsland’s port, Ein and Krone enjoyed a leisurely conversation. From this location, only distant echoes of the city’s hustle and bustle could be heard. Instead, the calm ocean breeze washed over them. Krone had a joyous smile on her face as she gazed at Ein’s profile.
“Honestly, I think Aunt Katima is to blame,” Ein grumbled. In between complaints, he munched on a hunk of bread he’d bought at a nearby stall.
“But you had a hand in that bit of the mischief, didn’t you, Ein?” Krone replied, a touch weary. “I heard all about it from Martha.”
“Sorry to change the subject, but this bread is delicious.”
“I agree. And Ein, you did go along with Her Highness’s schemes, didn’t you?”
“Guess there’s no fooling you... Yeah, I did go along with it, but it was because I was dragged into her cunning trap. I’m more of a victim...”
The crown prince refused to shoulder the blame as he shifted his legs atop the wooden box. The two were seated together on the same box, and even the most minute of movements caused them to brush against each other. Their hips were practically touching, and they could see each other very well. With his elbow resting on his thigh, Ein rested his face on his hand as he gazed into the vast ocean. He fell silent with resignation.
“Hee hee,” Krone chuckled. “You’re pouting.”
That alone put her in a better mood as she gently swung her feet over the side of the box. She bent down and lowered her posture to stare up at Ein’s profile while giggling.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hmm? What’s up?” Ein replied.
“I’ll make a note in my report that you’re not at fault, so you’ve no need to worry.”
“Really?!” Ein gasped and faced Krone, his eyes filled with hope.
“I’m sorry for teasing you. I actually was watching from afar, and I know that you were dragged into that mess. And though you did seem into it at the end, I’ll turn the other way.”
“W-Wait, then there was no reason for me to sneak out of the castle.”
“You’re right. There was no need for you to rush past me, grab my hand, and flee.”
The pair had been becoming increasingly busy with their work, but Krone hoped she’d have a little time alone with Ein. And so, she went along with the panicking crown prince and fled from the castle, heading all the way to the port. Naturally, she was aware of their schedules as well. She knew that they both had the afternoon free, and so, she’d instinctively held her tongue until now.
“Why did I even grab your hand and flee anyway?” Ein wondered.
“Don’t ask me,” Krone replied. “I only ran with you because you suddenly grabbed my hand.”
“I don’t really understand myself sometimes, to be honest. But it doesn’t hurt to live like this every now and then. Recently, we haven’t been able to relax together, and this is the perfect opportunity.”
Krone was overjoyed to hear him speak so casually and felt her cheeks turn beet red. Luckily for her, Ein turned back to gaze at the sea.
“Good grief,” Krone said.
She noticed that he was blushing too. It seemed that they were both still embarrassed and couldn’t be honest with themselves. In any case, it was clear that they were both happy with how things turned out.
“How should we spend the afternoon?” Ein asked.
“Huh?” Krone replied.
“I’m starting to feel like we don’t need to return until sunset, at this point.”
Krone’s body trembled with glee, but she managed to calm herself down and blinked back innocently. She placed a hand on his knee and leaned forward.
“There’s actually a store I wanted to visit with you,” Krone said.
“All right, then let’s go,” Ein replied.
He stood up and offered her a hand—as if he were asking her for a dance. Krone took his hand and stepped off the box, but they knew that they couldn’t be so public with their affection while strolling through the castle district. She reluctantly released him from her grip and gave a melancholic smile. Ein, however, grasped her hand once more.
“I don’t think anyone will see us until we’re out on the main road,” he said. As his beloved fell silent, he called out to her. “Krone?”
“It’s nothing. I think I was just in a daze because I’m just so happy.”
He acted like his usual, casual self and turned away. Krone found his subtle, considerate acts so endearing and drew close to her beloved.
And so, the two walked towards the main road, as slowly as possible.
✦ ✦ ✦
When Krone woke up, she realized that she was still in her office. It was the middle of the night, and her room was shrouded in darkness. Why am I here? Krone wondered as she rubbed her sleepy eyes and slowly remembered that she’d returned from a journey to the Tower of Wisdom. I was filled in on the details before I sent off Lady Misty and the others.
But Krone found it foolish to leave everything in the hands of Misty and her family. While the castle bustled with the footsteps of those coming and going, the young advisor was quite the busy bee herself—waist-deep in her own research. She’d found herself sleeping on her desk. She hadn’t fully recovered her stamina just yet and had ended up conking out as a result of pushing herself too hard.
“That...was all a dream,” she murmured.
She thought back to those joyous halcyon days with her beloved in the castle district. Tears welled up in her eyes as she reminisced about those days—a far cry from the present. The young advisor wiped them away and slapped her cheeks.
“Now isn’t the time for this.”
She looked at the clock and nodded before she stood up for a change of pace. Her body felt heavier than usual as she headed outside. Krone had only just left her hospital bed, but she walked around with a dignified gait. Her first stop was Katima’s room, where she planned to check up on the still-unconscious Chris. Afterwards, she maintained that confident stride as she diligently moved about the castle, taking care of any business hurled at her.
“Advisor Krone! Here are the documents you asked for!”
“Pardon me during this busy time! The researcher we called for is at the castle gates, but what shall we do?”
Her usual workload couldn’t even compare to the mountain of work that she was currently taking care of. Yet, Krone didn’t seem to panic. On the contrary, she handled it all with ease, taking care of matters as she continued to walk along. I must work harder. She swiftly stepped into a hall near the castle entrance. The busy employees all at once turned to her—she hadn’t done a thing, but she commanded the attention of the room with her dignified stature.
“In lieu of the chancellor, I shall be the one to handle all of his administrative duties,” she declared.
Her eyes were unyielding and regal. She cast a sweeping glance at the employees, and they all unconsciously felt compelled to bow to her.
A certain royal pair watched this scene from the floors above.
“How odd,” Silverd muttered.
Lalalua couldn’t hide her shock as well; for a split second, it seemed like the king was about to bow to this young advisor as well.
“As she is now, Krone reminds me very much of Ein on that fateful night,” Silverd said.
He referred to Ein’s first party in Ishtarica. That night, the prince had defended Krone’s honor and forced the nation’s nobles into respecting their abilities.
“Everyone almost tried to bow to her, as the nobles did that night,” Silverd said.
“Indeed. And you almost did so yourself,” Lalalua pointed out.
“Quite right. I didn’t even question it. It only seemed natural to kneel before her, and I didn’t hesitate to do so.”
However, there was a crucial difference between Krone and Ein. That night, the crown prince’s speech greatly mirrored First King Jayle’s words. The inexplicable, overwhelming aura that oozed from the boy could only be interpreted as the pressure occasionally commanded by the royal family. Krone indeed had a similar aura about her, but in her case...
“She acts like a queen protecting the absence of the king,” Lalalua noted.
There was no other way to describe it. Krone commanded awe and exuded purity.
“And I ask you all to lend me your aid,” Krone said.
She was noble and benevolent, her kindness attracting those around her.