STALE
“SPLENDID JOB OUT THERE,” Prime Minister Gilbert said, handing me a glass. “You danced brilliantly, Prince Stale.”
“Thank you,” I said, accepting it with open reluctance.
After the dance party, Pride, Tiara, and I had joined Mother and Father at their thrones. Tiara and Pride were still eagerly discussing the dances, but at least that kept other guests from approaching them. I’d lost my chance for a short break when the father of the last noblewoman I danced with accosted me for a chat. Honestly, Gilbert’s intrusion to offer me a drink served as a huge relief…as much as I hated to admit that.
“I’d expect nothing less from you,” he went on. “You stole the hearts of many princesses and noblewomen, didn’t you?”
“No, I only danced with four of them,” I said. “That’s not exactly ‘many.’”
I’d hoped to dance strictly with married women, but drawing the ire of the crowd wasn’t worth it. I had reluctantly moved on to the women I’d interacted with the most, but I never expected one of them to come approach me with her father after our dance. It wasn’t as if I hated women; I simply had no interest in entertaining their feelings for me. I was already swamped with my seneschal and prince consort work.
“My daughter is eager to make this work.”
I hadn’t known how to respond to that.
I surreptitiously surveyed the crowd, careful not to make eye contact, and found a flock of noblewomen and princesses watching me over Gilbert’s shoulders. This sort of fawning wasn’t uncommon for me, but it had gotten much more intense after I turned seventeen.
“I hear you’ve captivated countless women from the moment they laid eyes on you.”
This time, I faked a smile. “I’m honored. They’re all so lovely.”
“Of course,” Gilbert agreed. He was just being polite, but his nod made me feel like we were on the same team or something, which just pissed me off even more.
Indeed, there were many beautiful women at the party. Some were older than me, some younger, but every last one dressed to impress and conducted themselves with the utmost elegance and grace. Even the invitees’ partners and guests who weren’t noblewomen or princesses were beautiful and graceful. But I never felt any particular attraction to any of them. I was too used to spending time around Pride, Tiara, and Mother—women no one could hope to outmatch. I was very much aware that this was a flaw of mine.
“Even my wife was pleased,” Gilbert said. “She told me she quite enjoyed her time with you. Should I bring her to future events so you can see each other again?”
“No, it was nothing. I was merely returning the favor, as you were kind enough to entertain Princess Pride with a dance.” I put enough sting in my words that Gilbert would understand my true meaning.
“I see,” he said with an unflagging smile.
I wasn’t exactly lying. Anger had flashed through me when Pride took Gilbert’s hand, so I thought I’d offer my hand to Maria. Well, to be honest…
“My dance with Her Highness will be a lovely memory to look back on. It’s excellent motivation to continue carrying out my work.”
“I’m glad to hear that. You’re our country’s cherished prime minister, after all. I look forward to seeing your earnest efforts from here on out,” I said, sipping from my drink.
“Of course,” Gilbert replied as I savored the taste. He had picked the perfect drink, unsurprisingly. “How is your work going, Your Highness? Are you getting the hang of things yet?”
I looked up at his quiet tone. He wore a smile of genuine concern that left me speechless for a moment. I’d been spending more time with both Uncle Vest and Gilbert as of late. It pissed me off, but still…
“I am, thank you. I’m quite inexperienced, but I get to learn from the very best.”
Gilbert’s eyebrows shot up. He was silent for a beat, lost for words himself. At length, his gaze softened and he murmured, “I’m honored.”
“Her Majesty should be speaking soon. I’m looking forward to it.”
“As am I.”
He wore a fond expression, and I honestly felt the same. Mother was going to introduce Pride, who would announce the establishment of an international postal system. The institution would connect all of our allied nations and amicable neighbors.
Not only that, but this was a joint undertaking with the previously isolated United Hanazuo Kingdom. When other countries heard about that, they might offer to let us build hubs and stopovers, expanding the system even further. That would result in more consistent deliveries and also bolster Pride’s reputation.
Prince Cedric had made things a bit difficult at first, but I couldn’t deny how much he’d helped in the end. He was the royal prince of the United Hanazuo Kingdom and possessed a brilliant mind. The man would no doubt adapt to the new system and handle it deftly.
“It makes me happy to know my elder sister will have yet another accomplishment under her belt.”
On the heels of her schooling system, this service would show the masses yet more of Pride’s hard work, hence my dedication to working on this endeavor myself.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Gilbert replied softly.
After everything he’d done to Pride in the past, I was itching to scold him for that—but his happiness for Pride was real this time.
“Princess Pride will be thrilled to have a wonderful person like you as her seneschal.”
I wanted to smirk and scoff at him, but we were in public, so a simple thank-you and a nasty smile would have to suffice.
Gilbert merely grinned. “That reminds me… Have you thought about settling down now that you’re seventeen years old, Your Highness? I’d be happy to introduce you to any number of—”
“No, I’m quite all right. I’ve left Mother and Father in charge of everything relating to my marriage.”
I had raised my voice so he’d hear me clearly, causing the women behind him to cry out in anguish. Damn him for bringing that up!
Since I wasn’t a princess, Mother and Father would pick out candidates for me and allow me to meet them before making a decision. They hadn’t broached the subject with me yet, but that was probably intentional, since I was so busy working under Uncle Vest and carrying out prince consort duties. I didn’t mind one bit; I couldn’t bear to cut down on my work or time with Pride and Tiara because of those silly social formalities. In fact, I would’ve been perfectly happy remaining single for the rest of my life.
“I’m going to go check on Elder Sister and Tiara now!” I said, lacing every word with my anger but keeping my smile pasted on. “Please, enjoy the rest of the party, Prime Minister Gilbert!”
Gilbert shrugged. “Certainly. Thank you, Your Highness.”
Just as I turned to head in the opposite direction, it hit me that our conversation meant those other women wouldn’t try to approach me anymore. I could go be with Pride and Tiara without anyone stopping me. That was probably why Gilbert had come over for a chat in the first place.
When I glanced over my shoulder, Gilbert asked, “Is something wrong?”
I couldn’t help but respect his cleverness. Facing him, I crooked my finger to beckon him closer. He leaned in, and I gently tugged on his ear and whispered one last line. “I honestly did want to dance with Maria.”
Gilbert blinked. I kept my facial expression a generic but polite one, and the prime minister smiled back at me. “Yes… I’m aware.”
“I’m sure you are,” I shot back, refusing to let him get the better of me.
Only when I spoke with him did social settings become such a nuisance. Childishly, I resolved to let him have it during work the next day.
Things would get even busier from here on out. Pride’s postal service was about to launch, so we needed to pin down locations for hubs, recruit personnel, make our hires, inform other countries, and seek their cooperation. Every palace official was going to be overwhelmed with work, including my parents, Uncle Vest, and Gilbert himself.
“Prime Minister, let’s put our noses back to the grindstone tomorrow.”
We’d only be spending more time together after this. I was in charge of assisting him just like I did with Uncle Vest. We would work together tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that…probably for the rest of my life.
“Of course. I look forward to it, Prince Stale.”
He bowed, and suddenly I wondered if the unaging, immortal prime minister would be the one to care for me when I was too old to do it myself.
Perhaps it really was best to get married if it meant someone else would look after me in my final days.