The sound of warbling birds reached my ears. I turned toward the direction of the noise and peered out the window. Through the glass, I spotted a little bird with bright-blue wings perched on a thin branch. It looked down at me with its round, cute eyes and chirped again. Its pleasant, gentle cry resembled the sound of a flute, and I found the way it waddled and darted about adorable as well. I couldn’t help but smile.
I lifted my teacup to hide my slovenly grin. The gold liquid inside contrasted nicely against the pure-white ceramic cup. I took a sip, and a vivacious flavor spread across my palate, and the subtle fragrance of flowers wafted through my nose. The tea must have been brewed from high-quality first-flush leaves. The brew was impeccable and was by no means inferior to the tea served in the castle. Furthermore, the sofa—carefully selected by our parents for their beloved daughter—was very comfortable to sit on.
A snug environment and delicious black tea. A leisurely moment free from work. To think that I’m peacefully enjoying teatime while watching a little bird. What a luxury.
A blissful sigh escaped my lips. In contrast, my younger brother sitting across from me—Johan—wore a bored expression.
“It’s not fair only mother gets to go,” he grumbled quietly.
“Is it not?” I replied.
“No, it’s not!” Johan responded with a wave of discontent. “I wanted to help pick our sister’s dress too! Chris, don’t you feel the same?”
His frenzy overwhelmed me. To be honest, I’m not so ardent about it. I’m ignorant about women’s fashion, and I’m not confident in my sense of style, so I wouldn’t be much use there. I’d like to see Rose dressed up, but my vocabulary is lacking, and my opinion would provide little guidance. However, I was the only one who viewed it that way; Johan was different. So, I gave a different reason.
“We may be relatives, but it would still be improper for men to be present.”
“I’m not saying I want to be present while she’s changing. But can’t I at least be there when they’re choosing a design?”
“Would you step out every time she changed? You would only slow them down,” I said dismissively.
Johan frowned and clammed up. He knew it was unreasonable for him to join them, but he likely wanted me to share his displeasure.
“I know more about sister than mother does, though,” Johan eventually muttered, sulking like a petulant child.
He always wore a flawless smile, even against the most cunning nobles, so this was an unusual occurrence. However, knowing he was relaxed around me warmed my heart and made me emotional again.
As a child, he used to despise me. I recalled how Johan used to hide behind Rose’s tiny little back and shoot menacing glares my way. Our current relationship is a miracle. And that goes for my relationship with my stepmother too. Not only did we avoid speaking to each other outside of formal events, but we never even made eye contact. If I told my past self that she and I would one day be able to go out together, he would never believe me.
I feel like my father has also changed a little. It’s like he’s easier to talk to than before... No, it’s probably just my imagination... Which reminds me, I wonder if he’s upset. My father’s face suddenly floated into mind, and I recalled something I’d purposefully tried to forget.
Rose was with child, and before she returned to her domain, I’d wanted to see her at least once and have a leisurely conversation without having to rush. However, taking time off wasn’t easy with the mountain of work on my desk. I’d somehow managed to complete enough tasks to visit her for a day, but that had happened to overlap with my stepmother and Johan’s plans.
We couldn’t leave the castle bereft of its entire royal family. The three of us understood this fact, and we’d exchanged glances. However, none of us had been able to bring ourselves to say that we’d stay behind. As the older sibling, I should’ve conceded to my cute younger brother. However, I missed Rose too. I’d wanted to see her in person and congratulate her—not with the stiff greetings I’d use in a formal setting but in my own unadulterated words.
Johan hadn’t been able to bring himself to demand that I yield. Ultimately, my stepmother had been the one who’d ripped apart the uncomfortable blanket of silence. Without a second thought, she’d readily said, “Then we’ve no choice but to all go together.”
Her statement had implied we would leave behind the one person who wasn’t present. Johan and I had looked at each other and nodded at the same time, making us her accomplices.
“I fear what he’ll say when I return,” I mumbled to myself.
Johan grimaced. “Please don’t remind me of unpleasant things.” It seemed he had also visualized father’s face. “He’ll surely nag us. ‘If you have enough spare time to gallivant about, then work,’” he said, mimicking father’s voice.
You’ve perfectly captured father’s idiosyncrasies. Please stop. Hearing that just once from the man himself is enough suffering for me.
“I thought this when I was reviewing our treaty with Lapter, but he hurls too much important work at us. He’s going to live past a hundred anyway, so he should just do it himself instead of foisting it onto young men with much to live for,” Johan spat out venomously.
“It’s...proof he has high expectations for you,” I said weakly.
He glared at me. “You shouldn’t pacify others with statements you don’t even believe.”
“Sorry.” I raised my hands in surrender. “That doesn’t mean it’s entirely untrue. Honestly, I don’t know what goes through his head.”
“I feel the same. I could try my whole life, and I don’t think I’ll ever understand him. When I think he values customs and traditions, he suddenly does the unexpected. I wouldn’t be surprised if he abruptly came here right—”
Just then, someone knocked on the door. We both held our breath and stared at each other. After a moment, we slowly shifted our gazes to the door.
“Yes?” Johan fearfully asked.
“It’s Leonhart.”
We immediately relaxed and permitted him to enter. Our sister’s husband, Leonhart, stepped through the door. Perhaps it was because he wasn’t in the royal knight’s uniform I was so used to seeing him in, but he appeared somewhat different. Dressed in a black frock coat on top of a charcoal-gray waistcoat, he looked like a refined nobleman—even more so with his bangs pushed back.
He was getting on in years, but his charming good looks had not faded. In fact, they were only becoming more striking. And though this sentiment was belated, I was impressed by my sister’s eye for men.
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?” I asked.
“Yes, I have. Your Highness, you look the same as ever,” Leonhart replied. His eyebrows lowered in confusion at Johan, who was lifelessly leaning against the backrest of the sofa.
“I never thought the day would come when I would feel relieved to see you,” my younger brother muttered.
“Pardon me, Prince Johan, I’m not sure I follow...”
“Oh, never mind.” It felt silly to explain that we had panicked because our ludicrous fantasy had seemed to have come true for a split second, so I brushed it off. “More importantly, I apologize for the sudden visit.”
“Please, no need to worry. My wife is overjoyed to have everyone’s company.”
The word “wife” peeved Johan. She’s with child now, and you’re still reacting like that? Exasperated as I was, I also felt a bit lonely without Rose, so I wasn’t one to talk.
“Besides, I would offer little assistance choosing a dress, so I’m grateful Her Majesty is here to lend some guidance. I’m sure she would know what suits Rose best.” Leonhart let out an abashed laugh.
He’s the same as me, I thought. I’d felt a certain camaraderie with him, even when he had been the captain of the royal guard. This still held true now that he was married.
“I’m the one who knows what suits my sister best,” Johan grumbled.
I disregarded his complaints and motioned for Leonhart to take a seat. He was about to sit down in an armchair, but he stopped. It seemed he’d suddenly remembered something.
“Before I forget, I just received this.” Leonhart placed a letter his butler had handed him in front of me.
“It’s for me?” I questioned.
“It’s addressed to both of you.”
Both of us, meaning me and Johan. We left several hours ago, so I’d expect it to be urgent if it’s been sent here, but it doesn’t look like it is. I cocked my head to the side, puzzled. Johan moved to sit beside me, his face full of suspicion.
I opened the envelope with the letter knife on the tray and pulled out a piece of paper that was folded in half. I unfolded it. A short message was written on it in familiar handwriting.
When I read it, I was stunned speechless.
“You owe me one. Remember that.”
It wasn’t my imagination! Father really has changed. At the very least, he didn’t use to be a person who would do such a childish thing. If anyone asked me if this change is a welcome one, I would shake my head with all my might.
I pictured the mountain of documents already stacked high on top of my desk as I handed the slip of paper to Johan.