“Fwaaah…”
Falanya stretched across the bed in her private chambers and let out a weary sigh.
“You seem pretty beat, Falanya,” her guard Nanaki Ralei remarked as he stood nearby like a shadow.
“That’s because I am tired. Haven’t you been watching me run around lately, Nanaki?” the princess answered with a look of protest.
Her schedule had been busier than ever lately.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Princess Falanya, about these applications…”
“I’ll look them over in a bit, so please leave everything over there.”
“I have several petitions from the citizens.”
“I’ll review them shortly.”
“There is a leader who desires an audience with Your Highness.”
“Do I have time available next week? If so, we can meet then.”
“Your Highness, your next appointment is a visit with His Majesty.”
“Please ask my father to wait just a while longer. I’ll be there soon…!”
✦ ✦ ✦
It was an unrelenting whirlwind. Government affairs dogged the princess day and night. Despite this long-awaited yet brief reprieve in the comfort of her own bedroom, Falanya still had a mountain of work. The phrase “worked to death” had never felt more literal.
Still…
Falanya rolled on the bed once, twice, three times, staring at her hand. It was small and delicate. Such fingers belonged to a sheltered girl who’d never known any hardship. She doubted they could hold a large suitcase, let alone carry the fate of a nation.
“Are you worried?”
“…”
Falanya’s busy to-do list wasn’t the issue; if anything, she enjoyed it. Something else fueled her melancholy.
“That shady guy gave you advice, didn’t he?”
“…Yuan isn’t a bad person. I’ll admit he’s suspicious, though.”
Yuan’s wry smile popped into Falanya’s mind, but she brushed the image away.
“Hey, Nanaki.”
“Don’t ask me.”
“…But I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“I already know what you’ll ask.”
Falanya glared at him reproachfully, but Nanaki wasn’t fazed in the slightest.
“I’ll clear the way, but our direction is up to you, Falanya.”
“Sheesh…”
She threw a nearby pillow at Nanaki, who blocked the projectile with ease and threw it back into her face. As Falanya peeled the pillow away, she muttered, “…I’m not really sure what to do.”
Several years had passed since King Owen fell ill and Crown Prince Wein stepped up to lead the nation as regent. In the time since, Natra had enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and made its mark on the world stage. Everyone believed it was only a matter of time until Wein became king and ushered in a new age of stability for the nation. However, doubt had recently entered the equation, and some of Natra’s vassals viewed Wein’s antics as dangerous.
“But my brother is the reason we’ve come this far…”
Falanya spoke the truth. Wein was undeniably the main factor in Natra’s swift success. He was a rare genius and skilled negotiator brave enough to face enemies in their own territories. These qualities ferried him to outstanding results, and it was obvious to anyone that history would remember Wein as a hero.
However, Natra was simultaneously dependent on the crown prince and subject to his whims. It felt like only Wein held any value, and that was the root of the problem. Each vassal also took pride in their duties, and those feelings ballooned alongside Natra’s growth. For each of Wein’s victories, their hearts grew increasingly bitter.
Several months ago, a chasm had formed between Wein and his vassals after he arbitrarily decided to become the adopted son of a foreign leader. Convinced they could no longer allow their regent to do as he pleased, the vassals began plotting to curb his unchecked authority.
Of course, a tug-of-war between a ruler and his constituents wasn’t uncommon. Falanya understood that much. However, the plot to install her on the throne made it a different story.
“To think anyone would try to push Wein aside and make me queen…”
The ringleader of this scheme was a man named Sirgis, whom Falanya had appointed herself. Although he recognized Wein’s accomplishments, he also believed the prince threatened Natra’s future progress. Therefore, Sirgis intended to put Falanya in charge. She and everyone else were aware that her abilities couldn’t compare to Wein’s, but Sirgis said the officials and citizens would support her and help move the nation forward.
“Argh! I can’t take this!” Falanya exclaimed, pounding the pillow. “This is so typical of Wein. Everyone is already out to get him, yet he’s run off again!”
The meeting with His Grace Ernesto of Eastern Levetia was supposed to be held in Natra, but the location had been switched to the Empire at the last minute. Although Wein’s vassals strongly objected, Wein shot them down and headed east. He left behind instructions for Falanya and the royal officials to handle the government in his absence.
“He’s practically helping Sirgis!”
Wein wandered abroad without listening to a word his vassals said.
Falanya listened to them as she tried to lead the nation.
It was clear as day who between them would win the officials’ hearts.
Of course, Wein was still Natra’s crown prince. The people adored him, and even his staff had faith in his brilliance. Those who earnestly supported his little sister’s candidacy for the throne were few and far between.
Nonetheless…
“…”
Falanya understood that if she truly had no desire to rule, she had only to tell Wein. All involved parties, including Sirgis, would be duly sentenced. Falanya would be married off to some allied nation, and that would be the end of it. Then, Natra’s rightful king would lead the people to a new golden age.
However, something Sirgis mentioned kept Falanya from going to her brother.
“Fwaah…” Falanya flopped back on the bed and yawned.
“Sounds like you’ve got it rough.”
“You make it sound like you’re totally uninvolved!”
“I’m a bodyguard.”
“I know, but stilllll! Nghhh!”
Falanya glared at Nanaki with evident frustration. She was thankful for his consistent character, but it proved frustrating at times.
“Princess Falanya…”
There was a knock at the door.
“…It’s almost time for your usual meeting.”
The official’s voice made Falanya sit up. This meeting was something Wein would normally attend, but he was counting on his sister to act as his proxy.
Yuan had said that how Falanya overcame these trials and her actions thereafter were paramount. Was the princess ready for such challenges? Was it even right to try?
Falanya lacked an answer. She took a deep breath.
“Yes, I’m coming.”
The princess stepped forward to fulfill her duty.
“Hrmm…”
Wein groaned atop a horse as he rode at the front of his delegation.
“Is something wrong, Your Highness?”
The question came from Raklum, Wein’s guard commander. The young military officer, appointed by Wein himself, was undyingly loyal to his liege.
“Oh, I was just thinking about how bright these rays are.”
As Wein adjusted his collar to air out his clothes, he stared up at the sky in annoyance. It was early summer. With winter long gone and spring on its way out, the sun grew harsher.
“One might say it’s a natural part of the season, but it’s also proof we left Natra some time ago.”
After departing Natra, which stood at the northernmost tip of the continent, the group began the journey southeast toward the Imperial Capital. The temperature naturally rose during their travel.
As for why the group headed for the capital, it was so Wein could meet with Ernesto, the Leader of Eastern Levetia.
Damn, that Lowa sure is a thorn in my side.
Ernesto was originally supposed to visit Natra, but the news of Lowellmina’s assassination forced a change.
Even Wein had been shocked by this development, which was only natural since Lowellmina was both a friend and an ally. When reports of misinformation arrived while he was issuing orders to conduct a closer investigation, Wein was relieved. Nevertheless, he suspected the situation might spark a huge shift in the Empire, and he changed his tactics. To observe matters firsthand, the crown prince elected to visit the Empire under the pretext of meeting Ernesto.
Bardloche, Manfred, and Lowa. What will their next moves be?
Wein smirked as he imagined the vortex of complex intrigue building in the Empire. Not even that could get him to forget the unbearable heat, though.
“At times like these, I mourn the East’s ‘no carriage’ tradition.”
“They truly seem to regard royals and nobles as warriors,” Raklum replied.
Such people were the nation’s guardians, and it was their patriotic duty to fight in times of peril. The Eastern continent typically viewed blue bloods who preferred to ride in carriages as weak. The proud royals and aristocrats of the West, however, believed reckless public appearances to be in poor taste, making the carriage the preferred mode of travel. Culture took many forms.
Wein wasn’t one to hide away in a carriage, but he was northern-born and sensitive to heat. His desire to get out of the sun was understandable.
“By the way, how are you holding up, Raklum?”
“Were this enough to best me, I would be unworthy to protect you, Your Highness.”
“Dependable as always.”
The faithful retainer thumped his chest proudly, and Wein grinned lightly.
“If you are feeling uncomfortable, Your Highness, then perhaps we should take a short rest?”
“There’s no need. I can already see our stopover town.”
No sooner had Wein answered than a familiar rider approached from ahead. It was Ninym.
“Your Highness, I’ve returned.”
Ninym dismounted and respectfully bowed to Wein since they were in public.
“Good work. How’d it go, Ninym?”
“Our accommodations are prepared to receive us.”
The Imperial Capital was several days’ journey from Natra, making stops in towns along the way necessary. However, Wein’s delegation of a dozen or so meant that some inns might lack sufficient room to shelter the entire party if it arrived without warning. Ninym had ridden ahead to ensure everything was ready.
“However, Your Highness, there is one matter you should be aware of.”
“Hm? Did something happen?”
Wein threw Ninym a concerned look. The girl moved closer to whisper in his ear.
And then…