What in the world is this boy?
That was Ninym’s only thought as she gripped her knees in a corner of the expansive parlor.
The boy in question was Wein, who read silently in the middle of the room.
“Do as you please.” Those were Wein’s exact words after Ninym had stumbled out of the forest and into his villa. Then, seemingly considering his duty fulfilled, Wein had turned away to return to his book. He ignored Ninym without sparing her a single glance.
What should I do?
She was the one who’d appeared out of nowhere and been allowed to stay in the manor when she normally would’ve been forced back outside. For her to offer a complaint now would be outrageous. Yet she had no idea what to do now that she was left to her own devices.
He said his name is Wein Salema Arbalest…
Almost everyone in Natra knew that name, and naturally, Ninym was no exception. After all, only one person in the whole nation carried that moniker.
That made the situation feel only more incomprehensible.
If his claim is true…why are we the only ones here?
Everything from the manor itself to Wein’s attitude and clothing spoke of a noble lineage. However, if what Ninym had heard was correct, Prince Wein would never read alone in the middle of a forest or casually invite a suspicious visitor inside.
Ninym had to wonder if this boy was actually someone else.
Suddenly, a sound came from the entryway. Footsteps. Ninym was quick to hide herself upon sensing this new arrival’s approach.
“I’ve returned, Your Highness.”
The young man was about ten years Ninym’s senior. His face looked gentle, but his tall, muscular build was evident from a single glance. Perhaps he was a guard.
More importantly, what did he just say?
“I was able to catch a deer, so I’ll prepare dinner soon… Oh?”
The man, having noticed Ninym’s presence, looked her way. His expression betrayed caution for this new visitor but also confusion over the fact that she was a child. He turned to Wein for answers.
“Apparently, she was lost in the woods,” Wein stated plainly.
“Out in a backwater—I mean, secluded place like this?” Although still bewildered, the man slowly knelt to meet Ninym on her level. “I am Raklum, a soldier of the Kingdom of Natra. May I ask your name, young lady?”
“…I’m Ninym,” she replied timidly.
Raklum smiled. “Such eyes and hair tell me you are of the Flahm. What brings you so deep into the forest? Does your family know you’re here?”
“Um…well…”
Ninym had entered the woods for a reason but refused to explain. She couldn’t, even if it meant being cast out for suspicious behavior.
““…””
Ninym wouldn’t answer, yet Raklum had a responsibility to ask. The conflict between them formed a tangible silence.
The light pap of a closed book cut the tension.
“You don’t have to tell us if you don’t want to. Just drop it, Raklum.”
Raklum was quick to express his disapproval. “But, Your Highness, we can’t possibly—”
“It’s not like she’s an assassin. Besides, it’s almost dinnertime.”
“…” Despite his perpetual grimace, Raklum relented and sighed. “In that case, I shall prepare our meal. Please wait here for a moment, but do not set your expectations too high. It will be quite modest fare.”
“That’s fine.”
Raklum turned on his heel to leave, but Ninym called out, “Um…”
“Hm? Ah, worry not. I’ll set aside a portion for you as well.”
“Th-thank you. But there’s something else…” Ninym turned to Raklum. “You called that boy ‘Your Highness.’ Does that mean…?”
Raklum gave a look that said, Oh crap. Unfortunately, it was too late to fool Ninym. After a brief internal meltdown, Raklum answered, “I cannot say much, but…the truth is as you presume.”
“I knew it. He’s…”
Wein Salema Arbalest was the name of Natra’s crown prince. This young man standing before Ninym was heir to the Natran throne.
“…”
Just then, a thought struck her. Why was the prince in a remote location with only Raklum? Whatever the reason, this presented her with an opportunity.
“Um, I can help in the kitchen. Please, I insist. I’ll do whatever you ask and tend to the prince’s daily needs,” Ninym said. “So…might I stay here for a while?”
Natra’s royal capital of Codebell was presently on the rise, but at one point, it had been impossible to believe such a desolate town could serve as the nation’s capital. This had been due to its location near the northernmost tip of the continent and hostile relations with the West.
However, Wein’s ascension to regent changed everything. Natra quickly repelled foreign invaders, expanded its territory, and formed diplomatic alliances. Moreover, this momentum brought people to Natra in droves. An upward spiral of new immigrants was established, and Codebell soon became a vibrant hot spot.
“Wow, it’s like a whole different town,” one person remarked.
“You ain’t kiddin’,” said another. “The population and economy are boomin’. We never could’ve imagined this back when we were kids.”
Most citizens favored the change, but unsurprisingly, the additional foreigners, trouble, and disruption to their daily lives frustrated some. Still, Natra clearly flourished under Wein’s rule, so the changes were mostly welcomed.
“Come to think of it, His Highness the Crown Prince will be returning to Natra soon.”
“Oh yeah. He was in the Empire, right? Prince Wein is always runnin’ off to one country or another.”
In the citizens’ eyes, the royal family stood on a different plane of existence. Most believed they resided within a brilliant world too fascinating and dazzling for common folk to conceive of. Nevertheless, news tidbits did occasionally leak, so everyone was vaguely aware of Wein’s frequent excursions.
“I’m sure takin’ over for His Majesty ain’t easy, but Prince Wein oughtta put his feet up once in a while.”
“Yeah, but there’s really nothin’ for it. Prince Wein’s global politics have breathed new life into Natra.”
Wein’s numerous accomplishments made it clear he wasn’t simply running around the continent to fulfill his wanderlust. However, he was also a leader whose presence in the homeland set Natra at ease. This left people conflicted.
However, they remained confident in their nation’s new trajectory.
“Hey, no worries. Now that Natra’s got a backbone, we won’t be shaken so easily.”
Natra had been clawing its way higher for several years, the citizens enjoyed a new sense of pride and faith in their kingdom, and Wein was not the only symbol of those feelings.
“Besides, we’ve got another reliable leader while Prince Wein is away.”
Yes, a second individual had captured the public’s heart and become their anchor.
And that person was…