Ninym stood beside the freshly bathed Wein and waited on him attentively throughout breakfast.
He’s always so indifferent…
She often thought as much of the prince as she observed him. Of course, her current basic recipe repertoire of bread, meat, and vegetables couldn’t compare to the palace’s diverse, elaborate meals. Wein chewed each dish disaffectedly, without a single remark on how it tasted. Ninym couldn’t help but wonder if he’d react similarly to a plate of dirt.
I wouldn’t say he’s difficult, though…
Ninym had wandered into the mansion lost and confused, yet Wein allowed her to live and even work there. Objectively speaking, he was magnanimous. However, Ninym felt something beyond goodwill in his presence. This prince was truly an enigma.
“Pardon me, Your Highness.” Raklum appeared following a knock on the door. “This just arrived from one of our spies.”
Wein accepted the sealed envelope, scanned its contents, and then exchanged a few words with Raklum.
“It would seem the Imperial Court is uneasy.”
“Who’s on the move?”
“According to this report…”
From what Ninym could hear, it involved the Imperial Court.
“Will you return to the palace?”
“No, I’ll stay here for now. Let them know.”
“Understood…”
Wein turned to the girl, who’d been eavesdropping.
“Ninym.”
“Y-yes? Umm… Oh.”
Wein motioned to his dishes and silverware. Ninym hurriedly cleared them away, bowed, and excused herself from the room. As she closed the door, Ninym heard the conversation continue behind her. Was she dismissed because the discussion involved sensitive information? Honestly, Ninym was clueless about the situation but knew better than to stick her nose into it.
Afterward, Ninym washed the dishes then started on the housework and laundry, all the while pondering what to prepare for lunch. Cleaning this vast mansion by herself was a monumental task, but such extravagant furnishings permitted no carelessness.
Now that I think about it, how did they manage until now?
Raklum couldn’t possibly have served Wein, run the household, and managed outgoing and incoming goods and information on his own. The responsibilities demanded at least three or four people, yet Raklum and Ninym were the only staff members. Ninym had inquired about this before but had never been given any details.
Just then, Raklum appeared at the other end of the corridor.
“Sir Raklum.”
He looked up, emerging from a mire of his own thoughts.
“Ah, Ninym. Are you cleaning right now?”
“Yes. I’ll polish the mansion until it shines.”
“That’s the spirit. Don’t push yourself, though. His Highness said we can prioritize the rooms in active use.”
“Understood! Still, I’ll do my very best!”
Ninym had asked to stay, so no task was too big. Raklum recognized her innocent intention, of course, and didn’t chide her for it. Instead, he smiled wryly and changed the subject.
“By the way, there’s no need to call me ‘sir.’ After all, I’m just a soldier.”
“But you serve His Highness…” Ninym didn’t understand the circumstances, but Raklum was the prince’s sole attendant. Most would deem sir to be appropriate.
“I have been by His Highness’s side for less time than you might think,” Raklum confessed, shaking his head. “The prince summoned me out of the blue only a short while ago. He said he planned to spend some time in this mansion and put me in charge of day-to-day matters. At first, I thought that meant I would command the guards and servants, but…it’s really just me.”
“Wow…” Ninym looked at Raklum curiously as he groaned. “Then, what was your previous relation to His Highness…?”
“The prince had commended my sharp eye and intuition when he came to observe Natra’s troops. I felt truly honored, and… Well, that’s about it. That’s likely why he remembered me.”
In short, Prince Wein had brought a soldier he hardly knew into this forest mansion, despite the potential inconvenience. By this point, Ninym suspected Wein was more than just an eccentric. He was after something, though she hadn’t the slightest clue what.
“Well, I can’t begin to guess His Highness’s intentions,” Raklum said humbly. “Regardless, I shall remain forever loyal and diligent in my duties. Ninym, you are also a citizen of Natra. Never forget your allegiance to Prince Wein.”
“O-okay!” she replied enthusiastically.
Raklum nodded and continued, “Pardon me for changing the subject, but…a report has arrived concerning your village.”
Ninym’s shoulders tensed, shaking slightly. Running away hadn’t been enough. Her life had returned to haunt her.
“It would seem everyone has been looking for you. They were relieved to hear you’re safe, but you must reflect on the trouble you’ve caused.”
“I know…”
A suddenly enervated Ninym hung her head. She realized how much her impulsive outburst continued to affect people.
“We’ve sent word that you are under a noble’s protection. Your kin insist on sending someone to collect you right away, but…”
“U-um…”
“I know. You wish to remain here. Unfortunately, it will be rather difficult to persuade them,” Raklum said with a note of concern. “Needless to say, you cannot reveal that His Highness is practically alone in this forest, nor can we invite anyone here. However, the other party will not back down until they confirm your safety firsthand. Nothing is set, but our plan is to meet their representative in a neighboring village.”
“I see…”
“In any case, I won’t let them take you by force. However, you must be the one to change their minds. Prepare yourself.”
Ninym gave a tiny nod. Considering this was a predicament born of her recklessness, Raklum was being awfully generous. It was fortunate that Ninym had stumbled upon this manor in the woods.
“…Well, I’ve blathered long enough. My apologies for interrupting your work,” Raklum said.
Ninym promptly shook her head. “N-no, not at all. Thank you for everything.”
“You ought to thank His Highness,” the guardsman answered with a smile. “I’m going out for a bit. Please watch over Prince Wein until I return.”
“Y-you can count on me!”
Raklum waved good-bye and left.
Change their minds…
She was supposed to speak with a Flahm representative. Who would it be? Someone who knew her circumstances? Someone unfamiliar? Either way, Ninym’s future was up to her.
Evading the issue wasn’t a solution. Ninym would have to return eventually. Still, she wanted just a little more time to sort out her feelings.
She could spare no effort to end this. After all, His Highness had kindly granted her refuge.
There’s no telling why he did, though…
Wein had intentionally settled deep in the forest with a single servant, seemingly to be alone, yet he took in an unexpected stranger. His actions were contradictory but made some kind of sense to him. Ninym had questions. However, there was no one to provide answers.
“All right, I’ll clean this place top to bottom!”
Ninym turned her mind back to her work, lighting a fire in herself.
Then she woke up.
Another dream of the past.
Ninym rose slowly from bed and stretched her limbs. They had grown since the time in her dream. Ten years had passed, so it was no surprise she didn’t dream much of those days anymore, but today, one had bubbled up from the depths of her memories.
It’s obvious why.