“His Highness sent me a message saying you were exhausted, so I was worried sick. Are you experiencing any inconveniences? I’ll have anything you need delivered.”
“Thank you.” Lord Simeon gave yet another sigh. “I wouldn’t say there’s anything particularly inconvenient. I’m all right. What about you? Have you been sleeping well? It’s bad for your health to sit at your desk all day. Take a walk in the garden at least once every morning and evening.”
Indeed, Lord Simeon was the same as always. He didn’t miss the opportunity to nag me, even here. I found it so funny that I couldn’t help but laugh.
He grimaced, seemingly in pain. “I haven’t been home in days, yet the first thing you saw of me was that. You must be upset. I’m terribly sorry.”
“I’m not mad.” I patted his arm. “I didn’t come here because I was suspicious of you. I was just following His Highness’s orders. It didn’t look like you were willingly obeying Princess Mira.”
My first order of business was making it clear to my husband that I trusted him. The look of anxiety on Lord Simeon’s face evaporated, and his pretty face softened.
I smiled at him reassuringly. “But I’m surprised. When I saw her in Lavia, she didn’t give off the impression of being such a reckless person.”
“Indeed...” He leaned against the wall and folded his arms.
A few knights were on guard in the neighboring waiting room. We could be seen from all angles of the venue by the knights stationed around, so there were no blind spots. The knights’ boss was currently skimping out on work to speak with his wife, but none of them seemed dissatisfied or rolled their eyes at him. On the contrary, they looked to be sympathetic.
“Is the princess only acting like this toward you?” I asked. “Not every handsome man?”
“I suppose so... According to her, she took a liking to me after I caught her eye in Lavia. Also, she said she heard that I’d assisted Prince Liberto with his plan, so I evidently have not only looks but also skills to boot. Or something to that effect.”
“Ah, I see.”
So she’d fallen for him prior to coming to Lagrange. I couldn’t blame her, as the Royal Order of Knights had been extravagantly cool during Princess Henriette’s parade. Most of the women would have been looking at Lord Simeon, who’d led it. Princess Mira had to have been watching from somewhere as well. However, she’d had no direct contact with him back then. Had it been love at first sight?
“She knows that you’re married, yes?”
“That was the first thing I told her. It apparently doesn’t bother her.” He furrowed his brow and shook his head. “She appointed me as her personal guard as soon as she landed in Lagrange. I’d been intending on helping with security, of course, but she insisted that I stay directly beside her.”
“You weren’t able to refuse?”
“Though I did think her request was pointless, I reasoned that since she would only be here for a short period, it would be acceptable. I didn’t want to worsen Lagrange’s reputation by refusing her. I’d be able to guard her either way, and being closer to her would present more opportunities for safety.” He heaved the biggest sigh yet. “There wouldn’t have been any problems had it stopped at mere security.” It appeared he hadn’t expected to be strung along this much. “You must think I’m spineless for not being able to properly refuse. I can never raise my head to you again.”
I patted his head this time. “You really don’t have to apologize. The Captain and His Majesty both ordered you to do all this, right? The princess will be returning to her home in a few days, so you don’t need to be downtrodden about it. Just bear with it a little more, and do your best, all right?”
“No...” He clenched his fist. “It will continue for a while longer.” The more I tried to comfort him, the darker his expression became. “She won’t be going directly back to Vissel. She’s set to stop by Terrazant along the way. Prince Severin will be accompanying her until then—of course, with guards.”
Terrazant was a region along the northern coast connected to our border. It had deep relations with Vissel as well, so the party was planning on staying the night there instead of just passing through.
I tilted my head. “In that case, you won’t be able to come home for a while.”
“That’s right.”
Hmm. That certainly makes me feel lonely. Another two weeks or so? I suppose it can’t be helped, since it’s for work.
“Stay strong, then.” I nodded. “I wish you safe travels. I’d be happy if you could bring back a souvenir or two, since I’ve never been up north before. Please buy one of their delicacies.”
Lord Simeon chuckled at my begging. “What kind? Food? Or perhaps a lace handicraft?”
“Hmm... Anything unusual would work for me. If there’s nothing of the sort, then just sweets will suffice.” I leaned against him. “Allow me to recharge my husband meter for a moment so that I’ll be all right while you’re gone.”
I lifted my heels to get as close to his face as possible. He leaned down when he realized, circling his arm around my back to pull me closer. I’m sorry, Lord Simeon’s subordinates. Please overlook this—just this once.
“I believe it’s time for you two to return.”
“Hwah?!”
Right before I could feel Lord Simeon’s warmth, a voice called out to us from nearby. This familiar voice made me jump and hide behind my husband. Next to the door stood Duke Silvestre with his usual unsettling smile.
Lord Simeon covered me. “Your Excellency.”
“What, was there no lover’s quarrel?” The duke sounded disappointed.
“No, sir. My wife has both intelligence and a big heart. She understands the situation and sympathizes with me.”
Lord Simeon was puffing out his chest as he said this. He and I had our arguments occasionally, but something like that wasn’t viable for us. That’s right! I’m not jealous at all! (Which is a bit of a lie.)
“Well, isn’t that wonderful...” The duke sounded bored. “It doesn’t seem to be going so well over there, though. Is it really all right for you to leave the princess, Sir Guard?”
He looked beyond the door, back at the venue. Was something happening in there? I poked my head out of the shadow to peer over.
“Eeek!”
I was comparatively close to it, so I saw right away. The unexpected scene made me squeak. I even felt a shock run through Lord Simeon.
Blue and deep crimson; the two opposing dresses faced off against one another.
Two beautiful flowers, a lily of the valley and a rose, were glaring at each other with smiles, competing to see who would come out on top.