Those in attendance at dinner were the princess, the prince, the prefectural governor and deputy governor of Terrazant, Lord Nigel, me, and Lord Hilbert, who had surely been added to the roster at the last minute. The governors had probably had to rush to contact the hotel staff.
Lord Simeon did not attend. Princess Mira had invited him, but he’d refused so he could focus on his guarding.
That might have been the reason Lord Hilbert was in such a good mood at the table. He ignored the local officials and spoke freely, as if he were the protagonist of the event.
“Did Mira fulfill her duties properly? This princess has been spoiled her whole life. I was so worried. I told her I’d accompany her, but she didn’t let me, saying she’d be fine on her own. And then look what happened! I’m terribly sorry to everyone in Lagrange.”
Same as when we’d first met him, he was disparaging Princess Mira without hesitation. I couldn’t believe he was doing so in a public setting, even if he was related to her. The officials all looked uncomfortable and unsure of how to react.
Prince Severin replied calmly. “You don’t need to speak of her in such a way. She fulfilled her duties without issue and interacted with my kingdom’s people very positively. I understand that as her family member, you’re worried for her, yes? I myself have two younger sisters. I’d thought of them as children I’d have to take care of for the rest of my life, but they’re both adults now—and both are much more mature than I’d thought. They’ve been taking care of themselves even without me around. I learned recently that they don’t require a guardian anymore.”
He was defending the princess without disavowing Lord Hilbert. The other officials at the table nodded approvingly at his clean response.
This would’ve been the perfect time to change the subject, but Lord Hilbert did not back down. He’d just learned that no one was willing to carry on this conversation, yet he still dragged it on. “Age doesn’t matter. Women need guardians.”
“Hmm... I suppose, legally, there are many places where that is the case.”
“The recent incidents have been a good example of that. Her actions were unbecoming of settings where international relations are in play—she didn’t even think about it! It’s nothing less than shameful. She caused so much trouble for Lagrange.”
“You’ve said this several times now, but we weren’t troubled at all, really. Princess Mira was a proper crown princess.”
“Good heavens!” Lord Hilbert intentionally raised his voice and turned to me. Oh, this is the first time he’s ever looked at me. So he does know I exist. “Even though she argued with a married woman and acted in the most disgraceful way?”
Prince Severin flicked his eyes over to me. I set my cutlery down and cleansed my palate with wine. “I see the story has become quite dramatized,” I began slowly. “It’s true that Her Highness has taken a liking to my husband, but that’s about it. Nothing serious has occurred.”
The conversation had been entirely in Lagrangian thus far, but I switched to Visselian here. Everyone at the table was fluent in it, including the local officials, since this town was near the border. Oh, wait. Didn’t Lord Nigel mention he couldn’t speak it? Well, no matter. He’ll get the gist of it from the atmosphere. I decided not to worry about it.
“How generous of you.” Lord Hilbert didn’t take kindly to my rebuttal. He must’ve thought I would join him in complaining about the princess. “Though I suppose this is a common occurrence for you, considering your husband’s outstanding appearance. You tagged along on this journey because you were worried about them, so you don’t have to pretend like you aren’t bothered.” He grinned and tried to put me in my place.
I smiled back. “I suppose we’re all curious about the princess’s love interest, aren’t we?”
Instantly, a scarlet hue struck Lord Hilbert’s face. Before he could fight back, Her Highness burst out laughing. “I’m sorry... Sorry to say this to you, Mrs. Flaubert, but yes, it’s true.” She’d been silent up until that point, but she joined in here, chuckling happily. “I just couldn’t stop myself from being charmed by such a wonderful man. Surely you understand as a fellow woman.”
“Yes, indeed I do. When one finds themselves charmed, it happens unwittingly. It just comes up from deep within the chest. It can’t be stopped.”
Her Highness and I had a back-and-forth in Lagrangian. Her deep blue eyes weren’t rejecting me—they held gratitude. “Honestly. I’ve met so many wonderful men during my travels: Prince Liberto of Lavia was unbelievably beautiful, Prince Severin is as handsome as you see here, and then Lord Nigel has a unique appeal. But for me, Lieutenant Flaubert pulled me in more than anyone else.” Looking bashful as she thought of my husband’s lovely beauty, she truly had the face of a maiden in love, to the point where I couldn’t believe she was merely acting. It was as if she really were talking about a person she was in love with. “He’s strong, gorgeous, intelligent... Everyone else I mentioned is the same, so it’s not as if he’s alone in that regard. He’s not the only sincere person out there either. And yet I can’t help but consider him number one. I don’t believe logic applies anymore.”
“I understand. That’s just how love works.” I nodded genuinely. The two women at the table were aligning their views, leaving all the men in the dust.
“You aren’t mad?” The princess added a playful pout. “I’m talking so brazenly about your husband.”
“I’m proud of him for being someone who is approved of by royalty such as yourself, Your Highness.”
She giggled. “You’re a wonderful person too, you know. I can tell—you two are deeply in love and get along well. Watching you both has proven that to me so firmly that I dislike it. That’s why I have no choice but to give up, but I’d like you to at least let me enjoy these fluttering feelings until we part ways. I’m going to take home memories that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
What an actress. She’s like the heroine of a novel or a play. A princess whose love for a man she met during her travels went unrequited... It wasn’t rare for royalty to have such anecdotes. And it wouldn’t be a problem if all she did was merely fall in love. The people of her kingdom would joyously tell that tale for ages to come.
Princess Mira’s goal really was to start rumors. She wanted the people of Vissel to know she’d fallen in love.
She sighed romantically. “I discovered that my world was very small up until now. I’ve learned so much on this trip, and I’ve met such a wonderful person. I didn’t know that the world was filled with these kinds of feelings.”
Lord Hilbert cut in, irritated. “Stop this, Mira. You mustn’t say something so immodest. I’m telling you to cut it out because it’s pathetic.”
Her Highness scoffed at him. “Immodest? How so? All I’m saying is that my travels have been very worthwhile.”
“It’s a story about how you had an illicit affair with someone else’s husband!”
I decided to step in as well. “I find it dubious to call it an ‘illicit affair.’ All she did was fall in love. It’s just another experience that enriches life.”
“It’s a problem because that man is married.”
“Well, it’s her prerogative to have a one-sided love. She didn’t attempt anything—if feelings themselves are considered crimes, then many people would be convicted.”
“No, it’s...” Lord Hilbert huffed. “You don’t have to keep speaking in Visselian.”
“You as well. Please, speak in whichever language makes you more comfortable.”
He bitterly clicked his tongue. It seemed he’d received my small attack: “You don’t seem to be as good at Lagrangian as Her Highness.” He had a thick accent, so I was asking him why he was trying to put the princess down when he was much worse than she was.
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