Three months ago, after we returned from our honeymoon and caught up on the backlog of work that had accumulated during our absence, life finally settled down. That was when my wife, energetic as ever, burst into my office.
“Cecil! It’s terrible!”
Trouble seems to follow you, doesn’t it? Well, that’s part of the fun.
“What’s happened, Tia?” I calmed Bertia, who had rushed over to me, clutching a piece of paper and looking excited, guiding her to sit on the sofa in my office designated for guests.
Bertia’s habit of rushing to me with every issue, big or small, hadn’t changed over time, and everyone around us had grown accustomed to it. Without being asked, Zeno went to prepare tea and snacks for Bertia, while Courtgain, sensing the shift in the room’s atmosphere, took the documents I had already signed and left the office. He probably went to distribute them to various departments, planning to deliver them after accumulating a bit more.
“Well, you see…! You see…!”
With her cheeks slightly flushed from excitement, Bertia did her best to articulate her thoughts. However, her eagerness was getting the better of her, making it difficult for her to express herself. It couldn’t be bad news, given how her eyes sparkled.
“Yes, what is it?”
I rubbed her back to encourage her to speak and glanced at the item in her hand.
A seal from Umyuve. Perhaps a letter from Princess Lysonna?
Princess Lysonna, the royal representative of Umyuve, had attended our wedding and eagerly participated in the bouquet toss. Although her enthusiasm had surprised me, Bertia had immediately connected with her, and they had kept in touch ever since. After hearing about Princess Lysonna from Bertia multiple times, I could anticipate what she was about to say.
“Did you receive a message from Princess Lysonna?”
“That’s exactly it! The request to direct Princess Lysonna’s wedding ceremony, which I spoke about the other day, has been officially submitted!”
Even though I could infer the details, Bertia was eager to share them herself. By offering just enough encouragement, a radiant Bertia started to express her enthusiasm.
“During our wedding, I had many conversations with Princess Lysonna, and we grew to be close friends. Since then, we’ve kept in touch through letters! When she informed me of her upcoming wedding, we celebrated together, and she sought my help for her ceremony. Now, both Umyuve and her fiancé’s country, Seahealby, have officially requested our assistance! Princess Lysonna and I share similar interests, which gives me confidence in understanding her tastes! We often discuss our dream weddings and exchange romantic stories in our correspondence. And, you know…”
As I watched Bertia speak with unusual speed, animated by her joy, I found her both captivating and charming. Her happiness, for some reason, made me feel a warmth inside. Although I seldom experienced happiness regarding my own situation, this moment felt oddly delightful.
“… Cecil, are you listening?” Bertia, who had eagerly been sharing her news, looked at me with a hint of uncertainty, tilting her head like a worried chick, which made her even more endearing. It seemed I had been too caught up in watching her.
“Absolutely. I’m paying attention. A messenger delivered the formal request from Princess Lysonna, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct! We’re meant to discuss the fee and other details with them.”
Therefore, the messenger is also serving as a negotiator.
“Finally, the moment has arrived for me to serve this nation as the crown princess! I am determined to make Princess Lysonna happy and will put forth my greatest effort in the negotiations—”
“Actually, let’s delegate the negotiations to someone else. What do you think about Charles?”
“Huh? But that was a request directed to me…” Bertia, who was ready to handle the task, felt somewhat deflated by my suggestion.
Although it might have seemed somewhat endearing, leaving negotiations to my kind-hearted wife could easily turn the endeavor into nothing more than an act of charity. With how deeply Bertia valued her friendships, she could easily agree to unfavorable terms if persuaded with a plea like, “For Princess Lysonna’s sake.” While I adored this compassionate side of her, it was clear she wasn’t suited for negotiations.
“It’s best for professionals who know the procedures to manage negotiations between countries, as this guarantees a more seamless process. If I remember correctly, there are only about six months left until Princess Lysonna’s wedding, right? It would be unfortunate if lengthy negotiations left little time for everything else you hoped to accomplish.”
“Oh, that’s right! I really don’t know how all that stuff works… I’ll let them handle it. Instead, I’ll focus on planning Princess Lysonna’s wedding ceremony!” Bertia clenched her fists and nodded vigorously, looking convinced by my reasoning.
Ultimately, it’s up to Charles, who will probably take on this responsibility. However, I believe that’s manageable. I wouldn’t select anyone for my inner circle if they weren’t capable of handling such tasks.
“Tia, it’s great to be hardworking, but remember not to do everything alone, okay? You have many dependable friends, so be sure to consult and collaborate with them. Also, don’t forget to keep me updated and share your findings, all right?”
Bertia had received thorough training as a crown princess and understood how to carry herself and respond accordingly. Surely, she could manage well enough on her own… but she often ended up doing the unexpected in the most unforeseen ways. It’s probably wise to keep encouraging her to consult her friends—they can act as a kind of safety net, just in case.
“I understand! There’s only so much I can accomplish alone. I will ask for assistance from everyone.”
Her bright smile and nod sparked a bit of concern in me… However, with her friends acting like guardians, everything should be fine.
“We’re going to be busy from now on, aren’t we?”
Bertia exited the room with a bounce in her step, as if she might start skipping.
“For the time being, let’s send Charles to the envoy, and for Bertia, let’s arrange for Miss Silica and Miss Joanna, who are expected to visit the castle, to go see her,” I contemplated.
We can’t keep the envoy carrying the request from both Umyuve and Seahealby waiting too long. With Bertia’s excitement running higher than usual, it’s essential to send in guardians disguised as friends before she gets carried away.
“Zeno, I’m counting on you.”
“Understood. I will notify Lord Charles, Miss Silica, and Miss Joanna about the matter immediately.”
Zeno, probably reflecting my concerns, left the room with a wry smile and quick movements.
“This appears to be developing into Bertia’s first major task as the crown princess. The fact that her initial assignment comes from a friend’s request aligns closely with her character.”
Princess Lysonna’s request, although officially a matter between nations, was fundamentally an appeal to Bertia’s friendship. It was Bertia’s character—not her status as crown princess—that had inspired this request in the first place.
“I will do my best to support her so she can celebrate her friend in her own way.”
A royal wedding for the crown princess’ friend seemed a fitting occasion for the kingdom to prepare a grand celebration. Though we hadn’t received the official invitation yet, this development all but guaranteed that we would be attending.
The trip to Seahealby, where Princess Lysonna is to be wed, is quite long. If we’re going, I must coordinate some time away from work.
“There’s plenty to do,” I mused, considering budget and leave arrangements.
For the sake of my dear wife, I must also do my best.