So Milma managed to invite him out after all, I thought, amused. Though judging from his tone, he really believed it was just for ‘protection.’
From the way he said it, he’d likely spent the whole outing in professional mode—watching the crowds, maintaining a fixed distance, alert and serious.
If Charles had been in his shoes, he’d have read the mood immediately and at least bought her a small souvenir, maybe some sweets or a hair ornament.
“That would’ve been a nice gesture,” I said. “Or you could invite her out for a meal next time. She smiled a lot that day, didn’t she? If she enjoyed herself, she’d definitely be happy to spend time with you again.”
Kulgan hesitated, his brow furrowing slightly as he recalled the memory. “She did laugh often. I suppose she enjoyed herself. At least, I did. It reminded me of going shopping with my younger sister.”
Hmm, calling it like “shopping with a younger sister” bothers me a little, I thought, suppressing a sigh. But still, the overall direction isn’t bad.
It would be a relief if Kulgan's protective, brotherly affection toward Bertia could shift naturally to Milma instead. It would loosen his overattachment to Bertia and give Milma the chance she deserved.
Of course, whether that bond would ever turn into something more depended entirely on the two of them. There was only so much I could do. The most I could manage was to nudge them to spend a little more time together.
I wasn’t exactly gifted at reading people’s hearts. This sort of thing is Bertia’s specialty.
Though when I left it to her, the “process” leading to success tended to be… unpredictable, to put it mildly.
“Well then,” I said lightly, “why not take the initiative? Invite her out yourself. That way, you can treat her to a meal or give her a small gift on the way. And besides, if you feel grateful, I’m sure Milma does too. Maybe that’s why she wanted to help you in the first place.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Of course. If she didn’t appreciate the times you’ve helped her, she wouldn’t care enough to return the favor.”
Naturally, if she’d been a constant source of trouble and guilt, that would be different, but this wasn’t that kind of situation.
“I think,” I continued with a small smile, “that if you can’t shake the feeling of ‘being a burden’ or ‘being helped by someone younger,’ you should just tell her so honestly. You’d be surprised how much clearer things get when you speak directly. A word from you would mean more than anything anyone else could say.”
Kulgan fell quiet, eyes dropping as his hand went to his chin. He was always too serious for his own good, overanalyzing even the simplest advice.
“I do want to thank her,” he said finally. “Honestly, with everything happening with Princess Bistona, I’ve been at my limit. Without Milma’s help, I think my stomach might have given out from stress.”
That bad, huh? I thought with a quiet chuckle. Maybe I really should brew him something good for the stomach later.
“During our next conversation,” Kulgan said, his tone as deliberate as always, “I intend to thank her and perhaps also ask whether helping me has been a burden to her, or if she’s found it troublesome.”
He still wasn’t quite at the point where he could lay himself bare.
So that’s it, I thought. He’s spent his whole life as the dependable older brother, the one others rely on. To him, showing vulnerability to someone younger must feel almost improper.
Still, for Kulgan, even deciding to speak honestly at all was progress. Far better than quietly torturing himself with guilt over something that didn’t need guilt at all. There was no need to turn simple gratitude into self-inflicted stress.
“Well,” I said, letting out a small chuckle, “that conversation went off track, didn’t it?”
Not that I minded. After all, I’d steered it there on purpose. I’d wanted to hear about Kulgan and Milma in the first place.
“Anyway,” I continued, “it sounds like there’s nothing urgent to worry about regarding Tia for now. But it wouldn’t do to have anyone holding a grudge. I’ll have a word with her myself.”
Though, realistically, that “word” would probably end up being with her guardian deity rather than Bertia herself.
That so-called divine protector really doesn’t know when to stay quiet.
I could already feel the need for a gentle but firm lecture.
“Zeno,” I called, glancing over my shoulder at the quiet aide who had just finished setting down the last of the tea. “What’s Tia’s schedule for today?”
Zeno straightened, answering smoothly, “Her Highness was to attend a tea gathering with the diplomat’s wife from the Kingdom of Inedon earlier this afternoon. After seeing her guest off, she planned to stroll through the western gardens of the main palace. Later, she’s scheduled to spend time with Lady June, enjoying embroidery together. Given the current hour, she should still be in the western gardens.”
“Thank you.”
The diplomat’s wife from Inedon, huh?
If I recalled correctly, Inedon was famous for its spices. During the wedding festivities, Bertia had chatted animatedly with that same lady about blends and trade varieties.
After the diplomat and his wife had departed, Bertia’s eyes had practically sparkled as she turned to me and said, “Perhaps we could even recreate curry!”
I remembered it vividly; her enthusiasm was impossible to forget.
So, she’s plotting something again, huh? I thought, suppressing a smile. Well, that could be fun.
Once I was done asking her about these so-called “two-timing prophecies,” I’d make sure to hear more about this new culinary experiment of hers.
“I’m going to go check on Tia,” I said, glancing between Bard and Kulgan. “What about you two?”
Bard scratched his head. “Ah, sorry, I came here during my break. I’d better get back before my captain notices I’m missing. Mind if I leave this one to you, Your Highness?”
“I should also return to my duties,” Kulgan added politely. “Besides, if too many of us show up at once, Lady Bertia might feel as though she’s being scolded.”
Their answers were precisely what I’d hoped for. I nodded approvingly.
“Understood.”
Even if they decided to come along, there wouldn’t be much they could do. With a guardian deity involved, this was a matter best handled quietly and privately.
It was courteous to offer them the option, of course, but truthfully, it would be much easier to talk to Bertia without an audience.
Bard probably wasn’t even aware of it, but I believed Kulgan was reading the atmosphere for him.
Once Bard got up from his seat, the rest of us began to move as well.