The crown prince’s royal office on that day was wrapped in an abnormal aura.
All of the officials, chamberlains, and even the court ladies that were coming in and out of the office tried to avoid looking. On top of that, the sight was bewildering all of the strangers to the office as well.
“—And as for this case here...”
“Ah, yes, this will be rejected. Attach some more worthwhile materials and bring it back. That irrigation works inspection schedule needs adjusting.”
“Very well. —Also, there is...”
As Claudio and an official shared a conversation right next to her, Rosemarie pulled inward and simply prayed that time would pass by faster.
The official’s occasional concerned glances as she sat on the sofa snuggled up to Claudio’s side hurt her soul. She had the undeniably strong urge to run away from it all. However, while they may have been suspicious, they weren’t being ill-spirited about it. The fact that there was no beast head was her only saving grace.
(I’m getting in the way of his work. I’m sorry... Just imagine that I’m a tree or a rock so that—)
Maybe it was because she was inadvertently attempting to pull herself away as she desperately tried to mentally vindicate herself, but Claudio’s arm wrapped around Rosemarie’s waist pulled her back to position.
It was an act that was less embarrassing and more—well, painful. No matter how physically ill he may have been, he was still the best warrior in and out of the country. He would easily crush her and her exercise-deprived body.
“Um, Prince...” Although she felt guilty for interrupting him, she softly called out to him. Claudio didn’t turn toward her call—perhaps not hearing her or maybe even just ignoring her. She lightly tugged at the corner of his jacket reluctantly, making the official standing in front of them clear their throat in a forced manner.
“Your Highness, I shall forward these documents to each department. In the meantime, I would appreciate if you looked over these and give your signature. That will mostly conclude today’s scheduled business.” That was all the official said before leaving in a rush, their face flushed for some reason.
Once the door was shut, Rosemarie and Claudio were the only people left in the office, which was his cue to scowl angrily at the girl.
“What do you think you’re doing? Don’t interrupt official business.”
“I’m so sorry! But, um, your grip is hurting me, so I...” She tried to make an appeal timidly despite going pale in the face, to which Claudio only furrowed his brow in response.
“It was because you tried to get away. This is the only way I can make sure of the results in a short time frame. Just deal with it. Trust me, I’m not enjoying this any more than you are.”
“...Okay.”
Claudio’s reasonable argument knocked the wind out of her sails, and she nervously huddled herself close. Claudio scornfully humphed and started scanning the documents left by the official. Nevertheless, he loosened his death-grip on her, most likely because she moved in willingly.
Silence then fell over the room. The sound of pages flipping echoed throughout the room, and Rosemarie let out a silent sigh.
(I wonder how Heidi is doing...)
She asked Archmagus Edeltraud, and found that Heidi was simply put to sleep. She would likely be worried when she woke up, so Alto had apparently gone to inform her of Rosemarie’s whereabouts.
The sorcerer—the perpetrator that put Heidi to sleep and created this predicament had wandered off somewhere else once they saw that their wild plan was being put into practice. They were the epitome of a carefree mage.
Claudio suddenly let out a tiny sigh. Rosemarie looked in that direction to see him in the middle of putting his signature to a document, having probably just finished scanning over it. She then stared intently at his side profile.
(Such a serious face. He is always so displeased around me, though...)
That didn’t seem to be the case while he was working. His serious expression, brow no longer furrowed, added an even greater sense of strength to his already powerful features. This was something that other people’s eyes couldn’t see. Knowing what a disadvantage that alone was for him filled her with guilt.
“What is it this time?” Claudio asked, his tone annoyed, as he blotted the excess ink off his freshly-written signature. He was probably growing weary of Rosemarie staring a hole into him.
“Erm, so, uh, might I ask if your headache has cleared up?”
“—Wouldn’t it be in your best interests if it hasn’t cleared up?” Claudio said, grabbing a different document without so much as looking at her. Rosemarie blinked in response.
(He was being sarcastic... I take it? I can’t quite tell considering his face is still the same, though... I would hate being forced to follow the prince around if it does clear up, but I certainly don’t want to leave him in such poor condition, either.)
She gazed steadily at Claudio’s face, sadness coming over her all the while. His complexion had improved a few degrees, but there was still a thick layer of fatigue, nonetheless.
Suddenly, Rosemarie’s despondent eyes caught Claudio as he was going to take yet another document. She reached out to him in an unconscious effort, and Claudio’s shoulders twitched slightly in response.
“What are you doing? Unhand me.” She was met with his displeased tone and harsh gaze. This snapped her back to her senses, and she realized she had inadvertently held his hand back. Nevertheless, she did not unhand him. His hand, finished with angular yet slender fingers, was far larger than Rosemarie’s resting on it, and seemed ready to swat hers away at any moment. But it didn’t, and Claudio simply scowled at her instead.
“I-I’m sorry, but these documents are not an urgent priority, correct?”
“That has nothing to do with you.” Normally, she would have found herself backing down to his curt and standoffish attitude, but today she was driven by an odd sense of duty.