Hodr just laughed, but when the auditor saw Liam’s firm attitude, his eyes widened.
“Oh? Is that the complete consensus of House Renard?” he asked.
Father nodded. “Indeed. Besides, House Renard cannot marry into the royal family. We will not break that vow.”
The auditor nodded as well. “Your prudence is admirable.”
Although the Renards were formally above him in status, the man’s words were only superficially polite. The fact that the queen was his ally gave him confidence. I was sure she had ordered him to look into House Renard’s intentions. Not to mention, we didn’t hold any major posts in the royal court, which was part of the reason the lower ranks looked down on us.
But just like in my past life, father didn’t rebuke the man. He simply accepted the situation for what it was.
“This again...” Hodr muttered grumpily, but nobody else had heard him, so I pretended I hadn’t as well. “Anyway, the bards always sing that love nurtures all, right? So Lune, show me around town tomorrow!”
Shocked, I quickly shook my head.
“No...”
“Are you being shy?” he asked, getting the wrong impression.
I shook my head even harder.
“Are you busy? Then until you’re free, I’ll help out with the auditing! That way, I’ll get to come to your home every day!” Hodr announced, proud of his great idea.
“There’s no need, Your Highness,” the auditor said in a panic.
“Don’t worry! I don’t mind helping!” Hodr replied, pounding his chest.
The auditor paled. “But...it takes a very high degree of knowledge—”
“Liam’s involved in managing his territory, right? Are you implying I can’t do something he can?!”
The auditor was stumped by Hodr’s explosive reply, and glanced at the marquis imploringly. However, my father remained silent and expressionless.
“House Renard might find this objectionable as well—”
“Our marquisate has nothing to hide from His Highness,” father said firmly.
After all, it’d be more convenient for us if Hodr were to audit us rather than an actual expert.
“Exactly! The Renards are known for their loyalty! I bet they don’t even need to be audited in the first place,” Hodr said cheerfully.
Father nodded nonchalantly. Driven into a corner, the auditor wiped away cold sweat while trying to come up with a way to put Hodr off the idea.
“O-Of course, it’s just as you say, but... Ah, that’s right! Your Highness, you are here on a mission to inspect the territory! That is much more important than auditing! You should go around and see the restor—”
“No.”
“N-No?” the bureaucrat repeated in disbelief.
“That’s right. I’m not going. That stuff sounds boring.”
The auditor was visibly disturbed at how easily Hodr abandoned his own royal responsibilities.
“It’s not boring. It’s an important duty of yours, so—”
“Oh, I’ve got a great idea! You go do the inspection! And I’ll do the auditing!”
“What?!” The man was at a loss for words.
“Yep, let’s do that! It’s basically the same thing, right? I mean, if the inspection’s so important, then you should do it. I’ll tell my mother all about it too. You want to be in her good graces, right?” the prince asked, his eyes glittering.
The marquis and Liam silently watched the events unfold. I smiled wryly.
Even the auditor didn’t expect His Highness to be this irresponsible.
Only Their Majesties were capable of reining in Hodr’s selfishness. Or maybe that was impossible even for them. Otherwise, Hodr wouldn’t be coming to Renard so frequently. Either way, a mere bureaucrat was in no position to control him.
“But I—”
“Are you opposing me? Want me to send you back to the capital?” Hodr threatened, glaring at the auditor.
“N-No!” the man responded, hanging his head dejectedly.
“Then it’s decided! And until the auditing is done, I’ll be staying with House Renard! Prepare a room for me! I can use the same one as last time. It was small and impoverished, but I’ll bear with it.”
While Hodr spoke triumphantly, my tail puffed up out of fear.
I hate this!
If he stayed here, he’d follow me from dawn until dusk, just like last time. Bal wouldn’t be able to live normally either. Hodr didn’t understand a thing about auditing, so he might mess up the marquisate’s documents while pretending he knew what he was doing. I didn’t want our restorations to be delayed because of him.
“Your Highness Hodr!” I called out.
The prince grinned. “You finally said my name,” he said in a satisfied, seductive voice that gave me chills.
I wanted to run, but I knew I had to stand my ground. If I let him have his way, he’d be staying here with us.
I put on a strained smile. “Carrying out an inspection is a very difficult job, so I think you’re the only one who can do it.”
Hodr’s smile widened. “Yeah! It’s gotta be me!”
“A-And, um... I’d like you to see our restored town...I guess...”
“Really? Is that what you want, Lune?”
I nodded. “You can see how wonderful our town has become thanks to your funding,” I claimed stiffly with a thousand-yard stare.
Because I know that his next line will be...
“I’ve got a great idea! Lune, take me around town!”
I knew it...
My ears and tail drooped at Hodr’s order. Lord Reineke sighed, while my father and brother glowered at the prince with especially severe looks on their faces.
I don’t want to do this, but it’s better than him staying here. This way, only I have to put up with him...
My shoulders slumped, but I nodded.
That was when Liam interjected.
“Lune is still too young to explain everything properly, so I’ll come as well.”
The prince frowned. “Huh? No thanks. Lune and I want to enjoy our date by ourselves. Right, Lune?”
I stiffened, my face turning pale.
Date?!
Lord Reineke’s fur stood on end as he curled himself around me.
“Your Highness, I cannot guarantee that the same thing as last time won’t happen,” father said, stone-faced.
“Last time?” Hodr echoed, suddenly looking pallid. “Right... Those guys from the capital betrayed me, and I had an awful time...” he muttered, glancing at the auditor.
“What?! Are you suspicious of me?” the man asked, aghast.
The prince looked away. “I want to believe that you wouldn’t do that. You’re related to House Cordier, so...”
“I didn’t mean that either,” father said. “However, His Highness’s guards committed preposterous acts in the town last time. That made my people wary, and if the worst-case scenario were to occur, we’d both be met with misfortune. I believe that if my son and the Great Lord Reineke accompany you, the common folk won’t be able to cause you harm. I’ll also have one of my best guards join you.”
The auditor nodded. “I think even the royal court was concerned about this matter.”
“Then you understand my fears.”
“Indeed. Thank you for taking His Highness’s safety into consideration.” The auditor smiled at the marquis, then cast a sideways glare at Hodr.
Looks like the auditor is offended because His Highness doubted him.
But Hodr paid the man no heed.
I hope nothing bad happens...
My tail fell limply at the thought of what was coming next.