Chapter 5: Estellise, the Crown Prince’s Fiancée
“I’M sorry for making a fuss yesterday, Big Brother. I know what a difficult position you’re in, and I’d like to ask that you allow me to assist in finding a solution.”
The next day, Prince Rutherford visited Prince Adelberd’s room with an earnest request.
Prince Adelberd was seated at the table with his brother, no longer pretending to be sick. Siraiya and I were also in attendance, but now that Prince Rutherford had uncovered the truth, there seemed to be little point in our being there.
“Hmm… And what do you intend to do?” Prince Adelberd asked.
“…I believe I can research curses more thoroughly than you, if that’s what caused your cat ears. Sanctorians know more about God and spiritual things. I also have connections to other countries, which could be of help.”
Prince Adelberd didn’t seem surprised by the offer. Well, knowing His Royal Highness, he’d never let it show on his face either way.
At this point, Siraiya interjected, “That’s too dangerous. He can’t involve his political opponent in a matter like this.”
Siraiya wouldn’t dare interrupt a conversation between the royal family during normal circumstances, but he couldn’t contain his irritation today. Probably because of his jealousy.
“Don’t act so cocky! I don’t care if you’re a duke. You have no right to make decisions for—”
Once Prince Rutherford lashed out at Siraiya, Prince Adelberd cut his brother off mid-sentence.
“No, Siraiya has a point. I’m certain you see it too, Rutherford. We each have our own opposing factions, so it makes no sense for us to go to each other for help.”
“…!” Prince Rutherford made a pained expression. He scrunched his eyebrows together, drooped his head, and murmured something. “…Am I not allowed to be at your side any longer, Big Brother?”
I knew there was so much more he wanted to say. But those words alone took immense courage from the second-born prince. How Prince Adelberd’s eyes widened slightly proved that.
“…I wouldn’t normally go to you for help, but it seems that the three of us are at a dead end. I’ll accept your assistance just this once. Thank you, Rutherford.”
“Big Brother…! Thank you!”
“But Prince Adelberd…”
Despite Siraiya’s protests, Prince Adelberd raised his hand to silence him.
“Let it go, Siraiya.”
The prince had his normal, faint smirk. Siraiya fell silent, though I doubted that meant he’d accepted this situation. As a duke, there was simply no arguing with a member of the royal family who was so firmly expressing their will.
Prince Rutherford smiled shyly at me, his face brighter. I nodded at him to show I was pleased with the outcome, but then I quickly shot a glance at my side. There was Siraiya, giving me the opposite look from Prince Rutherford. Perhaps I’d made him jealous again when I made eye contact with the second-born prince.
This is trickier than I expected…
“I’ll have my people look into relevant curses right away, but please allow me to stay here at the inn with you for a while,” Prince Rutherford requested. “I might learn something new if I get to observe your condition, and I need all the clues I can get my hands on.”
“Very well. But keep your guards to the bare minimum. I can’t say that I trust them.”
Prince Rutherford agreed. Then he looked at me earnestly. “Thank you, Lady Cynthia Rhuddlan. I was able to speak to my brother again, thanks to your advice. You have my gratitude. I also want to apologize for my behavior when we first met, and I hope you’ll excuse my immaturity.”
“There’s no need to apologize, Your Highness. The most important thing is that you dealt with the source of your distress,” I said.
“Thank you. I hope the two of us can be friends just like the friendship you share with my brother. I’ll even grant you permission to use my first name. From here on out, will you treat me like your friend?”
I…wasn’t sure about that. I feared how Siraiya would react if I began addressing him so familiarly. But I couldn’t possibly refuse such a gesture from the royal family either. I was a noblewoman, and that meant showing royalty the proper level of respect—even when it was only the four of us in the room.
“I fear that it would be impudent to befriend someone so high-ranking when my fiancé hasn’t been afforded the same privileges…”
That was as much as I could push back. Prince Rutherford furrowed his brow just like Siraiya before turning to make eye contact with him. Maybe I should have accepted the offer without fuss because I suddenly felt nervous. The two stared each other down for a moment before the prince finally spoke.
“…Fine, then. Duke Brooke can use my first name, too.”
“…I am honored, Prince Rutherford.” Siraiya’s gravelly tone didn’t sound particularly honored.
From that point forward, we directly addressed the second-born prince as “Prince Rutherford,” while he started using our first names.
I was still concerned about Siraiya’s jealousy, but as a young duke with few connections in high society due to his upbringing, being on a first-name basis with both princes would benefit him…in all likelihood.
“That reminds me, Prince Rutherford…”
“Yes, Lady Cynthia?!”
I wasted no time in using his first name. Prince Rutherford turned right toward me, looking quite pleased.
“I’m surprised you identified them as cat ears. In fact, you even believed that Prince Adelberd truly had a pair of animal ears growing from his head with only a single glance.”
“…Th-That’s…” Prince Rutherford suddenly paled. His blue eyes darted around the room, unable to find a place to fix on. “Big Brother went into hiding… so I just assumed…it was something big like that.”
Is that really all there is to it?