THE following day, I sought out Claude as soon I arrived at Grail Academy.
As I hurried into the classroom, Claude’s back visibly stiffened as he quickly suppressed a lazy yawn.
“Hey, Claude. I’d like to ask you about something.”
“Of course, what is it?”
Claude dropped his bag onto his desk as he responded. It made a heavy clunking sound like it was full of books.
Naturally, I wanted to ask Claude about yesterday’s invitation.
Claude was the eldest son and heir of Marquis Judeon. The Judeons had been serving as prominent diplomats to Najir for many years. I should be able to get some valuable intel on Daniel’s coronation from Claude.
My logic was that Claude must know why Daniel sent me an invitation. His proximity to Marquis Judeon would give him access to the entire diplomatic intel network.
Incidentally, Claude was all set to succeed the Marquis in business. After he graduated, he’d go into politics, specializing in diplomacy and international relations. It was already decided.
“I received an invitation. It’s really weird…”
“‘Weird?’ I wouldn’t say that? Prominent royals from other countries all received similar invites. It sounds par for the course to me.” Claude tilted his head to the side and looked at me in confusion.
I gulped, unsure what to say next.
Of course, if other prominent royals from foreign lands had all received invitations, then there really wasn’t anything so strange about me getting one too. Perhaps the ceremony is different from the one in my last life…?
“All the other countries got one?”
“That’s what I heard. At the very least, I do know that Nigren got invitations. My uncle’s the ambassador, so I know that for a fact.”
“Nigren…”
The mention of that land made my face grow stiff.
Nigren was the homeland of the absolute witch who’d thrown me in jail in my last life: Princess Karina. Was she to attend the coronation as well? As if Daniel being there wasn’t bad enough… The two of them had conspired to destroy my life…
“So, you got an invitation too. You’re so lucky!” Claude exclaimed. “I wanted to go, but it wasn’t to be. I’m looking forward to your coming-of-age ceremony, though, Bel! I heard they’re already drawing up the guestlist for that.”
“Yeah…”
Najir holds coming-of-age ceremonies at sixteen, and my ceremony was due to be held soon, after my next birthday. In my past life, my coming-of-age ceremony was where Daniel and I’d first met.
As it happens, the ceremony would be held shortly after I graduated from Grail Academy. Claude should be starting his new job as a government official by then. It sounded like he was already looking forward to it.
After that, Claude began talking excitedly about all the important people he hoped to meet, and I realized that I wouldn’t learn anything more from him.
✦ ✦ ✦
I couldn’t just leave the invitation unanswered, no matter how much I wanted to. So, as soon as I got home from school that day, I headed straight to my desk.
In the end, all I wrote as my reply was: “Thank you for the invitation. I would be delighted to attend.” And I left it at that. Since I didn’t even know why I’d been invited in the first place, I didn’t want to write anything unnecessary.
“All right, that’s done.”
I closed the envelope and stamped it with my royal seal. Then I got to my feet, holding the envelope. I wanted to take it straight to Charles before I forgot.
Now that he’d come of age and was acting in his official capacity as the prince, Charles could usually be found in the Royal Palace’s official wing. It was situated away from the private wing, where I spent my time. I decided to walk over there to deliver the envelope myself.
As I walked along the breezy, covered walkway, passing white stone benches, I looked out across the gorgeous, well-tended gardens.
Several young girls and women were milling about in the gardens, here to visit the royal court.
Among them, I noticed…
“Lietta, please. I’m on duty.”
“But I just had to see you! It’s been eight days since last we met!”
The young girl, Lietta, looked as if she’d been crying.
Young lovers?
It looked like she’d come to the palace trying to see her boyfriend, who was too busy at work to make time for her.
“Lietta…”
The man seemed unsure of how to handle the situation. He had his back to me so I couldn’t see his face, but he wore a white knight’s uniform, so I knew he was a member of the Imperial Guard. He took the girl in his arms and brought his face down to hers, but the girl noticed me watching them over his shoulder and suddenly stiffened.
Then she quickly pushed the man away.
He turned to look over his shoulder and froze when he saw me. The color seemed to drain from his face as he quickly knelt before me.
“Your Highness! I deeply apologize for what you just witnessed.”
It looked like I’d disturbed a lovers’ tryst.
I hadn’t meant to intrude. Instantly, I felt guilty.
“It’s all right. You were here first, after all. And everyone needs a break, even when they’re on duty. But I think you should find a more secluded spot for your talk. You’re in full view of the walkway from here.”
Awkwardly, I gestured at the covered walkway. It was a public walkway, available for anyone’s use. The two of them exchanged guilty looks. Then the man took the girl’s hand.
“I’ll find some time and come to your house tonight. I’m sorry you’ve been feeling lonely.”
“Do you swear it?”
“Yes, I swear.”
Then the man let go of her hand and disappeared back into the palace, giving me a polite bow as he passed. He must’ve been returning to his post. The girl, Lietta, was beaming with happiness.
After the man disappeared, I turned back around to head to my destination once more. Lietta was still gazing in the direction of her lover, clutching a lace handkerchief in her hand. Then she noticed me watching her and quickly dipped into a curtsy.
“Your Highness, I do apologize for that! I promise that Hendrick never usually abandons his post! He’s so dedicated to the job!”
“Oh, it’s all right! Is he your boyfriend?”
I waved away Lietta’s apologies. It was obvious she was frightened that I’d have them both punished. But of course I had no such intentions.
“Oh, yes. We’ve been friends since we were little and he proposed this spring! We’re going to be married next year!”
“How wonderful! Congratulations to you!” I smiled at Lietta, and she blushed pink, looking down at her feet.
Her reaction was so cute. It really lifted my spirits to see it.