“I see. I did sense that he had said something unpleasant,” Johann said. “Well, if you ask me, there isn’t a more perfect couple than you two in the entire land. Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Oh, Johann…thank you.”
“Thank you so much, Sir Johann.”
I bowed deeply to Johann as he beamed radiantly at us. I was honored to hear him say we were a perfect match. It warmed me to my very core.
“However, I must say I was surprised when Lady Lingsha and I received invitations to attend this party as guests.”
Johann and Lingsha always attended this sort of event as Eric’s bodyguards, but Eric made a point of inviting them as guests this time.
“Johann, Lingsha, I want you both at my wedding. Not just as my bodyguards but as my friends.”
“Friends? Are you saying we are your friends, Your Highness?” Johann asked.
“I am. Of course I can’t always call you that, since I’m the crown prince, but yes. Especially you, Johann,” Eric said bashfully. “You’ve always been there for me, and I trust you more than anyone…” He took a breath, then finished firmly, “So I wanted to formally introduce you to my future bride not as my vassal but as my friend.”
“Your Highness,” Johann murmured as tears welled in his eyes. “I am so grateful, so overjoyed…that I shall never forget this day as long as I live.”
“Ha ha, no need to be so dramatic, Johann. I look forward to our continued friendship.”
“Yes, Your Highness! I shall serve you loyally until the day I die,” Johann declared and gave a deep bow.
I understood well how deep his loyalty ran—he had served Eric since they were little boys. Thus, Eric made it a point to call Johann his friend on this special day.
Johann has spent more time with Eric than anyone else, after all.
The men shared a bond strengthened from such a long friendship that surely nobody else could imagine it.
“Still, Sir Johann, Miss Lin,” I said. “You both give off a strikingly different impression when you’re dressed formally like that.”
They were usually dressed practically for action, so seeing them in formal attire was a novel sight. Johann wore a suit rather than his bodyguard’s uniform, and Lingsha was very beautiful in her dress. Her hair was down, giving her a completely different air than her usual ass-kicking aura.
“You look very pretty, Miss Lin. Don’t you agree, Sir Johann?”
“Huh?! Wh-why are you asking me, Lady Leia?” he sputtered. “Well, I suppose she does look pretty…”
“Sir Johann, it’s proper to look a lady in the eye when you say something like that.”
But Johann just blushed and looked away.
Well, well, Johann, are you…
Johann interrupted my thought by staring right at Lingsha and declaring, in a booming voice that resounded throughout the entire party hall, “Lady Lingsha…you are beautiful!”
“Um…Johann?”
It was a shockingly straightforward declaration of feelings that even caught Lingsha off guard. She just stared back at him, her jaw dropped.
“Easy there, Johann, not so loud. Everyone’s staring.”
“Y-Your Highness! Forgive my rudeness. L-Lady Lingsha! Let me explain—”
“Johann…” Lingsha said. “You can be pretty dumb, oh yes.”
“Buh?!” Johann’s face turned blue.
But Lingsha had delivered her insult with a hint of a smile on her face.
I guess Lingsha wasn’t entirely unhappy to receive a compliment from Johann either…
I decided to hold my tongue and observe the pair from a distance.
During the festivities, other nobles came by to pay their respects, and we thanked them in turn. And as the party was starting to wind down, the commoners came to congratulate us too.
Our first guest was Mr. Nash, the owner of a very popular ice cream parlor in the capital and the caterer in charge of desserts for the party. This was our first time seeing him since we made use of his ice cream parlor to foil Algrene’s plot.
“Prince Eric, Lady Leia, so good to see you both again. Also, congratulations.”
“Thank you, it’s an honor,” I replied.
“Indeed. I heard you catered the desserts for this party,” Eric added.
Nash gave a sheepish grin and said, “Yes, actually, I invented a new dessert specifically for this occasion. It’s called gelato.”
“Aha, well, I’m eager to try it. Johann, could you fetch us each a serving?”
“Right away, Your Highness!”
Eric wasted no time sending Johann on a mission. Apparently, he was very curious about gelato.
“Here you are, Your Highness, gelato for everyone. They’ve been tested for poison, so they’re safe to eat.”
The gelato in Johann’s hands shone as bright as jewels.
Just the sight of it is getting me excited.
“How beautiful… Well, I hope they taste as lovely as they look,” Eric said.
“Yes, me too,” I echoed.
Nash beamed with pride upon hearing Eric’s praise. “I put extra effort into this batch to celebrate this special day… Well, bon appétit.”
I grabbed a spoon and took a bite. The cold velvety texture and hint of sweetness created the perfect eating experience. It was more delicious than anything I had ever tasted before.
Nash certainly was a master ice mage. His ice cream was already impressive, but his gelato was sublime.
“Oh yes, this is very good!” Lingsha cheered.
“Yes, I could scarf down a hundred bowls of this,” Johann agreed.
Seeing the two of them shovel gelato into their mouths, it was clear they were fans.
Nash smiled with satisfaction and said, “I’m glad you all like it.”
“Indeed, it’s very good. I mean it. I’m glad I put you in charge of desserts, Nash. And I would love to hire you again to cater our wedding.”
“It would be my honor. I will prepare my finest creation yet for you.”
“I look forward to it.”
Nash returned to the kitchen with a satisfied smile. I had a feeling he would really go places, and wherever he went, he would charm multitudes with his delicious desserts. Despite Algrene’s nefarious intent, his patronage of Nash was a blessing in disguise.
That’s why I need to come to terms with the incident that just happened…
The rest of the Elshaid Foundation Day festival concluded without incident.
After we changed clothes, we assembled in Eric’s study. Eric and Johann looked relaxed as they sipped Lingsha’s tea. But as for me, I was slumped over in exhaustion, finally freed from the pent-up nervousness of the party. Psychologically, I felt a hundred times more spent now than I did after a hard day of saintly work.
“Now that our engagement has gone public, things are going to get very busy around here,” Eric said.
“Yes, I’m ready to weather the storm.”
To shake off my exhaustion and start fresh, I sat up straight, sipped my tea, and looked at Eric.
I need to pull myself together. But still…
I didn’t want marrying me to be a burden for Eric. I was the sister of a criminal—I needed to earn the respect of Elshaid’s people so I could be a worthy bride.
I especially need to convince Margrave Linboldt. But how?
“Hm? Something wrong, Leia?”
“N-no, I’m all right.”
“Thinking about Silbur Linboldt?”
“Yes.”
What’s wrong with me? I’m supposed to be optimistic. Back at the party, I resolved to face my problems head-on, but I guess it’s easier said than done.
“I don’t blame you for dwelling on him. He may be obstinate, but he’s smart. Don’t worry, I’ll get him to accept you.”
His expression was so reassuring, I could just feel peace wash over me. It made me feel that I was worthy to be by his side.
He’s right… I shouldn’t get down on myself. I need to trust Eric.
“Anyway, we’re getting married in half a year. Let’s make it a good one.”
“Of course!”
We nodded to each other, then turned to look out the window. I felt that everything would work out. That all our obstacles would be cleared.
But Margrave Linboldt would not be so easily dealt with.