Interlude
A tidy room. Hot sunlight streamed through the large window, softened by the curtains into a gentle glow. From the luxurious furniture that screamed opulence in every corner, to the masterpieces—paintings, ceramics, sculptures—that could only have come from renowned masters. Anyone stepping in would immediately think, Ah, the owner of this room must be someone well-off... or very high-ranking indeed.
In the center of such a room sat a woman with lightly wavy blue hair cascading down, propping her chin on one hand with a bored expression while twirling a pen in the other at her desk. She—no, Princess Aria, newly appointed crown princess of the kingdom just days ago—let out a deep sigh at her own pathetic state, shoved into a corner of this lavish space, and muttered to herself.
"Haa... I'm dying of boredom here."
She'd rather head to the training grounds right now and swing her sword a few more times—that would feel far more rewarding. How had she ended up in this unwanted position anyway...?
Knock-knock.
"Princess Aria, I'm coming in."
Before Aria could even respond, the door opened, and a familiar face entered. Seeing the woman with her enviably plump golden braid gleaming in the sunlight, Aria's eyes lit up with delight.
"Ah, Sierra. You're back?"
"Yeah... Aigoo, my arms, legs, back, shoulders ache."
Sierra nodded at Aria's greeting, patted her own shoulder, and plopped down in her chair opposite Aria's desk. Aria jumped up and hurried behind her, placing hands on the seated girl's shoulders and pulling her into a light embrace. Sierra peeled off her arms with an annoyed look.
"Aish, seriously. Not during the day. What if someone sees?"
"Hmph, let 'em watch. I'm about to become queen—do you think I'd bat an eye?"
"That's not the point. You know how much hassle it'd be if word got out that the next queen is into girls?"
"As if I don't. They'd be salivating, waiting for a chance to sink their teeth into me."
"And you know that, yet you're still...?"
"But it's just us two here right now, isn't it?"
Aria gazed at Sierra with a sly glint in her eyes. Sierra still felt burdened by that look.
Haa. Even so, I just can't see Aria as more than a friend...
Unable to voice that inner thought, she awkwardly endured Aria's advances. Aria's head slowly buried into her nape. The moist, soft touch of lips on her skin. Worried this might escalate, Sierra spoke up urgently.
"Uh, hey, Aria. Hold on a sec. I've got something I'm curious about—tell me."
Mwah. "Mm? Curious about something? Can't it wait?"
"N-no, I wanna know now. So, uh, stop for a bit. Yeah? Answer me first."
"Tch. Fine. What's so curious?"
"W-well... um."
Her eyes darted around. What could she ask to divert Aria's interest and minimize attention on herself? Then, a memory flashed: a black-haired couple and the redhead they'd practically dumped her with.
"About the fallen princess."
"Princess? Sierra, are you—right in front of me—using honorifics for someone who's not me?"
"Aish, fine. Fallen Princess. Happy?"
"Yes. So, what about the fallen one?"
"No, when she came to the palace recently. Forgiving her is your call, fine... but why make her join Ian and Cheong-ah's party specifically?"
"Oh, that?"
"Yeah. Honestly, I figured you'd at least toss her in a dungeon if not kill her. She's been booted from the mercenary guild anyway, and her unit... you know? So I was curious."
Aria chuckled softly at Sierra's question, unwrapping her arms from the girl's shoulders and straightening up. She stretched lazily, picked up her long-cold teacup from the desk, and wandered to the window.
"Well, I thought the same at first. That damned fallen bitch—if she escaped alive, I'd drag her back, toss her in the palace dungeons, and mock her rotten."
"Then why didn't you?"
"Think about it. Her value."
"The fallen princess's value?"
Sierra tilted her head. Value? As the exiled heir to the Mountain Kingdom? Or as one of the rare top-class mercenaries? What else...?
As Sierra pondered, Aria laughed lowly and tilted her cold teacup.
"Heh, no need to overthink. Whatever came to mind—that's her value."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. Legitimate heir to the Mountain Kingdom. Top-class mercenary. And pretty strong, that's it. But the benefits from those make her worth using, right?"
"Well..."
Sierra trailed off. Aria gazed at her fondly, as if her hesitation was adorable, and explained.
"First, as the Mountain Kingdom's rightful heir, keeping her here pressures them or keeps them in check. I've heard rumors of unrest there lately. Know about it?"
"Uh... no? No idea."
"Fair enough. Look into it yourself later. Anyway, beyond that, her top-class mercenary skills make her a deterrent just by being in the kingdom."
"I get that."
Sierra nodded at the second reason. It explained the kingdom capital's excellent security and why no one dared cause chaos in the palace. The being now called the guardian of House Tronen barely stirred—lounging, eating, idling away days—yet that alone made nobles and even the arrogant fallen princess Bellatrix tread carefully.
"But couldn't you just keep her in the palace or restrain her somewhere? Why send her to Ian's party specifically?"
"Sierra, imagine keeping that fallen bitch here or locking her in some corner."
"Hmm... Fine at first, but she'd get bored and start rampaging eventually. Knowing her, yeah."
"Exactly. More headaches. Better to entrust her to people I like and trust, right? Use her value, monitor her as a bonus."
"Aha... That's why you sent her to Ian."
"Yeah. With Cheong-ah there, she can suppress any freakouts too."
Aria nodded at Sierra's words. Sierra thought for a moment, then piped up again as something occurred to her.
"Mm... But Aria."
"What?"
"Did the fallen princess just obey?"
"As if."
"Then how'd you get her to join Ian's party willingly?"
"Oh, nothing much."
Aria shrugged nonchalantly at Sierra's doubt.
"I promised that when I become queen, I'll help her reclaim the Mountain Kingdom."
§ The road back to Leventen.
A while after accepting Bella into the party, we retrieved our battered old wagon and horse from the hotel, stocked up on ingredients and camping gear for the trip, and hit the road.
"...You don't know how to drive a wagon either?"
"Nah, the vice-captain or others always handled it. Why, should I? Want me to learn now?"
"No. It's fine, just get in the back."
"Uh... okay."
Bella nodded solemnly and climbed into the cargo area. I'd assumed a former princess with mercenary experience would know basics, but nope. Gave up. From her reaction, she probably didn't know camping setup either. Sigh.
I climbed aboard with an inward sigh, took the reins, and naturally, Cheong-ah settled beside me.
"Cheong-ah, go inside and rest. Last time with Princess Aria and Lady Sierra, but now it's just Bella."
"No, I don't want to."
She shook her head primly at my urging.
"I want to sit next to you, dear."
"...Alright?"
"Yes."
I'd suggested inside, but secretly hoped she'd stay—my lips curved up involuntarily.
"Then... let's head out."
"Yes, dear."
Time to go home.
"Hyah...!"
With my signal, the horse moved, and the wagon rolled forward.