After the Audience
The chamberlain guided Era to her quarters once the audience ended.
"Since you are His Highness the Imperial Prince's fiancée, you may use this room."
The moment the door opened, Era's mouth fell wide open. It was a vast, opulent chamber. A plush bed, silk draperies, gleaming furniture. Beyond the window stretched the sprawling gardens of the Imperial Palace.
"Th-this whole room is mine?!"
"You are to become the Imperial Prince's consort. This much is only natural."
The chamberlain treated her with impeccable, official courtesy. Four maids assigned to manage the room soon filed in.
"Oh my..."
"Goodness..."
"...?"
The four elegantly dressed maids didn't even offer Era a proper greeting. They simply stood in a line to one side with indifferent expressions.
"..."
'Those bitches...'
I could sense the awkward atmosphere immediately.
'Looks like they've completely forgotten their place.'
'I'll have to straighten them out later.'
In truth, I wanted to scold them right then and there, but unfortunately I had other matters to attend to. I needed to visit His Majesty to confirm the procedures regarding the engagement. There was also the Imperial Great Festival in a month to prepare for, and countless other things to organize.
"...Era. Unpack and get some rest. I'll stop by His Majesty's side and be right back."
"Yes!"
Era answered energetically, and I left the room.
But in the instant I closed the door, I thought I caught a chilling look in the maids' eyes. Maybe it was just my imagination.
Bang—
The door slammed shut behind the Imperial Prince, leaving only me and the maids in the room.
From that moment on, their attitude... completely changed.
"Um... where should I put this luggage?" I asked cautiously.
"Tsk, figure it out yourself."
One of the maids answered without even looking at me. Her tone suggested she couldn't be bothered.
"...Pardon?"
I awkwardly set the luggage down in a corner.
"Sigh..."
Then the maids began whispering among themselves, loud enough for me to hear.
"A commoner as the Imperial Prince's consort? The world really is ending."
"They say she doesn't even have a Star Vein. Who knows where she crawled out from."
"Having to serve something like that. What a waste of our hands."
"We all have proper Star Veins, don't we?"
I heard every word, but... I couldn't say anything.
Because.
"..."
They were all right.
I was a commoner with no Star Vein and nothing to my name. I couldn't read properly, didn't know any etiquette, and possessed absolutely nothing. For someone like me to occupy this beautiful room and even receive service as the supposed Imperial Prince's consort was... far, far too much.
'That's right. Someone like me...'
'Has no right to receive this kind of treatment.'
The maids' words hurt because not a single one was wrong. That's why I couldn't refute them.
"...Hurry up and get out already."
Their territorial behavior grew increasingly blatant. When another maid told them to bring tea, they all dawdled. When I reached out to move the teacups myself because I couldn't stand it anymore, one of them slapped my hand away.
"Stay still."
"...?"
"Because everything gets dirty if a lowly thing like you touches it."
"...!"
I slowly withdrew my hand.
"...I'm sorry."
The apology slipped out first. I thought I must have overstepped and caused trouble.
"...I'm really sorry."
That only made the maids grow more arrogant.
"His Highness the Imperial Prince must have lost his mind. I wonder what he was thinking, bringing something like this here."
"She'll be kicked out soon anyway. Let's just humor her until then."
"It's in a month, right? If she humiliates herself at the Daeje, it'll be over immediately."
"..."
I lowered my head. My chest stung strangely. Yet... I didn't feel angry.
Just.
'Of course. Everyone thinks that way.'
That thought kept filling my head.
'It's only natural.'
A commoner suddenly rolling in and claiming the position of Imperial Prince's consort. From their perspective, how absurd and displeasing it must have been. If I were them, I would have felt the same. I would have...
"..."
I was standing there with my head bowed when—
Clatter—
The door burst open.
The instant I stepped into the room, I could read the atmosphere at a glance. Era with her head hung low. The maids in front of her, mouths still half-open in mockery.
"Ah, n-no...!"
"..."
The maids froze in panic when they saw me enter.
"...You vermin."
My face twisted on its own.
"What exactly are you doing right now?"
I asked coldly at first. The maids' faces turned deathly pale.
"Y-Your Highness the Imperial Prince!"
"W-we were just—"
"What did you just say?"
My voice grew even colder.
"Before I came in, I believe I heard you saying something."
"......"
The maids clamped their mouths shut. But I had heard everything clearly—the garbage they'd been whispering before I opened the door.
"You said that if a lowly thing's hand touches anything, it gets dirty. Was that it?"
"......!"
"Did you really call my fiancée a lowly thing?"
"That's not what we—"
"Then what the fuck was it!!!!!!!"
I slammed my fist into the wall without thinking.
Bang—!!!!!!!!!
"Eek..."
"Not only are you insulting the Imperial Prince's consort, but now you're trying to deceive the Imperial Prince himself?"
The maids trembled violently.
"...Hah."
I took one step. Then another. The initially cold voice gradually... began boiling with rage.
"Who I choose as my fiancée is my decision. It's not something for the likes of you to comment on."
"......"
"And yet you dare... what? Say that touching a lowly thing makes everything dirty?"
I could feel my own eyes growing fierce.
"I-it was actually Lady Lizel who—"
"Shut that filthy mouth."
"...!"
I knew. There was no way these maids would act this boldly on their very first day without someone pulling the strings. But the fact that they had willingly gone along with it was more than enough.
Normally, I wouldn't have gotten this angry. Yes, I was usually a calm person. Of course, even Leon in the original story rarely lost his temper like this. But the sight of Era standing there with her head bowed, unable to say a word... for some reason, I just couldn't stand it.
"Do you even realize whose quarters you're in and who you're insulting right now?"
My voice grew heated.
"I'll show you what a truly filthy, lowly thing really is."
"Call the chamberlain immediately. Replace every maid in this quarter. As for you lot, you'll be expelled from the Imperial Palace and stripped of all your—"
But at that moment, someone grabbed my sleeve.
"What is it?"
It was Era. She was gently holding onto my sleeve.
"...Leon."
"...?"
"It's okay."
I looked at Era.
"What do you mean it's okay? They just—"
"...They must have had their reasons too."
Era smiled faintly.
"Hehe..."
...That expression. The one I'd seen countless times on Era's face. The one I truly hated.
"Hah..."
If I pricked Era with a needle right now, tears would pour out instead of black blood.
"A commoner suddenly appeared and they were told to serve her as the Imperial Prince's consort... It must have been bewildering for them."
"...Era."
"If it were me, I probably would have felt the same... Really, I would."
Era looked at the maids. If only she'd glared at them with resentment, my heart might have felt a little lighter. But instead, her eyes were soft and understanding.
"It's really okay."
'Why are you understanding those things?'
"...Please don't hate them too much. They're just doing their jobs, after all."
The maids hung their heads, unable to say a word. Even though they'd insulted her so viciously, the commoner girl without a Star Vein—the one who should have been the Imperial Crown Princess—was now defending them. They didn't know what to do.
"......"
I let out a long sigh.
"Hah..."
"...Hey. You really..."
"...?"
"...You're too kind for your own good."
I turned back to the maids. My anger had subsided a little, but I still needed to deliver a clear warning.
"...This is the only time. Because my fiancée has chosen to cover for you, consider yourselves spared."
"......"
"If something like this happens again, I won't be so forgiving. Understood?"
The maids hurriedly bowed deeply.
"W-we're sorry! Your Highness the Imperial Prince! And... Your Highness the Imperial Prince's Consort!"
For the first time, they addressed Era as "Your Highness the Imperial Prince's Consort."
"Yes. That's what you should call her."
With the same mouths that had mocked her as a lowly thing just moments ago.
"Eh...?"
Era blinked in slight surprise at the title.
"Whew..."
After the maids withdrew, only Era and I remained in the room.
I looked at her and said, "Hey. Why did you do that?"
"...Do what?"
"Why did you cover for them?"
Era smiled brightly.
"...Just because. There's no point in hating them."
"......"
"We'll be living under the same roof anyway. It's better to get along than to be on bad terms, right?"
I watched her quietly. This girl who couldn't even bring herself to hate people who had treated her so cruelly.
'She's way too kind for her own good.'
'But just a few days ago...'
Suddenly, I remembered what had happened a few days earlier—the Era who had grabbed a kitchen knife and tried to slash my ankle tendons.
'It's strange that it's the same person...'
'That it's the same girl.'
'Should I tease her a bit?'
I asked in a deliberately probing tone, "...Hey."
"Yes?"
"...It seems like you're only ever mean to me, huh?"
"Whaaaat? No way!"
Era jumped up, waving her hands frantically.
"No, you take care of everyone else like that, but you tried to cut my ankle—"
"N-no, that's not it! I was really worked up back then..."
Era's face turned bright red as she flailed her hands.
"That's enough~"
"No, I'm telling the truth! I wasn't in my right mind then—"
"Hmm~"
When I pretended to sulk on purpose, Era grew even more flustered.
"L-Leon! I'm really reflecting on it! I won't do it again! I won't even go near your ankles!"
"...You won't even come near my ankles?"
"Yes! Not your wrists either! I won't cut anywhere!"
I barely managed to hold back a laugh.
'Is this a threat or a promise?'
It was a little strange that something that would have sent chills down my spine just a few days ago could now be exchanged as a joke.
"Hmm..."
I slowly looked around the quarters. It was a luxurious room, but for Era it must have felt far too unfamiliar and enormous.
"...You'll have to live here from now on."
"Yes."
"For a month. Until you pass His Majesty's test."
Era looked a little downcast for a moment.
"...Do you think I can do it?"
"...?"
"I don't know any etiquette. I can't read well. I can't even dance."
Era fidgeted with her fingers.
"What if I just embarrass myself in front of the nobles? Then even you, Leon, will end up getting criticized..."
Looking at her like that, I said, "Hey."
"...Yes."
"I'll teach you."
"...?"
Era lifted her head.
"Etiquette, reading, dancing—whatever it is. I'll teach you everything within a month."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. But it'll be tough. Be prepared for that."
'Thank goodness the possession came with automatic etiquette knowledge.'
Otherwise I might have had to learn from my sister alongside Era...
Era stared at me blankly for a moment, then her face slowly brightened.
"Hehe..."
"...Why are you laughing?"
"...No reason. Just... I'm happy that you'll be teaching me yourself, Leon."
"...!"
It wasn't that she was relieved about the test. That expression said she was happy because it meant she'd get to spend more time with me.
"...Hey."
I had clearly drawn the line that this was a fake relationship.
'That look is way too sincere!'
"...Don't misunderstand. If you fail, the engagement is nullified. Then you'll—"
"You'll...!"
I stopped mid-sentence.
"...Never mind."
"...?"
I couldn't bring myself to say 'you'll die' again.
"Anyway. You can't fail, so that's why I'm teaching you. There's no other meaning!"
"...Yes! I'll work hard! So I won't embarrass you, Leon!!"
Era clenched both fists tightly.
"...Pfft."
"E-Ehh— why are you laughing..."
"Nothing. Just... work hard."
For some reason, the sight made me laugh.
The night grew deep. The lamps in the quarters cast a soft glow throughout the room. I was about to leave. After all, I had my own quarters in the Imperial Palace. Even if we were engaged, we couldn't share a room before the wedding.
But as I rose from my seat, Era gently caught the hem of my clothes.
"...Leon."
"What?"
"...Won't you sleep with me tonight?"
I paused and turned back.
"...Hey. This is the Imperial Palace. I have my own quarters."
"Aww..."
"...What do you mean, aww? Even if we're engaged, we sleep separately before the wedding. This isn't the frontier."
Era looked downcast.
"...We always slept together in the frontier."
"...That was because there was only one room there!"
But Era murmured softly.
"...I'm scared to sleep alone."
...An unfamiliar Imperial Palace. A huge room she'd never seen before. People who had mocked her as a lowly thing. A test in one month.
'Yeah, that's definitely a stressful situation.'
Era, left all alone in the middle of all that. The girl who, until just a few days ago, had clung to my sleeve while sleeping in that cramped frontier room. Suddenly being thrown into this vast, unfamiliar space by herself... of course she'd be scared.
"......"
I sighed.
"...Just for tonight."
"?"
"...Since it's your first night in an unfamiliar place, I'll stay by your side until you fall asleep. Just for tonight."
Era's face lit up instantly.
"Hehe! Really?!"
"...But starting tomorrow, you sleep alone. Got it?"
"...Okaaay."
She answered, but her tone suggested she had no intention of listening.
Scrape—
I pulled a chair over to the side of the bed and sat down. Era slipped under the covers and stared at me intently. In the lamplight by the bedside, her black eyes sparkled.
"...Leon."
"What now?"
"...Thank you for standing up for me today."
"......"
"It felt... reassuring when you got angry for me."
Era smiled faintly.
"...No one's ever gotten angry on my behalf before... It felt really nice."
I paused for a moment at her words.
"...It's nothing."
I slightly averted my gaze as I spoke.
"My fiancée was being insulted. It'd be stranger if I just stood by and did nothing."
"...Even though it's a fake engagement?"
Era asked playfully.
"..."
I hesitated for a second, then said, "...Fake or real, you're my fiancée right now."
"...Hee."
At those words, Era pulled the blanket up to the tip of her nose and smiled bashfully.
She fidgeted with her small hand under the covers, then cautiously reached it out.
"...Leon."
"Why do you keep—"
"...Can you hold my hand?"
"......"
"In the frontier, holding onto your sleeve while sleeping made the fear go away a little."
I looked at that small hand. The hand marked with cracks from laundry, pricks from needles, and burns from cooking porridge.
"..."
I hesitated for a moment, then slowly took her hand.
"Hehe... yes, like th—"
"Uh... eh?"
But instead of simply holding it, I slipped my fingers between hers. Interlacing them.
"...!"
Era's eyes widened in surprise.
"...L-Leon?"
"...What? You asked me to hold your hand."
"Y-yes, but... like this, with our fingers interlocked—"
Even in the lamplight, I could see Era's face turning red.
"...If you don't like it, let go."
"...N-no!"
Era quickly gripped my hand tighter.
"...I don't dislike it. Not at all."
Her small fingers dug snugly between mine. Our palms pressed together, and I felt their warmth.
"...Hehe."
Era gazed at our joined hands and smiled happily.
"...What are you so happy about?"
"Just... everything."
"......"
"Leon's hand is warm."
"...Sigh."
For some reason, my chest felt ticklish.
Era gently shook our interlaced hands and murmured in a sleepy voice.
"...Leo~on."
"...Go to sleep. It's late."
"...You know, I was actually really scared about coming to the Imperial Palace."
"......"
"But... since you're by my side, Leon."
Era slowly closed her eyes.
"...I'm not scared at all."
Her hand tightened slightly in mine. I squeezed back.
"...Good. So sleep."
"...Okay."
Era began breathing softly as she drifted off.
"Hee... hyuu... heeyu..."
Even so, her hand didn't let go of mine. Still interlaced. Holding on tight. As if afraid that if she let go, I might run away again at dawn.
"..."
I looked at her sleeping face. A black-haired girl sleeping peacefully in the lamplight.
'One month.'
'I'll make sure she passes no matter what.'
Holding the hand of the sleeping Era, I made that vow.
The first night in the unfamiliar Imperial Palace deepened like that. Above our interlaced hands, the lamplight flickered softly.
After confirming that Era was fully asleep, I gently unclasped our fingers and quietly walked toward the door.
"...Don't worry too much."
Tomorrow, a grueling month would begin. But...
'If it's Era...'
She would definitely overcome it.