True Friendship Knows No Titles
As Estelle had done, Iris felt at ease with Theo because of the attitude he took toward her. Standing before the crown princess—the second most powerful person in the empire—should have been an overwhelmingly uncomfortable situation. And yet, others couldn't relax in her presence, no matter their age. They constantly offered things, spoke in excessively deferential tones, and betrayed their unavoidable unease.
Of course, Iris didn't resent them for it. It was only natural. Still, at just twenty years old, she longed for at least one friend who could truly understand her.
"I'm just from an ordinary farmer's family."
That modest statement, utterly unremarkable, had shaken her to the core. It wasn't the words of someone addressing the empire's second-in-command; it was the casual tone of chatting with a girl his age from the neighborhood. That's what made her feel so at ease.
"...That's why I ended up spilling about my mother without thinking."
Everyone in the empire knew the first empress, Iris's birth mother, had passed due to frail health. But voicing it herself carried a different weight. And even after sharing something so heavy, Theo hadn't flinched. He showed no particular reaction, smoothly following her lead when she changed the subject—with that thoughtful consideration of his.
"This guy could be a real friend."
Iris, who had never truly had a friend before, started feeling a budding fondness. She was convinced they could become great friends. Plus, hearing he was training in swordsmanship and magic to prepare for the academy's commoner track was the best news imaginable.
Think about it. Even if they'd sworn eternal friendship, how often could a farmer's son and the empire's second-most powerful figure meet without the academy? But he was preparing for it—aiming for next year, the same as her and the saintess Estelle. To Iris, it felt like fate. That's why she'd impulsively suggested dropping formalities and treating each other casually.
Anyway, Iris had bonded so deeply with Theo that she'd even forgotten her original goal of meeting the saintess. But as if to remind her that dreams don't last forever, Estelle made her appearance.
"Saintess, it's been a while. I hope you've been well?"
"...Ah, the Moon of the Empire. It's an honor. Yeah, I've been doing great—until just now."
"Is something wrong?"
"What's your relationship with Theo, Your Highness?"
"...Do I need to explain our relationship just because you two are close?"
Estelle had barged in with a stiff expression, demanding to know what was between them. Iris scowled right back.
Come to think of it, it was odd. Estelle's secret entry into the empire to teach Theo could be chalked up to Duncan's request. With her skills, she could've teleported back to the Holy Empire anytime. Yet here she was, staying at Theo's house and grilling them about their relationship. The only conclusion was that the two shared some intimate bond.
"Of course! Theo and I are that close! We ate dinner together yesterday and even slept under the same roof!"
Iris felt the world go white at Estelle's anxious outburst. Theo felt the exact same.
What the hell is that crazy girl saying?
Okay, sure, we ate dinner together yesterday (with my family), and yeah, we slept under the same roof (in separate rooms). But she's conveniently omitting all the key details, making it sound like we're hooking up or something...!
Look at the princess's face—it's gone pale. How shocked must she be? From her perspective, the friend she just decided to make turns out to be sleeping with someone else!
We haven't done anything like that! This is so damn unfair! If we'd actually done it, at least I wouldn't feel this wronged...!
No, forget that—what the fuck...!
"No, Estelle, that came out wrong. Sure, she stayed at our house because she had nowhere else to go, and we did eat together, but we didn't share a room or anything like that. You have to explain properly, or people will misunderstand."
And usually, that kind of misunderstanding hits noble girls like her way harder than a commoner guy like me.
"Oh... so you didn't share a room...?"
Iris finally snapped back to reality, shaking her head vigorously with visible relief.
Why act like it's that big a deal? It's possible for a guy like me to hook up with a girl, you know.
"Yeah, that's right."
Estelle looked ridiculously dissatisfied, her lips pursed in a pouty sulk.
"Anyway, you came to see the saintess, right? I'll step out so you two can talk."
"No, it's fine."
"Ah, no way!"
Hey, you two came here to talk to each other. My house just became the meeting spot because Estelle's crashing here, idiots...!
"I wouldn't be much help anyway."
"We agreed to drop formalities, Theo."
"Ah, that was for you, Estelle."
"What? Why are you two casual only with each other? I wanna call you Theo too and drop formalities...!"
"Ah, sure. Do whatever feels comfortable, Estelle."
Was she sulking about being left out? I nodded along, figuring she could do as she pleased.
"So you'll drop formalities with me too, right, Theo?!"
"Ha, no. I can't do that with you, Saintess. This is about bonding as fellow empire citizens. But you're from the Holy Empire—what kind of lunatic drops formalities and calls a saintess by name?"
...Huh? Now that I think about it, that kinda makes sense?
"What kind of nonsense is that? The Holy Empire and our empire are fostering friendship anyway! That's why the princess and I are enrolling in the academy. It doesn't make sense to say I can't befriend empire citizens—that's the real fake peace treaty, not true friendship!"
...That kinda holds water too.
"That's a treaty that only kicks in after academy enrollment. The empire could make an issue out of you sneaking in without a word in the first place..."
"Uh, uh—wait! Hold on! Iris, just a sec!"
No. This can't happen. If I let them keep arguing, it's straight to a bad end.
"Ah, Theo. Sorry, we got carried away talking without you."
Iris's stiff expression softened at my call. I have no idea why she's suddenly so nice to me, but right now, a debate over casual speech was escalating into international diplomacy bullshit.
"I like both Iris and Estelle. I want to be friends with you both, but seeing you two at odds leaves me stuck in the middle."
They're both eager to befriend me for whatever reason, so I voiced my desire to befriend them equally.
"Forget empire this, Holy Empire that. How about we judge each other by who we really are and be friends that way?"
"By our true selves...?"
"Be friends...?"
As they tilted their heads, I forced a smile and elaborated.
"Iris as just Iris, not the Moon of the Empire. Estelle as just Estelle, not the saintess. Me as just Theo. No empires or Holy Empires between us. Why would friends need any of that?"
Of course, this is a super modern way to make friends. In this world, even if it's somewhat modern-fantasy, status exists—so it's normally impossible. But Iris and Estelle were the ones who first suggested dropping titles and getting casual.
They had no comeback to that.
"What do you say? If not, I'll have to treat you as 'Crown Princess Iris' and 'Saintess Estelle' instead."
They'd already befriended me first, but ultimately, these two needed to become friends—and lovers. For now, with their mutual dislike, I'd aim to neutralize it and turn them into friends.