Have You Been Waiting Long, Dear?
The market bustled with people as evening fell, just like always.
In one corner, Victoria waited for Kyle.
She wore a plain linen skirt and a common headscarf you could see anywhere.
She looked just like an ordinary neighborhood housewife. Not a trace of the haughty princess remained.
...Hehe. I wonder what face he'll make today.
Victoria scanned the crowd with a thrilled heart. Then, in the distance, a familiar shadow approached.
It was Kyle.
"...Honey. Have you been waiting long?"
Victoria's heart thumped hard.
Normally, that word "honey" would have made her jump in shock and blush furiously.
But today, for some reason, it felt achingly tender.
"...Hmph. Making me wait like this. You've got some nerve."
Victoria replied with feigned snippiness, but she couldn't hide the smile spreading across her lips.
"...Haha. Sorry about that. Well, shall we go shopping now?"
And so, the two strolled side by side through the market alleys.
It was a strangely enchanting feeling. Just walking shoulder to shoulder like this. It felt ticklish, like they were really a married couple.
...Right. Since we're pretending to be husband and wife anyway...
A sudden thought seized Victoria.
A real couple wouldn't walk so awkwardly apart.
They'd hold hands affectionately. That would be proper.
With that in mind, she suddenly wanted to hold this man's hand.
...I want to hold it. But...
Victoria sneaked a sidelong glance at Kyle's hand.
...It was large and sturdy.
That hand had subdued the terrifying assassin in an instant, and it had cooked those warm meals for her.
Just imagining holding it made her heart race wildly.
...Argh. What's wrong with me? I'm a princess, and I'm trembling over holding a man's hand?
Victoria raised and lowered her hand repeatedly. Finally, as if making a grand resolution, she spoke with a flushed face.
"...H-honey."
"...Yeah? What is it?"
"...Um, over there. I mean. For a h-husband and wife."
Victoria couldn't bring herself to look at him, keeping her eyes fixed on her feet as she forced the words out.
"...W-walking so far apart doesn't look right. S-so. At least our h-hands."
She couldn't get the rest out.
She just timidly extended her trembling hand toward him.
"...Ah."
Kyle seemed to finally catch on.
A brief, awkward silence followed.
Victoria couldn't lift her head, her outstretched hand shaking uselessly.
Then, something warm gently enveloped it.
"...!"
...It was Kyle's hand.
"...L-like this? Is this okay?"
His voice trembled slightly, unlike usual.
When Victoria slowly looked up, Kyle's face was flushed too, as he pretended to look away.
Their hands clasped tightly together.
Victoria's whole body heated up. The warmth from their joined hands was so cozy and ticklish.
"...N-now we really look like a married couple."
"...H-ha. Y-yeah."
...Neither knew what to do, coughing awkwardly.
But their clasped hands wouldn't let go, no matter who let go first.
And so, hand in hand, they continued strolling through the market.
"Honey, what are you thinking of making for dinner tonight?"
"...Hmm. If you make that ratatouille thing again, I might deign to eat it."
"...Haha. That again? There's plenty of other stuff."
"...Hmph. W-well, other things are fine too."
"Then how about some meat today? I hear they got some good stuff over there."
"...Meat. Yeah, that sounds good."
Just chatter about what to buy, what to make. Mundane stuff.
...But why did every little word feel so sweet?
Victoria squeezed his hand gently, beaming secretly to herself.
...It started as an excuse to play house. But before she knew it, the "pretend" part felt meaningless—her heart was full of genuine feeling.
...She just wished this moment could last a little longer.
That was all Victoria hoped for.
Hand in hand with Victoria, I slowly walked through the market alleys.
...Honestly, I was still a bit dazed.
That haughty princess suggesting we hold hands first? But now that we were, it didn't feel bad at all.
...Anyway.
...What to make for dinner tonight.
I pondered as I looked over the stalls. Then, at a butcher's stand, my eyes lit up.
...Oh. That chicken looks prime.
Plump and well-fatted, with great color. Perfect for roasting whole.
...Yeah. Let's go with this today.
I remembered the excellent hearth in my new residence.
That big hearth could easily handle a whole chicken.
"Honey. Let's do this for dinner. Roast chicken."
"...Roast... chicken?"
Victoria tilted her head. Another new name, it seemed.
"It's a dish where you roast a whole chicken in the hearth. Crispy skin on the outside, juicy meat inside. One bite, and the juices just flow out."
"...Oh."
...Victoria's eyes sparkled faintly. She pretended not to care, but her ears were perked up.
"It might look simple, but it takes work. First, you salt it all over and let it brine. That way the flavor gets deep inside, and the meat stays moist."
"...Salt it ahead of time like that?"
"Yep. And one secret: stuff herb butter under the skin. As it roasts, the butter melts in, making the meat even richer."
...As I got excited explaining, Victoria listened intently, her haughty expression forgotten.
This princess was hooked on cooking talk again.
"Alright, let's buy the ingredients."
I bought that plump chicken first. Then, holding Victoria's hand, I went from stall to stall.
"Need some herbs for flavor too. Thyme, rosemary. And lemon and garlic to stuff inside."
"...You put lemon inside the chicken?"
"Yeah. The aroma infuses throughout as it roasts. Oh, and can't forget the veggies. Potatoes, carrots. We'll roast them in the chicken fat."
"...Wow."
Victoria made sounds of admiration—or maybe surprise—as she watched me pick ingredients with keen interest.
...And sometimes, she'd sneakily pick one she liked and add it to the basket.
"...How's this? Nice color, looks substantial."
"...Oh. Good eye. That's a winner."
I praised her, and Victoria put on a snippy face but puffed up her shoulders proudly.
Hand in hand, we gathered all the ingredients.
...Looking back, it was nothing special.
Just shopping together, chatting about what to cook. Simple daily life.
But for some reason, I didn't hate this time at all.
With the basket full, we headed back to the residence side by side.
"...Darling—no, honey. You can look forward to it. I'll show off my skills tonight."
"...Hmph. We'll see about that."
She said that, but Victoria's steps seemed even more eager than mine.
Walking along the streets stretched long in the sunset, we headed home together.
...High above the sunset-dyed sky, a crow circled lazily over the market.
...It was the rebel faction's proud spirit messenger, the Crow.
Today, as always, it was out observing the lady it had chosen as its liege. Then, below, it spotted two familiar figures.
Princess Victoria. And Kyle, the Emperor's Sword.
...Oho!
The Crow's eyes widened like saucers.
Th-those two... they were holding hands!
...Could it be. At last!
...The Crow trembled in awe.
...Looking back, the princess's moves were always flawless steps toward her grand destiny.
Winning the people's hearts at the market, drawing the world's greatest swordsman to her side.
All of it, meticulous groundwork for claiming the throne.
...And now, holding hands with that "Emperor's Sword."
Finally... you've completely captured that man's loyalty!
The Crow's chest swelled with emotion.
...Turning what it saw as an obstacle into her palm.
Now, Princess Victoria had fully seized even that military might she once viewed as a threat.
...As expected. As expected of our liege!
Overcome with rapture, the Crow spread its wings wide on a branch.
Congratulations, Your Highness! One step, another... steadily marching toward the great cause!
Passing birds stared in confusion, but the Crow didn't care.
Nothing could contain this moment's ecstasy.
...Thus, this loyal Crow never realized.
That the "progress toward the great cause" it so revered.
Was simply Victoria's tearful achievement after agonizing nights.
Just holding hands with the man she liked on a date.