The Protected Side
"……."
Silvia's sharp, pointed voice made me freeze, but Achillea's icy tone snapped me back to my senses. What the hell is she doing? I was still reeling from seeing a side of Silvia I'd never encountered even in the novel when Silvia herself seemed startled by her own outburst, her face flushing bright red.
"Ah… I, I mean…."
Silvia wasn't like this by nature. She wasn't the type to snap at people or respond aggressively. The confusion on her face made it clear she didn't even understand why she'd said it. She stammered on, "Since I was the one who received help, shouldn't you receive the reward from me…?"
"I helped because I took a liking to you. At the same time, the young master of Astria tried to assist you, and I handled the matter in his stead. In the end, you received help from me."
Achillea smiled gently at the sight of Silvia's voice shrinking with defeat. "But, still…."
"I'll do it."
Deciding there was no point dragging out the pointless argument, I cut Silvia off and accepted Achillea's offer. No matter how much Silvia argued, Achillea would win. A mere count's daughter stood no chance against a princess. Even if she was the protagonist.
Besides, I had no valid reason to refuse. Just as Achillea said, I had received her help as well.
"Felice…!"
Silvia called my name with a look of injustice, but I simply shook my head. Antagonizing Achillea over something like this wasn't wise. The proposal was a bit burdensome, but…
"You don't have to feel too pressured. It won't be a bad deal for you either."
"Is that so…?"
When I asked out of genuine curiosity, Achillea smiled with her usual composure. "The Astria County is a family of distinguished service. They deserve appropriate treatment."
"In that case, wouldn't my older brother be more suitable?"
The position of the next head of the Astria family belonged to my brother, not me. If this was about rewarding meritorious service, he should be the one going.
"Treating them appropriately is a courtesy to meritorious families, but if it's excessive, others might see it as favoritism."
Achillea smiled as if she'd already anticipated my objection. In other words, if the next head escorted her, other meritorious families might feel the Astrias were being favored. To reward the family without offending the other nobles, it made sense to assign the role to me—the one who wouldn't become the head.
Finally understanding her intention, I let out a small breath and lowered my head. There was no longer any ground to refuse. Silvia, too, had no choice but to accept Achillea's reasoning. There were no flaws in her words.
"It would be an honor to serve you."
Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Achillea gave a pleased smile and nodded. "I'll send someone with the details later. Just prepare yourself mentally."
"Understood, Your Highness."
"Then I'll see you later."
After offering a proper farewell to Achillea's retreating figure as she waved lightly in satisfaction, I exhaled once she was out of sight. I'd come to resolve one matter, only to end up with another. The thought made my head spin.
@
Step, step.
Achillea crossed the academy grounds with a straight, proper gait. Classes had long since begun, so the courtyard was nearly deserted. When her steps finally carried her to a secluded area where no one passed by, a voice spoke from beside her.
"……What shall we do?"
"What did His Majesty say?"
Though the sudden voice might have startled anyone, Achillea's expression didn't so much as twitch. The pleasant smile she'd worn while with Felice had long since vanished. At her coldly subdued tone, her shadow continued the report in silence.
"He said to do as you wish."
"……It would be best to dispose of him. I can't stand by while he continues to tarnish the imperial family's dignity."
"I will obey. Shall we handle it as usual?"
"Even so, he is my brother. That would be going too far."
Achillea and her shadow were discussing Leonhardt's fate. Felice and the others present hadn't noticed, but Achillea had never been in any real danger. As the confirmed successor to the throne, she was constantly protected by hidden imperial knights. Even if Felice hadn't appeared, not a single scratch would have touched her. Her shadows would have thrown themselves in the way to shield her. Of course, Leonhardt's magic wouldn't have required them to go that far.
"Nothing is more terrifying than a fool with conviction, and nothing more dangerous than an ignorant person with power."
"……."
"Break that child's circle. Make it so he can never do anything again."
"I will carry out your command."
"Also ensure he never even thinks of appearing before me again. Even a cripple with all four limbs broken will still have pigs trying to use him."
"I will handle it thoroughly."
The leader of the shadows bowed deeply, accepting her orders. Without so much as glancing at him, Achillea gave a slight nod and continued walking. Once she ascended as crown princess, she would have official access to the imperial knights, but not yet. And she felt far more at ease using her own shadows rather than the imperial knights who weren't truly hers. They followed her blindly, after all. Having used them for so long, she knew how flawless their work was, so she felt at ease. With the emperor's permission granted, there was nothing left to hesitate over. Leonhardt would never appear before her again.
"Ah, one more thing."
Just as she was walking along in satisfaction, Achillea stopped as if remembering something and addressed the still-bowed shadow leader. "I intend to invite that child to my coronation ceremony."
"……Do you mean to keep him by your side?"
"Of course."
Thinking of Felice, the red-haired boy, Achillea smiled softly without realizing it and affirmed the shadow's words.
"……."
After smiling at the thought of him for a moment, Achillea erased her smile when no reply came. "If you have something to ask, ask now."
"……It's nothing."
"Speak freely. I'm in a good mood right now."
The shadows were a group that followed her orders blindly, even if those orders were filthy or violated human decency. They had already been saved by her once. So after a brief hesitation, the shadow leader voiced the question he'd been holding back.
"I wonder why you wish to keep that child by your side."
"……Well."
Achillea hadn't first seen Felice at the academy. She'd seen him at the Astria estate. Felice probably didn't remember, but she did. The sight of the boy who had been so single-mindedly devoted to the sword. Of course, that alone wasn't why she wanted him near. If that had been all she'd seen, she might not have kept him close at all.
The next time she'd seen him, he was arguing with Leonhardt. His appearance had changed so noticeably in such a short time that she'd felt intrigued. How could someone transform so drastically? When she'd watched him threaten Leonhardt—not quite a threat, but close—she'd smiled without meaning to. He was a strangely peculiar boy. At the same time, she could feel a small spark of joy from his presence.
From princess to crown princess, Achillea had endured countless stresses. That was only natural. Only by shouldering that stress could she perform her duties perfectly. So she'd accepted even the stress without complaint. But in doing so, she'd forgotten what it meant to enjoy life. Her path had never been smooth enough to allow for such things.
Felice had been a small joy she'd encountered along the way. Separately, her decision to deal with Leonhardt had come simply from knowing he would be of no use to her. And there, she'd come face to face once more with the boy who brought her joy. Remembering the sight of him standing in front of her, Achillea smiled without realizing it and answered the shadow.
"Being the one who's protected… isn't so bad either."
"……I will also report Lord Felice van Astria's attendance."
"Handle it as quickly as possible."
At her words, the shadow bowed even deeper. Achillea walked on calmly, touching her face. For some reason, whenever she thought of Felice, the corners of her mouth refused to listen.