82. You Must Not Be Careless!
The four idiots were saying things like this after sleeping well and waking up.
“Yo, Karl. Did something happen yesterday?”
This is what they say when they wake up and do the usual.
“Suddenly, what are you talking about.”
“No. Selena seems a bit off today.”
Off how? Where and how is she off? As if to say, tell me more, I stared at Alexander.
He tilted his head for a moment, then continued.
“Well, how should I put it. Maybe she was overly excited?”
“What? Alexander, you felt that too? It wasn’t just me?”
Joachim, who came after, was muttering that he felt it too.
I listened to their words. I remembered meeting them briefly in the morning. Unlike usual, she was smiling brightly and even greeted us with a morning greeting or something.
“Well… it seems like she had a good dream.”
“Is that so?”
“It could be. Since she came to rest, her mood should be good.”
A good dream, that must be it. Um, so. Someone who was angry at the frequent sweet kisses on the lips kept showing me the real kiss taste out of the blue, and I released an alien laugh ‘Heh heh heh!’ or something.
“Better yet, Karl. When do you plan to go to the hot springs? Come with us.”
“Schlippen and Wilhelm.”
“They already went last night.”
“…Already? They went without holding back?”
“Yeah. And they came over early this morning in a good mood and bragged.”
“…”
They really get along well, hands and feet matching perfectly. And they grumbled about not wanting to share the same room or something.
As expected, there was a reason why they could be like that even while bickering, because they were close.
“Then, shall we soak our bodies in the hot springs in the morning?”
“Only in the morning? What about the afternoon? Ah, maybe a date with Selena?”
“That’s not it, Alexander.”
“Sigh. Alexander, you have no sense of timing. Just think about it quietly inside.”
“That’s not it. Joachim.”
It wasn’t for nothing. There really was a place to go to in the afternoon.
For reasons that I didn’t want to tell even the four idiots or Selena or Eloise.
*
“…”
On the other hand, Selena was already soaking in the hot springs.
Lying comfortably in the warm water, it felt like everything was floating up.
Plus, the kiss that happened yesterday, which was a bit sudden but ultimately very good.
It was definitely the right thing to do. Coming on a trip together was a winning move. It was too good!
“…”
It would have been even better if it hadn’t been the elf sitting right across from me staring at me intently.
“Why are you staring so much?”
Finally unable to hold back, Selena opened her mouth, and Eloise responded as if she had been waiting.
“No. Just, Selena’s appearance is a bit mysterious.”
“Mysterious? What do you mean?”
“Yeah. What do you mean?”
“…”
Eloise, who knew everything already, said it straightforwardly, and Selena, who had no problem with it.
The two women just continued their silence while soaking in the hot springs.
“Yesterday, you were with Karl, right?”
With a grin, Eloise broke the silence first.
Then Selena hesitated for a moment, thinking what to say, and opened her mouth.
“Yes. We were together.”
So? What are you supposed to do about it? What’s the problem if a couple is together at night?
I received a kiss from Karl yesterday too. So, I can be a bit, no, very boldly confident?
Thinking this, Selena glared at Eloise with a bold gesture.
“Wow. I didn’t think it was true. Karl even lied to me about it.”
“Looking at how you’re talking, it seems like you went to find Karl too, Eloise.”
“…”
Eloise, staring silently at Selena, turned her gaze away with a ‘humph!’
‘You must not be careless. Even one Lavrenti is enough to make me tense.’
If Lavrenti shared the battlefield with Karl, Eloise had overwhelming beauty.
Either way, she was a formidable opponent. If I messed up, I might lose Karl completely!
‘I will make sure that never happens.’
What started as a simple hot springs trip gradually veered off in a strange direction.
The silent duel between the two women had just begun.
*
“…”
My throat keeps getting parched. I haven’t been this tense in a while.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, are you alright?”
Following the servant’s words, I tried to show that I was fine. Actually, I wasn’t fine at all.
It wasn’t this bad even during the Crown Prince’s enthronement ceremony when I was young. No, rather, back then I thought the position was naturally mine, so I was less tense.
Now, I wanted it so badly, but I couldn’t force it. And giving up seemed like it would drive me crazy every day, so it was only natural.
“Give me one more glass of water.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I don’t know how many glasses this is. As the appointment time approached, I was gulping down water.
Fortunately, Karl, my brother-in-law, gave positive words, so it’s a blessing. If not for that, I might have drunk several bottles without exaggeration.
“Don’t be too anxious or tense, Your Highness.”
“I have already explained it well. Since my sister is also positive, Your Highness should show your usual self. Ah, of course, showing a side that shows affection for my sister would be better. My sister is weak to such things in a subtle way.”
I never thought the Medal of Honor recipient would take on the role of love bridge.
It was surprising and yet grateful. Not just anyone, but from Ricata’s family. Especially since it was Karl, the one Ricata loves most, the words were even more believable.
“Your Highness. It seems that Lady Licata has just entered the palace.”
Finally, it came. It’s here. Well, well, take a deep breath. Hoo, hoo.
Is it right for the Crown Prince who will lead the Empire to tremble in front of a woman?
But if that woman is the one I love, then it’s only natural.
So, please, Ruprecht. Don’t make a mistake. This is a chance given by the heavens. You know, right?
A short while later, the door opened and Licata entered.
“Licata Adelheit. I have entered the palace upon receiving your command. Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Welcome, Licata.”
It felt a bit unsettling that only I was anxious, but recalling Karl’s words, I quelled that anxiety.
Ricata said it was positive. She definitely said that. So, don’t rush. Otherwise, you might even lose points. Even thinking of Karl’s help, I had to do well.
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
“I will gratefully accept, Your Highness.”
“Wait a moment. A very good tea arrived a while ago—”
First, start with simple small talk. Then talk about the Empire, then subtly switch to Friedrich County.
“Count, how are you doing?”
Subtly raise everything about the Count in a respectful tone. Since I’m in the position of Crown Prince, I don’t have to speak politely, but if it becomes a matter between son-in-law and father-in-law, it’s different.
Fortunately, Licata showed no particular reaction. Good! Green light!
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“From now on, the Count will be very busy. Since the successor has changed.”
“Although Father has more things to do again, I think it’s fortunate. Because a much more excellent person has become the successor than me.”
I almost said ‘But I think Licata is much better.’
But I barely held it back. As far as I know, Licata is the type of woman who would rather elevate her younger brother Karl even if it means belittling herself.
‘Right now, what I should say to Licata… is already decided.’
“Karl is definitely an excellent young man. He will surely become a wonderful Count.”
As expected, Licata smiled brightly the moment she heard my words.
Good. I made her smile. Not just anyone, but me! I made her smile!
“Licata.”
I called her with a subtle nickname. As if to say, I’m starting to get to the main point.
Licata put down the teacup she was drinking and answered ‘Yes, Your Highness.’
“It would be good to be more decisive.”
“Is that so?”
“If you don’t want it, I can take more time. So, my meaning is—”
“I am ready, Your Highness. I am prepared to be by Your Highness’s side as a person for the Empire.”
What, what? Surely I should have said such words first?
Isn’t the usual marriage proposal, the proposal, supposed to be mentioned by the man?
“Your Highness, Karl told me that you are a very good person. And I don’t think that thought is wrong. There is nothing better than watching how you rule the Empire right next to you.”
“Licata…”
I was a bit curious why I made the decision because of Karl’s persuasion.
But I decided to drop that thought. No matter what. In the end, the final decision was made by Licata.
“Thank you. Really, really, thank you, Licata. I will not betray your expectations of me—”
“However, one thing. I hope you grant me one request, Your Highness.”
I quietly waited for Licata’s next words. Even if she asked for the moon, she would probably answer with a smile ‘I will try.’
Of course, as I know her. But she wouldn’t make such a request.
“Please do not hold the ceremony too extravagantly. Instead, I would like you to support the Karl Adelheit Disabled Veterans Pension Foundation with that much cost.”