An Unexpected Companion
Ydel emerged from behind the partition after finishing changing. The ruined uniform was shoved unceremoniously into the infirmary trash bin.
“I have a prior engagement, so I must go meet someone.”
Ydel’s face tightened at the words. But Cayena was not finished.
“Would you like to come with me?”
Once again she held out her hand to him. It was her bare, white, graceful hand, freed from its glove while she applied the ointment. Ydel felt the vague displeasure inside him melt away like frost in sunlight.
When he took her hand, Cayena rose from the chair, smoothing the hem of her dress. The elegant motion drew Ydel’s furtive gaze. She was a graceful princess who resembled him yet was utterly different. His mood kept rising, so he deliberately furrowed his brow to hide it.
Outside the building, they saw Raphaelo being guided by Olivia and his attendants. He glanced between Cayena and the young boy whose hand she held. At the unexpected young intruder, Raphaelo’s eyes narrowed for an instant.
“I greet Your Highness the Princess.”
Cayena introduced Ydel with perfect composure.
“This is my younger brother, Ydel. We happened to meet, so I brought him along.”
“I see.”
Raphaelo knew exactly who the boy was. He could hardly be unaware of Catherine Lindberg’s son. He also knew the youth had earned quite a reputation as a problem student at the Imperial Academy.
Despite his slender frame, the boy possessed outstanding natural strength and reflexes, marking him as a promising swordsman. It was equally well known that he had used that same physique to thoroughly beat the children of several noble houses.
To see such a Ydel standing quietly beside Cayena was rather surprising. And in such a docile manner, at that.
“Ydel, this is Sir Raphaelo Kedrey. Greet him.”
At Cayena’s prompting, Ydel offered a polite bow.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Ydel Lindberg.”
Cayena gave his head a light, approving stroke at the proper greeting.
Raphaelo suddenly recalled a nickname he had overheard about Cayena not long ago.
Beast tamer, wasn’t it?
He returned the greeting lightly and stepped to Cayena’s side, ready to escort her.
Though a trace of discomfort still lingered, Cayena now took his arm with relative ease. The moment she did, Ydel abruptly seized the hand she had released to greet Raphaelo.
“Ydel?”
When she called his name in puzzlement, he looked up at her. His eyes clearly declared that he, too, could perform an escort. Cayena suddenly found both her hands claimed.
This must look rather strange to anyone watching.
It somehow resembled a young married couple accompanied by their rather tall son. Shaking off the odd impression, she said,
“Let’s inspect the site first.”
They set off for the construction grounds.
Throughout the walk, Ydel watched Raphaelo with a gaze laced with subtle hostility. For some reason the man simply did not sit well with him.
Cayena and Raphaelo circled the grounds, exchanging opinions on the building’s future purpose. Both agreed it would be best used either as a dormitory or for some special function. As their discussion continued, Cayena turned to Ydel.
“What do you think?”
Ydel’s face registered open surprise; he had not expected her to solicit his view on such a matter.
“The opinion of a current student should matter. Though by the time it’s completed, you won’t be able to use it yourself.”
Building construction required a great deal of time.
Will it be finished only after Ydel has grown into a man?
By then she would likely have fled the capital for some distant place. There was a strong chance she would never see the completed structure that bore her name. That thought was faintly regrettable.
Ydel hesitated a moment before answering.
“...I believe it would be best to follow Your Highness’s wishes.”
“Do you?”
Cayena smiled softly.
Raphaelo observed Ydel. The relationship between the Lindberg boy and Cayena was strangely intimate. How that closeness would affect the future was difficult to predict. One thing, however, was certain.
This may become rather troublesome.
It was clear the princess’s younger brother did not like him.
Cayena decided it was time to steer the conversation toward the political matters she needed to discuss with Raphaelo.
“Shouldn’t you begin preparing for afternoon classes soon, Ydel?”
At her words, Ydel realized the moment had come to take his leave. Yet he felt reluctant.
Noticing his subdued expression, Cayena gently brushed his hair back.
“Surely this isn’t the end of our meeting, Ydel?”
“...Pardon?”
“Let’s see each other again. Next time, instead of calling me Your Highness, will you call me Sister?”
Ydel’s eyes widened in astonishment. After a hesitant pause he asked,
“...May I truly call you Sister?”
“Well, it would be difficult when others are present.”
Cayena smiled and added,
“But in private you may. Sir Kedrey here can serve as our witness.”
Ydel’s face twisted into an expression that was neither smile nor grimace. He gave a deep bow and fled the scene as though escaping. Watching her youngest brother’s retreating back, Cayena reflected that adolescent boys were truly inscrutable creatures.
“You appear quite close to the young master of Lindberg.”
“Did it seem so? Since he is my brother, I treated him rather comfortably.”
More than that, it was Ydel’s attitude that was...
Raphaelo chose not to finish the thought and changed the subject.
“I had not expected Your Highness to arrive so early. I should have hurried. My apologies.”
“It’s all right. Today’s meeting was not truly for this purpose anyway.”
They had not met to genuinely discuss the building’s use. That had been nothing more than an excuse. Raphaelo understood the pretext perfectly. Yet the true objective behind today’s appointment might differ.
“It was an excuse, but since the building was a gift, I wanted to come early and inspect the site myself.”
Of course, witnessing her half-brother in the middle of a brawl had completely sidetracked that plan.
“Are you not hungry?”
Now that he mentioned it, she had rushed through the morning and eaten almost nothing except a few spoonfuls of tomato soup.
“You mentioned you would reserve a restaurant, did you not?”
“I have booked a full-course meal at an establishment near the Academy.”
“Then let us eat first, return to the Academy, and finish reviewing the documents.”
She also needed to learn how the Academy chancellor intended to deal with the student who had attacked Ydel.
Since Raphaelo had made the reservation, they decided to take his carriage for the short journey. The vehicle he had brought was every bit as splendid as those of the imperial family.
Raphaelo helped Cayena into the large carriage, then escorted her maid Olivia as well. Observing the natural exchange, Cayena thought the situation was unfolding nicely.
If I continue creating opportunities for them to meet like this, affection should bloom on its own.
Contrary to her expectations, however, Raphaelo’s expression was faintly stiff as he assisted Olivia into the carriage.
Before long the carriage arrived at the restaurant Raphaelo had chosen. As Cayena stepped down with assistance, she unconsciously let out a small sound.
“Mmm…”
She glanced at Raphaelo, who had just helped Olivia descend. He turned and met her eyes.
“Is something the matter?”
“It’s nothing.”
The restaurant was a charmingly decorated white mansion. They passed through a romantic garden filled with flowers of every hue and a graceful fountain before a servant bowed deeply to them.
Raphaelo stated,
“A reservation under Kedrey.”
“This way, please.”
The table he was led to was, at first glance, the most beautiful location in the entire establishment. Even Olivia, following at Cayena’s side, breathed a soft sigh of admiration at the lovely setting.
A staff member approached to inform them that a separate room had been prepared for the attendants. Cayena told Olivia and the escort knight,
“You two should eat as well. I will send a servant to you shortly.”
“Understood.”
Cayena proceeded with Raphaelo to their own table. A path lined with lush flowering trees led to a small building resembling a temple, hung with white curtains. The fabric fluttered gently in the breeze, evoking an exotic resort.
From the moment she had entered the restaurant, Cayena had felt a persistent sense of awkwardness.
This looks exactly like a restaurant young lovers choose for dates.
The atmosphere was hardly suitable for business discussions. Moreover, it was the last sort of place she would have expected Raphaelo to select.
Did he book it without realizing?
Yet he had followed the staff’s guidance with perfect composure. Cayena felt slightly bewildered.
At that moment Raphaelo asked,
“I chose the currently most popular establishment. Does it please you?”
“It is certainly a beautiful restaurant, but…”
The problem was that the two of them looked precisely like a couple on a date.
“Why do you hesitate?”
Raphaelo wore an expression of genuine incomprehension. Cayena opened her mouth, then closed it again. Instead she let out a small sigh.
“I am simply impressed by your taste, Sir.”
At her reply Raphaelo gave a quiet chuckle. Seeing that smile, Cayena grew even more flustered. But they were already here; there was nothing to be done.
Occasionally, this sort of thing is fine too.
He had probably simply reserved the most popular restaurant. With that thought, Cayena moved to sit. Before the staff could act, Raphaelo pulled out her chair for her.
“...Thank you.”
Watching him, Cayena furrowed her brow slightly. She had taken her seat, yet despite her efforts not to dwell on it, the realization that this felt like a date refused to leave her mind.