“Sorry, Chris. Would you be willing to cooperate?”
“Wh…what’s with that coy look? …Haa…very well. But please don’t ask me to do anything this outrageous again.”
“…Yeah, I’ll be careful. Thank you.”
Though sighing and making a “geez” gesture, Chris guided us to the castle gate. The soldier gate guards stopped Chris, but we were promptly allowed through after she identified himself as associated with House Baldia staying at the mansion. The moment we entered the castle, I softly said “Thank you” to Chris. In response, she nodded with a somewhat exasperated look. Walking a bit further into the castle grounds, the mansion came into view. Just as I thought we had managed it…a familiar voice rang out.
“Found you…Tia!!”
Suddenly called out to, I instinctively stopped in my tracks. Who would know me as “Tia” and address me that way? As I pondered that and located the source of the voice, I turned pale with shock. It was none other than the prince of Renalute, Raycis. With a hand on his hip, he was pointing this way. Worried he had seen through my disguise, I anxiously responded while fidgeting.
“P-Prince Raycis, what business do you have?”
“Ah, n-no, I wasn’t waiting for you to come back or anything!!”
Or did I just imagine the oddly concerning way he said that…? Wanting to leave this situation at all costs, I hurriedly spoke in an attempt to flee.
“My apologies, but I have work piling up after this. If you have no business, I shall take my leave…”
With that, I attempted to hastily make my way towards the mansion after giving a slight bow to Raycis.
“W-Wait!! I do have business!!”
“…What business might that be?”
I likely had the most unpleasant expression imaginable at that point. However, Raycis showed no signs of faltering as he continued.
“I…I want to talk with you…alone!! D-Don’t misunderstand, it’s not because I’m interested in you or anything!!”
“Heh…!?”
Dumbfounded by Raycis’ words, my eyes went wide. Realizing his intent, I let out a small gasp as a chill ran through my entire body. Slowly shifting my gaze to Diana and Chris, they both averted their eyes from me. So it seemed I couldn’t count on their help. Resigning myself, I took a deep breath before apprehensively answering Raycis.
“…It is an honor, but I also have work, so could we perhaps do this another time?”
Though I felt terrible for him, by another time “Tia” the maid would no longer exist in this world. That way, I hopefully wouldn’t end up hurting his feelings too much.
“I…I see… No, but, just for a bit, how about that? It won’t take long. What does Diana think? As the prince of Renalute, I…I implore you…”
Saying that, Raycis turned an imploring gaze towards Diana. Seeing his demeanor, I couldn’t help but mentally cry out (Raycis!! Don’t abuse your princely authority like this!!), desperately pleading with my eyes for Diana to refuse him. However, the answer in her returned gaze was “I’m sorry.”
“Very well. If it’s just for a short while, I believe it should be alright.”
“My thanks, Diana, you have my gratitude!! Now, Tia, come with me.”
“Y…Yes…”
Firmly grasped by the arm by an enthusiastic Raycis, I felt my soul leaving my body as I turned completely pale. And so I was led away by him.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
When I came to, before my eyes stood a large, magnificent cherry blossom tree. Seeing it, I thought “Ah, Farah did want a cherry tree,” and looked to my side where she should have been…but Farah was not there. Instead, for some reason Raycis was present with a smile on his face.
Regaining my senses with a jolt, I felt faint. However, failing to notice my state, he had a radiant look in his eyes.
“Tia, no…you. I wanted to show you this.”
“…I see. It is an exceptionally beautiful tree, but why did you want to show this to me?”
Steeling my heart, I feigned cold indifference. Sorry Raycis, but I’m sure this is for the best. However, he showed no signs of being discouraged as he continued speaking.
“…My apologies. I was too forceful. However, I believe I’ve become infatuated with you. That’s why I absolutely had to show you this.”
Flinching at his overly intense gaze, I responded.
“Th…That must be some misunderstanding. We only met this morning, did we not, Prince Raycis? You’re likely just convincing yourself you’re infatuated…”
Desperately and politely, I attempted to reject Raycis’ advances. However, the light in his eyes remained fervent.
“I thought so too at first. But after consulting my mother, she informed me this is love.”
“Heh…? Queen Liesel…you mean? Wh…What did she tell you?”
Seeming delighted that I showed interest, he elaborated on what the queen had told him. After first meeting “Tia”…me, Raycis said he couldn’t quell the pounding in his chest and rising emotions. …Please don’t tell me these things to my face, I thought, resigning myself to listen. Troubled by his unabating heartbeat, Raycis eventually consulted his mother Queen Liesel about the circumstances.
Upon hearing everything, the queen apparently rejoiced, exclaiming “So you’ve found someone too!” At that moment, Raycis said it struck him like a bolt of lightning…this must be love.
Raycis then consulted his mother on how best to approach me, the one he had fallen for. The queen advised that he should start by getting to know each other. To facilitate that, he absolutely wanted this opportunity to converse. Having heard Raycis’ explanation, I drooped my head dejectedly.
As a doting mother, the queen’s feelings towards her son were understandable. But I must refute this – it is undoubtedly a misunderstanding!! Raycis has likely just become flustered upon meeting a girl around his age from the Empire for the first time… Though calling me a “girl” is quite the misnomer!!
Nevertheless, this was a grave issue. Convinced by his beloved and trusted mother that it was love, Raycis had become consumed by a tremendous delusion. Moreover, he seemed quite stubborn in his misconception, judging by the intense gaze he had fixed on me throughout his explanation… I could feel an unpleasant sweat on my back.
So then, how could I make Raycis give up on this, I frantically wondered. Ultimately, as painful as it would be, issuing him an impossible challenge seemed the best recourse. Resigning myself to that plan, I slowly and sternly wove my words to coldly rebuff him.
“…I understand your feelings, Prince Raycis. However, forgive me, but I have no interest in a weak prince.”
“A…weak prince?”
A bewildered light entered his eyes, but I pressed on unrelentingly.
“Yes, Prince Raycis. You were thoroughly defeated by Lord Reed. At such a time, to blindly claim to have fallen for a girl you just met? Should you not have more pressing concerns?”
“You…are surprisingly harsh. Quite different from when we first met. But that is precisely why I fell for you. It is a person like you, who can speak so forthrightly, that I desire!!”
Upon hearing Raycis’ words, a chill ran down my spine. What is this prince saying?! I felt like backing away, but maintained my stance as I continued,
“Please say such things about ‘love’ and whatnot after you become stronger than Lord Reed.”
“Hmm… Could it be that you have feelings for Lord Reed?”
“Eh…? Ahem Yes, that’s right. I admire him. Even if lady Farah and Lord Reed marry, these feelings won’t change. There are as many forms of love as there are people, so please give up.”
I was momentarily puzzled by Raycis’s unexpected words, but quickly played along. However, far from being discouraged, his eyes grew even more intense.
“…I understand. I won’t miss a day of training to surpass Lord Reed. I had originally intended to request a rematch with him someday. When I finally surpass him, I’ll come to see you again. At that time, I’d like to ask you this question once more.”
“Ah, yes… but I don’t think anything will change even if you do that.”
“Hehe, I know. This is just my pride. Thank you, this is the first time I’ve felt this way. Love is truly wonderful.”
Raycis wore a refreshed expression as he gazed somewhere into the distance. I didn’t quite understand, but it seemed he had reached his own conclusion.
“Ah, sorry. It’s about time.”
Saying this, he escorted me to the front of the guest house where we had parted with Diana and the others.
“…Tia, I will definitely become stronger than Lord Reed. When that time comes, please let me ask you that question again.”
Leaving these words behind, Raycis departed from our presence. I felt like I wanted to crumble into white sand. Both Chris and Diana, who had witnessed our exchange, seemed dumbfounded. Eventually, Diana shook her head slightly and spoke deliberately:
“I suppose it’s rather improper to capture the hearts of both the prince and princess…”
“…!? That’s absolutely wrong! Raycis is just misunderstanding things!!”
Though I desperately denied it, Chris and Diana looked at me with pitying eyes. At that moment, I swore in my heart that I would never become “Tia” again, and I would absolutely never have a rematch with Raycis.
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