Putting Feelings Into Words
After finishing my dance with Brother Noel, Prince Albert approached me. At a debutante ball, it’s customary for members of the royal family to dance with the debuting sons and daughters.
“Joan, congratulations on your debut.”
“Thank you very much, Prince Albert.”
“… You actually look like a proper lady when you’re all dressed up.”
“Huh? I’m a lady even when I’m not dressed up.”
“Good grief, you really haven’t changed.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“By the way, I heard that Cathy was originally supposed to be Prince Fred’s fiancée candidate? But then you fell in love with her at first sight and made her your own candidate instead—is that true?”
“Wha—!? H-how do you know that…?”
“Ohh, so it’s true. Ahaha, I’ll have to tell Cathy about this.”
“… Ugh.”
“Sorry, what was that? Couldn’t quite catch it.”
“I said—don’t tell her!”
When I looked at Prince Albert, his ears were red.
Well, that’s something you don’t see every day.
“Then tell her yourself.”
“H-how could I say something like that!?”
“Why not? If you don’t put your feelings into words, the other person won’t understand them. Don’t tell me you’re one of those people who think, ‘She should already know’ or ‘She must understand’? If you don’t say it, there’s no mutual understanding, you know? Don’t make Cathy anxious… See? Because you’re blushing while dancing with me, everyone’s watching. Ahh, they might even misunderstand.”
“Wha—!! Damn it! If Cathy ends up crying over this, it’s your fault, Joan!”
“A man who can’t even express his feelings properly doesn’t deserve my dear Cathy.”
“I’m not a coward!? Like I’d ever hand over the Cathy I love more than anyone—to you!”
“P-Prince Albert…”
“Ah…”
We’d started whispering at first, but at some point, our conversation had heated up so much that our voices got louder. Before we knew it, the song had ended—and everyone was staring. Cathy stood nearby with Prince Fred, her face bright red, while Fred was looking down, shoulders shaking… yeah, he’s definitely laughing.
And just like that, Prince Albert had accidentally made a public proposal at the debutante ball.
“Uh, um, Cathy… this is, well…”
“P-Prince Albert… I… I’m happy. I honestly thought you only chose me because the other candidates had withdrawn. And since you never said anything, I assumed it was political…”
The other candidates… oh, those Holstein ladies. Right. Forgot they existed.
“No, that’s not it. Even if those candidates were still there, I’d have chosen you, Cathy. Because… I fell for you at first sight.”
“P-Prince Albert, I—I love you, too.”
The two of them held each other’s hands and confessed their feelings right there—in the middle of the debutante ballroom, in front of everyone.
Cheers of “Woo!” and “Kyaa!” erupted, followed by thunderous applause. Even His Majesty and Her Majesty were smiling from afar.
“I’m glad, Cathy. You don’t have to feel anxious anymore, right?”
“Yeah. Thank you, Joan.”
Cathy’s face was red as a tomato, eyes shining with tears.
“Joan… umm… thank you.”
Prince Albert’s face was equally red.
“Seriously! Don’t you dare make Cathy worry again!”
“Yeah, I’ll… keep that in mind.”
He said that and walked away with Cathy on his arm.
Left behind were me and Prince Fred.
“……”
“……”
We locked eyes for a moment.
“Ah, well, uh… shall we dance, then?”
“What kind of invitation was that? … But sure, I’d be happy to.”
We began to dance together.
“Oh, right—congratulations on your engagement. And Prince Fred, don’t you dare make Senior Elena cry either.”
“Ah, yeah. I’ll try not to, unlike my brother’s public display there.”
“So how did you decide on your fiancée, anyway?”
“A duel.”
“… What?”
For a second, I couldn’t process what he’d said.
“No, no, wait—you’re deciding your fiancée, right? Why a duel?”
“I wanted my partner to be someone I could trust to have my back… You know that since the crown prince hasn’t been officially chosen, there are still people pushing me for the position. But I’ve no desire to be crown prince. Supporting my brother suits me better.”
“So you held a duel? Didn’t the other candidates’ families complain?”
“The only ones who did were the families insisting they were part of my faction. That’s partly why I decided it through a duel. I already knew Elena’s strength and character. She’s someone I can trust completely. Even if I make a mistake, she’ll tell me straight to my face.”
“I see. That kind of mutual trust sounds like a great relationship. Though honestly, with Senior Elena, I think she’d swing her sword before offering any advice.”
“Ha! You’ve got a point there.”
Hearing that both Cathy and Senior Elena found such solid partners made me feel relieved.
Still… Senior Elena wanted to join the Royal Guard, and now she’s going to be the one getting guarded. Life’s funny that way.
“Ah—and Elena will be undergoing royal bride training while also joining the Royal Guard after graduation.”
“What?”
“I’ll be joining the Monster Subjugation Corps, like Father.”
His Majesty once served in that same corps with my father. Prince Albert joined the Mage Corps after graduation and is now Brother Noel’s superior.
But wow… I never imagined Senior Elena would become part of the Royal Guard as a princess consort.
Guess you could call that a working couple.
What do you think about this chapter?
