As I thought!
…… This is awkward. Really awkward.
Since then, we returned to the station and boarded the carriage, but there has been no real conversation as we headed back to the estate.
The only exchange we’ve had was when the prince muttered, "…Is this the Duke's carriage?" upon reaching the carriage, to which I responded, "… It’s for a discrete outing."
Of course, I wouldn’t brazenly roll up in an ostentatious, crest-engraved carriage that screams *Ellisfeed Ducal House*.
Living modestly, inconspicuously—that’s my motto.
… Whether I’m succeeding at it is another story.
Perhaps because his guard later admonished him, saying, "Your Highness, please don’t say anything unnecessary!" the prince has been silent ever since.
When I sneak a glance at the prince seated across from me, he has his arms crossed, staring out the window at the scenery.
Even the guard beside him is looking out the window with a curious gaze.
"… What a beautiful cityscape."
As we enter the noble district and move deeper in, the estates become larger, their grounds more expansive, and their architecture more luxurious.
While observing all this, the prince of Samonar muttered quietly.
"Eh? Yes, indeed. All the houses in the noble district are beautifully maintained."
If the exterior looks shabby, it would invite disdain. Hence, the closer you get to the royal palace, the more splendid the gardens and estates become.
I thought the same thing when I first came to the royal capital.
"In Samonar, the only beautiful thing is the palace. Even that’s a façade."
"Eh…?"
The prince, still gazing out the window, spat the words bitterly, catching me off guard. When I reflexively asked for clarification, he fell silent.
"My apologies! Ah, no, I mean, I deeply apologize! If you could please pretend you didn’t hear that…!"
The guard hastily tried to cover for him, so I gave a wry smile and nodded in agreement.
Hmm, how should I put this? Isn’t this prince rather unprincely?
Even the guard’s demeanor seems oddly casual.
He was called “Your Highness,” but what if I’m mistaken?
If that’s the case, I’ve just given Otousama another reason to scold me! Oh no…
In that case, I’ll have to get Leon-sama to take full responsibility and restrain them both!
I can use binding magic too, so if worse comes to worst, I’ll handle it myself.
While I was mulling over these thoughts, the carriage approached the gates of the Ellisfeed Ducal House. As soon as the gatekeeper recognized the carriage, the gates opened, and the carriage smoothly entered the estate without stopping.
"No way, she’s actually the young lady of the Ellisfeed Ducal House? This isn’t a bluff?! We’re in serious trouble, Your Highness…!"
"Stop whining, Tika. Now that we’re here, get a grip. Think of it as an opportunity and shift your mindset."
When the guard—apparently named Tika—started fretting nervously, the prince turned to me with a calm and dignified demeanor.
"Are you the daughter of the Ellisfeed Duke… Miss Cristea, was it? I apologize for the late introduction. I—no, I am Kaldor Samonar, the second prince of Samonar. I deeply regret my numerous discourtesies at the food stalls. Please accept my apologies."
With that, the prince—no, Prince Kaldor—bowed his head.
He really is a prince?
… Wait, whaaaaat?!
A royal bowing so easily to a foreign noble? Isn’t that a no-go?!
Even his guard, Tika-san, is practically a living rendition of The Scream, yelling, "Your Highness?!"
"Uh, no, please, raise your head! I was the one who behaved rudely without knowing who you were!"
As I struggled to come up with an appropriate response, since saying “let’s call it even” seemed too presumptuous given our difference in status, Prince Kaldor raised his head and smirked.
"Then let’s call it a draw."
That smile wasn’t the mischievous, villainous one from before but an endearing, playful grin that made me inadvertently reply with a smile, "As you wish."
"So, who exactly are you? You claimed not to be a noble, yet you seem close to Miss Cristea and capable of certain liberties. However, as far as I know, there’s no one like you among Doristan’s royalty."
Prince Kaldor directed the question to Leon-sama.
If someone could order around a Duke’s daughter, they might be royalty, but since there are no royals of Leon-sama’s age, it’s natural to wonder who he is.
But there’s no way he’d guess Leon-sama is the Guardian Sacred Beast of this country!
"Me? I’m… oh, too bad. Time’s up."
Just as Leon-sama looked amused and started to answer, the carriage arrived at the porte-cochère, coming to a stop.
When the door was opened from the outside, I saw Otousama, Okaasama, and Oniisama lined up in front of the entrance. Beside them, the servants were neatly arranged in two rows.
Whoa, this is a full-on VIP welcome!
Well, of course—it’s a state guest, after all. An ultra-VIP!
Especially with Leon-sama here too!
Otousama, Okaasama, and Oniisama all had polished smiles that seemed to say, "Cristea, we’ll need a proper explanation later."
"Apologies for the sudden visit. I am Kaldor Samonar, the second prince of Samonar. Raise your heads."
As soon as Prince Kaldor stepped out of the carriage, Otousama and the others bowed deeply.
Even the servants bowed in perfect unison, showcasing the impeccable training of our household staff. Impressive!
"Prince Kaldor. Welcome to our humble abode. Though it may be unworthy, we extend our hospitality."
Otousama spoke, and Prince Kaldor gave a stately nod before following him inside.
His demeanor was every inch a royal, completely different from the earlier impression he gave.
As I watched Otousama and the others enter the mansion and the servants swiftly disperse to their respective duties, my brother quietly sidled up to me.
"Cristea, let’s go too… You’ll explain everything later, okay?"
"Ugh… yes."
With the reluctant air of a calf being led to slaughter, I followed Otousama and the others, escorted by Oniisama.
What do you think about this chapter?
