Chapter 7

And so, the day came for the imperial envoy to return home.

It was also the day when I and Marie would leave this kingdom.

Marie seemed to have already explained the situation to her family.

"Here, these are my old clothes, but I thought you might need something to wear...!"

She brought a lot of her old clothes that might fit me from her house.

When I asked her, I found out that Marie was actually the youngest daughter of a viscount's family, a proper noble.

...She was of higher status than me.

But Marie didn’t seem to have that kind of attitude, and she always took care of me diligently, even though she was sometimes timid.

Incidentally, when I asked her about her own things, she only had about three suitcases.

"I'm glad you care about me, but make sure you have enough for yourself too."

"Oh, thank you! But this is enough for me...! Besides, maids and ladies-in-waiting usually wear uniforms."

She replied, and the number of suitcases didn’t increase.

When Prince Dizak, who had come to check on me, said, "You two are quite similar," I couldn’t ask what he meant.

I had quite a bit of time to talk with Prince Dizak before we returned to the empire.

"How old are you, anyway?"

"I’m seventeen. How about you, Prince Dizak?"

"Twenty-two."

I secretly thought he was a bit older.

He always had a frown on his forehead.

Maybe because of that, he looked a few years older.

The brown-haired, calm-looking man who was often with Prince Dizak was his adjutant, named Arnaud Ebers.

"Nice to meet you, miss."

His smile was a bit unsettling.

But since he was Prince Dizak’s adjutant, we would probably be interacting a lot, so I just nodded.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Ebers."

The imperial knights were completely different from the kingdom’s knights.

They didn’t seem confused when Prince Dizak suddenly said he was taking me as his fiancée, and they treated me politely.

Being addressed formally by older knights made me uncomfortable, but Prince Dizak told me to get used to it.

"Once you become the fiancée of the imperial prince, most people will treat you this way."

I thought that made sense.

I didn’t intend to become arrogant, but understanding that others had to treat me that way helped me accept it.

There was one knight from the kingdom who seemed to want to come along, but when I said I wasn’t bringing him, he looked very surprised.

...No, why did he think he would be brought along as a matter of course?

Not only was he irresponsible, but there was no reason to bring a supervisor.

Besides, the permission I received from Prince Dizak was only for one lady-in-waiting, so I couldn’t bring him, and I didn’t want to.

"Once we arrive in the empire, you will first meet the emperor."

I nodded at Prince Dizak’s words.

"Well, that’s to be expected."

He is Prince Dizak’s brother, so perhaps they look and act alike. Or maybe not.

As his fiancée, our relationship would be a bit complicated.

...It would be a bit of a problem if he opposed it.

I don’t want to be sent back to the kingdom.

"Don’t worry, the engagement has already been approved by the emperor."

It was as if he could read my mind.

"Sorry, was it that obvious on my face?"

"Yes."

I touched my cheek involuntarily.

"Although the final decision is up to me."

"To be honest, I’m surprised you chose me as your fiancée. Or will you break it off as soon as we get back?"

"No, I won’t break it off or cancel it."

His immediate answer surprised me a bit.

"Ah, I see."

"Being the fiancée of the imperial prince seems to be quite attractive to others. I don’t want someone with too many desires."

"I have plenty of desires too."

"Really? For example?"

He asked, and I thought about it.

"I want to lounge around on a fluffy bed all day, eat three meals a day with naps, do nothing, not go out, avoid troublesome things, eat delicious food, and take a bath every day. Lots of things."

I counted them off on my fingers, and Prince Dizak chuckled.

"Those are indeed desires, but do you not want luxurious dresses or beautiful jewels?"

"No, I don’t. Wearing a corset is already uncomfortable, and adding a heavy dress would be torture. Jewels are just a bother. Also, I have a slight metal allergy, so wearing precious metals for a long time makes me red and itchy. I don’t need them."

"I see. I’ll remember that."

Thanks to that, I had to give up on cute necklaces and bracelets with a heavy heart.

"Prince Dizak, the desires you’re worried about aren’t those kinds... right?"

"Yes, as long as you don’t abuse your position as the imperial prince’s fiancée, that’s fine. For example, buying dresses and jewelry to deplete the treasury, forcing other nobles to obey you, or oppressing those you don’t like. I don’t like such people myself."

"Ah, that’s not good."

I also dislike such people.

I nodded and replied to Prince Dizak.

"It’s fine. I’ll be satisfied with three meals a day and naps."

I just want to do what I like.

"By the way, can I have a tutor?"

"A tutor?"

"Since I’m technically the fiancée of a royal, I should learn proper etiquette and necessary knowledge. Also, I might have to attend balls as part of my duties."

"Ugh..."

...That sounds really troublesome.

But, well, it can’t be helped.

As the fiancée of the imperial prince, I would have some official duties, and it would be inappropriate not to learn proper etiquette.

"...Alright."

I knew it wouldn’t be possible to do nothing and just have three meals and naps, and it might be interesting to learn more about this world.

We arrived at the day of our departure to the empire without any issues.

Marie had been helping the knights with our luggage since the morning, and I was wearing the uniform I had worn in my original world for the first time in days.

...This actually draws a lot of attention.

I thought it would be better to wear something that clearly shows I’m from another world when meeting the emperor.

Besides, the clothes I borrowed from Marie were apparently considered antiques in the empire, so I might as well wear the uniform, which has no particular fashion.

"Going to the empire is so exciting...!"

Marie’s voice was full of excitement.

"Is it that good?"

"Of course! The empire is one of the largest countries on this continent, and it’s very advanced in culture and fashion. What’s popular in the empire will definitely become popular in other countries too."

"Wow, that’s impressive..."

I couldn’t really imagine it.

I spent the morning with the excited Marie, and since Prince Dizak was at a luncheon, I ate in my room—my meals had dramatically improved since I became a companion to the imperial envoy—and spent the afternoon relaxing.

As I was doing that, there was a knock on the door.

It was knocked firmly, so it was probably Prince Dizak.

No one else came to my room.

I had only met Ms. Kagatsuki once, but I think the crown prince and the people around him are probably stopping her.

...But it’s the crown prince, after all.

He looks at me with a cold gaze, as if I’m some kind of pest.

I don’t know what I did to him, but I’m clearly seen as an unnecessary addition.

However, that will change today.

Once we go to the empire, I won’t have to see the crown prince, and it will be much more comfortable.

Marie greeted the person, and as expected, Prince Dizak entered.

"I’ve come to fetch you."

He held out his hand, and I placed mine on top of it.

He gently pulled me up from the sofa.

Marie had told me that in this world, royals and nobles need to escort their fiancées when they are around.

Prince Dizak extended his left arm, and I gently placed my hand on it.

...I’m not used to this at all.

"We’re heading to the transfer gate now. Do you have everything?"

"I do."

I shook my head, then suddenly wondered.

"What’s a transfer gate?"

"It’s a magical device that allows instant travel to a specific location. Each country has one or two, and they can only be used to travel between gates. This time, we’ll use the transfer gate to go from the kingdom to the empire."

"That’s convenient."

I would never have made it if we had to travel by carriage or ride on those small dragon-like creatures flying outside the castle.

A knight who seemed to be our guide was walking in front of us, with imperial knights on either side, and Marie was also with us.

Since all our luggage had been moved earlier in the morning, we didn’t need to carry anything.

Thinking about leaving this castle made me feel refreshed.

I didn’t feel sad or nostalgic.

We walked for a while and climbed a long staircase.

When we reached a pair of double doors, the knights guarding them opened them from both sides.

This room seemed to be at the top of a tower, with a domed ceiling, and in the center was a metal frame.

To describe it, it’s like a gate without a door, the kind you might see at the entrance of a noble’s mansion in Europe.

...Is that the transfer gate?

There were the crown prince and several men, and surprisingly, Ms. Kagatsuki was also there.

The crown prince glanced at me, escorted by Prince Dizak, but quickly turned his gaze to Prince Dizak.

"Prince Dizak, thank you for lending us the mage. I hope you can convey our gratitude to the emperor."

"I will. Oh, and don’t forget to send the holy maiden as well."

"...Of course."

...Hmm? Hmm?

I couldn’t help but sneak a look at Prince Dizak and the crown prince.

Is the empire in a much stronger position than the kingdom?

I heard the empire is a great nation, but from the looks of it, the kingdom seems to be in a subordinate position to the empire.

...That’s why my transfer was so smoothly arranged?

Ms. Kagatsuki approached and took my hand.

"Shiyan, you’re really leaving..."

Her pink-brown eyes were moist, and I smiled wryly.

"Yes, sorry."

"...No, I’m the one who’s sorry. I’ve been investigating your situation over the past few days. It’s understandable that you want to leave."

Ms. Kagatsuki squeezed my hand tightly.

"But I didn’t expect you to get engaged."

She glanced at Prince Dizak.

Her worried gaze made me smile.

"I was surprised too, but I chose to become his fiancée, so I’m okay."

"I see..."

Ms. Kagatsuki looked relieved.

She might have thought I was being taken away against my will, but going to the empire is my choice.

Being the fiancée of the imperial prince is unexpected, but there seems to be a reason why they need me.

It’s a contract for mutual benefit, which is more trustworthy than just being helped out of kindness.

"Ms. Kagatsuki, I know you’ll have a lot to do as a holy maiden, so don’t overwork yourself. I’ll write to you once I settle in the empire."

"Thank you, Shiyan. You take care too."

"Okay."

When I let go of Ms. Kagatsuki’s hand, her pink-brown eyes welled up.

"Ms. Kagatsuki, are you still wearing colored contacts?"

When I asked, she looked puzzled, then chuckled.

"No, I’m not. I don’t know why, but they disappeared when I came to this world. But my eye and hair color seem to have stayed the same."

"I see."

"Shiyan," I heard my name called and looked up.

Prince Dizak and the crown prince were looking at me.

"It’s time."

I nodded and looked at the crown prince.

Our eyes met, and I smiled at him.

"I won’t be coming back to this country, so don’t worry. I’ve been very well taken care of, even if it was for a short time."

The corner of the crown prince’s mouth twitched slightly.

It seemed my sarcastic remark hit home, and I was glad.

Prince Dizak cleared his throat softly.

"Then, Lord Victor, take care."

I followed Prince Dizak as he started walking, heading for the gate.

People stood on either side of the gate, and a magical array glowed beneath it, causing the gate itself to shine.

Just before stepping into the light, I waved goodbye to Ms. Kagatsuki.

When I entered the light, I felt a slight floating sensation, like being in an elevator.

It was brief, and the next moment, I found myself in a different room.

"This is inside the imperial capital’s castle. We will go to meet the emperor now. Is that alright?"

"Yes, I’m fine."

From now on, I will be living in the empire.