Chapter 1

A new chapter has begun!

I think the relationships will change in various ways.

Not only between Alvis and Elina, but also with other characters!

To celebrate the New Year, a simple party is held at the royal castle. This is an annual event, but this year, before the party, the king, who had just finished his New Year’s address to the citizens, announced that he would give a special reward, and Rihito, who had accompanied the recent funeral of Marana, was summoned. Rihito, who is neither a knight nor a noble, is not supposed to be here. Normally, the place for giving rewards and gifts is the king's birthday celebration. Therefore, he only had to appear before the minimum number of nobles...

"Really... You're either strong in the moment or you really said it boldly in front of your uncle."

"Huh? Is that so?"

In the audience chamber, Rihito made a bombshell statement and then attended the subsequent party. Due to the flow of the event, Alvis was with Rihito. Elina, after finishing her greetings, left early and returned to the Crown Prince's palace. Unlike the birthday celebrations, the New Year is a simple occasion for greetings, and the rest is free. Even without the Crown Princess being present, it's not much of an issue. It's not a formal party with dancing; it's just a standing buffet where people talk while eating. Therefore, even if Alvis is with his friend Rihito, no noble frowns upon it. No, rather, they are being watched for other reasons. Alvis sighed as he recalled.

"Hey, I did tell you, right?"

"That's true, but... you ignored all the etiquette Shio taught you."

"Yeah... well, it just seemed too troublesome."

"That's what I said. It's a waste of time in Alster."

Shio Duran approached them. Alvis had asked Shio to teach Rihito the proper etiquette for the audience chamber, but Shio had dismissed it as a waste of time. Even so, Alvis had asked for at least the basics, but this time, they were hardly put to use. Perhaps he just didn't raise his head at the beginning.

"If you have something to say, you should say it face to face, no matter who it is. I think there's meaning in looking at the person you're talking to."

Rihito's words made Shio and Alvis exchange a wry smile. Nobles often appear to be looking at the person they are talking to, but they are not really. Whether it's because they have something to hide or because they don't want their true feelings to be known, it's a common practice. But indeed, Rihito always looks at the person he is talking to. That's the kind of person he is.

"Alvis, did the king seem to have any issues?"

"Well, he seemed shocked, but since he had already said he would accept anything, he couldn't refuse no matter what was said. I tried to support it as much as I could."

Alvis had anticipated the king's statement, so this was a calculated move. Still, he was aware that it felt like an ambush.

"Alvis, can you explain what's going on from the beginning? I don't understand the whole situation."

"Here you are, Riti."

"Not 'here you are.' I usually leave such places quickly, but today, I thought something was up..."

Ritianne looked at Alvis with a glare. The events in the audience chamber had already reached Ritianne, probably from the king or the prime minister. As a party involved, it was natural for her to know.

"Alvis, you didn't use Rihito for my sake, did you?"

"Of course not."

"How far did you plan this?"

"How far...?"

Alvis turned to Rihito, who was standing next to him. What did he want to do with Rihito? Alvis couldn't say that he hadn't thought about it at all. He wanted to solidify Rihito's position before someone else used him. He knew Rihito was someone who would act for his family. Therefore, he wanted to create a place where Rihito could choose to go, not just be used by someone else.

"From my perspective, I knew it would be a burden. But I thought that eventually, I would have to prepare such a position for him. Even without this incident, it wouldn't have been difficult. With Rihito's abilities, he would have achieved something."

"Well, I am a genius, after all."

"That confidence is what makes you so annoying. Learn to be modest."

"I don't want to hear that from Lancel."

Alvis and Ritianne nodded at Rihito's retort to Shio. As royals, they had to be selective about who was around them. They realized how fortunate they were to be in the current environment of the Marana Kingdom. In the time of their grandfather, it was even more brutal. Ambition was not necessarily a bad thing, but living to bring others down or continuing to lie to climb higher was exhausting. The current Rubelia Kingdom is a more open world thanks to the changes made by their fathers and people like Luke.

"Alvis, when people say you're calculating, it's not intentional, right?"

"..."

Alvis evaded the question ambiguously, and Ritianne pulled his right arm, took his hand, and squeezed it.

"Riti?"

"But I see... You already see me as someone under your protection. That's why you don't show me."

Ritianne is Alvis's childhood friend and family. Even if their positions change, that won't change. But she is no longer the person closest to him. She is still someone he needs to protect, but not someone he can show his weaknesses to.

"Thank you, Alvis. You noticed my feelings, didn't you?"

"I told you. I'll judge Ritianne's partner. If it's him, I have no complaints. This time, it was just a coincidence."

"Okay, I understand."

"But... I could have given him a title. Do you understand why he refused it, Ritianne?"

If Rihito had a title, things could have gone smoothly. Alvis had intended to do so. But Rihito refused it. The reward he received was not the result of a commoner's unrealistic aspirations.

"Rihito told me, so I accepted it."

"...I can't forgive you for telling my brother before me, but I guess it can't be helped."

Rihito, who is usually nonchalant and evades unpleasant situations, said it.

"How do you feel about Ritianne?"

"I think I like the princess. Probably. Well, I respect her too. I'm not sure which is stronger."

He respects her as a fellow researcher. Working together on research isn't bad. He also said he wanted to let her out of the cage if she was in one. When Rihito declared this to the king, his eyes were not those of someone seeking permission. They were sharp, piercing the other person.

"Princess, I want to continue research with Princess Ritianne. In the future."

Alvis wanted Ritianne to see the moment the king was taken aback. Rihito declared to the king that he wanted to live with Ritianne in the future. In effect, it was the same as asking for Ritianne's hand.