Chapter 18

“Oh~! It’s been a while, Louie!”

“Harris! You seem well. Where’s my souvenir?”

“That’s sudden. Well, I did buy it though.”

The prince’s inspection team came over.

The base suddenly became lively after knowing the prince was coming.

The knights were moving around more than usual (probably) to show off their skills.

While I was thinking of staying in the infirmary to avoid being a hindrance, Harris came by to visit.

“Uwah~, the pajamas from the bedding store in the royal capital! As expected of Harris, I love it!”

As expected of someone who knew me ever since I was born, understands my taste, and what I like.

They’re the expensive, silky, and smooth pajamas that’re made out of silk.

“Where’s his Highness?”

“He’s watching the knights train right now. He’s still only 9 and yet he’s already interested in military arts.”

“Harris is serving the third prince, right? Then, he’s a general.”

“Haha. It seems like he’s poor at studying, but has good skills.”

A laugh escaped my mouth from Harris’s parent-like words.

“But even though it’s for inspection purposes, I’m impressed that you can get permission often to bring the Prince here.”

There’s really nothing around here.

This was an active front-line base half a year ago, but now it’s really quiet.

However, it’s near the border, and it’s a dangerous place because nobody knows when a war with the neighboring country would occur during this cold war.

“Ahh, Caesar is like his Highness’s relative. Ehh, was it his Highness’s uncle’s sister in law’s family…?”

“L-Lord Caesar’s?”

I knew he was a nobleman, but he was so close to the royal family…

…Somehow, I didn’t want to know that.

“That’s right…and a quite troublesome person came with us by the way.”

“Eh?”

It’s rare for Harris to talk like that.

I’ve never seen him hate anyone before.

“It’s your…Chief that was from your lab, last time.”

“…Huhh!?

I was too surprised by hearing the name that I was expecting the least, and let out a loud voice.

“Oi, your voice is too loud.”

“Eh? Eh? Ah, ehh? Why is Chief here, in this kind of place?”

“I don’t know. Maybe he’s making sure you didn’t spread any rumors here?”

“That’s…”

“…Are you okay?”

Harris looked at me anxiously.

Ah, this guy, he’s not worried that I haven’t forgotten about him or those other common phrases one would say when they’re heartbroken, right?

Even though I can’t forget about it, I wasn’t hurt in a romantic sense from the start anyways.

Even so, Chief is a relative of Caesar’s, and Caesar is a relative of the Prince…

So the chief was also a remarkable nobleman.

Which is probably why he sent me here, but…

…Did he come here to warn me?

He doesn’t have to worry about a commoner like me…

I’m earnestly doing my job here.

A sigh leaked out involuntarily. If possible, I didn’t want to meet him.

“Former chief, Harris! You’re in a place like this! His Highness is in an uproar because you’re not there.”

“Ahh? Seriously, he’s so emotionally attached now~”

Seeing Harris looking somewhat happy, I thought, ‘It probably feels like he just got a son.’

I wonder if Harris wants a family. He just might get married soon.

He’s a little too athletic, but he might become a pretty good father.

“Harris! You weren’t there so I thought you were gone or something!”

Suddenly, a young boy came into the infirmary along with the imperial guards.

This kid is the Prince?

“N-nice to meet you. My name is Louie, and I’m in charge of the infirmary.”

“Ahh, I’m the third prince, Christopher.”

He cooly greeted me and approached Harris.

He’s 9 years old, but he seems quite intelligent for his age.

He really might become a general in the future…

The man following behind him is…Ahh, even though I didn’t want to meet him…

“…It’s been a while.”

“Louie. Are you doing your job properly?”

“Yes, of course.”

Thanks to you sending me here.

Harris is sending me a worried look.

You don’t have to look at me like that. I won’t cause any problems in front of the Prince.

“Your Highness, are you going to take a look at the armory?”

“Armory! Seems interesting. Of course I’m going!”

Perhaps Harris was being careful, it seems like he’s finding a way to leave the room.

That honestly helped.

I could blurt out something unnecessary at any moment, just from looking at Chief’s face.

While everyone was leaving the infirmary, Chief came close to my ear and whispered something.

“Louie, I have something to talk about. After tonight’s banquet, meet me in here.”

“Eh-”

When I looked back in surprise, he was gone.

“What did he say?”

He said he wanted to talk to me?

Does he want to apologize and bring me back to the royal capital?

No, then we wouldn’t need to talk privately.

I have a bad premonition about this…

I reflexively held my stomach.