Chapter 14

Thank you for reading.

This is the first episode of today. The second episode will be at 9 PM.

Today, I woke up in the grand canopy bed again.

For a moment, I wondered, "Where am I?" and then slowly remembered.

That's right, I was brought here by Prince Robert, almost carried in his arms.

Then I remembered that Arnaud Roché is actually Sirius Arnaud Roché Anzelua.

Noël has to get used to the fact that "Mr. Roché" is "Prince Sirius."

—I have to remember this until I get used to being here. But it's okay to call him Mr. Roché, right...?

When Prince Robert carried me here, Prince Sirius, who was irritated, chased after us, saying, "Don't touch my student without permission!" It was a bit of a tense situation.

I thought we were going somewhere else, but it turned out to be the palace.

He says it's because it's dangerous, but the palace, which is the base of the queen and the fourth prince, seems more dangerous to me.

Prince Robert has been telling me not to leave his palace.

I was worried about missing school, but since it was just ten days before the summer break, the school gave me a special leave.

The summer break between the first and second semesters lasts about three weeks.

The princes promised that it would be safe by then.

The days pass quickly as I work on the vacation assignments I received early and make items for the knights' orders.

I'm happy that Prince Sirius visits frequently.

—Frequently? More like almost every day?

Recently, Sirius has been looking very handsome.

According to Prince Robert,

"He used to look shabby to avoid being mistaken for the other princes."

Noël never thought Sirius looked shabby.

He always looked clean and presentable as a teacher.

However, since Noël has been staying at the palace and Sirius has been visiting, he has indeed been more neatly groomed and is wearing better clothes.

Even the maids turn their heads when they pass him.

—I preferred the shabby teacher. I never thought the old Mr. Roché looked shabby either.

I don't see Robert much since he lives in the researcher's dormitory, but I often have dinner with Sirius.

"He eats a lot," Sirius says with a loving smile, which makes me feel a bit uncomfortable.

"I'm already sixteen, you know. I'm old enough to get married."

Even when I wear a chic dress, Sirius's attitude doesn't change at all.

—I learned makeup from Liza, so I don't think I'm bad at it.

I didn't have any clothes when I was brought here, but I was going to have them brought from the dormitory. However, the Second Queen, Robert's mother, gave me several dresses. The hems and bust were too large, but a skilled maid fixed them in no time.

The hair oil and cosmetics were provided by the palace.

Liza told me, "The more makeup you wear, the more men will run away," so I focus on skincare and keep my makeup light.

Liza also taught me how to use hair oil. I take a small amount and gently apply it to my hair.

Liza says, "Hair is a woman's weapon."

—Well, I don't know what to think...

Anyway, it doesn't seem to work on Mr. Roché.

Still, he comes for dinner most of the time.

It's good that I'm not bored, but I do wonder, "Is Mr. Roché okay with his work?"

After about eight days of staying at the palace,

Noël was taking a walk in a small courtyard.

Even though it's small, it's a palace courtyard, so it's meticulously maintained, with colorful flowers in the cute flower beds.

The iron bench on the brick path, designed with climbing roses, was impressive.

As I sat on the bench, I heard footsteps on the bricks.

Hardly anyone comes here.

When I turned around, I saw Dian with a delighted smile.

Why is he here...? I was surprised and froze.

Dian moved first.

"Noël, you're here."

He smiled and walked over, sitting next to me without permission.

"Why are you here?"

When Noël asked, Dian looked a bit awkward.

"Rumors were going around the school that Noël had been taken to the palace."

"Really?"

—Well, it's true.

Noël smiled inwardly.

"A squad of the royal guard came to the school. I thought the school had turned them away, but then Noël didn't show up the next day."

"Ah, that's how it's being said..."

Indeed, that's how it happened, but it wasn't really a crisis, and Noël was always protected.

"So, I asked my father, who works at the palace, to let me in."

"...Isn't that a bad idea?"

"I know. I asked a guard who knows my father to guide me to the palace where the royal family lives. I even used Professor Michelle's name."

"You shouldn't do such reckless things, Dian."

"But I was worried. I've been regretting it. When Noël was disowned and suffering, I avoided and ignored you. I wanted to apologize."

"You don't have to apologize. I don't think about it anymore. Don't worry about it."

Noël smiled.

I didn't want him to do something almost criminal over this.

Besides, because of the abuse, when Dian avoided me, I thought, "People are like that," in the back of my mind.

It was a shock, but I understood.

That's why I appreciated Liza even more for supporting me.

Family background and appearance don't matter. You can't tell who to trust just by looking at the surface.

—But still, if he came all this way because he was worried... I'm a bit happy, maybe...

I felt a bit nostalgic, remembering how I was attracted to him when we first met. But it's over now. A few years ago, I might have been happier. Now my heart is calm.

"Is that so..."

Dian was secretly disappointed by Noël's words, "I don't think about it anymore."

He wanted Noël to think about him, to care about him.

—It's my own fault, though.

His chest tightened.

"I think you should leave before you're caught. Thank you for worrying. Prince Robert brought me here because he said it would be dangerous if I was accused again. But it seems to be getting better soon."

"How is it getting better?"

"They're working it out at the top. It's a world far removed from commoners."

"Noël isn't a commoner. You're the adopted daughter of a marquis."

"Formally, yes. But I'm from a fallen baron's family. I have to leave it to my adoptive parents. Actually, to my adoptive grandfather."

Noël shrugged.

—Noël hasn't changed.

If I had married Noël, it would have been a carefree and happy life.

Dian's chest ached again.

"You should sneak back before you're caught. This way."

Noël led him back to the original corridor.

"See you at school."

Dian watched Noël wave brightly, wanting to say something but swallowing his words.

Noël is the young lady who was taken in by a famous court mage and adopted by the third prince.

Even if we had remained friends, he couldn't cling to her after betraying her.

He remembered how Noël's golden curls, touching his arm when she fell asleep at the opening ceremony, were irresistibly cute.

—If I could go back to that day, I wouldn't make the same mistake...

He forced a smile and waved goodbye.

◇◇◇

As Noël turned to leave, her arm was suddenly grabbed.

Startled, she tried to pull away but recognized the familiar scent.

"Mr. Roché"

Noël called out happily, but Sirius looked serious.

"...Why is he here?"

She realized Sirius had been watching.

"Dian, I think. He came to check on me."

"Did he get permission to enter?"

"That... he might not have."

Noël's eyes darted around.

"I didn't think there were so many security holes."

Sirius started walking, still holding Noël's arm.

"Maybe it's because he wasn't a suspicious person?

He's the son of a high official."

"Even so."

"He didn't have any dangerous items."

"Even so."

"Maybe it was easier for him to come because I was in a quiet corner of the garden."

"Why were you in such a secluded spot?"

The garden where Noël was was between the royal living area and the rest of the palace, making it easier for Dian to find her.

"Well... it was quiet and the flowers were beautiful..."

"Stay in Prince Robert's palace. Or we can move you closer to my room. I left it as it was after Robert brought you here..."

"I don't want to cause trouble by moving again."

"There are plenty of extra rooms.

Damn!"

"...Should I not have come?"

When Noël looked up worriedly, Sirius closed his mouth as if realizing something.

"Sorry. I just... that student who always bothered you was here..."

Sirius looked awkward.

"I didn't expect Dian to come all the way here. After I was disowned, he started ignoring and avoiding me. We weren't friends anymore."

"Is that so?"

Sirius looked a bit relieved.

"Yes. Liza said that because I'm no longer a baron's daughter, they lost interest. It seems the boys were considering me as a potential wife or concubine."

"...So, they became interested again because you're the adopted daughter of the Michelle Marquis?"

Sirius looked bitter.

"Maybe. He said he regretted it and wanted to apologize."

"Words are easy to say."

"I know. I don't want to doubt my friends, but I also think that true feelings come out in such moments. But it's better to be on good terms with classmates."

"Being on bad terms is fine. It's unpleasant. Noël, you can graduate early, but you'll still be at the school for at least another six months. Be careful. Being a concubine candidate is ridiculous!"

Noël was taken aback by Sirius's irritated expression.

"Being a concubine candidate is just Liza's speculation..."

"Noël, you need to realize how cute you are. Be more aware of the danger."

"Cute? I'm glad, but... I was told I have the least charm in the class..."

Noël almost felt down remembering what she had said.

Looking down, she saw her thin body and slender hands.

She had gained some weight, though. She was less bony than before.

—And I do have a chest, even if it's small.

"Charm comes to any woman by the time they're twenty."

"Really? Everyone?"

Noël looked up in surprise.

"...Well, usually..."

Sirius realized he had misspoken.

"Mr. Roché, is that based on observation?"

Noël felt a bit uneasy.

"Don't misunderstand. It's a general statement, a general statement.

I think anyone can look charming when they like someone. No matter who they are."

"...That's a bad example, but I understand.

It's fine. I still have time to grow."

"Noël, you're already really cute. But don't get too comfortable. Stay aware of the danger."

"Hmm."

"Until I can always be with you..."

Sirius suddenly stopped talking.

Noël remembered when Sirius had suggested they leave the country together.

Sirius escorted her to the guest room she was using.

It was a two-room suite with a living room that had a sofa.

"Mr. Roché, why did you want to leave the country?

I have a reason to want to leave the Viône family, but why did you?"

It was something she had been curious about for a while.

She had held back from asking because she thought it might be inappropriate, but she couldn't help it.

"I have to tell you, Noël.

Jules and I are actually twin brothers."

"Huh?"

Noël felt like she had stumbled upon another royal secret.