Chapter 18

A mere soldier coming to deliver a message to a princess is, in general, an impossible thing.

All information to me is primarily conveyed by the maids. When I want to meet someone in the castle or have something to convey, I call a maid first, and the same goes the other way around. If someone wants to see me, the maid will inform me, saying, "You have an invitation from so-and-so."

There is an exception, the messenger. Depending on the content, the messenger might come to me directly. In such cases, the messenger is fixed. He is around forty years old and hasn’t changed for years. This is to prevent being misled by a fake messenger. Also, when a messenger comes, it’s usually not for a good reason, so it’s better if they don’t come at all.

I looked at the soldier, who was still pale.

Despite his sun-tanned, healthy-looking skin, his paleness was striking.

The cause was Clifford? He had let out a "Hii!" when he saw him.

—No, Clifford was just standing there, wasn’t he? Even earlier, though he had his dagger ready, he wasn’t in a stance. There was no reason for the "Hii!" at all.

Moreover, this soldier is young and not a messenger...

Hmm. But from Clifford’s attitude, it seems he judged that there was no danger.

If I trust my memory, this soldier does know Prince Alex.

So, even though there are doubts, the soldier must be a messenger from Alex.

Then, why did Alex entrust a message to a mere soldier?

Alex knows the rules for communication.

Breaking them implies a desire for secrecy.

—And urgency?

With maids and messengers, the official methods of communication inevitably leak information.

I wanted to quickly receive the message from the soldier...

The problem was Matilda.

As the head maid, Matilda is strict in these matters. She reports everything to her superiors. If Alex’s intentions are as I suspect, I want to avoid this.

Matilda signaled Sasha to stop the automated instrument. The court dance music was interrupted, and the practice room fell silent. Matilda’s reprimand echoed.

"Your Highness is present. You are not a messenger. First, state who you are, your affiliation, and your name. I am Matilda, the head maid."

The soldier saluted.

"Yes, Lady Matilda! I am a new recruit, so my affiliation is not yet determined! It will be decided after my training is complete! My name is Guy Pewts!"

"A new recruit... Can you prove it?"

"Proof...?"

Naturally. Do you have your identification tag?"

"Ah, yes! Of course! I always..."

The soldier frantically searched his body.

"Always... hanging from my neck...?"

But his face grew increasingly pale. He seemed to recall something, muttered "Ah," and gave up searching.

"Today, I left it in the barracks..."

"You left it behind?"

Matilda’s eyes narrowed.

In the kingdom of Esphera, every soldier is issued an identification tag as proof of their identity. This was introduced by my father after an incident. It’s a leather tag with a string, and the soldier’s name is inscribed on the circular leather part. Possessing this tag means you are a soldier of Esphera. If it’s sold or traded, the penalty is immediate imprisonment. Soldiers are also encouraged to carry it at all times.

"Then, go and fetch it. Otherwise, we cannot recognize you as a soldier of our country. We will also confirm with Prince Alexis."

Matilda’s argument was unassailable.

The soldier’s suspicious behavior was working against him. His paleness and forgetfulness were making him seem even more suspicious.

But if he goes to fetch the tag, it will cause a significant delay. The barracks are far within the castle! Even if he runs at full speed, it will take at least thirty minutes. During this time, Matilda will likely confirm with Alex, which would negate the purpose of Alex entrusting the message to a mere soldier.

"Wait a moment."

"Your Highness?"

Matilda looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"This soldier is indeed a soldier of our Esphera. I remember him."

"But, Your Highness..."

No, I don’t think Matilda genuinely doubts this soldier. Her suspicion is probably only about 20%. But even a small doubt cannot be overlooked in her position.

"Clifford, you must remember him too. You must have seen him before."

Here, I’m trying to increase the credibility by numbers. Since I remember seeing him at the training ground yesterday, Clifford must remember too!

"..."

Upon receiving Clifford’s gaze, the soldier, who had been frantically shaking his head and hands, suddenly stiffened.

"...Yes. I have seen this soldier before."

There you go!

"Thanks to Your Highness, I was able to recall."

"I’m glad I could help."

"Yes. I remember this soldier from the training ground yesterday, where he was sparring with Prince Alexis. Upon further reflection, I have seen him elsewhere."

"Elsewhere?"

Yes?

"On the battlefield. This soldier fought on the side of Esphera. He has since become a regular soldier."

Clifford’s lips curled up. He seemed intrigued.

Indeed. Clifford has battlefield experience.

"Well... What a coincidence. Guy Pewts, was it? So, you knew Clifford before. I would like to hear more. Please, speak freely."

The soldier—Guy—was drenched in cold sweat.

"No...! I don’t know him at all! Not at all! On the battlefield, if anything, we might have only made eye contact from a distance! That’s all! I was just running away on the battlefield!"

Yes. It seems Guy also clearly remembers Clifford.

I observed Matilda. Her stern gaze towards Guy had softened considerably. Knowing that he was a battlefield comrade of Clifford seemed to have helped. Matilda’s high regard for Clifford was evident. It seemed we might be able to proceed without sending Guy to fetch his tag.

"Matilda. Are you convinced that he is a soldier of our Esphera?"

"I am not doubting what Your Highness says. But..."

"I understand. If any issues arise, I will take responsibility. Please, be lenient."

Matilda exhaled deeply and nodded.

"—There’s no other way. Guy Pewts, the content of your message."

"Um..."

Guy’s eyes darted around.

"Prince Alexis ordered me to deliver this message only to Princess Octavia..."

Matilda’s eyes narrowed even more.

"Alone with Your Highness? Guy Pewts! That is absolutely unacceptable!"

"But I am only to speak to Princess Octavia. I was strictly ordered."

This was leading us back to square one.

I called out.

"—In short, as long as the message reaches me, that’s all that matters, right?"

So, it was decided.

The court dance music resumed, and under the watchful eyes of Clifford, Matilda, and Sasha, Guy whispered the message in my ear.

However, it wasn’t that simple.

"Being unarmed is also a condition," Matilda said. With Guy’s consent, he was subjected to a body search. Matilda made significant concessions, so I couldn’t say it was unnecessary.

Initially, I wanted Clifford to conduct the search, but Guy, trembling, declined, saying, "It would be too much!" So, Matilda performed the search, with Sasha assisting.

I waited while the search was conducted.

I approached a decorative stand.

In the practice room, Matilda had brought in my fan and Clifford’s sword, which were placed there before the dance practice.

Right. I need to return these.

With effort, I lifted the sword with both hands. It was heavy.

"Clifford"

While keeping an eye on Guy, I called out to Clifford, who had been silently observing my movements.

"Here. From now on, I will not take your sword from you under any circumstances."

If Guy wasn’t a messenger from Alex, what if he was an assassin or a spy? In my previous life, I would have laughed it off, thinking, "No way!" But as a princess... Fortunately, I haven’t encountered anyone targeting me. However, seeing Clifford protect me earlier made me realize I had been too optimistic. If something happened, even with a guard knight by my side, if he had been disarmed, Clifford wouldn’t be able to protect me. I had been too casual about it during dance practice.

"Unexpected events can happen at any time."

I need to remember this.

"Your Highness returning it personally. I am grateful."

Clifford took the sword I offered with both hands and equipped it to his belt with a fluid motion. Yes, that’s Clifford!

Now.

I was about to take my fan—

But Clifford picked it up first, without hesitation.

"Here, Your Highness."

"...Thank you. You don’t mind touching the Rev bird’s feathers?"

I opened the fan.

After realizing the fan was called the "Black Fan," I noticed that Matilda seemed a bit scared when I handed it to her before the dance.

Looking back, Sasha had also never touched the "Black Fan" on her own.

Directly touching the Rev bird or its feathers.

Isn’t that usually disliked?

For example, the server who took my fan every evening was always the same person. They would gesture for me to hand it over, rather than me offering it. When I used a white fan, the servers seemed to vary. But with the "Black Fan," it was always the same person! Was this person forced into an unpleasant role? I can’t quite recall the expression on their face when they took the fan... Ugh. My unreliable brain!

In comparison, Clifford offered to attach the Rev bird feather tassel. Not just his words, but his actions in taking the "Black Fan" now, suggest he truly feels nothing about the Rev bird or touching its feathers.

"Did I not mention it? I also think the Rev bird is a favorable bird. Therefore, I have no resistance."

What a revelation! A true ally! I wish he had said this earlier!

"What do you find favorable about the Rev bird?"

I fell in love with its fluffy feathers!

"Perhaps its greed for life. The actual Rev bird is far from hell and doesn’t die easily. It has strong reproductive and survival capabilities and can survive both in flocks and alone."

I see. That’s why Rev birds are found everywhere, even though they aren’t particularly cherished.

"—That’s also why the Rev bird is disliked for being dirty," Clifford added sarcastically.

"Clean and beautiful death is more revered in our country."

"Indeed."

"...How ridiculous."

My voice was surprisingly cold.

I distorted my face and muttered, hiding half of it behind the open fan. Damn. This wasn’t princess-like. The memory that came to mind was so unpleasant...

Of course, Clifford didn’t miss it and gave me a puzzled look.

I smiled to cover it up.

"Your Highness."

Matilda called out. Saved!

"The body search is complete."

It took about ten minutes to hear the message, but considering the irregular messenger, this was relatively quick.

"Yes. Father gave Alex a secret order..."

Father ‘accidentally’ came to the training ground where Alex was in the morning. There, Father secretly gave Alex an order without anyone noticing.

—A secret command from the king to the second prince, Alexis.

Incidentally, Alex’s original schedule was for morning studies. He shouldn’t have been at the training ground, so the schedule change was likely due to Father.

Alex was suddenly leaving the capital with a small entourage for a few days.

Has Father finally recognized Alex’s worth? But not being able to see or consult with Alex for a few days...

"However, this will be kept secret. Prince Alexis will be said to be ill and recuperating within the castle. Naturally, he will not be able to meet Princess Octavia."

If I heard Alex was ill, I would certainly visit.

But Alex wouldn’t be in the castle. I can’t visit someone who isn’t there. I would be turned away at the gate every day. I’m glad I was informed, or it would have been a significant emotional blow...

"Prince Alexis wanted to tell you himself, but his departure was immediate, with no time to spare. At least, he wanted to prevent unnecessary worry..."

"But knowing this goes against Father’s wishes, doesn’t it?"

This is why Alex didn’t use a maid or a messenger. Both would have leaked the information to Father.

If he had to choose a messenger, the farther from Father, the better. The lower the rank, the better. But he wanted someone who could walk around the castle without arousing suspicion—someone of a soldier’s rank. Ideally, someone Alex trusted and who had some ability, given the nature of the message.

"You, a new recruit not under Alex’s command, seem to have gained his trust quickly."

I’m impressed! Alex is an angel, but he doesn’t open up to just anyone.

"More like... I happened to be nearby at the time, and probably..."

Guy suddenly looked into the distance.

"I haven’t been tainted..."

Huh? What’s wrong?

Guy’s eyes suddenly became lifeless. I’ve seen this look from maids, but never from a soldier! With lifeless eyes, Guy spoke.

"That must have been crucial for Prince Alexis... Unfortunately, among the castle’s soldiers, there are very few... Therefore, even a low-ranking soldier like me has been remembered..."

"I remember you too. Guy Pewts."

"Ah, thank you..."

By the way, I have a question. When you entered the practice room, why did you pale when you saw Clifford?"

I’m genuinely curious!

"Well, O"

Guy started to answer but stopped.

"O?"

"—O, Princess Octavia. It was the aura. I sensed a killing intent from the guard knight. Given his entrance, it was natural for the guard knight to be suspicious of me."

A killing intent only a professional can detect. I didn’t feel anything.

"Sensing a killing intent is impressive. Is it due to your battlefield experience with Clifford?"

"No!"

Guy’s voice rose.

"I know nothing that would concern Your Highness... I have no connection with the guard knight..."

He’s being too insistent. Calm down!

"There’s no need to panic. Lower your voice."

"Yes... I apologize."

"I was just expressing my thoughts. There’s no deep meaning, so don’t worry. Just let it go."

"..."

Ah, right. I forgot the most important thing.

"Guy Pewts. Is Alex still in the castle? Or has he already left?"

"No, he’s probably still here... He’s likely on his way to the city gates by now."

Then, I might just make it to see him off!