Chapter 22

※The latter part is longer. From next time, the story will return to Octavia's perspective and delve into the story of the ball.

"Goodbye, Your Highness."

Lady Octavia, about to leave the practice room, was seen off by the head lady-in-waiting with a perfect bow, and the maids followed suit.

After that—once I nodded in agreement with the true meaning behind the words of the princess—she abruptly stopped her questioning of me and returned to the topic of the secret decree.

"Is Alex still in the castle? Or has he already set off?"

"No, he is probably still here... I believe he is on his way to the gate now."

Recalling the conversation with Prince Alexis, I added that it was the side gate.

Right after that, the princess casually gave a reason and said she was going for a walk. She decided to stroll around the castle, wearing just a cloak, which was clearly an unexpected move, judging from the head lady-in-waiting's initial reaction.

—It didn't look like a mere walk at all.

In fact, Princess Octavia intended to see off Prince Alexis, who was about to depart.

How the head lady-in-waiting perceived this... she couldn't possibly take it at face value. Yet, she didn't ask any questions.

Through this, I glimpsed the relationship between Princess Octavia and the head lady-in-waiting.

I learned after coming to the royal castle that all women who serve in the castle and are entrusted with important duties in the inner circle are generally called ladies-in-waiting. Among them, those who directly attend to the royal family or handle the reception of visiting nobles are maids. The head lady-in-waiting oversees not only the ladies-in-waiting but also all the women working in the castle, including the cafeteria ladies in the barracks.

Princess Octavia has earned the loyalty of the head lady-in-waiting. The fact that she accepted the "walk" without any objections spoke volumes.

Having the head lady-in-waiting on her side in the royal castle is a significant advantage.

While harboring these thoughts, I was an observer after completing my mission for Prince Alexis and following Princess Octavia's decision to go for a "walk." My main concern was when I could leave. As a new recruit, being in an inappropriate place caused me considerable mental strain, and I wanted to leave as soon as possible. However, I couldn't leave without permission. I waited patiently, trying to remain inconspicuous, for an opportunity to request leave.

However, Princess Octavia hadn't forgotten about me.

Wearing a cloak to conceal her elaborate dress, she started walking lightly for her "walk" and noticed me. She offered her kindness, tilting her closed fan.

"You might have trouble finding your way back alone. Come with me."

There was only one acceptable response.

"Yes! I will accompany you!"

—And so, I joined the entourage of the "Envoy of Ongarnu"!

Just walking at a brisk pace, I was this nervous? ...No, I've never been this nervous.

...I couldn't help but be concerned about what was behind me.

Princess Octavia led the way, followed by me, and then the "Envoy of Ongarnu" at the rear, as we "walked" through the castle.

Behind me was a place I couldn't keep an eye on. ...It was completely exposed!

Applying this logic, Princess Octavia was also exposed to me. However, strictly speaking, it was different. For example—though I absolutely, absolutely have no intention of doing this, if I were to attack Princess Octavia from behind, my life would end before I could even draw my sword. It would be an instant kill. In Princess Octavia's case, this vulnerability was likely calculated.

Having the "Envoy of Ongarnu" behind me was too much for my heart. I felt like my lifespan was being shortened. It wasn't just a feeling; I probably lost a few years of my life...

Princess Octavia stopped. We had reached the grand corridor.

—Of course. Princess Octavia would take the grand corridor, wouldn't she?

The grand corridor, as its name suggests, is a massive hallway within the castle, but only those of a certain rank are allowed to pass through it alone. As a commoner soldier like me, I couldn't do it unless I had reached the rank of carrying a tassel.

Two guards stood at the door leading to the grand corridor. During new recruit training, we were drilled that all connected doors were guarded. Of course, on the way there, I had taken a detour, which was the shortest route to the practice room. Even if it weren't, trying to pass through the grand corridor alone as a new recruit would be a futile challenge.

"Thank you for your hard work."

The guards saluted Princess Octavia, but they seemed puzzled by my presence, as their expressions showed.

...This is the normal reaction.

On the way there, for some reason, no guards said anything to me or even reacted at all.

Now, I was accompanying the princess. Even if my presence was unusual, the guards wouldn't question me. Permission to pass through the grand corridor could be granted if one was accompanying someone of high rank. However, as a mere soldier, I was an odd choice for Princess Octavia to bring. It was still strange.

Thus, the guards' attitudes reflected this to some extent.

In fact, some reaction would have been more appropriate.

—Thinking about it this way, the guards' lack of reaction on the way there was too unusual. Even if Prince Alexis had taken some measures, it was still...?

The guard opened the door.

"Please proceed."

"Thank you."

I followed the princess and stepped into the grand corridor, probably for the last time.

...It's huge.

The grand corridor itself was like a work of art. Enormous pillars with intricate carvings lined up in a regular pattern, and matching paintings adorned the ceiling and floor. The ceiling depicted the sky—...the sky god looking down on the earth. The floor showed armies in battle on the ground—depicting a famous scene from the creation myth.

Everything was novel, just like when I first came to the capital. I found myself looking around. Before I knew it, the distance between me and the princess had widened.

I quickened my pace.

...Damn. This time, I hurried too much. Was I subtly walking next to the princess?

A small laugh escaped. —It was Princess Octavia.

"First-timers are always amazed. By the grand corridor."

"Yes..."

This is the last time I'll see this.

"Next time, you should walk through it alone."

"For me..."

My dream is to marry a cute wife and build a home in the capital, but reaching the rank to carry a tassel is even harder. It's not impossible for a commoner, but... I know my limits.

—It wouldn't be wise to make a casual promise to Princess Octavia.

"I am of commoner birth. Walking through the grand corridor alone is a dream, and it would be different if I were one of the few chosen, but... reaching that point is impossible for me. I don't possess outstanding talent. I am an ordinary person. Therefore, I don't expect there to be a next time. —I am grateful for your words, Your Highness."

I lack both status and talent. I'm not belittling myself; it's just a fact. Most people, including myself, belong to this category. Does the princess understand...?

"......"

While continuing to walk, the princess looked straight ahead.

"So... is it inevitable? Must ordinary people give up? Can only rare individuals—"

Her words trailed off.

It was more of a rhetorical question.

To me, rather than to me, it seemed she was recalling something?

"I understand what you mean. However, I don't like that kind of thinking."

It was as if she was bitter, as if she felt the same way.

She is a princess. Rather, she is on the rare side. —Is there something even a princess's position can't reach? Something that must be given up? The only thing that comes to mind is the throne.

"......I shouldn't be chatting. Let's hurry."

The princess, shaking her head slightly, quickened her pace.

After that, we continued in silence.

We passed through the grand corridor and exited the building. Her steps were confident as we headed for the side gate.

"Alex!"

Princess Octavia, spotting Prince Alexis mounted on a horse and waiting by the rising side gate, ran over.

The drawbridge, naturally, was down for the departure, allowing passage. However, no one was working there. The raising and lowering of the bridge didn't seem to be done manually on-site. The same went for the gate. ...What kind of mechanism is this?

"Big sister!"

Only Prince Alexis dismounted to greet Princess Octavia.

The atmosphere around the departing party was far from friendly.

Among the faces, the only one I recognized was Sir Randall, who was highly trusted by Prince Alexis.

I respect Sir Randall. Despite being hired as a soldier at the age of thirty-eight, he quickly rose through the ranks. He is a shining example of a commoner's success. Initially, he faced harsh treatment due to his age, but his skills far surpassed those of the average soldier. He had been a mercenary for a long time and joined the regular army to provide a stable life for his wife and children.

The others—were likely chosen by the king for Prince Alexis.

Princess Octavia,