Chapter 80

"Huh?"

We saw the same thing, right? Exclude Lord Derek. Stein, of course, as well. The one left is—could that super handsome guy be the brother?

The man with the eye patch glanced at Burn and me. He was talking to something with Lord Derek and Stein. Immediately after, he lifted and put on his hood, separating himself from the group. Burn’s brother acting alongside Lord Derek…?

"Hey, knight, are you done yet?"

At the impatient voice, I remembered my situation.

Roses, roses!

For a moment, a misguided thought flashed through my mind.

How about throwing it to Lord Derek? He’s a safe choice, right? But, that outfit… He’s not here as Derek Knightfellow, is he?

I desperately searched for someone to entrust the rose to. —And then.

I decided.

Miss, it’s you!

A young couple, who seemed to be lovers. The deciding factor was their aura and attire. The clothes themselves were very familiar to me, typical of the common folk, but in reality, they were likely from the nobility or a wealthy class. Moreover, the girl, though she looked strict, had a smile filled with affection for Princess Octavia, who held the 'Black Fan.'

I aimed for the air near where she was standing, trying to make it look casual but ensuring it would reach her.

—Go, rose!

"Shi-shi! Look!"

The girl’s lover noticed the rose and called out. What a good lover. From my assessment, he’s probably the second son of a provincial noble. The girl nodded and reached for the rose. Good job!

However, just as her hand was about to touch the rose, a hand emerged from nowhere. An interruption. Instead of the girl, it seemed like it was about to end up in that person’s hand…?

As I screamed in my mind, a third person appeared. Another hand pushed the second one away, preventing the rose from being obtained! Just as I had planned, it looked like the rose would end up in the girl’s hand.

Good, third person, well done…

Huh?

The third person—whose hand had also prevented the others—grabbed the rose at the same time as the girl.

"I’m sorry…!"

The girl let go of the rose…?

"Huh? Is it okay? Then I’ll take it, I guess."

There was no mistaking that carefree voice.

The red-haired man scratched the back of his head with one hand and had a joyful expression, as if he was about to hum a tune.

In his hand was a red rose with a ribbon tied to its stem.

You can’t just take it, Stein!

Lord Derek! Where’s Lord Derek? I searched frantically—.

! He’s not where he was just a moment ago?

I hurriedly intervened in the conversation between Stein and the girl.

"From what I saw, that lady also…!"

---

Phew.

Standing in the corridor of the clothing store, a place of respite, I finally felt I could breathe.

The rose ended up with the girl. She placed the flower decoration from Calram on Princess Octavia’s hair.

However, I was on edge the entire time.

Because, thanks to Burn, who didn’t know the true identity of 'Clifford Alderton,' I ended up waiting near the envoy from Ongarnu…! Yes, except for a few like Princess Octavia and my colleagues, 'Clifford Alderton' is just seen as an excellent guard knight! People don’t feel fear just by getting close to him…

No, it’s useful to be aware… If I pay attention to the envoy’s every move, I might notice things or people I wouldn’t otherwise.

However, no matter how many times I think about it, I can’t understand.

What was that all about…?

The envoy from Ongarnu’s thoughts are full of mysteries.

But, I want to share this feeling with someone.

…No, with who? …The Princess? Princess Octavia? That’s impossible!

—It happened suddenly.

When Prince Serius adjusted Princess Octavia’s hair ornament.

At that moment, the envoy from Ongarnu had a very strange reaction.

Actually, it was off. Probably, Shi-shi, right? She was nervous and slightly missed the spot. It didn’t sit perfectly on her hair.

The combination of the tiara and the hair ornament was impressive, but it also gave an impression of being a bit off.

So, Prince Serius’s observation was correct. It was good that it was immediately adjusted. Even a small detail like that can be used against someone of high status. And we can’t say anything about the position of the hair ornament to a princess. Probably only Prince Serius could do that?

If Prince Serius wanted to put Princess Octavia in a difficult position, he could have kept quiet. But he didn’t.

It was a simple, harmless incident. Prince Serius didn’t harm Princess Octavia in any way. Was he considering that possibility?

If so—then the envoy’s reaction was strange.

He looked displeased for some reason, then tilted his head slightly.

As if he found it odd himself?

Really. Envoy from Ongarnu! Why be displeased when the hair ornament was perfectly in place? You should be happy!

And, probably because I was so focused on the envoy, he noticed and gave me a “What’s this?” look.

If I could say it, I would have said, “Because you’re reacting strangely!”

Thanks to that, I managed to maintain my vigilance, but I only vaguely remember what the Prince was talking about.

I’m still inexperienced.

I took a deep breath and exhaled.

Phew. The air is good.

It’s great that the envoy from Ongarnu isn’t nearby! My tension is much lower…

However, was that a mistake?

—Soon, I realized I had forgotten something important.

The person who makes me tense isn’t just the envoy from Ongarnu.

When I was called to the room where Princess Octavia was resting.

And when the Princess asked me a question using paper.

She confirmed if I could read and write, then wrote elegant letters on a blank sheet of paper. I got it. She’s doing this so no one else knows, right?

This is a secret question.

And it was shown to me.

She wrote it so I could read it. I could read it, but maybe it would have been better if I couldn’t.

The problem was the content.

It said this:

'Will you be my fake lover?'

"!"

My breath really did stop for a moment.

The Princess’s light blue eyes, which were watching me with a smile, were as beautiful as a clear lake—filled with expectation…?

So that’s it.

Today is my death day, huh.

Ha ha.

Can I faint?