Chapter 20

The informal tea party between Her Highness the Princess and His Excellency the Chancellor usually went something like this: we would reconcile information between my camp and the Princess's camp, the Chancellor would make sure not to mention anything that could cause trouble that the Princess might inadvertently reveal to me, and we would exchange updates on our recent situations.

After hearing from Grandfather that Mother was going to remarry and come to the capital, the tea party with the Princess went as follows. The Princess hesitantly brought up the topic.

"Prince Albert, I heard that Lady Liette is going to remarry."

"Yes, that seems to be the case."

"…There is something I would like to ask of you. I understand if you cannot agree, but could you at least hear me out?"

Since it was informal, the Princess usually spoke in a casual tone, but when it came to Mother, she immediately reverted to a polite manner.

"Of course, please go on."

"I would like to send a letter to Lady Liette."

Don't think it's just that simple. The relationship between the Princess and Mother has been twisted and tangled by those around them, and it has been in a constant state of tension, like a game of Jenga.

"There have indeed been opportunities in the past. However, considering the reasons and circumstances for Lady Liette's return to the Duke of Fulftball, and her feelings, I could not send the letter immediately."

"Yes, if it had been sent then, it probably wouldn't have reached Mother."

Especially since Grandfather wouldn't have allowed it.

"This remarriage is by royal decree."

"Mother apparently tried very hard to be with the person she wanted to be with."

I didn't say who. The Princess had already learned from the last experience and had reorganized her staff, and she must have developed her own channels for gathering such information.

"How does Lady Liette feel about this remarriage?"

"If she doesn't like it, I think she would refuse."

Mother is a dreamy princess, but she is clear about her likes and dislikes. If she couldn't accept it, this proposal wouldn't have come up in the first place. Besides, Grandfather has already said he won't allow such a marriage for Mother.

I haven't even heard about the remarriage from Mother yet. We exchange letters frequently, so she could have told me.

Maybe she wanted to surprise me?

As I was lost in thought, the Princess hesitantly revealed her feelings.

"Would it be alright if I sent a letter?"

Well, she seems to have moved on quite a bit. That's why she's remarrying, after all.

"Shall I take the letter? I'll talk to Mother, and if she wants to read it, I'll give it to her. If she doesn't, I'll return it. Is that acceptable?"

The Princess's expression immediately brightened at my suggestion.

"Yes, of course! That would be fine. May I ask you to do this?"

"Yes, I will take care of it."

"Prince Albert, thank you for agreeing to my request."

Seeing the Princess smile happily, it felt like she was overjoyed to have someone deliver a letter to her secret admirer. Be careful not to make the King jealous, though.

"Oh, and one more thing. This is for Prince Albert."

"What is it?"

"It's about… Ignatius."

The moment I heard the name, I inwardly groaned. I didn't let it show on my face, though.

The full name of the person the Princess mentioned is Ignatius Stelkst Ziegel Faberwesen Lave. As you can guess, he is the Princess's son and the Second Prince of the Kingdom of Lave. He is also my half-brother.

Hmm, it's hard to describe him in just a few words.

First, we have met before. Was it at this Princess's tea party? I lived with Mother, not in the Prince's Palace. Even after Mother left, I continued to live in the same palace and didn't make my debut in society, so I didn't attend any ceremonies. We had never met until then.

On the third or fourth visit to the Chancellor and the Princess's tea party, I saw him with the Princess.

The Second Prince, Ignatius, looks a lot like the Princess. He has the same golden hair and purple eyes as the King. It's easy to see why the King finds him adorable. Ignatius is rather quiet, and he listened to the Princess and me in silence, but he didn't take his eyes off my face the entire time. It felt like our first meeting all over again.

I thought that after the restrictions were lifted, he would visit my palace directly, but we met a few times through the Princess. At first, I couldn't say anything in front of the Princess, and I wondered if he had come to say something directly. Then, my twin siblings said:

"The Second Prince is not a person with a double personality."

What does that mean? It's like saying they've been sneaking into his place a few times. I haven't heard of any intrusions into the Prince's Palace, so I don't think they've been caught, but please stop. If you get caught, it will be a big deal. Even if you don't get caught, it's bad for my heart.

Anyway, we've met a few times, but he is very quiet. He mostly just comes to look at my face, says a few words, and leaves. I have no idea what he wants.

When the Princess mentioned Ignatius's name, I braced myself and asked:

"What is it? I've heard that he is excellent in both academics and swordsmanship."

"Yes, he is serious about both."

"Is there something you are concerned about?"

"He wants to practice swordsmanship with Prince Albert."

"That's… interesting."

I declined when he said he wanted to study together before, so maybe he's trying to ask through the Princess this time. I really can't read what he's thinking.

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