Chapter 13

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"Your Highness, I'm so sorry, Your Highness!"

I didn't care about appearances; the moment he entered the room, I knelt down and pressed my forehead to the floor. I performed the "DO-GE-ZA" without hesitation. Glancing sideways, I saw Magilka beside me in the same pose. Because I did the dogeza without hesitation, she followed suit, even though she didn't understand why.

In the surreal scene of two girls dogeza-ing before a boy, the prince approached us with a wry smile.

"Your Highness! I am truly sorry, please disregard my previous remarks as the ramblings of a madwoman!"

"Yes, please laugh at our delirious words and forget them!"

I was in a complete panic, not even aware of what I was saying. I noticed small cracks in the floor where my forehead had been, but I had no time to worry about that.

"No, no, you don't have to be so formal. That pose doesn't suit you at all."

The prince chuckled dryly.

(Oh no, he's angry, he's definitely angry!)

"Besides, if you say so... I guess I'll try to change from now on."

"Huh? Change?"

"...Your Highness's behavior is something he learned from his father. It's not his personality."

Surprised by the prince's words, I blurted out a whisper while still in the dogeza position. Magilka, still in the dogeza, whispered to me to explain.

"Father... you mean, the king? What! He's just repeating what the king said?"

"Yes... according to Father, the king was quite a ladies' man in his youth, and he used to charm the women around him with such behavior. It became a habit, and he still slips into it sometimes... The prince, seeing this, learned that this is how men should behave with women."

(No way... the king I've never met is turning out to be quite the playboy.)

"I couldn't deny it while serving by his side. Denying it would be the same as denying the king..."

"I see..."

"That's why I've been trying to keep women away from him to prevent this behavior from becoming ingrained... But now, it's all ruined because of you."

"I'm so sorry..."

"Come on, both of you, lift your heads. This is really uncomfortable."

"But, if we, who have been disrespectful, go unpunished, it will set a bad example for others."

"Hey! What are you saying? He said it's okay, so just go with it."

I was surprised by Magilka's overly serious attitude and whispered a rebuke. I'm the worst.

"Hmm, punishment..."

The prince seemed to be thinking about something.

"From now on, when you interact with me, treat me like a friend."

"Wh-what?"

Confused, we both raised our heads.

"But, in public, please be more formal."

The prince knelt down and took each of our hands, pulling us up. We stood up, following his lead.

"Is that okay?"

"Y-Yes, if that's what you wish, Your Highness..."

Magilka looked dazed, and the prince seemed satisfied as he looked at me. I nodded rapidly in agreement.

"Heh, and Zaha, you're included in this, so be friendly too."

"What? Why me... Well, okay. I don't like formalities anyway, so it's a relief. I was about to crack under all the formal speech."

"Too casual all of a sudden! You idiot!"

"Ha! *cough*"

Magilka kicked Zaha in the side as he suddenly became more casual and approached us.

(No, that's rude in front of the prince, too.)

I sighed in relief, feeling the tension ease, and smiled at the two of them. The prince gave me his usual bright smile.

"Heh, your smile is like a gem, so beautiful. I want your smile to heal my heart forever. I'll do anything for that, my princess."

He said, placing his hand on my cheek.

"Ha-ha!"

I burst out laughing, caught off guard by his unexpected move.

"Ah..."

The prince rubbed his cheek, looking embarrassed. His gesture was that of a boy his age, and I suddenly felt a sense of closeness.

"Are you sure, Your Highness?"

"Please, no more 'Your Highness.' Miss Mary, just call me Reiforce."

"Then... Reiforce...-sama."

I couldn't bring myself to call him by his first name or even without the honorific, so I used "sama" to cover my embarrassment.

"Hey, Prince! Do something about this violent woman!"

"You're too casual!"

Zaha, who had fled from Magilka, shouted at the prince, and I elbowed him in the ribs.

(It's not out of embarrassment, really...)

We decided to have tea in the courtyard with Tütte.

---

"Still, why did the prince make these guys his friends? What the heck?"

After taking a sip of tea from Tütte, Zaha's words made Magilka and me kick his feet under the table. Above the table, we were elegantly sipping tea and smiling.

"Um... I guess you guys were easy to talk to and seemed interesting... I mean, I'm royalty, so everyone is always so formal, and it's boring."

The prince, oblivious to the under-the-table struggle, began to speak.

"Also, I'm always surrounded by adults, and I can't talk to people my age or go outside the palace. Everything is 'no, no, no,' and it feels suffocating..."

I, or rather my previous life, could relate to his words. Though our backgrounds and positions were different, I was always surrounded by adults, confined to a hospital room, and unable to make friends. It was a closed-off world. I felt a connection with him.

Now, I have a new life and the chance to break free. If this is fate, I'll help the prince see that this world can be enjoyable. I made a silent vow as I sipped my tea.

God, despite everything, I've gained wonderful friends today. Thank you.

I sent a silent letter to God.

And so, the tumultuous year of Mary's 7th birthday came to an end. Thank you for reading this far.