Chapter 39

Leondhart Bertsuri. He is the Crown Prince of our country.

Why has he appeared in my garden?

It doesn't seem like he came in a hurry to call for Sandika or Merk.

"Me?"

Yes. For some reason, Prince Leondhart called my name and came over here.

But, why? Misha and I are the ones who have the least to do with him.

"Angeolina, you made Merk cry!"

"Huh?"

It seems he is angry. Or perhaps he is excited.

If that's the case, I must deal with this.

The other three are guests I invited, and I am responsible for this place now.

I stood up from my seat and faced him without bowing.

"Please stop there, Your Highness."

"…!"

I wrapped my words and body in magic. It's a technique to 'intimidate'.

Even a relatively weak magical beast would flinch and back away from this. It's a technique I learned from Ash.

The Prince, reacting to the intimidation, stopped at a distance.

Seeing his action, I released the intimidating magic.

"…What brings you here today? Unfortunately, I have not been informed of your visit."

I know who he is, but he did not follow the proper procedures for a visit.

It would be rude to say it outright.

Even though he is royalty, I am also from a ducal family. There's no need to be servile.

Moreover, Sandika is here. She is also a duchess's daughter, and it would be inappropriate to act like that in front of her.

"…Angeolina!"

I furrowed my brow. Everything is concerning and bothersome, but the main issue is 'this'.

"Excuse me, why do you call my name so casually?

Please address me as Princess Steizen or Duchess's daughter.

I am to become the wife of Lord Ash, the Margrave of Bartzline.

It is unpleasant to be called by my name by a man I am not close to, let alone one I have hardly spoken to."

"…!"

I believe I made a reasonable claim. However,

Prince Leondhart seemed to be shocked by my words.

No, why…?

I wish only Carlos, who is going through puberty, would act so incomprehensibly.

"Prince Leondhart…! Ah, ah! I haven't been made to cry…!"

Merk added her words to the frozen Prince.

That's right. It would be terrible to be scolded for 'making her cry'.

"Merk. But just now, you had tears in your eyes…"

"That's true! But it's not because Angeolina did anything to me or said anything to me! It's just that I had my own thoughts! It has nothing to do with Angeolina!"

"…Guh… So, so, is that it?"

…Is he overprotective?

Perhaps Merk is always treated this way?

That would be tiring for everyone around her. Sandika is doing a good job.

"But!"

I thought the matter was settled after Merk explained the situation.

But Prince Leondhart continued to press on.

"Angeolina! Inviting you to a tea party! It's not strange to think there might be some ulterior motive!"

"…What?"

"Huh? Prince Leondhart?"

I made my displeasure clear and sharpened my gaze at the Prince.

"I don't understand what you mean. Why would I have any ulterior motives towards Merk… Lady Schrigen?

This is the first time we've spoken.

What ulterior motives could I possibly have towards her? I find it very unpleasant, Your Highness."

"…Such words!"

I judged that this was not going well. Immediate action is important in the borderlands.

"– Bang!"

Paaan!

I used a spell to create a loud noise in the room.

This is also a spell used for intimidation and intimidation.

It can make a loud noise and startle the opponent. It is non-aggressive and easy to use even in interpersonal situations.

"!?"

"Kyaa!?"

"…!"

The three people in the room stopped moving in response to the loud noise.

I apologize, Sandika.

"…Crown Prince. It seems you are quite agitated. You don't seem to be able to have a proper conversation.

I have no obligation to deal with a Prince who behaves like this.

If you can't calm down, I will have to take appropriate action…?"

I let the 'intimidation' seep through again.

"Would you calm down if I poured water on your head?"

"Angeolina!"

"…I said it's unpleasant to be called by my name.

Sigh. Sandika, Merk, Misha. Let's call it a day.

It seems like a waste of time to deal with such a person."

"…That's right. Truly, a Crown Prince like this. It's ridiculous."

"Ah, ah. Prince Leondhart"

It's extremely unpleasant. The three of us stood up and began to prepare to disband.

Only Merk approached the Crown Prince, who was making a hundred faces due to my intimidation.

I thought it was dangerous, but she wouldn't harm her, right?

I remained on guard and dealt with the situation.

I wouldn't let Sandika or Misha be harmed. Of course, I would defend myself as well.

"What's wrong? Why are you like this? Because Angeolina… hasn't done anything to me. Really."

"…Merk"

"You're right. You've been unpleasant since just now, Your Highness.

Naturally, I will lodge a protest with the royal family about today's incident.

Interrupting a tea party with two duchesses. What were you thinking?

Moreover, how did you get here in the first place?"

I pressed him with 'intimidation', maintaining the distance.

Whether it's a man or not, whether he has a sword or not, I am not one to easily yield.

If he crosses the line and resorts to violence, I will naturally counterattack.

But when I glared at him coldly, he seemed to be shocked again.

No, why…?

"…I, Angeolina, …"

"Princess Steizen. How many times do I have to say it?

Are you trying to mock me, the Steizen ducal family, and Lord Bartzline?"

"…Guh… I was just worried that the princess… would do something to Merk again…"

"‘Again’? I have never done anything to Merk Schrigen.

And there is no reason or significance for me to do so. What are you talking about?

I will go with my father to directly protest to the king. That I have been mocked by the Crown Prince.

…Sandika, may I ask for your testimony?"

"Yes. It's beyond reason."

"Wait… please. Ange… Princess Steizen. It's different… I…"

No need for excuses. Only the facts of what happened here are the truth. …It's regrettable.

The Steizen ducal family will not see the light of the sun from Prince Leondhart.

"–!"

My words were the final warning.

Prince Leondhart seems to be seeking a gentle response from me for some reason…

Why?

It's incomprehensible to seek such favor from a duchess he has barely met, and there is no reason for it.

Incidentally, 'sun' is a term used in public to show respect to the royal family.

In other words, my words mean 'The Steizen ducal family will not support you as Crown Prince. Rather, we will oppose you.'

…Of course, right?

In this short time alone, the Prince's words and actions have been incomprehensible.

I haven't been harmed, but that's because I have trained in magic.

If I were just a weak duchess, I might have been treated rudely.

"Wait. It's different. Really… different."

"What do you mean? You've only been speaking the truth."

"Looking at me… with such eyes. Angeolina, Princess Steizen…"

"What?"

I tilted my head. What is this pleading look and attitude?

Why does he have to act like this?

There's no reason for me to be lenient with a man I have no connection with.

"Prince Leondhart? …Do you like Angeolina?"

"…! No…! Merk, it's different…!"

Merk's attitude seemed to freeze coldly.

That… How should I put it?

Until just now, she seemed to be a lovely duchess who was doing her best, but still had room for improvement.

In that instant, she suddenly seemed to mature.

"…But, your attitude and words made it seem that way to me."

"No!! Merk, it's different!"

Is this a love triangle…? Hmm? I'd rather it be dealt with after I go home.

Don't involve me. Really.

"Then, what have you been doing all this time? Why have you been accusing Angeolina?"

"That's! That's…! Merk, you! You've been suspecting Angeolina all along!"

"Huh?"

What? Me? Merk?

Suspecting? What was she suspecting?

Ah, that I might have a crush on Prince Leondhart?

…Annoying!

"…I have never given any reason to be suspected. I have never done anything to her.

I have a beloved fiancé, Ash, even before entering the academy.

I understand your concerns, Merk, but I have already answered her on this point."

I continued, driven by the momentum.

If I was being suspected like that.

If the Prince thought that way, it was very unpleasant, so I continued.

"I, Angeolina Steizen, have no feelings for Prince Leondhart Bertsuri.

I show respect to the Prince as a member of the royal family, but that's all.

I have no interest in Prince Leondhart as a man. Not at all. Not even a bit.

The man I love is only one.

Lord Ash Bartzline is my only beloved.

…I will not interfere in your relationship, but I cannot tolerate being suspected of this.

Moreover, to cause a fuss over an impossible infatuation is unacceptable.

Please leave. I do not need any further discussion."

That's what I said. Everything I felt.

"Ah…"

There. Finally, something seemed to break in Prince Leondhart. He fell to his knees.

No, please go home. This is not the time to be deflated.

"Why? Why did you suspect me? But…"

"Merk. …You. …Angeolina"

D-Don't call me by my name. I've told you that.

I might get angry soon. Actually, I'm scared.

Why do you insist on calling me by my name?

Eh, did you call my name in your head all this time?

"…Please don't call me by my name."

I had gone beyond anger to a feeling of disgust and fear.

So I modestly pointed out the issue with calling me by my name. I took a step back.

Seeing my attitude, the Prince seemed to be even more hurt, which… is annoying!

"– Let's end this, Prince Leondhart."

"Ah!"

Then. An unexpected voice was heard. This voice, could it be.

"Lord Ash?"

"Yeah. Ange. I came again."

"Huh?"

There, Lord Ash was standing.

He walked calmly, approached, and put his arm around my shoulder.

"Lord Ash. Why. Today, here?"

This is the Steizen ducal family's mansion. In other words, the location is the capital.

Even though the roads have been improved and travel is faster than before.

He's not someone who can just show up in the capital.

Of course, I'm happy.

"Yeah. Well, as usual, I received an anonymous tip."

"Again? The last one was pretty off the mark… Did you believe this one?"

"…I was worried about you, Ange."

"Lord Ash…"

That's worrying in itself.

To be lured by a letter so easily. I need to follow up on this.

"This time, with the help of Prince Carlos, I was already waiting inside the mansion.

I could have rushed over immediately, but… Ange handled it on her own.

I thought it would be better not to interfere.

It seems the Prince didn't bring any weapons.

Ange's heroic deeds will make Aria happy."

"Wait a minute. Does that mean you were watching and listening to me this whole time?"

Wait. That means, the lines I said earlier…

"…Yeah. I was listening. To be able to protect you at any time."

"Ah…!"

A confession! Almost a love confession was heard!

Lord Ash's cheeks were also flushed…!

How embarrassing…!

We almost entered our own world, but Lord Ash spoke in a stern voice.

He still had his arm around my shoulder.

"Prince Leondhart. I don't know what your intentions are. But Angeolina is the woman who will become my wife.

Please refrain from calling her by her name so casually.

I will not tolerate any words or actions that damage her reputation.

Naturally, the Bartzline family will also join in the protest to the royal family."

"…Lord Bartzline"

"…As a subject, I must say, Your Highness.

The necessary conversation should be between you and Lady Schrigen, not Angeolina."

At Lord Ash's words, Merk and Prince Leondhart exchanged awkward glances.

It seems they are not just acquaintances.

I have no intention of getting involved in their relationship.

It is something the royal family should consider.

"I will take responsibility for guarding Prince Leondhart. Ange, is that okay?"

"Yes. I'll leave it to you, Lord Ash."

With Lord Ash's help, I decided to ask Prince Leondhart to leave.

Merk looked troubled, met my eyes, and bowed.

I indicated with gestures and expressions that it was fine.

Merk followed Lord Ash and the others.

"…It was a noisy day. Well done, Angeolina."

Sandika offered words of encouragement.

Then, I glanced towards the mansion.

"Ah"

There were Lord Carlos and Lord Fried.

Perhaps they came to protect their respective partners.

They seemed to have let the situation to Lord Ash.

Was Prince Leondhart's action known to them?

If so, I wish they would have prevented it beforehand.

"Sandika, do you need to follow Prince Leondhart?"

"…It's fine. With that emotional state, the future is worrying. I decided on this matter this time."

"Is that so. …Should I call you sister-in-law?"

"Eventually."

"Ahaha…"

Yeah. Well. It seems various futures were decided in this short time.