Chapter 42

"Isn't that a bit too disrespectful to the prince?"

As I called out the princess's name—Carries, words suddenly came from above. Then, I was pushed back.

"Whoa..."

"Princess Reni!"

Pushed back, I stumbled and retreated.

Samuel, who was right there, immediately lent me a hand and gently supported me.

I lowered the hand that had been separated from Carries and looked up at the person in front of me.

The figure was—

"Huh?"

Dull-colored light armor and a sword at the waist.

A female knight with her red hair tied up high.

I think she is a beautiful woman with a sharp face, but what's going on all of a sudden?

Tilting my head, a voice echoed from behind the red-haired knight.

"Stop it!"

"But—"

"I said it's fine. Step back!"

"..."

The stern voice that called out to the red-haired knight was Carries. Her composed voice was tinged with anger.

The red-haired knight, in response to her voice, moved to the side as if to say, "There's nothing I can do."

"Princess Reni! Are you alright? My knight was rude... "

"No, I'm fine. Samuel was there for me."

That's right. I was a bit surprised, but Samuel supported me, so it was nothing.

So, I nodded at Carries, who looked anxious.

And as for Samuel, who supported me—

"What kind of human are you? When called, Princess Reni, with her generous heart, came to you, even though you could have ignored her. When the dragon attacked, you weren't there, but who do you think protected the princess? The guard knights were all wiped out, the carriage was destroyed, and the horses were injured. Who do you think saved everyone?"

Standing in front of the red-haired knight, facing her directly. The knight was taller, but Samuel didn't flinch at all, looking up at her.

And while calmly staring, she continued to speak calmly and steadily. There was no inflection in her voice, but a cold aura was emanating from her body.

...Yeah. She's really angry.

"Who is being disrespectful? I don't think you want your own knight to treat Princess Reni this way. Can't you understand what your master wants?"

"…If you say any more, I will have to counter you."

Ah, the red-haired knight is also angry...

Her eyebrows furrowed, and her red eyes, the same color as her hair, burned as she glared back at Samuel. Samuel, in turn, stared back at her expressionlessly—

Hmm. Not a good atmosphere.

So, I decided to—

"Samuel. C, can you hold my hand?"

"—!? Yes! Gladly!"

Samuel, who had been glaring at each other, immediately turned to me. Then, she gripped my hand tightly.

"Samuel, calm down."

"Yes!"

I squeezed and released Samuel's hand, like petting a cat. The paw pads were soft and felt good.

As expected, Samuel's cold aura disappeared, and she was taking deep breaths. Yeah, she's back to her usual self. The anger has subsided.

I'm fine, but is the red-haired knight okay? Looking at her, Carries's desperate voice echoed.

"Pio, don't make me say it again! Step back!"

"..."

At Carries's words, the red-haired knight finally stepped away.

Then, Carries, with a pale face, was gripping her hands tightly.

"I am truly sorry... I..."

Her voice was so small that I couldn't hear the last part.

"Calling you Carries isn't good?"

"No! Not at all!!"

"Good. Carries, call me Reni too."

"Yes...!"

I don't understand if it's disrespectful or not, but since Carries said it's fine and I said it's fine, it's fine. No problem.

Then, Carries, as if trying to hold back something, furrowed her eyebrows tightly.

"A, ah... R, Reni!"

"Hm?"

"Thank you...!"

"Okay."

I didn't know what she was thanking me for, but I nodded in understanding.

Then, a cheer came from behind Carries.

"Amazing...! To finally be able to talk naturally with the prince, even with Pio's overprotectiveness...!"

"That's great, that's great! Prince Reni!"

"Finally, Prince Reni...!"

The uniformed women were very happy with the conversation between Carries and me.

Then, two men standing next to Carries, as if to change the atmosphere, raised their voices.

"Knights are serious people!"

"Surely they shouldn't interfere with the princess's interaction."

"Exactly! We have something prepared for today, come, come!"

And so, we were led to a pavilion. White pillars and a white roof. The floor was covered with something like marble. Beautiful flowers bloomed in the surrounding shrubs, and a gentle, pleasant fragrance wafted through the air.

Inside the pavilion were me and Samuel, Carries and three uniformed women, and the two men. The red-haired knight stood outside the pavilion, as if on guard.

In the center of the pavilion were a large table and five chairs. Samuel and I sat side by side, with the two men in front of us, and Carries sat diagonally across from me.

And on the table—

"Lots of sweets"