Chapter 45

"Big brother... please be careful."

"Prima, don't go too wild either. You must make sure to keep an eye on your sister and prevent her from doing anything reckless. I will be waiting for you at the castle ahead of time."

The brother and sister seem to be parting as if it were a final farewell in this life.

His Highness the Crown Prince is returning to the castle a few days earlier.

I'm not sure if it's correct to think of it as a short summer vacation... but the time they spent together as siblings must have been precious.

It is a joy for us, who serve them, to see their bond deepen. However, even though they haven't made their debut in society, His Highness the Crown Prince is in a position where he must learn more, so he cannot play forever. I believe children learn through play, but since they are of noble blood, the commoner's way of thinking doesn't apply.

Still, they are both children.

We think it's good that they act like children, and I believe that His Majesty the King wishes for this as well. He seems to have a strong attachment to the concept of siblings.

According to His Highness the Prince, the royal brothers are very close, especially the eldest brother, the King, who is very kind and protective of them. He even had a far-off look in his eyes when he mentioned that his brother has a bit of a peculiar personality!

I think His Highness the Crown Prince is busy with his studies in imperial science, the schedule adjustments for his debut in society next year, and the preparations for the coronation ceremony. Although he has already been recognized as the Crown Prince, this is for the people and the foreign countries. Therefore, it is planned to be a grand and magnificent event. I don't know the details, but there is a rule that one must be 15 years old to participate in the ceremony.

This is because, if there is a direct male heir, he is designated as the Crown Prince—though in the absence of a male heir, a female can also be designated. However, young children are often weak and can easily be influenced by guardians or become puppets. Therefore, it is customary to announce the designation of the Crown Prince at the age of 15, after they have been sufficiently educated and trained.

I can't help but think this is quite specific, but I suppose many things have happened. Many things indeed.

I don't want to delve into these matters. For the sake of peaceful days.

Still, I had anticipated that Lady Prima would lament the return of His Highness the Crown Prince!

Perhaps the Marquis also wanted to comfort the lamenting girl, so I made a suggestion! I can do it, you know. Though there's no one to boast to, I quietly do my job.

"Lady Prima, I thought it might cheer you up, so I asked the Marquis to invite a merchant. I don't think we'll find the pen for Dean Dain today, but perhaps you could take a look for reference?"

"...Right. Yes. I'll do that. Sorry, Yulia... I was so happy to be with my brother. That's why I feel so lonely. Even though we can't see each other much when we're in the castle, it feels different when we're together. But being with my grandfather, I suddenly feel so lonely."

"Lady Prima, we servants all know that you admire His Highness the Crown Prince. Feeling lonely is not a bad thing. I once heard somewhere that 'loneliness is something that acknowledges one's existence.'"

"Recognize one's existence?"

Lady Prima looks at me with a puzzled expression.

My knowledge might just be a phrase I picked up from the internet in my past life. Honestly, living alone and drifting through life, sometimes I felt lonely in my cheap apartment while playing games, and I couldn't tell if that loneliness was frustrating or sad, so I ended up searching for 'why loneliness is necessary.' A bit of that remains in my heart.

So, it's not about psychology or what great people say, just a vague memory. I don't know if it's right or wrong, and I do wonder if it's appropriate to say such things.

But I want the little girl in front of me, who thinks of me as a mother, to feel a little better.

"It means you are connected to someone. Lady Prima feels lonely because the connection with His Highness the Crown Prince is fading, making you feel uneasy. This is because His Highness the Crown Prince has been so close to you. The fact that you can feel 'lonely' means that the time you spent together was fulfilling and that you had a deep bond as siblings."

"...Being together... makes me feel lonely?"

"It's not that you feel lonely because you are together. You feel 'lonely' because you cherish the relationship formed through care and affection. Lady Prima, when His Highness the Crown Prince was with you, wasn't it very enjoyable?"

"Yes."

"It wasn't because you felt lonely that you wanted His Highness the Crown Prince to be with you, right?"

"No, Prima loves her brother very much, and being with him made her happy!"

"Yes, that's right. It's not because you felt lonely that you were together, but because he is important to you, and that's why you feel 'lonely' when you are apart. And that's perfectly normal, so there's no need to feel ashamed."

"...Even if Yulia is away, I feel lonely, right?"

"Yes, I do too."

Lady Prima, with a slightly teary face, quickly smiled.

A strong girl. She quickly understood my clumsy words, interpreted them in her own way, digested them, and made them her own. ...Yeah, she's a genius.

The room, where only Lady Prima and I are, is thanks to everyone's consideration.

There are guards standing outside the door.

Everyone is worried about Lady Prima. They want her to be happy. Though we can't say it due to our status, our hearts are always with her. Our precious, precious mistress, our princess.

"Hey, Yulia, will the merchant come soon?"

"No, I think it will be about 30 minutes."

"Then, please, can I hug you?"

Before I could answer, Lady Prima buried her face in my chest and hugged me.

It was a bit forceful, and I wondered if it hurt my non-existent chest. I hesitated but returned the hug and stroked her head.

I thought she might be crying, but it didn't seem so.

"Thank you, Mother. I must have worried everyone. It's embarrassing to be so upset just because my brother is gone when everyone is here for me! Prima is ashamed."

"That's not the case."

"Yulia's words were a bit difficult, but I won't be selfish because I feel lonely. I will cherish others, and I can do that, right?"

"...Lady Prima, you already have a heart that cherishes others. I hope you don't forget that."

"I won't forget. Because it's not just Yulia. Everyone is worried about Prima, which means they care about her. I know that Maina isn't here, and there are no guards, and only Yulia is with me because everyone allows me to complain as much as I want!"

Satisfied, Lady Prima pulled away from me and smiled like a flower.

Her sad expression from a moment ago was replaced by a joyful smile, as if it had never existed.

"Yulia's words were difficult, but I think I understand them a bit. I must be selfish, but I don't hate this selfishness. I want to be closer to my brother, and if possible, to the Empress! I know I feel 'lonely' because I am with everyone, and Yulia is with me, and I know I am cherished. But I also know I shouldn't inconvenience others because of my selfishness."

Lady Prima, smiling like that, is... an angel! A great angel!!

I wanted to hug her again and stroke her head, but my selfishness, of course, wouldn't be fulfilled... I maintained a calm exterior, but what should I do with this excited feeling? Without finding a direction, I could only call Maina to fulfill Lady Prima's wish to change her clothes and hairstyle before meeting the merchant...