Chapter 7

**Hero (Eccentric) Appearance**

On her way to Richard's room, Sara encountered people who seemed to be servants and palace guards. When they saw Sara walking with Daniel, they bowed in a Felian manner and greeted her with smiles, saying, "Welcome," and "We have been waiting for Lady Elmine."

When treated kindly, one naturally wants to be kind in return. At first, Sara would flinch every time she encountered someone, but gradually, she was able to greet them with a natural smile.

(This must be the atmosphere of Felia... and perhaps a reflection of Prince Richard's character?)

At least in Sareille, servants never spoke to the royal family so familiarly. When nobles passed by, servants would retreat to the corners of the corridors and bow their heads. Unless there was a special reason, it was not allowed for servants to speak to them first.

(I thought Daniel was particularly friendly, but maybe this is just how it is in Felia...?)

"Are all the people in Felia this friendly?"

After seeing off a young boy who seemed to be a servant, Sara muttered. Daniel, who had turned back, tilted his head.

"Well, isn't this just how it is? Sure, the palace is a bit less formal because of the prince's influence, but isn't it normal to greet people when you pass them?"

"In Sareille, servants never greeted nobles."

"I see. ...Oh, maybe we should be more reserved?"

"No, this is fine. ...This is good."

Sara's gaze inadvertently turned distant. Whether he noticed her feelings or not, Daniel's eyes wandered for a moment before he cleared his throat.

"Um, this is the prince's living floor. Lady Elmine's room, where she will be staying as the future princess, is also here."

It seemed that the entire fourth floor of the palace was dedicated to Richard, and he handled his official duties, meals, and baths all on this floor. Occasionally, he would visit his half-brother, the king, but generally, he did not leave the fourth floor. He was quite a recluse.

In front of the room, a man in light armor, who seemed to be a guard, stood. When he saw Sara, he bowed and opened the door for her. Inside was a small entrance, and Daniel pointed to several doors as he explained.

"From the back, there's the prince's bathroom, living room, bedroom, and study. The white door over there is the annex room for the princess, where Lady Elmine will stay. Her room is connected to the prince's bedroom, so she can quickly respond if called."

"Y-Yes."

...Right, Sara had come to Felia as Richard's bride.

(That means, if the prince calls, I have to go...)

She had known this when she agreed to the arrangement, but hearing it from Daniel made her cheeks flush. Daniel, who must have noticed her change, didn't press the issue and said, "Let's go greet the prince," before knocking on the study door.

"Prince, it's Daniel. Princess Elmine has arrived."

"Come in."

A young man's voice came from behind the door.

(That was Prince Richard...)

The voice sounded somewhat displeased, making her nervous, but she couldn't stop. Daniel opened the door, and Sara took a deep breath before stepping in.

Sara had imagined a small room filled with bookshelves when she heard "study." However, Richard's study was a bit different.

First, the room was dim even though it was midday. The walls were gray, and the windows were covered with heavy curtains, with a lamp lit on the desk. The bookshelves were full, but only about half of them held books; the rest were filled with potted plants, specimens, and handcrafted wooden carvings and parts. Thus, they served more as cabinets than bookshelves.

On the other side of the heavy desk, a person was sitting in a leather chair, apparently writing something. At first, Sara could only see his slightly tousled black-gray hair, but when he looked up, she almost screamed upon seeing a smooth white mask.

Soft bangs hung over the white mask, which was not an elaborate carnival mask but a simple white clay mask shaped to fit a human face, with holes for the mouth, nose, and eyes.

It was clearly a mask, not a human face, and the only human-like feature was the right hand that pushed back the bangs, which had a peculiarly comical effect.

"Are you Princess Elmine of Sareille?"

The mask's lip-like bulge didn't move, and a slightly muffled voice came through. The voice was calmer than the one she had heard earlier and had a gentle tone. While it conveyed a sense of irritation, there was no feeling of disgust.

Feeling a nod from Daniel, Sara stepped forward and bowed.

"Yes, it's an honor to meet you, Prince Richard. I am Elmine of the Kingdom of Sareille, and I have come to serve you as your bride."

"Raise your head."

Sara was a bit surprised by the command, which was mixed with a sigh, and she raised her head. She had been prepared to keep her head down if necessary, but Richard had quickly told her to raise her head—essentially, to relax.

The prince, who had been watching her closely through the mask's holes, put down his pen and leaned back in his chair with a lazy posture.

"I'm only accepting you because Edouard insisted. I have no intention of becoming close to you. In fact, I don't want you to get in my way. I'm a recluse, but I have plenty to do even as a recluse."

"..."

"I can take care of myself, and if I need anything, I can ask Daniel and the others. I don't need anything from you. I'll provide for your life, so just leave me alone."

Sara blinked several times.

She had heard that the prince was a recluse, an eccentric, and a misanthrope. She had also heard about the mask and could see his tastes from the room.

But—

(I thought he would be more terrifying and cold...)

Perhaps because Sara remained expressionless and silent, Richard chuckled behind the mask, relaxed his arms, and leaned his elbows on the desk. Even in this casual gesture, there was a certain elegance and charm, and despite his reclusive and masked appearance, he was undeniably a prince, making her heart skip a beat.

"Is that all for the greeting? ...I have things to do, as I said earlier. I'll leave the rest to Daniel, so please leave now."

"Yes. If there's anything I can do, please let me know whenever you feel like it."

She hurriedly added this.

Richard had no intention of dealing with Sara. He had reluctantly accepted her because of his brother's request and had no intention of becoming a close couple with her—or, likely, of having children.

(But! I want to be happy in this country. It might be a bother to the prince, but... a cold, formal marriage would be lonely.)

"Of course, I will follow the prince's wishes. However, my father instructed me to serve the prince with all my heart... and besides—"

"What?"

"Even without my father's orders, I want to be involved with you and Daniel and the others. I have no place to return to now."

After saying this, she regretted the last part, thinking it sounded like a plea.

But the white mask seemed to waver slightly, and Richard turned his face away.

"Listen, Sara."

"Yes."

"Let me make this clear from the start to avoid any misunderstandings."

Sara swallowed hard at Richard's tense tone. He straightened up, still facing away, and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I cannot make you happy. Don't ask why. In short, you won't be happy even if you marry me."

"..."

"I'll at least try to make your life comfortable. If you want something, I'll do my best to provide it. ...But, I'm sorry, don't expect anything from me."

Richard's voice was matter-of-fact and distant, but for some reason, Sara felt that he was sadly smiling under the mask.