Chapter 16

After the Duke of Eulasion, I was bothered by the amused nobles and the teasing from children around my age, which was quite troublesome.

Yeah, if I didn’t have the memory of a thirty-year-old, I might have cried.

My father was closely watching my movements, so there might be some trouble, but I guess it’s self-inflicted.

Just spreading trouble recklessly would tarnish my father’s reputation as an emperor.

So, I slipped out of the tea party.

“By the way, Icto”

“Yes, did you call for me?”

I managed to sneak out and hide behind the trees, but my guard followed me as if it were nothing.

Icto, a former monster hunter turned noble, is known for his skills, and it’s no wonder.

“Do you know who that girl is?”

I am in a garden with poor visibility, and beyond I can see a birch forest.

Yeah, it’s around where I found my crying brother Terry when he was lost.

And there’s a girl in a dress crying. Why is she crying?

“If it were Heart, he could probably tell. I’m just a nominal noble.”

“Well, I’m just a nominal noble too. Orange hair is pretty rare, isn’t it?”

Icto, who has coral-like hair, is rare among the predominantly blue-haired imperial nobles.

The crying girl has orange hair, which could be described as either red or blonde.

Anyway, she’s lost.

Because all the children living in this palace are boys, and she clearly looks like a guest at today’s tea party.

Yet, she’s crying alone without her parents in a place far from the tea party venue.

“Should I talk to her?”

“...It might be better to call for someone, but she’s noticed us.”

Icto must be concerned about the incident with Terry.

But the girl has already noticed us and is hurriedly wiping her eyes.

“Oh, that’s not good. You look so beautiful in your dress, but swelling your eyes will be a problem, won’t it?”

As I say this, I take out the handkerchief Heart gave me.

I use magic to create water, wet it, and cool it before handing it to her.

“Use this to cool your eyes. I know the way back to the venue, so I’ll guide you when you’re ready.”

The girl, who was looking down in embarrassment, starts to cool her eyes with the handkerchief.

“I’m so embarrassed. Thank you.”

The girl, who speaks hesitantly, seems uncomfortable with the silence.

“You can call me Asha. What’s your name?”

“I am called Diora by those close to me.”

“Can I call you Diora too?”

“Yes, you can call me Diora, and I will call you Asha-sama.”

“You don’t need to use ‘sama,’ but if you want to, that’s fine. Did you come here to look at the garden?”

I don’t want to be called ‘sama’ because I might get in trouble later when she finds out my identity.

She might be using it because she knows who I am.

Diora seems disheartened by the garden topic and is clearly embarrassed about being seen crying.

She’s about my age, so maybe that’s why.

“The roses at the venue are impressive, but I find the rare flowers here more interesting.”

“Yes, they are all rare, and I found a flower I’ve only seen in an illustrated book.”

She seems curious, and her voice perks up when talking about flowers.

“Which one? The Candy Berries aren’t blooming yet. Oh, have you seen the Peacock Tail, the plant with the eye-like pattern? The Star Dust Grass is in full bloom now.”

Candy Berries are annual plants that produce berry-like fruits and secrete nectar.

Peacock Tail has large, drooping leaves like a palm tree.

Star Dust Grass has a shape like a comet falling into the flower, with very long stamens and pistils.

All of these are rare species cultivated in this garden.

“I haven’t seen any of them. I found Jewel Beans.”

“Oh, those are still in their sheaths, so you’ll have to wait until autumn to see the seeds inside.”

Jewel Beans look like ordinary peas or broad beans, but when they split open, the seeds inside are translucent like jewels.

“Wow, Asha-sama is very knowledgeable.”

“No, the plants in the garden are summarized in a book, so I just memorized it.”

I learned it thinking I might see Terry again.

Even without that, the imperial library has illustrated books that are interesting to look at.

As we talk, the redness around Diora’s eyes fades.

“It’s worrying to be too far away. Let’s go back after seeing the Peacock Tail, Star Dust Grass, and the Fire Field flowers.”

“Yes! The Fire Field flowers are small individually, but their color changes like a burning fire. In the wild, they bloom in clusters, and in the past, they were mistaken for the flames of a burning field, which sometimes led to the start of a war.”

Diora seems more knowledgeable than I am. I’d like to hear more of what she knows.

“Is it okay? Gentlemen also find it shameful to show off knowledge.”

“Showing off is shameful for anyone. I’m just curious, so it’s fine to tell me.”

Diora smiles, looking pleased. She seems to be a diligent student and talks with enthusiasm once she starts.

“Oh, is that Jelly Grass over there? I didn’t know what jelly was, but it’s a transparent creature that floats in the sea. But how can you tell it’s there if it’s transparent? And why does it float instead of swim?”

The sight of a young girl around first grade age talking earnestly is endearing to me.

I feel like I’m looking at her from the same perspective as Icto, who is silently following behind.

As we walk back, I see a familiar face from the direction of the venue.

“Oh, Duke Strategus.”

“Do you know him? Then it’s okay now.”

“Asha-sama?”

“I have something to do, so I’ll leave here.”

“Could it be that you postponed your business for me?”

“Don’t worry. It’s not important enough to ignore a crying girl.”

While I’m talking, Duke Eulasion joins Duke Strategus.

Why are they both here and noticing me?

“Princess Neldiora and... Your Highness...”

Duke Strategus, don’t make that displeased sound. It’s been a year since we last met, and this makes it too obvious that Reven was a deliberate act.

I silently push Diora forward.

“Why are you with that prince, Princess Neldiora?”

Duke Eulasion looks openly suspicious, and I’m curious why these two powerful figures are together, but getting involved would be troublesome.

And if she’s a princess, Diora must be a princess from the Kingdom of Luciusaria.

I see, she must have come from the indoor venue with sweets to this garden.

“She was lost, and I helped her. Your Highness? Asha-sama?”

I’m hesitant to speak normally after my unusual response to Duke Eulasion.

Also, both Diora and Duke Strategus know my natural way of speaking, so there’s a risk of being exposed along with Icto.

I’ll just smile silently.

“Could it be! The First Prince of the Empire!?”

Oh, she was using ‘sama’ without knowing.

It’s fine.

I wave lightly and turn away.

I should head to the venue, but going back with them would be awkward.

“I need to apologize to His Majesty later.”

“Are you going back to your room?”

Icto, who has been silently following, asks.

“Going back with the main guest, the princess, might lead to misunderstandings. I don’t want to be bothered again after pretending to be ignored.”

“...Did you not enjoy it?”

“I find it much more enjoyable to listen to stories from Icto and others.”

“I’m also running out of things to say.”

“Then, help me next time to find out about the mistakes Wearel made during his student days.”

“Hmm, as per Your Highness’s request.”

It seems Icto doesn’t intend to stop me from leaving.

I turn my back on the venue and laugh with Icto, not looking back as we return.

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Next: The Lost Princess 5