Chapter 51

"Being able to have a meal with Lady Leia is a pleasure."

The day after accepting Prince Dale's invitation, I was treated to dinner at a certain restaurant in the capital.

The prince, who seemed to be in a good mood, genuinely appeared happy.

(I don't want to think that Prince Dale's character is false, but he doesn't look like a bad person at all.)

I think the total time I have spoken with Prince Dale is less than an hour.

The first time we spoke was at a certain party. I remember talking about trivial things and mentioning my engagement to Prince Philip.

So when we met again at the palace, it felt a bit awkward. After all, I had received his blessing, but the engagement was broken off...

But Prince Dale always listened to me with interest.

I have never felt unpleasant talking to him.

"This restaurant's chef trained in the Kingdom of Ren for three years. Although it was a short period, he even cooked for the royal family."

"Oh, that's amazing! I've heard that the country has many excellent chefs. Achieving results among them must not be easy."

The Kingdom of Ren, Linsha's homeland. I've heard that the security there is quite poor, but at the same time, it is said to have the best cuisine on the continent.

While it may not be a strong enough proof, Linsha is good at finding delicious restaurants, and she is also skilled at cooking.

According to her, the country has a concept called 'food and medicine are the same,' meaning that a healthy body starts with good food. In other words, they are very particular about their meals.

"The taste is guaranteed. The chef has adapted the cuisine of the Kingdom of Ren to suit the taste of the citizens of the Kingdom of Elscheid, and it is truly exquisite."

"That sounds wonderful."

Thus, the meal began. In the private room, it was just Prince Dale and me.

One after another, the chef's pride dishes were brought in.

"Delicious...! I didn't know such delicious things existed in this world."

"Hehe, I'm glad you like it. I was worried that you might not."

The deliciousness, which Prince Dale recommended, made me almost forget my original purpose. The prince looked satisfied with my reaction.

(Now, how should I start the conversation? If I don't, the meal will end without me asking anything.)

"Balancing your brother's guard duties and your duties as a holy maiden seems difficult, but you seem to be doing well."

"Yes, thanks to Prince Eric's consideration."

"I see. ...If you have any troubles, please don't hesitate to speak. If it's hard to say to my brother, you can go through me."

Prince Dale seemed to be interested in small talk or inquiring about my surroundings.

Is there some meaning behind his questions about whether I have any complaints with my brother, Prince Eric?

"I have no complaints at the moment. In fact, I am grateful for the comfortable palace life."

"Is the palace that comfortable? ...I apologize. I have lived there since birth, so I can't really understand."

"It's a wonderful environment. The furniture and bedding are top-notch, and it's quiet and peaceful."

Living in my family home was the worst. My sister Jill and my stepmother Ekaterina.

I was subjected to verbal abuse from them almost daily.

Compared to that, the palace is heaven. I felt almost scared by how well I was treated.

"I see. If you are satisfied with your current life, that's the best. I apologize for asking such a strange question. I just can't help but worry."

"I appreciate your concern. Prince Dale, by the way—"

As the conversation paused, I decided to probe Prince Dale and change the topic.

Time is limited. Even if I beat around the bush, it doesn't seem to have much meaning, so I'll ask directly.

If he has something to hide, his expression should change a bit. I need to pay attention and not miss it.

"What is it? You seem serious."

"About the ice cream shop that Prince Eric and I visited the day before yesterday—"

I boldly mentioned the name of the ice cream shop.

Well, what kind of reaction will he have? Huh? He's smiling?

His reaction was unexpected. Prince Dale's expression remained smiling.

"Oh, I know that ice cream shop well. Actually, I was the one who donated the operating funds for that shop."

"Huh?"

I was taken aback by Prince Dale's straightforward admission and let out a surprised voice.

In other words, there was no particular reason for him not to mention it yesterday.

(My expectations were betrayed, but it's a relief. If he says it so clearly, it means he has nothing to hide. But... )

For a moment, I felt lighter. It seemed as if the suspicion that Prince Dale was planning something evil had been dispelled.

However, another question quickly came to mind.

(Why did he donate to an ice cream shop? I think it's quite a big deal for a prince to donate to a commoner's shop.)

The fact that the donation was made secretly rather than publicly also bothered me. I find myself being suspicious, but this is indeed a strange situation.

"Are you wondering why I donated?"

"Ah, yes. I'm sorry. Did I make such a strange face?"

"Not at all. Lady Leia is always beautiful."

This ability to say such lines casually might be the biggest difference from Prince Eric.

Prince Dale is popular in society because he can approach anyone with a gentle manner and always puts the other person in a good light, even if it's flattery.

While it's impossible for anyone to emulate Prince Eric's unwavering sense of justice, it's also difficult to emulate Prince Dale.

(It's not just that. Prince Dale noticed my slight change in expression and preemptively answered my question. He's not someone to be taken lightly.)

It felt as if he could see through my heart from a great height.

He might already know that I'm trying to uncover the truth for Prince Eric.

It seems that Prince Dale always has the initiative in the conversation, and I feel frustrated that I can't get a word in edgewise.

"Thank you. ...So, is there any reason you donated?"

"It's not a big reason. I've always had a sweet tooth. I had the opportunity to taste the ice cream and thought it should be enjoyed by more citizens."

It seemed like a typical reason for Prince Dale. The thoughtfulness of wanting more people to enjoy delicious things.

I felt genuine affection as Dale smiled and explained the story of funding the ice cream shop.

(But what kind of opportunity did he have to taste the ice cream? It seems like a big deal for a royal to taste sweets.)

However, there are still points that bother me. Nash Hoffman is a commoner.

Even if he was associated with the former Duke Belcrain, it wouldn't be easy for him to taste the ice cream.

"Prince Dale, how do you know Nash?"

"Through the Duke Arguillon."

"Duke Arguillon?"

I didn't expect the name of a noble other than Belcrain to come up.

Duke Arguillon is one of the three remaining great nobles in the country after Belcrain's fall.

Prince Dale had a closer relationship with the nobles than Prince Eric, so he had a wide network of contacts.

Still, I didn't expect the owner of the ice cream shop to be connected not only to Belcrain but also to Duke Arguillon.

"Duke Arguillon supports talented people. The chef here was able to study in the Kingdom of Ren thanks to his support."

I didn't know that. It was the first time I heard that Duke Arguillon was involved in such charitable activities.

"He seems to be actively welcoming and treating talented people from abroad as well. His belief is to enrich the country by increasing the number of excellent people."

Not only sending people abroad to study, but also welcoming them, huh.

Somehow, it sounds like a good thing, but I feel a sense of unease.

How will Duke Arguillon react to the abolition of privileges? I can't imagine, but if he was the mastermind behind the plot against Prince Eric...

"However, I didn't expect Nash to be a suspect in the attempted murder case. He seemed like a quiet person, not the type to do such things."

Naturally, Prince Dale was aware of the ice cream shop incident.

Should I delve deeper into this? Even if Prince Dale is not involved, I can't say the same for Duke Arguillon.

It might be worth hearing more from him.

"I agree. Prince Dale, I would also like to know more about Nash's character—"

"Nash's character? Hmm, I remember he has been maintaining his silence."

"---! Yes, you know...?"

"I have my own information sources, of course."

At that moment, I felt the fear of Prince Dale.

He had been controlling the pace of the conversation from the beginning. I realized that the initiative was in his hands, and I was always on the back foot.

Is this a skill he developed from his wide network of contacts? If he becomes king, the nobles might think they can do as they please, but I don't think he is that easy-going.

"Lady Leia, I actually knew that Nash had sold a paper on lethal poison magic to Belcrain. I heard it from him directly..."

"Really!?"

"Shortly after Belcrain's fall, he consulted me. He was worried that it might cause trouble for his benefactor, me."

So that's it. Indeed, Nash's silence was to avoid causing trouble for Prince Dale.

"I told him not to worry and to continue running the ice cream shop. He then said he would never reveal his connection to me to anyone. And he is still keeping that promise."

It could be said that this is a result of his loyalty to Prince Dale.

Normally, being a suspect, having a secret would only be a disadvantage. It's not easy to maintain silence while being treated as a criminal.

"May I ask, why doesn't Your Highness help him? If you told him that there's no need to keep silent, his position might improve."

I don't understand why Prince Dale is revealing this to me now.

If he doesn't mind being known to be involved with the ice cream shop, there's no need to hide it until now.

"It's lethal poison magic."

"...What is lethal poison magic?"

"Nash is a skilled magician. He has the knowledge of his father's research, so he can use lethal poison magic."

Nash, a delicate user of ice magic.

His magical talent is indeed top-notch. If he understands the theory, it's entirely possible that he can use lethal poison magic, just like Jill.

"I have only interacted with him briefly, but I felt a very delicate side to him. If our connection, even if it leaks from my mouth, he might feel responsible and take his own life using that lethal poison magic."

"I see. Then this conversation should be...?"

"Please keep it as confidential as possible. If you need to