NOVEL WEB Book 4: Chapter 4
“And finally, we need to talk about Mealtars.”
It was right before they had set off for the city. Wein had finished his explanation on the Imperial princes, just about ready to wrap things up.
“The city of Mealtars in Systio province was originally aligned with the faction of the eldest prince, Demetrio. This could be attributed to the influence of the governor-general who had just been appointed at the time.
“However,” Wein went on, “after the failed rebellion, Mealtars submitted damning proof of contact with the West.”
“Why would Mealtars do that?”
“The governor-general was the one who had ordered communication be made with the West, threatening the people to obey. They wanted the governor-general to pay—or so Mealtars claims.”
“……”
“Incidentally, reports surfaced that a donation of an enormous sum was attached to that evidence… In other words, they used the governor-general as a scapegoat and escaped investigation.”
This wasn’t the first time: Mealtars had lent money to the Empire under many other pretexts. In exchange, they received certain privileges. That was why the city was essentially an autonomous region for merchants.
Naturally, this meant there were no state soldiers stationed in the city. Any overt display of armed men would disrupt the daily flow of goods to and from the East and the West. Instead, the town employed its own guards.
Even from this example, it was obvious no outsiders could intervene with operations of the city. Even the Empire was aware of this. But by letting Systio remain unchecked, the city had exploded in power and value, while chaos in the Empire continued to escalate.
“Neither side could come to an agreement on a replacement for the dismissed governor-general of Systio. Mealtars is essentially in limbo, unaffiliated with all factions. That’s why the princes are desperate to get the city to join their side.”
For the people of Mealtars, defending their own interests had become more important than ever. It didn’t matter who became the new emperor as long as they could protect their livelihoods. This Summit of the Imperial Children would let them confirm who was the best candidate for them once and for all.
“Look at it from a different angle. Mealtars has managed to gather a lot of major players by flexing the name of the Empire. This event will be a huge opportunity for the city’s merchants. If they find the princess of little use, they can turn to some other influential party.”
“…I’m feeling light-headed.”
Everyone involved was pursuing their own various agendas, which had all gotten tangled into a knotted mass that no one could undo anymore. Just thinking about it made Falanya feel as if she might overheat from this information overload.
“Incidentally, Natra has recently become more prominent. There’s a chance some city officials may reach out to you. Unlike with the princes, there’s no need to maintain your distance, but—don’t get too comfortable either.”
Wein stroked her hair affectionately.
Back to the present.
“Look over there. That’s our central market, the symbol of Mealtars.”
The carriage swayed, carrying Falanya and Mayor Cosimo on a tour of the city.
How did they get here?
It all started that morning.
The party had ended without incident the day before, and Falanya was free until the announcement that would be made after the conclusion of the summit.
She began to consider ways to fill her time first thing in the morning, when Cosimo paid her a visit.
“I rushed to your side to offer a tour of our city, if you would like,” he had said.
She couldn’t take this at face value, of course.
“What do you think, Ninym?”
“As Prince Wein told us, it would not be odd for Mealtars to offer us some hospitality. Mayor Cosimo wants to entertain you and appraise the condition of Natra under its new leader, Prince Wein. I have to admit I’m surprised he’s come himself… Isn’t he busy?” Ninym mumbled.
The ceremony to commemorate Mealtars becoming part of the Empire was not actually over yet. The exclusive party for elites was only the first day of a series of events that would last an entire week.
This was because everyone knew the summit was bound to get complicated behind closed doors. The extended ceremony gave the guests an excuse to stay in town, even if the debate over succession dragged on.
Though it wouldn’t approach the scale of the previous night’s party, organizing a grand ceremony wasn’t a walk in the park. It wasn’t hard to imagine that Mayor Cosimo might be busy with preparations.
And yet he went out of his way to come see me.
In other words, he prioritized building a relationship with Natra.
“What do you think I should do?”
“If you wish to appear humble, it would be unwise to refuse. Doing so would essentially say that Natra isn’t interested in Mealtars.”
“Wein said he wouldn’t mind if we get along with them, right?”
“Correct. Even if we don’t personally interact with all the merchants, they will think favorably of us if we show our goodwill here. Once Mealtars has allied with a faction, there is a possibility that faction will try to contact us through the city. But this would be a safe choice,” Ninym advised.
Falanya nodded. “I understand. I will go get ready. Please tell Mayor Cosimo I’ll be just a moment.”
“Understood.”
This was what led Falanya to set off on a tour of the city with Cosimo.
“—There is an astonishing variety of items for sale,” Falanya observed, alighting from the carriage and walking with Cosimo through the crowded market.
Both were notable in their own right. Of course, a vigilant attendant followed behind each of them.
“Everything I see is so curious, I cannot just focus on one thing,” she added.
“Here in Mealtars, we are quite proud of our selection of goods and the atmosphere we have cultivated.”
The scene before them made it clear that these weren’t empty words.
Needless to say, the market offered many different varieties of fruits, vegetables, and meat. There were even processed foods and drinks made from these ingredients for sale.
Falanya’s heart pounded when she spotted unusual clothes and other unfamiliar textile designs. There were displays with spices and delicate stonework, as well as stalls belonging to fortune-tellers, artists, and proud arm wrestlers offering prize money to anyone who could beat them.
“Our biggest shortfall is that we cannot offer fresh seafood as a landlocked nation. Freshwater and dried fish are available, however.”
“Now that you mention it… Hee-hee. Mealtars gives the illusion that it has everything the land has to offer.”
“Our goal is to someday make that a reality.”
A shopkeeper called out. “Hey, Mayor Cosimo. You making the rounds today?”
“I’m giving a foreign guest a tour of our city. How are you?”
“Busy as always. If time were on sale in the market, I’d buy it at asking price.”
“Ha-ha-ha! A merchant shouldn’t say that. If time can be bought and sold, you should find a way to use that to your advantage.”
This was obviously Cosimo’s home ground. It was clear at a glance that the people respected him, based on how he casually engaged with everyone they encountered during their walk.
“Hmm…?” Falanya focused on one of the street vendors.
Lined up in front of a modest storefront were equally plain wooden boxes. They came in different shapes and sizes, but each could be held in one hand.
She wouldn’t have been this interested if that was it. What caught her attention was the name of the item—a “trick box.”
“Welcome, young lady—and Mayor Cosimo.”
“Don’t trouble yourself on my account.” Cosimo raised a hand to stop the young merchant from standing up in a fluster.
“Is this different from a normal box?” Falanya asked.
The two exchanged looks. Cosimo nodded, and the merchant answered nervously.
“That’s correct. It’s a trick box. Try to open it, and you’ll understand.”
“Okay… Huh?”
Falanya tried to open the box, but the lid didn’t give. She flipped it in her hands, trying to find an opening, but there didn’t even appear to be one. She began to suspect it wasn’t a box but a chunk of wood. However, when she knocked lightly on the surface, it produced a hollow sound.
“…It won’t open.”
“There is a trick to it. If you do this…” The merchant brought out another box, pushing its side, which caused the section to jut out.
Falanya watched in curiosity as another piece of the box was pushed around, again and again, until it had changed to a square box. Its contents were fully exposed.
“And that’s how you do it.”
“Wow…!” Falanya’s eyes sparkled. “Hey, Ninym, did you see that? Did you?”
“Yes. I’m surprised. They shifted the small pieces of wood like gears to turn it into a box.”
“Okay. You take this and… Ah! There it is! If you press here…”
“Princess Falanya, I believe this is the next step.”
The girls reveled in their momentary victory before sinking into despair as they tried to find the next piece to push around.
Cosimo watched them from the side, turning to the merchant. “I’m always amazed by this mechanism… But business seems slow.”
“I’m afraid…I’m not the only one selling these,” the merchant admitted. “Might I ask for your advice?”
“Hmm… I wish I could, but as the mayor, I can’t favor one shop over another.” Cosimo hemmed and hawed.
Falanya looked up from the box. “In that case, what if you paint the boxes?”
“What do you mean?”
“My brother says it’s important to find a market niche or add extra value to your inventory to move a product.”
Take for example the symbolism of flowers and crystals.
Some flowers were intended for your beloved. Others were offerings for the deceased.
Some stones attracted happiness. Others granted courage.
There were others, but it wasn’t as though the crystals and flowers had come up with these meanings themselves. Be it merchant or noble, someone had a hand in coming up with the symbolism. And then it had caught on.
Of course, this practice of attributing meaning to flowers and stones had to be influenced by their colors, shapes, harvest, and quality. There had to be plenty of other symbols that didn’t stand the test of time. But by representing unique meanings, they had become more than just beautiful—and gained new value.
“I was surprised by the mechanism of this box, but I think it’s a shame there’s no decoration on the box itself. But if you make the ornamentations too fancy, your product might become too expensive for your customers. I think this can be solved by painting them.”
“Hmm. And what kind of design might you have in mind?”
“Crests or portraits… Maybe even a closed bud that opens into a blooming flower when the box is unlocked.”
Cosimo nodded in agreement. It was worth considering.
The merchant must have been business savvy, since the shop was in the central market. The shopkeeper’s face became serious.
“Oh, my apologies. Please pay me no mind. I’m just an amateur…”
“No. Thank you for your input. I may consider other options, but I shall give you that box as thanks. Please, take it with you.”
“What? Um…”
Falanya looked at Cosimo, who gave her a nod of permission.
“For merchants, no transaction is ever one-sided. If you have no issue with that item, please think of this as a proper exchange.”
As he gave her a nudge, Falanya thought it over for a moment, then smiled. “Well then, I shall accept. Thank you very much.”
“Of course. If you visit the market again, please feel free to stop by.” The merchant bowed and saw them off.
Falanya and the others returned to the street.
“Hee-hee, I’ll have to show Wein when we get home.” She gazed at the box happily.
Cosimo was next to her. “I knew it would be vital to get an outside opinion. Painting the boxes is a simple concept, but I have never considered it, even though I have been here for a long time. I thought I would surprise you with a tour of the city, but it is you who have surprised me, Princess Falanya.”
“You flatter me, Mayor Cosimo.” Falanya waved her hand in embarrassment and changed the subject. “That aside, you mentioned you have lived here for many years. Were you born in this city, Mayor Cosimo?”
“Yes. Born and raised. I’m proud to say no one loves our city more than I do.”
“I see. I’m certain Mealtars will continue to prosper under your leadership,” Falanya offered in return.
“Oh, no. My power is trivial,” he said, shaking his head. “Because we are the main artery connecting East and West, we have fought against many nations, which means our history is drenched in blood. We’ve only been able to conduct our business in the past couple decades… Please look at that bell tower.”
Cosimo pointed to an edifice in the heart of the market. From one glance, Falanya could tell it was historic. A large bell hung at the top.
“That tower was built by a certain merchant, known for founding Mealtars. It’s said that after using his own money to buy temporary peace from the nations in the East and West, he invited merchants here, established the town, and turned it into a gold mine to prevent the military from interfering.”
He continued on. “Of course, it wasn’t just him. The merchants who succeeded him worked in the name of self-interest and love for their hometown. Mealtars became what it is today with their unceasing efforts.”
Cosimo seemed to notice his uncharacteristic fervor was showing and coughed in an attempt to change tack.
“…Please forgive me. It must be boring to hear me ramble.”
“I don’t think so at all,” Falanya said honestly.
She had been a bit surprised, but what he said was fascinating.
“As a member of the royal family, I’ve been studying history and politics. My brother says it will help me learn more about Natra and other nations.”
“Is that so? …In that case, I think I know something that might be a good learning experience for you.”
“What might that be?”
“Come here. It’s only a short distance away.”
Falanya and Ninym looked at each other and tilted their heads.
The mayor continued. “Mealtars was originally a part of Systio, which meant it was obligated to follow the province’s laws and ordinances. But because of its unique location connecting East and West, it’s always been necessary for this city to deal with new developments quickly and decisively. That’s why the Empire allowed Mealtars to manage its own government, adopting a two-house system.”
Cosimo didn’t say anything about how the city had bought these special rights as they walked along.
“A two-house system?”
“Yes. On the one side, we have the mayor and his parliament who are elected by the citizens. These members assemble to discuss operations in the city.”
“Hmm,” Falanya acknowledged.
She had seen the government officials and greatest minds in Natra meet around the clock to discuss politics. This was why it didn’t take her long to understand that part of their government. But according to Cosimo, Mealtars had two houses.
“And what is the other one?”
“It will be quicker to show you directly. It’s right over there.”
Cosimo had directed them to a large building, an assembly hall. They passed through the formal doorway and entered inside. Then…
“ ”
As soon as she entered, she could feel a wild energy. Then she heard a veritable storm of comments flying all around her.
Scores of people crammed into the space were all addressing one another. Each looked grave. Someone would say something, and a pen would occasionally glide across official papers.
“This is…” Falanya trailed off in shock.
Cosimo replied next to her. “A city of merchants should be led by merchants… This is what we’ve always believed in Mealtars. It’s only natural, since a single policy can dramatically change business practices. But we can’t make everyone a member of the parliament. Therefore, this citizens’ assembly was established as a place for the common people to participate freely and discuss policies.”
“…D-does that mean everyone here is a regular citizen?”
“That’s right. They aid in shaping policies, since many of the topics raised here are brought before the members of parliament. That’s why everyone looks so serious.”
Falanya was floored by this revelation, for she had been born the crown princess of a monarchy. To her, it made sense that politics should be handled by those chosen by the royal and noble families. Civic engagement never once crossed her mind.
“Hmm… It seems the topic today is the construction of the city’s water canals. I’m terribly sorry for bringing you all the way here for this boring discussion. Allow me to guide you to the next location—”
“No.” Falanya cut off Cosimo’s proposal. “This is perfectly fine. That is, of course, if a foreigner is permitted to listen.”
“Ah…” Cosimo felt a cold tingle run down his spine. “The…the citizens’ assembly is open to the public. You are free to stay, but…”
“Then I shall take you up on that offer.”
It wasn’t because Falanya had been feeling something besides genuine curiosity. The citizens’ assembly just presented a new set of values that had sparked her interest.
But the long-time mayor of the city watched Falanya in awe as she stared upon this assembly.
This girl…
As he observed her attentively from the side, Falanya stayed at the assembly building until the discussion drew to a close.
It was already late by the time Cosimo returned to his manor. He knew the exhaustion showed on his face, but he skipped the bedroom and headed to his office. There was still work to be done.
“Welcome home, Master Cosimo.”
“Thanks. Good work today.”
His subordinate was waiting for him inside. Taking documents from him, Cosimo sat down in a chair and composed his expression.
“Let’s hear the reports.”
“Understood. The ceremony today has concluded without incident.”
Cosimo had been accompanying Falanya around all day, which meant he had to entrust the ceremony to his subordinates, but it seemed everything had gone well.
“There was a quarrel between our guards and the security staff of an attendee. The matter has been settled, but our men are definitely on edge.”
“We’ve got the most influential people at one ceremony. It’s natural they’d be tense, but to put the cart before the horse… Anyway, I’ll have a talk with the leader of the guards.”
“Understood. Please forgive me for making assumptions, but I guessed you would want to talk with them and set up a meeting in advance. Because the ceremony has been prepared for ahead of time, I believe it can be handled in your absence, but…”
“It’ll be bad for my reputation if I sit out multiple days. I plan on being there tomorrow.”
“As you wish,” he replied before moving on to the next topic. “As for tomorrow, shall I prepare people for Princess Falanya as I did for today?”
“That won’t be necessary. It would only invite her displeasure. Besides, I already got a good sense of her today.”
“I expected nothing less. What did you think of the crown princess?”
Cosimo stopped for a beat to gather his thoughts.
“Sufficiently educated. When she’s older, she has the potential to do harm and good. At the moment, she’s a country girl from a good bloodline.
“However,” he continued. “There’s definitely something about her.”
“I have heard that about the prince, but is it the case with his younger sister, too?”
“If you mean to say I’m overthinking things, I can’t really disagree.”
In any case, he’d established some form of relationship with the princess. That was a success, and it would be enough for now.
But he had more important things to think about than the princess.
“—And how is the summit progressing?”
The notables in the city were holding their breath as they watched over this meeting. Cosimo was no different. He was taking every measure possible to keep up on the latest news.
“As for that—”
And then the subordinate started to give his report.
“Agh! How annoying!” someone barked. It bounced off the walls.
The voice belonged to the eldest prince, Demetrio. He was in his temporary residence, and a subordinate nearby stood in fear at his master’s wrath.
“Y-Your Highness, I beg you, please settle down…”
But his attempt to pacify the prince only added oil on the fire.
“Who gave you the right?! Who do you think I am?! I’m the Earthworld Empire’s eldest prince, Demetrio! I’m the man who carries the blood of the greatest emperors on this continent! You think you can just order me around?!”
“N-no, I would never…! Please, forgive me…!” His inferior bowed in a fluster as Demetrio spewed abuse.
The prince did not lower his voice. “Absolutely nothing has been accomplished! Yesterday and today!”
It was the second night of the ceremony and the summit. But they were no closer to reaching an agreement. If he’d been as smart as Wein, he would have predicted that much.
“My stupid brothers need to know their place! Why can’t they understand that passing me up for the throne is an act of disrespect worthy of death?!” he roared.
Demetrio had no doubt he would be crowned emperor. He was certain he was the only one who possessed that right.
But in actuality, the other two princes had been born with that right, too. Despite this, none of the three princes had a winning hand, and if they kept on with their factional rivalry, nothing was going to get solved.
Lowellmina was hoping for their foundations to crumble, but she was a facilitator for the summit, which meant she wouldn’t side with any one person.
At this rate, we’ll get nowhere…!
Demetrio would naturally feel that way. They’d brought together all these important people and hinted at a resolution. If they didn’t deliver a single thing, the level of disappointment that would spread across the nation would be incomparable.
“…What are those idiots up to?! Give me the latest!”
“Y-yes!”
If they were unable to work something out, he had to break down the support from the other factions. He needed information for that, which was why Demetrio had his troops keep an eye on all the big shots staying in Mealtars. The other two princes were no doubt using their troops in the same way.
“There are no major changes in either camp. On the first day, they made every effort to secure the trust of the attendees…”
“Is that all? That’s completely useless! Isn’t there a single bit of news that will give me an advantage?!”
“Um…” The subordinate’s mind raced, coming up with something out of desperation.
“Y-yes. It is a matter unrelated to this summit, but there has been a report that Mayor Cosimo went to see the crown princess of Natra and guided her around the town.”
“What…?!”
Cosimo and Mealtars disgusted Demetrio. In fact, he actively loathed them. Mealtars had originally been aligned with Demetrio. They’d cooperated with the West during the recent rebellion and blamed it on the governor-general when things started going bad.
In the end, Mealtars chose to put on an air of neutrality. When the princes gathered in the city, its people feigned ignorance, betting on who might win. This was a den of shameless citizens, lacking all logic, morals, and dignity. Demetrio had basically disowned them. He’d been tempted to snap Cosimo’s neck throughout the ceremony.
Then there was this news that Cosimo was getting cozy with Natra. Demetrio didn’t hesitate to express his displeasure.
“That senile old man! Ignoring me to butter up to Natra? It only proves he’s losing it!”
He redirected his anger toward the small kingdom. “Damn Natra! Sending a little girl when we’re trying to decide on the next emperor? Now that’s unforgivable! Even though the Empire generously offered them an alliance, these ungrateful bastards have forgotten their place, fawning over Lowellmina and trying to get on Cosimo’s good side!”
Demetrio threw whatever he could reach, shattering them against the wall.
He hated his brothers, his sister, Natra, Cosimo, this city, all of it. He was supposed to be a forgiving emperor, a venerable position worthy of praise. How could they look down on him?
His frustration needed an outlet, and Demetrio had a flash of inspiration.
“…My stupid brothers haven’t gotten in touch with Natra’s little princess yet, right?”
“Y-yes. As of now, it’s only been Mayor Cosimo… She’s already sided with Princess Lowellmina. We believe it may be difficult to separate them.”
“If that’s the case, maybe those two won’t butt in…” Demetrio’s mouth twisted. “Threaten her if necessary. Send our troops for the girl.”
“Wha—?” His subordinate balked.
Demetrio didn’t seem the least bit fazed, excitedly continuing. “This is all it will take to send her crying home. I’ll destroy Cosimo’s reputation and deprive Lowellmina of one of her supporters. Ha-ha-ha, a grand idea, if I do say so myself.”
“Y-Your Highness, but the leaders from across the continent are staying in the city, and everyone is watching. If you go through with this, you’ll be jeopardizing your position…!”
“Isn’t it your job to do something if that happens?”
“But…!”
“Shut it! Are you disobeying my orders?!” Demetrio shouted.
It was clear he wouldn’t be swayed.
“…I understand. I will see to it.”
The subordinate could do nothing more than prostrate before him with a mournful face.
Meanwhile…
“—The clergy of Levetia is on the move?” Wein narrowed his eyes when Revan told him what was happening.
“Yes, they’re working in every country. We don’t have all the details, but they’re planning to somehow interfere in Mealtars.”
“…I thought they’d start in summer at the earliest.”
That past spring, the king of Cavarin, who was one of the Holy Elites, had been assassinated during the Gathering of the Chosen in his very own kingdom. Mass panic broke out in the West, where the nations were especially faithful to Levetia. The other world leaders, Wein included, thought the religious order would remain silent until things calmed down.
The Empire had decided it would be best to immediately host the summit, since it seemed like the West wouldn’t be able to interfere. However, against all expectations, Levetia had started to take action.
“Shall I send a missive to the delegation urging them to return home?”
“……”
There was no doubt Levetia was overextending itself. Even if they did manage to interfere in Mealtars, they wouldn’t take any drastic actions.
My most realistic guess would be that a new delegation might be arriving soon…
This was Mealtars. They’d accept an envoy from the West if money was involved. And it was entirely possible they’d figured out a way to take advantage of the summit.
Since they were on the move, it had to mean they had some sort of goal in mind. If Falanya got involved, could they put that goal aside?
Wein thought for a long while.
“—All right, I know what to do.”
People tended to be unaware of what would capture their hearts.
Sadness and joy welled up when something unexpected strummed a heartstring. Given how most people were often surprised by their own hearts, understanding someone else’s should naturally be considered even more difficult.
That was precisely why Ninym was so concerned. What should I do…?
Falanya perched on a chair before Ninym.
The girls were in the civic assembly hall. Ever since Cosimo showed them the hall, Falanya had been visiting each day. When Ninym asked why, the princess said she was observing the citizens’ assembly. Basically, she was crazy about parliament.
“Isn’t it fascinating?” she’d said to Ninym.
Her enthusiasm surprised even the aide. But since Falanya’s official duties were largely over for this trip, it didn’t seem like a bad idea for her to listen in on an assembly in session. Plus, she had a personal interest in national politics. It was a meaningful way to spend the rest of her time here.
The participating citizens had taken a liking to Falanya, who was equal parts naive and charming. If anything, seeing her listen intently without interrupting their session brought a welcome relief to the heated assembly hall.
It was that very focus that had concerned Ninym.
“…Ninym, Falanya’s at it again.”
“Yes, I can see that.”
As Ninym and Nanaki watched over her, Falanya’s eyes bored into the person onstage. Her gaze was locked onto the figure as she remained still enough to be mistaken for a sculpture. It was as if she were trying to burn every movement into her mind. It was no ordinary concentration. Even Ninym had never seen Falanya act in this way. Back in their homeland, she had been cheerful and intelligent—and yet a totally ordinary girl.
But Ninym could see Falanya’s mind was expanding from many contributing factors: It was her first time visiting a foreign nation. Attending a ceremony. Confronting her own nerves and failures. Reflecting on her own ambitions. Balking at the concept of a citizens’ assembly.
“Should we let her be?” Nanaki asked.
“…I’m concerned, but let’s just continue observing her for now. I don’t want to stunt her growth. But if we notice something strange, we’ll send her home by force if need be. Sound fair?”
“Got it.” Nanaki seemed to melt into the shadows and disappeared.
Ninym looked at Falanya’s profile and sighed.
Well, she is Wein’s sister…
How would this experience change her?
Ninym’s heart tried to hold down all her hopes and fears.
The assembly finally adjourned late at night.
“Zzz…”
Falanya rocked in the carriage on the way back to their residence. She was already fast asleep, leaning against Ninym.
It was a wonder she had been awake for so long. Ninym gently combed Falanya’s hair. While the assembly was in session, the princess hadn’t broken her concentration even once. That kind of strain took its toll on both the heart and body.
If she continued wearing herself down, an admonition would be in order. It was difficult to put a stop to someone who was so passionate about everything, but this was part of a vassal’s duty.
“—Ninym,” Nanaki called out next to her. He was quiet so as not to wake Falanya. “People are following us.”
Ninym scrunched up her face. It was late at night, Falanya was asleep, and they were proceeding at a snail’s pace. Someone could even follow them by foot if they wanted to.
“Are they the same ones who were observing us earlier?”
“I don’t know, but judging by the way they’re tailing us, I doubt they plan to stop at looking.”
Which meant they were waiting for an opportunity to attack.
When Ninym realized they were in jeopardy, her eyes flared with anger.
“I bet there’s a trap set up ahead where they’ll close in on us from both sides. Take a different road to the guesthouse,” Nanaki guessed.
“What about our pursuers?”
“I’ll take care of them. Don’t bother speeding up the carriage. I’ll make this quick, and I don’t want to wake Falanya up. Ninym, keep an eye out for signs of an ambush. I’ll be back soon.”
Nanaki opened the door of the carriage as if going for a nighttime stroll.
Prince Demetrio had secretly ordered the five assassins to trail the carriage under the cover of darkness. Their mission was to attack Falanya, the crown princess of Natra. It would be a crime committed in a town housing the continent’s top leaders, which made it crucial that they work without arousing any suspicion. It was a tall order, but there was no going against Demetrio’s orders.
But her temporary residence was under strict guard, making it impossible to infiltrate without someone noticing. When they received intel that the princess was frequenting the assembly hall, they devised a plan to attack her on her way home. They estimated her path, laid a trap, and prayed the princess would be there in the dead of night when no one was around. It was a shaky plan, but the heavens had smiled down on them.
They’re almost in the zone.
The trap would halt the horses, and they’d launch an attack in the midst of the chaos. Once they killed two or three guards, their mission to intimidate the princess would be complete. After that, all they had to do was quickly make their escape.
They could almost taste it…until the unexpected happened: The carriage went down a road that led away from the trap.
Ngh…
They’d devised the plan on very little information. There was nothing they could do about the target’s unforeseen behavior. The main concern was whether switching roads was only a coincidence or if they had noticed they were being followed.
“They haven’t changed the speed of their carriage… Looks like it was a coincidence.”
“What should we do? Retreat?”
“No, this might be our only shot. We’ll have to try something by ourselves—”
In that moment, one of the men looking at the carriage ahead noticed something: Illuminated by the moon and watchfire was a silhouette standing on top of its roof.
What…is…that—?
Something red shined in the darkness.
When they finally realized they were human eyes…a white shadow leaped before them.
“Wha—?!”
Blood sprayed through the air.
One man crumpled to the ground as blood gushed from his neck. His expression said he had no idea what had happened.
“Disperse!” someone barked.
The three men acted as fast as they could move. But their foe was one step ahead. Just when one jumped out of the way, the white shadow wrapped around him. A moment later, the entire body was reduced to pieces that tumbled to the ground.
“No way…”
The assassins were dumbfounded by this madness. They had completed countless secret operations as Demetrio’s pawns, and their abilities were no joking matter. They had slipped past plenty of defenses before and successfully assassinated more than one important figure.
Despite that, his two comrades had been cut down in seconds. On top of that, the true form of the shadow standing menacingly next to the bodies appeared to be a young boy.
They could not have known his name was Nanaki. But it didn’t take very long to realize the young boy was not the average opponent.
The carriage will get away if I waste time…! But…!
He would die as soon as he looked away from the boy. This was no conjecture. He sensed the unmistakable feeling of oncoming death.
“I’ll ask only once,” said the grim reaper who had come in the shape of a boy. “Whose orders are you operating under?”
No one answered. Nanaki must not have expected a response, because he sighed in annoyance that he delayed. That was when they all struck at once.
One swung his sword down on Nanaki, while another thrust at him from the side. Nanaki dodged this double strike by artfully twisting away.
The third attacker threw a hidden weapon that Nanaki struck down with his knife, which caused him to lean over. The other two assassins took this opportunity to press the attack.
But this was a trap. As Nanaki dropped to the ground on purpose, he cut off the feet of the two who had closed in for a surprise attack. They let out bloodcurdling shrieks and fell to their knees. Nanaki mercilessly aimed his knife for their throats and jabbed.
Then the third assassin rushed in to slash at him from behind the other two.
Got him!
His timing was impeccable. His attack would slice through Nanaki, just as the boy had done to his comrades.
That was how it was supposed to go down.
“Wha—?”
He caught air. The space the boy had occupied behind the two bodies came up empty.
How? Where did he go—? The man’s eyes darted around.
And then he found his answer.
He had swung his sword…but the boy was on top of it.
“…You monster.”
“And you’ve awoken its wrath.”
Nanaki’s knife flashed without warning.
“Your Highness, we’re here.”
“…Mmm?” Falanya mumbled, coming to her senses as Ninym gently shook her.
When she looked around, she remembered they were inside the carriage on their way back to their residence. Now they were outside the manor.
“It appears you were exhausted. Let us quickly ready you for bed.”
She’d apparently fallen fast asleep. Although Ninym was the only one beside her, Falanya had been careless. She ran her fingers through her hair to fix her bedhead and checked her face for any signs of dishevelment as she watched Ninym descend from the carriage in her periphery.
Falanya’s eyes shot wide open. Nanaki was sitting across from her.
“Aah…! N-Nanaki!”
“Hmm?” Nanaki tilted his head at her surprise.
Obviously, he would be in the carriage as her guard. But this meant he had seen her sleeping face. For a girl of her age, nothing was more embarrassing.
“Something wrong?”
Falanya buried her face in both hands. That meant he couldn’t read her expression, which made him more confused.
“N-no, it’s nothi… No, wait.”
There was a chance he’d been looking outside the entire time. As a young maiden, it was best that she confirm this. It was almost impossible to ask him directly if he’d seen her sleeping.
“U-um, Nanaki…did you see anything strange on our way here?” Falanya asked timidly, observing him between her fingers.
He thought about this for a moment.
“Nothing really,” he assured, offering a small smile.
In her heart, Falanya decided she had to immediately return to her room and check her face in the mirror.
“—What was that?” Demetrio barked, lips trembling in rage as he listened to his subordinate’s report. “Did you just tell me they failed?”
“Yes…”
Demetrio raged like a dark cloud in the middle of a thunderstorm. His underling prayed his lightning wouldn’t strike him dead.
“The five who were sent to attack the carriage are all dead, and it’s been confirmed that Princess Falanya is still staying in her guest manor…”
The following had been the sequence of events: The other group who had set the trap and lain in wait never made contact with the carriage or its pursuers. They eventually went searching to see if something had happened only to find the bodies of their comrades on a road that deviated from the one in their original plan. Before any law enforcement could catch on, they collected the corpses and made their way back.
“…Let me get this straight: Five people not only failed to intimidate one little girl but also managed to get themselves killed?”
The subordinate looked distressed. Even nodding in response seemed too much.
“…The city guards have not caught on. We have already recovered the bodies, so I do not believe we will face any consequences. And—”
“…Again.” Demetrio’s voice was dripping with icy fury.
“Pardon?”
“Send out more men. We’ll do this again… No, our threats were too tame. Use every trick up your sleeve to kill that girl!”
The subordinate’s eyes snapped open. “P-please wait! After the first attack, Princess Falanya’s guards are going to be more alert! It will be much harder to carry this out without being discovered compared to our last attempt. Even if everything goes to plan, we would never recover from the blow of a scandal involving a dead princess from an allied nation!”
“What about it?! If it’ll cause the other nations to strike at us, I’ll just destroy them all once I’m the Emperor!”
“Please! I ask that you heed these words alone! If an invited world leader dies on our watch, the summit will be in danger! And if that happens, your enthronement will be pushed back…!”
“Nghhhhh…!” Demetrio ground his teeth as if trying to shatter them.
Why? Why was nothing working out? He was the eldest prince of the Empire. The soon-to-be-emperor. Why did he have to be troubled with this junk?
If he’d been the type of person who could live and let live, Demetrio would have won the people over as a venerated figure and even become emperor.
But that was impossible for him. He wouldn’t even have been able to forgive a pebble caught under his heel. He wouldn’t be satisfied until he ground it into dust and asserted his own dominance. Even he was hopeless against himself. It was just his nature.
And so, he put his mind to work. There had to be a way…to hurt her somehow.
“…And there is.”
The malice in Demetrio’s head had brought him to his conclusion.
“Your carriage was attacked?”
It was the day after Nanaki took out the five assassins. Lowellmina and Ninym faced each other in a room in Falanya’s temporary residence.
The official reason for their meeting was for a second tea party between Falanya and Lowellmina. The rough idea was that since the first one had been at Lowellmina’s manor, Falanya invited her over to reciprocate.
In the brief period while Falanya was getting ready, Ninym met with Lowellmina for a secret discussion under the guise of welcoming the Imperial princess.
“Who do you think it could be?” Ninym asked.
“Hmm… I wonder if it’s one of the princes who’s responsible. That is, if what you say is true.”
Lowellmina had no proof of the attack. Ninym could have been trying to throw her off with false information. Therefore, she was working with the hypothetical situation.
“I think it might be because they think Natra has sided with my faction.”
“Yeah, you make a good point.”
Ninym was still processing the attack herself, but if anyone could gain from hurting Falanya, it had to be one of the princes. It wouldn’t be strange for one of them to exert his dominance to prevent Lowellmina’s faction from gaining more power.
“Which of the three do you think it is?” Ninym pressed.
“I do not have enough information to say. The eldest prince is unimaginative, the middle one is naturally daring, and the youngest prince is self-assured. Any one of them might make such a bold plan.”
“What a mess…”
They hadn’t told Falanya about the attack. It would only frighten her. But that was only if they could resolve the situation here and now.
“Do you think there will be a second or third attack?”
“It would be hard to imagine there will be subsequent ones. They’ve already put themselves in danger with the initial attack. And the assassins were taken out. It’s not easy to get pawns who will do your dirty work for you, which means their loss must have been huge. If it were me, I would withdraw.” Lowellmina grinned. “Of course, that’s just me. I haven’t the faintest idea what my brothers are thinking.”
“……”
If these attacks continued, they’d have to consider returning home early. There was a long list of things that Ninym wanted to follow through with involving the summit, but Falanya’s safety came first.
“…If you all could just wrap up the summit, we could return to Natra already.”
She looked at Lowellmina with reproach. The summit had been going on for some time now, but nothing had been accomplished. The entire city could tell it wasn’t going well.
“Hee-hee. Are you concerned over our discussions? I can tell you care! Yes. Uh-huh. It bothers you! What a shame. If you’d accepted my previous offer, I could tell you how things are progressing! …Ah, wait, stop! You can’t put me in a joint lock! I am the Imperial princess!”
“With all due respect, allow me to remind you that good fences make good neighbors.”
“Says the one who’s trying to pin me down—Ninym…!”
In any case, she could only keep a close eye on any new developments. She’d continue to weigh the scales, measuring the pros and cons for staying in the city. If they leaned too far toward putting Princess Falanya in jeopardy, they’d hurry and return home. That was Ninym’s plan.
Someone knocked on the door.
“Pardon me, Lady Ninym.” A lady-in-waiting appeared before them.
At first, Ninym thought she had come to announce that Princess Falanya was ready. But when she saw the distress on her face, Ninym stepped forward.
“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”
“Y-yes, well…” The lady-in-waiting mumbled.
Ninym’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Prince Demetrio has come to the manor…?!”
They hastily prepared to welcome the sudden guest. He was an Imperial prince, after all. While he had come without notice, they couldn’t just ask him to come back at a later time. It was almost fortunate that they had prepared to entertain Lowellmina, because Falanya was able to greet Demetrio in no time at all.
Except there was a third party present for Falanya and Demetrio’s get-together: Lowellmina, who had arrived earlier.
“…Why are you here, Lowellmina?”
That was the first thing out of Demetrio’s mouth as he was shown the room.
“Why?” Lowellmina shrugged, glaring at him. “I’ve been invited to a tea party with Princess Falanya. You’re the one who’s barged in, dear brother. Don’t you think it’s inconsiderate to show up without notice?”
“What…?!”
They shot daggers at each other. Falanya was the one who gingerly kept them in check.
“I do not mind. Please do not concern yourself on my behalf. What has brought you here today, Prince Demetrio?”
The prince looked unhappy, turning away from Lowellmina, when Falanya brought up the matter at hand.
“…There is one reason for my visit: I have a proposal for Natra.”
“What could it be…?”
Falanya discreetly exchanged a look with Ninym, who sat next to her, but she didn’t seem to have the slightest idea either. Lowellmina was the same way. Her eyes were trying to guess his intentions before he could say them.
Demetrio was at the middle of their converging gazes.
“—I want to make Princess Falanya my wife.”
Huuuuh? Everyone besides Demetrio looked confused.
Falanya remained frozen in place for a few moments before returning to her senses. She doubted her ears.
“Make…me…your wife?”
“Indeed.”
There was no mistake.
Falanya puzzled. “Well… What brought this about all of a sudden?”
“I said something foolish to you at the ceremony.”
He must have known she would pose this question and prepared ahead of time. Demetrio didn’t miss a beat.
“In these turbulent times, it is important for the Empire and Natra to remain allies. To keep that bond strong, I imagined this would be the best action to take.”
“……”
It did make sense. But it was just too sudden.
He must have some other objective, right…? Falanya signaled to Ninym with her eyes.
Most likely.
Since Ninym knew about the attack, this situation seemed to have more layers to her.
I have a hard time believing that Demetrio dropping in to propose to Falanya has nothing to do with the attack.
Demetrio must have been the one to give the order. His goal was to drive a wedge between Natra and Lowellmina. But Nanaki had been able to fend their attackers off. Now the prince was scheming to pull her away from Lowellmina through marriage. That was how Ninym saw things.
But Lowellmina saw the situation a bit differently.
I can feel the evil radiating off his plan…
Lowellmina had known Demetrio since they were little. That was why she didn’t think this bold move could be for political reasons alone.
It was Lowellmina who had hit the mark.
If she becomes my wife, I’ll basically own her, Demetrio thought. I’ll be able to mock and taunt her, and no one will be able to do a thing.
The political benefits were a bonus. He was more interested in taking out his anger on Falanya for embarrassing him. These dark desires excited him.
If she gets in my way, I can get rid of her with the excuse of an illness or an accident.
And if that caused Prince Wein to revolt in anger, it would give Demetrio casus belli to crush his little kingdom.
This Wein character made a name for himself out of pure luck. If I take his head, the ignorant masses of the world will know which of us has true value.
Demetrio savored this sweet dream, imagining all those praises heaped on him. The first step to making it a reality was this marriage.
“…I understand your feelings, Prince Demetrio.”
Meanwhile, Falanya’s brain had raced desperately.
“Thank you for taking our nations’ relationship into consideration.”
Falanya was royalty. She was aware that she would be married to a stranger for political reasons at some point. And when that day came, she would not refuse, even if she disagreed.
But this union was up to her father, her brother, and the senior vassals to discuss and decide. It wasn’t something she could choose for herself.
“I shall immediately convey this to my homeland. After all discussions have concluded, we will send you a response.”
This was Falanya’s only course of action. From an objective standpoint, it was a completely reasonable reaction.
But Demetrio continued to pile on the unexpected.
“I would like an immediate response.”
“Wha…?”
“It’s better to tie up all loose ends so I can give the summit my full attention.”
The proposal had been his idea in the first place. He was being absolutely absurd!
Lowellmina had something to say about this. “Demetrio, that is out of the question.”
“I wasn’t talking to you!” barked Demetrio to fight off Lowellmina.
Falanya jolted in surprise.
He turned to her, looking mad. “This union will benefit both our nations. There should be no reason to delay. Right?”
This is bad, Ninym thought.
It would cause unnecessary complications for Demetrio if Falanya were to take it back to her homeland. That must have been why Demetrio was acting so forceful. But accepting his proposal would put them in danger.
Princess Falanya…! Ninym stared, urging her not to cave to the pressure.
But Falanya didn’t even have a moment to notice her. She was getting crushed under the weight of Demetrio’s power. It was no wonder: She was a teenage girl who was being intimidated by a full-grown adult.
Wh-what should I do…? How do I…?
Falanya was battling against something that was greater than anxiety and fear. But she couldn’t accept the offer so easily. That just barely held her composure together.
“Princess Falanya!” Demetrio boomed as if trying to wear her down. “Prince Wein isn’t here. The decision is yours to make!”
“ ” It was like Falanya had been struck by lightning.
He had meant to drive her into a corner. But he had no way of knowing…that his statement was Falanya’s saving grace.
…That’s right! I’m here instead of Wein.
Her admirable brother had trusted her with a duty. Her frozen body melted to normal, as fear turned to heated energy. Her mind stopped racing and turned calm.
I bet Wein has bounced back from pressure—more times than I can count.
In that case, she would try to imagine how he would act. How would Wein get out of this situation?
Yes, Wein would first—
Falanya flashed him an easy smile.
“Ngh…” Demetrio recoiled.
It was the harmless smile of a young girl, but it seemed like her guard had gone up, building a thick and impenetrable wall.
“I understand your situation, Imperial Prince. However, a royal marriage is a matter of national politics. I am too inexperienced to make such a decision on my own.”
“Wh-what…?!”
Demetrio couldn’t detect any fear in her cool tone. On the contrary, Falanya could calmly observe Demetrio to a degree that surprised even herself.
That’s right. I’ve seen this happen in the assembly.
She thought back on the citizens’ assembly and its public speakers. Which gestures did they use to get their point across? How did they speak to make sure their voices projected? How did a public speaker think? How did they appeal to others? If she took full advantage of her experiences—few but rife with wisdom—it wasn’t difficult to decipher Demetrio’s behavior and motivations.
I can see his impatience and confusion.
No other emotions could describe how Demetrio felt. He had anticipated breaking her in seconds, but she’d suddenly recovered as if her heart and body were newly forged with steel. He would have never guessed he had been the one to instigate this change.
Ninym and Lowellmina were equally shocked.
Talk about waiting until the last minute… Ninym thought to herself.
She’s changed since the ceremony. She’s becoming more like Wein by the second, Lowellmina observed.
Their hearts swelled with admiration. The difference in Falanya was truly astonishing.
“…You’re telling me you refuse to give an answer,” he growled.
Falanya felt Demetrio grow more enraged.
He had no doubt that anyone else would have leaped in joy at a proposal from an Imperial prince. Demetrio never thought she’d reject him or put the engagement on hold. It was a huge blow to his pride.
“I have women lining up to be my wife. But I came here out of my own goodwill to request your hand. Will you continue to disrespect me…?!” Demetrio barked.
His angry gaze locked onto Falanya.
“I would do no such thing. I believe it is the utmost importance to deepen the relationship between Natra and the Empire. I am responding to your proposal with sincerity when I say we wish to review the matter properly.”
But his rage had no chance of crushing her now.
He has no hope of winning, Lowellmina determined as she observed from nearby.
“Demetrio, I believe that is far enough,” Lowellmina interrupted. “The answer won’t change, even if you ask again.”
He was in a rock and a hard place, and Lowellmina was lending a helping hand. Of course, she only did this because she had grown bored of this fruitless verbal tug-of-war.
“Silence!” Demetrio boomed, rejecting her help. “This discussion is between Princess Falanya, Natra, and myself! Outsiders have no business here!”
Lowellmina’s only choice was to remain quiet. Demetrio glared at Falanya.
“Very well. Now that you have disgraced me, I have an idea! Once I become the Emperor, I refuse to continue treating your tiny kingdom in any preferential way!”
He was implying he would dissolve the alliance between their nations. Even Falanya was startled that Demetrio would blurt this out of fury.
“Hmph! Are you thinking it over now?! Well, it’s too late. You will regret—”
No one present could have possibly expected this to happen.
“—If you’re discussing matters concerning Natra, please let me join the conversation.”
The door swung open. Everyone froze, eyes wide.
It was only natural. Before them was someone who by all rights shouldn’t have been there.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Prince Demetrio,” said the figure, giving a reverent bow—before smirking. “I am the crown prince of the Kingdom of Natra, Wein Salema Arbalest.”
“W-Wein! Why are you here…?!”
Falanya had asked the question that everyone else was thinking.
Wein was right there. But he should have been in Natra taking care of government affairs.
“Oh, I was able to finish up work early. I figured I could still make it in time for the ceremony and got here on the fastest horse I could find.”
Wein looked around the room.
I know I burst in here, but what was happening before I arrived…?
He’d heard from the surprised delegation members that Prince Demetrio had suddenly showed up at the manor uninvited. Wein had rushed right into the middle of Falanya’s predicament.
In other words, he had no details about the situation.
But this wasn’t a great time to try and get the facts straight.
What was he supposed to do?
…Ninym, help! Wein pleaded with his eyes, flashing her an SOS.
Ninym came through as always. She scribbled the details on a piece of paper and discreetly lifted it to show Wein. He read her notes while continuing to speak.
“After all, this is about a marriage between Prince Demetrio and my sister, Falanya. I see no reason not to… Hold up! Marriage?”
Wein snapped his head up from her cue cards. Ninym nodded her head vigorously.
Whaaaat?! What the hell are you asking my sister, man?!
As Wein continued to be puzzled, Ninym showed him another note.
Um… Oh, I get it! Falanya couldn’t decide without asking me, and now he’s being jilted… Isn’t it bad that I’m here then?!
He’d waltzed into the room just as she was using his absence as an excuse to turn Demetrio down. Lowellmina had immediately taken note of this, looking at him with an expression that practically screamed, What the hell are you doing?
Although it took a while, Demetrio had recovered. His mouth twisted into a things are going my way sort of smile.
“I am delighted to meet you here, Prince Wein. Look, Princess Falanya, your brother has come to your rescue. You have no objections to the prince deciding on our marriage, right?” Demetrio suggested.
“…Yes, of course,” Falanya replied, nodding anxiously.
She could no longer refuse him, so she could only trust Wein would get them out of this mess.
“Well then, Prince Wein. Without further ado, I wish to ask your opinion about a union between me and Princess Falanya… I take it you have no objections?”
Demetrio was really pressuring them into this.
“—Of course! I’m all for it!” Wein agreed to Demetrio’s proposal without missing a beat. “If this works out, our relationship with the Empire will be rock solid. It’ll be a cornerstone to harmony between our two countries. Falanya, chin up! You should be happy.”
“R-right…”
Demetrio had never expected him to be this enthusiastic. Falanya looked visibly upset, but Wein grinned.
“This is welcome news—To think we’d have two unions with royalty from the Earthworld Empire!”
“What…?”
Wein’s statement didn’t immediately dawn on Demetrio, who blinked back at him. As if setting him aside, Wein turned to the Imperial princess.
“Don’t you agree, Princess Lowellmina?”
“…Yes, indeed.” Lowellmina looked a bit worried at first, but then she had on a mischievous smile. “My marriage with Prince Wien was delayed due to the state of the nation, but I believe this is a fine opportunity to open up the conversation again.”
“Ngh…!”
That was when Demetrio remembered: Lowellmina had gone to Natra the year before…to discuss marrying Prince Wein.
“If I marry Prince Wein, and you marry Princess Falanya, Natra will have a great influence on the Empire.” (You owe me big-time, Wein.)
“My sister and I are looking forward to becoming part of the Imperial family. I might start having some unhealthy ambitions if you’re not careful.” (Cut the crap. If anything, you owe me for what happened last year.)
“Oh, Prince Wein! You can’t do that. But you are a man of many accomplishments… I’m sure the people of the Empire will place their hopes in you.” (I’ve returned the favor through Princess Falanya.)
“In that case, I’ll do my best not to betray those expectations. Once our unions are officialized, I hope to work together with you, Princess Lowellmina.” (Come on! I don’t remember you ever being noble, Lowa!)
“Of course, Prince Wein. Let us join hands and help the Empire flourish.” (If you’re going to complain, I’ll leave you upstream without a paddle.)
The two were on the same page in their conversation.
Demetrio hurriedly cut in. “W-wait! I forbid this, Lowellmina. You think you can just decide this on your own…?!”
“On my own?” Lowellmina parroted, shrugging. “The Emperor decides on all Imperial marriages. Seeing that we are without one, I do not see why I cannot choose for myself.” She burst into laughter. “To use your own words, this discussion is between me and Wein… Outsiders have no business here.”
“Nngh…!” Demetrio held his tongue when his own words were used against him.
If there were two marriages, there was no doubt that Natra would have more influence on the Empire. And Wein had basically just admitted to having conflicting interests. Demetrio abhorred the very possibility of it.
Dammit…!
He should have had them cornered, but he’d been the one backed into one instead. They had come to an impasse, and Demetrio couldn’t find a flash of inspiration that would save him. But he couldn’t just pretend this didn’t happen and scamper away. His pride wouldn’t allow it.
“—With all due respect, Prince Wein…” Ninym quietly began. “Our kingdom has a tradition of forbidding royals from marrying within the same family. Although your partners would both be dignitaries from the Empire, it is not something that should be taken lightly…”
“Whoops. I’d forgotten about that,” Wein said innocently. “This could be a problem. It was a revered tradition back in the old days…but it can impede progress to blindly follow the rules. What do you say, Prince Demetrio? It seems we’re both facing unforeseen circumstances. I’ll go over this with my people back home, and then we can set up a different meeting to discuss the details on another day.”
There was, of course, no rule. Ninym had just made it up. When Wein had realized Demetrio was caught in his own trap, Ninym had thought this up to give him a way out.
“Y-yeah. I have no problem finalizing everything today, but if you insist, I can hold off for now.”
Backed in a corner, anyone would jump at the first escape in front of them. As Demetrio responded just as expected, Wein held out his hand.
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Prince Demetrio. Let’s discuss this again at a later date.”
“…Very well. We’ll talk then.”
And this initial meeting with Demetrio came to an end.
After insisting he didn’t need to be seen off, Demetrio left the manor. Lowellmina decided it would be best to return to her own residence.
“I shall take my leave for the day. I do not wish to intrude on this little reunion.”
“I’m sorry that I couldn’t spend more time with you, Princess Lowellmina,” Wein offered.
“No apologies necessary. I enjoyed our time. Well then, I shall see you some other time, Prince Wein.” And with that, Lowellmina left the room.
All who were in the room were Wein, Falanya, and Ninym…
“Wein!” Falanya immediately gave Wein a big hug. “I was so surprised to see you here. But I’m so happy!”
She rubbed her face into his chest, and he embraced her.
Wein smiled. “I was worried about how you were doing, but I guess it was all for nothing. It looks like you’re perfectly fine without me. You’ve been working really hard. I’m impressed, Falanya.”
“Hee-hee!” Falanya beamed.
Ninym gave Wein a look. He knew what it meant.
Why are you really here all of a sudden? Ninym signaled with her eyes.
I’ve got my reasons. I’ll explain later. The biggest one is I suddenly got the compulsion to check on her. I was worried…and deranged from no sleep and a long night of work.
Uh-huh…
Well, I finished all my tasks, so everything should be in order in Natra.
I should be worried about affairs in the Empire, Wein thought.
“But wow. I never would have guessed an Imperial prince would propose to you, Falanya.”
“I was surprised,” Falanya replied before becoming timid. “What do you plan to do, Wein…?”
Wein thought for a moment. “Good question… We’re both royalty. Which means political marriages are inevitable.”
Falanya nodded.
“And why it’s important to choose your partner wisely.” Wein stroked Falanya’s hair. “I don’t have even the slightest intention of selling you off to that guy. If he wants my little sister, he’s gotta unify the continent—at the very least.”
Falanya seemed a little annoyed by the grand prerequisite but giggled. “Then I’ll never be a bride.”
“Oh, really? In that case, maybe I’ll ease up a little… But then again…”
As Wein began to look troubled, Falanya burst into peals of laughter.
“Well, we’ll go at it step by step,” Wein said. “First, would you mind if I take a breather? Riding here all the way from Natra has worn me out.”
“Understood. I shall prepare a room immediately.”
“In the meantime, let me tell you all about Mealtars. It’s full of interesting things. For example… Oh! Right! Like this box,” Falanya started.
“Hmm? What’s this? It doesn’t have a lid.”
“Um, they called this a trick box.”
“Oh, I get it. There’s some sort of trick to it. If you press here, slide it around, then move this… Oh, it’s open. That was fun… Wait. What’s wrong, Falanya?”
“…Hmph! Fine! Be that way!”
Falanya turned to the side, leaving Wein wondering what he did wrong. Ninym offered a wry smile and quietly left the room so as not to disrupt them.
It didn’t take long for the entire city to hear about Wein’s unexpected arrival. Thereafter, Mealtars’s political world would steer toward a new phase—