Episode 17

If I manage to bide my time until Lothania safely awakens, it would be fortunate. However, if things don’t go as planned, our relationship with the snake will likely end in tragedy. In that case, our relationship with the snake’s brother, Melbrid, would also follow suit.

As I pondered what would be less distressing for Lothania—loneliness or catastrophe—I noticed her staring blankly at her dessert. I could tell she had lost her train of thought and stopped chatting.

Knowing what might be on her mind, I reached out my hand.

“How about inviting Melbrid to the palace on the next Snake’s Day?”

I asked, gently holding Lothania’s hand.

Her crimson eyes sparkled for a moment, but she tried to hide her happiness as she replied

“You don’t have to.”

“Melbrid introduced a very fine horse earlier. He said he wanted to show it to you, Lothania.”

Lothania’s eyes widened slightly. I chuckled softly and patted the back of her hand.

“Shall we invite him?”

Lothania hesitated, chewing her lip, then finally nodded. She then started to chatter excitedly about Melbrid for a long time.

It seemed the Emperor had invited Melbrid to the palace from a very young age for Lothania’s sake. The story of a friend she grew up with was filled with Lothania’s innocent affection and longing.

Their cute friendship might not last long. If things go wrong, they might end up resenting each other as much as they once enjoyed each other’s company.

Therefore, I wanted to ensure that Lothania laughed as much as possible while she still could.

I just needed to manage the tug-of-war with the beasts well.

As I watched Lothania’s smile, sweeter than the chocolate cake served for dessert, I clenched my fist under the table and made a silent vow.

* * *

Time passed, and it was now August 5th, the Day of the Eagle.

Around lunchtime, a sudden shower began to pour. The rain was a welcome relief in the dry and hot summer of Brincia, lifting my spirits.

When I crossed over to the detached palace, I was informed that Vitrain, who usually arrived early and waited, had not yet come.

I turned to wait in the reception room, but just then, a horse carrying Vitrain arrived at the front entrance of the palace, galloping through the rain.

Vitrain, shaking off his wet hair as he entered, saw me standing in the entrance hall and flashed a broad smile.

“Sorry I’m late, Your Majesty.”

“No, I just arrived myself. Why didn’t you use an umbrella and got soaked?”

“I encountered the rain on my way.”

Vitrain, roughly shaking the water from his hair, took off his soaked jacket.

As he handed his jacket to a maid and took a towel to dry his face and neck, I found myself staring at him absentmindedly.

When I snapped back to reality and looked around, I noticed the maids of the detached palace were all staring at Vitrain, entranced.

The first time I heard about his popularity, I doubted the maids’ taste, but today I understood what they meant.

I found myself watching him again. Vitrain, rolling up the sleeves of his white shirt, caught my eye and smiled broadly once more.

The maid standing next to him gasped audibly at his bright, toothy smile.

Was the eagle always such a smiley fellow?

Something about him seemed different, but I couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was.

Afraid I might lose myself staring at him, I turned away.

Vitrain quickly handed the towel to a maid and approached me, extending his hand.

“The reception room is right ahead, Duke Vitrain.”

“A short-lived pleasure, it seems.”

Was this man always so smooth with words?

Seeing his pleasant smile, I couldn’t help but offer him my hand. Despite the short distance, he insisted on escorting me, taking my hand and leading me to the reception room where he took a seat across from me.

I watched him openly, having no reason to avert my gaze.

With slightly tanned skin and broad, straight shoulders, the veins on his forearms bulged, and his clavicle peeked out from the collar of his shirt. I finally realized what had changed about his appearance.

“Letting your hair down suits you much better,” I remarked.

He usually combed his hair back entirely, but with his bangs naturally falling over his forehead now, he looked much better. He seemed younger, more natural, and, dare I say, more rugged.

“Is that so?”

Vitrain grinned, running his long fingers through his hair. I had noticed earlier that he had perfect teeth, but I now discovered something else.

This man, the so-called Eagle, also had a dimple.

A single dimple on his left cheek that was quite distracting.

Trying to tear my gaze away from his dimple, I changed the subject.

“Did something happen?”

“A report from the southern border arrived late, and I was delayed in reviewing it.”

“The southern border?”

“Yes, it was about the movements of the Enser Empire.”

The Enser Empire was a powerful nation comparable to the Belpator Empire. Although several small Dukeries lay between Belpator and Enser, preventing direct clashes, their movements were always closely monitored as a confrontation between the two could overturn the continent. Officially, they maintained friendly relations, but vigilance was constant.

“Is there a problem?”

“It doesn’t seem to be a serious issue, but it needs to be checked.”

The Eagle of Belpator, Vitrain, was responsible for the border defenses. Despite being stationed in Brincia for various reasons since the Emperor’s death, he often remained at the border.

If Vitrain could personally investigate, it would be reassuring, but he gazed at me with his deep blue eyes, rubbing his chin with his fingers.

“The border is my duty, so I will go, but…”

“But?”

“Compared to the snake and the dog, I am at a disadvantage.”

“At a disadvantage? How so?”

“Even if I return as quickly as possible, I’ll be away from Brincia for over a month, losing the opportunity to win Your Majesty’s favor during that time.”

He spoke as if this was more important than the suspicious movements of the Enser Empire.

Before I could ask what nonsense he was talking about, he began to air his grievances.

“Although you said you would meet on specific days, you practically see the snake every day, and I heard the dog also had an audience with you recently.”

“As Duke Lian is the chairman of the council, it’s inevitable. Duke Aiden visited for official matters as well.”

“That’s exactly why I said I’m at a disadvantage. My duty lies outside Brincia. Hence, I request compensation for the disadvantages I endure while fulfilling my duty.”

His serious face and earnest voice made his complaint oddly convincing.

True, I did see Lian more often compared to Vitrain and Aiden.

Since Aiden had activated the white shadow, he would also be reporting frequently.

In comparison, Vitrain would be at the southern border for over a month, so it did seem unfair.

“What kind of compensation do you want?”

As if waiting for this question, Vitrain smiled brightly, dimples and all. He stood, approached, and knelt on one knee before me, taking my hand.

“Would you accompany me on a summer vacation?”

“A summer vacation?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. There is a summer villa of the imperial family in the south of Brincia. Just three days there with me.”

When I first met Vitrain, I didn’t believe he had many women despite his stoic demeanor. But now, seeing his flirtatious side, I understood his charm.

With his lips still on the back of my hand, he looked up at me with a gaze that seemed to say, “This is the allure of an adult.”

He was the closest to my type in appearance, and now with those seductive eyes and the unexpected vacation proposal, I felt like taking a break for a few days.

The eagle was dangerous in a different way compared to the snake and the dog, who were perilous with their intentions and gazes.

“It would be difficult to go alone with you.”

“Bringing the snake or the dog along wouldn’t be compensation.”

“I’m not talking about them. If I leave the palace, Duke Lian will need to preside over council meetings in my stead, and Duke Aiden has many tasks as well.”

“So?”

“Princess Lothania must accompany us.”

“An unexpected condition.”

Vitrain chuckled softly.

Since taking Lothania along was non-negotiable, our vacation plans were confirmed. We would prepare over the next day or two and depart for the summer villa on the morning of the 7th. After staying there for three days, I would return to the palace, and Vitrain would head to the southern border.

Hearing that the summer villa was by a large lake, my excitement grew, and there was even a festival in the area starting tomorrow.

When I mentioned that Lothania would be delighted, Vitrain remarked that it was meaningful only if Your Majesty was pleased.

What a strange man.