It was late afternoon that the envoy appeared.
It was a time when my body and mind were distracted since all of my preparation was disorganized.
No, why so late! Look at their timing, really!
However, I couldn’t complain. It was because I had convinced the envoy about the war in the south.
Ha, rotten war.
I wasn’t sure what Ferdel was thinking, but it seemed like the confrontation between Pretzia and Agrigent turned sour.
Well, it would be a global problem if Caitel started the second war of conquest.
Fortunately, Assisi participated and held Izarta’s half land under him, so there was no further damage to us. Just some local sluggish war, the kind of situation which Ferdel hated the most.
Millions of gold went into holding the military.
Anyway, it was true that the military would put a massive burden on finance, and I personally wished for the war to end quickly.
I wanted to see Assisi after all! I did want to see Sanse and Cito too.
Hmm, but why did Valer not go? He wasn’t the kind to hide because of being scared to die; I was curious about the reason.
“Why are you staring so intently?”
No, I was just curious. When I looked at him, Valer tilted his head.
I just looked at him, no ill feelings.
Above all, the most suspicious thing was Valer, who loved Sanse more than me, was in the Imperial Palace while Sanse was out battling.
What really happened? More than that, how many Winter Moon knights were on standby?
I was in painful thoughts by the time I arrived in front of the reception room.
Ah, I reached—the time of fate.
“Woo…”
Took a huge breath.
I had to prepare my mind.
‘Kay! I can do well! I am the princess of Agrigent, elegant, pretty, and smart!’
‘Ria, cheer up! Ria, you are the best!’
After all that self-hypnosis, I managed to look elegant and confident! I could keep my graceful smile.
My facial muscles.
“Princess Ariadna has arrived.”
I entered the room after being introduced.
I had to greet them with a smile! Unfortunately, I couldn’t.
What the hell! Who is he?
“Long time no see.”
The envoy head of Shertogenbosch who smiled at me was…
“Ahin…”
It was Ahin, the heir.
Why would Ahin be there?
My shock was truly indescribable because the successor was never sent.
Was I dreaming?
I was shocked by the situation I never thought of.
However, I wasn’t in a dream because Valer was beside me. Above all, Libby’s expression darkened.
Ah, not the time.
“Welcome. It has been hard because of distance, but thank you for taking your time and coming to our country. On behalf of my father, I greet you. I, princess Ariadna of Agrigient, welcome the envoy of Shertogenbosch.”
Libby nodded as I spoke.
Did she like it?
I didn’t know when she turned into my attendant maid. Well… all was well if it ended well.
The knights behind, who looked at the sudden change of attitude in me were shocked. Maybe too shocked.
Why were they so surprised with my acting?
Tch, they were so inexperienced, very inexperienced.
“Thank you for the hospitality.”
… Ahin looked as beautiful as ever.
Ah, dazzling!
Fortunately, our first greeting went well. Ahin smiled as I sighed. It was a small chuckle, but somehow, that lifted the burden from my heart.
Hmm hmm! Ha, he was such a cute button.
“I will be the one to guide the envoy.”
Although I didn’t think we would meet in such a circumstance, I was excited. It was always fun to meet him face-to-face! Mostly since he was the one who… ah, it wasn’t because I liked him or something! Just as a man! No, not like a man, like a human.
Yes, that was it.
I loved mankind! Except for a few bastards. People such as the sixth prince were all excluded.
“Long time no see.”
Did I seem too stiff? Ahin tried to speak normally.
Ugh, he shouldn’t act like that.
“It really has been a while.”
Right, it had been a while, you kid.
Even then, I was happy to see him. In terms of time, we met in less than a month again, but for me, it felt like we met after years!
Ahin’s expression hardened.
Huh? what?
“Huh…?”
I smiled and tried to ask. After seeing his change of expression, I began to think about where I went wrong. Did I say something wrong?
I felt terrible, sad, stupid since I couldn’t hold back my lips.
No, what should I do now?!
I was so embarrassed that I didn’t even know what to say until Valer intervened from behind.
“You were calling him by the name in the; why, why the sudden honorifics, princess.”
At the low voice which came from behind, my curiosity was answered.
Was he upset because of that?! That’s all?!
However, as I tried to call Ahin, I couldn’t say without feeling shy.
“Ah, now, uhm, so… it has been a while since I haven’t seen you so… calling your name.”
Above all, Ahin was a difficult person. I wasn’t as comfortable with him as Valer and Cito. However, he stood by my side like Sanse.
Nevertheless, it would be my first time. I was flustered because it was my first time feeling as such. But it didn’t feel like we had much gap between us. He wanted us to be closer.
Ugh, what did I have to do?
Ahin smiled and asked.
“You don’t hate me, right?”
“Huh?! as if I could!”
No way!
Ahin laughed at my denial. That smile seemed lighter than before, I kept staring at him as if I was possessed.
Hmm, annoying.
What. I felt relieved. Why did I feel as such?
Something was weird; something felt odd. An awkward silence continued.
Woah, the atmosphere was like…
Normally I would have smiled and talked to try and change the atmosphere, but strangely, I couldn’t.
Why was it? I wasn’t such a person!
I wasn’t a shy girl! Was it because there was a handsome man in front of me?
It was frustrating.
It didn’t seem much, but we arrived at the envoy’s residence.
Thank god!
Once we arrived, I screamed internally.
Finally, we get to talk about something!
The envoy residence was massive. We choose the best building to accommodate the Shertogenbosch envoy.
There was a reason why it wasn’t far from the main palace.
“This is the residence you will live in for the coming days.”
“A nice place. Thank you.”
“Ugh. This is natural.”
Right, Ferdel assigned them such a nice place.
The closest location to Your Majesty, I could see Ferdel’s actions.
From my point of view, Ferdel was Ahin’s uncle, but Ahin would represent Shertogenbosch.
Besides, he couldn’t tilt towards his family. Ahin had to look good on his own.
However, the awkward silence wasn’t something I could handle.
… fucked.
I trembled a little, but no matter what I thought about, I wasn’t the right person.
Ahin. Wrong match for me!
As time passed, I looked at the ground.
Really, if it was Ahin, I doubted I couldn’t handle winning over him.
What did I have to do…
“So.”
The voice drew me in.
When our gazes met, his blue and silver eyes captured mine like I was sucked into a black hole.
Wow, his eyes were terrifying! It was a color I could never get tired of. How could a person have such beautiful eyes?
“How long do you plan on holding the honorifics?”
I looked at him.
Hm, what did I have to say?
Well, Ahin shone the most in modest clothes but seeing him appropriately dressed as the successor made me realize how different he was. Same person but different feel.
But what was it?
Cold sweat trickled down my back. What did I have to do?
My knights and Ahin were looking at me.
Ahh, it was hard to answer him, but I would be silent throughout the meet if I didn’t answer.
Eventually, with a low voice, I replied.
“I-I will try.”
Ahin bowed.
It seemed like he was trying to hold back his laughter.
No, wait. It wasn’t my fault!
I was too flustered by their reactions! No, what was he doing?!
“Well, for now.”
Uh, well…
Ahin entered his residence, but I didn’t move.
No, no! no! what was it!
Such a situation! Fucked up one!
As I was restless, Valer kicked his tongue.
“Like that much?”
“What!”
What was with him now!?
When I looked at him, he put his hand on my shoulder.
Cheeky bastard!
As I glared at him, he looked at me with a pitiful gaze.
“Ugh, this brother cheers you on.”
“Whose brother! Don’t touch me?!”
“You are still a kid, a kid.”
“Shit, what are you doing!”
Bullshit all over again!
I struggled to yell at him, but Valer shook his head and walked ahead of me.
“It was such a good time…”
Really!
