12. [Encounter with the Prince]
When I finished using the restroom before my sister and spotted a figure down the hallway, I felt a wave of relief.
I never thought there would be a day I’d be relieved to see him.
He stopped a short distance from me and addressed me in his cool—and prickly—voice.
“…It’s almost time for your audience with His Majesty, Adelheid von Vanderwaals.”
“Naturally, I’m aware of that. A lady has to maintain her appearance, Your Highness Konrad von Eustasia.”
Light, tousled blond hair, inherited from his father, and deep green eyes.
Twenty-one years old, a year younger than me. Being of age, marriage proposals were a popular topic of gossip, but royal marriages had even greater political significance than those of nobles. Noble ladies of marriageable age apparently dreamt of marrying him and entering the royal family—but I had absolutely no interest, in any sense of the word.
He used to be smaller than me, but he had grown taller at some point.
His white formal attire, objectively speaking, suited his slender, handsome figure, enhancing his masculine charm.
Subjectively speaking, I didn’t care what he wore.
The sword at his hip wasn’t just for show; if he were on a white horse, he would be the very image of a prince. Come to think of it, there was a scene in [Moonlight Liberium] where he rode a white horse.
Standing next to my sister, both with blond hair, albeit different shades, they looked somewhat like siblings… and, though it vexed me, I couldn’t deny they looked good together.
“You? —A lady? The standards for ladyhood have certainly fallen.”
“My, how harsh for a ‘prince’ rumored to be so kind to women.”
I covered my mouth with my hand and chuckled, aiming to get on his nerves, and Prince Konrad scowled.
…Oops.
I reacted as I usually did.
What if Leticia heard that?
“Hurry up. I’ll take my leave.”
He turned to walk away.
――Wait.
Wait a little longer.
“…Hold on.”
“What is it now?”
I stopped him, but I had no plan.
Leticia, hurry up!
My inner cry couldn’t have been heard, but the sound of running water indicated Leticia’s imminent arrival, and I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
“Elder Sister, I apologize for the wait.”
Good, it was going mostly according to the [Official Event].
The next official line was—[“Leticia. Were you here all this time? Honestly, don’t make me wait.”]
…No. I’d discard that line.
I was the one who brought her here; the line “Were you here all this time?” wouldn’t be convincing.
What kind of fate is this if I can’t even control a girl’s need to use the restroom? Ridiculous.
…But if it weren’t for fate—how would I have known I had a sister three years ago?
Although the details were different, the prince had appeared.
Now, if I scolded my sister and he took her side, the event would at least maintain its basic structure.
“[Leticia.] You’re late. The audience is about to begin. [Honestly, don’t make me wait.]”
“[…I’m sorry, Elder Sister.]”
I recycled the usable parts of the official line.
And my sister responded with the [Official Line].
“[…Lady Adelheid. Is this the sister you recently found?]”
“[Yes.]”
He addressed me by my full name, laced with sarcasm, or with the equally sarcastic title of “Lady.”
It sounded much more barbed than when he used “Lady” with other noblewomen.
Also, although it was how he had always addressed me, continuing to use it even after I became the head of the family, no longer a young lady, implied he didn’t acknowledge me as such.
“[It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Konrad von Eustasia, First Prince of this country. May I have your name?]”
――Good, just like the script.
A bit explanatory, but that’s what self-introductions are for, and it also served as an explanation for the audience. I’d let it slide.
As his introduction indicated, he was royalty, permitted to use “Eustasia” after “von.”
First in line to the throne. The First Prince of Eustasia.
And a [Capture Target] in [Moonlight Liberium].
One of the three potential love interests for the protagonist.
We were on track with the official flow of events.
Could I finally relax?
“[It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. Leticia] von Vanderwaals.”
…Huh?
That was slightly different.
Her line should have been simply [“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. Leticia.”]—
“[So, what were you doing here?]”
“…It’s my sister’s fault for taking so long in the restroom when she has an audience soon.”
I couldn’t use the official line due to the change in the conversation flow.
Well, as long as the meaning was conveyed.
I think I added to the unreasonable nature of the situation, since I was the one who brought her here. In the ‘original,’ my scolding had some justification.
Furthermore, saying this after criticizing her appearance… I was quite shameless.
“[—Are you scolding your sister for such a trivial matter? You truly have a nasty personality, Adelheid von Vanderwaals.]”
I agreed.
I thought we didn’t get along, but we finally found common ground.
His forced ‘princely act,’ which usually annoyed me, was now reassuring.
I looked down at him, thinking, “Go ahead and take my sister’s side.”
However, there was an unexpected obstacle.
“――Your Highness, please don’t say such things.”
“…Lady Leticia?”
Konrad’s eyes widened.
“I can’t overlook you calling my Elder Sister nasty.”
Well, I think I have a nasty personality.
“…Lady Leticia. Do you know the Vanderwaals’ nickname? —’The Coldhearted Vanderwaals.’ They are cold-blooded geckos, an abomination in this country.”
If he married her, she would become Leticia von Eustasia… well, it wouldn’t be a bad fit, I suppose.
Though I think Vanderwaals suits her better.
I watched their exchange, thinking such random thoughts.
“Geckos are cute, aren’t they?”
“…Uh, no. That’s not what I meant.”
Konrad was thrown off balance.
We unexpectedly discovered Leticia’s surprising preference.
…Well, she grew up in the “back alley.” It would be tough to dislike geckos there.
Konrad gave a faint smile.
“――Once you know her true nature, you’ll wish you never had a sister.”
We were in agreement again.
I was a stepping stone for my sister’s glory.
What I had done…
…I didn’t want her to know.
“…To us ‘back alley’ residents, royalty and nobles are all the same.”
However, she didn’t back down, probably glaring at him.
But her glare lacked power, making her look even cuter.
The prince, who had experienced my glare several times, seemed to have the same impression, and he smiled.
“But the Vanderwaals are different. That family… was the only one who extended a hand to us…”
…That was because of my sister.
Our family supported the residents of the “back alley,” hoping that at least some help would reach her.
“The food they distributed, the blankets… without them, there were people who would have starved or frozen to death…”
We were still continuing the support, to some extent.
But it wasn’t an act of selfless charity.
I… wasn’t a saint.
However, Konrad, unaware of the circumstances, looked at me, caught off guard.
Don’t look at me.
Leticia pressed her point.
“…Besides, I don’t like people who speak ill of others’ families.”
Konrad’s expression became blank.
Then, he clenched his right hand.
My heart pounded.
I didn’t know if he or those around him were aware, but that was his habit when suppressing his emotions.
――He was wearing formal attire, so he had a sword at his hip.
Of course, it wasn’t blunted.
…He wouldn’t be so rash as to draw it here.
But there were no absolutes in this world.
Come to think of it, he was a rash, impulsive idiot who once picked a fight with a duchess a year older than him and challenged her to a duel with wooden swords, under the guise of practice.
It was a long time ago.
I won decisively.
We weren’t like that anymore.
We were in a formal setting, where even carrying a real sword was permitted. Losing our composure was unacceptable.
I discreetly clenched my right hand, testing my movements.
I subtly extended two fingers.
――If he made a move to draw his sword, I’d go for his eyes. If I couldn’t incapacitate him in time, I’d block the blade with my own body.
I would take him down with me, if necessary.
I would eliminate any possibility, however small, of my sister being harmed.
I didn’t care about [Moonlight Liberium] or the first in line to the throne.
I couldn’t entrust my sister, let alone the country, to someone who would even touch their sword in this situation, even as a threat.
…However, Konrad didn’t touch his sword. He bowed his head.
“…I apologize. You are right. It was not my place to say such things to you, her sister.”
How long had it been since I last saw this man lower his head?
Despite his gentle demeanor, he was incredibly stubborn.
“――Elder Sister, let’s go. We mustn’t be late.”
“Eh? …Ah, yes. You’re right.”
My sister took my hand and hurried towards the audience chamber, leaving the prince behind.
I discreetly retracted my two extended fingers, making sure my sister didn’t notice.
The audience chamber was right next to the waiting room.
I handed my wrap to a maid, and while the guards stationed at the entrance announced our arrival to His Majesty, my sister took a few deep breaths to compose herself.
I also took a small breath.
At least, my sister and the prince had met.
Although it was quite different from the [Official Event].
The original ending was supposed to be [“Lady Leticia. If anything happens, please don’t hesitate to ask. I will be your strength, I swear on the name of Eustasia. —Now, to the audience chamber.”]
There was no trace of that.
And why was I the one being defended by my sister…?
I couldn’t help but stare blankly into the distance.
Would this encounter… lead to love…?
Probably not…
Eustasia Kingdom, First Prince
Konrad von Eustasia
CV: Censored
Sample Voice 1 Sample Voice 2 Sample Voice 3
The First Prince of the Eustasia Kingdom. One of the capture targets in [Moonlight Liberium].
Though he appears gentle, he is surprisingly stubborn and has a strong sense of justice. 21 years old (at the time of his appearance).
He has a childhood friend-like relationship with Adelheid, who is one year older than him.
Expected to be the next king, he received a good education and is well-cultured.
His slender hands are a charming point.
However, he is quite cooperative, so he is a normal capture target.
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