The neighboring country, Ferelden Empire, and the Kingdom of Lymore had completely different levels of national power.

Although the Kingdom of Lymore was by no means a small country, the empire boasted of vast land and an abnormal military power. Furthermore, unlike in other countries, wizards weren’t a rare sight in the empire. In fact, they even possessed an organization of wizards.

During the reigns of the previous kings, the Kingdom of Lymore invaded the Ferelden Empire many times, only to be defeated time and again. Despite that, the empire never invaded them. At the time, the Ferelden Empire was having an internal dispute over the succession of the imperial throne. Otherwise, the Kingdom of Lymore would’ve been reduced to a vassal state of the Ferelden Empire a long time ago.

With Frederick’s ascension to the throne, the relationship between the two countries had been improving. Nevertheless, that wasn’t to say that the international standing of the Kingdom of Lymore, which had committed countless atrocities, was solid.

Even so, thanks to Frederick’s brilliance, the position of the Kingdom of Lymore had been gradually strengthening, so much so that not even the Ferelden Empire dared to stir the pot.

Regardless, the Ferelden Empire was a magical nation. If they saw fit, razing the Kingdom of Lymore to the ground would have been just a flick of the wrist.

Until now, the Ferelden Empire didn’t do so out of concern for the blood that would entail, along with having faith for Frederick. They deemed it more beneficial to develop friendly relations rather than to maintain hostile relations.

While the gap between the two countries was still far from being bridged, there had been talk of establishing a study abroad system as a step to improve relations. As a result, the number of international students had increased over the past few years.

The people of the Kingdom of Lymore were mystified by the magic of the empire, while the people of the Ferelden Empire were intrigued by the science, technology, and organisation of the kingdom.

The youth who appeared before Charlotte was Ethelbert Thaddeus Ferelden—the younger brother of the emperor of Ferelden. For half a year now, he’d been enrolled in the university division of the Royal Chester Academy as an international student.

Ethelbert was a man with a peculiar atmosphere. Despite exuding the domineering aura of a ruler, his attitude displayed the striking elegance of a nobleman, while his beauty was arresting.

Even Charlotte, who was acquainted with him, had a hard time getting accustomed to his beauty. She was blown away every time she laid eyes on him.

“Your Highness Ethelbert, it’s an honor to meet you.”

“Like I said, you should spare such formal greetings for public occasions…”

Ethelbert sighed out as if troubled.

Perhaps, one of the reasons why he seemed so impressive was because of the synergy between his otherworldly beauty and the aura he exuded.

They had met several times within the academy, the library, and the royal castle ever since he came to study abroad at Royal Chester Academy. As such, they developed a somewhat casual relationship. Although, that may have been in part because the crown princess and the emperor’s younger brother had the shared burden of shouldering the country.

Above all, not only was he an eloquent speaker, Charlotte often found herself engrossed in many of his stories.

“Looks like you’re still busy.”

Ethelbert remarked as he glanced at the documents her escort was holding. Charlotte responded, “Indeed,” and instructed the guard to take the documents to the private room first. At Ethelbert’s persuasion, the escort reluctantly went to the private room.

“Seeing that you are here, I gander you were forced to undertake a new project again?”

“…I’m simply fulfilling my duty as the princess.”

“There’s no need to put up a front with me, Your Highness Charlotte.”

Ethelbert was keen in ever sense of the word. Eluding his observant gaze was no easy feat. It was as if the man could see through everything—

—as if her very heart was being exposed.

“…And yet, your sister is taking a leisure stroll around the castle town.”

“That she is.”

“Then, I take this is often the case?”

It was common knowledge that Juliet would go to the castle town after school, so she wasn’t exactly lying.

“Also, if the pair of royal siblings were to have a conversation in front of the school gate, it’d only attract attention.”

If two members of the royal family were talking, it’d inevitably attract attention. If possible, Charlotte would like to avoid meeting Juliet as much as possible. Unfortunately, Juliet would always seek her out, trying to get involved with her, which was extremely vexing.

Not only did she stand out because of her position, those around Juliet were also supportive,unnecessarily so.They wouldn’t fail to provide Juliet information regarding Charlotte’s whereabouts; where she was last seen, the previous lesson she attended, and so on.

“Wasn’t this project that was forced upon you originally supposed to be your sister’s?”

“…You seem to be well-informed. I wonder if His Highness’ eyes and ears are within the royal castle.”

“Not in the slightest. Isn’t this just the usual? It wasn’t that hard to guess.”

Charlotte narrowed her eyes at him, but Ethelbert calmly asked.

“Do you think you can finish it by the deadline?”

“I don’t see any reason to answer Your Highness’ inquiry.”

“I guess that’s true.”

There’s no need to tell those who aren’t involved.

If Ethelbert had been from this country, then she’d consider him a confidante, but he was from another country.

…Well, not like confiding in people from her country would yield any satisfying answers.

“All right, I won’t take up any more of your time today. I wouldn’t want to bother my friend, you see.”

Friend…

Charlotte was so perplexed by the foreign word that her words escaped her.

Perhaps not expecting such a genuine reaction, Ethelbert’s eyes widened in surprise. Then, the next moment, he beamed.

A princess was always surrounded by people. Whether she liked it or not, she had to interact with the aristocrats.

Regardless, she didn’t think there was anyone she could truly call a friend. So far, everyone who flocked to Charlotte only sought to take advantage of her position as the princess.

At the same time, who was to say that Ethelbert wasn’t just being nice? As far as she knew, they weren’t that close.

Yet, there was no hint of deception in his demeanor whatsoever. Or maybe she was just being wistful.

“One of these days, I’m going to ask you to accompany me to pass the time. I shall formally invite you through His Majesty Frederick.”

Keeping the prince of the neighboring country company was also part of her official duties, so she didn’t see any reason why Frederick would refuse. Strengthening the bond with the empire should be one of the kingdom’s priorities.

“Do you have the time for such?”

“Are you surprised?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Yes, a date.”

“…Is that so.”

Instead of meeting to have some tea, it’s a date. What is he up to?

The fact that he went out of his way to phrase it in such a way might mean that they were going somewhere.

Even ‘date’ was a word that previously had nothing to do with her. Although she was engaged, she had never been on a date. The only time she ever went out with Quentin was to go on a field trip, so it couldn’t really be considered a date.

Date… A date…

Despite her knowledge of the matter, she couldn’t visualize it for the life of her. The word was just that unfamiliar.

Generally, the term referred to when a couple in a relationship spent time together. But apparently, the same term could be used when going out with friends or family. …At least according to the stories she heard from the servants.

I guess Ethelbert is just using the term date for fun.

“Surely, there are many young ladies waiting to be invited by Your Highness.”

“I can’t invite just anyone?”

If Ethelbert interacted with a specific person of the opposite sex, rumors would spread. People would conclude he saw her as a potential fiancée candidate and make a fuss.

In reality, the chance was close to zero. The brother of an emperor from a magical nation wouldn’t take someone with zero magical affinity as a wife, less so when the empire itself encouraged marriage between magicians.

That was a rule that the royal family, who coveted power, was particularly bound to.

Therefore, despite being unfamiliar with magic, the people of the kingdom must’ve been fully aware of that.

Thus, regardless of the student’s intention, it’d lead to a spark that would turn into a wildfire.

Even then, I’m sure there are many young ladies who dare to dream.

“Then, would you be all right with me?”

“The neighboring prince and the princess. As far as diplomatic relations go, there’s nothing unnatural about it.”

Certainly, they could simply pretend they were merely deepening their bonds as representatives of their respective countries who attended the same academy.

However, that wasn’t to say that it wouldn’t give birth to rumors. Whether the rumors were true or not didn’t matter. The more exciting they were, the more appealing and sought after they became.

—Still, if it was an invitation from Ethelbert, who considered her a friend, she couldn’t just refuse.

“Indeed. Your Highness and I are friends. I’m looking forward to a date with my friend.”

Charlotte smiled, and Ethelbert, who was slightly taken aback, smirked a moment later.

“Of course.”

Taking Charlotte’s hand, he drew it closer to his lips, kissing the back of it.

“What color do you like?”

“Eh, color… Is it?”

“That’s right.”

“Uhm, it’s blue.”

“Got it.”

Staring at Charlotte, who couldn’t hide her confusion at the unexpected question, Ethelbert smiled like always.

“See you then, Your Highness Charlotte.”

“…Okay.”

She instinctively placed her free hand against her chest.

She watched Ethelbert depart after that greeting, gently caressing the back of the hand he had kissed.

As the brother of the emperor, he must be used to women.

Was it her imagination, or did her heart beat at shorter intervals than usual?

---

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***T/N: Let’s hope Ferelden offers therapy.

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