It was the day after the attack.  She was probably frightened, and meeting her traitorous, elder brother by blood would likely burden her as well—Not that he’s the sort of brother who would show any sort of consideration over that.

“…How about attending the Dragon Flower Crown Festival with me?”

Natalie awkwardly broached the subject.  Only after saying it did she realize it sounded like an invitation for a date.  Flustered, she rattled on in a rush.

“Yo-you haven’t stepped outside even once since coming here, right?  I just though a change of—”
“I’ll decline.”

Without even closing the book he was reading, Prince Gerald of the neighboring country answered curtly.  All that could be seen of him was his profile.

“Th-this will be the first festival in 300 years to be presided over by a genuine Dragon Consort?  Aren’t you interested?”
“If you insist that much, then tie me up and toss me down beside you.”
“I’m not into that sort of thing!”
“Did Kratos make a request to meet me?  Except the envoy who came isn’t someone you wish for me to meet.  Thus, the intention is for them to see me from a distance and have them leave—is it something like that?”

This is why I dislike people who are quick-witted.

“If it’s a meeting, I’ll agree to it.  Whether I attend the festival as a spectator depends on that.”
“—So you’re saying you’re truly fine with being tied up on the ground beside me?”
“I don’t mind.  It would be a good opportunity to display this so-called friendship that’s convenient for the Rave Empire.”
“Jill will see you.”
“…Doesn’t matter.”

The fingertip he used to turn the pages stiffened, yet he still lied.  Somehow, she felt empty.

“Fine, I understand.  I’ll convey that to my elder brothers.  That is what you want, right?  But, if you get caught up in an attack on me while tied up and die pathetically, it’ll be your own fault.”
“…An attack?  On you?”
“It seems like I’m being targeted or something.”

This wasn’t something she had to particularly hide.  If anything, lightly talking about it was helped take her mind off it.

“The attacker is dead, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a second one.  If you’re going to stand beside me all tied up, be prepared.”
“…… I can’t think of any reason to target you.  The Dragon Flower Crown Festival should be centered around the Dragon Consort.  There is no value in harming you.”
“Well I’m sorry for being an imperial younger sister who isn’t even worth targeting!  Are you picking a fight with me?”
“—Could it be due to your going around claiming you were engaged to me?”

Natalie was caught off guard.  Gerald calmly continued in his characteristically earnest manner.

“There are people who don’t want you to become the Crown Princess of Kratos.  That’s the only possibility that comes to mind.”
“…Are you saying the attack came from Kratos?”
“No, this probably relates to an internal matter of the Rave Empire.  I find it hard to imagine that news of your engagement to me has spread throughout Kratos.  If anyone were to take that seriously, it would be from the Rave Empire.”

—Besides, Kratos was currently moving toward the enthronement of a queen.  In other words, she would not become the Crown Princess of Kratos even if she married Gerald.  Under such circumstances, imagining that the Kingdom of Kratos would go to the trouble of coming all the way to the imperial castle of the Rave Empire just to harm Natalie was difficult.

“…People who don’t want to reconcile with Kratos…?”
“Even so, it’s strange.  It’s not as though we’ve formally exchanged a contract.  Even if you were removed, I would still remain here as an exchange student, and the situation would not have changed…”

Gerald, who had been contemplating with a hand on his chin, closed his book and set it beside himself.

“I shall allow for myself to attend the Dragon Flower Crown Festival as a spectator.”
“…Why… the sudden… change?”
“You’re the one who brought it up.”

That was true, but given how the conversation had gone, not being wary would have been stranger.  At last, Gerald turned toward Natalie as she looked at him with narrowed eyes.

“Or is tying me up to keep beside you your preference.”

Natalie vigorously shook her head.

“I-is that really alright?  Even if you aren’t actually tied up, guards will probably be watching you.  We’ll prepares garments for you, so you won’t be able to come up with any schemes.”
“You don’t have to confirm every little thing with me.  Do as you like.”
“You won’t be near Jill!?  You’ll be beside me!?”

He looked at her with exasperation.

“I accepted based on that understanding.”

Natalie took a step back, she stepped away from the iron bars separating her side from his.

“Th-then, I’ll go… and report to onii-sama…”
“Do as you wish.”

His reply was curt.  He had already turned his face away and returned to reading.  That attitude would have normally irritated her, but at the moment it was something she was grateful for.

Natelie covered her mouth with her hand and hurried away.  She hoped he wouldn’t notice.  There were many things that prince could not be allowed to notice.  The queen’s enthronement, for one, and also these buoyant steps that not even Natalie herself could understand.

W-what should I do?  What should I start with?  Um, first… his clothes, maybe.

The appearance of that prince was so striking, she couldn’t prepare some poorly made outfit for him.  Something properly tailored would be necessary.  Furthermore, as this was meant to demonstrate friendship—wouldn’t it be necessary to include something that matched Natalie’s outfit a little?

The moment she thought that, she became flustered.  Her feet felt as though they had caught fire.

Because it’s necessary!  That’s right, it’s for political reasons…!

“Onee-sama, is your work… finished…?”

Frieda called out to her as she entered the antechamber.  She had been waiting for her together with Sauté.  Frieda was hugging the teddy bear that Sauté had brought.  It was the day after the attack.  Until it became clear how the inner palace would respond, they had been told to stay together as much as possible today.

“S-sorry.  Looks like I kept you waiting, Frieda.”
“…Did something good happen?”
“N-no, nothing.  Everything’s normal.  More importantly, I have to make a report to Vissel-aniue.”

The perceptive Frieda gave a small nod and held out her hand to Natalie.  Natalie took hold of her younger sister’s warm hand, and with steps that were as composed as she could manage, started walking.

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