BSPD 29

~Chapter 29~

“Was that ring earlier the manager stone?”

“Yes! All employees working in the Imperial Palace have a manager stone. They differ a bit depending on position, but members of the third department have green manager stones. They’re usually made into accessories so we can wear them at all times. Normally, you’re given one as soon as you join… but since Teacher Rinnegrim joined during a confusing time…”

Since even Director Nilson had collapsed, there was no chance to hand out manager stones.

“Then I’ll get mine soon, right?”

“Yes! Same color as your eyes. It’ll suit you.”

Pel was as friendly as his open smile. Even though we had just met, he felt like an old friend.

“That’s the greenhouse up ahead! It’s not that big, right? There isn’t a specialized herb research department, so it doesn’t get much support.”

He scratched his cheek awkwardly.

His finger pointed toward a dome-shaped glass greenhouse. It wasn’t as big as I had imagined, but the way it sparkled in the sunlight was beautiful.

“Oh? It’s been a while since you came?”

While I was walking and looking at the greenhouse, Pel happily ran up to greet someone.

“Long time no see!”

Seeing him wave, it looked like a close colleague—

“Your Highness the Crown Prince! I’m glad you look healthy!”

Helion?! Why was His Highness the Crown Prince here?!

“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Rinne. You’re here too.”

He was in a light shirt, with dirt even on his face. It was impossible to imagine this man was the Empire’s Crown Prince.

“Yes. I came to gather some herbs I need… but why are you here in that outfit, Your Highness?”

Before I could hold back my curiosity, Pel answered for him.

“Because this greenhouse belongs to His Highness!”

“What?!”

“Even though he’s busy with government affairs, His Highness visits here whenever he can! He personally grows and manages the herbs. Amazing, right?”

“I can’t come often. Even today, it’s been half a month.”

I knew he had great knowledge of herbs, but to own a greenhouse and manage it himself? Could it be treasonous to feel he was approachable?

I accepted the gloves Pel handed me while lost in thought.

“Pel. You may return. I’ll find the herbs Rinnegrim needs.”

“Eh? But—”

“You’re not about to claim your knowledge of herbs surpasses mine, are you?”

“Of course not! Then I’ll leave it to you!”

Pel laughed at Helion’s joke and quickly left the greenhouse—leaving me alone.

“What herbs do you need? I’ll find them.”

“No! I couldn’t trouble you, Your Highness. I’ll do it myself!”

When I waved my hands in refusal, Helion’s eyes twitched. He seemed displeased.

“…Why?”

“Eh? Me? Why?”

“Didn’t we agree we are friends? You can’t even accept this small favor as a friend?”

What kind of nonsense was this!

“Your Highness, that was only my mistake for not recognizing you! I asked yesterday too—please forget it! Forget everything about me!”

“No.”

The answer came without hesitation. He was strangely stubborn.

I stomped my feet, nearly begging.

“Is it because I dragged you into the plague den?”

“…No.”

“Then because I made you work without sleep for three days?”

“That’s not it either.”

“Then is it because I said you were unlucky—?!”

“No! Nothing like that!”

Then what was it?!

“Then what grudge do you hold that you can’t let my mistake go…?”

“Why do you think I hold a grudge against you?”

“Because… if it were me, I would.”

Yes, if I were the Crown Prince, I’d be furious. I’d mistaken him for a colleague and made him do all sorts of chores in a plague zone.

But surprisingly, Helion only shook his head slowly.

“I’m not so narrow-minded to hold a grudge over that. Don’t worry.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

“Then… you won’t charge me with treason?”

“Not at all.”

Carefully, I held out my pinky.

“…What’s this?”

“A simple oath. Please swear you won’t report me.”

“You really don’t trust me, huh.”

He gave a short laugh but still hooked his long finger around mine.

“Then tell me the real reason.”

“Do you choose friends based on status?”

“…Isn’t that normal?”

Helion’s lips pressed into a thin line, at a loss for words.

“…That’s a bad habit. Fix it.”

The silence stretched longer than it should. And his words, heavy as they sounded, felt anticlimactic.

“I can’t be friends with Your Highness! How can someone from such a low family dare be friends with the Crown Prince? It’ll harm your reputation!”

“Your family will soon be restored, so it’s irrelevant. And my reputation isn’t so fragile it would be ruined by one friend.”

What about my reputation, then?! He’s the Crown Prince, no one would say anything. But me? Different story!

“If people see me being casual with you, what will they think?”

“When did I ever tell you to treat me casually?”

“…Eh?”

“I never said that. Even as friends, manners are important. Treat me respectfully.”

I was left speechless.

Well… that was true. Even among friends, courtesy mattered.

As I fumbled, Helion continued, lips slightly pouting.

“You were the one who asked to be friends. Cancelling unilaterally isn’t fair.”

“This isn’t some contract…”

“I like you. Your abilities interest me.”

A sudden confession! I couldn’t read this man at all.

“Th-thank you?”

“So I want you near me. I look forward to the Administration’s changes with you at its center. I want to see it with my own eyes.”

He smiled at my stunned face.

“Recognizing talent is a leader’s virtue, isn’t it?”

…Had I unintentionally entered the Crown Prince’s inner circle?

“…But.”

I didn’t care about politics; I just wanted to quietly make money.

“Of course, I won’t let our friendship put you in trouble. Still… is it so hard?”

Why was I so weak to good-looking faces? As he asked carefully, eyebrows lowered, I blankly nodded.

“…Then maybe we can acknowledge it only when we’re alone.”

He wanted so badly to be friends, I couldn’t refuse. Rubbing my nose, I muttered awkwardly.

“You’re really unusual.”

“Eh?”

“Nothing. Now, tell me which herbs you need.”

“Kiri root, dunz leaves, and tair stems… but I can go alone…”

“I’d rather not let you. And Rinne, do you have the key?”

“Key?”

“Poisons are kept separately in the Black Greenhouse. You need either my key or Pel’s to enter.”

Ah. So I couldn’t go in alone anyway.

“Do you have the purification stone?”

“Yes. Here.”

“Keep it close. The moment you take it off, you’ll be poisoned.”

A terrifying but effective warning. I nodded quickly.

Over his shoulder, I saw the innermost greenhouse. It was black, blocking sunlight, and even from ten steps away, I smelled the sickly-sweet poison scent.

When I nodded that I was ready, Helion took a key from his chest and opened the Black Greenhouse door.

The instant it opened, an overwhelming stench poured over me. Even with the purification stone, my head spun.

“Achoo!!”

With my sneeze, glittering poisonous spores scattered everywhere. Without the stone, I didn’t want to imagine the result.

“The herbs you need are kiri root, dunz leaves, and tair stems, right?”

“Yes!”

I tucked a basket under my arm and stepped in.

I pulled up five roots of each herb—more would spoil quickly anyway.

Carefully shaking off the soil, I placed them in the basket.

“Phew. Done, Your Highness.”

I proudly held out the basket to him.

He examined the herbs inside and nodded.

“Well harvested. Especially the kiri, which bruises easily—no damage at all.”

Of course. I’d lived on selling herbs for years. My skills were top-level.

“Shall we leave now? The smell makes my nose itch.”

I hurried out past Helion.

Brushing spores off my clothes, I spotted familiar little figures near the entrance.

Three small children with yellow, pink, and light-brown hair.

Among them, Kinya noticed me first.

“Rinneya”

“Kinya!”

Beaming, Kinya rushed toward me.

Instinctively, I almost bent to hug him—but then remembered I was covered in poison spores. I quickly backed away.

“Ahh! No! Kinya! Don’t come!!”

“Nooo! I’m coming! Kinya wants a hug~”

“Don’t! If you come, it’ll hurt!!”

“Rinneya! Where are you going!”

Despite my protests, Kinya kept coming closer. I had no choice but to run. I slipped out the back door of the Black Greenhouse.

“Rinneya!!”

“I’ll play with you at the Divine Beast Palace! Just wait a little!!”

“Kinya came to see you! Wanted to see Rinne—!”

“I’m sorry, Kinyaaa!”

His wailing cries followed me as I ran.

“Haah… haah…”

How far had I run with poisonous herbs in my arms? Out of breath, I checked behind me. Thankfully, no children followed.

“I can’t risk being suspected of harming the Divine Beasts again.”

“Lady Rinnegrim?”

A voice I didn’t know called out. I reflexively lifted my head to see who it was.