IRWME34

Episode 34

Arthur had been so focused on finding Eirene that he hadn’t properly registered his surroundings.

Only now did he realize she was chewing on something.

When he looked more closely, he caught a whiff of something grassy—but he couldn’t quite tell what it was.

What if she got food poisoning from eating something unfamiliar? What if, by some terrible chance, it was poisoned?

Dark thoughts swirled through Arthur’s mind.

Ever since he lost sight of Eirene earlier, his imagination had been spiraling toward the worst outcomes.

Clicking his tongue in frustration, he scolded her like a reprimanding guardian.

“Didn’t I tell you not to eat food from outside without permission, Young Master?”

With a sigh, Arthur poked through the dish in front of her.

Then his eyes widened in horror as he spotted something like a thin, black strand.

“Is—is this a hair?!”

He frowned deeply and picked it up.

“That’s probably not it. The chef is bald.”

“Ah…”

“It’s a stem from a plant called Bellura. It’s tough, so even after boiling, it stays firm and shiny.”

The boy answered casually and took off his hat.

The light reflected off his smooth, bald head so brightly it stung Arthur’s eyes.

The commoner restaurants of the Mersenne Empire sure are something else.

“Ahem. R-right, of course.”

“Anyway, Young Master, your lady is waiting. We should head back.”

Eirene chuckled quietly at Arthur’s flustered expression and stood up.

“You’re the one paying for the meal.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Most of the staff here keep their heads shaved.”

Eirene calmly resumed eating, stuffing another bite into her mouth.

Arthur’s pupils trembled.

“Ah—w-wait! Let me come with you!”

He hurried to pay and chased after her, not wanting to lose her again.

They used a carriage on their way back to the palace.

“I thought you were just going to deliver the letter and come right back. You were late. Did you two talk a lot?”

“Let’s talk once we return to the palace. By now, the maids are probably worried sick.”

“Don’t worry too much.”

Eirene had left a note for the maids saying she wanted to explore the palace grounds on her own.

The ones on duty today were calm and composed, so they were likely waiting patiently for her to return.

Thanks to Arthur’s royal seal, they passed safely through the southern palace gate.

As when they left, Eirene used a disguise spell and entered the palace in the appearance of a servant.

“Next time, we might need to forge credentials or improve the disguise. Or maybe dig a secret tunnel.”

Arthur couldn’t afford to be exposed repeatedly as her companion.

Too many unexplained palace entries and exits might raise suspicions from the Mersenne Empire’s side.

“If only you were a mage, teleporting would make things so much easier.”

At her complaint, Arthur puffed out his cheeks in protest.

“Then hire a mage. I won’t accompany you next time.”

Despite his words, Arthur had already come to see escorting her as natural.

Eirene playfully bumped his arm.

“I was joking, Sir Knight.”

“Whew… I really thought I’d die earlier. Please don’t go off on your own again.”

“Sorry. I had no choice.”

“Your safety is more important.”

Eirene squared her shoulders.

Though she’d felt frightened at first after Arthur left, she had surprisingly managed to adapt quickly.

“Anyway, let’s go inside and finish our conversation. I have something to give you too.”

Eirene began walking toward her quarters when—

“Where have you been?”

“Huh…”

Arthur inhaled sharply upon seeing the speaker’s face.

Of all times, why now? Of all people…

Suppressing her startled heartbeat, Eirene replied calmly.

“What brings you here?”

“Illiard.”

Arthur couldn’t help but let a hint of annoyance slip into his voice.

So much had happened in quick succession, and his body was already worn out.

He had hoped to rest, but now his plans had been disrupted, and his irritation showed on his face.

“Is this not my own palace? Are you saying I can’t go where I please?”

“Ah, right.”

She’d stayed within her designated quarters for so long, she’d forgotten this wasn’t her country.

Eirene steadied her eyes and responded evenly.

“I just stepped out for a bit to look around the palace.”

“In that outfit?”

Only then did Eirene realize what she was wearing.

She had disguised herself in servant’s clothes—it was no wonder he found it suspicious.

To think he recognized me in disguise so quickly…

“Ah, well… The servants’ uniforms are different from Fortie’s, so I was curious. I just put one on and walked around.”

“You were touring the palace?”

“Yes.”

Illiard’s gaze sharpened, then he tossed a question casually.

“Shall I give you a proper tour? I can explain each section if you’d like.”

Though his eyes still held suspicion, he seemed willing to let it go.

“No, it’s fine. I think I’ve seen enough. I’m tired, so I’ll be heading in.”

She rejected him firmly, with a touch of coldness.

Illiard didn’t press further.

“Then please, go ahead.”

Eirene gave a brief nod and returned to the room where she had originally changed.

Since she had worn a slightly oversized servant uniform over her own clothes, changing back was easy.

She soon joined Arthur in her private chamber.

“Did you enjoy your little tour?”

“Your Highness, I heard you asked me to fetch sweets from a pastry shop, yet you toured the palace instead?”

“You should’ve taken me with you! I wanted to see it too!”

As they entered, the maids chattered loudly while offering the remaining snacks.

To avoid their nosy questions, Eirene had previously sent them off on errands.

She gave a sheepish smile and replied,

“Sir Arthur doesn’t like moving around in big groups.”

“What?”

Aubrey gasped, her eyes wide.

“You went with Sir Mendalt?”

“When did I ever say that?”

Arthur glared quietly, but his objection was ignored.

“Ah… Should we step out for a while?”

Marti glanced nervously between Eirene and Arthur.

“That would be helpful.”

Eirene had once sent Marti to the embassy to make contact with Lissiana.

On her way back, Marti had brought a small leather box.

“Ah, during your outing, this arrived from the House of Duke Mielon.”

It looked like a reply.

Sealed with a wax emblem of an eagle, the envelope read:

> I am Laros Mielon, heir of the House of Duke Mielon.

I’ve heard that my sister acted rudely toward Your Highness. She is too ashamed to face you.

So I would like to apologize on her behalf.

Along with this letter, I have sent a small gift as a token of our regret. I hope it pleases you.

Laros Mielon—heir to the powerful Mielon family.

So he’s reaching out in place of Lissiana? She once said she wanted to meet me…

If that had been a spur-of-the-moment excuse to get out of trouble, it was a little disappointing.

Or perhaps the Mielon family had used her to secretly observe the princess?

Without even opening the box, Eirene handed it to Marti.

“Return it.”

“Ah… Wait, I’ve changed my mind.”

Eirene held out her hand again, and Marti blinked in confusion as she gave it back.

“Let’s just hold on to it for now. No harm in keeping it.”

Eirene didn’t know the Mersenne Empire’s court politics well.

But the Duke of Mielon might prove useful one day.

Opening the box, she let out a dry chuckle.

It contained a pair of earrings with soft pink jewels.

When she held one up to the light and turned it, it glimmered faintly—it was probably a pink diamond.

A rare gemstone, perhaps, but—

“Not all that expensive.”

The light hue suggested it wasn’t particularly hard to acquire.

With enough money and persistence, anyone could get one.

He couldn’t brag that this was some grand bribe.

“No need to send anything in return.”

Eirene tossed the earrings into the corner of her jewelry box.

“We’ll step out now, then.”

As the maids tactfully left, Eirene smiled faintly.

“Call them when needed.”

One of her maids gave her a meaningful look as she exited.

Arthur frowned slightly at the interaction.

“I think they’ve gotten the wrong idea.”

Eirene shrugged.

“Explaining is too much work.”

“I’m engaged, you know.”

“Yes. But you’re not fond of your fiancée, and you’ve been putting it off.”

Eirene knew Arthur didn’t care much for his arranged engagement.

Arthur looked briefly taken aback by how well-informed she was.

“May I ask what your relationship is with Crown Prince Illiard?”

He was referring to the earlier exchange between them.

“There’s nothing between us. We just ran into each other by chance. Now, shall we continue where we left off?”

Eirene brushed off Arthur’s doubtful glance and changed the subject with a casual tone.