Chapter 27
I didn’t tell anyone I was going to see Joshua.
That way, I could surprise him — like a little “surprise visit” event.
And I also wanted him to be the first to know that, through Adrian, welfare for the citizens of the Deirid Kingdom would soon be implemented.
He must still be upset, so I figured if I acted nicely, soothed him, and treated him sweetly, maybe he’d forgive me.
Now that I think about it, Joshua doesn’t talk much about himself compared to others.
He doesn’t really show his emotions, either.
Maybe that’s why I can’t help but worry about him.
“Gasp! H-Her Highness the Princess has arrived!”
When I reached the palace where Joshua was staying, the guard at the entrance jumped in shock and shouted.
For some reason, the sight annoyed me, so I ignored him and walked right in.
“H-Her Highness! P-Please, wait—”
I didn’t know why he was trying to stop me, but his expression was odd, and I didn’t feel like being caught.
“Where’s Joshua?”
“The third room on the first floor, Your Highness.”
I recalled what Francis had told me earlier and ignored the people hurrying to follow me as I walked on.
“Greetings, Your Highness!”
“Greetings, Princess!”
It was almost funny — every time someone saw me, they’d scramble to their feet, bow quickly, and then dash off in the same direction I was walking, as if desperate to get ahead of me.
Why does that irritate me so much? Trying to look good for royalty, are they?
“Their scarves are different colors?”
“Well, he’s still the crown prince. Even if he’s here as a hostage, he’s still technically a royal guest. The servants are color-coded to distinguish who they serve.”
Francis’ casual reply reminded me that he was trying to get along with my sister — and that thought immediately soured my mood.
As I walked faster, my arm brushed his hand.
He flinched away like I’d burned him.
“Wow, am I really that unpleasant? You’re hurting my feelings.”
“N-no! That’s not what I—”
“Forget it.”
His obvious excuse annoyed me, so I just hurried toward Joshua’s room.
Click.
I opened the door brightly — and found Joshua holding a spoon, apparently in the middle of eating.
“Y-Your Highness!”
He quickly set the spoon down and stood to bow. He looked startled but also genuinely happy — that was a relief. I didn’t expect just my presence to make him smile.
But when he smiled at me, all the things I’d planned to say to comfort him completely flew out of my head.
“I’m here, Joshua.”
When I gestured for him to sit back down, he hesitated, then obeyed cautiously.
I don’t like that Joshua watches my every move so nervously.
Maybe because I know what that feels like.
If we’re going to need each other, I’d rather we could both be a source of strength — not fear.
“Sir Francis is waiting outside.”
“That’s not acceptable.”
“Why not?”
“…I must stay by your side.”
You literally hesitated just now.
When I met his eyes, he gave me this pitiful, loyal-dog look. Was this the “sad puppy” tactic? Like if I felt sorry for him, I’d say, Fine, stay here with me?
Even though he flinches whenever our hands so much as brush?
Or maybe he just wants to listen in on what Joshua and I talk about?
“There’s only me, Joshua, and you here — who exactly are you protecting me from?”
“Do you really not know?”
“I know enough to tell you to stop. Get out.”
Hey, that look won’t work on me.
He gave me that wet, miserable expression again, and somehow, I started to feel like I was the one in the wrong.
“…Understood.”
Then go already! Why keep glancing back like that?
By the third time he turned around, even I started wavering a bit.
Click.
Once Francis finally left, I sat across from Joshua, curious about what he’d been eating.
He just sat there holding his spoon motionlessly.
“What are you doing? Go on, eat.”
“No, Your Highness. I’ll have them clear it away.”
His cheeks were strangely red — shy? No, it looked more like embarrassment.
Why? Were his eyes… a little wet?
“Don’t. Eat. I want to see you eat.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
You think I can’t tell you’re forcing that smile?
He was practically exiled yesterday — of course he wouldn’t be in a good mood.
Is he pretending nothing’s wrong?
[Joshua Deirid
Crown Prince of the Deirid Kingdom
Affection toward Gracie Fletcher Gabriella Bastian: 20%
Affection toward Keira Fletcher Gabriella Bastian: 0%
Affection toward Francis Patella: –20% ▼]
I don’t really trust these “affection” stats, but still — why isn’t Clayton listed here?
Did my own affection drop after I sent him away yesterday? Or are these numbers just nonsense?
“Wait a second.”
“Yes?”
Now that I looked closer, the room was… shabby.
There was a distinct air of poverty — not even a single painting on the walls.
The canopy over the bed was faded, the fabric giving off the smell of something old and musty.
It reminded me painfully of the orphanage I’d once lived in — familiar, but a place I never wanted to return to. My chest tightened; I blinked away the heat in my eyes and turned toward the window. Even the curtains were little more than rags.
“You.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“This is supposed to be your meal?”
I regretted not looking closely earlier.
He set his spoon down. In front of him was a thin, watery soup and a few poorly grilled scraps of meat.
Even worse, the fork he’d been using was bent at the tips.
“Be honest with me, Joshua Deirid.”
“What do you mean, my lady?”
He forced a smile, and I felt the cold rising in my chest. I steadied myself and opened the status window again.
[▼ He fears being abandoned by Princess Gracie.]
“Sir Francis!”
The door opened immediately — as if he’d been waiting right outside.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Bring me every servant responsible for this palace. Now.”
“As you command.”
He looked puzzled for a moment, then gestured to the knights behind him.
“And call for Verdin.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
It didn’t take long.
Soon, all the servants assigned to Joshua’s palace stood before me. Verdin arrived as well, breathing heavily but trying not to show it.
“You called, Your Highness?”
“Yes. I need something from you.”
Once the knights had arrived, I signaled with my hand. They immediately surrounded the servants.
“I came here to see Joshua, and guess what I discovered? Something very interesting.”
Not a single one of them dared lift their heads. They all stared at their feet in silence — maybe out of shame. How amusing.
“Who’s in charge of managing this palace?”
“M-me, Your Highness…”
“Oh, it’s you. Step forward.”
As I beckoned her closer, the trembling servant reminded me of Silverphone — the way she used to shake like that.
“Was the budget for this palace too small?”
“Ah… w-well…”
I recalled recently reviewing the palace budget — this must be the one marked “secondary palace.”
“This is a secondary palace, right?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Verdin, standing behind me, answered for her. He was already smiling — clearly beginning to understand.
[Quest! Win the heart of Joshua Deirid!
Find the three culprits who embezzled the secondary palace funds to receive:
Quest Reward: You may ask Joshua Deirid for one wish! ▼]
…What? So he’s the one granting the wish, not the system? Unbelievable.
“Was the secondary palace budget really that small? Because the one I approved recently was large enough to make this place sparkle.”
So the Empress really was sick — I could tell, since Keira and I had been splitting her old duties between us.
“That’s correct. There’s no reason the monthly budget should fall short. I even reviewed the allocation you submitted yesterday, Your Highness. His Majesty was quite satisfied with it.”
“Then why is there not a single painting on the wall? No porcelain, all the dishes are worn out, the canopy over the bed is trash, the weather’s chilly but there’s no fire in the hearth, and the tablecloth looks filthy. Why?”
Verdin’s eyes flicked around quickly, assessing the room.
“Who gave the order to treat my guest — no, my person — like this?”
“My lady…!”
Joshua grabbed my arm in alarm.
Was it fear? Or just an act?
I almost hoped it was an act — because the way I was envisioning this, it wasn’t just for his sake.
I was planning to make him mine.
If we’re both using each other, that’s fine, isn’t it?
Or maybe… he’s the one testing me — to see whom he should side with between me and Keira.
[▼ Upon quest completion, all loyalty events involving Joshua Deirid and Keira Fletcher Gabriella Bastian will be permanently closed.]
How delightful.
