Even though I said it out loud, nothing changed.
It might lead to something even more dangerous if I made a mistake, but it was a hundred times better than doing nothing and waiting to fall.
Struggling against the wind, I forcefully flung the carriage door open.
“What are you doing?”
I heard Senon’s voice from behind, but I ignored him and took a deep breath.
“Sylph, Gnome.”
A silver bird and a small stone appeared in the air as if they had been waiting.
“Hold onto something!”
I shouted sharply at Senon.
And then the carriage began to shake violently.
Please, stop!
Thud. Thud. Thud!
“Ow, ow!”
Because the carriage kept hitting rocks, my head slammed against the ceiling over and over.
Alright, five stones. Thud! Seven stones. Ugh. Ten stones!
I could feel the carriage gradually slowing down.
But I still couldn’t see ahead because of the fog.
I barely came back to life—there’s no way I can die here like this!
“Gnome!”
I shouted as if grasping at the last straw.
The carriage rolled over a large clump of earth.
My body lifted into the air like I was on a swing… and with a loud thud, the carriage shook one last time.
And then, silence.
“Did it… stop?”
Thankfully, the carriage no longer moved.
One, two, three—I counted just in case, but nothing happened.
Phew, I barely made it.
Only then did a sigh of relief escape me.
But it didn’t last long, as another kind of tension arose from the gaze boring into me.
Senon.
He was looking at me with a meaningful expression.
This is bad.
My mind went blank again, but for a completely different reason.
I stopped the carriage.
But how am I supposed to deal with this situation?
The awkward laugh escaping me was clearly not from amusement.
“Ahaha, I panicked earlier, that’s all. Were you very startled? I’m sorry. But…”
“It doesn’t suit you. Don’t force it when you can’t fix it anyway.”
“……”
“It’s much more genuine and better to look at you like this than putting on manners. Well, it’s more entertaining too. Though I didn’t expect you to be like this, even if you were in a hurry.”
Fine. I’ll drop it.
Sorry, Neos. I did my best. I didn’t think my personality would be exposed this quickly.
“Why did you stop the carriage? Falling off would’ve been an interesting life experience.”
Try that yourself when I’m not around.
“I value my life too much to die in a fall just yet.”
“You could’ve escaped the carriage alone. It looked like you were trying to save me too. Why? I would’ve been fine since I already knew.”
“If we were late from the very first meeting, my brother wouldn’t like it. Since he assigned you as my escort, the responsibility could fall on him—and you might not be safe either.”
“Hmm, but His Highness the Crown Prince favors me. I’ll be safe no matter what. We understand each other quite well.”
Doesn’t seem like you understand me at all. If he gets along with someone like you, isn’t the Crown Prince strange too?
“And did you really think we were heading toward a cliff?”
…What?
“Why don’t you step outside and take a look?”
I opened the carriage door and got down.
What slowly came into view beyond the fog was not a cliff.
This is… a huge lake?
“Did you think I was actually going to make us fall? That would be dangerous. Though I did want to watch you fall into the lake.”
Senon chattered cheerfully, clearly amused by my stunned expression.
“Still, that reaction—impressive. Thanks to you, it was quite the entertaining sight.”
…So I was completely played by this guy.
Before I knew it, we had entered a forest, and the surroundings were filled with dense trees.
What was surprising was that despite it being early spring and still chilly, the trees were lush like in midsummer.
The lake sparkled clearly as if holding the sky within it, and branches stretched down toward the water, covered in thick green leaves, making it feel like another world. If I had come to a fairy realm, wouldn’t it feel like this?
“This is the Arnoan Forest. A mysterious place that stays green all year round. There are even rumors that fairies appear here. Long ago, this forest stretched all the way to the capital, Arvil, but due to urban development, only this forest and the Water Forest in the imperial palace remain. Is this your first time hearing about it?”
Seeing me listen with curiosity, Senon asked with a puzzled look.
“I’ve heard about it, but I spent most of my life in the Ying Empire. I studied a lot before coming here, but there are limits.”
There are four empires on the continent.
If the Arbesque Empire lies in the west, then in the east lies the Ying Empire, which worships the Dragon God.
A land with a thousand-year history, filled with black-haired people. My homeland, which I won’t be able to return to for a while.
That’s probably why I was chosen as a substitute for Prince Ryuan.
After all, Prince Ryuan was also sent to the Ying Empire right after his birth.
“I knew you lived in the east, but I didn’t expect you to not know something so basic. Did you even look through the history books?”
“O-of course I did! I studied hard!”
“You’re a Neturin, after all. Shouldn’t this much be basic? It’s embarrassing in front of others.”
Senon let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
What, if I were perfect, you’d consider me a threat anyway.
“By the way, Lord Ryubiran, are you good at swimming?”
“Hm? Somewhat— Ahh!”
Before I could finish, my body was suddenly shoved forward.
Splash!
The early spring lake was freezing cold. It felt like it could wake even someone who hadn’t slept for three days.
As I struggled to surface, my arms felt as heavy as icicles.
Gasp!
“W-what are you doing?!”
“What do you mean? Since we came all this way, you should have a swim. For the sake of my reputation, after escorting you here.”
Your reputation, my foot!
Watching Senon giggle made my head throb.
This headache was definitely not from the cold, but from him.
“Give me your hand. I’ll pull you up.”
“R-really? Thanks.”
What’s gotten into him?
The moment I grabbed his hand with relief—
“That was a lie. Goodbye.”
Splash!
Ahh! You bastard!
“I’m never trusting you again.”
I dragged myself out of the lake.
“Then why did you trust me in the first place? There are people more worthy of that.”
“I wasn’t planning to believe anything you say anymore anyway.”
Ugh, it’s cold.
As I shivered, Senon took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. Giving me trouble and then helping me?
“…Fine. Thanks.”
“Of course you should be thankful. If you’re not, that’s just shameless.”
“……”
“And if you get sick, I’d be the one taking care of you. I’ve also been assigned as your personal attendant from now on. So may I call you ‘Ryuan’ with affection?”
Wait. What?
“Personal attendant?”
“Yes. I’ll be the one by your side all day. Not just a conversation partner, but handling confidential and important tasks on your behalf. I’ll be responsible for your overall daily life.”
“……”
“I’ll be closer to you than anyone else, aside from the royal family. Isn’t it exciting? Spending all day with me from now on.”
It felt like a heavy stone dropped straight into my chest.
I have to stay with this guy all the time?
“All day… together doesn’t sound right.”
“You think I like it? There may be a few tasks I can enjoy serving you with, but overall, it’s bound to be exhausting.”
“What are those ‘few tasks’?”
“Well, if you ever wish for a life-or-death sparring match, I’ll gladly accept.”
I’m never calling you for that. Never. Is the Crown Prince planning to wear me down to death through this guy?
Feeling the cold creeping in, I summoned Kasa, the lower spirit of fire.
“The carriage’s magic should still be active, so shall we rest a bit? You look tired.”
“Is that really okay?”
“Would it be me who’s late? You’d be the one in trouble, Lord Ryuan. I can just say you were exhausted and that will settle it.”
Should I hit him just once?
As that tempting thought grew stronger, I noticed a small fly land on Senon’s shoulder.
Seizing the opportunity, I smacked his shoulder hard. Senon frowned.
“What was that for?”
“Don’t misunderstand. There was a fly.”
When I showed him the fly, his face twisted.
Feeling oddly satisfied, I turned my head—only for Senon to suddenly smack my back hard.
Ow!
“W-what was that? Was there a fly?”
“No. I just felt like hitting you.”
“……”
How am I supposed to live with this guy?
Seeing Senon stand there shamelessly, acting as if he’d done nothing wrong after hitting the person he was supposed to serve, my future felt bleak.
Sigh… my fate. Who knew my personality would be exposed like this from the start?
Still, it was a relief that I had preserved my trump card.
I glanced at the carriage. It should be fine. Nothing will happen.
All strength drained from my body, and I collapsed onto the spot.
Senon clicking his tongue at me was just a bonus.
“My, my. How can you sit like that without any dignity?”
“You know…”
“Yes?”
“Why did you become my attendant? Even as a Senon, you could’ve refused if you didn’t want to, right?”
“Refuse? The Senon exist to carry out the Crown Prince’s commands. If we don’t follow his orders, it’s no different from denying our very existence. Besides, among the Senon, I’m someone His Highness keeps close. And more importantly, I was curious about what kind of person you are, Lord Ryuan.”
Just as I was about to brush it off as self-praise, his next words made my eyes widen.
“Me?”
“Yes. You.”
Senon’s eyes sparkled.
Ah, again. For some reason, I found it hard to meet his gaze and looked away.
Strange. Why can’t I properly look at him?
Unable to ask why, I changed the subject.
“What kind of person is the Crown Prince?”
Instead, I voiced the question that had been lingering in my mind.
It was something I hadn’t even been able to ask Neos easily.
What kind of person is the Crown Prince I’m about to face?
“I think you already know from what you’ve heard.”
“Still, I haven’t met him myself. I’d also like to know why you’re so loyal to him.”
“Hmm, there are many reasons, but it would be faster for you to experience it yourself rather than hear it from me. You’ll meet him once we arrive at Arnoan Palace. His Highness is also looking forward to meeting you.”
So you’re not going to tell me?
Just as I stood up, thinking of heading back—
“Then what do you think of me?”
