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Chapter 22
To Lady Yuse Lil Krantz,I am Jerons, Crown Prince of the Cheritin Empire. We briefly spoke before at your engagement ceremony with Killian. I am not sure if you remember me.It was only for a short moment, so perhaps it did not leave much of an impression.Allow me to greet you properly through this letter. I am Jerons de Soliad Cheritin, Crown Prince of the Empire.I considered sending someone to deliver this message in person. However, I was informed that you and Killian often communicated through letters in the past. So I thought perhaps you might prefer a letter instead.Haha, my introduction has become too long, has it not? To speak directly, I am writing to invite you to a tea party hosted by the Crown Princess and myself.You are the daughter of the lord of the Duchy of Berchia. It would not be right for the Imperial Family to neglect you.Moreover, you are the future Duchess of Siarekatte. Since you will soon become the official duchess, it would not hurt to greet you in advance.The tea party will be held three days from now at the Crown Prince’s Palace within the Imperial Palace. I look forward to your favorable reply.Jerons de Soliad Cheritin
Crown Prince of the Cheritin Empire
“So, you’re going to attend, right?”Beila asked as she held the letter.“Of course. How could I refuse an invitation from His Highness the Crown Prince? I should send a reply quickly.”Yuse nodded as if the answer was obvious.“Beila, could you hand me some letter paper and a pen?”“Yes, my lady.”Since the letter had arrived that evening, she could only send her reply the next day.That meant there were only two days left until the tea party.Just then, someone knocked on Yuse’s door.“Who is it?”Beila spoke first instead of Yuse.“It’s me, Yuse.”Killian’s voice came from outside.It was completely unexpected. Yuse instinctively looked toward the window.It was ten in the morning. Normally, Killian would have already left the estate by this time. She had no idea why he was still here.“May I come in for a moment?”At his question, Yuse quickly came back to her senses.“O-Of course! Just a moment!”She jumped up from her chair and hurried to the mirror.She quickly checked her face. It looked the same as it had in the morning.“Wait… did my hair get messier? Beila! Check it for me!”In a small voice that would not be heard through the door, Yuse hurried her maid.“My lady, you look beautiful as always. There’s nothing to worry about.”“Really?”“Yes, truly.”“O-Okay. Thank you.”After thanking her quickly, Yuse cleared her throat a few times and opened the door.“Killian!”She called his name.“Yuse.”As if he had been waiting, Killian called her name in return.“Don’t you usually leave right after breakfast? I thought you had already gone today… haha.”Yuse laughed awkwardly. Killian smiled gently and shook his head.“Ah, I am about to leave. I am simply going out a little later today. But you sound almost as if you were hoping I would leave the estate.”He spoke playfully.Yuse became even more flustered and quickly shook her head.What was he saying?If she could, she would stay by his side all day—talking with him, eating delicious food together, walking around the city.There were so many things she wanted to do.But she was too embarrassed to say any of it.“N-No, not at all. I was just curious. Truly.”“Haha, I was only teasing you.”Seeing her red face, Killian laughed.“Haha…”Yuse found herself smiling along as she looked at him.“By the way, Yuse.”After clearing his throat, Killian lowered his voice.“I heard that you received a letter. From His Highness the Crown Prince.”“Ah… yes.”Yuse nodded.However, she had never personally told Killian about the letter yet, so she could not help feeling nervous. She only hoped it did not show on her face.“I only heard that you received it, but I do not know the details. That is why I came to ask.”“Pardon?”“His Highness said the details were meant only for you. He told me that if I wished to know, I should hear it directly from you.”Ah…That explained one of her doubts.It seemed Killian knew about the letter because the Crown Prince had told him.‘Well… who else around me would have informed him?’Pushing away her suspicion, Yuse spoke.“He said that since I came to the Empire and have not properly greeted him yet, he wished to invite me to a tea party. The Crown Princess will also attend.”“I see.”Killian nodded.“Then, when will you be going?”“Ah, the date is—”Yuse paused for a moment.“Yuse?”“…It is in two days.”“I understand. May I escort you to the Imperial Palace that day?”He was asking to escort her.Yuse had not expected it, but there was no reason to refuse.“Of course. Let’s go together.”“That would please me as well.”Killian smiled softly.It seemed he was about to leave, but he paused before turning away.“Ah, Yuse.”“Yes?”“Why did you not tell me immediately that you received a letter from the Imperial Palace?”Yuse fell silent for a moment.She slowly pressed her lips together before answering, afraid that too much hesitation would cause misunderstanding.“The letter arrived late at night. I was going to tell you the next day—today—but the timing did not work out. I’m sorry, Killian.”“There is no need for you to apologize.”Killian shook his head and stepped closer, embracing her naturally.“…!”“I only wish to know about your daily life. Especially since you are not yet familiar with the Empire, I thought matters related to the Imperial Palace might feel awkward to you. And I do not like hearing about your affairs from others.”“Killian…”“So next time you receive such a letter, you must tell me. All right?”“…All right.”Only after she promised did Killian hug her once more before leaving the room.Yuse stared blankly at his back as he walked away, until Beila called her name.“My lady… are you all right?”“…Yes.”Yuse nodded slowly.She felt strange.
With the great event of the tea party with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess approaching, time passed quickly.During those days, Killian explained the layout of the Imperial Palace to Yuse and even suggested suitable conversation topics.Anyone watching would think he was deeply devoted to her—perhaps even overly concerned.“Yuse, are you ready?”Just as she was finishing her final preparations, Killian knocked on the door.“Yes.”She answered cheerfully, and the door opened.Killian looked the same as always, yet somehow even more handsome today.“Shall we… go?”When their eyes met, he paused briefly before finishing his sentence.“Yes.”With Killian escorting her, Yuse boarded the carriage.Soon, the signal was given, and the carriage began to move swiftly toward the Imperial Palace.
