HSML 12

This video box.

Not only does it display the images that the seeing-and-hearing box observes, it also plays the audio it hears, which makes it extremely convenient.

“Prince… if you’re going to invite someone in, at least please put on a jacket.”

“You know it’s you, so there’s no problem, is there?”

“There is a huge problem! A passing maid ran off with her face bright red!”

“That maid got to have a nice experience, didn’t she?
Besides, it’s your fault for not closing the door right away, Sabanas.”

“…………”

It’s only their voices, but I can tell that Sabanas is holding his head in his hands.

Prince Siphon—what he’s saying is pretty outrageous, isn’t it?

“Anyway, I believe I told you to call me when you’re changing?”

“The formal wear was hot and irritating. I couldn’t wait for you to bring a wet towel.”

“…Haah.”

Sighing deeply, it seems Sabanas has started helping wipe down the prince’s body.

…Wipe down his body…

“This is cold and feels good. I don’t dislike summer, but this heat is unbearable.”

“Formal wear prioritizes appearance over temperature, after all…
I wish they’d take summer heat and winter cold into account a bit more.”

“Seriously.”

T-this is bad…

Because that earlier scene is burned into my mind, even though I’m not seeing it, an image of the prince being wiped down is forming on its own in my head…

I can’t hear their casual conversation at all…

“By the way, I heard a prototype of a magic-core device for cooling rooms has been completed. I hope it’s finished soon.”

“It would certainly be useful, but…
It’s a magic-core device with high demand. Keep an eye on the required materials and the stock and market price of magic-core crystals. If necessary, the royal family may need to impose restrictions.”

“Yes.”

…A magic-core device to cool rooms, huh.

If that exists, then a magic-core device to warm rooms in winter will probably be developed too.

It might be wise to start gathering magic-core crystals that could serve as materials within our territory now.
This might be something I should discuss with Father.

Their small talk paused there, and I heard a rustling sound of fabric.

The sound of changing clothes.

…The sound of changing clothes…!

No, wait.

Why am I this excited?

………Ahem.

“I finally feel refreshed.
Simple loungewear really is comfortable.”

“It’s made from materials that feel cool in summer, so even more so.”

After a while of such mundane exchanges, Sabanas cleared his throat softly.

It’s probably a signal that he’s about to bring up something serious.

“Now then, Your Highness. Please forgive me for a few somewhat nagging words.”

“I’d rather not hear them—but I can’t exactly ignore them either. What is it?”

“I am well aware that Your Highness enjoys ‘interesting things,’ but carelessly being alone with a woman… that should have been done more cautiously, after consultation.
Given who Your Highness is, your partner is politically significant.”

“Haah… so it’s that again.”

It seems the prince had already guessed what this would be about the moment Sabanas cleared his throat.

Well, I understand Sabanas’s argument too.
From a noble’s perspective, it’s the correct way of thinking.

In truth, I myself, having been invited in, was undoubtedly careless from an outside point of view.

“That isn’t all.
Even without direct talk of marriage, to outsiders it was a situation that could easily be linked that way.”

Yes. That’s exactly right. I won’t deny it.

“Well, you’re right.”

The prince doesn’t seem inclined to deny it either.

…How should I put this—both Prince Siphon and I are currently in situations where we want a convenient fiancé.
It’s not like neither of us thought, without saying it aloud, that we might as well make use of the situation…

“But as for that, just say it was love at first sight.”

…Huh?

“Love at first sight… you say…”

Prince Siphon… with me…?

My heart skipped at the unexpected words, but his tone was casual, almost flippant, and didn’t sound sincere.
He probably just said it offhandedly on the spur of the moment.

…And yet, a part of me feels a little disappointed.

Sabanas, who seemed to mull over the prince’s words for a moment, asked in a tone that leaned more toward curiosity than scolding.

“With the box?”

“With the box.”

…Right?!

Even if it were love at first sight, at that point there was no way he could’ve known what my face looked like!

“Well, more precisely, with the young lady inside the box.”

“I can understand it since I saw it up close, but that’s quite a phrase—
‘a young lady inside a box.’”

“Yeah… even saying it out loud myself, it’s a surprising phrase.”

…I mean, at that time I was wearing a mascot-style head!!

Of course the ‘box’ would leave a stronger impression than the person!!!

Why is it that I feel such an overwhelming sense of defeat toward my own magic…?!

Well, I suppose the first impression really was strong…

“Be that as it may, even if it was love at first sight, it doesn’t change the seriousness of what Your Highness did. Normally, even with love at first sight, you should consult someone before taking action.”

As I sank into dejection and the prince’s guard began to loosen, Sabanas repeated his opening words, tightening the atmosphere again.

The high-performance seeing-and-hearing box even picked up the sound of Prince Siphon clicking his tongue.

“I know that even though Your Highness has come of age, you’re anxious because you don’t have a fiancée yet, but—”

“I’m not particularly anxious.”

“I know you’re anxious!”

This is Prince Siphon’s private room, and security should be airtight, but Sabanas seems to be framing the conversation that way.

By doing so, it also serves as an excuse should any ill-mannered eavesdroppers in the castle overhear.

Of course, Prince Siphon should be able to read that intention.

He should—but—

“I’m not anxious, though?”

He replied flatly, completely ignoring Sabanas’s intent.

…Even with only sound to go on, I can sense Sabanas’s distress.

“Could you please not ignore my intentions when you clearly understand them?”

As Sabanas groaned with a sigh, Prince Siphon let out a carefree laugh.

Well, setting appearances aside, it’s true that Prince Siphon isn’t particularly in a rush to get engaged.

To be honest, even I, despite pressure from those around me, don’t really take it to heart.

That said, considering life in this country—the Doltour Kingdom—it’s certainly not good for appearances for a royal or noble to reach adulthood without a fiancé.

Well, that applies to me too, as the chancellor’s daughter…

Given that, Prince Siphon is probably under pressure from those around him to find a fiancée soon as well.

As a prince and a politician, he surely understands how important a fiancée is…

I understand having many ideals. I do too.

Of course, given his position as royalty, he can’t afford to be too picky. Even so, there’s said to be one condition—just one—that he absolutely won’t compromise on.

Namely—

“She was very much my type.
And if it’s the Dripps House, their family status poses no problem.
You can understand my feelings about wanting to act early.”

—“Something interesting, or something that can entertain me.”

If that’s the one condition…

Then I’m confident I can be a candidate.

Whether it’s okay to have that kind of confidence, I won’t think about it.