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Chapter 13
“After all, weren’t you in a hurry?”
To Savanus’s question, Prince Siphon answered in a casual, nonchalant manner.
“I’m not in a hurry about the engagement.
If I were refused, I could accept it, but I can’t stand someone else making a move on her before that.”
“So, you weren’t in a hurry about the engagement itself, but rather about her being touched by someone else?”
“Let’s just say it’s that.”
Prince Siphon’s true feelings were hidden behind his teasing words.
Still, regardless of his intentions, it was very pleasing to know that he cared about me.
Observing Prince Siphon, Savanus let out a breath in a somewhat exasperated tone.
“However, I did not expect Miss Dripps to invite the prince inside.”
“Even if she’s… well, maybe I should say even if she’s a recluse? Whatever the case, it’s clear that she’s the daughter of Chancellor Dripps and has inherited his way of using her intellect.
She must have had her own intentions in drawing me inside.”
Prince Siphon nodded at Savanus’s words.
Indeed, otherwise, even with his magic, inviting someone of the opposite sex into the “box” is no small feat.
It didn’t feel bad to be praised by the two of them.
“Moreover, that’s precisely why it helped me.
I also had my own intentions in being invited inside.”
“So, the outcome was the result of each other’s intentions. From the outside, it must be a headache.
Rumors will clearly spread that engagement talks were held inside, won’t they?”
“Both Miss Moka and I don’t mind that.”
“I see.”
Indeed, that is the case.
This part about intentions wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the box, but in terms of mutual benefit, we were aligned behind the words.
That said, as Savanus said, the situation would be troublesome for those around us, so I do feel a little sorry about it.
With Savanus sighing once again, the conversation reached a pause.
At that point, Savanus changed the topic.
“Now, changing the subject…”
Along with his words, Savanus’s demeanor shifted.
It was a sharpness different from a lecture or advice.
Prince Siphon immediately understood the implication and addressed the words Savanus was likely waiting to speak.
“Ah. What happened to the man we caught at the venue?”
“After being handed over to the Knights, he was interrogated by them.”
“And…?”
“Apparently he had connections with a radical faction, but ultimately he’s like a lizard’s tail. No one will reach out to help him.”
“I see.”
The fate of a man who poisoned someone is not something one wants to imagine… Execution seems inevitable.
Even if it was voluntary or done under persuasion, once one harms royalty, the outcome is set.
It’s also possible someone might silence him before execution…
Either way, he won’t survive.
Prince Siphon seemed completely uninterested in the man’s fate.
For him, the issue was merely that someone had taken such measures.
“Any chance of getting more information?”
“Once preparations are complete, they’ll use potions and illusions for further interrogation.”
“If the client’s name comes up, we might trace back to the mastermind.”
That outcome is uncertain.
But considering the current balance in the succession battle, it’s surprising that such a commotion has arisen.
His older brother, Prince Frasco, is rough-tempered, and when in a bad mood, he uses magic to force his will.
Although few follow him, many nobles favor him as a figurehead—a problematic child.
As I occasionally observe, this is indeed true.
Prince Siphon, his younger brother, seems calm and capable at first glance… His skills excel in both civil and military affairs.
Yet, as the second son, he is free-spirited, openly enjoys novelty, and willingly meddles in troublesome matters.
Only those willing to keep up follow him, and in this sense, he’s also considered a problematic figure.
Although Prince Frasco is first in line to the throne, Prince Siphon is more capable, leading to divided opinions and factional splits among the nobility.
Because of this, Frasco’s radical faction occasionally launches overt attacks on Prince Siphon, causing headaches on multiple occasions.
“That said, this latest move can only be called reckless.”
“Perhaps they’re in a rush. Not necessarily thinking of Prince Siphon himself, but his mere presence threatens Prince Frasco’s position.”
“Maybe I provoked them a little too much.”
“This could escalate further, you know? My interactions with Miss Dripps were a bit… provocative.”
Ah… indeed.
Even without my intention, it might have been too provocative for Frasco’s faction.
Prince Siphon’s engagement to me, the chancellor’s daughter, is significant.
This event could tip the scales decisively in his favor…
I might need to be a bit more careful.
They probably won’t send assassins to the mansion… yet.
Still—
“Honestly… that faction should put more effort into fronts other than sabotage.”
I wholeheartedly agreed with Prince Siphon.
No matter the reason, even Prince Siphon finds the radicals’ meddling annoying…
Hence—
“Hmm. Perhaps I met her at just the right time.”
Even knowing Prince Siphon likely had his own intentions, his words made my heart flutter…
“I can’t quite tell what he’s thinking, but it doesn’t seem good.”
“Not necessarily. It’s a clever plan to resolve multiple issues at once.”
“So, it’s still not good, then.”
Savanus sighed theatrically.
I somehow understood his feelings.
“Self-defense, it’s self-defense. If it’s useless to say I’m not interested in the throne, I have to protect myself, right?”
“Haa… it can’t be helped, I suppose.”
…Could it be that Prince Siphon plans to provoke the other faction further and eliminate the impatient ones in one sweep?
If so, he might visit the mansion before I return to my domain.
When that happens, I will gladly welcome him while assisting with his work.
Just the thought of Prince Siphon visiting makes my heart race.
While I was secretly flustered, Prince Siphon, as if changing the topic, addressed Savanus.
“Setting that aside—Savanus. I wish to speak with Father.”
“In that case, His Majesty had already asked for you to come at a convenient time regarding the coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Then, please send word that I will come if there’s time.”
“Understood.”
After Savanus agreed, the sound of a door opening indicated he had left.
Prince Siphon, left alone, muttered dramatically.
“I heard that matters of the heart are difficult to control… That seems true. Since meeting Miss Moka, my heart behaves strangely.”
Though his tone was overly deliberate, a mixture of happiness and embarrassment welled up within him.
At that, Ritz, the prince’s bodyguard present in the room, spoke seriously.
“What do you think…?
In His Highness’s case, he might not distinguish between infatuation and curiosity.”
“Sometimes you’re too harsh, Ritz.”
“At least, I think what His Highness feels for Miss Moka isn’t infatuation, but mere interest.”
“I won’t deny that.”
…You won’t deny it…
“Since you don’t deny it, then he must distinguish between interest and infatuation properly.”
“Ritz can be sharp in ways different from Savanus, truly.”
Despite Ritz throwing back such a sharp remark at his theatrical muttering, Prince Siphon laughed cheerfully.
Their friendly rapport was nice, but hearing “it’s not infatuation” shocked me more than I expected.
I moved the observation box and distanced it from the prince’s room.
