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Chapter 25
“…And, then…”
Holding the small box I had taken into both hands, I offered it to His Highness Siphon.
I really should have been able to look straight at His Highness’s face, but I didn’t have the courage to look directly at him, so even now I kept my head lowered.
“…I… wanted… to give this… to you.”
“What is this?”
“It is… one of the box magics…”
This small box, a little larger than the palm of a hand, is called a “Sending Box.”
It is a box with a face like Hakoko and the others, but its function is completely different.
For example, if His Highness Siphon puts something inside this box, I can draw its contents over to the origin of my own box— it is a “sending box.”
Of course, the reverse is also possible; I can send things from me to the Prince’s small box.
If we use this, even after I return to my territory, we can exchange letters almost instantly, so there is no need to use messengers or adventurers to deliver them.
“…A terrifying ability, indeed.”
As expected of him, Prince Siphon seemed to have imagined many possibilities concerning this box’s ability.
But, I do not really want it to be used in such ways, so—
“And so… basically… it is set… so that only… I and… Your Highness… can use it…”
“I see.”
There are various restrictions placed upon it.
The ability to exchange letters instantaneously over long distances is an extremely powerful means of communication.
In Prince Siphon’s mind, it surely was not only the romantic use of being able to communicate with one’s fiancée without any time lag, but also ways to use it in politics or war that passed through his thoughts immediately.
That is also a usage I myself had considered.
But if possible, I do not want it to be used like that—
Though in the end it may turn into vague promises… I still want to convey my intention.
“I have… no intention… of using it… for anything… other than that…”
“Understood. It will be strictly for our private use only, then.”
“Basically… yes…”
Yes, basically, I want it to be used only for our exchanges.
But if circumstances arise where that cannot be helped, then that limitation will not apply.
I do not intend to deny its use as an emergency measure itself.
“Can things other than letters go inside?”
“…By that, you… mean…?”
“Things like small accessories.”
“Um… that… is fine… As long as it is something… that fits inside this box…”
“That is reassuring. I wanted to be able to give gifts immediately as well.”
Imagining myself receiving gifts through exchanges with the Prince, I involuntarily pictured it.
Immediately, I became conscious of my entire body flushing red again.
A-anyway, I have to say something…!
“…Um, ah… th… thank… you… very… much…”
“I haven’t given you anything yet. It is far too early to thank me.”
“Ah, um, yes… that… is true…”
Prince Siphon gave a wry smile at my words.
Th-that is certainly true… Um, uh… ah, the words just won’t come. The things I want to say won’t take shape.
Because of that, my head keeps going blank… ahh ahh…
At that timing, a voice came from Katina outside the box.
Ahh, it feels like excellent timing, and also terribly unfortunate…
‘My Lady. Could you return His Highness Siphon soon? It is time for His Highness to depart.’
But thanks to hearing Katina’s voice, I calmed down a little.
“I wanted… to talk… a little longer… but… it seems… it is about time…”
“So it seems. By all means, next time, show me around inside the box.”
“…Yes. When that time comes… certainly…”
His Highness carefully cradled the small box I handed him and headed toward the guest room door.
Before opening the door, he turned back and smiled.
“You may remain in box form. Let us have tea again.”
“…Yes… Your Highness Siphon…”
When I bowed at those words, for some reason he turned back toward me again.
Then, with a somewhat serious expression, he spoke.
“Siphon.”
“…Yes?”
“In public settings it cannot be helped, but inside the box, in letters, or anywhere out of sight, honorifics are unnecessary.
I too—no, I also… wish to call you ‘Moca.’”
Those were very bewildering words… but also a little happy.
Before I could even think about what I should say back— I simply followed my feelings, and spoke his name…
“Th-then… S-Siphon… Let us… meet again…”
“Ah. Moca. See you.”
When I said that, Prince Siphon briskly left the guest room.
His back looked very cool, and even after he left the room, until he completely exited outside the box, I kept waving my hand slightly the whole time.
After the prince and the others left the mansion, and their carriage was no longer visible, Katina returned to the room.
I called out to Katina in a slightly louder voice.
“Katina… um… could you… come in?”
‘As you wish.’
Then, Katina touched the box, as she was used to doing, and stepped inside.
“Katina!”
“What is the matter?”
Seeing Katina looking puzzled, I practically leapt into her arms as if saying “I’ve been waiting!”
“My Lady?”
To the worried-sounding Katina, I expressed my feelings.
And she gently responded with understanding nods.
“My heart was pounding…”
“I see.”
“I was scared… to show my face…”
“Yes.”
“For just a little… let me… stay like this…”
“As long as you like.”
Clinging to Katina and burying my face into her chest, I stopped moving.
While hugging her, I realized my body was trembling slightly.
Ahh… truly, I may have been at my limit.
I never imagined that mustering courage and resolving oneself could be this difficult.
“Even so…”
Once my trembling had started to calm, Katina asked me a question.
Still clinging to her, I lifted my face.
“Was it really alright? To reveal your true face?”
At that question, I nodded, and spoke of my thoughts and intentions.
“…His Highness Siphon is probably… the type… who won’t let the distance… cross a certain line…”
“…Meaning?”
“So we… have to show… trust and faith… and close the distance… ourselves…”
That is why I offered one of my magics to Prince Siphon.
“He is the kind of person who keeps… a certain distance… from people… but he does have sincerity…
So as long as trust… and faith… are necessary, I don’t think… he would betray them…”
That is why I gathered the courage to show my real face.
By revealing my true face and showing one of my hands, so to speak, Prince Siphon will likely accept it as an act of sincerity.
It is not simply a matter of engagement; since it involves nobles—no, royalty and high nobility, it cannot be helped.
“However… he is also… someone who can conceal his true feelings… and put on a front…”
I don’t know what he truly thought of what I did—
I also understand this engagement comes with his own intentions.
But I have intentions as well.
For that sake I needed to gather courage, so it cannot be helped.
Our relationship is that of fiancés, and at the same time one where our respective interests align for the sake of our own intentions.
Even if we cannot fully read each other’s goals, we each judged that simply being engaged is something that can be used…
“But even so—”
“My Lady?”
“He said I… was beautiful… and praised me… Me…”
I was happy, and embarrassed, and shy…
But without a doubt, my heart was pounding with a feeling I had never experienced before…
That is why—
Regarding that moment, I cannot help but wish.
“I hope… those words… were truly… his real feelings…”
—That is what I wish.
