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Chapter – 10
Even without knowing the name of a single constellation, it was enough just to look at the stars.
I used to think, Someday, I hope I can shine like that with my own power…
The clever and gentle Raphael had never been punished by being locked in the attic, and simple-minded Millicent would rather sleep than look at the stars, but I—I had always loved them.
I only read the article about the sickly Crown Prince bringing a telescope into the imperial observatory after I ran away from the orphanage.
Compared to the small freedom I had, his was so vast and expansive. I thought, Just as the name says, Justinian’s Morning Star truly shines.
Still, I never thought I would actually get to visit that observatory before I died…
“Really? I heard Your Highness observed a supernova in the Eridanus constellation with the telescope. I want to see it too. There’s no telescope in Bristol.”
The telescope was a novelty from the distant Western Continent, and in fact, there was only one in the entire Eastern Continent.
Unless you were the Crown Prince of the Empire, there was no chance of getting one, so it was certainly true that there was no telescope in Bristol.
“…A supernova in Eridanus? Did you see that in the newspaper?”
“Yes.”
I answered carefully, then added,
“My father sometimes let me read the imperial newspaper for study.”
Actually, it was Raphael who had me read the papers. He said that to succeed in business, I needed to know the way the world worked.
Still, whether it was my father or Raphael, they were both family. Thinking that, I added,
“It wasn’t exactly my favorite hobby, but I never skipped the observatory articles.”
“If only you had read other articles as diligently, you might have learned polite speech too. A pity.”
“Huh?”
I ignored Calision pointing out my clumsy honorifics.
“Although, your way of speaking in the imperial language is still quite cute.”
I was taken aback by the fairly straightforward compliment.
Well, nobles were supposed to say flattering things, and he was the flirtatious Crown Prince.
So this compliment probably didn’t mean much—but I was standing there as his fiancée…
“Thank you for looking at me kindly.”
I responded politely as well.
It was natural for my face to flush from speaking such awkward words.
“Anyway… I like stargazing. In Bristol, on clear winter nights, I would look for Betelgeuse.”
“That reddish star does stand out, indeed.”
Calision pulled the corners of his mouth into a delicate smile.
“Actually, the observatory hasn’t been open to the public for years, except for special events, but if you’re interested, that’s a different story. I’ll invite you once preparations for guests are complete.”
Of course, I already knew that, but I widened my eyes in feigned surprise.
“Oh my, was I making an inappropriate request?”
“Not at all. The observatory is close to my palace, so if schedules allow, we could even have a meal together that day.”
It was when I heard the long-awaited offer that suddenly—
A neighing sound rang out, and the carriage jolted to a halt.
“Eek!”
As the carriage lunged forward, I let out a shrill scream and toppled forward from the seat.
Right—into the Crown Prince’s arms.
“Ah…!”
Reflexively, I spread my fingers to use magic, but they served no purpose, merely touching his shoulder.
Outside, the coachman shouted in a panic.
“Are you all right, Your Highness? A sudden horse startled the carriage—my apologies!”
Calision glared at the coachman while keeping his eyes on me.
“What kind of disgrace is this, in the presence of a guest?”
After controlling the horses, the coachman bowed his head outside the window.
“I sincerely apologize, Your Highness. And the princess—is she unharmed?”
Finally regaining my composure, I pulled my hand back, but Calision’s hand was still on my waist.
“I-I’m fine.”
Speaking in embarrassment, Calision finally let go of my waist.
“I’m sorry. I meant to just support you…”
However, as soon as his hands left my waist, I lost my balance again and wobbled.
“Oh no…”
“Well, excuse me. Seems the coachman doesn’t want to keep his job,” Calision said, gripping my waist to set me upright. He supported my weight effortlessly without the slightest frown.
I had thought him frail, but a man’s strength is a man’s strength, huh.
Once I finally planted both feet firmly, I spoke, embarrassed.
“I-I’m really fine now. You can let go.”
Calision smiled with the corners of his eyes crinkling and released my waist.
I lowered my head, wishing I could disappear into a mouse hole.
“Thank you… since no one was hurt, don’t scold the coachman too much.”
“If you insist, then I won’t. Sit comfortably.”
As he ordered the carriage to move, the sound of hooves resumed.
I bit my lower lip, face burning in embarrassment. Falling in front of the Crown Prince two days in a row—
This was far from what I had imagined when entering the palace. After years of using magic as easily as water, my reflexes seemed completely degraded.
“…I look foolish again. Perhaps I’m not naturally athletic,” I muttered.
“Your body was weak and you couldn’t move much, so there’s no need to say that,” Calision said, casually dismissing my comment.
That moment when my hands had touched his shoulders came to mind.
Until a few years ago, Ichigo had been bedridden, yet now he was incredibly solid.
Has he been exercising recently? To maintain his recovered health?
As I thought that, the carriage arrived at the entrance closest to my room.
“Rest comfortably. If I’m busy, and Hübner or… someone else bothers you too much, I’ll contact you separately.”
“That won’t be necessary. Thank you so much today, Your Highness.”
Calision kissed the back of my hand one last time and withdrew.
He must be heading to meet my father at the central entrance.
Alone, I quietly went up the stairs and slipped away into a quiet second-floor corridor.
Before returning to the room where Jwibangeul was waiting, I wanted to open the lace I had bought as a gift.
As I unrolled the lace, tied once with a ribbon, a tiny note fell out, just as expected.
All clear.
Seeing Raphael’s barely legible handwriting, I let out a sigh of relief.
Raphael had read my worry without a necklace and updated me on Millicent’s condition.
I tore the small paper into even smaller pieces and flicked them out the open window, then continued upstairs.
The note was short, but enough to bring me back to reality.
Even if I temporarily lost my magic, I was still a magician.
I was here for Millicent.
No matter how unexpectedly kind the Crown Prince or anyone else might be, I couldn’t let it distract me.
With that resolve, I headed toward the room where Jwibangeul waited.
“Here.”
The lace the Crown Prince had bought and some leftover candy he offered made Jwibangeul’s expression twist oddly.
“What is this?”
“Just lace. I bought a few things along the princess’s route.”
I omitted that the Crown Prince had bought it, unsure if Jwibangeul would like that, which only made him more flustered.
“Why… why are you giving me this?”
“Eh?”
Indeed, that was a good question.
I had just intended to say I bought gifts for the ladies-in-waiting, so I must have unconsciously assumed it was for Jwibangeul.
He was a subordinate of a shameless villain, and there was no way the Crown Prince would personally check if the gift arrived.
“If you don’t like it, don’t take it.”
I immediately pulled my hand back, but Jwibangeul scrambled to snatch the items from my fingertips, his short legs moving frantically.
Then, blushing, he muttered:
“Don’t think you can get away with being nice to me. Clementine is your master’s loyal servant.”
“I wasn’t expecting anything like that,” I said, incredulous, then asked slyly,
“Is your master really that amazing? If you feel like fainting or throwing up unnecessarily, you don’t have to answer. It’s a hassle to clean up anyway.”
