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Chapter 47
The two of them quickly became close.
Clea was a girl whose smile was as beautiful as the first impression Psyche had of her. They shared similar ways of thinking and likes, almost as if they were two halves of the same soul, and so they became friends quickly.
Psyche had never had someone her age to call a “friend” before, so her relationship with Clea felt new and enjoyable. And secretly…
“Maybe the feelings I had for Sir Aster were also like friendship.”
That’s what she thought.
They always had shared interests, and talking with him was fun.
Sometimes she thought of him and wanted to spend time together.
Since these were feelings usually felt between friends, maybe the way she felt toward Aster was similar.
But when their hands brushed, her heart raced… could this happen even with a friend?
Psyche looked at Clea’s smiling face in front of her, then her gaze shifted to her hands.
“Thank you so much for inviting me to such a beautiful palace.”
Small and delicate, moving busily.
But she didn’t feel a strong desire to touch her hand.
What was the difference… the difference between a same-sex friend and an opposite-sex friend?
“Or… am I feeling something different toward Sir Aster?”
But the latter must not exist. Psyche was already pledged to another. She could not have feelings for anyone other than the Grand Duke.
“To have a fiancé who gives such a beautiful palace as a gift… it’s fantastic! I never imagined I’d be having tea in a place like this.”
Psyche looked at Clea happily as she chattered without pause under the slanting sunlight.
Although Psyche had a soft smile on her lips, her heart felt a little complicated.
“I heard that the Kingdom of Argos is also beautiful.”
“It is. But the palace of Nyx, called the Ice Palace of the Grand Duchy, is truly unique. Anyone who knows of its existence would want to see it with their own eyes at least once. Even if you hear about it, seeing it yourself is completely different.”
“I see. Clea has a way of speaking that always makes others feel good.”
Psyche lightly praised her as she looked at Clea.
Clea was undeniably a good friend. The more Psyche talked with her, the more she understood why Grand Duchess Angela had chosen Clea to accompany her. Clea made anyone feel quite happy just by being with them.
Since Clea was also from another country, just like Psyche, Psyche felt even more at ease. Thanks to Angela’s plan, Psyche was adapting to the Grand Duchy more pleasantly because of Clea’s visit. Clea seemed to feel the same.
“Thank you. I really don’t know what to do when Miss Psyche compliments me. Oh, you asked about my kingdom, right? The Kingdom of Argos has a lot of rain. There are sudden squalls several times a day, but people don’t usually use umbrellas. There aren’t many clear days, so this sunny Grand Duchy feels amazing.”
Clea never stopped talking, now staring up at the palace’s transparent ceiling and sighing.
The sun shone straight through the glass on such a clear day, dazzling the eyes. Yet Clea seemed to enjoy it, closing her eyes and humming in the streaming sunlight. Were all people from the kingdom this energetic? Unlike the calm people of the Grand Duchy, Angela and Clea always seemed excited after living in the kingdom.
“But the Sigar Empire has four seasons and mild weather. There are more clear days than Argos. Is the sky now similar to Sigar’s?”
Clea asked suddenly, and Psyche made a small noise.
The Sigar Empire also had beautiful skies during seasonal changes. Colors were clear, clouds drifted about.
But it was never this clear. Most days there were no clouds, and the closer to the capital, Viscaya, the more polluted the air could be.
“I know a little about the Sigar Empire. My bodyguard is from there.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. I told him to wait outside so it wouldn’t be inconvenient for you. Would you like to meet him?”
Psyche wanted to meet him.
Meeting someone from her homeland while in a distant land was a big event.
But she was both excited and a little scared, unsure how he would react to meeting the “Swan of the Sigar Empire.”
“I’d like to meet him.”
“Good. Don’t worry, Miss Psyche. Sir Seluco is a very good person. Though he moved to Argos at a young age, he still cherishes memories of his homeland.”
Psyche felt relieved. Since he left Sigar when young, he wouldn’t know of her existence.
As Psyche felt more at ease, a large figure began approaching from afar.
“Sir Seluco, welcome. This is Miss Psyche of the Clement family, who will be the Grand Duchess of the Highier Grand Duchy. She is also from the Sigar Empire, like you.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
Psyche hesitated briefly—should she introduce herself as Psyche of the Clement family or as the Grand Duke’s fiancée?
In the end, she greeted simply.
When Psyche lifted her head, a tall blonde man knelt.
“I greet you. I am Seluco.”
“Please rise. It’s nice to meet you.”
Psyche smiled brightly, happy to meet someone from her homeland after a long time.
“I heard you’re also from the Sigar Empire. Which region were you born in?”
“Ah, I lived in the capital, then moved to the kingdom with my father. I left when I was very young, so my memories are faint, but I remember it being beautiful.”
“I see. I’ve only visited the capital a few times.”
Sir Seluco listened calmly to Psyche. He had a similar composure to Clea, so Psyche let her guard down a little.
“I wonder if it’s rude to ask, but is fish and chips still sold in the capital center? I often think about it.”
“…Do you mean the large shop in front of the castle gate? That’s the only place that sells it.”
“Ah. That sounds right. It wasn’t very big when I went.”
“It’s expanded now. They rent the entire building.”
They shared memories of their distant past as if catching up.
“If I knew the conversation would go so well, I should have arranged this meeting earlier… Huh, Sir?”
Clea looked happily at Psyche and Seluco, then pretended to be startled behind Psyche.
Soon, a warm presence began lingering behind Psyche.
Familiar scent.
Soft, careful steps.
Psyche thought the Grand Duke himself had arrived. The faint scent of winter and fresh grass was what she had searched for daily in the dark.
“Excuse me. Miss Psyche, His Highness the Grand Duke urgently requests your presence.”
A chill ran down her spine.
“…Sir Aster.”
Turning slowly, Psyche saw his familiar figure and felt the tension instantly melt.
With a sigh-like call, he tilted his head.
“May I escort you?”
He knelt in front of her and extended his hand. Warmth reached her, and Psyche blinked.
“…Yes, I should get up first. Clea, I’m sorry.”
Had the Grand Duke ever summoned her during the day?
She wondered. It had never happened before.
But Psyche held the straight, white hand of the man before her.
