第６３２堀：姫ではなく友として１人の人として (Part1)
**Chapter 632: Not as a Princess, but as a Friend, as a Person**
**Side: Carrie Hayden – Princess of the Kingdom of Hayden**
"Princess, are you certain about this?"
The one asking was Kuno, the maid who had been by my side for as long as I could remember.
She was likely referring to my decision to join Her Highness Stasia and Yuki-sama in storming the Haile Headquarters.
"It is fine. If, by some chance, I am discovered and stripped of my position, I would welcome it as a liberation from my royal duties. My uncle is a quiet man; he would simply have his son succeed the throne. Besides, if I were to die while moving alongside Yuki-sama and his companions, it would either be due to my own stupidity or because there is no one left in this world capable of stopping what is to come."
"…I understand your reasoning, but if that is the case, should you not at least bring your own guards? Someone like Lady Kagura, perhaps? Going alone might result in you becoming a burden to Yuki-sama."
"…I am aware of that, but this is ultimately my own selfishness. It has nothing to do with Kagura. …More than anything, I have already placed too heavy a burden on her. Though I called her my friend, I deceived her, used her for my own convenience, and in the end, she collapsed. It may be late to say this now, but I truly do think of Kagura as a friend. Our relationship is a bit stiff due to the master-servant dynamic, but even so, she never ceased offering me her honest, bitter advice. She will surely become someone great in the future. No, she is already great enough as she is. Don’t you agree?"
"…Yes. Lady Kagura has already established deep ties with the people of Weed. Her skill is nothing short of brilliant. She seems to be deepening her connections with the people of the If Continent as well; she is performing her duties as a diplomat more than adequately."
"Exactly. If I were to use such a woman until she broke just to serve as my guard, it would damage our reputation with Weed. Yuki-sama himself took a liking to her, even going so far as to personally look after her while she was ill. Oh, by the way, Kuno, what will you do? Will you come with me?"
"Of course. I shall remain by your side, Princess."
Yes, only Kuno, Her Highness Stasia, and I need to go to this battle.
This is not an act of state; it is a personal quest to settle a grudge. I should not involve Kagura in a fight fueled by such personal feelings.
That is why, at the very least…
With those thoughts in mind, I arrived in front of Kagura’s room.
"Princess, one moment."
Kuno stepped forward and knocked on the door. A response came immediately, and the door swung open.
"Coming! Who is it… wait, Princess!?"
Kagura emerged from within, her face a mask of shock.
Opening the door without even asking for the visitor's name is rather careless, but this is an academy, so I suppose that is normal here.
…And I am the one who dragged Kagura away from such a peaceful place and into an ugly war.
No, I mustn't think like that. Precisely because I involved her, I must remain a dignified princess for Kagura until the very end.
"I heard you had awakened and came to see how you were doing. You seem well."
"Ah, y-yes!! For now, please, come inside!!"
Flustered by my sudden visit, Kagura hurriedly ushered me in.
We were so casual with each other when we were small, yet now it is like this. I understand why, but it still brings a wry smile to my face.
The room contained nothing particularly unusual. To me, it felt cramped, but I suppose this is what a standard room looks like. There is no real meaning to using a cavernous room all by oneself other than to show off. Yuki-sama’s office, for instance, was extremely functional, proving vividly that one does not need a massive room just to get work done.
Recalling such things, I scanned Kagura’s room before taking the chair she offered.
"I am deeply sorry for my behavior—vomiting and collapsing in front of the important guests from Weed. It was an act unbecoming of the diplomat you entrusted with such a role, Princess."
The moment I sat down, Kagura bowed her head deeply.
Ah, so Kagura thinks I have come to reprimand or punish her. While I find it a natural assumption, it makes me a little sad to realize that, to her, I am a strict superior rather than a friend.
Well, considering how I have treated her until now, it is a perfectly reasonable reaction.
I should use this moment to repay at least a little of the debt I owe her for all her help.
"No. There is no need to apologize for that. If anything, the fault lies with us for relying on you too heavily."
This was already the consensus among Yuki-sama, Duke Kamishiro, Her Highness Stasia, and myself.
Until a mere six months ago, she was just a student. Her future was supposed to be a peaceful path—either following in her sister’s footsteps into research or returning to the Duke Kamishiro household to serve as a shrine maiden and take a husband.
Instead, she was swept up in a great war, performed a feat surpassing the founders by summoning Yuki-sama and his companions—who were essentially apostles of the gods—from Weed, and has done nothing but push herself past her limits.
It was only natural that she collapsed.
Yuki-sama himself said as much and sought no punishment. Since the aggrieved party, Yuki-sama, isn't demanding a penalty, there is no reason to lash out at her. The matter of her collapse has been dropped. Kagura will now focus solely on her role as the diplomat to Weed, while Duke Kamishiro and Kanna will handle matters regarding the Haile Church.
In fact, if we were to punish Kagura, it would be tantamount to admitting that we were incompetent for failing to manage her. Ending a situation by merely scolding a subordinate is the act of a fool who is simply pushing their own failures onto others. It is like publicly announcing that you cannot even manage your own people.
"But…"
Still, as the one who failed, she likely finds it difficult to move on. Therefore…
"I believe you have heard the news, but from now on, you will step away from matters concerning the Haile Church and focus entirely on diplomacy with Weed. This is by no means a dismissal. Maintaining friendship with Weed is vital for the future governance of Hayden. Even if we were to make an enemy of the Haile Church, we can endure as long as we have a connection with Weed."
Actually, I suspect that as long as we are allied with Weed, we cannot lose. Though, the governance following such a victory would likely be incredibly difficult…
"Kagura, building a friendship with Weed is the most necessary thing for Hayden’s future. I believe you understand this well."
"…Yes."
"Leave the Haile Church to us. You must do what you need to do—both as a diplomat and as a woman."
"Yes!! Wait, as a woman?"
Kagura tilted her head as if she didn't understand.
Oh my? Does she think I am that poorly informed?
"Oh, was I mistaken? I was under the impression that you were pining for Yuki-sama."
"Nya!?"
The moment I said that, Kagura’s face turned bright red.
…'Nya'? Like a cat? How adorable.
"If you were to be united with Yuki-sama, it would strengthen the bond between Weed and Hayden. I would find that quite pleasing. That is why I intended for you to serve as the diplomat to Weed, so you could deepen your relationship. Once the business with the Haile Church is settled, the diplomat will naturally be the one meeting with Yuki-sama. But, if you do not wish for that, then perhaps another—"
"Nya-nya!! It’s fine!! Please leave it to me!!"
"But as your friend, I do not want to force you. What if you collapse again? You don't actually like Yuki-sama, do you?"