6

Morning’s not even cracked yet. Inside the castle, maids are already darting about, soldiers moving with that sharp, tense air, checking their posts one by one.

It’s finally here.

Today’s the day the princess meets her betrothed, Prince Aldo.

Already for three days past, soldiers from the Duchy of Welia have been here, doubling the guard—tighter than a drum. Not even a mouse could slip in unnoticed now.

The prince’s arrival’s expected around noon, but preparations for his welcome have already started this early. Me included, of course.

I walk down the corridor, tugging at my uniform to make sure it’s straight, heading to the princess’s room.

Today, the princess is definitely up to something. I tried to dig up the truth ahead of time—really did—but in the end, she just slipped it past me, like smoke.

That’s why I’m doing full-time guard duty today—call it surveillance, if you must.

“Princess, it’s Eld. Are you in?”

“Come in.”

As usual, the maid ushered me in. The princess was rubbing her eyes, half-awake, sipping tea.

Around her, the special maids assigned to today’s preparations were bustling—adjusting her hair, smoothing her skin, fussing over every detail.

“Good morning. You look dreadfully sleepy.”

“Worked right up until last night, you know. That’s why everything’s ready. Ald will surely be pleased. Won’t he, everyone?”

The maids around her just smiled faintly, not quite sure how to answer.

“Hey. Not a single proper response in there. What’s with that?”

“The little bird we’ve cherished and raised all this time is about to fly off on its own today. It’s only natural to feel sorrow, isn’t it?”

“That’s not sorrow—that’s just a bad reaction!”

“Working bravely without showing sorrow—how sweet they are.”

“Everyone here’s older than you, you know! Wait—more importantly, final check. I’m supposed to double as the prince’s guide from now on.”

Don’t know why, but I’ve been handed the job of greeting the prince and guiding the princess to her room.

Shouldn’t this be the maids’ usual duty? Honestly, I don’t get it. But since I’ve been ordered, I’ll just have to do it. That’s the real pain of being a grown-up.

“The messenger horse will arrive before the prince’s arrival. Use that as your cue to change clothes and move to your rooms.”

“Wasn’t it around noon, again?”

Yeah, they said they’d eat here at noon, so I figure we’ll be there before lunch. Just meet the princess and have a meal together—no fuss.

Understood. And then...?

I’m starting to feel like a matchmaker, explaining the princess’s schedule after the meeting step by step.

Simple as that—this is an arranged match, already set in stone up to the engagement.

Lunch together, then a stroll through the garden—exercise after the meal. After that, audience with the King, and then—just the two of them, really. But no one could possibly say that with the royal pair, not when there were knights and maids clamped on tight, ready to support every step.

The castle was buzzing like a hive today—every staff member on standby, just in case some prince or princess felt like ordering up a moonbeam or a thunderstorm. You never knew what might come out of those fancy mouths.

"Got riding, horseback archery, and magic cart drives all set up, so we can accommodate any request a prince might throw at us."

Whatever prince it is, a fifteen-year-old boy's likely to want to show off a bit in front of the princess.

After all, the princess is a downright stunning beauty—no way a boy wouldn't be smitten on sight.

So we’ve got the sports stuff covered. Though, truth be told, she’d probably rather be curled up indoors with a book.

Still, it’s all about how much the prince’s eyes stay on her.

"After your audience with His Majesty, you two can decide together."

"Understood. So that’s where the real test comes in, then."

What’s the battle even for… the prince?

"No winning or losing at a meeting of faces. Just behave yourself."

“Stay put in the room, now. You too, Eld—play your part well.”

“Of course. I’ll give it my all. Then I’ll return to my post. Excuse me.”

I bowed, heart heavy with worry, and left the princess’s chamber.

With a grand fanfare, a magitek carriage slowly passed through the castle gates. Behind it came soldiers on horseback and several more carriages, filling the courtyard with people and wheels in an instant.

In the midst of it all, the door of the magitek carriage—parked on the red carpet—opened, and a boy stepped out.

He looked about the same height as the princess. A bit short for his fifteen years, perhaps.

Slender frame, pale skin, delicate build. But what stood out most was his hair.

His hair, as white as snow, shimmered silver in the winter sun.

His red eyes—sharp and bright—were the only proof he was albino.

The fanfare died down, and I stepped forward, along with the royal steward, toward the prince.

“After such a long journey, welcome to our halls.”

“Thank you for the greeting.”

A high, childish voice—still soft with the remnants of boyhood—smiled back at me.

“I’m Eld, your guide. You must be weary from the road. Your chambers are ready. I’ll take you there right away.”

“Thank you. Even with a magic carriage, just sitting in it wears you down.”

“Not being able to move freely… that takes a proper kind of strength.”

The prince’s magic carriage was as big as a wagon. But no matter how large it was, sitting in one position all day, stuck in traffic like that—it wore you down just the same. Maybe if it were big enough to lie down in, like a camping coach, it’d be different. Still, the jolt of rough roads would build up fatigue, little by little.

Walking through the castle with the prince and his attendants.

Every now and then, maids we passed would bow deeply, standing at the edge of the hall. That’s how you’re supposed to treat royalty, I guess… except for the princess. She just dashes right through, and they all scramble to get out of her way.

Then, from behind, the prince—curious as ever, eyes darting around, trailing after me—called out.

“Huh. So maids really do wear apron dresses. I’ve never seen one before.”

Well, now—here you are, skipping right past all the fancy furnishings lining this corridor, the seasonal flower arrangements, and straight to the apron dress. Bold move, I’ll give you that.

I give a quiet nod inside, impressed by the prince’s unexpected pivot in conversation.

“Is it different in the Duchy of Weeria? I’ve never left this country, so I’m not exactly up on such things.”

“Ah, yes—Weeria’s winters are long and harsh. Maids there wear their dresses with trousers underneath, and then wrap fur over them like a skirt. Otherwise, some people get frostbite just walking outside in deep winter.”

“Huh. So it’s really that cold there?”

The Duchy of Weeria lies to the west of the kingdom. Same latitude, mostly—but since it sits at a much higher elevation, it’s said to be brutally cold.

"Yes, the snow’s already started this time of year—when it really sets in, the ground floor can get buried completely. That’s why houses in Weeria have doors on the second floor too."

That’s a custom unique to snowy regions. I think places like Niigata had houses like that too.

"Really? So you’re pretty much trapped inside during winter?"

"Yes, so I spend most of it reading. Being frail to begin with, I never minded staying indoors, but thanks to that, I’ve picked up all sorts of knowledge. Even about maid uniforms—learned that from a book."

"I see."

I’m oddly curious about books that write about maid uniforms, but I swallow the thought and focus on my duties.

Or rather—here we are. Destination reached.

"Prince Ald, please rest in this chamber. Your attendants have been shown to the adjoining room—the door between them is open, so you can move between them easily. Should you need anything, simply speak to the maids assigned to your room, and they’ll attend to you at once."

"Understood. Thank you."

"Not at all. I’ll come up to fetch you later."

"Please do. Then—"

With that, Prince Ald disappeared through the door.

Once I’d watched his attendants enter the room and the door closed behind them, I let out a long, slow breath.

"Whew… tired…"

It’s been ages since I’ve had to play the perfect courtier for a princess, and I didn’t realize it’d wear me out this much. Sure, the guy’s a top-tier VIP—can’t afford to ruffle his feathers—but still, my shoulders are tight as a drum.

"Right. Best get moving on my own preparations, too."

I rolled my shoulders in a slow circle, then headed toward the bridal chamber—still being readied, I figured.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ines.”

“Likewise. Ald. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

The room was ready. The meeting was happening.

Wall to wall with soldiers and maids from either side, flanked by attendants behind us both.

And yet—here we were, smiling at each other like we’d just met at a picnic, not a political trap.

Honestly, I can’t wrap my head around it. If it were me, my face would’ve frozen solid. No way I’d manage that soft-spoken, polite chatter.

Royal blood really is something else. I thought, watching from the edge, blending in with the guards.

“Such a kind face—really puts me at ease.”

“I was told you were beautiful, but… you’re even more so than I imagined.”

“Hmm. You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?”

Hehe, hahaha—two people smiling like that, chatting so sweetly, couldn’t possibly be the same ones who’d just been arguing over a maid’s uniform, or the princess with that mischievous fire in her eyes, burning with intent.

I was shivering at the noble’s cat act, letting the two’s conversation drift in one ear and out the other, when the maid came in to say dinner was ready.

We moved the room along with it.

We’re eating together just the two of us, no one else—just like this, so we can talk freely. I’d never be able to sit down and chat with a stranger like that, not in a million years.

But they kept right on talking, as if cutting the conversation short was the last thing on their minds.

Sometimes the princess makes a joke, and the prince laughs—then the prince asks questions about the country, not knowing much, and the princess answers, one thing after another. When even she doesn’t know, her attendants step in to reply.

Today’s main course is roast beef. I’ll be carving it right here—help yourself to as much as you like.

Right then, laid out before the two of them was a massive block of roast beef.

The moment the lid lifted, the scent flooded the room—sharp and rich, making the soldiers huddled by the wall swallow hard.

And me? I’m one of those, too.

I know I’m eating pretty well every day—thanks to Ange, I get a decent wage as a knight—but this is something else entirely.

The smooth, rosy hue visible in cross-section. The rich, unmistakable aroma rising from the sauce brought along with it.

Every single one’s a top-tier masterpiece—no compromises, no second thoughts.

If they said you could eat as much as you wanted, I reckon every soldier here’d just dive right in.

And the two answers are!

Then I’ll take just a bit more—

"I’ll take half, I reckon—just enough."

Such modesty! No, wait—probably just full from eating already.

Lady Ines, who’s already delicate by nature and never ate much to begin with,’s been cutting back lately, worried about not moving enough. And Prince Ald—slender as she is—would’ve been stuffed already from just the course we’ve had so far.

But what a waste! Not getting to sink teeth into fresh roast beef?

Well, sure, the leftovers’ll be carted off later to be reheated in the kitchen. The mess hall’ll be packed today, I bet…

And then—nothing much happening at all—their meal ends quietly.

I’d been bracing myself, half-expecting some trick or another from the princess, but nope. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just me overthinking again, maybe?

But the outfit the princess was making—shouldn’t that have been the one? The dress she’s wearing now was prepared by the king himself, just for this gathering. Meaning the outfit she’d been working on hasn’t been used yet.

Still, better not let my guard down.

“Then, Miss Ines, until later.”

“Yes, it was a very pleasant time. I look forward to more.”

Good first impression on both sides? That’s the vibe we’re keeping. And so, the first meeting comes to a close.

Next time! Ines takes action, and Prince Aldo faces the unthinkable!?