Chapter 12 ◆◆ My Adorable Wife and I Practice Dancing

♥♥♥

Three days after having a strange dream.

Shitoen and I were summoned by the eldest brother, the Crown Prince.

“Prince Saryu Tidros and Princess Shitoen have arrived.”

A guard stood before the door, lowering his spear to announce our arrival, and the reply came immediately.

“Enter.”

As usual, the tone was flat, and just by voice alone, you couldn’t tell if he was in a good mood or not.

Well, I’ve been used to that since forever.

“Excuse us.”

The attendant inside opened the door, and I entered with Shitoen.

“Oh.”

“Well.”

Shitoen and I spoke at the same time.

That’s because the Crown Princess Yuria was sitting on the sofa, drinking tea.

When our eyes met, Yuria smiled brightly and returned her cup to the saucer.

“Welcome. That person seems to need a little more time.”

When I followed her gaze to the desk, the eldest brother was busy scribbling some characters on paper.

A solid oak desk facing the window. It’s the one the eldest brother has been using since he became Crown Prince.

There’s not a single decoration—its austere presence fitting his personality perfectly. Words like steadfast and tough come to mind.

He’s the same age as Raul.

Raul has a somewhat soft appearance, but the eldest brother has sharp looks like a finely honed blade.

Like our mother, he was a beautiful boy when young and now a handsome young man. He’ll probably become a charming old man someday.

“Sorry, wait a little longer.”

Without turning his face to me, the eldest brother said bluntly.

The one who immediately responded was Yuria.

“Well then. Please, have a seat.”

She cheerfully gestured to the sofa in front of her.

Yuria is my sister-in-law, but she’s just a bit younger than me—twenty-two years old.

She married my eldest brother at nineteen, so she’s been Crown Princess for four years now.

No wonder I was surprised when I saw my nephew turn into a “kid” last time. He was a baby not too long ago.

“Would you like some tea?”

“No need to fuss.”

“Hehe, alright then. Let me serve it.”

Yuria looks like a gentle lady at first glance but is a talented woman fluent in the languages of neighboring countries.

But… she was raised under my mother’s strict guidance since childhood.

That’s because she was the only daughter of the powerful Taresian Ducal family, one of the top domestic nobles. When talks to marry her to my eldest brother arose, her parents died in an accident.

No one speaks of it openly, but there’s talk she might have been crushed by opposing forces.

Normally, a relative would take her in, but my mother forcibly took her under her care and raised her personally.

By the way, I was always raised in the dormitory.

When I came home during long breaks, I was surprised to find Yuria more at home than I was.

So, since she was raised closer to my mother than I was…

Sometimes that…

Feels kinda weird.

Shitoen says we’re like sisters, but I secretly worry about any unnecessary influence it might have.

“If the Crown Princess was with us, we should have brought some sweets or something.”

When I escorted Shitoen to sit down, she lowered her brows apologetically.

“Don’t worry about it. Also, don’t call her ‘Crown Princess’ so formally. Please just say Yuria, okay, Prince Saryu?”

Speaking softly, Yuria picked up the teapot and served tea with practiced skill.

While I nervously accepted the tea, Yuria glanced at my eldest brother with her bright blue eyes.

“Looks like it’ll take some more time. Well then… I’ll share a few of the Crown Prince’s carefully selected best jokes here…”

“He’s finished!! Deliver these documents to His Majesty!”

“Oh my.”

Slamming the documents on the desk, the eldest brother dashed to sit beside Yuria.

“Yuria, pour me some tea too!”

“Before that, I want to hear the Crown Prince’s jokes!”

“There’s none left for me!”

“Oh dear, alright, alright.”

I leaned forward to get closer to Yuria, but the eldest brother interrupted. Tch.

It’s hard to believe, but the eldest brother apparently tells a lot of jokes only in front of Yuria. It’s said to be one of Tidros Kingdom’s seven mysteries.

I say “apparently” because he never shows that side before the family!

Spending every day with a poker face, looking downright ruthless, makes me deeply curious to hear those jokes, but he always cuts me off.

It’s seriously frustrating. I want to hear them too.

But somehow, I think I understand why he only jokes around with Yuria.

She always seems gentle and relaxed, but after losing her parents, I heard she faced danger several times before she became officially engaged to my eldest brother.

Her surroundings were full of enemies. The parents she loved might have died because of her.

I wonder if my eldest brother tries to cheer her up a bit when they’re alone. Am I reading too much into this?

“Excuse me. I’ll be leaving now.”

The attendant tried to suppress a smile as he left with the documents.

Seizing that moment, the eldest brother spoke.

“Good work protecting Mihaela the other day.”

“Not at all. Glad nothing happened.”

“A letter also came from the other Crown Prince sending regards.”

“Thank you very much.”

The wife of the second brother is a dignified beauty. Naturally, she looks good in men’s clothes, being next in line for the throne.

Why is it that all royalty are stunningly handsome and beautiful?

And why am I the Winter Bear of Tidros…?

“You had official duties right after the apology ceremony. Have you been able to rest these few days?”

Yuria cheerfully asked Shitoen.

“W-well, after Prince Saryu returned, I got drunk… made quite the mess…”

“Oh my.”

“Not Saryu, but Shitoen, huh.”

Surprised by Yuria and the eldest brother, Shitoen became even more humbly apologetic.

“Getting drunk and causing a fuss… that’s not something to be embarrassed about. No need to worry!”

I said that, but Shitoen’s memory is hazy here and there, and she feels awful for falling asleep before me.

“I’m sure Prince Saryu coming back made you feel safe.”

When Yuria said that gently, the eldest brother glanced at me.

He said nothing but his expression seemed to say, “What a brother you are…”

“About what you came to talk about today— it’s regarding Crown Prince Arios of the Luminous Kingdom.”

“Arios?”

“Prince Arios, right?”

Shitoen and I said simultaneously and exchanged looks.

I just met that guy recently at the apology ceremony held in the Kingdom of Tania.

Honestly, I don’t want to get involved much.

Especially now that Shitoen is targeted by assassins, I want to be very careful.

“As a gesture of apology, they proposed an official visit.”

“Apology… everything was settled at that ceremony. This is never-ending. How many times do they plan to meet?”

I interrupted before Shitoen could say anything.

Since she’s kind, she’d surely say, “It’s an official duty, so we must meet.”

And since she married into this family, it’s hard for her to outright refuse.

So in times like this, I have to step up front.

I felt a gaze from beside me wanting to say something, but I intentionally faced the eldest brother.

“The Luminous Kingdom neighbors us. To the north of Luminous is the Kingdom of Tania. Luminous lies wedged between our country and Shitoen’s homeland. They want to be doubly cautious and polite. I understand wanting to avoid making things worse.”

The eldest brother leaned back on the sofa, crossing his long legs.

“We could refuse, of course… I checked with His Majesty yesterday. He said leave it to me.”

“Then Shitoen, don’t push yourself.”

“But, Prince Saryu, this visit may not be just the Luminous Kingdom’s decision. Luminous Kingdom belongs to the Caravan Union. The apology ceremony fixed things with Tania, but what about Tidros? I left Luminous and married into the Tidros royal family. The Caravan Union might think they’re trying to stir trouble over that. They could be pressuring us into this visit.”

Shitoen chose her words carefully.

Crown Prince Arios’s unilateral breaking of the engagement made King Noie of Tania very angry.

The apology ceremony was to calm that, but now Tidros might be accused of ‘doing terrible things to our wife’ in the past.

“If it’s to be doubly cautious and they want to visit Tidros—the country that might threaten the Caravan Union—we should refuse the visit… that is…”

Shitoen lowered her chin and glanced between the eldest brother and Yuria.

“If they are concerned about me, it’s okay. That’s all in the past…”

She stopped and looked at me, quietly taking my hand.

“Right now, I’m so happy by Prince Saryu’s side.”

Too adorably cuteeeeee!!!!!

If not for the eldest brother, I’d shout “Me too! I’m happy beside Shitoen!” and hug her!

“Saryu, your face.”

Though I held it back, my expression must have shown.

The eldest brother coldly pointed it out. Damn.

“But… hey, you know?”

When Yuria frowned in concern, the eldest brother faced Shitoen.

“The visit won’t just be Crown Prince Arios. The Chancellor and Meil Harty will come along too.”

“Meil!”

“Miss Meil… right?”

“She said she got Crown Princess education at the apology ceremony, but have they officially gotten engaged?”

“Not yet. But since they’re bringing her, engagement and marriage are surely close. My spies in that country say the King is also convinced by Arios’s passion. Meil has been taking royal education seriously recently.”

“Wait, elder brother. If that’s the case, it’s different! Shitoen must not meet her!”

Why should she meet the very person who spread those baseless rumors about Shitoen?

“That’s one way. It’s the Crown Princes talking, after all. I can entertain them myself.”

“Leave Meil to me as well.”

Yuria pounded her chest with a light thump.

“Despite appearances, I was educated by my mother-in-law. Dealing with a bad girl or two is nothing.”

Seeing Yuria say “bad girl” so bluntly made Shitoen widen her eyes, but she soon giggled.

“Thank you for your concern. But Yuria-sama, I am also your daughter-in-law and your little sister-in-law.”

Mimicking Yuria, Shitoen lightly pounded her chest too.

“A bad girl or two is no big deal.”

“Oh my.”

This time Yuria widened her eyes and then started laughing.

The eldest brother and I exchanged looks and gave a wry smile. No doubt, women of the Tidros royal family are tough, reliable, and kind-hearted.

“As one of the Tidros family, I intend to carry out my duties.”

Shitoen told me this with a smile.

The eldest brother nodded deeply and looked at me.

“Understood. We’ll answer the Luminous Kingdom accordingly. But Saryu, don’t let Shitoen overdo it.”

“Of course!”

I nodded vigorously.

“As I said, the visitor includes the Crown Prince and his lover. The stay is expected to be about seven days. Yuria and I will handle the reception, but Saryu, I want your squad to guard them.”

“Got it.”

“Although Shitoen is targeted by bandits… a spy I have in Luminous sent me concerning information.”

“Concerning information?”

I echoed, and the eldest brother furrowed his neatly shaped eyebrows.

“It’s suspicious around Meil. No serious injuries, but accidents keep happening. Rumor is she’s being targeted.”

“No wonder she’s singled out.”

I blurted that out, and Shitoen scolded me calling me “Prince Saryu,” but… she’s the type who says, “I’m often called an airhead~.”

She confuses malice with innocence. So, there must be tons of people who want her gone.

“Well… that’s not all. Maybe there are still too many risks to send her abroad. That’s why the Chancellor is coming too.”

The eldest brother didn’t say it was troublesome, apparently more mature.

“I’ll leave the security to you. If your knights aren’t enough, I’ll place my guards under your command.”

“If worse comes to worst, can we prioritize Shitoen and ditch Meil?”

“I’d hate to say no, but it depends. Protecting Shitoen is top priority.”

Shitoen looked flustered, but Yuria happily said, “Top priority, top priority~♪.”

“Also, regardless of the circumstances, His Majesty ordered a cordial welcome. The neighboring Crown Prince coming with the Chancellor means we must create a welcoming atmosphere. So, we plan to hold a ball.”

“…Huh?”

“A ball. The first dance will be me and Yuria, then next will be Crown Prince Arios and you two. You need to practice.”

A ball…

I might have some confidence in guard duty, combat, or horse riding.

B U T　A　B A L L　!?　!?　!?　!?

For me, it’s nothing but risk!

“I understand you aren’t good at it, so I’ll let you choose the type of dance.”

“…Then I’ll choose a martial arts tournament with fists. I’m somewhat experienced in that.”

The eldest brother sighed like a rain cloud at max humidity, while Yuria burst out laughing.

“A ball and a martial arts tournament! Prince Saryu really is the Crown Prince’s brother, huh? Oh, Shitoen-sama!”

“Y-yeah!?”

“Speaking of balls, the Crown Prince’s exquisite jokes…”

“I want to hear them! Brother’s jokes!”

“Ahem! Ahem!! This conversation is over. Saryu! From today, practice the Viennese Waltz with Shitoen! We’ll dance the waltz! That’s all, dismissed!”

That evening.

I was in a room in the mansion discussing the security plan with Raul.

About the group led by Crown Prince Arios, ordered by my eldest brother.

“Understood. Tomorrow we’ll gather all the squad leaders to adjust personnel placement.”

Raul put down his clipboard on the table, loosely loosening his right shoulder while sighing.

“Still, to hear Meil is targeted too. I hope she won’t come to Tidros in that state.”

“Domestically it seems so, but I don’t know if it extends abroad. She’s a person of interest, though. We must pay maximum attention. The Chancellor is coming too.”

“How old is that person?”

“Don’t know. He was probably there when the engagement was broken, but I can’t tell who’s who…”

Even thinking back, what left an impression was Shitoen, moving like a white cocoon. Also, King Noie shouting “Wait, Lord Barimore!”

Maybe the slim man bowing low saying “Please forgive me!” behind them is the one?

“I hope he isn’t an old geezer…”

Raul muttered quietly, reminding me.

“Oh, did you meet him? The professor familiar with the Kingdom of Tania!”

“Yeah. It was the worst. I thought, ‘Even when old, I want to be a man who speaks concisely.’”

I laughed, understanding well.

Endless rambling, trivia, past hardships, and bragging, while the real topic takes only a few minutes.

Many senior leaders are like that.

“Maybe they talk outside because no one listens at home.”

“That’s why nonsense talk isn’t heard by family either.”

“Then I’ll do my best to have little stories ready so I can be entertaining even as an old geezer.”

Raul worries about old age despite being young.

I can’t say much, but tell him to worry about something else. Live for now.

“So, what about the dragon crest story?”

As I leaned my upper body against the backrest of the chair, it creaked.

Not paying it any mind, I crossed my legs, and Raul put his chin in his hand, making a grim face at the table.

“We talked for about three hours, but never got around to the dragon crest. First, they started with the story of the founding of the Kingdom of Tania.”

“Dragons were involved in the founding, right?”

“That part’s probably myth, but among the Caravan Union kingdoms, theirs has the oldest royal history.”

“It’s older than Tidros, isn’t it?”

“The current Tania royal family was originally a mountain tribe. One summer when there was no rain at all, their chief held a ritual for three days and nights, praying by lighting a bonfire on an altar facing the heavens. Suddenly, black clouds swirled up and formed a black dragon… Then heavy rain poured down, saving the people.”

Raul continued,

“They say it was a tornado, but this black dragon can talk.”

“It talks?”

“The chief received a revelation from the black dragon and organized the scattered wheat fields. You saw those magnificent terraced rice fields in Tania, right?”

I thought: seriously?

“So those stone walls haven’t crumbled since the founding? What kind of construction is that?”

“It’s said the black dragon taught them those methods.”

“I wish that dragon would come to Tidros too.”

Raul smiled and went on.

“Winter in Tania has deep snow, so they efficiently distribute melting snow and spring water from mountains to the fields. The black dragon supposedly taught that irrigation system stuff too. How considerate.”

“Sounds like it’s watching over them properly.”

“The first chief who contacted the black dragon apparently had a distinctive birthmark on his back from birth.”

“That’s… the dragon crest, right?”

“They didn’t say for sure.”

Raul sighed,

“The dragon crest is ‘not to be spoken of even if seen.’ Writing it down is out of the question. Still, the professor said the crest was born with the first chief, who was also the first king. After that, those born with some power in the royal bloodline are given the crest.”

“Is it unrelated to how close the blood relation is? Like the king’s favor?”

Shitoen is definitely doted on by the King of Tania.

“Seems not. Shitoen is in the king’s good graces, but Lord Barimore is a collateral branch of the royal family.”

“That makes sense…”

“The High Priest and the king decide who receives the crest. Those with it live their whole lives benefiting Tania, kept safely inside and rarely going out.”

“But Shitoen goes out all the time!”

“Roles differ by person. In Shitoen’s case, she plays a vital diplomatic role.”

Hearing that made me realize anew.

I was so happy living with Shitoen, I almost forgot this was a political marriage.

Shitoen is a proper bridge between the Kingdoms of Tania and Tidros, so she benefits the nation.

If that’s her mission, then it must be so.

“So the dragon crest benefits Tania, modeled after the first king’s birthmark?”

“Hmm… not sure. Talking with that professor, I got the feeling it’s more about what the dragon represents than the first king.”

Raul folded his arms, pondering.

“The dragon? The black dragon?”

“In Tania, dragons are beings connecting this world and another.”

“What do you mean?”

Raul furrowed his brow and moved his index finger back and forth in the air, outlining three points.

“It’s like this: in Tidros, people say there’s heaven and hell. In Tania, it’s the celestial realm and the underworld… kinda like the afterlife. People go to one or the other when they die, but dragons can freely travel between life and death. Like a celestial realm or… a different world?”

“I see.”

“This ties in with the cycle of reincarnation, but you have to study their religion first to understand.”

Raul sighed deeply again, then stood and grabbed his clipboard.

“I’m reluctant, but since it’s important, I’ll keep visiting that old geezer. When I learn something useful, I’ll report to you, Captain.”

“Thanks. I’ll let you know when the Luminous party’s schedule is fixed.”

The chimes of the grandfather clock overlapped the end of the sentence, and I jumped up from my chair.

“Crap! Dance time!”

“Huh? Dance?”

Raul, clipboard tucked under his arm, said suspiciously.

“Our Crown Prince couple is hosting a ball to entertain Crown Prince Arios and his group. After the first dance, me and Shitoen will dance…”

“That’s the worst! Nooooooo!”

Raul screamed.

Glancing at him, his face lacked color and his eyes were bloodshot.

“Refuse it right now!”

He sounded like a mother telling her child to put a stray cat back where it came from.

“I want to do that too! But the eldest brother told me to practice.”

“If it worked by practicing, I’d do it too!”

“Anyway, it’s already decided!”

“Then Captain, break a leg!”

“Whaaaat!?”

“Damn… does this sort of thing happen after marriage? But if it’s an injury, maybe the Crown Prince would understand. That’s it—let’s break a leg now!”

“What nonsense…!”

“It’s better than doing a bear dance on stage in public!”

“Bear dance…”

So that’s how you’ve been seeing me?!

“I desperately hid it till now…! If my poor management is found out by His Majesty and the Crown Prince…”

This is seriously bad. Raul’s eyes have gone dead serious.

From my peripheral vision, I saw him draw his sword with scabbard and all. I burst open the door and ran like a bolt down the hallway.

He really means to hit my leg!

I desperately run toward the first-floor hall where practice is held.

Raul’s approaching footsteps are eerily scary!

“Ah! Shitoen!”

Just before reaching the hall, I bumped into Shitoen and her companions.

Surely Raul wouldn’t attack me in front of people.

But just then, I heard Raul clicking his tongue beside my ear and shivered deeply.

“I’m glad, Prince Saryu. We thought we were late… Oh, good evening, Sir Raul.”

Shitoen smiled with relief, and from behind came Raul’s polite voice, “This is Princess Shitoen.”

I felt relieved too!!!!

I’m really glad to meet Shitoen.

“Were you busy today? Did something happen?”

Wiping sweat from my forehead, I asked, and Roze looked annoyed.

“I told you! I was attending a meeting with the court doctors recently!”

Oh, that, I nodded, but Monet gave me a cold look.

Without speaking, she lipsynced, “B e a r・b r a i n,” which made me mad!

“I was running around handling the lady’s outfit, so I asked Monet and Roze to escort and guard.”

Only Eton explains things straightforwardly!

“How was it? Did anyone harass you?”

I asked instinctively.

The court doctors are all men.

In the countryside or borderlands, female herbalists work, but in the capital, someone like Shitoen is rare and exceptional.

With royal approval, nothing drastic should happen, but…

I was probably wearing a worried face.

Surprised, Shitoen soon giggled.

“Well, I guess the Crown Princess was there out of concern for me.”

“Yuria?”

I asked back, and Shitoen smiled and nodded.

“She attended from start to finish and even offered a wonderful proposal.”

“Wonderful proposal?”

“The main topic was the Earl Scene’s territory. We explained to the doctors that beriberi is not an infectious disease, and they understood and accepted it.”

[TN: Beriberi is a deficiency of thiamine, more commonly known as vitamin B1. Your body needs thiamine to break down and digest the foods you eat, to keep your metabolism going, and help your muscles and nervous system do their jobs effectively. -WebMD]

…I do remember that.

“Also, the doctors asked about pellagra.”

“Pellagra?”

Confused, Roze raised her voice in surprise.

“Don’t you know, Prince? You’re so sheltered!”

“A bear raised in a greenhouse.”

Monet next to her frowned.

“It’s a disease common in orphanages and prisons. It’s serious—patients have to be isolated and wards closed.”

[TN: Pellagra is a disease caused by a lack of the vitamin niacin. The body uses niacin to turn food into energy. It helps keep the nervous system, digestive system, and skin healthy. -Wikipedia & Mayo Clinic]

Raul whispered close to me.

Hearing “orphanage,” I slapped my hand.

“Oh! The one where hands blister and skin peels off!”

“Right. Early symptoms start with skin peeling and sensitivity to sunlight. Then digestive issues, loss of appetite, mouth ulcers, and finally disorientation and delirium.”

“It’s not just skin falling apart. Does isolation mean it’s contagious?”

I asked, and Shitoen shook her head.

“Since the same symptoms appear in the same district, it was once suspected to be bacterial. But pellagra, or niacin deficiency, happens due to lacking a certain nutrient. So isolation isn’t needed; supplementing that nutrient is key.”

Roze nodded knowingly for some reason.

“I figured that out because places with pellagra always have terrible diets, like the same menu every day.”

“They buy cheap stuff like corn and buckwheat flour in bulk, so the diet stays unbalanced.”

Monet added.

Ah, nutrition imbalance.

Like Vandel’s anemia and beriberi’s polished rice.

“It’s easy to say ‘balanced, rich diet,’ but as Monet said, it’s all about the budget. And to fill stomachs quickly, meals get skewed.”

Shitoen frowned sadly but then brightened up.

“Yuria said, ‘Though the budget is limited, would you like us to support troubled facilities?’ If you submit an application, grants will be given in the Crown Princess’s name to orphanages and other institutions.”

“Yuria did?”

I blinked.

Mother often donates to churches and convents, but I didn’t expect Yuria too.

“Yuria inherited her parents’ lands and keeps the taxes in the bank, using the interest as grants.”

When her parents died, Yuria inherited the lands and titles.

Though she lives mainly at the palace and is covered by the royal family budget, I recall hearing she keeps all the money in the bank.

The taxes are lawful and fair, and if there’s a bad harvest or disaster, Yuria covers the shortfall from her funds to the royal family.

She visits once a year to buy farming tools or watermills if needed.

“Yuria ‘assists’ instead of ‘giving alms’.”

“I think that’s wonderful. Self-help is important. Without it, aid stops and everything collapses.”

Shitoen nodded vigorously.

Mother gives alms, sometimes lavishly depending on her mood.

But Yuria gives aid based on applications and only when there’s a need.

“I agreed to discuss visiting and emergency medical systems with the doctors in the future. That’s where we ended.”

Seeing Shitoen’s satisfied face made me happy.

Whether correct opinions are accepted depends on the acceptance side’s tolerance and generosity.

Also needed is a sense of curiosity for new things.

If customs and old systems are strong or the organization worn out, new opinions and winds will get crushed quickly.

The Tidros royal palace seems to be functioning well with Shitoen’s knowledge helping. That’s reassuring.

“Well, it’s about time for dance practice.”

Eton opened the door to the hall.

I heard a sharp intake of breath from Raul behind me.

It must have looked like the gates of hell opened to him…

“I’ll play piano, but is the waltz alright?”

Eton approached the grand piano already set up in the hall, asking.

Extra chairs and tables had been cleared. Voices and footsteps echoed a little in the space.

“You can play piano?”

Surprised.

She shows unexpected talents in cooking and piano.

“Eton’s great with languages and cooking. I’m so proud.”

Shitoen said, puffing out her chest.

Cute.

Even small gestures like that make her so adorable. No wonder everyone back home cherishes Eton.

“Again, staring at Shitoen with your face all stretched out. What’s with that?”

“No letting your guard down, huh? Probably thinking nasty thoughts. Shitoen, one step this way. Roze, you come to your big sister’s side too.”

I was spaced out staring at Shitoen but snapped back after Monet and Roze’s sharp insults.

“Uh, so the waltz, right?”

“The Crown Prince couple will do the first dance, then Saryu and Shitoen will do the Viennese Waltz.”

Shitoen said with a smile.

I felt Raul make a victorious “safe!” gesture behind me.

“The Viennese Waltz has fewer steps and no up-and-down movement. Worst case, just keep spinning around!”

“O-okay.”

Raul grabbed my right arm firmly and whispered rapidly, and at that point, I couldn’t ask “Wait, really?”

I nodded, then Roze and Monet gave me disapproving looks.

“Hey, Prince. Can you really dance?”

“Sounds fishy.”

The sisters whispered to each other.

I was already breaking out in cold sweat.

“Eton, music, please! Come on, Prince, try dancing with Shitoen.”

Roze gave an arrogant command with her arms crossed.

I wanted to ask if she was the stage director or something, but Shitoen stepped lightly, bowed her head slightly in front of me.

…No, seriously.

Her movements are so different from mine: steps, hand swings, body moves.

Everything’s so small and animal-like, it makes me want to protect her…!

Just living with her excites me!

I need some kind of filter or I can’t look at her directly—she’s always, always always so cute!!!!!

“Hands!”

With a smack, Raul hit my back and I snapped back to reality.

Got to focus.

I tried to offer Shitoen my right hand, but spotted Raul’s piercing gaze and hurriedly switched to my left.

Shitoen smiled and took my left hand.

Correct choice!

When I stepped closer, she pressed right against me…

“W-what’s wrong?! Prince Saryu!”

Covering my face with both hands, I crumbled, and Shitoen spoke softly.

Right.

I forgot how rarely I dance.

At almost zero distance, facing Shitoen straight on…

She smells so good. Damn, I might bleed from my nose.

“I’m fine. Sorry.”

I tried to keep calm, laid my hand over hers, and faced Shitoen again.

I tried to focus my thoughts far away and barely breathe.

Putting my right hand on her back, Shitoen put her hand on mine.

Alright. Ready.

“Well then—”

Eton began playing the music.

…Um, well.

When exactly…

Should I start stepping…?

As I stood there stiff, dripping with cold sweat,

“1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1…”

Raul finally started counting beside me.

“2, 3, go!”

Pushed forcefully, I finally took a big step.

Shitoen let out a small “Eek.”

I pulled out the steps I learned at the Army Officer School.

Are these right? Probably okay… I hope.

“Wait, wait!”

Before I knew it, Roze grabbed my arm and Monet moved behind Shitoen, pulling her away from me.

“Hey!! Are you trying to crush Shitoen-sama’s foot!?”

“Are you okay, Princess Shitoen?”

“I’m fine, really!”

Monet held Shitoen sideways, getting close to her face to ask.

So close! You snow leopard!

“Ah… that was… close! I thought Shitoen’s foot got stepped on and would flatten…”

Raul got on all fours, sweating nervously.

Was it that bad?

“Worse than you imagined, Prince.”

Roze looked at me coldly.

“I thought you were like a bear balancing on two legs, but it’s more like a bear running downhill on two legs. No toddling, just reckless dashing.”

Raul looked even more shocked than me at Monet’s icicle-like words.

“Hey, until you learn the basic steps, maybe the prince and I, and Shitoen-sama with her big sister practice together—it’d be safer, right?”

“Princess Shitoen, shall we? I’ll take the male part.”

Roze suggested, Monet nodded, and then gently set Shitoen down.

Shitoen looked at me hesitantly, but something about the atmosphere made me agree it’s probably safest.

“Alright then. We’ll practice individually today, and tomorrow together with Shitoen.”

“I see… That’s a little lonely.”

Shitoen’s disappointed voice was so damn cute…!!!!

I’ll definitely get good enough to practice properly with Shitoen!!!!

“Sorry for the trouble, Monet. Thank you.”

Shitoen bowed her head politely to Monet.

Monet smiled and said “not at all,” then threw me a triumphant glance.

That snow leopard! I’ll show Shitoen who’s really the boss someday!

While I was fired up, I heard Raul whisper.

Curious, I looked over to see him squinting at Roze disdainfully.

“Just so you know, the Captain’s loyal only to Princess Shitoen. He’s not interested in you at all.”

“Wh-what?! Why me and not that old man!”

“If you think he’s old, treat him like old man. Don’t stir up trouble.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea, dummy!”

Roze turned bright red and yelled at Raul.

What are those two even doing?

“Hey, Roze. Let’s practice.”

Leaving them alone would probably lead to “Raul’s an idiot” and “You little girl!” insults flying, so I intervened.

Roze was still pouting, but Raul clearly ignored her and held up three fingers at me.

“Listen up. Natural turn, closed change, reverse turn. You have to master these three no matter what. Sorry, Monet, but can you show the Captain a demo?”

Raul spoke to Monet.

Monet nodded perfunctorily, bowed politely to Shitoen, then took her hand.

They smoothly faced each other, stepping to the music, using the whole floor gracefully, turning elegantly at the corners.

Shitoen smiled and looked happily at Eton playing the piano.

Eton smiled back, fingers dancing on the keys.

Every time Shitoen spun, the dress hem fluttered, showing her slender ankles…

“Focus on Monet, not Princess Shitoen!”

Raul slapped my back sharply, snapping me back to reality.

“He really loves Princess Shitoen, huh.”

When I glanced at Roze, she pouted like a sulking child.

“I’m her husband, of course I do.”

“…Well, that’s one of the things I like about you.”

What? I was about to ask when Roze suddenly changed expression and grabbed both my hands.

“Come on, let’s practice here too!”

◇◇◇◇

The next night.

“We barely made it!”

After the song ended, Raul said with a voice about to tear up as he and Shitoen bowed.

“Just barely, right? Gave it my all barely.”

“Passing… I guess.”

Roze and Monet were harsh but it seems we reached a level good enough to show.

I finally evolved from a bipedal bear running downhill to a ball-balancing bear, and then into a human.

I worried if the hellish lessons would continue, but it looks like I’m freed.

Tomorrow I have to get serious about guarding when the Luminous crowd arrives. No time to keep dancing.

“Let’s take a break here. Eton, are you okay?”

Shitoen asked me and ran to Eton.

Eton was trembling her fingers and murmured, “I thought I’d break…”

Sorry. You’ve been playing non-stop…

“Excuse me, I’ll help Eton and get tea ready.”

Shitoen lowered her eyebrows apologetically while supporting Eton’s waist, and Roze immediately raised her hand sharply.

“I’ll come too!”

Supporting Eton’s waist from the other side, the three left.

After the door closed with a soft sound, silence filled the hall—unbelievable after the past two days.

“Prince Saryu.”

Monet approached silently, despite wearing heels. Raul reflexively put his hand on his sword, which made me chuckle.

“What?”

“The key to dance is how you lead the woman. The trick is confidence and elegance.”

Surprised by unexpected advice, I widened my eyes and got an immediate tongue click.

“Not for you, Prince Saryu. I just don’t want Princess Shitoen to be embarrassed.”

“I see. Thanks.”

“Meeting about the security starts tomorrow?”

Monet crossed her arms. Her unnecessarily large chest was emphasized, but no one was watching, so whatever.

“Yeah. I want you to continue guarding Shitoen, but your face is known in the organization, right? Can you disguise yourself as a man just in case?”

Looking at Raul, he nodded decisively.

“Roze and I don’t mind. We’re used to blending in.”

Monet spoke plainly, and I started.

“About the organization you belonged to… if you don’t want to say, that’s fine. But why are they so persistently targeting Shitoen?”

I expected it was because of the dragon crest.

To my surprise, Monet shook her head firmly.

“We don’t know why. We just follow orders from the head.”

“Even if comrades keep dying?”

We defeated those aiming at Shitoen.

Naturally, the organization’s numbers decreased each time.

Wouldn’t they want to give up by now?

“…The head apparently consulted once.”

“With the client?”

Monet paused, then continued.

“But it was resumed. The head’s orders are absolute. As long as we’re in the organization, we don’t have choice.”

“Do you really not know why the client persistently targets Shitoen?”

“No.”

Monet seemed sincere in her resolute attitude.

“They think you died under torture. For now, the organization believes that. Your buckles and pendants move through town, changing owners. You might return to your old organization soon.”

When Raul asked, Monet tilted her head slightly right and blinked slowly.

“I think so. It’s special to the head.”

“Special how?”

“He hates showing it to others. Only he could see or touch it. So when we were ordered to assassinate Princess Shitoen, the head surprised me by saying to ‘keep it on all the time.’”

What does that mean?

I exchanged a silent look with Raul.

“…Originally, it belonged to Roze’s and my mother.”

“What!?”

I felt my mind slip.

That buckle and pendant were relics of Monet and Roze’s mother.

And the organization’s head treasures it.

What kind of relationship!?

“After the mission, Roze and I were supposed to be freed from the organization. So I thought the head gave us the relics as a gift…”

Monet’s tone implied otherwise.

“Anyway, the head’s attached to them—that’s for sure. If we chase this, we should reach the head.”

Monet looked between me and Raul then nodded firmly.

“Thanks for telling us.”

“No need to thank me.”

She spat suspiciously.

…Her gaze weirdly reminds me of my dark past.

That year, when I returned from the winter frontier, I was flooded with insults like “stinky,” “scary,” and “smelly”…

I vaguely recalled my first love looking at me like I was garbage, and Monet suddenly spoke hesitantly.

“Um… Prince Saryu.”

“Yes?”

“About Roze.”

“Roze?”

“What is it?” I repeated.

Monet pressed her lips tight, then sighed.

“She belonged to the organization since childhood. So she has prejudice against men… Like ‘men are like this,’ with a bit of contempt.”

“That’s true! She despises me from the core!”

When I nodded quickly, Monet sighed deeply.

“So… Prince Saryu, you’re probably a rare case.”

“Me?”

“For her, you and Princess Shitoen are the ideal couple she imagined. Something she never thought possible actually exists.”

“Is that so?”

I looked to Raul, confused, and he looked bitter too.

“If you understand, I want you to properly guide her as her older sister.”

“I think she admires you. She never had good role models, so maybe she wants to be like you.”

Monet said quickly but bit her lip in frustration.

“Like what?”

“She probably wants to be loved like Princess Shitoen.”

Monet said awkwardly, and I frowned.

“That’s nonsense. She’s still a kid. Too soon for romance. Work on yourself, eat well, and grow big. If she thinks about those things too early, it’s because she isn’t exercising enough. Next time I’ll have her run more with the group.”

Raul sighed heavily.

Monet looked unusually surprised, then laughed softly.

“Yeah. She’s still a child. We have to nurture her well, make her big. When she grows up, I want her to be someone’s wonderful wife. I want her to be happy.”

Monet smiled gently at me.

“Of course. That’s what adults do.”

I agreed, and Monet blinked slowly, still smiling.

Looking at her, I stared closely.

“That’s not just Roze. Monet, you too.”

“Me?”

“You escaped the organization with Roze. You got a different future from Shitoen. You should live happily with someone important. Not just Roze; you too—love someone, be loved, and be happy.”

I wondered if I sounded preachy.

But it was my honest feeling.

Monet risked everything to save her sister Roze from the organization, and puts others’ happiness before hers.

Even with Shitoen, she’s loyal but defenseless for herself.

Neither Shitoen nor I want that.

Also, only by valuing yourself can you truly rejoice in someone else’s happiness. I want Monet to know that too.

I wondered if she’d call me a “bear guy” and brush me off, but unexpectedly Monet blushed slightly and silently turned her face away.

It looked like she was embarrassed.

“Oh? You can say that, Prince Saryu?”

She quickly smiled with her usual sarcasm.

“The only one I love is Princess Shitoen. If I got serious…”

“Wait! That’s a different story!”

“Sorry. Thanks for giving her up.”

“Who’d give her up, you snow leopard! Raul, deport her abroad permanently now!”

“I don’t mind, but wouldn’t that make Princess Shitoen sad?”

Raul said with exasperation, and Monet wore a triumphant expression.

I could only grind my teeth in frustration.