CHAPTER 11

Princess

I had been away attending my grandmother’s first death anniversary memorial service.

“Here.”

The prince once again tried to give me a present.

Today it was a necklace with a large gemstone the same color as his eyes.

The Queen and Lady Vanessa, watching nearby, smiled fondly at the scene.

“…I don’t want it.”

“Why not?!”

“…I’m not interested.”

“Even though you’re a girl?”

“You’re being annoying.”

At some point, the prince had stopped complaining no matter how often I kicked or hit him.

Perhaps it was because I never treated him with any special courtesy.

“Good afternoon.”

As usual, the person who appeared at exactly the right moment was Lord Braud.

“Uncle, are you here for the tea party too?”

“No, unfortunately I don’t have time today. I just wanted to give this to Miss Cardinal.”

What Lord Braud held out was a bundle of dried herbs.

“These are very rare and can’t normally be obtained this season. A supplier happened to bring some to me, so I thought of you.”

The moment I saw the magical herbs, my excitement skyrocketed.

“Really?! Thank you so much! I’ll treasure them and use them carefully!”

I accepted the herbs and literally started hopping up and down with joy.

“Hey! What kind of reaction is that?! You’re happier about Uncle’s weeds than the gemstone I gave you!”

“I’m not interested in gemstones, but I am interested in magical herbs! Thank you very much, Lord Braud!”

The prince sulked and retreated to the corner of the room, where he sat hugging his knees.

Idiot Prince.

That’s not cute.

“Well then, I have work to return to.”

“May I bring you some sweets later as thanks?”

“That would make me very happy. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Lord Braud, thank you for the rare ingredients!

I had mountains of cookies and madeleines waiting at home.

I’d definitely bring him some.

What a good person.

Lord Braud was such a good person!

I needed to thank him properly.

Smiling happily, I began sipping my tea.

“Cardinal, would you mind doing me a favor?” the Queen asked.

“Of course.”

“Could you go comfort Jace? He’s becoming a nuisance.”

“Ah, I understand.”

“Please, Cardinal,” Lady Vanessa added.

Asked by both the Queen and Vanessa, I reluctantly approached the prince.

“Your Highness, Her Majesty says you’re being annoying.”

I lightly kicked his back as I spoke.

“You are way too rough with me!”

Tilting my head, I sat down beside him.

“But talking to you is fun. You’re one of the few people I can speak to without worrying about formalities. Is that bad?”

“N-No… it’s not.”

So easy!

Miss Ageha’s secret technique—the Head Tilt—was surprisingly effective.

“Then let’s drink tea.”

“Okay… Cardinal, do you like Uncle?”

“I respect him more than anything.”

“So it’s not romantic feelings?”

“No. Why?”

“Then that’s fine.”

What was wrong with this idiot prince?

“Most girls don’t want to marry someone they can’t respect.”

Lady Vanessa chuckled.

“That’s true. Respect is important.”

Suddenly the prince grabbed my shoulders.

“Then do you really like Uncle?”

“If you’re asking whether I prefer you or Lord Braud, I’d choose Lord Braud without hesitation.”

“…”

The prince silently returned to his corner and resumed hugging his knees.

I sighed deeply.

“Isn’t that exactly why you keep losing to Lord Braud? Have you never thought about becoming a man worthy of respect? Someone who could make me think, ‘Maybe I’d like to marry him someday’? That’s why I call you the Idiot Prince.”

The prince stared at me resentfully.

“For the record, if you become as admirable as my brother, I’ll respect you.”

“…Understood.”

Suddenly he stood up.

“I’ll make you fall in love with me!”

With that declaration, he stormed out of the room.

He was probably headed straight for my brother.

“Cardinal, you’re amazing.”

“That child really is hopelessly foolish. The fact that I’ve started finding him adorable lately is probably because of you.”

Lady Vanessa and the Queen spoke thoughtfully.

So even they considered him an idiot.

I pretended not to hear and quietly drank my tea.

Later, carrying a basket of sweets, I headed to Lord Braud’s residence.

Yard insisted on coming with me, so we walked hand in hand.

“Oh, thank goodness you’re here! Please, come this way!”

The moment Lord Braud greeted us, I noticed how pale he looked.

Without understanding why, I followed him into a room.

Inside sat a girl about our age.

She had sparkling golden hair styled in elegant ringlets and brilliant blue eyes.

“Uncle! Where have you been?! It’s unacceptable to keep me waiting!”

After confirming Lord Braud had entered first, I quietly shut the door.

“Sister, that’s Princess Cocol.”

“Princess Cocol?”

“She’s the Idiot Prince’s younger sister.”

Even Yard was calling him the Idiot Prince now…

“Miss Cardinal! Please help me.”

Lord Braud poked his head back out and whispered desperately.

Wow.

This girl looked like she had a very strong personality.

“Who are you?”

Princess Cocol finally noticed me.

“My name is Cardinal. This is my younger brother, Yardral.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“You’re the foolish girl who called my brother an idiot?”

I smiled sweetly.

Then I grabbed both of her cheeks and stretched them.

“Princess, I’m the person who called your brother an idiot and wasn’t punished for it! I even have permission from the Queen to tell rude idiots exactly what I think!”

Actually, I didn’t.

Sorry, Your Majesty.

“The fact that the Idiot Prince’s sister is also acting foolish would make both the King and Queen cry.”

“Thash mean! Shtop it!”

I finally released her cheeks.

“Being spoiled is only cute when you’re a little child. From this day forward, work hard to become a better woman. A selfish and arrogant princess has nothing but a miserable future ahead of her!”

Princess Cocol froze completely.

Had I broken her?

“T-For example… what kind of future?”

Her voice trembled.

“Simple examples? The people become angry and have you executed. Or you’re exiled from the country. Or you’re married off as a political bargaining chip to a short, fat, bald, unfaithful nobleman.”

The princess turned pale and began trembling.

“I don’t want that!”

I gently patted her head.

“Then let’s start becoming a wonderful lady today. I’ll help you.”

“R-Really?”

“Of course. Let’s become the kind of woman I admire.”

“Y-Yes, Big Sister!”

The princess suddenly hugged me.

“Sister is my sister!”

Yard immediately protested.

“If my brother marries her, she’ll be my big sister too!”

The two children began glaring fiercely at each other.

What a pair.

“Let’s all have tea,” I said. “My homemade cookies are delicious.”

“Yes, Sister!”

Yard nodded with a smile bright enough to melt hearts.

“As expected of Miss Cardinal,” Lord Braud said.

“You tamed Princess Cocol instantly. That’s practically a miracle.”

“Should I take that as a compliment?”

“Absolutely. I respect you.”

Of all the reasons to earn Lord Braud’s respect, this was not one I had expected.

Meanwhile, Princess Cocol clung to me, while Yard held onto my arm and glared at Lord Braud.

These two might actually make a good team.

“Tomorrow I’ll tell the Queen I’ve made a new friend!”

“A friend?” I asked.

“Yes!”

“Not a big sister?”

Princess Cocol stared at me with sparkling eyes.

Before I could answer, Yard spoke up.

“Princess Cocol, if Sister marries your brother, then your brother will steal her away from us!”

“Huh?”

“Today alone, I lost time reading picture books with Sister because she was invited by the prince.”

“…”

“But if we’re friends, then I can be your friend too! The three of us can study together.”

Yard…

What an angel.

“Okay! I’ll be friends with both Big Sister and Yardral!”

And just like that, Yard and I became friends with Princess Cocol.

On the carriage ride home, Yard smiled brightly.

“Now I can spend more time with you, Sister.”

“Huh?”

“I always want to be with you! But whenever you visit the palace, I’m told to stay home so I don’t cause trouble. If I’m Princess Cocol’s friend, I can come too!”

Then he hugged my arm.

“I love you, Sister.”

My dear little brother…

Wasn’t your motivation a little suspicious?

“Sister?”

“…Let’s all get along with Princess Cocol, okay?”

“Of course.”

As I watched my younger brother smile innocently, I couldn’t help wondering:

Could my angelic little brother actually be secretly scheming?

Patting his head, I let out a dry laugh.

What kind of person would my little brother grow into?

…Good luck, Yard. You’re going to need it.