PRKE 20

CHAPTER 20…………………………………..

“Why the gift? It was nothing more than a stone-carved statue or some jewelry, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. I prepared it myself, so I know exactly what it was.”

“Don’t tell me you sent another gift without telling us?”

Aris, who had already snatched the letter from me and read it, asked suspiciously. I shook my head.

“No, that’s not it. I just tried to be a little more thoughtful.”

“Why?”

“His Highness is the first prince from the Empire to ever visit the kingdom. Unlike Miss Aris or Madam Emerne, I’ve spent my life working inside the household, so shamefully, I never had the chance to cultivate much refinement.”

At my words, the two of them nodded as if it were only natural.

“Still, even I know that he’s an important guest. Sending such a person a trivial gift would only lower the dignity of our count’s family.”

“What are you talking about? That gift was obviously just to make up appearances—!”

“Pardon?”

I looked at Madam Emerne with a puzzled expression.

Her face, fanning herself rapidly as if at a loss for words, was full of frustration.

I laughed inwardly.

You can’t very well say that spending the night with the prince was supposed to be the real gift.

“There was nothing else, really. I simply prepared carvings and ornaments specially commissioned from artisans, rather than just expensive pieces. I heard that people of the Empire worship the sun and fire and value martial prowess, so I asked them to reflect that.”

“And just that made the prince send a letter like this?”

“That’s why I couldn’t speak confidently myself. I did write a letter as well, but….”

Madam Emerne, who had looked plainly disappointed by my underwhelming answer, narrowed her eyes.

“So there was more than just that, then?”

“But that wasn’t especially remarkable either. I only tried to show sincerity in my own way, since I thought it would be hard to convey one’s heart through gifts alone.”

“…….”

“Everyone emphasized how important he was, so you have no idea how much care I put into it. They say people of high status value well-written words even more than gold coins, don’t they?”

When I asked while looking at Madam Emerne, her expression turned sour.

I placed a hand over my chest and let out a soft sigh of relief.

“Fortunately, it seems my sincerity got through. It was prepared in the family’s name, and I think he offered to escort me in appreciation of that.”

“Hah, an Imperial prince swayed by something so modest? Don’t talk nonsense—”

“That’s not unreasonable.”

Madam Emerne stopped mid-scoff and stiffened. She sharply turned her head toward the viscount.

Are you serious?
That question was written all over her face.

The viscount nodded solemnly.

“A sentence that contains truth is the very value we nobles should pursue. Aren’t there stories of wars halted by a single letter? It seems he’s not as crude as we were led to believe.”

I was impressed inwardly.

So that poet shut away in his study is useful sometimes after all.

Viscount Lorenst was the sort of man who, when I left for the royal capital, would likely have been drinking wine with his friends at a brewery while discussing the state of the world.

A textbook scholar, he was far better suited to reciting his own poems than managing a noble house.

The Lorenst family’s finances declined so sharply because he tried his hand at business despite having no talent for it.

If not for his capable son Hubert, the family would have fallen much further.

In any case, with the viscount saying it was plausible, Madam Emerne had nothing more to say. She only fanned herself furiously, her face dark.

As she fell silent, Aris—growing impatient—forced an awkward smile.

“I understand what the viscount is saying. But stopping a war with an ordinary letter? Isn’t that an exaggeration?”

“…….”

“That a letter with nothing special about it could move a prince’s heart—it’s hard to accept so easily.”

Before the viscount could respond, Aris continued.

“Of course, someone out there might be capable of that. But I don’t know whether my sister has the ability to write such a letter. As you know, she’s… well, you know.”

“…….”

“So isn’t it more reasonable to think there was some other reason the prince sent the letter?”

When she finished speaking, a long silence followed.

Despite her innocent expression, the meaning behind her words was anything but.

In short, she was suggesting I must have met the prince in secret.

I placed a hand on my chest and spoke solemnly.

“I swear to the heavens, I have never met His Highness the Prince.”

There wasn’t the slightest hint of a smile on my face. Seeing their doubtful reactions, I drove the point home.

“If this is a lie, then my mother in heaven will punish me.”

Punish me, my foot.

She had never been particularly affectionate toward me in life—she abandoned me when I still needed a parent’s care and devoted herself entirely to Hubert. She’d rage at my lie, perhaps, but her anger from heaven would have no effect on me.

The sharpness in Hubert’s eyes softened a little.

He must have thought I’d never swear falsely on my mother’s name.

“Whatever the prince’s true intentions, gaining his favor isn’t a bad thing.”

“…….”

“That is, if what you say is true.”

I mocked him inwardly—then felt my heart drop.

His gaze flicked briefly over me.

“So tomorrow, you’ll be dancing while holding the prince’s hand.”

I stayed silent, thinking of what to say. In truth, I didn’t know how to respond.

“What a pity.”

“…?”

“It’s your debut as a princess. I wanted to share that precious moment with you.”

Ugh. How cloying.

Feeling Aris’s sharp glare, I shook my head inwardly.

Please, you can have him.

“How on earth did you manage it?”

The moment we entered my room, Jenny lowered her voice and asked.

Even though the door was closed and she should have been able to relax, she still looked tense, as if someone might overhear.

Ever since she’d helped with my scheme, Jenny hadn’t relaxed for a moment. It was pitiful—but honestly, an excellent attitude.

Seeing the curiosity and concern filling her eyes, I smiled gently.

“It wasn’t anything special. You could say I used a bit of sleight of hand.”

“Sleight of hand?”

As she blinked in surprise, I recalled that day, that moment.

The Fifth Prince’s expression when he saw the Water God’s gift turn into water in my hand had looked much like Jenny’s now.

What is this?
That kind of look.

In a way, it really is nothing special. That’s why it’s not magic, just a trick.

There was no trickery involved—but neither was it something grand like magic.

What I did was simple. I merely held the fruit in my hand.

When I opened my palm a moment later, the fruit had vanished without a trace. In its place pooled clear, transparent water.

[It really is water… How did you do that?]

[Isn’t it enough just to prove the ability?]

I hadn’t replied boldly on purpose. I simply had no way to explain it clearly.

I’d only learned by chance that the fruit turned into water in my hand back when I was with Leo.

「As I thought, you do have the aptitude of a priest. That’s why it responds to you.」

According to Leo, the Water God’s gift—considered the most precious fruit in Riorsa—was a relic of the spirits.

No one knew that fact. Not even the royal library contained any reference to it; one could say that “spirits” were a word that didn’t exist in this world.

So there was no way I could explain it to the prince.

[It’s intriguing, but what does this have to do with making it rain?]

I swallowed dryly.

Reminding myself once again that gambling is dangerous precisely because it’s uncertain, I calmed my pounding heart.

[In Riorsa, there are a few blessed beings who can make it rain.]

[If you mean priests, I know of them. Are you saying you’re a priest?]

[Something like that. I have the aptitude.]

Instinctively, I knew this was the most important moment.

Taking a deep breath, I spoke quickly.

[But there’s a small problem.]

[…]

[It takes some time to become a priest.]

[How long?]

[About three years?]

[…What?]

I couldn’t forget the look of utter disbelief on his face.

That’s why I thought it had failed.

“Miss?”

“…Yeah. This time, it was just luck.”

“Honestly, who cares if it was luck? What a relief! I was so worried!”

Jenny chattered energetically, patting her chest.

“You must be hungry after all that tension. Shall I bring you a snack?”

“No snacks—could you make me some hot tea instead?”

“Yes, Miss! I’ll brew something wonderfully fragrant!”

She bounced out of the room, her hips swaying cheerfully.

Watching her go, I let out a small laugh, then placed the prince’s letter—still in my hand—on the table.

I opened the lid of the small round box I’d been hiding in my palm.

Inside were several beads. I took one, no bigger than my pinky nail, and sniffed it.

Medicine?

When I pressed it with my finger, it crumbled softly. It was the same ointment the prince had applied earlier.

Gives me a wound, then gives me medicine.

Still, it didn’t feel unpleasant.

I removed the bandage, applied the medicine he’d given me, and wrapped a fresh bandage.

After tending the wound, I took a jewelry box from the drawer.

Among the brightly colored gems, I carefully picked up a single rough stone.

When it had shone brilliantly, it had emitted a refreshing energy—but now it felt like nothing more than an ordinary stone.

“You told me to find someone who would help me, Leo. Not a guardian, but an ally. I still don’t understand what you meant by finding out who I am, but….”

My grip tightened.

In any case, I’d succeeded in making contact with the prince, just as planned.

For now, that’s enough.

I clenched both fists. I could see hope.

At least, I’d taken the first step.

The small commotion at House Lorenst also reached the ears of the royal court, which was closely watching the prince’s movements.

“Is it true that the Lorenst family’s daughter never entered the prince’s chambers?”

“Yes. A maid from the count’s household did come with a gift, but there was no further contact.”

“Hm. Then should we assume the prince was genuinely moved by the gift and the letter?”

The expression of the King of Hermannon shifted subtly as he stroked his bearded chin with two fingers.

“So he’s that sentimental? That big barbarian?”

“If it’s true, it is unexpected. Shall we summon all the renowned calligraphers and scholars in the capital at once?”

The subordinate, eager to carry out the order, shifted forward—but the king waved him off.

“Wait. Don’t be hasty. It’s surprising enough that the Lorenst girl avoided him entirely, and yet you’re telling me that something so trivial caught the prince’s interest? I can hardly believe it.”

A deep frown settled on the king’s face.

“What do you think? Do you believe the prince’s letter?”