"Say, Gille. Dilly might be coming to my next evening party, but will you come?"
It was a fine afternoon when I asked Gille this question.
Gille blinked his eyes in surprise at my sudden question, but it seemed that he immediately understood what I was saying.
"It's almost your birthday, isn't it Vernoux? Congrats."
"It's still too early."
"But it's rare for Dilly to go out in public."
"I heard that Countess Weltoria told mother that she would be bringing Dilly along with her. Earl Pameradia also has to agree, so I can't say for certain that she'd come. Well, even if Dilly doesn't come, I thought that 『Prince Sylvester』would come incognito."
I said that and Gille laughed, "It's still too early to talk about it, but thanks."
He was laughing, but he was probably a little nervous. This was his first chance to appear in front of Cordelia as 『Sylvester』. Although I feel sorry for Gille, I don't think a conversation between 『Sylvester』and her would get lively. Because that was how much she has been avoiding him so far.
It would be better for Dilly to meet 『Gille』before she meets『Sylvester』. She would probably be so dejected from meeting 『Sylvester』 that she wouldn't be able to talk much to Gille when she meets him, because of that tension. Well, that's only if she comes.
"But, you're going to be 13 soon, aren't you Vernoux. I'm always jealous that your birthday comes so early."
"Our birthdays aren't that far apart."
"I know. But, I'm still a little bit jealous. It's not fair."
Even if he says it's unfair, it's not like I can do anything about it. Incidentally, he's never thought this way before. I can't agree with him. I've never known what's on his mind since a long time ago, then I noticed.
"....... Speaking of, hasn't it been eight years since we've met?"
"You're right."
Both Gille and I never noticed this and we both turned to face each other when we'd realised. And we both began to mutter.
"8 is like half our lives."
"Somehow, it doesn't feel like it."
However, eight years for a 13 year old was a long time.
◊♦◊♦◊♦◊
I was five years old when I met 『Prince Sylvester』.
I'll be honest, I never thought about wanting to go to the castle.
Of course, it wasn't like I wasn't interested in the castle, there was no way I wouldn't be interested in a building that was built like a large secret base. However, at that time, I'd already known that mannerisms existed inside of the castle. I wanted to explore it freely, but I didn't want to go if I had to be obedient and listen to what the adults said. The building was amazing and it was hard for me to hold back.
But heartlessly, a letter inviting me to the castle arrived. To summarize, it said this, 『You might be a candidate for the Prince's schoolmate, so come』.
My mother and father were happy.
"I hope you can make a lot of friends," was how they acted, so I couldn't say that I didn't want to go.
But still, they were only calling for school friend 『candidates』. It felt like it was just for appearances and something similar to an interview was conducted at first. No matter how much they take your parentage into consideration, they would probably be troubled if they let a simpleton stay by the prince's side.
At this time, I was lost for a moment.
I thought that, if I rubbed the other person the wrong way, then I might be able to get far away from this troublesome situation. Basically, I hated troublesome things. But, I immediately gave up on that plan. Here, I got a strange answer and thought that it would also be troublesome if father and mother got angry at me when I got home. No, rather than be angry, I had a feeling that they would be strangely worried instead.
As a result, I successfully joined His Highness' group of school friends. Of course, I wasn't happy at all about this.
The work of being his school friend happened once every few days, and I would study with His Highness and a few other children who were selected.
I somehow knew that this was a great honour. However, I, who was five at the time, didn't think that it was wonderful that my free time was suddenly restricted. Of course, adults would probably think of this as a chance to make personal connections, but unfortunately, I was still a child. Moreover, I was the son of Marquis Flantheim, who created relationships based on whether he liked or disliked them and not through calculated means. There was no way I could devote myself to such a trivial thing...... Well, but I can't deny that I was happy to have a friend.
The classroom learning of the study sessions mainly consisted of debut training. The practical skills consisted of taijutsu, sword training, and basic magic practice...... Well, even if I say that, it took a few years for us to actually have those classes. When we were younger, we played games together, commented on each other's artworks, drew, and did things like exercise.
The first impression I got of His Highness was 『he seems very mature』. He would often look up at the sky during our breaks. He was also meek. He didn't throw tantrums even if he lost against someone, and he rarely made conversation with others. He was quite absent-minded.
On the other hand, I soon understood that he hated to lose. At first, His Highness would often lose in games and he wasn't very athletic. However, that was really just at the beginning.
I would observe His Highness in that way, but it didn't mean that I became friends with him straight away.
I wasn't the only one, the others were the same. At least for the first year, we kept our distance from him.
It wasn't like we wanted to keep our distance from him, but His Highness rarely spoke to us and our social positions were that of retainers. Sometimes, after study sessions, unknown adults would call out to us, 『don't get too use to it』, they would say. If I had to say, rather than following that advice, I just didn't speak to His Highness because we didn't have the same wavelengths.
Therefore, even after a year, His Highness to me was just 『the prince who only studies with me』. We were studying buddies who only had minimal contact with each other. That was all.
But even though we had such a questionable relationship, it was naturally conveyed to other people that we were school friends.
"Say, Vernoux-sama. Is it true that you study with Prince-sama? What do you talk about with Prince-sama?"
I would often get asked that when my father took me to the houses of nobles who had a daughter who was the same age as me.
Ah, so is this what 『scouting』is?
I knew such a word well when I was a child. I honestly thought so. But even if I knew it, I wouldn't say such a big thing out loud. It wasn't like I didn't say it because I was mean to do so.
"His Highness is a quiet person, so he doesn't talk much."
I've never talked to him or anything before, so it couldn't be helped.
However, the girls were disappointed by my answer. Well, of course they would be.
"Sorry."
"N-no, yo-you have nothing to apologise for!"
The girls would shake their heads in a hurry whenever I said that and immediately change their expressions.
Was the title of Prince-sama that charming?
Of course, the Royal Family who built this kingdom were worthy of respect. However, I honestly didn't know if His Highness was someone who should be respected. He is hard-working and smart. He wasn't a bad guy either, but the reality is...... normal. I didn't know what His Highness was thinking.
But still, the girls would ask me about His Highness.
Even if Prince-sama is a Prince-sama, he wasn't like the Prince-samas who appeared in picture books. I'm always curious about him because I don't know what he's thinking.
This didn't just apply to me.
"Oh, so it's the same for you as well, Myles?"
"Yeah, but I don't meet as many girls as you, so it's not that bad. I might get asked when my sister grows a bit older, but she's only just turned one, so I don't want to think about it yet."
One day, after a year had passed without us talking much with His Highness, I was talking to Myles, the son of an Earl who was the same age as my father.
We were talking about His Highness and the young ladies. Myles generally agreed with my opinions. Well, the thing about his younger sister was probably a joke. Or, he was a potential sis-con.
"But even if we were to talk about him, everyone's opinions would be different."
"Yeah, you're right."
"Therefore, it might be helpful in situations where you can't lie."
"Well, that's true."
It wasn't like anyone was stealing a march, we were really just 『children who studied together』. I don't know whether spending our days like that was good or bad. However, this was the time when I began to think it was a good thing since I wasn't inconvenienced by it either.
"Oh, it's a cat."
"Cat?"
I saw a white cat walking outside with its tail up on the other side of the trees, outside of the corridor.
"...... I'll go chase it for a bit."
At that time, I couldn't remember why I was so curious about the cat. I was probably interested in seeing something for the first time in a place where I always pass through.
"Vernoux, your parents will get angry if you don't go home soon."
"Father said that he has a meeting today. So, he won't get angry, since he'll be home late anyways."
"Your mother will get angry. My parents will get angry at me so I'm going home now. Don't go too far!!"
"I know!"
I got away from the reluctant Myles and rushed out of the corridor into the garden. The cat didn't change his pace when he saw me, and continued to walk briskly through the garden. I ran and chased after it.
But, I lost sight of the white cat.
"...... I'm sure he was around here."
I've never approached the place with the water fountain. I might have gone further into the castle than I'd thought.
I thought that while still being curious about the cat, so I walked slowly towards that place...... I noticed an unexpected person on the other side of the fountain. He also didn't expect me to show up here.
"Huh? What a coincidence. Meeting in a place like this."
"...... Your Highness."
There stood His Highness hugging the cat in question. The cat yawned.
I thought, I shouldn't have chased after the cat.
However, it was impossible for me to leave after His Highness had spoken to me. I was cursing the carefree cat.
"...... Is that cat your pet, Your Highness?"
"Nope. This child is probably from town. He probably came here for a walk."
I, who couldn't think of any common topics to talk about straight away, talked about the cat who was the culprit for this.
The result was that the conversation ended immediately.
"Do you like cats?"
"Huh? ...... I'm more interested in them than liking or disliking them."
"Then, do you want to hold it?"
"N-no. I don't have to go that far......"
The conversation, which I thought had been finished, was dragged out by His Highness. But, I couldn't keep that conversation going either.
To be honest, it was strange. Just like answering a troublesome adult, who was scolding me, I could answer them sensibly, but I couldn't.
Was that simple because the other person is His Highness and I unintentionally cowered......? No, that shouldn't be it. It's probably because I can't feel any malice nor hostility coming from His Highness.
His Highness smiled wryly at me, who could not answer well.
"I'm sorry, it's boring isn't it?"
"No, I'm grateful for your kindness."
"No, I'm not talking about now. It's about the study sessions...... Or rather the break times. You guys can't talk as you like when I'm around, right?"
I couldn't keep up with what he was talking about for a moment.
"That is not true."
"Thanks for your concern. But, I know about it. So, I'm sorry."
I wonder if he saw it somewhere. It wasn't like I had no idea where he could have seen us. I talk comfortably with Myles while we walk through the corridors. In the first place, His Highness wasn't to blame, but if he was really feeling apologetic about it, then it was difficult for me to reply.
However, I also thought that I shouldn't just nod.
"Your Highness. Everyone who is studying together with you, will one day serve as your retainers."
"I know."
His Highness was puzzled by my sudden remark. I also thought, what are you saying, me. However, I couldn't stop what I've already started.
Ah, it doesn't matter anymore, I thought and continued.
"But, we don't know much about you, Your Highness. So, I have a suggestion. Why don't you treat everyone to some sweets tomorrow?"
"Treat them to sweets?"
"It's not like we don't want to talk with Your Highness. But, we've been taught that the Royal Family is different from us. That's why I thought that it could be a chance for you to get everyone to feel that you are the same as us."
Honestly, even I thought that this was completely opposite from what I was thinking from a while ago. It wasn't inconvenient for things to stay as they were, and it wasn't like I wanted to talk with him.
However, I just didn't know if we should leave our classmates feeling apologetic for the distance.
His Highness groaned quietly at my words.
"Will things work out with something like that?"
I also thought the same thing. It's unbelievable that one or two sweets would shorten the distance that no one could approach at all in this past year. But, I just couldn't think of any other proposals on the spot.
"Everyone's simple-minded. Even now, we have been able to talk for this long because of a single cat."
Even if it doesn't work out, there was a possibility that things would progress rather than if he did nothing.
So it'll be fine, ――― I tried to convince myself. And at least, it would eliminate the situation where His Highness thought 『it's my bad』when he's done nothing wrong.
"Is that so? Then, I'll talk to mother about it."
If I had to say, it didn't look like His Highness was convinced about it. To put it plainly, it looked like I was pressuring him.
Nevertheless, His Highness treated everyone to a slightly big cookie during break the next day.
Everyone was surprised by this sudden event. And, they only took one cookie each while looking nervous.
The room was strangely tensed.
But, that lasted only for a second. Even if they were timidly eating the cookies, it was too delicious and it was impossible for them to keep feeling nervous once they lost their senses.
That was how delicious that cookie was.
"May I have another one, Your Highness?"
"There's a lot so it's fine."
There were even guys who wanted a second one without hesitation, there were even guys who bit into the cookie and then just stared at it.
His Highness was the focus of the children.
His Highness, who was looking for a reaction from the easy to understand children at first, looked relieved. When our eyes met, I felt like he was trying to tell me something. However, that was interrupted by a somewhat excited voice that was asking him if he liked sweets as well.
But as for me, I did think 『Are these guys going to be alright? They got pulled in by things too quickly』. Well, they were still children and it was a gift from someone they would serve in the future, so it was fine.
I walked to the fountain where I spoke with His Highness on that day after the study session.
His Highness was already there. He was also holding the white cat. His Highness and the cat noticed that I was there at the same time."
"It went really well, didn't it Your Highness?"
"Thanks. It's thanks to you Vernoux."
He put down the cat who was struggling in his arms and slowly stood up.
"I didn't know that it wasn't that hard. Sorry I doubted you."
"It's okay. It's because Your Highness chose a sweet that everyone liked."
The cookies were probably all gone. They were familiar with it because it was a cookie they've all eaten once before. And, I didn't even think it went well...... I have no intentions on confessing this. His Highness smiled while I was thinking that.
"Then, I should thank mother. But, mother would probably tell me this 『If so, then thank Vernoux』. The one who told me to do it was Vernoux after all."
"......"
I don't think he was just awkward, he was probably embarrassed as well. "Your praise is more than I deserve," I had replied, but I was disturbed so the words turned out a little monotone. Nonetheless, His Highness didn't read too much into it.
His Highness began to walk slowly. I felt like he was telling me to follow him, so I slowly met my pace with his. The place where he went to was the garden.
"I've read it in a book before, so I knew about the word 'friend'. But, I didn't know what a friend was and I didn't know if I could make a friend. It wasn't clear to me from reading it in books."
He spoke as he entered the gazebo and sat down. I stood next to him and thought about the meaning of that word.
"...... It is very presumptuous to be friends with Royalty."
I was unwilling to feel sorry for His Highness, but I had the courage to call him a friend. When I said what I had honestly thought, I heard a voice leak from His Highness, "Gah." Then, he tried to hold his stomach and press it down.
"Vernoux, you're interesting, aren't you?"
"Do you think so?"
"Yeah. You're interesting because you say things clearly."
I don't remember saying anything interesting. What the heck was so funny that he had to hold his stomach? This continued for a while and then he leaned back and said.
"It's troublesome to be Royalty."
"......"
I thought so too, but I shouldn't agree with him. I can't deny it either. It was a phrase that only gave me trouble. But His Highness didn't want to trouble me nor did he want to make me nervous.
"But, I became friends with Vernoux thanks to that. I should be thankful."
"......"
"Say something."
"I don't know what to say."
Even though I just said I sound presumptuous. Even though His Highness acknowledged that and even said it was troublesome. All I could do was shrug when I thought that.
However, it didn't feel unpleasant. His Highness also laughed.
"Vernoux too, if there's something I can do for you just tell me."
"Your Highness, you shouldn't say something like that so easily. Absurd requests might come your way."
Of course, I didn't mean anything bad by it. I don't know if he was going to take my advice, but I wanted to warn him. However, His Highness tilted his head in curiosity.
"Vernoux, are you going to ask for something absurd?"
"...... I won't."
"Then it's fine, isn't it?"
That wasn't the problem. That was a hindsight-based opinion, even I had the possibility of asking for anything I wanted. But, I didn't need to say it out loud for him to understand this. His Highness' smile didn't fade and he replied.
"It's fine. If you ask for something absurd, then I can just tell you I can't do it. This is only if I can do it...... Oh yes, do you want to climb the east tower together? Something like that? It looked very nice up there."
"Huh, is that alright?"
"Yes."
I accidentally reacted to that unexpected invitation. It was so fascinating that the crease on my eyebrows disappeared.
Wandering around the castle wasn't allowed, but if I looked around the castle with His Highness as my guide, then I wouldn't be criticised.
"You won't be scolded if you're with your friend, right?"
I still think I did it out of self-interest. But if I missed this chance, then I don't think it would appear again.
"Please, Your Highness."
I asked him frankly and he nodded.
Then, we headed straight for the tower. The wind blew comfortably on us as we looked down onto the town. It was very wide and sparkling.
"How is it?"
"It's more than I imagined."
His Highness' voice was swept away by the wind and I couldn't hear it clearly. Also, I don't think my words reached him either, but I couldn't confirm it. I couldn't take my eyes away from the scenery.
"I'm going to be shoulder this kingdom in the future."
The words His Highness muttered while looking down onto the town were also swept away by the wind. However, it miraculously reached my ears. He wasn't talking in a loud voice and I thought they were words that he'd just blurted out. But still, I had heard those words clearly.
Somehow, it might not be bad to support him.
I looked at His Highness' face from the side and thought that I would like to talk to him a little more.
◊♦◊♦◊♦◊
After I got the chance to talk to him, we would often hang out together after the study sessions. We never made any promises, but we met in front of the fountain most the time. I wasn't hiding it, but I couldn't tell our classmates that I dared to talk with His Highness. I intended to answer them if they asked about it, but they never did. Still, I was probably able to convey to them that I got along with His Highness. There were no complains. If I had to say it, then I was recognised as a mediation-like existence and they seemed thankful.
However, this was only between the children. There were adults who got into bad moods when they found out I was friends with His Highness.
"The Flantheim son seems to be getting along well with His Highness, but it's important for him to be aware that he's a retainer."
He'd even had adults say that to his face while grimacing. But still, I couldn't just quietly agree with them.
"I have His Highness' good will. It would be rude to refuse it for no reason."
I didn't reply to them with the feeling of 「leave me alone old man」. But, that answer probably caused the rumour of 『Flantheim's child isn't cute at all』to float around at that time. So, I decided to act more friendly to those around me.
When I did, the rumour quietly died down. See what happens!
Other people noticed this, so naturally, my father also noticed that I was on talking terms with His Highness. To begin with, one of the reasons why he'd noticed was probably because I constantly went home late.
Father asked me happily.
"I hear you've become friends with His Highness. Did you talk with your fists?"
Of course, it was possible that father was joking. I want him to predict that my face would twitch at those outrageous words.
"No. I do speak with him, but that's impossible."
"What?! So, it's not like that. Even if you're a little wild; I wouldn't blame you if you two were able to understand each other. I wonder how many times Elvis and I crossed swords with each other before we understood each other. Well, whether I won or not is a different story."
"Father, I don't have the courage to go wild with His Highness."
I lost sight of the expression I should be making at my father who had recommended such an unusual method. Unfortunately, it was my principal not to fight a losing battle. I don't know if I can beat His Highness, and I don't think I would do something similar to father, who had been beaten several times in the past.
In the first place, there was no way I would go wild with His Highness because it would be too terrifying afterwards...... I honestly thought something like that at the time.
Therefore, I was surprised when His Highness proposed a 『wild』idea a few days after.
"Vernoux, why don't we explore the castle basement today?"
On that day, His Highness proposed that to me in front of the fountain after our study session.
"The basement, was it?"
"Yeah. It's old, but it's an interesting place with mysterious patterns written on the walls."
I've explored many places in the castle, but I have yet to set food in the basement. I didn't even know that the castle had a basement...... No, it makes sense considering how big this building is, but I couldn't imagine what kind of place it could be.
"I want to see it."
I answered without hesitation, like always. He immediately urged me, "Then, let's go." He was rushing more than usual, but his attitude wasn't strange enough for me to doubt him.
However, I saw that the adults, who were watching us from afar, also moved when we did. It wasn't surprising that we were seen by someone.
This is His Highness. It wasn't odd for someone to be watching us to make sure that I didn't harm him. Them watching at a distance meant that they trusted me to some degree...... I thought, as we turned the corner and he suddenly pulled my arm. We left the main pathway and I was pushed into a small corridor.
"Your Highness, this isn't......"
"This way is fine."
No, it's not. I'm sure the guard turned blue the instant we turned the corner. I don't want to be wild...... I had told my father, but I was caught up in His Highness' mischievous act
However, he didn't slow down.
"It's fine. That person isn't watching me on father's orders. So, it's okay."
"But..."
"And, I wasn't intending on going to the basement today."
He said as he proceeded down a path that I knew well. It was the way to the east tower, which I climbed together with him in the beginning.
We went into the tower and ran up to the top. We were both out of breath when we reached the top.
"The wind certainly feels nice up here. We should have brought some sweets up with us."
"...... We should have."
"Speaking of which, I haven't heard this from you yet. Tell me your favourite sweets next time, Vernoux. I'll prepare some."
"If possible, I want water more than sweets right now."
"You're right. I want to drink some water too."
Even though he said that, he didn't have any intentions to immediately climb down the tower. He put his back to the wall, sat down and looked up at the sky.
"We can't reach the sky from a tower after all."
"...... Well, it's closer to the sky than the basement."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to trick you. I'll show you to basement next time. But, I didn't want the adults to hear us talking today. We can't take our time talking if they are near."
His Highness said and I sat down next to him. It was bad to speak while looking down on him. Then, I looked at the sky like he was, and I saw the white clouds flowing slowly across the sky.
"...... The sky is certainly high."
It wasn't like I really wanted to go to the basement. So I didn't mind if that was what he wanted. I wasn't troubled if the adults heard us talking, but I did mind them.
"Have you ever been to town, Vernoux? I've only peeked at it from inside of the carriage."
"The town, was it? Father has taken me there before."
What does he want to talk about now that we're away from the adults? I thought and he talked about something that had nothing to do with the sky that he was looking at.
The town.
It's natural that he'd want to walk around town himself since he sees it a lot from the tower. His Highness mostly went out with His Majesty. He couldn't go to places that he wanted to. I only walk around town with father, but he'll usually take me to places I want to go if I tell him about it.
"If possible, can you tell me about your experiences there Vernoux?"
"My experiences?"
"Yeah."
"You might get a preconceived notion of the town from my personal experience."
It wasn't like I didn't want to tell him. But, I was a little scared of planting a preconceived notion into his mind. Even though we've become good friends, His Highness was still His Highness.
However, he continued to stare at the sky without looking at me and laughed.
"But still, there's no harm in knowing, is there? I also want to see it someday."
"...... Well, just talking about it is something I can do.
However, I suddenly realised.
Yes, talking about it wasn't a problem. But what should I do if he says something like, "I want to go incognito with you?" in the future? It suddenly crossed my mind that it would be odd for His Highness, who was smiling, to suddenly say this. But, I was probably thinking too much.
But, well.
If he did want to go, then I probably wouldn't stop him. Perhaps, when His Highness wanted to do something, he wouldn't stop even if people tried to stop him. I had to master how to go incognito first, so that His Highness wouldn't loiter around. Because, if I left him alone, then he might wander off somewhere.
"I thought you were a little more mature, Your Highness."
"I thought that you were a more formal person, Vernoux."
The first impression we'd left each other was considerably different from how we were. However, we're lucky that we didn't both think, "It would have been better if you were."
Well, I couldn't imagine that I would be calling His Highness, 『Gille』two years after that.
◊♦◊♦◊♦◊
"Vernoux, you've been spacing out since a while ago. What's wrong?"
"Oh, no. It's nothing."
I, who was remembering a lot of things, shook my head slightly at the grown-up Gille in front of me.
I wasn't hiding anything, but I didn't dare to tell him about it. Rather, I would cause a misunderstanding if I told him straight-up that 「I was thinking about you」...... I mean, even I would be put off if I heard it. Well, I'll be put off a lot by it.
"Say, Gille."
"Yeah?"
"Do you want to climb the tower again after so long?"
Well, I'm saying a lot with just this.
When I thought that, Gille looked a little confused like usual and then he laughed, "Then, shall we prepare some sweets and water?"