The afternoon after I recognized Freed as my beloved (provisional).
With his permission I headed towards the kitchen.
Although I was promised to be allowed to peek into the kitchen, I thought itād actually take a while. I was surprised to receive the permission so quickly.
āIāll keep my promiseā
I was impressed by the speed of Freedās arrangements after saying that. I feel I caught a glimpse of why heās called the excellent Crown Prince.
Exactly as he had said that I can act freely, I received the permission to walk around the Royal Palace alone. It seems he can come to my help right away inside the Royal Palace.
When I tried asking about the garden due to yesterdayās matter, I was bitterly told that as expected I should hold back for a while. Of course, with the place being plenty shady, I obediently nodded.
We had such an exchange, and now Iām walking through the corridors, but surely itās not just my conceit to feel like the guards are closely observing me.
Glenn also said heād revise the security, surely among them Iām a person who requires a special attentionā¦. Yup, I reap what I sowed. Letās pretend I donāt notice.
By the way, I talked with Cain before leaving the room.
Yesterday Cain was strangely in a hurry so we didnāt have the time to slowly talk.
I recalled the conversation some time ago as we once again both reported our situations, and exchanged glances with faces that unconsciously said that it was terrible.
Simply put, apparently Cain received an invitation to become the King of Sahajaās subordinate from fellow assassins (seems they werenāt fellows though).
Although I still have various questions like when the contact was made, I fundamentally trust him so Iām not worried.
He talks to me when he think itās the time to talk, like just now. Thatās fine, even if he calls me his master it feels like weāre close friends. Thatās why Iām not thinking of completely tying Cain down.
It seems my existence got exposed , as Cain said that with a rejected face, I informed him of the Crown Prince asking if heās well, to which he made quite a complicated face.
āCain, youāre popularā
As I pretended to whistle, my head was whacked⦠Ouch.
āI aināt happy at all. Princess, you too. Look, after all you caught the Crown Princeās eyeā
āWhatās with after all? In the first, that was force majeure!ā
āIt was the same for me!ā
Exchanging glances, we sighed.
ā⦠Letās stop, weāre getting nowhereā
ā⦠Thatās rightā
This quarrel is meaningless.
ā⦠And? Are you safe, being invited?ā
As I asked during a breather, he waved his hand that I donāt need to mind.
āNo worries. Iāll settle it on my own. They want me because Iām from Hiyuma clan. Iāve already made a contract with Princess, I wouldnāt go to their sideā
I felt I heard āKillā when he said settle , but I deliberately didnāt touch on it.
There must be various ways of doing things among fellow assassins. I canāt thoughtlessly deny him without knowing them well, itāll be too late to regret once Cain falls into a pinch.
At times like this itās best to believe in his competency and not butt in. Still, just in case I reminded him.
āIāll be worrying, so donāt do anything unreasonableā
āI know. Iāll put my skills to use to get to the bottom of it. I wonāt let Princess be troubledā
I frowned at those words⦠Itās different.
āYou can cause me as much trouble as you want. We share out lot, right? I didnāt mean that, Iām telling you to be careful about injuries and the likeā
āAh⦠aahā
Thinking itās cute how Cain muttered itās that, huh in a strangely bewildered voice, I reached out to stroke his hair⦠but, he avoided.
āHow awful. Why did you avoidā
āOf course Iād avoid! Rather, donāt stroke me! Even if I look like this, Iām 16!!ā
āI know. But Cain is cuteā
āOnly Princessās husband would be happy being told thatā
āWhy, why are you bring up Freed!?ā
While I felt shaken in spite of myself, Cain laughed with his shoulders shaking, but after a moment he made a serious face.
āPrincessā
āNn?ā
At his voice I also returned to my previous voice. As I looked at Cain wondering whatās up, he deeply bowed.
I was perplexed, not understanding the meaning behind his action.
āMy bad. While I was away you were nearly taken away to Sahaja. It was my mistake to leave your sideā
I replied seriously to his earnest words.
ā⦠Raise your face. Itās not Cainās fault. It was my fault for going into the garden as I please after Iād heard Cain wouldnāt be there in advance. At least I shouldāve got a guard. You didnāt do it on purpose, Iām the one to blameā
āEven so. Knowing Princess is a master like that, I left you aloneā
āNo, thatās why I⦠Hey, like that!?ā
When I raised my eyebrows at the unpardonable words, Cain answered earnestly.
āPrincess is quite a troublemaker, right? There really is no time for boredomā
āWha!? Who is! Donāt say things similar to Older Brother. Anyway, letās stop talking about whoās to blame. In a quarrel, both parties are to blame. We were both wrong. Thatās fine, isnāt it?ā
ā⦠Youāre generous, Princess. Got it⦠Be careful next timeā
āI wonāt do it twice either. Hey, Cain⦠Can I talk about Cain to others, like Freed?ā
āEh?ā
Considering the series of exchanges with Crown Prince Maximilian, itās reasonable to think my contract with Cain has already been exposed. That is to say itās probably safe to think the King of Sahaja who desires Cain also knows.
Considering Cain was already directly contacted about fetching him, I wondered if itās alright to still keep silent in front of Freed.
Having heard what I said, Cain unenthusiastically grimaced.
āCain?ā
ā⦠Sorry, Princess. Could you wait a little more?ā
āEh?ā
Absolutely not expecting that answer, I leaked a word of surprise.
At my response Cain apologetically cast down his eyes.
ā⦠Umm, see. As a matter of fact, it was the King of Sahaja who destroyed my clan. For that reason, I dislike royalty and people with high status⦠Honestly, I canāt trust themā
āCainā¦ā
I opened my wide eyes at what he told me.
Iāve certainly heard his clan was destroyed, but naturally I didnāt know the King of Sahaja did it.
Cain continued talking.
āOf course, Princess is different. Iām grateful to Princess whoās my benefactor. Besides, I know Princessās husband is a good guy. But, itās not about logic. It doesnāt matter if I look at it objectively. I understand Princess will be welcomed as royalty soon. But, that Crown Prince is like a symbol of royalty. I donāt think Iād like meeting and directly talking with Princessās relatives, so honestly Iād also like to remain unknownā
As he apologetically cast his eyes down again, I shook my head.
When I asked Cain whether he didnāt hate people with high status before, he didnāt deny. Come to think of it, he seemed delighted when I decided I wouldnāt say anything to Father.
But, by no means did I think his hatred ran this deep. Still, it may be natural having his clan destroyed by a king.
āThatās why, wait a little more. I know things canāt stay this way considering Princessās status. Thatās why, until I can be convinced, until I can trust them, I want only a little more timeā
ā⦠Yup, I understandā
Being told all this I couldnāt insist.
Cain is trying to compromise in his own way. Then I should also display a compromising attitude.
āIf Cain can be convinced, thatās fine. But I obtained an important secret! If something like that happens, as expected I wonāt be able to hide it, alright?ā
āOf course I know that. Besides, I donāt possess such secrets. I donāt belong to a guild now, so I donāt have a source of informationā
I tilted my head at his words.
āNn? What about the subject of Crown Prince Maximilianās Side Consort?ā
āThatās the information I had acquired before coming here. Rather, Princess, youāre too carelessā
ā⦠Iām truly ashamedā
I was glared at a little. Regarding this matter, I have no retort.
ā⦠I think Princessās point is correct, so Iāll endeavor to quickly convince myself. Please forgive meā
āYup. Umm, Cain. Even supposing I told Father and Freed, I absolutely wonāt allow them to use Cainā
I know they wouldnāt do something like that, but Iām sure itās not so easy for Cain to believe that. Thatās why, thinking I need to at least give him a guarantee, I appealed to him with clenched fists, to which Cainās expression suddenly slackened.
āPrincess doesnāt have to worry about that. Besides, Hiyuma clan only serve their master. Unless Princess tells me to, I wonāt take orders from anyone elseā
ā⦠Yupā
āThatās why, if what weāre doing now didnāt have a form of conversation but an order, Iād have no choice but to nod, okay? If you expressly asked for thatāāāāā
āNo, after all itās different, isnāt itā
I shook my head to deny Cainās words.
If it was absolutely necessary right now, I might have taken that measure.
But thatās not the case. For now, Crown Prince Maximilian left and Iām staying at the Royal Palace. Currently Freedās eyes are prudent, I should be able to afford waiting a little.
Be that as it may, I understand I donāt have the time to take it slow.
Iām truly sorry for not saying anything to Freed.
But, even so I want to wait.
Even though I understand itās a wrong judgement as the future Crown Princess.
No matter how much Iād be accused for being foolish, I canāt do anything thatād disregard Cainās will.
Because thatās how I am, it really canāt be helped.
āI donāt want to make Cain do what I tell you to against your will. Weāre connected by a master-servant relationship, but at the same time I think of you as a friend. Itās natural Iād confirm your willā
Or I wonder if only I think that.
When I fixed my eyes on him wondering how it is, with āAaā Cain scratched his head while looking up at the sky. I have a feeling his ears reddened slightly.
āJeez, Princess is seriously bad⦠I know. Iāll also resolve myself as soon as possible. If youāre questioned before that, you can talk at that time⦠Is that fine?ā
āYupā
When I nodded, Cain made a slightly astonished expression.
I felt like I heard him murmur natural airhead , but maybe I misheard.
āReally, Princessās husband has it hard. I feel I already could trust that Crown Princeā
āWhatās thatā
āNothing. Then, Iāll be going to granny to ask a little something. Youāll be staying in the Royal Palace for a while, wonāt you. Is it okay so soon after yesterday?ā
āYup. Freed is hereā
Recalling being helped yesterday, I unintentionally got bashful.
Seeing this situation, Cain shrugged his shoulders with good grief .
āAh yup, I more or less understand the situation. Seems Iām unnecessary. Then, I think itāll be unnecessary, but if something happens call me. Iāll come here as fast as possibleā
āNn, got itā
When I lightly agreed, Cain disappeared suddenly like usual.