A few days before leaving Baron Grossaliaâs territory for the magic guildâs entrance examination.
The eighth Princess, Iris Restia, was talking with Odette Sorey at the Western Palace.
âI heard that youâre heading for the Baronâs territory. It will be a long journey. Please be careful, Your Royal Highness.â
âWe are alone, so please, no formalities, Odette.â
âNo. You never know who might be listening.â
Odette shook her head.
Iris is envied by the other princes and princesses because of her beauty and talent for magic.
That is why her best friend, Odette, was careful about what she said and did.
âIs he a promising one? The boy from the Baronâs territory, Xellos Grossalia.â
âAccording to Kachel Mieghem, who recommended him, he seems to be a very talented boy.â
Iris picked up the letter of recommendation.
In the said letter, the outstanding performance of Xellos Grossalia is described in the aristocratâs characteristic language.
The information is in such a mess that it is hard to read.
âHe is said to be good at âBody Strengthening, Boostedâ and âSummoningâ of âAncient Magicâ. Both his personality and character can be fully vouched for by the D-rank mage, Kachel Mieghem.â
âCan he be trusted? This Kachel Mieghem.â
âHe is the eldest son of former Minister Longes Mieghem. There shouldnât be any problem.â
âI seeâŠâ
Odette tapped her finger on the cup in front of her.
A clear sound rang out, she looked at Iris curiously.
âIf the boy, Xellos Grossalia, is truly talented, then he might be able to become the âknight escortâ of Your Royal Highness.â
ââŠI am not thinking of appointing a âknight escortâ.â
Iris murmured.
When a royal family member reaches a certain age, they can appoint a âknight escortâ for their own protection.
However, Iris was reluctant.
And that was because she has a secret.
It was the âimmortalityâ that she had inherited from her grandmother.
Her grandmother never aged. Even after giving birth to a child and reaching middle age, she still looked like a young lady.
The marquis, who had taken her grandmother as his wife, did not care about that but loved her for her intelligence and kindness. The same was true of the king who took Irisâs mother as his consort.
However, Iris, among her half-brothers and sisters, has always been under the gaze of curiosity.
That is why she was always hesitant to have a stranger close by.
âIf it is alright with me, I am always happy to have a talk with you, Your Royal Highness.â
said Odette.
She knew about Irisâs constitution and that she was troubled by it.
Odette is one of the few people Iris felt comfortable with.
âI am ready to risk my life to protect Your Royal Highness.â
âThank you very much, Odette.â
Iris replies with a smile.
But it will probably be difficult.
Odetteâs family is of a Duke. Her status is too high.
If the eldest daughter were to become the princessâs âknight escortâ, it would disrupt the balance of power among the nobles.
Odetteâs father would love to have his daughter as a âknight escortâ, but it would be impossible without a great deal of trouble.
âYour Royal Highness.â
âWhat is it, Odette?â
âI hope that one day, Your Royal Highness will find the right person.â
Odette smiled gently.
âSomeone who understands you and will protect you. If there is no such person, please call out to me again. If the problem is that the Dukeâs status is too high, then⊠I will point out my fatherâs mistake and arrange for his peerage to be lowered.â
âOh my, OdetteâŠâ
Iris laughed.
(Someday, I will find the right person.)
For some reason, Odetteâs words were carved into her heart.
She remembered her grandmother saying something like that.
âWhy do you never age, Grandma?â
âTime is on our side. Someday, when Iris meets that special someone she thinks is the right person, youâll know .â
ââŠYour Royal Highness?â
After coming back to her senses, Odette looked into Irisâs face
Realizing that she had been pensive, Iris looked up.
âItâs nothing. Iâm sorry, Odette.â
âYour face is red. Please take good care of yourself before the trip.â
ââŠI will.â
âThen I will take my leave now.â
With that, Odette left the room.
Now alone, Iris heads for her bedroom. She sat down on the bed to take a rest.
âSomeday, the person that will be my âknight escortâ will appear.â
Will that person appear?
Someone who she can share her secrets with and be there for her on top of it.
Lying on the bed, Iris closes her eyes.
ââŠI wonder if there really is someone⊠that I would want by my side.â
Someone other than Odette, someone who she can trust.
A âknight escortâ ââ who will stay by her side and protect her.
ââŠIf there is such a person⊠I wonder if they will really⊠understand.â