TWFLLYM Ch 70

Very Ordinary Lovers (2)

[Kalart] "......I didn't realize it was this close."

He stopped in front of the door and let go of her arm, murmuring to himself.

Roserikta, still unsure of what to say, held her skirt and bowed.

[Roserikta] "Thank you for walking me back, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "Don't mention it. It was for my own benefit."

He took her hand and kissed the back of it, just as parting lovers would, before turning to leave.

Step, step.

The guards followed him like shadows, obscuring his retreat from her view.

She whispered to herself.

[Roserikta] "Right. This isn't 'ordinary' at all."

If he leaves like this, I have no idea when I'll see him again.

If he doesn't come looking for me first, I have no way to see him, no matter how much I might want to.

That's not how ordinary lovers are.

[Guard] "I will open the door for you."

The newly assigned guard opened the bedroom door for her.

[Roserikta] "Thank you, Sir Knight."

She stepped into the bedroom, trying her best to hide her bitter expression.

There, she was met with something she hadn't expected at all.

---

[Roserikta] "......Pardon?"

[Clobell] "What did she say?"

Roserikta, holding Clobellina, tilted her head toward the Head Maid. She gave the cat a small pinch, and Clobellina scratched the back of her hand in return, but neither of them even noticed.

[Aldwin] "You have ears, so you must have heard me! Why do you keep asking? His Highness gave the orders...... m-ma'am."

The honorifics attached at the end of her sentence, so faint they were almost missed, were the proof. Everything had changed.

[Clobell] "Rosie. Did she just use polite speech with you?"

[Roserikta] "I think so. It's a bit weird, isn't it?"

[Clobell] "It's extremely weird. Didn't she use to treat us like we were insignificant?"

[Roserikta] "My thoughts exactly."

The Head Maid stomped her foot when she saw Roserikta whispering to the cat.

[Aldwin] "What are you doing just standing there... m-miss? Please... come and sit... ma'am."

[Roserikta] "I'm just not used to this."

Roserikta faced a large full-length mirror. Beside it stood the Head Maid and three other maids, each holding clothes, brushes, or jewelry, their faces twisted in deep scowls.

Even more striking was the massive basket of flowers sitting on the tea table next to the vanity. The basket was filled with large roses, the likes of which she had never seen before, and it was nearly as big as a person.

The card tucked shyly among the roses looked like it had been sent by dwarves in comparison to the size of the basket.

It was an invitation to dinner sent by the Crown Prince's secretary. Since she had been invited, she needed to be dressed appropriately for the occasion. This was why the maids had been waiting for her.

[Aldwin] "At least you know your place! But even so, we can't keep His Highness waiting, so hurry up and put something on your face...! I mean, you must... prepare yourself... ma'am."

She could feel the Head Maid's anger radiating from her, the veins in her neck practically bulging.

Fearing the woman might actually have a stroke, Roserikta set Clobellina down and sat at the vanity.

[Roserikta] "But why did you change the way you speak to me?"

[Aldwin] "Stand up this instant! We have to change your clothes first! ......Ma'am."

The Head Maid had just told her to sit, but Roserikta followed her order anyway.

The atmosphere was intense. If she pushed the wrong buttons, she felt like she might end up in a four-on-one physical brawl. She trusted Clobellina to hold her own in a fight, but she doubted the lazy cat would bother to help.

[Roserikta] "You can speak comfortably, Head Maid."

The moment she stood up, her clothes were whisked away. The three maids moved with practiced speed. Having experienced this once before at Kiriyen Castle, she felt less embarrassed this time.

The Head Maid ground her teeth.

[Aldwin] "If I could, I would... but etiquette dictates otherwise, so I have no choice."

[Roserikta] "Etiquette?"

[Aldwin] "Since you have become the Crown Prince's lov—"

The Head Maid struggled so hard to say the word 'lover' that the veins on her forehead pulsed.

[Aldwin] "......You must be shown the proper respect... ma'am."

[Roserikta] "Oh... but we aren't exactly..."

Are we really at that stage yet? I thought we just talked about it before parting.

Ah, wait. He must have sent the invitation before that, which means he already considered us a couple.

She fidgeted with her hands, looking troubled.

[Roserikta] "I didn't know... it had to be such a big deal..."

[Aldwin] "If you didn't know, you shouldn't have done it! ...Ah, no. Huff."

She was clearly struggling to keep her temper and her speech in check.

[Aldwin] "In any case, let's get ready quickly. His Highness is waiting."

Oh, what should I do? I can't say I'm not going. I can't say we aren't like that.

If Roserikta denied being his lover, it would only incense the Head Maid further, and she probably wouldn't believe her anyway. The maid would likely scream that she was accusing the Prince of being delusional.

And well, he was right. If I say we aren't lovers now, it's basically saying we should stop here. And I don't want to stop. Neither does he. Yeah. It's too late now.

[Roserikta] "Then, I'll be in your care."

Having made up her mind, she offered a shy greeting.

The Head Maid ground her teeth for a long moment but eventually bowed politely, holding the dress.

[Aldwin] "Though you have no status or background, you stand beside the Crown Prince, so I will fulfill my duties with the utmost sincerity and etiquette."

Roserikta couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

She really is honest, even if she hates me. She's not a bad person. She just cares about him too much.

[Roserikta] "Yes. I have no status or background, but since I am by His Highness' side, I will also do my best to follow the proper etiquette."

Honesty was the best response to honesty. Her reply actually seemed to fluster the Head Maid.

[Aldwin] "Well, I... hmph. Do as you wish."

The strained honorifics were slowly becoming more natural.

After an hour of preparation, Roserikta was guided to the small banquet hall where Kalart had invited her.

---

[Klein] "You are being far too much today, Your Highness."

While Roserikta was in the hands of the maids, Kalart was in a similar situation. Two attendants were busy grooming him from head to toe. His reflection in the mirror was flawless.

Since this was their first meeting after officially starting their relationship, Kalart had requested new clothes and extra care for his hair.

His natural beauty, combined with the effort, made him look dazzling, though Kalart himself was only frustrated that he couldn't see himself clearly.

The one speaking to him was Klein, the Imperial Secretary.

[Klein] "What if she loses her mind when she sees you?"

[Kalart] "Whatever it takes."

Kalart tilted his chin slightly. A sense of dissatisfaction that had yet to be fulfilled flickered across his sharp jawline.

[Klein] "Whatever it takes?"

[Kalart] "I want her to have some kind of reaction. Right now, she treats me like I'm insignificant."

[Klein] "Pardon?"

Even Klein, known as one of the three smartest people in the Imperial Palace, was baffled.

[Klein] "Insignificant...... Your Highness?"

[Kalart] "I don't think she trusts me."

[Klein] "With all due respect, Your Highness?"

[Kalart] "She might like me, but she doesn't think I'm 'lover' material."

[Klein] "Pardon?"

[Kalart] "Tell me what I need to do."

Realizing that Kalart wasn't joking, Klein quickly shuffled through the stack of papers he had brought.

[Klein] "I'm not sure there is much more to do, Your Highness. I found two precedents in the imperial records of princes dating commoners. There are no cases regarding engagement or marriage, but are you already thinking that far ahead?"

The reason Kalart had summoned the secretary immediately upon his return was clear. He was anxious to advance his relationship with Roserikta and wanted to eliminate any potential friction beforehand.

At first, Kalart just wanted to be prepared, but now he felt like patting himself on the back for his foresight. If he hadn't, he would have been in a difficult spot when Roserikta asked if a relationship between a Prince and a maid was even possible.

[Kalart] "We'll see."

Kalart glanced at the mirror and signaled the attendants to leave.

Click.

Once the door was closed, only Kalart, Klein, and the guards remained. The room was now safe for secrets.

[Kalart] "If it were up to me, I’d have it settled by tomorrow."

[Klein] "Oh, my. ...Ah, I apologize, Your Highness. That was unexpected."

[Kalart] "I know it's too soon. Don't be scared yet."

[Klein] "Ah, yes. Thank you, Your Highness."

If the Crown Prince were to marry someone without status, the secretary would be the busiest person in the empire. Telling him not to be scared meant there was still time.

[Kalart] "There's a problem."

[Klein] "Please, go ahead."

[Kalart] "First, there's the issue of how far she wants to go with me. But that's uncertain for now, so let's set it aside."

[Klein] "She seems like a difficult person to win over."

[Kalart] "She isn't human."

[Klein] "......Pardon?"

Thud.

The records stamped with the imperial seal slipped from Klein's hands. Neither Kalart nor Klein moved to pick them up.

Kalart didn't think it was a big deal, while Klein was too shocked to realize what he had done.

[Klein] "I-if she isn't human... then, what is she?"

[Kalart] "If she isn't human, what else could she be?"

Even though Klein ignored palace gossip, he was an incredibly bright man.

[Klein] "A witch...... then."

[Kalart] "Mm."

The Prince's answer was short and certain, leaving Klein to drown in the worries that any normal person would have.

[Klein] "Are you certain? Is your heart set on a witch?"

[Kalart] "Without a doubt."

[Klein] "With all due respect, Your Highness, a witch is not someone to be judged so easily—"

[Kalart] "The witch you're thinking of was a different one."

[Klein] "—is... wait, what? You mean there's another witch?"

Klein's eyes were wide enough to hurt. He rubbed them roughly with both hands, ignoring his manners.

[Kalart] "Didn't Arad come to you? He must have asked you for something."

[Klein] "Yes. He asked for the genealogy of Count Gibero's family from the imperial archives. Among other things..."

[Kalart] "The new Countess was a witch."

[Klein] "Gasp! Choke! Ack!"

Klein couldn't help the strange noises escaping his throat.

The guards who had arrived with Kalart from the Gibero estate nodded, fully empathizing with his shock.

[Kalart] "She saved me. I’m not saying my feelings are certain just because of that, but I hope the fact that she saved half the Imperial Guard and me will help silence any future complaints. Is that possible?"

[Klein] "Are you... telling me to make it possible?"

[Kalart] "Yes."

He added one more shock to the already reeling secretary.

[Kalart] "And the black witch isn't dead yet. There's a chance she'll reappear soon."

[Klein] "Th-that, urk!"

First a witch, now a black witch. Klein's head felt like it was going to explode as he tried to process everything that had happened in the ten days the Prince was away.

[Kalart] "The black witch manipulates the human heart. Seeing how the guards were taken down so easily, simply increasing security won't be enough. We need a way to counter her."

Klein misunderstood Kalart for a moment.

[Klein] "Your Highness! Even though I was the youngest top graduate of the Imperial Studium, I know nothing about dark witches or dark magic! I appreciate your trust, but please understand that this is beyond my capabilities!"

The misunderstanding was brief.

[Kalart] "Roserikta will know the way. Your job is to seek her advice. As soon as Eaton recovers, arrange a way to reinforce the palace security."

[Klein] "......Ah, is that what you meant?"

Again, Klein was a very smart man. Though he was temporarily blinded by the news of a black witch, his brain began to function normally again.

There was a reason Kalart had brought up the issue of status and marriage alongside the mention of 'consultation.'

[Klein] "Facing an unprecedented crisis, the Imperial Palace will need an advisor. Since she will be the one helping us through this crisis, the Empire must show its deepest gratitude in the name of the Imperial Family."

Kalart nodded at his secretary, who, as usual, had read his intentions perfectly.

[Kalart] "It has to be her."

[Klein] "Undoubtedly, Your Highness. I will look into what treatment is appropriate for an Imperial Advisor."

[Kalart] "Mm. It would be good if it included a title. I don't think she cares much for human status, though."

[Klein] "Understood, Your Highness."

Klein quickly bowed and left the room. In truth, he was dying of curiosity regarding the black witch. Knowing the Prince wasn't the type to give a detailed play-by-play, he planned to catch one of the guards and squeeze the information out of them.

In his haste, he committed the small error of forgetting the documents he had dropped on the floor.

[Kalart] "Take those to the secretary's office. He's probably looking miserable right about now."

[Kalart] "Yes, Your Highness."

As the guard picked up the papers, an attendant knocked on the door.

[Attendant] "Your Highness. Dinner is ready."

It was time to meet his lover.