Thus, a lot more time was taken in order for her to return to the kingdom.

“I want you to return first. The precious time spent waiting for me is not worthwhile.”

“. . .”

“Besides, talented people who have graduated from the military academy are prized. Don’t you want to go back and become a knight? Just like your grandfather did.”

“ . . . Princess Rieta.”

The moment she called Rieta, gusts of cold wind swirled around them.

Elisha closed Rieta’s coat tightly, as there had been a slight opening.

“I have no intention of serving any ruler other than you.”

Then he paused for a moment. It was because of his strong hatred for the current, foolish king.

It would have been better for him to die than to entrust his life in the hands of such a man.

“Where the Princess stays must soon be where I reside as well. For that purpose, I even studied the language here. I don’t want to be a hindrance to the Princess.”

Rieta blinked her eyes.

Maybe he was becoming more excited, as Elisha’s speech was slowly increasing in speed.

“When the Princess returns to the kingdom, I hope I will be able to stay by your side.”

His last words were in the empire’s language, spoken perfectly and flawlessly.

As though to prove that he had studied hard.

The garden was quiet again.

Rustle.

From somewhere, there was a sudden sign of the presence of another.

Not only was Rieta startled, Elisha expressed his surprise as well. They turned their heads toward the sound.

“. . . Noel?”

* * *

When the party was nearly over, Noel was searching for Rieta.

It wasn’t that big of a deal. He just had something that he wanted to give her.

It was a handkerchief.

And it was not merely a normal handkerchief.

The pattern of the Duchy of Mayer was embroidered on it.

Since Rieta is a little foolish at times.

She might be discouraged for no reason when she stood before others.

Because when there is something you don’t know, you get embarrassed.

Just as Noel was not able to properly speak the empire’s language on a particular day. He was very disheartened then.

Were Rieta to ever find herself in such a situation, a handkerchief embroidered with the pattern of the Duchy would be able to protect her or at least offer her some comfort.

The meaning would be that the dignified Duchy of Mayer supported her.

If you receive this handkerchief, you’ll be glad, right?

Of course she would be glad.

This wasn’t something that a certain snub-nosed boy could obtain by saving up some pocket money.

Besides, it was much more useful than some fairy tale book, as well as easy to carry around.

He imagined Rieta smiling softly, the handkerchief resting in her hands.

Noel’s lips twitched spontaneously.

. . . She would be very pretty.

He shook his head quickly, dispelling any nonsensical thoughts.

Pretty? What was he thinking?

It was just . . .

When Rieta was ignored and disregarded outside, it simply didn’t sit right with Noel. It gave him negative feelings.

Because she was part of the Duchy too. No other reason.

By the way, where did you go?

Noel looked around the small hall where the party was taking place. Unable to find her, he then went to Rieta’s room.

He knocked, but no answer came.

It seemed that she hadn’t returned to her room as of yet.

On the way back alone, Noel caught a glimpse of hair glistening under the moonlight when he glanced through the window facing the garden.

It was Rieta.

It was rather dark so he couldn’t see her features clearly, but he was sure.

Rieta was the only one with such gorgeous hair.

That stupid girl. Why did she go outside on such a cold night?

He had recently borrowed some reading material about the Liz kingdom. Tonight’s weather reminded him of the differences in climate that the Liz kingdom had.

Summers there were hotter than here.

Winter was similar, but the wind was soft and it felt relatively cold.

Thus, if one was a citizen of the Imperial Capital, one would not have to dress all that heavily.

Vice versa, it would mean that the winter here was harsher for Rieta.

But walking on a winter night?

On his way out to the garden, he picked up Darrell’s muffler, which was hanging near the front door.

In fact, when he first met Elisha, it had seemed pretty cool for him to drape a coat around Rieta.

I’ll have to try it too.