Chapter 109: Shadow of the Heart

When I woke up, I was in a garden. An unfamiliar garden. Beyond the garden, I could see a castle and a heavily clouded sky. Different from our Symphonia‘s white castle, it’s a sturdy-looking castle made of dark stone. But the whole castle is covered in thorns. Like the thorny castle of ‘Sleeping Beauty’.

“That is…” “Allegretto Castle. The Imperial Castle in the Imperial Capital of Allegretto Empire.”

Turning to the voice, Imperial Princess Leticia and Elliott were standing there. So, this is inside Imperial Princess Risha’s dream? The surrounding air feels somewhat like glittering mist.

<<Kohaku-san, can you hear me?>> <<Umu, I hear you. Seems we connected consciousness safely.>>

I can speak with Kohaku-san via telepathy. Seems this is indeed inside Imperial Princess Risha’s dream. This seems to be the castle’s inner garden. Probably the real Allegretto Castle looks like this too. The sky is cloudy, but various flowers were blooming in the garden. Birds like sparrows—chun chun—are chirping in the treetops in the garden. The surroundings are dead silent, making the bird chirps unusually noticeable.

“Is Highness Risha inside there?” “Probably. If she shuts herself inside, it must be Risha‘s room in the ‘Tower of the Moon’ in the West Wing.”

Saying so, Imperial Princess Leticia pointed to a five-story tower on the west side of the castle. There, huh…

“Anyway, let’s head to the West Wing first. This way.”

Following Imperial Princess Leticia‘s lead, we follow behind. Walking on the garden’s stone pavement, two squirrels were peeking at us from the shade of shrubs. There’s a baby rabbit over there. Is that a ferret next to it?

“Why so many animals…? There were no such animals inside the castle though…” “Highness Risha said she liked small animals. Probably such things unconsciously influence the dream.” “Risha? Small animals?” “Yes. …Did you not know?”

At my words, Imperial Princess Leticia averts her eyes and falls silent. You should grasp at least what your sister likes. …No, maybe Imperial Princess Risha didn’t tell anyone. Thinking there are no allies inside the castle.

“This is…”

Imperial Princess Leticia walking in front stops. There was an iron gate ahead on the path leaving the garden towards the West Wing, but that gate was densely covered with thorns and completely blocked.

“Ugh!?”

Imperial Princess Leticia tried to touch the thorns, but a spark like fireworks ran—bachi. Ehh!? Is this an electric fence!? Thick walls continue beside the iron gate, and politely enough, thorns are densely sticking there too. With this, it’s truly ‘Sleeping Beauty’, isn’t it.

“Umm, can’t enter inside with this…” <<Beyond there is the deep part of the little girl’s heart. Probably instinctively refusing intrusion. Use [Holy Sword]. Humans instinctively feel awe when touched by Divine Aura, so thorns should disappear.>> “Eh, Kohaku-san? Can you see us?”

Involuntarily asked back at the telepathy arriving at perfect timing.

<<Umu, projecting the situation there via the little girl’s ‘Gift’. The Saint is watching too.>>

Fuwa~. Using Imperial Princess Risha‘s [Phantom Garden] as a relay monitor? So Roulette-san can see too. I casually waved my hand towards the sky—hirahira.

<<Don’t do unnecessary things, just do it quickly.>> “Oops.”

Got scolded. Then shall I do it. Concentrating my consciousness, I call forth the [Holy Sword] in my hand. The moment the [Holy Sword] emitting platinum Divine Aura appeared, I saw the thorns on the iron gate twitch—biku—as if frightened.

“This is [Holy Sword]…!”

Seeing [Holy Sword] for the first time, Imperial Princess Leticia is also dumbfounded. Seems I can cut through like this, but considering thorns are part of Imperial Princess Risha‘s heart, maybe that’s bad? Tried bringing [Holy Sword] closer to the iron gate thorns. Then, thorns receded like a wave—zozozozo. Oh, can go with this?

“Let’s pass while we can.” “Eh, yes, right…”

Feel like Imperial Princess Leticia is also somewhat recoiling. Is this what instinctively feeling awe means? Passing through the iron gate, eventually arrived at the so-called West Wing. …However, feeling a strange presence since earlier.

“…Mother’s blood after all…” “Eh?”

I turned around to the suddenly heard voice. There was Elliott looking blank—kyoton.

“Did you say something?” “Didn’t say anything… Did you hear something?” “Something about mother…” “Mother?”

Elliott tilts his head further blankly. Imagination…?

“…Good-for-nothing Imperial Princess, isn’t she.”

Wrong! Not imagination! Heard clearly this time! Elliott seemed to hear it too, looking around restlessly—kyoro kyoro.

“That voice just now…”

Imperial Princess Leticia walking in front seemed to hear it too. Voices like whispering, muttering are heard from somewhere.

“Why do I have to for such a child…” “Abandoned even by His Majesty the Emperor…” “Is a useless royal needed?”

Words containing malice fly from here and there. Mocking laughter—kusukusu—too. Could this be the backbiting Imperial Princess Risha was told by servants here? Probably wasn’t said to her face. If heard by others, insulting royalty wouldn’t end well.

“Was Risha… enduring such malice…?”

They say dreams are pulled from drawers of memories. This is inside Imperial Princess Risha‘s dream. Those memory drawers are here too. Probably this leaked from there. Hearing words blaming Imperial Princess Risha, Imperial Princess Leticia clenched her trembling hand.

“Highness Leticia was also exasperated and sighing.” “Wro…! That was being fed up with myself unable to teach Risha well…!”

Imperial Princess Leticia refutes the heard voice, but hangs her head weakly.

“I… didn’t see anything… I knew Risha was receiving heartless words. But, I wanted her to have a strong heart that wouldn’t be bothered by it. Because I did so…” “Highness Risha and Highness Leticia are completely different humans. How they receive malice is different too. Highness Risha seems to have low self-esteem, so she inevitably thinks the problem lies with herself…”

At my words, Imperial Princess Leticia grips her hand strongly. Not everyone is mentally strong. That requires backed confidence. Having own thoughts clearly, not caring how others see you. That births strong will. Imperial Princess Leticia is a person who can control her heart enough to be called ‘Ice Princess’. Telling Imperial Princess Risha to do that is impossible.

“Probably lacks confidence in herself. Usually, feel like royalty and nobility are overflowing with groundless confidence though.” “Sakuraile… not everyone is like that, okay? Besides, aren’t you one connected to royalty too?”

Oops, boomerang. Well, there are many confident idiot nobles who aren’t royalty too.

“If only that child had nerves as bold as Dias…” “Dias?” “My brother. Immediate older brother of Risha, selfish and violent brother who isn’t satisfied unless he is the center.”

At Imperial Princess Leticia‘s words, I knit my brows. That is Dias G. Allegretto… the selfish Ore-sama Prince capture target of [Spin-off: Masquerade], right? Don’t know details since I haven’t cleared, but apparently not a bad guy at heart. Even so, a type I dislike though! Capturing Estelle and saying ‘Interesting woman’ is out at that stage.

“As one standing above, having confidence is better than not, but that has pros and cons… Those suffering from superiors’ selfishness are subordinates. Think better to do something about that Brother Highness while you can? Probably pampered by surroundings and misunderstands himself as excellent despite lacking ability.” “You understand well… Dias is a brother from same mother as Brother Darkel, so seems quite spoiled. Seems he hits Risha hard too, warned him several times but…”

If a little warning could fix it, don’t think he would warp that much… With such a brother nearby, Imperial Princess Risha must shrink and become timid. By the way, Second Imperial Prince and Ore-sama Prince’s mother is from a Marquis House, and First Imperial Prince and Imperial Princess Leticia‘s mother is from a Ducal House. Ostensibly this one is the Empress (Seihi). And, Imperial Princess Risha‘s deceased mother is from a Baron House. Though actually a commoner, adopted by Baron House to marry into Imperial Family apparently.

“…Did Highness Leticia have thoughts about Highness Risha inheriting commoner blood?”

I asked what I’ve been wondering all along. Because, wouldn’t be strange if Imperial Princess Leticia became like Ore-sama Prince too.

“Risha‘s mother was an attendant who served me when I was a child. Very kind, always took care of me with a smile. I am very grateful to her.”

I see, Imperial Princess Leticia’s attendant was Imperial Princess Risha’s mother. Position like Arisa-san for me. And a sister born between Father and Arisa-san… wait, umumu, imagining it makes me feel subtle. Because then Mother is pitiable! Father you cheater!

“Umm, father having a child with a woman different from your mother, was that okay?” “Okay meaning…? If Emperor, think having multiple wives is normal?” “Thought So.”

No, even if said to be common sense in this world, can’t get used to polygamy after all. Still dragging Earth’s common sense around here. Maybe feel so more because le Philharmonie House is monogamous, rare for upper nobles. Even our His Majesty Uncle has two concubines with that… Will Elliott take multiple wives too? Didn’t depict that far in game, but did he take concubines after marrying Estelle? Staring at Elliott—jiii, he sighed lightly.

“…I understand what you are thinking as if holding it in hand, but currently no such plan, okay?”

Oh, Busted-tera.