Chapter 22: The Targeted Ones

“Is Estelle not here?”

“Estelle went back to her territory because her mother collapsed.”

“Is she… okay?”

“Ah, yes. She is fine. I heard she recovered.”

Luca, who had looked worried, exhaled a small breath of relief. To worry about Estelle, whom she had only met once… she really is a good girl.

“Is that person Sakuraile‘s guard?”

Tifa looked up at Grandfather. Grandfather tried to kneel on the spot, but Tifa stopped him. She probably meant that doing so would reveal his identity.

“Nice to meet you, Your Highness Tifania, Your Highness Lucariola. I am Zalbag On Einsatz. I am Sakuraile‘s grandfather.” “Oh! Then you are the ‘Lion of the Empire’! I have heard of your valor as well!”

Yeah, Tifa. I understand you’re excited, but you just revealed Grandfather’s identity to everyone around us. Well, people are just glancing at us sporadically and not approaching. Is there something like a tacit understanding limited to the festival? Like, even if you recognize a noble, you don’t make a fuss. Or maybe they just don’t want to get involved. Being glared at by a noble is troublesome, after all.

“Sakuraile, if you’d like, shall we go around together?” “Oh, that is good. Guide us.” “Eh, with Luca and the others?”

Is it okay to go around with the Princesses? When I looked up at Grandfather, he smiled and nodded slightly. However, it’s my first time too, so I’m not familiar with this festival…

“What, is that so?” “Since Sakuraile has been sickly until now and was recuperating away from the Imperial Capital. As for a guide, this old bone shall serve you.” “Oh, I am grateful for that.”

Tifa broke into a smile at Grandfather’s lifeline. The Minuet Queendom is a female-dominated country, but it is also a country that respects strength. Perhaps Tifa respects Grandfather, who was called the ‘Lion of the Empire,’ as her attitude is soft. Could it be that if Elliott becomes strong, he might have a chance to win Tifa over? Though reaching Grandfather’s level seems difficult.

Our group, consisting of Tifa, Luca, and the guards from the Queendom and Kingdom, enjoyed the festival under Grandfather’s guidance. There were various stalls, open-air shops, and street performances; the puppet show was quite interesting. I was relieved that Tifa and Luca seemed to be enjoying themselves too. However, where people gather, crime is also prevalent, and I saw men being taken away by the Knight Order twice. Apparently, they were pickpockets and snatchers, so I should be careful too. Well, I haven’t been given any money to hold, though.

“Some of the food from the stalls is quite good, but the sweets cannot compare to what Sakuraile gave us.” “Yeah. Those are in a league of their own. Especially the small, chewy sweets were exquisite. Those were good…”

Small, chewy sweets? Ah, the ones that are square and colorful lined up inside. They are sweet, chewy, and delicious.

“Yeah. Delicious. They were so delicious that I even ate the ones meant to be souvenirs…”

Luca slumped dejectedly. Eh, I thought I delivered quite a large amount, though…

“Then I’ll deliver just those sweets again tomorrow morning. I’ll include extra this time…” “Create! Sakuraile is kind! I love you!”

I was hugged by Luca. What is this… It feels subtle to be attached to because of sweets… Grandfather was looking at us with eyes that seemed to say, ‘I’m glad you made a friend.’ No, I don’t feel bad about it, though?

“Mm?” “Tifa? What’s wrong?”

Tifa had stopped, seeming to have found something. There were many people in the direction of her gaze, so I couldn’t tell clearly, but did she see an acquaintance?

“Crown Prince Elliott is over there.” “Eh?”

Indeed, Elliott was where Tifa pointed. Of course, two people who appeared to be guards were with him. And beside him was one familiar face.

“Hanger-on A…” “Hanger-on?” “Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

The one loitering next to Elliott is Hanger-on A, also known as… Ah, I don’t know that girl’s name. Um, anyway, she is the daughter of Marquess Ragtime. Even though Elliott is trying to be inconspicuous in plain clothes, the daughter of Marquess Ragtime is… it’s too long, Hanger-on A is fine. Hanger-on A was wearing a bright red formal dress and looked flashy. Where is she going to a party? Of course, she stands out incredibly. However, Hanger-on A was so absorbed in talking to Elliott that she didn’t seem to see her surroundings. Nobles aren’t the main characters of this festival. It is supposed to be a custom for nobles participating to dress plainly so as not to make the citizens feel constrained. Is this the foolish noble Grandfather was talking about…? Elliott, who is being pressed, is walking with a look of utter exhaustion. I’m slightly impressed by the mental strength of Hanger-on A, who continues to talk to him despite that face. Ah, oops. I made eye contact with Elliott. No, it’s not ‘oops,’ really. When Elliott spotted us, he immediately smiled and came toward us. That smile was less ‘I’m happy!’ and more ‘I’m saved!’

“Princess Lucariola and Princess Tifania! I was looking for you! You were with Sakuraile.” “Mm. We were being shown around the Imperial Capital.”

Behind Elliott, Hanger-on A stood with a sullen face. Ah, yes, yes. You’re irritated because your date with Elliott was interrupted. Though it’s doubtful whether it was a date.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince! There was a shop selling lovely trinkets over there! Let’s go together!”

Hanger-on A grabbed Elliott’s arm and pulled him forcefully. Uh-oh, this is not acceptable. Even if she ignores me, interrupting a conversation while ignoring two Princesses from other countries is bad. She can’t complain if she’s criticized for having no manners. However, the two ignored Princesses didn’t seem to care about that at all. If anything, I could almost hear their inner voices saying, ‘Can’t you just go somewhere quickly along with Elliott?’

“M-Miss Annemarie, I was ordered by Father to escort these two. So…” “We are being guided by Sakuraile and the Margrave, so it’s fine, you know? Why don’t you two go wherever you like?”

Elliott made a bitter face at being bluntly rejected by Luca. Luca… you could work on your phrasing a little… However, Hanger-on A is named Annemarie. Oddly enough, the name starts with A.

“See, even the two of them say so; let’s go over there!” “I-I can’t do that! I must obey Father’s orders! Right, Sakuraile!”

You’re desperate, Elliott… If he hates it, he should just refuse clearly. It can’t be helped; I’ll throw him a lifeline.

“True. As the Crown Prince, you cannot disobey His Majesty the Emperor’s orders. In a way, this is official duty. Elliott cannot abandon it on his own.” “E-exactly! It’s official duty! As the Crown Prince, I must fulfill my mission!”

Elliott, looking as if he had gained a great ally, emphasized this with a face full of joy. Conversely, Luca and Tifa had looks that said, ‘How troublesome.’ Yeah, hide it a little.

“So, with that said, Elliott will join us…” “Wait! You’ve been acting overly familiar with His Highness the Crown Prince, but who are you!?”

Oops, she snapped at me. Ah, I hadn’t introduced myself.

“My apologies. I am Sakuraile le Philharmonie. I am a cousin to His Highness the Crown Prince, so it just happens, you see.” “le Philharmonie… The le Philharmonie Ducal House…! That means you are His Imperial Highness, the Emperor’s brother’s…!” “Daughter, but is there something wrong?”

Miss Annemarie’s face turned bitter. I don’t really understand why this girl, who is so aggressively in love with Elliott, hung out with the game-version of me, who was Elliott’s fiancée. Come to think of it, when did Elliott and I get engaged in the game? Assuming the kidnapping incident was resolved quickly, did His Majesty the Emperor arrange it out of consideration for Father? If I was already the Crown Prince’s fiancée when we met, it wouldn’t be strange for her to become Hanger-on A to curry favor.

“So what if you’re a Duke’s daughter! I am Elliott-sama’s fiancée!” “Eh, is that so…?”

I directed a pitying gaze toward Elliott. No, I don’t mean to complain, but I think you’ll have a hard time if this girl becomes Empress, you know? This country might decline. Just like in the game, won’t she push all the blame onto Elliott and flee to another country?

“Um, congratulations?” “N-no!? It’s true that she was listed as one of the candidates, but nothing has been decided!?”

Ah, so that’s it. What a relief. It’s up to Elliott who he ends up with, but he is the future King of this country. I want him to choose his partner carefully. At least the main wife. Polygamy is recognized in this world. Provided one has the means to support all wives. Father doesn’t have any, but his brother, His Majesty the Emperor, has two consorts besides the Empress, I believe. So that means he has three wives. Currently, the only child is Elliott, the son of the Empress, so there is no succession issue, but that makes the choice of Elliott’s fiancée a matter that requires caution. Perhaps because the impression from the game is strong, I can’t really like this girl. I think Estelle would be better if you’re looking for a wife.

“I’m a candidate now, but it’s only a matter of time! Destiny will definitely bind the two of us together!” “So she says?”

When I looked at him, Elliott was shaking his head vigorously as if to say, ‘I don’t know, I don’t know.’

Destiny, huh… If there is a scenario like in a game in this world, then perhaps a destined partner… is decided? Well, in my case, I have to prevent that. I won’t let things go according to the scenario.

“Now, Your Highness the Crown Prince. There was a street fortune teller over there! Why don’t we have our future told!?” “N-no, as I said, I have to escort the Princesses…!”

Elliott and Hanger-on A started bickering again. From the outside, it looks like they are flirting. Elliott is pleading with his eyes for me to do something, but I don’t care.

“…Get away from the Crown Prince, you damn woman.” “What did you say!?”

Hanger-on A showed a furious expression at the sudden insult hurled at her. The gaze was directed at me.

“Eh!? W-wait, it wasn’t me!?” “Then who said it!?”

No, I really don’t know! I heard the voice from behind me just now, but when I turned around, there were so many people walking in town that I couldn’t tell who said it. Conversely, it wouldn’t be strange for anyone to have said it. With all this noise, the people around us are realizing Elliott’s presence. It might be inevitable that the good citizens would throw a complaint at Hanger-on A, who is clearly causing trouble for Elliott. Though it was more of an insult than a complaint.

“Mmm!?”

Suddenly, Grandfather lowered his stance and put his hand on the hilt of his sword. Eh? What? When I looked around, a thin, black mist-like substance was drifting around us before I knew it. What is this!? Suddenly, black darkness erupted from everywhere around us like geysers, and each one took the shape of a beast. Wolves, tigers, lions, horses, rhinos, bears… Many shadows shaped like various beasts appeared around us. Even at a glance, there are over fifty of them.

“Protect His Highness the Crown Prince! Attackers!”

Elliott’s guards looked surprised for a moment at Grandfather’s words, but they quickly recovered and drew their swords, positioning themselves around Elliott. The black dog that attacked Elliott at his birthday party. No mistake. This is the same thing as back then. I couldn’t be sure back then, but now I can say for certain. This is [Beast Demon Summoning]. The villainous [Gift] that Sakuraile, the game’s villainess, originally possessed. And this number…! Isn’t it out of control? Isn’t this a bit bad…?