Before the break was invariably the exam period for all subjects that we attended lectures for.

One had to receive a pa.s.sing mark, or one would certainly be disgraced.

……that being said, it wasn't like everyone was proactively coming up with countermeasures to handle the exams.

In particular with regards to the lady's course, the majority of the n.o.bles from this country had already learned everything taught in lecture, so there was no need to worry about studying. 

At most, even if they did study, it would be a quick review of the cla.s.swork a day before the exam.

The exam ended and I was walking alone in the garden.

Sharia wanted to review for the exam of a subject that she was bad at, so she had returned ahead of me.

"……why are you here, your Highness?"

Sensing someone's presence, I turned around.

He did not run nor hide, and simply stood there.

"I was thinking that I wanted to try talking to you."

"Is that so? ……would it be alright to continue doing so here?"

By no means could I be alone together with his Highness, so at the very least, I proposed having our talk under the blue sky.

"Yes, of course…….thankfully, it is currently exam time, so there is not much pedestrian traffic."

"So, your Highness? What matter of business do you have with me?"

"……I have been observing you on my mother's orders."

I s.h.i.+fted my feelings at the sudden important topic that had been thrust at me without any preparation or time to ready myself.

"No……observe would be a misnomer. I was ordered to become more intimate with you, thus I was observing you."

"To become more intimate with me……is it? So, what did the results of your observation bring?"

His eyes momentarily widened in a silly manner at my question…..and then he laughed.

"The results of my observation huh……are you not going to question the intention behind it?"

"Indeed…….if I just ask what the results of your observation were, I believe it would be a foolish thought to believe that I will understand your purpose for doing so through that."

"That is true……I am sure that you would not suit me. Although mother does appear to like you quite a bit. To begin with, while I cannot say I have seen how intimate you are with Rui on a regular basis, I cannot see his att.i.tude towards you changing…….I will persuade mother, as I do not believe she wishes to tie us together so badly that she would be willing to make the Armelia Ducal House her enemy."

"My……I see. In other words, the Royal Family wishes to bring me in, as I have Father's name behind me. Is it like that?"

"Possibly……in plain terms, it is like that."

"……however, is it truly okay? For you to be speaking to me so honestly about such matters."

"You do not seek to become my wife in order to obtain the seat of Queen, correct?"

"Yes, yes. It is exactly as you say."

"Rather, I figured that it would be more profitable to be honest with you and gain your trust…….you are General Gazelle's daughter, and being the one to marry into the Armelia Ducal House, building good relations with you is necessary as the next king."

"I see. It is, in the end, her Majesty the Queen's idea, and not your Highness' intention……."

The idea that they would try to tear Rui and I apart momentarily caused anger to well up within me but……as I must not allow myself to be washed away by my emotions, I calmed myself down.

I finally managed to sort out the situation in my head.

Her Majesty the Queen probably wants to utilize Father's name as much as she can, and was thinking about binding me together with his Highness, who did not yet have a fiancée.

Even while knowing that the Armelia Ducal House and I had a prior engagement.

If his Highness and I deepened our relations.h.i.+p, then perhaps……is probably what she had been thinking.

My goodness, she likely underestimated my love.

……right now I could only believe that his Highness did not have such intentions himself.

After all, the moment his Highness spoke to me about these matters, the plan became a failure.

"Yeah."

"Is that so? ……thank you for your generous a.s.sessment. I will continue to be diligent in order to meet your Highness' expectations in the future as well."

"It helps for you to say that."

"……so, your Highness. Could I perhaps ask two more questions?"

"What is it?"

"What is the reason why you don't think your Highness and I would suit each other?"

Hearing my question, his Highness grinned like a mischievous child.

"…….you are similar to me."

"Similar, you say?"

"Yeah. I can generally cla.s.sify people into two different categories, those who are still and those who move, or perhaps those who attack and those who defend but……I am likely on the far pole of an attacker. I think for myself and act accordingly……it is also because I was raised to be that way, but rather than just standing around thinking, I'm the type that would prefer to stand up and bear the full brunt of my actions instead. And, if I had to say, you're also the same, are you not? Rather than sitting around at home to protect it, it seems more like you're the type that'll go out of your house and proactively hunt down your enemies. While it is nice for two people of the same mover type to be friends and exchange opinions by debating, walking together as companions is a bit……you know."

"I see……when your Highness becomes King, you will likely have to manage many people's views and opinions. That being the case, I believe I can understand why your Highness would especially desire that. However……I do believe that saying 'proactively hunting down enemies' is not something that should be said to a lady, you know?"

"It was a figure of speech. I do not believe that you would seriously go around attacking enemies. It is just that I was thinking your boldness was to be expected of General Gazelle's daughter."

…….from those words, I could tell that he didn't actually think I had taken up a sword to fight and inwardly let out a sigh of relief.

"Hohoho…….even if it is a figure of speech, I would prefer that you treat ladies more courteously."

"That's true……that was impolite of me. Therefore, I will specially answer one more question of yours, no matter what it is."

"Eh? Ah, yes……I did say earlier that I had two questions. However, your Highness. If I may advise you respectfully, I do not believe you should so easily say 'no matter what it is'……"

"What, I figured that if it's you, then you won't ask anything strange."

"Is that so? ……my other question is not asked as a woman, but as a citizen of the country. Does your Highness already have someone in your heart?"

"What do you intend to do by asking that?"

"It is mere curiosity……..since it does somehow appear as though your Highness already has someone that you desire."

At my words, Prince Edgar let out a laugh.

"You've seen through me quite well……yeah, I do have one. Someone I want."

He quietly approached my ear and whispered into it.

"My……!"

"However, not a word to anyone."

"Of course…….your Highness's marriage is one of the most important matters for this country, so your Highness must also be especially careful when advancing these talks. I will be unable to help you with my poor ability, so I will pray for your good fortune."

As I said that, I took a distance and bowed.

It was the bow of a retainer towards their king.

"Yeah……I've taken up quite a bit of your time."

"No. Well then, I will excuse myself here."

And then, I left the area.