"Commander Will? Is it Princess Consort over there?"

"Eh…?"

Hearing the subordinate's voice, I raised my eyes from the doc.u.ment I was scanning. The workload is so heavy I check doc.u.ments while walking. I'm used to working like that. Right now, accompanied by two subordinates I'm heading back to the Magician Division Headquarters.

When I followed the subordinate's gaze, I saw the figure of Lidi dressed as a town girl. Seeing the attire I'm familiar with, I remembered what she's doing. Come to think of it, today――――.

"Eh? There's a black haired man next to Princess Consort…"

The other subordinate looked at the man next to her with surprise.

Because these two are acquainted with her to a certain extent, they seemed to realize it's her even when she's dressed like that, but they still lack practice to realize who he is.

If you observe carefully, you can tell.

"Calm down, that person is His Highness. To not notice when he changed the color of his hair, you're still inexperienced"

"Eh? But the hair color"

"It's just a case of using magic"

Perhaps they finally noticed when I pointed it out, as both made awkward faces.

They may still be apprentices, but I'm worried about them.

"I see… That's right. If you think about it, there wouldn't be a man other than His Highness with Princess Consort…"

"Idiot, His Highness wouldn't allow that"

"I bet. I was surprised why the royal guards were letting Princess Consort get away"

"You both, cut it with your whispering"

It's already a famous talk not only among the royal guards but in the whole Royal Palace how close she and His Highness are. But, I don't want to hear it. The topic being too much for me, I sharply rebuked them.

""I, apologize!!""

"Honestly… As soon as you return, you will receive the magic enhancement training. It seems your mental training is insufficient"

"No… way"

Ignoring the two who paled, I moved my feet that had stopped. Still, maybe it weighted on my mind as my gaze naturally chased after her and His Highness.

Today is the day when they go on a town inspection. I've heard about it in advance, but by no means did I think I'd see them with my own eyes. To run into them, what a mistfortune.

His Highness next to her has his hair dyed black. Although there are many who can't tell who he is thanks to that, naturally I can. There's no way I wouldn't be able to distinguish the face of His Highness, whom I've a.s.sociated with since childhood, just because his hair color has changed.

My chest ached as if it was squeezed seeing them hold hands with their fingers intertwined.

I could see Lidi happily smiling towards His Highness. With the sweet smile he only directs at Lidi, His Highness is looking her in the eyes.

The two are heading outside the castle while happily talking. Their hands are kept firmly connected. No matter how you look at them, they only look like an intimate pair of lovers――――.

Seeing Lidi turn her gaze filled with emotion towards His Highness from time to time, I felt burning pain.

Those are the eyes looking at her lover. How I wish they were directed at me.

How happy would I be if I was her partner.

But, the reality is terribly cruel. Those eyes are directed at none other but His Highness next to her.

"Commander Will? Aren't we returning?"

"Ah… yeah"

It seems before I noticed I stopped walking again.

Having confirmed the two left the castle, I let out a large breath.

No good. I get truly messed up whenever Lidi is involved.

I love her, I love her so much, I'm jealous she fell in love with His Highness… And above all I'm disgusted by how despicable I am to think that.

"… We're going back. Today you'll be training with me"

"Eh… No way"

"Do you have any complaints"

As I took a sidelong glance at my subordinates desperately shaking their heads to deny, I began walking.

I felt so much like crying, that for the time being I decided to let out the pent-up anger at my subordinates.

"Enough for today"

"… Thank you very much"

I turned my back to the two apprentices who sank down to the ground.

Afterwards, we headed towards the training grounds for magicians, and just as I had declared I trained them myself.

When I came to the training grounds with those two, the other members on the spot made lifeless faces.

I decided that I might as well take care of everyone, but isn't it a little too miserable here.

Ten-odd members who finished the practice are limply sitting on the floor, perhaps having exhausted their magical power.

Honestly, it makes me laugh that this is the elite of the Magician Division.

If magical power is exhausted like this, if something important happens nothing can be done.

Feeling disappointed, I wiped my sweat and was about to return to my room, when I heard disconnected member's voices.

"… Commander… demon…"

"Cruel… I have no ounce of magical power left"

"We absolutely got dragged in…"

"Shh… Commander can hear you, be silent"

He rebuked other members in a panic, but of course I'd heard it.

"… If you have energy to pointlessly chatter, should we practice once more?"

"I, I'm fine!" "Absolutely not!"

When I told them while looking back, all members strongly shook their heads together.

Seeing that, I turned around.

"… Don't neglect your independent training"

"""Yes"""

I sighed that at least the reply I got from the members wasn't a complaint, and this time returned to my room. When I wiped my sweat and fixed my outfit, the door was opened out of nowhere. I could tell who came from that alone.

"Yo! I'll be intruding"

"… Shouldn't you knock before opening the door"

Even if I thought it's useless, I warned the man who knocked on the door after entering the room.

This man - Alex won't listen even if I tell him. I know that, but even so I wanted to say a few words to him.

Seeing my younger brother making an apologetic face behind Alex, I knit my brows.

… His Highness's close aide and the Chivalric Order Commander, what business do they have.

"Glenn. You stop Alex too"

"I apologize, elder brother. I told him to stop once"

"It's a bother. Why would I do it this late"

With that feeling first of all I had my younger brother, who's looking at Alex with an astounded face, close the door.

As for Alex, he quickly came to the back of the room and sat on the edge of the desk like he owned the place. I knit my eyebrows at his usual arrogant behaviour.

"Oi"

I tried to not miss the opportunity and give Alex a piece of my mind, but he boldly said with a nonchalant face.

"Will, get me tea"

"… You truly are"

Strength left me.

I understand warning the man, who's doing as he pleases like always, again would be futile.

Reluctantly I asked a subordinate to bring tea for all of us and while taking a breather asked Alex about his business.

"And? What business did you have in coming to my room"

"Nothing? I don't have any particular business. I just wanted to take a breather"

As Alex said he had no reason, I looked at my younger brother.

"Did you bring Glenn just for that?"

"Isn't it fine. The master of everybody in the room is right now happily in the midst of a date. Ah, how I hate it. I couldn't stand watching Freed and Lidi grin for last few days"

I couldn't stand it anymore, as Alex scratched his hair, Glenn who was brought along interjected.

"However, I've surely heard that you proposed this inspection, Alex. Aren't you reaping what you sow"

It's the first time I hear that. Rather, it's unexpected.

He's the one who hates when His Highness's work gets delayed the most. To bring it up even though he knew it'd increase his own workload, just what kind of strange turn of events is that.

"Was that so? But doesn't going on a daylong inspection hinder His Highness's work? How about it"

As I immediately voiced my doubt, Alex drank the prepared tea in one gulp and breathed out.

"Ah, well, that's right. I had a little request for Freed. Besides, he finished all his work yesterday. When I dropped by office today morning, there was only my part left… That Freed is merciless like this"

"As expected His Highness…"

To finish his own work and only leave Alex's portion, I laughed that it's so like His Highness. It's preferable for Alex too. Otherwise, he's a man who gets thoroughly carried away.

While talking about His Highness, my younger brother said as if he recalled something.

"Come to think, it'll soon be the time"

At these words I recalled the previous scene.

While feeling gloomy, I said.

"… I caught sight of His Highness leaving some time ago. They seemed to be roughly disguised"

"You… No way, have you seen them"

Alex looked at me with an astonished expression. While finding it unpleasant, I nodded.

"… Yeah"

"… Seriously. You really are unlucky"

"Shut up"

I got irritated by being kindly told that. I know that without being told.

Neglecting the sullen me, Alex and Glenn began talking.

"It's them, they must've been flirting. To witness that, he's really pitiful"

"Alex… You're too cruel towards elder brother. It was an unfortunate incident, wouldn't it be kind to leave it as is"

"Unfortunate incident… You too are saying something great, Glenn"

"Wha…? Please don't lump me together with you. I'm genuinely concerned about elder brother…"

"Shut up"

When I muttered the few words in low voice, as expected both shut up.

Still, without learning his lesson Alex said.

"That's right, Will. Won't you use the far sight magical art to observe them a little?"

"… You"

What torture is that.

I understand well enough that His Highness and Lidi are on good terms. Just recently I've heard it from Lidi herself. He's aware of that, and yet does he still want to rub salt in my wounds.

Unconsciously I glared at Alex, but he just loudly laughed.

Really, what's with his nerve.

"Don't glare at me. It's not that I'm really trying to hara.s.s you"

"What else would it be. I only sensed malice"

"No no, that's not it. They don't have exclusive guards this time. I think it's better to periodically grasp where they are"

Glenn agreed to Alex's words.

"I'm also asking. In fact, for this inspection I suggested many carefully selected knights to be their exclusive guards, but they couldn't go. Of course, we've contacted the town garrison, and carefully arranged a cooperation system in case of emergency, so there certainly isn't problem but…"

Taking over, Alex continued.

"He's really pointlessly strong… 'I'll take guards if they can beat me. They'd disturb my date with Lidi. Of course, they need to be strong, right?' he had the nerve to say that. Told so, I couldn't say anything"

It's too much for me, Alex gave up. My younger brother seriously nodded.

"That's how it is. There is no person in this country who can beat Freed… Knowing I'd been refused, I tried taking other measures. At least I tried to come together with Alex hoping that at least he could beat Freed with words… You were immediately cornered, weren't you?"

Alex, who paid no heed to being glared at, shrugged his shoulders.

"Shuddup. I can't beat Freed when he's like this. He's frightening when Lidi is involved, he showed no mercy"

"Didn't it involve your real little sister. Don't you hold your little sister dear?"

"I do hold her dear, but I'm not going to slave away for that"

As Alex clearly declared that, my younger brother raised his hands astounded.

"That's too heartless"

"Whatever you say. In any case, they're love birds in love with each other who'll marry in a few months. We'll lose if we mind"

"You… have a point"

My younger brother bitterly smiled as if he recalled something.

"It's the fact that there's no need for dedicated guards if Freed is there, so it's useless to oppose him. If you don't want to interfere with their love, it's better to pull back appropriately…"

Glenn sincerely nodded to Alex's words.

"That might be true. I'll take it to heart"

"What are you talking about ignoring the owner of the room…"

I feel they'll keep talking between them if I leave them alone. Moreover, the subject is His Highness and Lidi.

It's a subject I don't want to hear the most now.

Unable to endure, I cut into their talk.

"No, mainly about how to deal with love birds"

"If you have no business here, get out"

I coldly stared at Alex who responded with a serious face.

"In the first place, to ask for something like spying on His Highness… Even if I wanted, I couldn't do it without it being exposed to His Highness. Don't ask for impossible"

His Highness's talent in magic is outstanding. I don't think I stand a chance.

Even if I use far sight magical art, he'll immediately identify and undo it.

"After all it's like this. Tch. I wanted to see how they're acting"

"Alex, you really have a bad taste. After all that was your purpose, huh"

"It's true I wanted to know their whereabouts? But see, it's their first date? It's not interesting to only imagine it"

My younger brother remonstrated Alex who said it's regrettable, and I completely agree with him.

… In the first place, I don't want to see her and His Highness having fun.

"Get out"

Yes yes, Alex stood up when I said that.

"Ah, then I'll be going back… Glenn, talk already. I came here for you"

"… I know that"

Alex tapped Glenn on the shoulder and walked to the door.

Apparently Alex didn't come here to kill time, but because he was asked by my younger brother. I really don't know if this man is caring or if he does as he pleases.

Seeing my younger brother nod with a firm face, Alex laughed a little.

"Then, I'm going. I've got work left. Ah, right right, Will, don't go too far with releasing stress on your subordinates. Isn't Commander William famous as the demon in the whole Magician Division?"

"… Everyone's lacking training, it can't be helped"

Feeling awkward that he knows, I averted my gaze. Naturally I'm aware I use my subordinates' training to release stress.

As I couldn't say anything, Alex only shrugged his shoulders.

"So you're doing that. Well, as a result their ability increases, so I won't complain"

Well then, just like that Alex easily left.

Only me and my younger brother were left in the room.

My younger brother's eyes wandered about, but before long, he faced me as if he resolved himself.

"… It's a word from Father. 'It's time you give up. No matter what kind of princess she is, I won't oppose anymore, so get engaged quickly' is the message"

I could tell my eyebrows rose as my younger brother awkwardly hung his face.

"Any princess is fine… he said?"

I thought my head would boil in fury from Father's word.

"This late… Is he saying it this late. Of all times now, Father!"

"Elder brother…"

My younger brother directed an anxious face at me, but that too is annoying now.

I can't believe Father's words. If he said those words earlier, just a little earlier, I could have proposed to her.

I spat out words at my younger brother.

"… I won't get engaged. Report to Father that I can't bring myself to… I won't be returning to our mansion for a while"

"Are you going to stay here again"

"… It has nothing to do with you"

"Elder brother"

I ignored the censuring voice. No matter what I'm told, I don't want to see Father's face now.

"… I can't calm down right now. Give me a little time"

"… I'll report that to Father. I apologize for the hindrance, elder brother"

My younger brother said so while lowering his head, and with a heavy gait left the room.

As I finally became alone, I let out a large breath. Father's words still revolved inside my head.

'No matter what kind of princess she is, I won't oppose anymore', was it? How dares he say that.

He'd been opposing me all this time. And as soon as her and His Highness's engagement is decided, he says that.

In short, except for her anybody is fine, Father's true intention is nothing but that.

"What a joke"

Any princess is fine. What's with that.

I wish for just one person, her.

I've never thought otherwise. In the past too… And now her marriage is decided.

Whenever I see her, love fills my heart.

I would do anything for her.

She's the most important to me, there's no gap for anybody else to enter.

Feeling like this, there's no way I could get engaged to somebody else.

I'd be disrespectful both to me and the other party.

"… Lidi"

I recalled her happily smile while holding hands nestled close to His Highness.

At least, if I see her wearing the wedding dress at that time…

I wonder if I'll be able to give up a little. Will I become unbound by it.

I feel like my prospect are poor, but even so it seems to me I can't possibly give up.