Chapter 42 The Promise With The Prince
The day after wrapping up that tea meeting with Rifine...
Tea meeting? Seriously? I found myself back at the Royal Palace.
This time, though, I wasn't here for Rifine.
My business was with Prince Sigurt.
"The prince is in this room. Please, go ahead."
"Thank you."
Following the butler, I arrived at the prince's quarters.
After a brief knock, I stepped inside...
and there he was, seated at his desk, fully engrossed in a pile of documents.
"Oh, Yumie, you came! I'm almost done, could you wait just a little bit?"
"No, you were working, right? Don't worry about me, please finish up."
Even though I'd let him know beforehand that I was coming, it was clear he had his hands full.
Judging by the focused look on his face, he was nearly done anyway.
I didn't mind waiting, especially since there was someone else in the room—a servant, standing off to the side—nervously awaiting the prince's approval on something.
My business could wait.
"I'm sorry, I'll finish up quickly."
Apologizing, the prince turned back to the documents.
The room grew quiet, save for the steady scratching of his pen against paper.
For someone who enjoyed teasing me whenever he could, the sight of him immersed in work was... unexpected.
Watching him like this, the time flew by.
"...Yumie, is there something on my face?"
His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I realized I'd been staring.
Too much, apparently.
"Oh, um, sorry. I just thought the prince looked really cool and got lost in thought."
Sigurt's eyes widened slightly, his expression shifting to one of mild surprise.
I tilted my head, wondering what part of what I said had thrown him off.
Covering his mouth with one hand, he glanced away, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Honestly, I'm glad Neil isn't here right now."
"Huh?"
What does my elder brother have to do with anything?
Before I could ask, Sigurt handed the finalized documents to the waiting servant and dismissed everyone, including the butler.
Now alone in the room, he gestured for me to sit.
"So, are you going to talk to me about Rifine? From the looks of it, it seems like you two got along well."
"Yes! Lady Rifine and I have started calling each other by our names!"
I reported my success, as it was something the prince had asked me to do, and besides, Rifine was cute.
I was glad we became friends.
"...I see."
Despite the casual tone of his words, there was something... off about the way he said it.
His expression had shifted slightly—just enough to catch my attention.
"Uh... was there a problem?"
"No, there's no problem at all. It's just that Rifine got to call by my name in just one day, and I'm still waiting."
I blinked, taken aback.
Was he... sulking?
"I'd welcome it anytime, you know."
The prince smiled, conveying just a hope, but the pressure from that smile was intense.
Faced with a prince who embodied the idea that a smile can be aggressive, I had no choice but to raise the white flag.
Fearfully, I spoke his name.
"Uh, alright. Sir Sigurt—"
"Just Sigurt."
"Huh?"
As I tried to step back, Sigurt leaned closer, placing a hand on the back of my chair, effectively trapping me in place.
So close! I tried to back away, but the chair's backrest blocked me, and with the prince casually placing his hand on the backrest right next to my face, I couldn't stand up.
"Call me Sigurt, like Neil does. Just in this private setting, at least."
His handsome features were impossible to ignore, and I felt a heat rise to my face—different from the usual camaraderie I shared with elder brother.
My heart raced in a way I wasn't prepared for.
"Ugh... I understand, Sigurt! Is this okay!?"
"Ah, of course. Thank you, Yumie."
When I shouted out in frustration, the prince suddenly changed from earlier and gave a gentle smile.
Damn it...
Just because you're from the Royal Family, you act so cocky.
I'm still a man, you know! I've been getting a bit too dependent on Elder Brother lately, which is getting suspicious, but I'm still a man! Don't try to seduce me! You're a prince, so have a little more restraint!!
"Well then, let's go back to talking about Rifine."
"...Sigurt."
Even though he was the one who changed the subject, Sigurt casually said that, and when I glared at him, he chuckled and reached out to ruffle my hair.
Ugh, he definitely thinks I'm an easy girl who gets in a good mood just from being petted.
Well, right now, the promise with Rifine is more important, so I won't say anything.
It's not that I like being petted, so I'm letting it slide.
"I talked to Lady Rifine, and she really wants to get along with you, Sigurt. So, I want you to meet her and talk slowly."
"Of course, I would like that too... but do you have something in mind?"
As expected, Sigurt was quick to pick up on the subtext.
That was one thing I appreciated about him—he didn't make me spell everything out.
"Yes. Actually..."
I explained what Rifine had told me about the hidden passage beneath the Royal Palace.
As I spoke, Sigurt's expression shifted to one of intrigue.
"I knew there was a hidden passage under the Royal Palace, but I didn't know it connected to the Detached Palace. So, you're suggesting we could meet secretly using that?"
"Yes. Is it difficult?"
"No, as long as it doesn't seem like there's a connection between me and Rifine, it shouldn't be a problem. I'll adjust the timing on my end, so please let Rifine know that, Yumie."
"Yes!"
Hearing his confidence, I felt a wave of relief.
I'd been worried that logistical or political concerns might derail the plan, but Sigurt seemed willing to make it work.
And with the current reaction, it seems like it should be fine.
"Um... can I ask you one last thing?"
With the conversation wrapped up, I figured it was time to head back.
Just as I was about to leave, a question came to mind.
"What is it?" Sigurt asked, his tone calm but curious.
I leaned back slightly and asked,
"I know it's politically complicated, but why can't you meet her directly?"
I'd learned plenty about managing territories, noble etiquette, and the country's history, but the tangled mess of political factions and alliances still wasn't my strong suit.
Sigurt's expression darkened slightly as he considered the question. After a moment, he sighed and answered,
"To protect Rifine, this is the best way."
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