Tak, tak...
I and Michael, who were embracing each other without even breathing, listened to the sounds outside the window. Before we knew it, the sound of the rain had become gentle.
I buried my head in Michael's arms as if turning away.
“I was wondering how I could spend a week in this room.”
“You didn’t have any plans?”
"Yes."
“That was great foresight.”
The two people laughed quietly.
“Michael, did you have a plan?”
“I originally wanted to read a book.”
“What book?”
“Materials related to Ambroxa, and records of battles with past dragons. I need to research tactics.”
"Ah."
“I couldn’t even borrow it, let alone read a single line.”
The original daily life became distant and distant. I ended up in the current relationship after being driven by impulse and deviating. It was a summer rainy season that was more satisfying and filling than ever.
I opened my mouth as if wandering in a dream.
“If it were like before... I would look at the documents, Michael would look at the book... We would eat together while watching the rain and when I said that I was bored, we played board games... Is that how we spend our time?
“Being by your side must have been fun in its own way.”
"It's dizzying to think how much Michael must have shaken me with those trivial words."
"Isn't that what I should be saying?"
“Yeah. No.”
I played with Michael's prominent neck, running my fingertips over it.
“A lot has changed.”
“... Do you regret it?”
"No. That can't be."
“That’s fortunate. I thought it would feel like abandonment to hear those words from someone I gave my body and mind to.”
“Didn’t someone give it to you?”
Michael hugged me tighter, our bare legs entwined under the covers.
“Still, I wish I could turn back time.”
"I know."
The two were thinking the same thing.
“Then I can hold you for another week.”
Just saying that he was holding me was enough to set me off. Michael released his arms, laid me down gently, and climbed on top of me. He supported the weight of his body with both forearms and lowered his face close to me.
The purple eyes darkened in the shadows.
"Eve."
"Hmm."
“I don’t have time anymore.”
I smiled at him as he complained without hiding his impatience.
“It’s difficult. I have so many things I want to talk about with Michael.”
“I will listen tomorrow piously and modestly. Please excuse me for now.”
The long-awaited, relaxing break has come to an end.
Reaching out to make a mess again. We were entangled together, our breaths growing weaker and we didn't seem to cool down.
That was until the morning rainbow appeared.
***
The dark clouds cleared and the brilliant sunlight poured down on the ground. Birds sang on the fresh tree branches dripping with raindrops.
Knock.
The first to arrive was Cedella. She went into the inner room of the residence, opening all the windows one by one for ventilation.
'Is Her Highness still sleeping?'
As the bedroom door opened, someone greeted Cedella. As always, it was the Princess's knight, perfectly dressed in a measured uniform.
“Oh my, Sir Agneto.”
"Lady Arpel."
“What about Jer Highness?”
"She fell asleep only after it was daybreak."
"Ah, then I'll clean the bedroom later... Huh?"
Cedella's hazel eyebrows furrowed as she looked over Michael's shoulder to find a pile of empty vials on the nightstand.
Cedella looked at Michael intently.
"..."
"..."
An awkward silence fell. A pang of conscience caused Michael to avert his gaze at first.
Cedella quietly closed the bedroom door.
“I guess I should let you sleep more.”
"...I have to go see the Knights."
Cedella, left alone, stared blankly at the bedroom door for a moment before muttering.
“That's the end of the camouflage.”
The rainy season of pleasure had turned her jewel-like Princess into an adult. It was a bewildering feeling.
***
After just one day, the empire's economic, social, and political systems, which had been stagnant and paralyzed during the summer rainy season, began to function again.
Administrative work that had been suspended was resumed, backlogged contracts were signed in a rush, and tied-up information was released through the media.
This period was also the time when gossip magazines sold the most. For example:
Among the tributes, it was good to hear social news like Michael being captured, or a certain young lady and a certain young man falling in love.
So my office was filled with all sorts of yellow press that Cedella had brought in. I took ten deep breaths and looked through them.
“Aaaah!”
The moment I read the headlines on each front page, a scream of anguish rang out.
[Shock] The 7th Princess is seduced by the mysterious Night Rose Lady at the masked ball. She is the first one to take off Her Highness mask.”
[Special Feature] Who is the Night Rose Lady who spent a week of pleasure with the 7th Princess? - Let's take a look at the strong candidates! (Part 1)
[Exclusive] Is White Rose's Hostility Towards Night Rose? The Empire's White Rose, looking at the candidates, says, 'You have high standards, sister.'
"Ah..."
“Calm down, Your Highness. Take a deep breath, a deep breath.”
“Haa... haa...”
“Yes, yes. Good job.”
Cedella sat me down on the couch and offered me some peppermint tea to help me relax.
The blonde boy who was sitting in front of me then picked up the gossip magazine and frowned.
“Hey, that guy said you were the best bride-to-be, but you’ve got a scandal with some young lady, beating out all those young ladies. Night Rose? Is that your taste?”
"Ah!"
I covered my face again as if in pain at the blunt words of the 8th Prince Euclid. Then I muttered as if brainwashing myself.
"It's okay. I don't know who it is yet. It's okay. It'll be okay."
“Who is your opponent?”
“You don’t have to know.”
Euclid stuck out his lips at the firm words but did not respond. It seemed that Hugh’s character education had paid off.
I pushed the gossip paper aside and faced Euclid.
The 8th Prince, who used to be like a scoundrel, is now sitting upright and dressed neatly like any other noble family. It was in a state of being.
I opened my mouth in the guise of a dignified Princess and sister.
“So, you’re going to the Gnosis Academy today?”
“Yes. The fall semester starts next week.”
"Is the vacation when the winter rainy season ends and the first snow falls? I won't see you for quite some time."
“If possible, I try to just stay in the dorm during vacation.”
“Well, the Gnosis Academy is a commercial city nearby, and there’s also a magic tower nearby, so it’s not boring to spend five years there. But you can always take the warp portal to the palace if you want.”
“Why...”
“Even if others don’t know, you will always be welcomed in the Green Room.”
"..."
Euclid glanced at the aforementioned face as I spoke with a kind smile.
I urged.
“Study hard.”
“Nagging again.”
“If you get bad grades, I’ll cut off your allowance.”
"Ugh..."
“Let’s work hard to become the commander of the Imperial Guard.”
“Your goals are too high!”
"The Commander of the imperial guard?"
I looked at him with an expression of incomprehension. Euclid was in trouble because his sister was targeting the Emperor.
“If you have any difficulties, rely on Lord Calix Limitiello. And please send me letters often. I’ve always been curious about life at the academy.”
“I can’t write letters or anything.”
“Try.”
Writing letters with dignity and beauty was also a quality of the nobility and royalty. I wanted to personally instruct Euclid.
Also, exchanging letters regularly had the effect of making people around them aware that Euclid was behind them.
Since there were bound to be those who wanted to get involved in politics even in the Academy, Euclid had to be protected.
"I'll be back, Sister."
"Yeah. Stay healthy."
I escorted him outside the villa. Michael said while I watched Euclid moving away.
"He has become much more docile in front of you."
“Is that so?”
"I don't know if he'll start calling you my sister soon and acting all naughty."
"Hey, no way."
I, who thought it was a joke, burst into a small laugh. A familiar face approached from afar. It was Alben, my second-in-command and former manager of the company.
"Oh, Your Highness! I knew you would come and come out to greet me. I am so touched."
"Yes. I had a dream last night that a nobleman came to visit me. It was you."
The Princess and her subjects were delighted to see each other again and expressed their delight with sweet words.
Although it was an unscheduled visit, I invited Alben into the reception room. Before the refreshments were served, Alben chattered on and on, telling me how he had been doing and flattering me that he had missed me.
I've listened to his stories enough. At that time, I recommended.
“Would you like to play a quiet game of chess? Card games are popular these days, but there is no game better than chess for two people.”
“Good.”
As soon as the approval was given, Cedella set up the chessboard on the table, closed the door, and left. Michael also went out of the living room and guarded the door.
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