I opened my mouth wide. If I were the Princess at the age of four, I'm sure she would be five times smarter than I am now.
What kind of education did a four-year-old receive to say something like that?
“So, what were your first impressions?”
He hesitated for a moment.
"...Should I answer honestly?”
“Honestly, it’s a matter of finding memories.”
“Just consider the fact that I was eleven.”
“...”
“She was just a cute girl, nothing more, nothing less.”
I burst out laughing. Not only was it hard to imagine what his face looked like when he was eleven, but his words also told me how much trouble he had been in because of the young Princess.
When I couldn't stop laughing, Laskan raised his dry hand and wiped his face.
“Even back then... did I like you?”
Even though I couldn't bring myself to say 'I' or 'the Princess', I tried to muddle through, but Laskan didn't point it out.
"Maybe..."
“What kind of confidence is that?”
“After that, the Princess often visited the palace.”
“How often did that happen?”
“About three or four times a week.”
This time I was speechless.
“...Why did you say it was good?”
I admit that if I had just fallen for him because of his looks, then it might have been the real me.
But Laskan didn't answer that question. Instead, he naturally changed the subject.
“Now it’s my turn to ask a question.”
“Is it your turn to ask a question? Weren’t you supposed to help me find my memories?”
“Your Highness, you asked about my past out of curiosity, even though you did not consider yourself real.”
“...”
“The law requires that transactions be fair.”
It was an irrefutable statement. I raised both hands as if I were surrendering. Since I was the one who started to be stubborn, I had nothing to say.
“But you already know everything about my past.”
“What I’m curious about is something else.”
“...”
“Sasha, if you were truly a Princess, would you have accepted me?”
I looked up at him with surprised eyes, but Laskan wasn't looking at me. His eyes were looking outside the window, at the garden of the distant Princess's palace, and thus at the past.
I've only just begun to get to know him a little. From the scary Duke I'd seen him as when I first met him, to the Duke who'd given me his private quarters.
From Duke Ashkabad, who proposed to me for some political gain, to Laskan, who now tenderly declares her love.
He wasn't as stiff as I had initially thought, nor was he always perfect.
A man who was struggling to bear the burden of being the head of one of the only two ducal houses in the empire, and thus was strict with himself and kept a sharp line around those around him.
But for me, he's always the kind of guy who makes exceptions. It was easy to come up with an answer. The conclusion was clear from the beginning.
He laughed. The moonlight cast a faint halo over him. I watched as if I was entranced as joy slowly spread across his beautiful, straight face.
The priests took a second blood sample for the blood test. And the second competition began. Strictly speaking, it was to start tomorrow, but today, the problem was given first.
Normally, I would start right away with the problem, but when the problem was extremely difficult, it was a different story. I was officially given half a day to focus solely on the interpretation.
The secretary, Count Osbord, came in carrying a box richly decorated with jewels, supported on a cushion. I was a little nervous as I had heard that the matter was complicated.
“As His Majesty the Emperor’s representative, I must confirm it, Your Highness.”
The Count spoke cautiously.
“Should I open it here?”
“Yes.”
The jewelry box had a tight lock that didn't open easily. After a few unsuccessful attempts, I managed to loosen the tight lock and open the box.
The interior was lined with soft blue velvet, and contained, as on the first occasion, rolled-up gilded parchment.
“Please unfold it.”
Thalia urged me from behind.
I put the box down on my lap and unrolled the parchment. Normally, I would have 'read' the matter in front of the Emperor's representative to confirm it, but this... just...
I was embarrassed and unfolded the paper so that the Count could see it.
“Is this the correct contest issue?”
The Count put his glasses on the tip of his nose, approached cautiously, examined me closely, and nodded.
“Yes, that’s right.”
I opened my mouth in embarrassment, then quickly closed it for fear of looking stupid.
No, that can't be. There must be something else hidden.
“By any chance, did His Majesty have any other messages?”
“No... Ah, he said that he would give a special reward to the winner of this competition.”
“If it’s a special reward...”
“It seems that His Majesty has prepared an arrangement that will be advantageous for the third competition. In addition, he said that the person who brings satisfactory results in this competition will be awarded Ashvital Island and ten thousand gold pieces.”
Thalia nudged my ribs with her elbow. I felt it too. Ashvital Island. The name itself smelled like a lot of money.
But since I can't take the island with me when I run away later, that wasn't the important thing.
Ten thousand gold pieces? Ten thousand gold pieces?
I quickly counted on my fingers. Considering that each piece was worth 100 Lira in gold...
Oh my goodness. If I add the deposit that Laskan promised to give, I could go over to a neighboring country and live as the heiress of some hidden tycoon!
No, wait, this isn't urgent... I barely managed to control my wide-open face.
“Aside from that, do you have any other comments on the matter?”
“If that’s the case, then there was nothing. Oh, please sign here to show that you were guided.”
Feeling momentarily empty, I picked up my quill and signed the parchment the Count handed me.
As soon as he left the living room, Thalia and Irina rushed to the table.
“Ashvital Island! Your Highness, do you know that the coral from that island is sold for a very high price?”
“And ten thousand gold pieces? My goodness... It looks like His Majesty determined to light a fire under this competition.”
“Then what should I do... I’ve already started having trouble...”
I sank down on the sofa in despair. The maids' eyes widened.
“Why is that? Is the problem very difficult?”
“Let me take a look.”
Thalia reached out. I gave up and handed the problem over to them. Their expressions, as they unfolded the parchment I had been given, crumpled just like mine.
“So, this is...”
“...This is the problem this time?”
Irina asked back in disbelief. I nodded gloomily. There was some kind of writing, or a shape close to a picture, drawn on the parchment.
I couldn't even begin to guess what this was. It looked like writing, but I wondered if it was really human language.
“Can you identify it?”
“No. I’m sorry, but this is the first time I’ve seen such writing. It’s not Tira, nor Synod, nor the Republic of Lapaster, nor the Duchy of Sierne..."
“If you look at it, you can usually tell what country it is from... but I have no idea about this one.”
Thalia said as she handed the paper to Lisa. The faces of the maids who were huddled together and putting their heads together showed a look of embarrassment. Even though the maids working in the palace received basic foreign language education.
Now there was only one way. Lock yourself in the library and compare it with every dictionary. Even dictionaries of ancient languages, if they weren't in use today. I stood up desperately.
“I have to go to the library.”
“Right now?”
Thalia asked, her eyes wide. I glanced at my watch. It was certainly late, but the library would still be open.
And if it was the Princess's request, the door could be left open until dawn. Power was good in times like these.
“I’m going to go and stay up all night. Lisa, pack me something to eat.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I heard Lisa walking away at a brisk pace.
Less than twenty minutes later, I was heading to the library, carrying a blanket and a basket of snacks, ambitiously determined to find it by dawn that day.
The sun was high in the sky. I was clutching my head in despair. I had searched through so many dictionaries all night, but I couldn't find even a word that looked like that.
I looked into the languages of several continents and even small kingdoms, but I couldn't find any clues. The only thing I could find was that the languages of the Eastern Continent across the sea were somewhat similar at first glance.
I scanned the long desk with dead, dark eyes. It was now impossible to find even a single space between the books I had piled up.
My eyes were red and stiff from not being able to sleep. I rubbed them and picked up the next dictionary.
Lithuanian, Eastern Sozern, Gwaltavi... none of them.
I burst out laughing like a madman and banged my forehead on the desk, still sitting there.
I've been talking about two days, not sleeping and just sitting in the library, and not getting any results...
In the meantime, I heard news of Veronica, even though I didn't want to. She said she had already left the office at dawn.
I tried not to listen to the locals in good conscience... but Thalia heard the maids talking about going east and came over to whisper to them. I almost gave in to their persuasion that I should just go after them.
But that wasn't fair. If I were to go East, it had to be for a good reason. I couldn't just blindly follow Veronica.
Veronica was right. I was the one who got drunk on my accidental victory and got cocky, and I was the one who foolishly sympathized with her misfortune. Even if I tried my best, it would have been difficult to beat her.
As this was a contest of wits, there were clear limits to asking for advice from anyone. Would it have been different if Cesare had been there?
He had hinted to me that he could come back when the second competition started...
It seemed as though Laskan really wanted to make sure he never set foot in the system again. But it was too embarrassing to write a letter and ask about it.
“Your Highness, that is all.”
Thalia and Irina each brought in a trolley full of dictionaries, probably thirty volumes each.
What kind of education did a four-year-old receive to say something like that?
“So, what were your first impressions?”
He hesitated for a moment.
"...Should I answer honestly?”
“Honestly, it’s a matter of finding memories.”
“Just consider the fact that I was eleven.”
“...”
“She was just a cute girl, nothing more, nothing less.”
I burst out laughing. Not only was it hard to imagine what his face looked like when he was eleven, but his words also told me how much trouble he had been in because of the young Princess.
When I couldn't stop laughing, Laskan raised his dry hand and wiped his face.
“Even back then... did I like you?”
Even though I couldn't bring myself to say 'I' or 'the Princess', I tried to muddle through, but Laskan didn't point it out.
"Maybe..."
“What kind of confidence is that?”
“After that, the Princess often visited the palace.”
“How often did that happen?”
“About three or four times a week.”
This time I was speechless.
“...Why did you say it was good?”
I admit that if I had just fallen for him because of his looks, then it might have been the real me.
But Laskan didn't answer that question. Instead, he naturally changed the subject.
“Now it’s my turn to ask a question.”
“Is it your turn to ask a question? Weren’t you supposed to help me find my memories?”
“Your Highness, you asked about my past out of curiosity, even though you did not consider yourself real.”
“...”
“The law requires that transactions be fair.”
It was an irrefutable statement. I raised both hands as if I were surrendering. Since I was the one who started to be stubborn, I had nothing to say.
“But you already know everything about my past.”
“What I’m curious about is something else.”
“...”
“Sasha, if you were truly a Princess, would you have accepted me?”
I looked up at him with surprised eyes, but Laskan wasn't looking at me. His eyes were looking outside the window, at the garden of the distant Princess's palace, and thus at the past.
I've only just begun to get to know him a little. From the scary Duke I'd seen him as when I first met him, to the Duke who'd given me his private quarters.
From Duke Ashkabad, who proposed to me for some political gain, to Laskan, who now tenderly declares her love.
He wasn't as stiff as I had initially thought, nor was he always perfect.
A man who was struggling to bear the burden of being the head of one of the only two ducal houses in the empire, and thus was strict with himself and kept a sharp line around those around him.
But for me, he's always the kind of guy who makes exceptions. It was easy to come up with an answer. The conclusion was clear from the beginning.
He laughed. The moonlight cast a faint halo over him. I watched as if I was entranced as joy slowly spread across his beautiful, straight face.
***
The priests took a second blood sample for the blood test. And the second competition began. Strictly speaking, it was to start tomorrow, but today, the problem was given first.
Normally, I would start right away with the problem, but when the problem was extremely difficult, it was a different story. I was officially given half a day to focus solely on the interpretation.
The secretary, Count Osbord, came in carrying a box richly decorated with jewels, supported on a cushion. I was a little nervous as I had heard that the matter was complicated.
“As His Majesty the Emperor’s representative, I must confirm it, Your Highness.”
The Count spoke cautiously.
“Should I open it here?”
“Yes.”
The jewelry box had a tight lock that didn't open easily. After a few unsuccessful attempts, I managed to loosen the tight lock and open the box.
The interior was lined with soft blue velvet, and contained, as on the first occasion, rolled-up gilded parchment.
“Please unfold it.”
Thalia urged me from behind.
I put the box down on my lap and unrolled the parchment. Normally, I would have 'read' the matter in front of the Emperor's representative to confirm it, but this... just...
I was embarrassed and unfolded the paper so that the Count could see it.
“Is this the correct contest issue?”
The Count put his glasses on the tip of his nose, approached cautiously, examined me closely, and nodded.
“Yes, that’s right.”
I opened my mouth in embarrassment, then quickly closed it for fear of looking stupid.
No, that can't be. There must be something else hidden.
“By any chance, did His Majesty have any other messages?”
“No... Ah, he said that he would give a special reward to the winner of this competition.”
“If it’s a special reward...”
“It seems that His Majesty has prepared an arrangement that will be advantageous for the third competition. In addition, he said that the person who brings satisfactory results in this competition will be awarded Ashvital Island and ten thousand gold pieces.”
Thalia nudged my ribs with her elbow. I felt it too. Ashvital Island. The name itself smelled like a lot of money.
But since I can't take the island with me when I run away later, that wasn't the important thing.
Ten thousand gold pieces? Ten thousand gold pieces?
I quickly counted on my fingers. Considering that each piece was worth 100 Lira in gold...
Oh my goodness. If I add the deposit that Laskan promised to give, I could go over to a neighboring country and live as the heiress of some hidden tycoon!
No, wait, this isn't urgent... I barely managed to control my wide-open face.
“Aside from that, do you have any other comments on the matter?”
“If that’s the case, then there was nothing. Oh, please sign here to show that you were guided.”
Feeling momentarily empty, I picked up my quill and signed the parchment the Count handed me.
As soon as he left the living room, Thalia and Irina rushed to the table.
“Ashvital Island! Your Highness, do you know that the coral from that island is sold for a very high price?”
“And ten thousand gold pieces? My goodness... It looks like His Majesty determined to light a fire under this competition.”
“Then what should I do... I’ve already started having trouble...”
I sank down on the sofa in despair. The maids' eyes widened.
“Why is that? Is the problem very difficult?”
“Let me take a look.”
Thalia reached out. I gave up and handed the problem over to them. Their expressions, as they unfolded the parchment I had been given, crumpled just like mine.
“So, this is...”
“...This is the problem this time?”
Irina asked back in disbelief. I nodded gloomily. There was some kind of writing, or a shape close to a picture, drawn on the parchment.
I couldn't even begin to guess what this was. It looked like writing, but I wondered if it was really human language.
“Can you identify it?”
“No. I’m sorry, but this is the first time I’ve seen such writing. It’s not Tira, nor Synod, nor the Republic of Lapaster, nor the Duchy of Sierne..."
“If you look at it, you can usually tell what country it is from... but I have no idea about this one.”
Thalia said as she handed the paper to Lisa. The faces of the maids who were huddled together and putting their heads together showed a look of embarrassment. Even though the maids working in the palace received basic foreign language education.
Now there was only one way. Lock yourself in the library and compare it with every dictionary. Even dictionaries of ancient languages, if they weren't in use today. I stood up desperately.
“I have to go to the library.”
“Right now?”
Thalia asked, her eyes wide. I glanced at my watch. It was certainly late, but the library would still be open.
And if it was the Princess's request, the door could be left open until dawn. Power was good in times like these.
“I’m going to go and stay up all night. Lisa, pack me something to eat.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I heard Lisa walking away at a brisk pace.
Less than twenty minutes later, I was heading to the library, carrying a blanket and a basket of snacks, ambitiously determined to find it by dawn that day.
***
The sun was high in the sky. I was clutching my head in despair. I had searched through so many dictionaries all night, but I couldn't find even a word that looked like that.
I looked into the languages of several continents and even small kingdoms, but I couldn't find any clues. The only thing I could find was that the languages of the Eastern Continent across the sea were somewhat similar at first glance.
I scanned the long desk with dead, dark eyes. It was now impossible to find even a single space between the books I had piled up.
My eyes were red and stiff from not being able to sleep. I rubbed them and picked up the next dictionary.
Lithuanian, Eastern Sozern, Gwaltavi... none of them.
I burst out laughing like a madman and banged my forehead on the desk, still sitting there.
I've been talking about two days, not sleeping and just sitting in the library, and not getting any results...
In the meantime, I heard news of Veronica, even though I didn't want to. She said she had already left the office at dawn.
I tried not to listen to the locals in good conscience... but Thalia heard the maids talking about going east and came over to whisper to them. I almost gave in to their persuasion that I should just go after them.
But that wasn't fair. If I were to go East, it had to be for a good reason. I couldn't just blindly follow Veronica.
Veronica was right. I was the one who got drunk on my accidental victory and got cocky, and I was the one who foolishly sympathized with her misfortune. Even if I tried my best, it would have been difficult to beat her.
As this was a contest of wits, there were clear limits to asking for advice from anyone. Would it have been different if Cesare had been there?
He had hinted to me that he could come back when the second competition started...
It seemed as though Laskan really wanted to make sure he never set foot in the system again. But it was too embarrassing to write a letter and ask about it.
“Your Highness, that is all.”
Thalia and Irina each brought in a trolley full of dictionaries, probably thirty volumes each.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment