Chapter 12

By the time Thor and I finished our dance, it was already quite late.

“If it’s convenient for you, please join us for dinner at our tent tomorrow.”

After making that proposal, we withdrew from the tent of House Larknoll.

Once we’d said our farewells to the nobles from our own faction, we returned to the tent of House Budoudarl.

Now it was just me and my personal maid, Delawear.

“…Was it a mistake to take his hand?”

Feeling a little anxious, I asked Delawear in a somewhat timid voice.

She responded without any hesitation.

“That’s for His Grace to judge. I will, of course, report everything about tonight’s events to him.”

So the lecture comes later—after we get home.

At Delawear’s merciless words, I couldn’t help but slump my shoulders.

Because of the personality I carried over from my previous life, I had always been the model child ever since being born into this world.

So I’m not used to being scolded.

Just imagining what’s waiting for me at home gives me a bit of a stomachache.

“…I don’t believe there was any significant error in your judgment, Princess. It’s far more dishonest to take advantage of a friendly relationship to press someone like that.”

Delawear said this with a voice tinged with indignation.

I see—so it can be interpreted that way too.

In other words, I’m the victim. I didn’t do anything wrong!

…Apparently, she could tell I was internally trying to justify myself like that.

Delawear gave me a sharp, half-lidded glare.

“Still, Princess, you were far too unguarded. Talking about constellations in a setting like that… It was clearly a moment to be on alert. It’s obvious that Lord Thor is enamored with you.”

It seems that even in this world, talking about the stars easily leads into romantic flirtation.

In fact, beyond the famous Galzaarthian story about lovers dancing around a red star, there are several constellations associated with touching love tales.

“During this hunting event, the royal family already showed signs of concession toward us… If someone were to interpret your behavior as provocation, we couldn’t exactly complain. Though, I doubt they would be so petty as to interfere in a private, unofficial interaction.”

It’s not like this is unique to us. If you gaze at the stars late at night, things are bound to feel romantic—and there are plenty of nobles and knights who end up caught in that mood and start their own love affairs.

And in this world, there’s an underlying belief that platonic love should be accepted.

After all, for nobles and knights, ninety-nine point nine percent of marriages are political.

Marrying someone you don’t love is entirely normal.

To someone from modern Japan, love and marriage are seen as naturally connected. But in this world, the two ideas often contradict each other.

In extreme terms, in this world, romantic love equates to either infidelity or same-sex attraction.

And romantic feelings—well, they happen when they happen.

So the idea is that we should at least allow for platonic relationships.

A simple example: A knight flirting with his lord’s wife? That’s considered acceptable.

And if the wife reciprocates? Also acceptable.

If anyone complains about it, they’re seen as petty.

…Though, if they actually share a bed, that’s instant execution.

My interaction with Thor was completely wholesome. From the outside, it would only look like two early-teens playacting a bit of innocent romance.

…It’s really embarrassing to say that out loud myself.

Anyway, no one’s going to make a fuss over something that minor.

I mean, come on—the Second Prince has fathered three illegitimate children with a widowed woman. He’s in no position to judge anyone.

Same goes for my father.

“…I will make sure to explain things clearly to His Grace so there is no misunderstanding. Please rest assured.”

Delawear concluded with those words.

So, she won’t hide anything—but she will stand up for me.

“Thank you. …Sister.”

“Even if you call me that, it won’t change the truth I report.”

Delawear turned her face away as she spoke.

Then, when she looked back at me again, her usual emotionless expression had returned.

“By the way… from here on, may I speak as your sister only?”

“Yes.”

In other words, this part won’t be passed on to Father.

Understanding her intent, I gave a nod.

“Princess… do you harbor any hidden feelings?”

Hidden feelings…?

Does she mean whether I have romantic feelings for Thor?

That’s ridiculous.

I still think of myself as male.

And I’m not into other men.

There’s no way I’d fall in love with a boy.

“No, nothing of the sort.”

“…I see.”

“Did I not seem that way to you?”

“…Forgive me. I don’t mean to question your words, but… you just seemed more vibrant than usual today.”

“…Today, specifically?”

Did I really look that happy?

…Well, I won’t deny that I had fun.

“…No, even usually. Like when you’re writing letters and thinking about how to reply.”

“…I see.”

“Were you unaware of it?”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

I took a moment to calm myself and reflect on my feelings toward Thor-kun.

After thinking it over for about ten seconds, I answered Delawear.

“I find him agreeable—as a friend.”

“As a friend, I see.”

“Yes. Nothing romantic between a man and a woman.”

Delawear nodded thoughtfully at my words.

But her face didn’t exactly radiate conviction.

“By the way… this is only hypothetical, of course.”

“Yes?”

“If, perchance, Your Highness ever found yourself with someone you loved… please do come speak with me.”

“Someone I love, huh… Well, I doubt that would happen.”

There’s no way I, a man, would fall in love with another man.

That said, we’re speaking in hypotheticals. If it did happen… hmm.

“I don’t think affection has any place in a political marriage. Is there something to consider, though?”

“Compatibility is important. …Of course, it depends on the other party.”

So it’s not impossible for a political marriage to also become a love match.

Still, for me, the nation’s benefit comes first.

I don’t intend to factor love into the marriage equation.

…And no, that wasn’t meant to be a joke.

“And if it remains within platonic bounds, I’ll gladly support you.”

Among the nobility, whether married or not, “romantic play” isn’t exactly rare.

It was surprising to hear Delawear say something that sounded almost like encouragement of it…

But perhaps it’s better than bottling things up.

“And if the child were yours, Your Highness, legitimacy wouldn’t be a concern… Ah, that was a misstep. Please forget I said that.”

She wouldn’t make such a blatant slip of the tongue unless it was truly what she believed.

When it comes to men, there's always the risk of cuckoldry—but in my case, if the child came from my body, then it’s definitely mine.

In fact, when the sovereign is female, one occasionally hears rumors like, “That child of hers, actually…”

I wouldn’t go so far as to say there's no smoke without fire, but such cases likely aren’t all that rare.

Still, it would undoubtedly tarnish my reputation.

It’s not something I could ever endorse.

More than anything, I simply don’t want to have an affair.

I feel like I wouldn’t even be able to look my child in the eye from the guilt.

It would put a strain on my relationship with my husband—my political ally—and nothing good would come of it.

“More importantly… even if I can’t offer solutions, I can still be there for you. …As your sister.”

Delawear said this with visible embarrassment.

Since she usually doesn’t get to call herself my sister, she was probably happy to play the big-sister role for once.

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

As her younger half-sister, I bowed my head to her.

Later, I asked the Captain of the Royal Knights about it too, just in case… but he burst out laughing and said I was overthinking things.

“I’m relieved to see Your Highness has a girlish side appropriate for your age.”

The Captain said this with a soft smile.

The other knights, for some reason, were giving off a warm and fuzzy air as well.

No matter how many times I denied it, it only made things seem more suspicious.

What kind of report will they give to my father? And what will he say?

The thought weighed on me in a different way entirely.

And so, despite people reading too much into my relationship with Thor-kun, I busied myself with socializing among the nobles who had come to the hunting grounds.

Thanks to that, the name of Roselia Wine had spread, and more nobles had shown interest in the soaps.

I’d even expanded my personal network.

All in all, I’d say it was a pretty successful outing.

"Goodness, that was exhausting."

"Thank you for your hard work."

"Still, I never expected to stumble upon an affair in the open like that. Stripping down in the middle of an autumn night... Aren’t they cold?"

"Indeed."

"Well, now that we've got a good story to take back with us, I suppose it's about time we—"

"The hunt is only just beginning, Princess."

Delawear said this with a face utterly devoid of humor.
I couldn't help but shrug.

"I know... It was a joke."

The hunting tournament begins today.
Technically, today was just the opening ceremony. The hunts would span five days starting tomorrow, and the closing ceremony would be held on the seventh day, after which participants would gradually depart.

"Apologies for asking this while you're clearly tired... but please, don't let your guard down."

"Of course."

Thus begins the hunting tournament, steeped in swirling conspiracies.