Chapter 77: Charlotte the Sleeping Princess

I arrived in front of Riven’s inn.

As time passed, more people had started moving along the street.

I tugged my hood lower over my face, then pushed open the inn’s door.

"Ah, Charlotte-san. Something the matter?"

"Neil-san."

A few men were sitting in the small dining area. Probably all Riven’s subordinates. One of them looked up from where he was scattering cards across the table. That was Neil.

This guy’s always here. Is that just coincidence?

"I wanted to have a word with Riven… is he in his usual room?"

"Yes, he is. Is this about work?"

"Something like that."

Well, it’s basically me asking him to let me rest because I’m not feeling well. That still counts as work talk.

Small talk and chitchat had been dodged up until now—maybe that’s why he made sure to ask if it was about business.

Neil gave a thoughtful nod or two before granting me permission with a "go ahead."

I climbed the stairs and opened the door to the room I was looking for.

"I’m coming in."

"Hey, at least knock fir—oh, it’s you."

"Yep, it’s me."

He glanced at me, then turned his eyes away right after. Cold. That stung a little.

Riven’s room was a complete mess—papers scattered all the way across the floor.

Last time I’d been here, everything was neatly in order. What a change.

"Doing research?"

"Yeah. Don’t look too closely—it’s classified."

"And if I do look?"

"At worst, you’ll be targeted for assassination."

Yikes. Why are you spreading that kind of stuff around in a rented inn room?

So maybe the reason he’s been so curt lately is because he’s been buried in all this research?

Even so, there wasn’t anywhere to step. I didn’t want to risk stepping on anything important. The bed was about the only clear space.

Careful not to glance at the papers, I picked my way over to the bed and sat down. Finally, a chance to relax.

…Hmm? Riven’s looking this way. What’s up with him?

"What? Do I have something on my face?"

"…No, nothing."

He brushed it off and went right back to glaring at his papers. What’s his deal?

Still, it felt hard to break the ice. The atmosphere wasn’t exactly welcoming. Maybe I should warm things up with a little small talk.

I swung my legs idly at the edge of the bed.

"So, what are you researching?"

"Something Salem mentioned."

Oh? That’s diligent of him. But… what did she say again?

"She told you to ‘give my regards to Raidius,’ didn’t she?"

"Oh, right, she did."

Yeah, that was the line she left with her dying breath.

I’d wondered about it for a moment, but since I had no clue what it meant, I’d just forgotten.

"Raidius is the name of our country’s founding king."

"Huh? He’s still alive?"

"No. He’s long dead. There’s even a mausoleum."

So then… she wanted us to pass along greetings to a dead man?

Weird last words, that’s for sure. Maybe like asking me to go say something at his grave?

"So there isn’t some tradition where kings inherit the name?"

"No. That’s why I’ve been re-examining everything related to the founding king, just in case."

I see. Very serious of him.

If it were me, I’d just laugh it off with a ‘ha-ha, what nonsense.’ Well, maybe I’d get curious for a bit, but then put it off until I forgot about it.

"Found anything promising?"

"Not yet. I’ve sorted through all the information, but I still have no idea what she meant."

"Maybe she was just saying something random?"

"…If that were the case, I’d be relieved."

Not exactly the kind of words you’d expect someone to choose on their deathbed, huh. Fair point.

Well, it’s about his country, so it’s not really something I can do much about.

I’d just have to sit quietly.

And then—another yawn slipped out. I was starting to feel genuinely sleepy.

"Tired from lack of sleep?"

"Mm, just been having some bad dreams lately."

"I see. No problems with your health?"

"Of course not. I’ve checked everything I could myself, and I’m perfectly fine."

"Good. That’s what matters."

He said that without even pausing his work.

Hmm. Guess I’ll just go ahead and tell him the rest while I’m at it.

"So anyway, I did submit a request to the Union. Said my health was off and I wanted a specialist to check me out."

"And the result?"

"I only sent it this morning, so nothing yet. Until I hear back, I was thinking of cutting back on work a little… ahhhhn."

Another yawn. My head even felt a bit light. Weird, since I shouldn’t be sleep-deprived.

"I see. So you’re not actually sleeping properly at night."

"No, I’m definitely getting enough hours. Alice-chan confirmed it too."

"That girl, huh. So despite enough sleep, the drowsiness is still overwhelming?"

"Yes, exactly."

Riven paused his work for a moment and began gathering up the papers scattered across the floor.

I blinked, watching in surprise as the chaotic mess was tidied up in no time at all.

Wait—did he seriously remember where every single page had been? He wasn’t just piling them together at random. The way he sorted them looked precise, like he was restoring them in proper order.

My amazement went unnoticed as Riven came over and leaned down to study my face.

"Your complexion… a bit pale. How’s your appetite?"

"Eh? Well, I’ve been eating, but…"

"Did you eat anything today?"

"Today… not yet."

Riven nodded at my answer. He opened the bag sitting on the desk and pulled out some bread. A sandwich, by the look of it—vegetables and fillings spilling out from the slit.

He tore it cleanly in half with his hands, then held one piece out to me.

"Eat. Nothing will improve if you don’t at least put food in your stomach. Or are you so sick you can’t?"

"N-no, I’ll eat… thank you."

Since he’d given it to me, I accepted and took it.

Ugh. He’s staring. He’s totally going to keep watching until I take a bite, isn’t he?

I wasn’t even all that hungry, but… fine. They say you should eat while you can!

I gathered my resolve and bit into it.

"…Ah, it’s delicious."

To my surprise, the flavor was refined. Not heavy, but crisp and refreshing—the kind of taste that suited a morning sandwich.

Most eateries in this world, especially places like the Stray Cat Tavern, leaned toward stronger, heavier flavors. It made sense—they catered to adventurers, people who burned through energy with hard labor. Still, if you ate that kind of food when you weren’t worn out, it could be overwhelming.

This sandwich, though, was perfectly balanced. Clean aftertaste, no unnecessary spices masking the meat, not overly salty. The vegetables were fresh and juicy, too. Pricey ingredients, no doubt.

"Who made this? The seasoning’s really unusual."

It felt like ages since I’d had food like this. Honestly, I was moved.

If the inn served meals like this, I wouldn’t mind coming here just to eat. Sorry, Master, sorry, head chef at the Stray Cat Tavern.

"I did."

"Eh?"

"I made it."

A crumb slipped from the corner of my mouth.

Riven immediately plucked it off the floor and tossed it into the trash.

"What? Something this simple—anyone could make it."

"But wait, you’re… a prince, aren’t you?"

He actually cooked it himself? I couldn’t picture it at all.

I mean, sure, I could imagine him being fussy about food, maybe even a little bossy with chefs. But making it himself?

…If I had to decide yes or no, I guess I could see him doing it. Barely. Just barely.

"That surprising?"

"Well, uh… yeah."

"At least you’re honest. The way your tongue’s tripping over itself makes that especially clear."

As he said that, a smile spread across his face. A natural one.

"It’s nothing. There was just a time when I had to cook for myself. I learned the basics back then, that’s all."

A prince who can cook?

Well, I guess he did say something about succession wars and all that. There must’ve been things going on that I can’t even imagine.

Still, it’s kind of surprising.

If it were his sister, I wouldn’t be shocked at all if she could cook. She just seems like the type who can do anything.

"By the way, Rosalind is terrible at cooking."

"Huh?"

"She has this mysterious talent for failing even when she follows a recipe. Thanks to that, I always ended up being the one to cook."

Eh—whaaat. Really?

So even someone that perfect has at least one thing they’re bad at. I see. That… kind of cheers me up.

After that, Riven didn’t say anything more and simply started eating. I ate along with him.

His eating pace was so quick that I felt a little self-conscious about being watched while I ate. Still, the food was delicious, and I managed to finish everything.

Phew. I’m stuffed.

"So? Feeling a little better after getting some food in you?"

"It was delicious. Thank you for the meal."

"Good. I’m glad."

I never thought I’d be treated to a meal like this.

It really was good. I wouldn’t mind having it again.

"So then, about your situation—does that mean you’ll be laying low for a while?"

"Ah, yes. Sorry, I’ll be troubling you for a bit…"

"Don’t worry about it. After what happened last time, we’ve got some breathing room, don’t we?"

To put me at ease, Riven gave me a gentle smile.

This guy… he’s gotten so natural at smiling. Feels like I’ve been seeing it more often lately.

And—yeah. I guess it’s okay for me to lean on him.

Just realizing that makes everything feel so much lighter.

Even on the way here, so many people have been looking out for me.

It really makes me feel like I’m not alone anymore. And that feeling… it’s so comforting.

"Th-thank you very mu—hffhh…"

Huh? Maybe because I let my guard down, but suddenly I’m overwhelmingly sleepy.

No good. I can’t fight it at all.

"Hey! What’s going on?! Hey!"

I collapsed onto the bed, and Riven’s panicked voice rang out.

I tried to answer, but my body wouldn’t respond.

Just like that, my consciousness sank into a deep, dream-filled sleep.