Side Flam
Today, I invited the royal family members who will be Raus’s classmates to Alka.
The purpose is to foster camaraderie before they enter school, but since His Highnesses will eventually inherit their countries, it also serves to deepen friendly relations between nations.
Ah, Prince Larva of the Count Enlo Istlias is not invited.
Yamato and Lady Hilde have visited the Count Enlo Istlias before and met him then. However, it seems that he has become arrogant because he will become prince at the turn of the year. He was reportedly insolent towards both Yamato, who holds the peerage of Heavenly Rank, and Lady Hilde, who is the Phantom King of Torencia.
The Phantom King of Torencia holds the position of one of the Three Kings, second only to the Celestial Emperor, and Heavenly Rank is higher than that of a Count King. At this point, the Count Enlo Istlias could have its independence revoked, and Prince Larva could be executed without complaint. However, this was the first instance, and it was known that Prince Larva was such a person, so I heard that his punishment was withheld by giving him a stern warning.
For this reason, Yamato, Lady Hilde, and even Emperor Reinhardt concluded that correcting Prince Larva would not be successful. Therefore, he was not invited to a social gathering for those who are likely to become the next rulers of their respective countries.
“Wow… so this is Alka!”
“I heard about it from my sisters, but I’m happy to be able to come!”
Princess Lucia and Princess Diana of Torencia, the second and third princesses, arrived first and exclaimed in awe.
They are Lady Hilde’s cousins and will eventually inherit the position of Phantom King, but the current Phantom Crown Prince is Princess Brynhild, Lady Hilde’s younger sister. Therefore, neither of them has ever been to Alka.
That’s why they were so delighted when they were invited this time.
“To think that such a large island is floating in the sky…”
“I wonder what kind of principle it operates on…”
Princess Illumina and Prince Raio of Denebulate are not just happy to be able to come, but are contemplating the principle by which such an island floats in the sky.
Dwarves are a race with skillful hands, and His Majesty Urs, the current Lord of Bridge, is also registered as a Crafter, so they are likely interested in such technology.
“Let me say this upfront, we don’t know why Alka is floating either.”
“If you investigate carelessly, something terrible might happen. So, Your Highnesses, please refrain from doing so.”
“We understand.”
“Since we were invited, we won’t do anything reckless.”
If it were just about making it float, it might be possible by applying Flying or Scaffolding. But Flying would require wings or something equivalent, so Scaffolding might be more realistic.
I wouldn’t say it out loud here, but it might be worth trying someday.
“Welcome back. I’ve brought Laura.”
“Welcome back, Prim. Welcome to Alka, Your Highness Aurora.”
“Yes. It’s been a while, Flam Nee-sama.”
Prim, who had gone to fetch Princess Aurora from Fluegel, returned with her.
That’s all well and good, but Your Highness Aurora, I understand about Prim, but why am I also Nee-sama?
“Eh? Because Flam-sama is Raus-sama’s older sister, right? If that’s the case, then you are also an older sister to me, and Princess Seras and Lady Carol also call you that.”
However, Princess Aurora replied in a way that contradicted my expectations.
It’s true that Carol and Seras also call me Nee-sama.
But the reason they call me that is because Rebecca is my real sister, and Rebecca is Raus’s fiancée.
I still can’t get used to being called Nee-sama, so it would be more helpful if they called me Onee-chan like Reina-chan. However, since one is a Count’s daughter and the other is a Grand Duchess, with their good upbringing, I’ve recently resigned myself to it.
But that’s not the same as being called that by Princess Aurora, is it?
“I think it’s better not to think too deeply about it. We have our suspicions too, but we don’t know what will happen.”
Carol said that to me, but why are you looking so resigned?
“Rebecca Nee-chan used to go to Fluegel often. She seemed to get along well with Princess Aurora and even went hunting together a few times.”
When Reina-chan said that, I finally understood.
Could it be that Rebecca is planning to make Princess Aurora another one of Raus’s fiancées?
Raus’s fiancées are Rebecca, Carol, Reina, and Seras, but it is known that one or two more will be added.
It seems that Rebecca is trying to quickly assemble Raus’s fiancées to avoid those who would try to curry favor with him.
Yamato felt the same way, so I understand her feelings, but to think of Princess Aurora, the Crown Prince of Fluegel, is beyond my expectations.
Moreover, Rebecca finds the role of the first wife troublesome, and considering Raus’s position, she is even considering passing that role on to Carol.
“Your Highness Aurora, it hasn’t been officially decided yet, so please refrain from doing so if possible. Others will misunderstand, and it will only lead to unnecessary trouble.”
Although I felt a headache coming on, I could only respond to Princess Aurora this way.
I doubt she will listen, but it’s not a matter I’m involved in, so I’ll be prepared to accept it if it happens.
“Oh, right. I got ahead of myself, I apologize.”
“I don’t know what will happen, but it seems you can’t get married while you’re attending school, so you don’t need to rush.”
“Yes.”
Prim also offered her support, so I felt relieved.
Although that’s with the caveat of “for now.”
“Speaking of which, Primrose-sama, I heard that today’s invitation is for the royal family members entering Memoria General Academy in the spring, but they haven’t all arrived yet, have they?”
“Yuri is on duty, and Seras is in Lichtenfels for enrollment procedures. However, His Highness David and His Highness Nebrina should be arriving soon.”
There are nine members of the royal family who will be enrolling, but two of them belong to Wing Crest, so we will exclude them for now.
Therefore, there are seven members, and five of them are present here. Those who have not yet arrived are His Highness David of Allegria and His Highness Nebrina of Acquario.
Lydia is going to pick up His Highness David, and Mina is going to pick up His Highness Nebrina.
By the way, Princess Lucia and Princess Diana were welcomed by Mako and Lady Hilde, and Prince Raio and Princess Illumina were welcomed by Ludia. As for me, I am in charge of welcoming them to Alka since they will be classmates of my younger siblings.
“I’ve returned.”
“Everyone, welcome.”
At this point, Seras, who had been in Lichtenfels, returned with Raus and the others.
Seras will be enrolling as the third princess of Lichtenfels, so she needs to submit enrollment documents from the Lichtenfels side.
These documents require the signature of the student themselves, so Seras had to return to Lichtenfels once, which is why she was visiting home today.
“Welcome back. Oh, and Princess Nebrina was with you?”
“Yes. We happened to be coming to Alka at the same time, so we traveled together.”
I didn’t expect her to be with His Highness Nebrina of Acquario.
I had met her before, and she is very shy, so she was almost declining today’s invitation at first.
However, Isabella, the Lord of Bridge, admonished her, telling her that it would be rude to decline a social gathering with future schoolmates. Reluctantly, she agreed to participate. This invitation is not only to foster camaraderie among schoolmates and nations, but also as an introductory meeting since His Highnesses will be staying with the Marquis Amatista family during their attendance. The head of the family, Rika, will also be returning tonight, so this also serves as a greeting.
“I see. Welcome to Alka, Your Highness Nebrina.”
“Th-thank you…”
Princess Nebrina, who was hiding behind Mina shyly, seemed to be leaning on Mina, who had guided her, as neither Isabella Your Majesty nor her retainers were present.
Despite her extreme shyness, I never thought it would be to this extent.
“Your Highness, as His Majesty has also said, if you become the successor to the Lordship of Bridge, you will be rude to those around you if you are constantly shy, and it will also hinder your political affairs. These people here will be your classmates, and you will be under the care of the Marquis Amatista family, so while I don’t expect you to be overly proactive, you must also make an effort to approach them.”
“I-I know… but…”
It feels like she’s afraid of interacting with people.
Mina is speaking sternly, but if a monarch prone to shyness were to rule, the country would undoubtedly fall into chaos. If she doesn’t improve at least a little during her school days, the future of Acquario could be bleak.
Judging from her current state, it seems to be a difficult task.
“I heard about it, but she really is timid.”
“Rai, that’s rude. Princess Nebrina is the Crown Prince, and by status, she is higher than us.”
“Then you should become the Crown Prince of Denebulate, Illumina. Then we’ll have the same status.”
“I’ve always said that you, as the eldest son, should be the one to inherit it.”
“There’s no law that says only men have to inherit, is there? You’re more suited for it, so you should inherit it. Then maybe someone will marry you?”
” …Are you challenging me? You are, aren’t you? Fine! I’ll accept your challenge at your price!”
Watching Princess Nebrina, Prince Raio and Princess Illumina inexplicably started a sibling quarrel over succession.
Both of them are reluctant to inherit the position of Lord of Bridge and are reportedly causing trouble for His Majesty Urs. Sibling quarrels over succession are said to be commonplace.
If they inherit the position of Lord of Bridge, the time they can dedicate to their planned Crafter activities will be significantly reduced, which is why they both want to avoid it.
“Prince Raio and Princess Illumina, this is a place to deepen friendships, so please refrain from sibling quarrels.”
Raus, with a look of exasperation, stopped Prince Raio and Princess Illumina using Telekinetic Magic and pulled them apart.
Since Raus is an Ancient Ulfy, no matter how hard the two princes try, they cannot escape. And their reasoning is valid, so it might be good to let them cool their heads for a while.
“I thought I was late, but it seems like you’re having fun.”
“I wonder about that. Ah, I’ve returned.”
As Prince Raio and Princess Illumina were being handled, His Highness David also arrived.
His Highness David is meeting everyone here for the first time, so it’s understandable that he doesn’t know, but Lydia, who went to pick him up, seemed to understand and gave a wry smile.
“We have been waiting for you, Your Highness David.”
“Thank you for the invitation today. I have been looking forward to this day.”
His Highness David expresses his gratitude with a smile, but he is indeed polite and well-educated.
“Everyone is here now. So, first, we will guide you to the small peak where you will be staying. After that, you are free to spend your time as you wish until dinner. Eos, Lumina, please.”
” “Understood.” ”
The only ones left are Sir Yuri’s return to be truly complete. Sir Yuri is performing his duties as a lord in Feel, so he will not return until dinner.
Yamato has an even busier schedule, with Feel in the morning, Deseo in the afternoon, and Memoria before evening today, packed with appointments.
I also occasionally work in Prada, but since Baron Velano Estoario, the deputy, is there, I always think that my work should be delegated to him.
Well, Baron Velano was originally scheduled to be the deputy in another town and is scheduled to leave Prada in a few years.
It has not yet been decided who the next deputy will be, but since it is known that I will bear Yamato’s child, Emperor Reinhardt intends to ennoble me as a Baron and have the position of deputy passed down through generations.
I heard it directly from His Majesty, so there is no mistake.
The town where Baron Velano is scheduled to be stationed is a former territory of the Bacion Holy Kingdom, and it is currently being developed.
Originally, it was a village like Prada, but it borders two Beast Duke nations, Fluegel and Blume, so it is being developed as a border town.
Due to its low priority for development, it cannot yet be called a town, and it is not yet of a scale for a Baron to be stationed there. However, it is a town of high importance, so Baron Velano, who belonged to the 3rd squad of the Torencia dispatch forces, was scheduled to take office there.
For these reasons, I occasionally visit Baron Velano and not only assist with his work but also study governance.
Baron Velano’s transfer is a decided matter, and my appointment as his successor is also a decided matter. Therefore, there is no escape for me.
As a mere village girl, it is certainly a heavy burden, but Prada is my hometown, so I will do my best.
This is a social gathering for Their Highnesses, so it is out of place for me to be thinking about such things.
