Still, seeing the Imperial Princess’s rosy cheeks brought my dazed mind back a little.
“Listen!
My older brother is coming to our tea party today!” “Um…
Your Highness, by older brother, do you mean?” “The 1st Imperial Prince!” “Hee-ik!” Unaware of our feelings, the Imperial Princess is smiling brightly.
The 1st Imperial Prince is the one who showed an innate talent for magic, already achieving the Fourth Circle at a young age.
The only problem is that at the age of five, he…
to put it crudely…
tore apart an assassin who infiltrated the Imperial Palace, showing a cruelty equal to the Emperor’s despite his young age.
I heard a rumor that although he received treatment, his mind is a little…
a little off.
“Now, come on!
Everything is ready!” “Y-Yes!
Your Highness, hoho…” After walking for a long time while running simulations in my head of how not to be rude, my mind went blank.
An angel…
an angel is walking this way!
On his pure white uniform, adorned with just the right amount of golden decoration, the golden decoration on his shoulder looks like it might spread into wings.
A face more brilliant than his brilliant clothes.
“Older Brother!” “Serena, ah!
Beautiful young ladies, welcome to the Imperial Castle.” His angelically white hair flowed like a beautiful river, and my heart pounds the moment I meet his folded eyes and the golden eyes within.
As I lower my gaze, my mind grows hazy at the enchanting…
that enchanting mole under his eye.
Lowering my gaze further, those light pink lips set against his pale white skin…
his lips!
Forgetting even to greet him, the young ladies just stared at the ground.
*** “Um…
Young ladies?” “Ah…
Ah!
W-We greet His Highness, the 1st Imperial Prince!” “Oppa!
This is Lady Daisy Elaine, Lady Laura Smith, and Lady Evelyn Hilenia!” “Ah, since you’re our Serena’s friends, there’s no need for such excessive etiquette.” “…” “Ahem…
shall we get going then?” ‘My Serena…
to think she already has so many friends…’ The outsider, with only one friend for 12 years, is shamefully jealous of his popular younger sister who has her arms linked with them.
‘I wish I had more friends too…’ With such idle thoughts, I escorted the young ladies to the tea table set by the lake.
Seeing the colorful refreshments on the tea table, I gave the Imperial Palace Patissier a mental thumbs up.
As we sat at the table, the servants poured herbal tea into our teacups.
“Hehe!
Thank you all for coming today!
Now, now!
Please eat as much as you like.” “Yes…
thank you, Your Highness.” Everyone was quiet.
‘Well, the Imperial Palace must be so unfamiliar.
At times like this, the elder should lighten the mood.’ “Lady Elaine, is Marquis Elaine doing well?” “Yes…?
Ah, yes!
He is doing very well!” “Haha, the quality of the perfumed oil from the Marquisate Elaine is impressive even to me.
Since it’s such high-quality oil, I use it often as well.” “Ah…
Ah!
Your Majesty’s grace is immeasurable!” “Now, now, I said there’s no need for such excessive etiquette.” “I-I’m sorr-!
No, thank you, Your Highness.” Hmm…
this is when building more rapport is needed.
“Perhaps it’s because you use good perfumed oil, but your hair has a nice luster.
Do you happen to use a daisy scent?
I use the same one.” “The same…
scent…
my…
fragrance.” “Young Lady?” “Y-Yesh…
nyehe…
hehe, I also use the daisy…
daisy scent.” Ah, she laughed.
The mood is good!
Excited by this, Serena’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“That’s right!
I use the perfumed oil often too, Daisy!” “Ah, thank you, Your Highness, hehe…” “Well, I use it because it’s good!” The other two young ladies, seemingly with nothing to say, just fiddled with their teacups.
‘How could I make such a mistake…
There is no feeling of alienation at this table!
Little sister, watch your older brother’s high-level communication and information gathering skills!’ “Lady Smith, I am always indebted to Count Smith.
As the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, he is a wonderful man who is always a role model for the knights.” At that, Lady Smith’s expression brightened and she smiled.
“Yes, that’s right!
He is always…
always a father to be proud of.” “He is worthy of pride.
Seeing your upright posture, I can feel your family’s dignity.” “Ahh…
thank you, Your Highness!” Lady Smith looked at me with a moved expression, but her gaze quickly returned to her teacup.
Hehe, you’re moved, aren’t you?
“Ah!
And I saw Count Hilenia at the Magic Tower not long ago.
He praised how pretty his child was, and seeing you today, I see it was true, Lady Hilenia.” “P-P-P…
Pretty?
Me…” “Mm!
Perhaps because you resemble your father, I can see a sharpness in your eyes.” “Your Majesty’s grace is immeasurable!” “My friends are pretty, right, Older Brother?” “Of course~ I bet they make all the young masters cry.” I think if this wasn’t a home run, it was at least a hit.
“Older Brother!
We want to do that thing, that thing!” ‘Alright…
it’s a special service.’ “Everyone, stand up!
Hurry!” At Serena’s urging, everyone looked bewildered.
“Y-Yes?
Your Highness, what are we…” Serena then led the bewildered young ladies to the edge of the lake.
“Hehe…
I will show you a demonstration first!” I cast magic on Serena, and she walked lightly across the lake’s surface.
It seems she’s maintaining her dignity in front of her friends.
‘If no one was watching, she would’ve been hopping around, hoho…’ Everyone stared in amazement at Serena’s eccentric behavior.
“Kyaa!
Your High…
ness?
Huh?” “Goodness!” “Walking on water?” “Everyone, come over here~” The young ladies hesitated despite Serena’s gesture.
Seeing that, I helped them join in the fun.
“Excuse me for a moment.” “Oh, oh…
Imperial Prince, your ha…
hand…” “It’s alright, just trust me.” I lightly held the young ladies’ hands and shoulders and sent them one by one toward Serena.
Then the four of them held hands and looked down at the lake below.
“Waaa…” “Goodness!” “Heehee, what do you think?
It’s beautiful, right?” I too stepped onto the lake and looked at the setting sun.
The sunset glow dyed the lake and its surroundings in an enchanting color, and with my back to it, I smiled with a sense of accomplishment.
“Ah…” “Haaa…” “…” I’m glad everyone seems to like it.
That night, the young ladies told their fathers they loved them and couldn’t sleep with their pounding hearts.