Aloof King and Cool (Acting) Queen

It takes about three days on horse to travel from Orania to Caspar.

According to this world’s sense, it’s a distance that is neither near nor far.

Approximately one month passed since I began to receive royal training, but I had only spoken the necessary minimum with Alex.

I’m recently in a situation where I mostly need to stay in the palace and it seems like Alex does not return to the house either.

I originally did not dislike studying.

Therefore, studying the history or economy of this world is fun.

But there was one problem.

“Move your feet more smoothly. Be careful as far as the tip of your toe.”

The teacher’s encouragements are also springing in the dance lessons today.

I cannot move devastatingly.

In the first place, I think it’s unreasonable to insist on making me do motions that draw out feminine charm.

The teacher’s irritation is also increasing every day at my poor progress, and I apologized to the apprentice who’s accompanying me in practice.

One day, the teacher made a certain proposal.

“I asked a certain someone to be your partner today. He is near Haruto-sama’s age and is accustomed to high society, so he will be able to lead with composure.”

Surprisingly, the person intoduced as such and came into the room was Urie.

“It’s been a while, Haruto. I’ve been thinking I haven’t come across you in the garden recently, it seems like a serious thing has happened. If it’s something I can do, allow me to cooperate.”

Urie says so while smiling but I’m absolutely sure he finds this amusing.

The way the corners of his mouth rise is unnatural.

“Well then, your hand please. With this, being a ‘young lady’ is no longer a joke, right?”

I delivered a knee kick to Urie who wasn’t able to endure it and finally laughed.

***

I started practicing with Urie and my dance came to shape at last.

“I have something to discuss with you today, Haruto.”

Urie spoke at the end of the practice.

“Actually, I will be delivering the magic potion that changes Haruto’s coloring. Did you hear that the potion originally cannot be preserved for a long time? It’s because it’s a technology still in the middle of research. After a while, the effect of the magic will wore off. Therefore it’s necessary to deliver the magic potion once a month. Well, we can have it sent but when thinking about the risk of having the contents seen, it’s better for a person who knows the situation to personally deliver it. Then, considering someone with the social position who can have a personal audience with a foreign country’s Queen and taking into account all kinds of things, I was chosen.”

“Really? Thank you. But will it be alright with your job, Urie?”

He recently became the Knight Order’s squad leader recently, I heard he was a young man placed with expectations.

It didn’t seem good for a person of such status to leave the country regularly.

“That being the case, Prince Alexis made a transfer magic. It can jump until the vicinity of Orania’s border so half a day is sufficient. Therefore it’s alright.”

I thought Alex has been busy these days but I never expected that he was doing such thing.

Alex is also supporting me so I must also exert myself more, I thought as I renewed my determination.

==

20. Being “Cold” Is...

Only ten days are left until I leave this country.

That day, I was looking at the night sky from the window of my room in the royal castle.

I feel like the sky is constant in both the former world and in this world. I look up at the sky whenever I have free time.

It’s probably fortunate that I wasn’t originally knowledgeable on constellations.

Alex visited my room on a night like that.

“Haruto, you seemed busy lately. Are you free right now?”

“Yeah. What’s wrong?”

“I made a promise before, didn’t I? It’s about your name. The day after tomorrow will be your introduction after all.”

I heard from Urie that Alex overworked himself in various ways for my sake, so I’m happy that he still thought of it earnestly in the middle of all that.

Besides that, even though only my existence was conveyed to the citizens, it was also revealed that the female with Urie in the rumors was me.

Among the citizens, it became a sad story where I have to part with the person I love and marry into Caspar for the sake of the country.

“Can I ask what it is?”

I’m quite nervous.

“Yeah. How about 『Shane』? In the ancient language of Orannia, it means “to become sunny”. I was thinking that I want Haruto to remain cheerful even if you’ll go to Caspar.”

I did not tell Alex what my name meant.

Still, for it to have the same meaning, I was filled with feelings of gratitude.

“Thank you. My name Haruto also holds the meaning “to clear up”. That’s why, you can say it’s easy to get familiar with. Anyway, I’m really happy. I’m truly thankful.”

When I expressed my gratitude just like that, Alex looked somewhat embarrassed. However, he suddenly made a serious expression and inquired.

“Haruto, you’re straight, right? So you’re not thinking that you want to get close to the Caspar King, are you?”

I nodded at his obviously natural question.

“If that’s the case, I think you must aim for a relationship with the Caspar King where you’re neither hated nor liked. Therefore I read this and studied.”

On Alex’s hand was a book where the words 『The Characteristics of A Woman Who Only See You As A Friend』 were written.

“This book states things like 『She’s independent.』 and 『She’s frank.』. In addition, Haruto’s smile is intensely adorable so you shouldn’t show it too much. However much the Caspar KIng likes women, seeing that smile everyday will have an adverse effect. In other words, Haruto should aim to become 『cool (calm and collected)』. That’s my interpretation.”

How’s that? Alex asked.

I had some doubts but it will certainly be a problem if I became too intimate with the Caspar King, so it might also be a good idea.

“I see. It’s probably a good idea.”

Laughter spilled unconsciously.

When I think about the few remaining moments I can laugh light-heartedly with Alex like this, loneliness wells up.

I ended up clinging to Alex.

It’s to conceal the sudden tears that almost spilled. I did it while making up an excuse.

And the day I leave Orannia came at last.

==

21. Parting

On the day I leave Orannia, the King declared it a special holiday and all the people in the country had a day off.

Even everyone engaging in financial-related businesses and the service industry stopped working for the day. That much people made a pathway of flowers in the country’s main road for my sake.

In the royal palace, the only ones left behind were the country’s administration, the Knights from Caspar who came to pick me up and the lady attendants welcoming them.

I, the King, Alfred-sama and Alex, together with the delegation from Caspar were waiting for the appointed time.

The maids waiting on us were given a day off today, too, so Alfred-sama served the tea.

“Hereafter, Haruto-kun will bear extraordinary hardships. However, for the sake of everyone in Orannia, I hope you to please endure as a member of the royal family. We also intend to do whatever we can. I ask this of you.”

“Yes. I will do whatever it is I can do to the best of my abilities.”

The King and I confirmed our intentions with each other once again and shook hands.

“Think of me as your real older brother and if something tough happens, please contact me anytime, alright? My best regards.”

“Yes. Thank you very much.”

I asked Alfred-sama to instruct me on swordsmanship.

I exchanged words with him while remembering his unsparing figure at that time.

“Haruto, you can return whenever you want. Don’t do the impossible. And be sure to carry out the strategy from last time.”

“I don’t know if it will turn out well but I’ll take a chance on it. I’m really thankful for everything until now. I’ll do my best.”

The memories that I spent with Alex for 5 years overflowed, but tears didn’t flow anymore.

The time arrived and the Prime Minister came to call us.

“Alright, shall we go then? Are you done with the preparations, Shane?”

“Yes, Uncle.”

From this moment on, from 『Haruto』, I have become 『Shane』.

Urie came when I went out of the room.

Urie cleverly utilized the recent confusion and seemed to have become lovers with the person of his heart at last.

“Therefore, you can freely get married without worrying about me.”

The encouragement I received from Urie is still fresh in my memories.

“Urie-sama, you came. Thank you very much.”

When I talked as Shane, as expected, Urie fondly looked at me as if he was somewhat sad.

“No, Shane-sama. You are even more beautiful today.”

“Thank you. It is something of a battle dress.”

While smiling wryly, I held out a hand to give a last handshake.

Urie, who took my hand, pulled me into his arms just like that and whispered close to my ear.

“Take care, Haruto. I’ll go over to visit so do you best.”

“Thanks. I’m off.”

I answered so, and both of us went for an audience with the King.

During the audience, there were already two people present.

The two of them introduced themselves by the King’s prompt.

“I am meeting you for the first time. I hold the responsibility of acting as an aide to the King of Caspar. My name is Kristoff. We have received a good match this time, Caspar’s gratitude will never be exhausted.”

Kristoff-sama‘s appearance make him appear methodical but he’s probably still around 20’s.

So Caspar is a country with merit principle, while I felt admiration, another person lifted his head.

“I serve as the Knight Commander in Caspar. My name is Eckart. We, the Caspar Chivalric Order, are responsible for escorting the Princess so please be relieved.”

The Knight Commander who said that is around mid-40’s and indeed has the air of a military man. His unrefined appearance inspires a sense of security instead.

Thus, after some discussions with the King, we went outside the royal palace.

It was a clear weather, the sky was cloudless.

It’s the same color as my dress today.

The present I transformed using the magic potion Alex made—with a fluffy light gray hair and purple eyes, wearing a sky blue dress.

A floral ornament, which every one of my coworkers from the garden made, was attached on the dress’ chest part.

Alex, the King, Alfred-sama, Urie and the people left in the palace came out to see us off.

Towards those people, I shouted “See you!” in a loud voice and bowed my head.

It might be improper as the princess of a country, but please permit me in this final moment.

Then, I borrowed the hand of the Knight Commander and climbed the carriage.

Kristoff-sama sat in front diagonally.

When we passed through the palace gates, everyone from the garden were lined up along the road.

I waved my hand inevitably.

Even afterwards, an unbelievably large amount of people formed rows.

Kristoff-sama, who watched that situation with me, said, “It’s a good country.”

“Yes. It’s a beautiful, kind country.”

I barely answered so.

I’ll cry if I speak too much.

I braced myself to carry out Alex’s 『cool strategy』.

Thus, after the trip by a long carriage, I arrived at Caspar.