‘Everything is as planned.’

That phrase, almost like a code, meant to move according to the predetermined plan.

It was a deliberately ambiguous signal set in case Danae, who had been suspicious of my recent actions, was watching me.

Then the Duke lightly tapped the Star Sapphire medal with his fingertip. That meant ‘I understand.’

Having confirmed his signal, I unhesitatingly took my eyes off him. Then I followed Prince Justin, Duke Yusten, and Danae out of the grand banquet hall.

Duke Yusten, who had led Prince Justin out of the grand banquet hall, immediately hurried to prepare for the outing.

The coachman of the Duke’s house and the palace servants checked if the carriage was safe, and maids who received orders from the head servant brought long robes and offered them to us. As I put on the robe, I followed Prince Justin with my eyes.

Soon, I, the Prince, Duke Yusten, and Danae, who had finished preparing, got into the carriage together. Prince Justin’s guard knights also took their seats on the carriage’s footboard. Soon the carriage began to move slowly.

Then Danae, sitting next to the Prince, spoke to him in a coquettish voice.

“Is this Your Highness’s first visit to the Empire?”

“It is.”

“From what I know, to get from the Rasca Empire to the capital here, one must pass through 14 castles. Which of those castles did you find the most beautiful?”

“…Well. I don’t know the names of the castles exactly, so I can’t really answer that.”

Danae kept asking questions affectionately with her gentle hand on the Prince’s shoulder, but Prince Justin’s answers to those questions were quite curt. Knowing the reason for this, I laughed inwardly.

‘Prince Justin is uncomfortable with ladies in fancy attire with flashy appearances. After all, the current Empress Valeria, who subtly but consistently abused the young prince after his mother passed away early, is exactly that type of woman.’

It was truly amusing and ridiculous to see Danae clinging to Prince Justin and looking for an opportunity, unaware of this fact that was clearly mentioned in the Duke’s letter.

‘If you had taken the time to open the letters coming to the Duke instead of opening the letters Leonard sent to me, your father wouldn’t have ignored you like this.’

I swallowed those words and turned my gaze to the window.

Meanwhile, Danae, disappointed by the Prince’s indifferent reaction, closed her mouth with a sulky expression. The carriage drove quietly like that and stopped in front of the bustling area of the capital. Duke Yusten got out first, then Danae and I came down from the carriage, escorted by the knights. Lastly, as Prince Justin got out, his guard knight said.

“We will follow behind Your Highness, the Duke, and the Duke’s daughter while concealing our presence.”

Hearing this, Prince Justin seemed to think for a moment, then shook his head.

“No, that’s fine. I can protect myself well enough.

“…Pardon? But…”

“And if anything happens, the Duke will protect me. It would be uncomfortable to look around this place freely with you all here. So return to the palace first.”

“Understood.”

Soon the knights disappeared. Prince Justin, myself, and the Duke’s family put on the hoods that were lowered on our shoulders and walked down the main street of the capital lined with shops. Lively merchants displayed ornaments made of colored glass, plain dresses made of ordinary materials, ripe fruits and fragrant soaps, well-dried meat and slightly fishy fresh fish on their stalls, calling out to attract customers in loud voices.

“Here it is, right here! If you’re looking for the Empire’s finest soap, it’s right here!”

“You there, beautiful lady! Try on our dress! You’ll surely love it!”

The merchants sometimes blocked the way recklessly, and occasionally grabbed at clothing familiarly. Duke Yusten and Danae openly showed their displeasure at their behavior. In contrast, Prince Justin kept looking around here and there with curious eyes, sometimes stopping at shops.

I quietly approached Prince Justin, who had stopped in front of a weapon shop, and spoke to him.

“Do you like that sword?”

Prince Justin startled slightly, but after confirming it was me who spoke, he smiled slightly and answered.

“Yes. It’s very impressive. Unlike Rasca, I heard the Empire excels in the technology of refining iron and orichalcum to make swords and armor, and it seems to be true.”

Then he stroked the long, thin rapier blade with his fingertips. Slightly pressing my body close to Prince Justin’s side, I pointed to other swords and said.

“Hmm. In my opinion, I think the bastard sword or cutlass over there would suit Your High… I mean, Justin better than the rapier. The blade is thicker and longer than a rapier, so it’s sturdier and doesn’t slip as much when held.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. …Isn’t that right, Uncle?”

I turned my gaze to Duke Yusten and asked.

Then Duke Yusten, who had been looking at distant mountains with a bored expression, hurriedly changed his expression and answered.

“…Ah, oh. That’s right. A sword with a larger blade would be better for Your… Justin. A rapier is for stabbing the vital points of a careless opponent, while a bastard sword or cutlass is for cutting down the opponent.”

“As expected of you, Uncle. You know much better than I do.”

“Then why don’t you choose which one would suit me better? Now that I’ve come to the Empire, which produces the best weapons on the continent, I can’t leave without buying at least one.”

“Oh, of course! Let’s see…”

“Uncle, I think that bastard sword would be good, don’t you? What do you think, Your Highness?”

“Ah. It looks good. But I prefer the sword next to it?”

“As expected, you have a good eye, Justin. The blade is appropriately long, and it’s well-forged, ready for immediate use in actual combat.”

At Justin’s request, Duke Yusten quickly examined the sword hanging in the shop. I kept the conversation going by engaging with Duke Yusten and Prince Justin as they chose swords. As I intended, the two men were absorbed in conversation. I occasionally chimed in with a word or two, while discreetly glancing at Danae.

‘As expected.’

Danae had exactly the face I had anticipated.

I inwardly sneered at Danae, who was glaring at the three of us with her lower lip protruding like a child. She seemed considerably irritated by the sight of the three people conversing while completely excluding her. Moreover, she didn’t seem to like Prince Justin’s attitude of giving only short answers when she spoke to him, but responding friendly when I spoke to him.

It was a face typical of her, who truly believed that all men in the world should praise and admire her.

‘Not content with taking Leonard from me, now you’re coveting someone who might become engaged to the Princess.’

At this point, one might wonder if she has some strange preference. Or perhaps her moral sense has completely broken down due to an excessive desire to be loved.

After thoroughly mocking Danae inwardly, I turned my gaze to Prince Justin. And approaching close enough for our arms to touch, I said.

“If you’re really torn, why don’t you buy one of each? I’ll cover the cost. Is that alright, Uncle?”

“Oh, that would work! Justin, let’s do that.”

“Thank you, Lady Christine. I’d like to return your kindness as well. What kind of jewels do you like, Lady Christine? Do you perhaps like emeralds?”

“Oh, of course. …But the emeralds of the Rasca Empire are among the most precious gems on the continent. Is it really alright to give one to me?”

“It’s a small token compared to the swords Lady Christine has gifted me. After we return to the palace, I’ll instruct a servant to select a nice emerald.”

“Thank you, Justin. I’ll gladly accept the gift from such an esteemed person.”

I bowed deeply towards Prince Justin.

In truth, there was no need to bow so deeply, but if I didn’t, Prince Justin might find my face strange, contorted from trying to hold back laughter. I bit the soft flesh inside my mouth painfully and glanced sideways at Danae. Her pretty face, distorted with jealousy, was quite a sight to see.

‘Now, just like in my previous life, that child who can’t contain her jealousy will make a move.’

I made that assumption and counted inwardly.

“Um, Justin! There’s another weapon shop over there!”

“Uh…!”

And as expected, Danae pointed to another weapon shop and pulled on the Prince’s arm. Prince Justin was dragged along by her strong hand, wearing a bewildered expression.

It was then that it happened.

Danae, who wasn’t watching where she was going properly, and a fisherman walking while carrying a huge wooden tub full of freshly caught fish collided head-on.

“Ah, ah!”

“Justin!”

“Kyaaak!”

“Justin! Danae!”

At that moment, the fish and salty seawater in the huge wooden tub the fisherman was carrying poured over Prince Justin and Danae.

Danae let out a piercing scream, and at the sound, Duke Yusten, who had been choosing a sword, rushed out of the shop urgently. The previously peaceful market became chaotic in an instant.

I approached Prince Justin and Danae, who were completely soaked, pretending to be surprised, and said.

“Justin, are you alright? Are you okay, Danae?”

“…I’m fine,”

“…”

Prince Justin said, frowning as he wiped his face with the dry part of his robe. The Prince’s wet body reeked of salty seawater and fishy smell. I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and handed it to him, then turned my gaze to Danae.

Like the Prince, she was completely soaked with smelly water, glaring at the fisherman who had fallen to the ground with a fierce expression. Soon, a roar burst from her.