Formerly, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke

44. People Not in the Future

Claire, who boarded the carriage at Vique’s escort, sat down next to him.

A glimpse of that figure, Veek says like a blindfold.

“You’re wearing proper shoes today.”

“Please don’t say mean. Yesterday, it was the first time I really went into the ocean. I’d be surprised if your brother asked…. keep it to yourself, Your Highness.”

“… oh”

On Claire’s pranky look, the carriage moved where Vik smiled gently.

“… nearby, I heard that the Martino family is a national fame in Noston”

“Some of you say that. But I don’t think it’s my business anymore.”

I’m not being overly humble, nor is it a tone that degrades me. Vik is surprised at Claire’s clear expression, far from what she’s talking about.

“Doesn’t matter, does it? That’s a pretty good idea.”

It’s not disgusting, Vik is an impressive mouthpiece.

“Pfft. Perhaps after two years of study abroad at the Royal School, there will be no place for me to return home. We want to lay a solid foundation so that we can still live in the Paft country after studying abroad.”

“… So, Translation Ali, huh?… even though the King Noston family has asked to be treated as a guest, that happens.”

Claire hesitated for a moment to tell the truth. but today i also had the exhilaration of being invited by viek and i was in the mood to go into more detail.

“I have one pretty sister…. that she is very good. … I was engaged to His Royal Highness Prince Asberto, First Prince of the Noston Nation. But this time, for the sake of the country, we’re switching our fiancée with our sister, and we’re going to Papeet country to get the world ready.”

“… was that so? But it also seems that His Highness Asberto’s concern goes beyond making amends that led to the dissolution of his engagement.”

“That’s really… I’m sorry. As I said yesterday, don’t forget”

Claire didn’t know how to answer Vik, who imagines a special thought from Asberto to Claire.

“No, I’ll tell you no misunderstandings, but in our country we’re going to get you a room in the royal palace. … it would be best to preserve the face of the Noston State and the Duke of Martino”

Claire was in a strange mood as she spoke to 15-year-old Vike. Clear intentions, judgment, and tenderness that didn’t go too deep were little different from those of Veek, nearly 17, whom Claire knew well.

(Speaking of which, I think Lewis said someday. “I live with the heavy responsibility of being royal at that young age,” he said)

“Thank you,… I’ll be leaving when most of it cools down”

Claire lays down her face sorry.

“No, you don’t have to do that…. With you in the royal palace, it seems a little interesting.”

The moment Veek turned his face out the window and said so, the carriage suddenly rocked.

rattling.

Gacon, Gacon, Gatan.

After a severe shake continues, the carriage stops.

“Vik, it’s okay!?

We stopped after shaking too hard, so this wasn’t because of the bad road. In a bandit or some kind of raid, Claire warned.

“Ah…… oh”

Having regained his posture, Veek looks a little upset by Claire’s voice.

(Is that it?…… Ah!

“Also, I’m sorry, Your Highness. I was in a hurry to see if you were all right.”

Claire, realizing that she had abandoned him in disdain, blues disrespectfully and apologizes.

“Come on, don’t worry about it”

Keith shows his face out the window where the blue Claire and the reddened Veek have made the inside of the carriage unspeakably subtle air.

“Bad. Are you both okay? There’s still going to be a bad road for a while.”

“… no problem”

Veek replied, fanning patterned with his face with his hands.

―――――

Three days later.

One line arrived at the castle town of Woltz, the king’s capital.

Along the streets of Castle Town, the people are waving in line. Next to Veek, who opens the window and responds to the cheer, Claire was feeling uncomfortable.

(I can’t be here right now…!

As a matter of fact, Claire wasn’t just going to be on day one, she was going to be on day two, she was going to be on day three, and she was going to be on Veek’s carriage today.

The beauty of Claire’s appearance was also added to the fact that the two were of the same age, and it became a well-known fact that in the line, Claire was Veek’s favorite. King Noston and Claire’s brother, Oscar, were susceptible to an unexpected and strong connection to the Pfeite nation.

He was Claire, who praised his excess treatment, but there was nothing he could do but consolidate himself around the prince of the Pfeet kingdom, his elder brother, and his accompanying knights. While Claire felt awkward, she had a sincerely pleasant four days to the Wang Capital.

“Thank you, Your Highness”

As we descended the carriage in Vique’s escort, in front of the royal castle, the ministers and nobles of the Pfeite country welcomed us.

Most of them are faces that Claire knows.

but one of them, someone Claire has never seen before in the nobility of the Puffett country who is taking the initiative to greet King Noston or Oscar.

(I wonder who that is. from outfits and medals, although they look fairly high)

When Claire was wondering, Vique turned to him and said:

“Brother! You picked me up. Thank you.”

(… brother!?

Claire made her eyes black and white. Because as far as Claire knows, Veek shouldn’t have a brother.

“Well done, Your Highness.”

“Brother, thank you for taking on my absence.”

Claire observes the two of them having a conversation, but the interaction felt somewhere marginal.

Miss Claire, this is my brother, His Royal Highness Oswald.

Claire greets him after being introduced by Veek to Oswald.

“Nice to meet you. I’m from the Duke of Martino, Noston, my name is Claire.”

“I’m Oswald, the second prince of the Paft Nation. I didn’t know international students would be so beautiful to accept at the Royal Palace.”

Whereas Veek’s hair is platinum blonde, Oswald’s hair color is reddish and her eyes are lightly bluished grey. Far from looking like a brother, but the elegant smile directed at Claire looked just like Veek.

(Your brother, but the second prince…)

Claire therefore guessed the reason for the relationship between the two other men’s demeanor.

Vik says, turning to Claire.

“Let me show the royal palace maid after this…. here I am”

“Yes. Thank you for getting this far. It was a lot of fun. Next thing you know, you’re going to meet the Royal School.”

Add a goodbye greeting to Claire, who stares into Veek’s eyes with the thought of sparing a frequent goodbye, with a voice the size of which Veek is not heard around either.

“Oh. Right. Looking forward to seeing you.”

Me too, Your Highness.

To the words, Claire returned with a full smile.