Jade Elizabeth Perun Prussel
Guided by Cayley, the two walked down the hallway.
The hallway, filled with an indescribable atmosphere, had fewer people than usual.
"This is strange."
"Huh? What is?"
Rudell tilted his head at Leje's sudden remark.
"The Princess, I mean, someone like her usually makes a grand entrance, right?"
"Now that you mention it, it is a bit odd..."
She was not just anyone, but a member of the royal family.
Moreover, as the leading candidate for the next monarch, her every move was bound to become an event in itself.
Even if that weren't the case, it would be normal for the academy to hold a welcoming ceremony.
However, there was no welcoming ceremony, and apart from a slightly smaller number of people passing by, the atmosphere within the academy was not much different from usual.
It was as if no one knew about the Princess's arrival...
"Why else would it be? It's because Her Highness asked people not to make it known."
It was none other than Cayley who answered their question.
"The Princess did? Why?"
"Well... I think it's best to ask her directly, don't you?"
"Ugh, it's not like it'll hurt to tell us."
Leje grumbled in response to Cayley's answer, and Cayley responded with a faint smile.
As they walked down the hallway, the three arrived at a large door.
"Are you both ready?"
"Yes."
"Yes."
The two nodded at Cayley's question.
The Princess is beyond this door...
"Whew..."
"Are you nervous?"
"Of course, wouldn't it be strange if I wasn't?"
It was the Princess, after all.
In terms of hierarchy, she was the highest-ranking person in the kingdom, except for the King.
If they weren't nervous about meeting such a person directly, it would mean one of two things:
Either they were fearless or incredibly foolish.
"I'm not really nervous, though."
"Yeah, we just have to treat her normally, right?"
"Ahahaha..."
That's easy for you to say...
Rudell swallowed those words and let out an awkward laugh.
Both of them were princesses from the most prestigious families in the kingdom.
Naturally, the pressure he, a Viscount's Young Master, felt was worlds apart from the pressure they felt.
"Just in case, don't be disrespectful to Her Highness."
Cayley, who was approaching the door, stopped for a moment, then turned her head and narrowed her eyes.
"I know, who do you think I am?"
"I'm not worried about Young Master Weinstein, I'm saying this because of you."
"Huh!? What about me!"
"It's because of things like this."
Cayley said in a calm voice in response to her indignant shout.
An honest and straightforward personality.
It might appear charismatic to those of lower status, but it was a personality that was bound to cause trouble when dealing with those of higher status.
"Don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on her so she doesn't cause any trouble."
"Hey!"
"Keep your voice down, the Princess is right behind us."
"Ugh..."
"As expected of Young Master Weinstein."
Cayley let out a satisfied chuckle as she watched Leje, who was rendered speechless by Rudell's retort.
"Ugh, just you wait."
"Yes, yes, I'll gladly keep you company later."
Rudell replied to Leje, who glared at him as if to say, "Just you wait"...
"Alright, time's up. You two, do your best."
"Okay."
"Whew..."
Following Cayley's words, Leje changed her expression and nodded. Cayley approached the door and knocked.
At the same time, the door slowly began to open, and the two, with nervous expressions, stepped into the room.
"Welcome, you two. I've been waiting."
And the Princess of the Prusel Kingdom, Jade Elizabeth Perun Prussel, who was sitting at the table, greeted them.
* * *
A gentle yet dignified impression, with long, light purple hair mixed with blue.
Her violet eyes, set beneath her snow-white skin, created a noble and mystical atmosphere.
"We greet Her Highness the Princess."
The two, standing before her, knelt on one knee in unison.
"I've heard a lot about you from Cayley. Would you both please raise your heads?"
Following her words, Rudell and Leje raised their heads, and Jade carefully examined their faces.
"It's been a while, Princess Lagrind. The last time we saw each other was seven years ago, wasn't it?"
"I believe so."
"And you are... the Young Master of the Weinstein Viscounty."
"It is a great honor that you recognize a humble Viscount's Young Master."
"I was curious about what kind of person you were since Cayley spoke highly of you, and it seems she was right."
"Your praise is too much. Thank you."
Jade let out a low chuckle as she watched Rudell bow his head once more.
"As you both may already know, you two will be in charge of my escort for today. You are aware of this, right?"
Saying so, Jade looked at the woman standing beside her.
She was about a head taller than Leje, with short, refreshing blue hair and a white bridge as a highlight.
Her sharp features, combined with her red eyes, held an openly uncomfortable expression.
It wasn't the attitude one should have before the Princess, but considering her position and the current situation, it wasn't that surprising.
Her name was Ferris.
She was not from a noble family but a commoner who had been by Jade's side for a long time, her knight escort.
And she was also the person who would later become known as another Sword Saint alongside Leje.
"Your Highness, I must say again that I object to this."
"Ferris..."
Jade let out a short sigh and put down her teacup as she looked at Ferris, who spoke in a firm voice.
"You know I don't doubt your skills."
"Then why...!!"
"I told you, you stand out too much..."
Her blue hair was quite striking even by this world's standards.
She was already well-known for her reputation as a commoner who became the Princess's knight escort.
Her presence served as a kind of sign, proving that the girl beside her was Jade.
"What I want today is to blend in naturally among the people. But what would happen if you were by my side?"
"B-But, Your Highness..."
"No means no. I cannot yield on this today."
Faced with Jade's firm voice, Ferris looked as if she was about to burst into tears.
But only for a moment.
She then hardened her expression and shouted at Rudell and Leje.
"I cannot accept this! How can the two of you protect Her Highness!?"
"...!?"
"Huh...?"
At the same time, a dumbfounded voice escaped Leje's lips.
'This is bad...!!'
As he watched the scene unfold, cold sweat began to form on Rudell's forehead.
She may not have intended it, but her statement was enough to bruise Leje's pride.
Leje, with her high self-esteem, could never tolerate being looked down upon.
"..."
Rudell couldn't hide his anxiety as he watched Leje glare at Ferris as if she were about to devour her, and he prayed inwardly that she wouldn't cause any trouble.
However, as he watched Leje's expression crumple in real-time, just as Rudell was about to speak out of desperation...
"Ferris."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Ferris turned her head at the sound of Jade's calm, composed voice.
"Y-Your Highness...?"
Then, a look of bewilderment appeared on Ferris's face as she saw Jade smiling brightly.
It was only natural, because although her face was smiling, the atmosphere she exuded was not at all like that.
"They are the ones I personally asked Cayley to recommend and appoint. Would it be alright to assume that doubting their abilities is doubting my judgment in appointing them?"
They say a smiling person is scarier when they get angry.
Jade, standing before them, was exactly like that.
Her face was smiling, but the pressure she emanated from behind was no less than anger.
"N-No... Your Highness, that's not what I meant..."
Completely overwhelmed by Jade's demeanor, Ferris stammered, but Jade smiled and said to her.
"I won't hear any more objections. You are to wait here."
"U-Understood..."
Ferris couldn't say anything more in the face of Jade's firm attitude, and Jade let out a short sigh and turned to Rudell and Leje with a gentle smile.
"Then, do you have any more questions?"
"N-No."
"No... we don't."
Leje and Rudell shook their heads at her question.
In fact, in this kind of atmosphere, it would be wise to say no even if they did.
"Good."
Seeming satisfied with their answers, Jade rose from her seat.
"Then, please take good care of me today, you two."
And she slowly held the hem of her skirt and bowed lightly.
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