The air in the Princess's chamber was tense.

I wondered if I was the only one feeling it, but seeing the Princess's face, which looked like she was about to explode, brought a slight sense of relief. However, the atmosphere of the room wasn't one that could be eased simply by feeling reassured.

"...What?"

The gardener’s voice grew sharp after hearing the Princess's words. It was so piercing that a chill ran down my spine the moment I heard it.

And it wasn’t just that; it felt as though the usual Outer Gods were about to pop out and throw in their two cents.

“Uh, um, may I ask what exactly I did wrong?”

Responding to them individually would have been tedious, so I casually tossed out a comment to quell their anger.

I figured it would convey that, while I wasn’t being rude, I wasn’t particularly interested in what they had to say either.

"Yes? Oh, um..."

Fortunately, the Princess only blushed, unable to respond properly. Thanks to that, I could almost hear a collective sigh of relief from the Outer Gods.

Yeah, that’s right, everyone.

I'm on your side.

I silently hoped the Princess would just let me leave, but reality wasn’t that kind.

"Well... because I want to talk to you?"

The Princess responded to my ambiguous question with an equally vague answer.

"...What?"

“Isn’t it obvious? Tanton, you reject all the rewards I offer, and I have a lot to say!”

...Your Highness, please, could you just get to the point when you speak?

My mind was in absolute chaos.

It was all so confusing that I couldn’t even begin to put it into words!

At least the indirectness made things a bit easier to handle.

"If that's the case... I truly haven’t done anything worthy of such rewards."

“Then who else deserves a reward for all you’ve done? The other knights receive theirs for even a tenth of what you accomplish!”

A tenth, huh?

Still, the difference between me and those knights is that I have Coward Mode, a bit of a cheat, while they achieved their results through their own efforts.

Of course, explaining that would probably make little sense to anyone.

"We’re not the same."

So I kept it simple.

The subtext being that, compared to their efforts, I was falling short.

Yet, for some reason, my response seemed to fluster the Princess, and she turned red again.

Why now, of all times?

Swallowing hard, I braced myself for her next words, hoping she wouldn’t say anything that could be misconstrued.

"...Yes, Tanton is indeed different from the others."

At last, the Princess opened her mouth to speak.

"Or could it be... despite your denials, you’re actually aiming for something greater?"

The conversation seemed to be veering off in a strange direction.

“A, absolutely not…”

“But when I consider all that you've done, there’s nothing I could offer that would be worthy. If you’d even turn down an honorary title…”

With that, the Princess gently wrapped her arms around herself, a slight smile forming on her lips.

“…Perhaps marriage into the royal family is your goal?”

And with those words, my mind exploded.

"...Your Highness."

"Yes?"

"...Did you know?"

"Of course not."

“…Then how do you explain your current posture!”

My mind had blacked out momentarily, overwhelmed by the uproar from the Outer Gods.

Yet, in that brief moment, the Princess had placed my head on her lap.

As if she knew her words had been the cause!

"...Which flowerpot would be best?”

“Remove the flowerpot. I shall not let my husband amuse himself elsewhere. Now, bring me a rope of dragon hide…”

Argh!

They’re still in an uproar!

Meanwhile, the chef, oddly quiet, seemed to be projecting a strange sense of disdain.

I dreaded what backlash might follow.

"I knew Tanton was connected to them through the horn, but I didn’t realize you were in such constant contact.”

The Princess’s gaze shifted slightly as she spoke.

"And… Tanton, isn’t this your chance to ask for what you want? Since, technically, I owe you… I should grant it."

Was she out to get me today?

Why was she stirring things up like this?

Your remarks are about to make the Outer Gods burst out!

Unlike before, this time, though her face reddened, there was no hint of wavering.

“Or… am I perhaps not to your taste?”

She even brought out that trump card?!

If I agreed, it would mean severing ties with the royal family; if I refused, the Outer Gods might bind me up and whisk me away.

“Y-your Highness. Could I have some time to think about it?”

Thus, I employed the most persuasive tactic in interpersonal relations.

Delaying.

By saying I needed time to fully consider my answer, I indirectly suggested that a hasty decision would benefit neither of us.

In other words, it was the best way to buy time.

“Yes?”

Even the Princess seemed unprepared for this response, her expression blank for a moment.

“Your Highness, it’s not that I dislike you. It’s just that I’m merely a knight. If a knight like me were to be in such a relationship with you, it would cause quite a stir. It would have to be a secret, and even then, it would be risky.”

“Well… that’s one way to put it…”

I thought I heard something strange, but I chalked it up to my imagination.

“Therefore, once the situation is completely settled, once I succeed in saving Londan, then I’ll give you an answer. By then, I’ll be able to respond with certainty.”

It sounded hopeful, but it also implied I might still refuse when the time came.

While it had the downside of making her wait, the alternative of outright rejection would snowball into greater complications, so I’d rather bear the blame.

Hearing my words, the Princess seemed to ponder them, twisting her lips thoughtfully.

Soon, she snapped her fingers, as if she’d made up her mind.

“In that case, visit my chambers once a week. That should help you solidify your feelings, right?”

Wait, how did it come to this?

I felt like I was being manipulated, but as it was a royal command, I had no choice but to comply.

Yet, why did the Princess seem even more enthusiastic than I was?

“I have one question.”

“Yes?”

“This is supposed to be my reward, so why does it feel like you’re more invested in it than I am…?”

For some reason, the Princess’s hair seemed to float slightly in the air as she heard my words.

She took a deep breath, then abruptly stood and pushed me out.

“J-just take it as that for now! That’s all I have to say!”

What in the world…

Why was she acting like this?

Oh, wait a second.

There was one thing I’d almost forgotten.

I raised my hand as I reached the door of her chamber.

“Your Highness! There’s one last thing I’d like to ask!”

“What is it?!”

Her tone implied she was eager for me to leave.

She’d told me not to leave before, yet now she wanted me gone as soon as possible.

I couldn’t make sense of it.

“Earlier… did Sir Martial God seem alright?”

I couldn’t ask directly, so I gently voiced my concern to the Princess.

She quelled her urgent tone and seemed to recall earlier events.

“No, there didn’t seem to be anything unusual.”

After leaving the Princess’s chamber, I felt a mix of frustration and resignation.

Once a week, I’d have to visit the Princess’s chambers.

Even going once a year made me anxious, but now…

It may be easy for her to brush off, being royalty and all, but it’s nerve-wracking for those of us lower down.

When I think of soldiers casually encountering high-ranking officials at the Royal Guards, I can’t imagine how they managed their military life.

Well, whatever.

So, the Princess didn’t notice anything unusual.

I had hoped that, like Asty, the Princess, as a half-Entity, might see something different.

Or perhaps it was all just my imagination?

I was scratching my head, getting ready to return to the knights' headquarters.

“Stay back!”

Suddenly, a piercing voice echoed from below, unmistakably from the direction of the knights’ headquarters.

That meant it was the Commander’s voice.

Could something have happened?

I rushed down the dangerous stairs and hurried toward the Vice Commander’s office.

As I got closer, a tense silence filled the air.

Usually, there’d be the sound of the Vice Commander shuffling through paperwork.

Something had clearly occurred.

Should I knock? No, there’s no time for that.

I turned the door handle and stepped inside.

“Is everyone alright?!”

As I entered, I was stunned.

The Vice Commander’s eyes were wide with surprise.

The Martial God was scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

And in the corner, wrapped up and huddling, was the Commander.