Reunion III

“… Is it okay for me to do that?”

He changed the tone again.

“Well …… Your Highness, what kind of thing would you gain from that if not?”

“….”

“Would you mind giving the opportunity for those involved in national affairs to study at the university in the Duke of Almeria?”

I laugh at his question.

“…… It seems to me that politics and national administration are greatly different from we learn in the Duke of Almeria’s university, even if they learn there, will it be useful to serve at the national government? ….”

“From now on, it is important that they acquire a real sense of what is administration and management of territories from seeing the condition and management of a territory directly … Also, what you can learn at the university is not limited to the government. So it’s something they definitely should do.”

“…… I see, but it’s very regrettable …… I do not have enough people to teach in my territory yet… and it is very difficult to accept people involved in government affairs …. “

“I will not say it to everyone, so it should be fine if someone that learns there turns out to manage government affairs in the same way as your territory … it would be best if I say to others that they leave for a certain period of time to study abroad.”

“Well, it should be okay depending on how many people you’ll send me to learn there and for how long, but … let’s check with the school direction first.”

“… I appreciate it.”

“If possible, please tell this to Bern. Because soon he will become the lord and he needs to know how to managed all this from now on. “

“… Do you plan to return the position of acting as a lord?”

“Yeah … I’m a woman, so I will be sent to marry him soon.”

Those were words that came out of my mouth without consciousness.

In my head, it’s an already decided matter…. it’s just that my feelings are not catching up.

That is why, such words came out from my mouth as if it’s natural.

He reacted intensely to those words.

“… Are you planning to accept that proposal?”

He asked me with a serious expression.

I got a shock from it. The Acacia kingdom’s Prince … it is certain that he will take the throne and he is interested on taking me as wife to help him achieve that, so it’s natural that he will come looking for me soon.

And… Am I not of age already to settle down?

“… Yeah”

Thinking … I know I can’t hide it after all.. so I answered him, as if to squeeze out those words.

“Is that so……”

To my answer, he said that while looking at the floor.

It is neither an affirmation nor denial, nothing at all … It may be that he just reacted from surprise but didn’t mean anything from it.

But, I’m sure, he was shocked and… Sorrow.

…… Why are you so selfish?

Even though you gave me guidance and help while in the territory, but you have pushed me away now that you’re a prince! So don’t be so selfish to not let me go! I’m sorry I decided without permission from the royal family… but I am angry at you Dean.

Thought… I can’t say it …

Somewhere in my heart I expected him to stop me.

Keep me locked at his side… I wish that from him.

I felt sickness from his “thoughtful” and selfish answer.

“…is something wrong?”

It was the second time that I was asked if something was wrong at this tea ceremony.

Although it is a tea ceremony between a Prince and Duke, it’s a proof that I am overly distracted with my feelings.

“I’m very sorry … Your highness, will you ever be more than that to me?”

“Huh……”

“I am sorry, I am really sorry… I must have been sick this time.”

While I said so, I got up.

Then I bowed and left the place as if escaping from him.