Chapter 23
The Beberia royal family was thrown into chaos.
They had already heard that the Crown Prince was coming to meet a mage, but since they were told he would only meet the mage and leave, they had been at ease.
However, when a letter suddenly arrived stating that he would visit the royal palace, they had to hurriedly prepare to receive a distinguished guest.
“They say he’ll arrive this afternoon! The kitchen has only the finest ingredients today, right?”
“Yes!”
“Is the banquet hall perfectly prepared?”
“It’s being prepared!”
For several days and nights, the Kingdom of Beberia polished and scrubbed everything until, on the morning of their arrival, they finally completed preparations to welcome the guests.
But amidst the nervous flurry of others, there was one person brimming with excitement.
That person was Princess Dorothy Beberia, the twenty-one-year-old princess of the Kingdom of Beberia.
“Father! It’s true that His Highness the Crown Prince doesn’t have a fiancée yet, right?”
Princess Dorothy, with her blonde hair and blue eyes, was the kingdom’s greatest beauty.
Though she had never been to other countries, she was a naïve young lady who firmly believed she must be the most beautiful in the world.
“That’s true, but his fiancée is accompanying him on this trip…”
“She’s not officially his fiancée!”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“And a woman who’s been divorced four times? She’s not suited for His Highness the Crown Prince!”
The King of Beberia, hoping his immature daughter wouldn’t cause trouble, tried to reason with her.
“Didn’t they say His Highness personally
courted her? What more can you do?”
“You never know until you try.”
‘ Oh, this is bad.’
His daughter was already burning with competitive spirit. The King of Beberia touched his forehead.
Of course, he adored his youngest daughter, but once she set her mind on something, she charged forward like a rhinoceros, causing no small amount of headaches.
“Fine, do as you please…”
“Haha! Thank you, Father!”
It might not be a bad thing for her to get a sharp lesson this time. The King of Beberia knew well that raising a child properly didn’t always mean giving them carrots.
“Your Majesty! His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived in the capital!”
Just then, a servant announced that the Crown Prince’s party had reached the capital, and the King hurriedly rose from his seat.
“Prepare without any mistakes!”
“Yes!”
While the King of Beberia and his household were caught in a whirlwind of activity, Princess Dorothy clutched her racing heart, thrilled at the thought of meeting the Crown Prince.
‘To see that beautiful person again!’
How many sleepless nights had she spent, enchanted by the stunning sight of him at his birthday celebration years ago?
‘Finally, my chance has come!’
Princess Dorothy rushed to her room to prepare for what she considered a battle.
* * *
“It really is a magical kingdom—so many fascinating things.”
Iris, sitting in the carriage, remarked as she looked out the window. The capital’s gates, which opened automatically without needing to be operated by hand, and the shops selling various magical items were a wondrous sight to them.
“It’d be nice to buy a few things.”
Though the items sold were merely simple tools for daily life, they were more than enough to improve one’s quality of life.
“I’ll buy you a few before we head back.”
“Oh, will you? Then I’ll gladly accept.”
And since it wasn’t even her money, it was all the more appreciated. Feeling cheerful, Iris lightly hummed a tune.
Seeing this, the Crown Prince let out a chuckle.
Perhaps thanks to the royal decree, the carriage passed through every checkpoint without issue and arrived swiftly at the palace entrance.
As they passed through the gates to the palace where the King resided, a grand spectacle unfolded with countless palace attendants lined up to greet them.
“Welcome. We greet His Highness the Crown Prince of the Empire.”
The Crown Prince stepped out of the carriage and naturally accepted their greetings. But Iris, who found herself standing beside him, thought:
‘Ugh, this is overwhelming.’
She merely smiled faintly, hiding her discomfort.
The Crown Prince glanced at her, seemingly aware of her feelings, and barely suppressed a laugh.
“If people knew the most famous woman in the Empire wasn’t immune to this, they’d be shocked.”
“Be quiet, Your Highness.”
Iris responded softly to the Crown Prince’s whispered teasing.
He laughed, clearly amused, and offered his arm. Iris took it and began walking forward slowly.
Guided by the palace attendants, they passed through the corridors and arrived at the hall where the King awaited. There, they were met by the King of Beberia, who came down from his throne to greet them warmly.
“Welcome, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Thank you for such a warm reception.”
“Not at all. I was disappointed to hear you wouldn’t be stopping by, so I’m delighted you’ve come.”
“It was a sudden notice, so I apologize.”
Watching the two exchange pleasantries from a distance, Iris’s expression grew bored. Listening to their face-flattering conversation was hard to endure for long.
“Oh, this is Lady Iris, who will be my fiancée.”
“So we meet, Lady Iris.”
“I greet the King of Beberia.”
Iris performed a flawless curtsy, and the King of Beberia nodded, accepting her greeting with satisfaction.
“It’s still early, so if you haven’t had lunch, shall we prepare a meal first? I’ll have our attendants take care of all your belongings.”
“That would be appreciated. Iris.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Come here.”
Seeing the Crown Prince take care of her first, Iris felt oddly like a child being looked after.
‘Like an adult watching a kid at an amusement park.’
Though she was past the age to get excited about amusement parks. Thinking this, Iris stood by his side. And, to her great honor, she walked side by side with the King to the banquet hall.
* * *
The decorations of the Beberia royal palace were vastly different from those of the Empire. For one, instead of candles, soft glowing orbs lined the walls, emitting light.
‘I saw something similar in Her Majesty the Empress’s palace. Is it the same?’
Ordinary nobles couldn’t afford such magical tools, but a royal palace would surely have plenty of these practical magical devices.
‘Having those would definitely save on candle costs.’
Of course, illuminating an entire castle like this would require a fortune.
As she took in the sights of the palace, they arrived at the banquet hall, where people were already waiting for them.
“Welcome, Your Highness the Crown Prince. We’ve been expecting you.”
“Welcome!”
It was the Queen of Beberia and Princess Dorothy. Dorothy had been staring at the floor, trying to calm her racing heart ever since the banquet hall doors opened.
If she faced that beautiful face without preparing herself, she felt she might faint.
‘Phew, ha…’
Dorothy steeled herself and lifted her head sharply.
“Uh…”
She frowned.
‘W-why is it so dazzling?’
Was the banquet hall always this bright?
“Your Highness, should I sit here?”
“No, Iris, here.”
Next to the Crown Prince’s sun-like beauty stood a woman with the beauty of moonlight.
Platinum hair that seemed spun from the moon itself, red eyes deeper than roses, delicate features, and eyelashes like butterfly wings.
“Can’t I eat a bit farther away? I might get indigestion.”
“Don’t talk nonsense and sit, my love.”
“Ugh, you’re annoying.”
While Iris and the Crown Prince bantered, Princess Dorothy stood frozen in place.
‘I-I’m not the prettiest in the world?’
Because she had just received the greatest shock of her life.
The King and Queen of Beberia, watching their youngest daughter, gave subtle smiles.
After all, people grow through shocks.
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By Anna 💓
