“Shining star of Stade and blessed of the divine — we are honored in your presence, Princess Rene.”
The moment I stepped into the reception hall, I had the fortune of running directly into the guests of honor.
Anton watched his newly-betrothed bow to me with polite formality, and observed the scene with a visible trace of reluctance — before eventually inclining his own head in a concession to necessity.
“My congratulations on your engagement, Lady Marcella. I do hope you’ll be made a proper Crown Princess Consort before long.”
I meant it entirely. But Marcella seemed to read it as pleasantry and offered an ever-so-slightly awkward smile in return.
You think I’m being polite. I’m not.
“If there’s anything you ever need, or anything I can help with, don’t hesitate to say so. I should like very much for us to be friends.”
“Were you acquainted with Marcella before this, Sister?”
Anton looked faintly thrown by my warmth — something he evidently wasn’t used to seeing from me — and asked the question with an uncertain air.
“I was told you were also the one who recommended her as Crown Princess Consort.”
“No — I wasn’t acquainted with Lady Marcella before this. Lady Adelina is another matter.”
At that, something in Marcella’s expression shifted — tightened very slightly at the corners.
I continued pleasantly:
“I hear her sister isn’t with us today.”
“She wasn’t feeling well.”
“Oh, what a shame.”
I offered the response without particular feeling and began to turn away. It was then that Marcella’s voice stopped me.
“Did you mean what you said — about wanting to be friends?”
I turned back and looked at her. A pair of slightly guarded blue eyes met mine.
“Of course I meant it.”
I smiled at her warmly enough to make the corners of her eyes crinkle in response, and something genuinely pleased lit her face.
“Then — I feel the same, Your Highness. Would you perhaps consider coming to one of my tea gatherings, if you’re willing?”
Before I could reply, Marcella added quickly:
“I would be honored to host you properly. I can promise you it will be quite different from what you experienced at my sister’s.”
I paused at that and looked at her more carefully.
There was no malice in Marcella’s smile. Just something clear and open.
And it occurred to me, for the first time, that I had never thought to wonder how she felt about any of this.
Was she pleased to have become Crown Princess Consort so unexpectedly? Or was she—
“Of course. If you invite me, I’ll come if I’m able.”
I smiled back. I couldn’t say for certain, but she already made a better impression than Adelina. There was no harm in being friendly.
“Rene.”
Another voice broke into the space between us. I turned — and there was Emperor Otto, approaching with the Empress beside him.
“Your Majesty.”
I turned to greet him with an alertness that I didn’t usually bother to put into my expression. The Emperor looked mildly surprised by it.
“You seem unusually lively today.”
“That would be because it’s the day my dear younger brother sets out toward a true beginning — toward building a life of his own.”
I smiled as I continued.
“As they say — a man who governs his household well can govern a nation.”
“Ha — strictly speaking, he hasn’t built a household yet. This is only an engagement.”
“Your Majesty—”
“And it’s not as though you haven’t built one yourself. I can tell what’s behind all this high spirits.”
Emperor Otto smiled in his measured, unhurried way, as if he had all the time in the world.
Is he really planning to wait until he’s on his deathbed to name a successor? The thought made my brow crease. Across from me, Joachim looked, privately, like he was rather pleased with the state of things.
“I had hoped to introduce Princess Marie to you today, Your Majesty, but I wasn’t able to bring her.”
That, at least, wiped the satisfaction off Joachim’s face. I pressed on without pausing.
“It was her first time attending something official, and I think the tension got to her — she fell asleep almost immediately afterward. She was quite sweet about it, actually. I thought you’d have liked to see her.”
“Since when did you take such an interest in that girl?”
“Since I saw with my own eyes that she wasn’t doing well.”
“Your Majesty the Emperor.”
Joachim, who had been quietly suffering beside me, finally stepped in.
“Congratulations on Prince Anton’s engagement. May the imperial family be blessed with continued happiness.”
“Hmm… yes, thank you. Though it is rather strange to hear it coming from you.”
Emperor Otto glanced quietly between Joachim and Friedrich, then asked:
“And how is life at Rene Palace treating you?”
“Extremely well. Her Highness looks after us rather attentively.”
…Does she? I tried to recall specific evidence of this and couldn’t immediately think of any.
The thought didn’t last long — I was already beginning to feel that it was time to go. I slipped my hand quietly into Friedrich’s. He looked surprised.
I smiled and shaped the words with my lips: let’s make our escape. Friedrich stared at me for a moment, then nodded.
Meanwhile, Joachim had been left to manage the Emperor alone.
“I didn’t see you at the ceremony earlier.”
“My apologies. There was a great deal of paperwork connected with the drought response, but I knew I had to come to the reception.”
“Ah, yes. The drought has been a terrible ordeal for everyone. I do hope it ends soon.”
Should I bring Joachim with us?
…I spent too long debating it.
“Rene — what do you say to lending us a hand with this?”
Me?
I had been edging toward escape, Friedrich’s hand in mine, when I turned back with a blank expression. The Emperor nodded.
“You can make it rain. It would go a long way toward relieving the drought.”
“…Your Majesty — as you know, that’s rather a localized ability.”
I tried to conceal my discomfort and shook my head.
“I’m not divine. I can’t bring rain to an entire continent. And manipulating natural forces is intensely draining on the body.”
“I know that. But even partial relief would be a great help.”
“…Your Majesty—”
“I think it’s a fine idea, Your Majesty.”
I turned to see who had just put a knife in my back, and found — my dear confidant, Joachim.
Unlike the Empress and Anton, whose expressions had both gone slightly sour, Joachim had come alive with enthusiasm, rallying to the Emperor’s side with considerable vigor.
“…Duke Rommel.”
“After all, there has been no rain in months. People need something to hold onto — even the hope that rain might come.”
“…”
I fixed Joachim with a pointed look, but he appeared utterly impervious to it, beaming with cheerful helpfulness.
He has absolutely no instincts for self-preservation. Truly, as a confidant, Joachim was hopeless.
“And if the rain still doesn’t come? People’s disappointment would only be worse for having hoped.”
I let my displeasure show plainly — brow furrowed, expression openly resistant — and Joachim finally seemed to catch on and went quiet.
I pressed on, making my reluctance quite clear:
“I also intend to be considerably more restrained about using these abilities going forward. The war was the war — there was no other choice then. But now I want to live quietly, without drawing attention.”
“…You? Without drawing attention?”
“If Anton becomes Your Majesty’s successor and I retire to the countryside, that will happen soon enough.”
At that, both Anton and the Empress looked momentarily stunned. The Empress recovered first and rushed to speak.
“Princess Rene, what are you saying—! The naming of a successor is entirely His Majesty’s prerogative. Please don’t speak so carelessly about it.”
“But you want Anton to be Crown Prince, don’t you, Your Majesty?”
“I — I never had any such — such treasonous—!”
She was apparently worried it might edge toward sedition. Her eyes were saying yes, precisely, while her mouth stumbled over itself trying to deny it.
The Emperor, for his part, seemed untroubled. I gave a quiet smile and lifted my chin slightly.
“If I make it rain, Your Majesty, the people will naturally regard me as your successor and rally to me. Given that you haven’t yet named anyone — isn’t that a risk?”
“There is some truth to that…”
“Exactly. Then I’ll excuse myself for now. Anton — again, congratulations. Do get married soon.”
And before things could become any more complicated, I seized both Friedrich’s hand and Joachim’s and made my escape.
Once we’d found a quieter corner, I turned on Joachim.
“You don’t seem to be on my side at all, Joachim. How could you take His Majesty’s side like that?”
“…I apologize. The opportunity to show Your Highness’s abilities presented itself, and I’m afraid I got rather swept away.”
“From now on, I intend to avoid calling attention to myself as much as possible. I’ll let it go this time, but do be more careful.”
“Understood.”
Joachim bowed his head — then, after a pause, looked up.
“But — do you truly have no intention of making it rain? Even a little? Right now, even a few drops would mean so much to the people…”
“That will be quite enough.”
Friedrich stepped in quietly.
