Chapter 8.
I let out a loud sigh, shaking my head as if to make sure Friedrich heard it.
“I don’t know. It seems like he’s suddenly come down with self-loathing or something.”
“Hmm.”
Elsa changed the topic with an expression that suggested it was peculiar.
“Anyway, that’s how it is. If the assassins who came yesterday were outsiders, someone inside might have sent a carrier pigeon to report last night’s failure. Shall we check?”
“Forget it. They might have calculated even that and not sent one.”
I shook my head and came to a conclusion.
“We’ll have to bury it as usual.”
I replied nonchalantly and closed the window, but my mind was troubled.
It was the first assassination attempt since the possession. How many more times would I nearly die in the future?
“……Are you going to keep doing that?”
I was already troubled, and now this for real! When I didn’t hide my displeased tone, Friedrich flinched.
“Is there something you need me to do?”
“I want to see your handsome face.”
“It’s hideous.”
“No, just because of one scar……”
In the end, frustrated, I jumped up from my seat and yanked off the hat that was like a mask.
It happened in an instant, and Friedrich looked up at me with wide eyes.
“Hideous, my ass. You’re so pretty like this.”
I murmured while stroking the uninjured cheek.
“A diamond is still a diamond even with a flaw.”
Don’t even think about wearing a hat because it’s frustrating to look at. With that thought, I tossed the hat out the window.
I expected him to rebel and ask for the hat back. But surprisingly, Friedrich remained docile.
“You were frustrated too, weren’t you?”
I asked as if I’d known it all along, but Friedrich didn’t answer.
He must be embarrassed. He probably missed the timing to take it off himself and just kept it on.
“You’re lucky I’m quick on the uptake. You hate being stuffy, like pulling blankets over your head.”
“……”
Friedrich still stayed silent, but he looked in a better mood than before. I picked up my knitting needle again with a relieved expression.
***
“We’ll arrive in the capital soon.”
Just when I was getting tired of riding in the carriage, the end of the long journey finally came into sight.
“We need to prepare for the triumphal ceremony.”
On the morning of our arrival in the capital, Elsa dressed me in a flowing white dress.
I heard it was the dress Rene wore every time she returned in triumph.
Rene didn’t wear armor in battle because she was a mage.
The audacity of wearing a billowing dress alone among those armed in armor was an arrogance only possible for Rene.
‘But that’s not me now!’
Without magic, if an arrow flew from the crowd……? The thought alone was horrifying.
‘Fortunately, I haven’t faced any assassination threats since that day.’
To gamble with my life like this.
I closed and opened my eyes with a reluctant expression, and in the mirror, my eye area sparkled as if glitter had been applied.
I heard Rene did her makeup like this every time for the triumphal ceremony.
“How do you make this?”
“It’s honey mixed with lapis lazuli and shell powder.”
“And you carry that around every time in war?”
“Of course. Your Highness always wins.”
Elsa’s voice was so matter-of-fact that it was almost embarrassing.
After painting my lips red and placing a laurel tiara on my half-braided hair, preparations were complete.
I walked over to the white horse I supposedly rode every time for the triumphal ceremony.
The quite stately and impressive stallion spotted me and slowly wagged its tail in greeting.
I was gently stroking the nose it offered, communing with it.
Then, from behind, I heard the familiar clinking of metal.
“Fritz?”
When I turned my head, Friedrich was standing there, still in handcuffs.
He met my eyes and froze in place. I smiled, leading the horse over to him.
“Say hello. My beloved horse. His name is Walter.”
Only then did Friedrich snap out of it and stroke Walter’s mane. Walter let out a low rumble.
“He seems to like you.”
At my whispered words, the corner of Friedrich’s mouth lifted slightly.
I stared at his handcuffed hands for a moment before changing the subject.
“During the triumphal ceremony, you’ll have to ride in the prison carriage. Will that be okay?”
“That’s my original place.”
“……Only for today.”
His calm reply somehow grated on me.
I frowned and corrected him.
“Once we return to the imperial palace, you’ll live in my palace as my husband. And we’ll get rid of these damn handcuffs.”
Just hold on a little longer until then, okay?
I spoke softly, as if soothing a child, and touched Friedrich’s now fully healed cheek.
“I’m glad no scar remained.”
He seemed quite satisfied with that fact himself, as the corner of his mouth lifted slightly again.
“……Your Highness too.”
“Hm?”
“You look beautiful today.”
“I know.”
I replied shamelessly and patted Friedrich’s head, then realized.
‘That’s something I do when Friedrich acts like a child.’
But fortunately, he didn’t seem offended. I quickly added praise as an excuse.
“You’re pretty too. As always.”
Then, this time, he looked like he’d realized something.
“Y-Your Highness is always……”
“That’s enough. Let’s go.”
I chuckled and led the fidgeting Friedrich to the prison carriage.
This was the first time I’d seen him get in here.
‘……It suits him oddly well.’
His figure locked behind the bars blended with his sorrowful and pure face, making it feel like…… looking at a persecuted saint. I suddenly became serious.
“Is it okay to take him like this? It doesn’t seem good for Stade’s image.”
“But having him ride in Your Highness’s carriage under protection would be ridiculous too.”
“That’s true.”
And so, the emperor’s triumphal procession entered the capital.
I had no idea about the geography here, but I could tell from the growing sounds of trumpets and drums, the cheers of the people, and the swirling red and white petals in the distance.
“Long live Stade!”
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Long live Princess Rene!”
People showered flowers overhead and chanted cheers.
Armed soldiers lined up on both sides marching, and in the middle, the emperor waved to the crowds.
Wherever he passed, the cheers grew louder, and more petals scattered.
“Princess Rene! Hero of Stade!”
“Blessed by the gods, the morning star!”
I, marching behind, received the same treatment.
Honestly, being surrounded by so many people for the first time made me tremble like I was going to die.
But I calmly put on the practiced smile and waved to the people.
Wherever my smile reached, fervent cheers erupted. It felt like being a superstar idol.
‘Ha, I’m getting drunk on my popularity.’
……Or so I thought briefly. The triumphal ceremony wasn’t like in movies, ending in a few minutes.
Until we entered the imperial palace, the same situation repeated for a full two hours, and my waving arm felt like it was going numb. My forcibly lifted mouth corners were on the verge of twitching.
I glanced at the emperor ahead. I couldn’t see his expression, but I could tell his arm was trembling slightly too.
‘What’s Friedrich doing?’
Suddenly curious, I turned my head and saw Friedrich in the prison carriage, sitting comfortably(?) without smiling or waving.
It was quite a distance, but our eyes met instantly, and his shook slightly. What? Why does the war prisoner look more at ease than me?
‘I was worried he might get eggs thrown at him or something……’
I was concerned because Stade apparently had such a custom, but it was completely unfounded.
People who saw the prison carriage at first had fierce expressions like they might actually throw eggs, but upon seeing Friedrich’s face inside, they hesitated and started whispering.
“That handsome man is really the ruined country’s prince? He’s a national beauty.”
“Yeah, that’s probably why they brought him alive. His face is out of this world.”
His beauty talent is insane……
‘Anyway, it seems like he’s coming along fine, which is good.’
I faced forward again and smiled brightly. If it were up to me, I’d play the arrogant character and retreat into the carriage, but……
No matter how much Rene, she always attended the triumphal ceremony diligently, so I had no choice.
After the triumphal ceremony began and about three hours passed, the imperial palace finally came into view.
Numerous knights and nobles were waiting for us.
But what caught my eye was the middle-aged woman in the most splendid attire among them and a man who looked like her younger brother.
From the distance where the emperor was visible, they walked briskly with moved expressions.
“Great Your Majesty the Emperor.”
Then they stopped simultaneously and bowed toward the emperor’s horse, paying respects.
Led by the empress and the prince, everyone else around followed suit.
The emperor dismounted and embraced his family one by one. I watched the scene with dry eyes and was about to turn my head.
“Your Highness the Princess.”
A massive man who seemed well over 180cm tall strode toward me and suddenly knelt on one knee.
