Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 327

"Lidi, got a moment?"
"Nn? What?"

In the afternoon, just when I was thinking of asking Clara for tea, Freed came back to our room.
I didn't expect to see him during work, so I was pleasantly surprised. When I walked up to him, Freed told me.

"I brought Clara. Sorry, but could you change clothes. Hendrik is coming soon."

When I looked behind him, not only Clara but also the court ladies were silently lined up. I searched my memory and, having hit upon the name Hendrik, asked Freed.

"Err, Lord Hendrik, the Crown Prince of Irvine?"
"Right."
"Eh? But, didn't he attend our wedding just recently? He only just returned, so why is he coming again?"

Irvine is a friendly country located south of Wilhelm.
Its Crown Prince, Hendrik Rivea Irvine, is one year younger than Freed.
In private, he seems to be on good terms with Freed, and he sent us gifts to celebrate our engagement twice… and we accepted them.
… They were a mini-skirt maid outfit and bracelet that grew cat ears and tails. I was surprised.
And he attended the banquet after our wedding.
Albeit quickly, we greeted him. If I remember correctly, he brought his consort with him.
While I was recalling that time, Freed said.

"It appears he has a request for us. It seems the matter is difficult to discuss via letters, so he came for a day using a transfer gate in a hurry. It seems he'll bring his consort as well"
"It's really sudden."

Transfer gates are gates initialized with magical power that transport people and things in an instant. By linking a gate to gate, you can move in no time no matter the distance.
Towns, churches, and castles. They are in various places, but they require a large amount of magical power to move, so they turned into something inaccessible to commoners.
The Royal Family also has some transfer gates inside the castle, but I recall there's a transfer gate exclusive to royalty among them.
Transfer gates exclusive to royalty.
They're special transfer gates literally only usable for royalty.
They connect each friendly country, and although special permission is necessary, you can come and go from foreign countries.

"Does coming here by a transfer gate means he'll use the transfer gate exclusive to royalty?"

When I asked, Freed affirmed.

"Yup. He'll come in two hours."
"Eh!? Then we have to hurry up and prepare."

I didn't think it was so urgent.
I hurriedly invited in Clara and the court ladies and started preparing.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of a friendly country.
Strictly speaking, it's not our first meeting, but they only greeted us at the time of our wedding. In a sense, it's the first time I'm involved in diplomacy.

"It'll be alright. Hendrik isn't a formal guy."
"That… might be true…"

After getting ready, I walked with Freed through castle corridors. The transfer gate exclusive to royalty is located in the corner of the royalty quarter, so we're going to meet them there.
I wasn't sure what to think about foreign royalty appearing in the royalty quarter, but to begin with the transfer gates exclusive to royalty are special and can be connected only with the agreement of both countries. Hearing that, I could accept it.
Right now, we're going to pick them up because Freed will initialize the gate.
Freed will pour magical power into the gate, and on the other side, a royal will pour magical power into their country's gate. Only when that is done will the gates connect both countries.
The time is decided in advance, so there's no problem.
I wondered if the King wouldn't come, but Prince Hendrik is Freed's friend. It seems the agreement is that Freed will keep him company.
Come to think of it, I'm wearing a fine dress.
As expected, the dress with beautiful lace has a design with a wide-open neckline. The V-neck entirely exposes the Royal Flower, the proof of a princess consort.
Essentially, when meeting royalty, wearing formal wear is a good idea, but since the other person is a friend, wearing fine clothes is enough. Freed isn't in the formal wear I love so much either, his clothes aren't much different from the usual. However, the fabric and design are more gorgeous and elegant than usual, they really draw out his charm of a prince.
In other words, he's ridiculously cool.
Already weakened by my husband, I collapsed on the inside at the sight of him being like a prince who came out of a picture book.
While not letting it show (I feel it was noticed though), I said to Freed.

"It's my first time meeting foreign royalty since becoming your wife, Freed. There's no way I wouldn't be nervous."
"You don't need to be nervous when dealing with Hendrik."

Freed smiled wryly.
Certainly, Prince Hendrick is a person who can calmly send a maid outfit to a friend. He must be a friendly person who can joke around. I can expect that, yet I can't calm down at all.
When I unconsciously held my stomach, Freed said to reassure me.

"You really don't need to worry about Hendrik. Lidi, he wants you to keep his wife company. That's what he wrote in the letter, but it seems he wants you to be her friend. That's why he's expressly bringing his wife with him."
"Huh? Me?
"Yup. That's also why you were called, Lidi."
"Eeeh?"

Not expecting to be asked for, I blinked my eyes.
Who could imagine a married couple coming to a neighboring country to become friends with me?
Speaking of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Irvine, they're famous newlyweds who only married last year.
With a silly reason of a journey of self-discovery, the Crown Prince had disappeared for several months.
One day he abruptly came back, bringing a woman with him. Then he informed the King. "I will marry her."
The woman with unclear identify being the Crown Prince's future wife.
As expected, neither the King, Queen, nor the nobles were happy about it.
The prince wouldn't answer where she'd come from. Just that he would marry her.
Naturally, disputes raged inside the country.
But the Crown Prince was unyielding and in the end the King broke down and allowed the marriage.
She's the first Crown Princess of Irvine not of noble background, so there were many rumors at that time.
It must've been quite something, as for some time, the story attracted interest and became popular even in Wilhelm.
Aah, that's right. If I remember correctly, as the Prime Minister representing the King, Father attended the wedding.
I was bewildered that I was asked for by a couple that's so famous.

"Why? We only exchanged light greetings after the wedding, right?"

When I tilted my head, seriously not understanding why I was asked for, Freed grasped my hand and said.

"Hendrik's consort seems to be quite introverted, so she doesn't have any friends. Lidi, when he saw you at the wedding banquet, he thought you could become good friends."

I didn't imagine I'd be locked on at that time.
However, what did he see in me to make me a friend candidate for his consort?

"… I think I was playing innocent quite well… Will I be alright?"
"Lidi, at that time you were as beautiful as a fairy. You fascinated everyone who looked at you. I felt unbelievably happy that such Lidi became mine."
"Enough of that! Besides Freed, it was you who were wonderful."

There's no one in the world who can rival Freed wearing formal wear.
I said that with confidence, but Freed made a doubtful face.

"What are you saying? Lidi, you were."
"Freed, I'm saying you were… Let's stop. I have a feeling this will go nowhere."

Fighting over who was more wonderful, what a completely lovebirds thing.
Having decided to stop the pointless derail, I returned to the subject.

"Err, and, will I be okay?"

When I forced the topic back, Freed smiled wryly. He too seemed to understand it was pointless.

"They say it's okay, so you don't need to worry, Lidi."
"I see. Then I'm glad. I'll be happy to increase the number of my friends."

I wonder what kind of person the rumored Crown Princess of Irvine is. She's from a friendly country, moreover, she's Freed's friend's consort. I suppose we will have many opportunities to meet in the future, so if possible, I certainly want us to be close.

"The Crown Princess of Irvine, huh. If I recall correctly, they just married recently? Freed, did you attend their wedding?"

Since they are friends, he should've attended the wedding. I asked thinking so, but Freed denied.

"Actually, Hendrik's wedding was last year. Of course, I was invited, but I couldn't attend it."
"Is that so? Ah, but certainly, I have a feeling that Father attended the wedding of the Crown Prince of Irvine last year."

Being the Prime Minister, Father is often invited to weddings of foreign royals. I didn't care because it was the usual, but perhaps…
When I turned my eyes to Freed, he affirmed with a troubled face.

"Indeed. I was supposed to go, not the Prime Minister."
"Freed, was Father representing not the King, but you?"
"Yup. Of course, missing the wedding of an important friendly country was impossible. So, my father ordered the Prime Minister to go."

Why was that?
Freed isn't someone who'd neglect his friend. He should gladly attend after receiving an invitation for the wedding of the neighboring country prince who he's close with.
Freed lowered his eyebrows and answered my doubt.

"… There was no Royal Flower back then, and it was the worst time for me. I couldn't sleep at night, and my body was in pain every day. In that state, I couldn't go to the neighboring country and offer congratulations with a smile. Even so, I wanted to go, but my father sensibly gave me things to do so I couldn't go. It made it easy to send a delegate."
"… I see."

The Royal Flower serves to control the overabundant magical power of Wilhelm royalty… Or rather, that's the main function of the Royal Flower. Without it, royals struggle awfully with controlling magical power.
I only know the current lively Freed so I can't imagine it, but I know of Freed's harsh condition without the Royal Flower from Glenn and Brother.
Going to the neighboring country in a poor condition… Certainly, it would be difficult, and if anything, it would be discourteous to the other party.

"Well, and so, while I felt sorry, I didn't attend. However, I informed Hendrik that my condition was bad. Given that he came for our ceremony, but I was absent from his, I apologized. Hendrik told me not to worry though."

Really, Freed and Prince Hendrik seem to be close friends.
Their consideration for each other is wonderful. I'm now looking forward to meeting that prince.

"Your Highness, I have been waiting."

Will was waiting in the room where the transfer gate was located.
William von Pellegrini.
The heir to Pellegrini ducal house and the Magician Division Commander. The young man with the trademark monocle is my and Brother's childhood friend.
The transfer gates owned by the Royal Family have been managed for generations by the Magician Division Commander. Currently, that responsibility lies in Will.
Since the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Irvine are coming this time, as the administrator, Will also must've been told to stand by.
Seeing me, his face stiffened for an instant.

"L-Lidi…"
"? What is it, Will?"
"N-Nothing…"
"Lidi, let's go."

Will's suspicious behavior as we met for the first time in a while weighed on my mind, but called by Freed, I entered the room and stopped myself from asking further. I hurried to Freed's side.

"Freed."

Freed was standing in front of a pedestal with a magic formation drawn on it.
I was in this room with Will before, but of course it's my first time seeing it used.
While I was getting excited, Freed told me.

"Lidi, watch from there. It'll be the agreed time soon. ―― Will. I'll pour in magical power. I leave the control to you."
"Yes, Your Highness."

With a stiff face, Will nodded to Freed.
Upon Will's reply, Freed pointed his palm at the magic formation. The next instant, the magic formation shone white.

"… Deploying transfer gate. ―― Magical power from Irvine confirmed. I will connect the gates."

Looking at Will, he had three magic formations deployed at his back. He was probably using magical arts to control the transfer gate. Will's forehead was covered in sweat, his expression serious.
I've seen transfer with transfer gates many times until now, but I'm always impressed by how simple it is to move with just magical power. While I was wondering why he was having a hard time, Freed turned to me and said, perhaps having finished his role.

"This transfer gate exclusive to royalty is quite special. As I explained before, it requires consent from both countries, and magical power has to be poured in at the same time.  Unlike other transfer gates, these gates need to be reconnected every time, so it's really difficult. That itself is the reason it's managed by the Magician Division Commander."
"… Will is amazing."

Perhaps having guessed my question, Freed explained carefully. Despite my surprise, I was convinced. Will then said.

"Your Highness. The transfer gate has been connected with Irvine. ―― They are coming."
"Ah!"

Together with Will's words, radiant light filled the room.
I reflexively closed my eyes. Light subsided shortly after, and two people appeared above the magic formation where there had been nothing before. One of them, Prince Hendrik, smiled as he saw Freed.

"Yo, Freed. Sorry for asking you something unreasonable today."

Of course, I remember the prince I saw after the wedding.
Straight, emerald green hair that reaches his waist attracts attention. His eyes are the same violet as mine. This green and violet are the characteristic colors of Irvine royalty.
If I had to say, it's like Wilhelm's blond hair and blue eyes.
Prince Hendrik, with his ideal appearance resembling a woman, grinned and waved his hand at Freed.
Then, while carefully escorting a woman next to him, he came to us.
The woman escorted by Prince Hendrik is the Crown Princess Ilya. She's a little girl who makes you want to doubt if she's an adult. Her dark brown hair is fluffy, and her golden eyes round. She's incredibly lovely.

It's my second time meeting her, but I'm totally knocked out by her charm.

―― Small. Cute!

I turned my eyes to the dress she was wearing.
The southern country of Irvine is known as a merchant country; the nature of its people is bright and refreshing. They have a strong tendency to prefer clothing in showy, bright primary colors like red or yellow.
The dress worn by Princess Ilya also uses colors close to primary colors that people of Irvine prefer. The fluffy, wide skirt is lovely. It matches her charming look.
When she noticed me, she bowed her head slightly. I returned the same greeting, but she shyly hid behind her husband.

"Ilya. Don't run away… Sorry. Ilya's fear of strangers is a little strong. I'd be happy if you didn't take offence at it."
"No, I don't mind it…"
"Princess Lidiana, you too. Sorry."
"No…"

Apologetically told that, I hurriedly shook my head.
Once again we introduced ourselves and exchanged greetings, then we were led to the prepared room for important visitors. Will remained in the room with the transfer gate. It seems he'll check the transfer gate for when the Crown Prince and Crown Princess return. Sure, it's work, but he's got it hard.
Prince Hendrik mostly talked with Freed, Freed too enjoyed the conversation.
Seeing them being as close as I'd thought, I felt happy.
Tea was already prepared in the guest room, so we all took our seats.
A court lady who had standing by there poured tea and left the room. When it became just the four of us, Prince Hendrik spoke.

"It's been a long time since we slowly talked like this. We couldn't talk much at your wedding because of other guests… If I recall correctly, it's been since the last international conference? … Yup, I thought so at the wedding, but I feel like that your expression has brightened. Is it thanks to your beloved her?"
"Yeah. It's because I married Lidi. My condition has improved too."
"Whoa, you affirmed. When you say it so brazenly, I really can't say anything."

Prince Hendrik opened his eyes wide in surprise, then he turned his gaze to me. It felt strangely uncomfortable as he observed me.

"We couldn't talk much at the wedding. Hey, Princess Lidiana. There's something I want to ask you, can I?"
"Y-Yes. What might it be?"

When I responded to having my name called, Prince Hendrik bluntly said with a smile.

"Say? The engagement gifts I sent. There were various things, but which did you like the best?"

Chapter end