Chapter 32
I crunched down on a sweet cookie, then rinsed my mouth with fragrant tea to clear the taste before moving on to the next topic.
Ahem! Now I looked quite grown-up!
The crumbs that had fallen onto the table were quickly swept away by quick-witted Liz.
“And another thing.”
Count Tolkie gulped down the last of his tea and hurriedly answered.
“Yes, Princess. Please speak.”
“Oh no! Sorry. I should’ve spoken slower. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, haha.”
“Your face is red though…”
The Count shook his head.
“It’s nothing, Princess. I’m just overwhelmed that you’re worried about me. Haha.”
“Well, if that’s the case, I’m glad….”
“Now, please continue.”
Count Tolkie straightened his back again. I straightened mine as well and continued.
“I don’t think I can keep personally going out like this every time, so I decided I should create an alias, remember?”
“Yes, that’s right, Princess. I even offered to help. Have you thought of something?”
“Mm-hm. After thinking hard, I came up with a great idea.”
“Did you?”
“Yes. I thought, why not create a guild? Buy a base of operations too.”
“Whaaaat?”
“Whaaaat?”
It wasn’t just Count Tolkie who was surprised—Liz, who had been standing quietly behind me, was startled as well.
“Princess, how do you even know about such… underworld culture!!!”
Well, in a romance-fantasy, a guild is a must. What kind of amateur doesn’t know that?
Of course, I couldn’t say that, so I just grinned sheepishly.
“It’s just that—when I think about exchanging messages, or managing money, I really think having a guild would be convenient. Don’t you agree?”
“Well… not entirely wrong.”
Yes, Count Tolkie was rational. Which meant he understood the true intention behind my words.
“That’s why I’d like to ask for your help, Count. Could you put together a list of buildings I might be able to buy?”
“Haha… honestly, how far ahead is this seven-year-old planning?” he muttered.
“It’s not that hard, right? You can do it, can’t you? Please, Count?”
“Yes, of course, Princess.”
“Thanks. I’ll be waiting—do it as quickly as you can.”
Whew, thank goodness.
Only then did I happily enjoy my chocolate-covered éclair.
***
A few days later, I received a letter from Count Tolkie.
“Hm…”
“What’s the matter, Princess?”
“There’s only one option.”
The address listed in the Count’s letter was just one.
Well, he must’ve chosen well.
I picked up my pen.
[To Count Tolkie]
Hello, Count. This is Celestia.
I received your letter. I haven’t seen it myself, but I trust your judgment, so I’ll buy that building.
However….
I’ve been going out too often these days, so my father’s been keeping an eye on me. If I’m not careful, our secret could be exposed. For the time being, I’ll have to refrain from going out.
So, I’d like you to handle the purchase on my behalf. I’ll also leave the renovations to you. That’s alright, isn’t it?
Ah! The guild’s name will be Achilles. Please keep that in mind when signing the contract.
Thank you, Count.
Goodbye.
Celestia.
I folded the letter tightly, sealed it in an envelope, and wrote Count Tolkie’s name on the front.
“Liz, here. Deliver this to Count Tolkie.”
“Oh, Princess! You look so cool right now.”
“Really? Did I look cool? Hehe.”
Liz nodded and took the letter.
“But, Princess.”
“Mm?”
“Shouldn’t you tell His Majesty about this?”
“Tell him what?”
“About the guild, and…”
“No! Absolutely not!”
I shouted, and Liz swallowed nervously before asking,
“Why not?”
Well, obviously—because then it wouldn’t mean anything.
In the not-so-distant future, I’ll leave the palace, and no one will know where I am or what I’m doing. I’ll disappear completely, as if I never existed. That’s my plan—so that no one can find me.
Both the Dearc Black Salt Mine and the Achilles Guild are preparations for that time….
If I tell Father, then Killian will probably find out too. That cannot happen.
Besides, it’s better if Father doesn’t know either. Once the truth about me and Father comes out, I don’t want things between us to become… awkward.
“Anyway, no. It’s better if Father doesn’t know, Liz. You mustn’t tell anyone. Not even Sir Briven! Got it?”
I said sternly. Liz sighed and finally replied, “Yes.”
***
A boy with hair neither black nor silver but somewhere in between was peeking through a small window at the knights training in the drill yard.
All he had was a flimsy, broken branch, but he clutched it as if it were a sword.
Finally, today, the master of the manor had departed for the territory, leaving behind only a minimal guard.
The boy instinctively knew that today was his first and last chance.
In his awkward speech, he murmured:
“Todai… I mus’ escape.”
He lived not in the main mansion or even the annex, but in a tiny hut shoved into a corner of the estate.
“I mus’ do dis… Jeron.”
A future without safety, food, or shelter was his only hope. The lonely boy, Jeron, whispered with shining black eyes.
On the night when the blue moon hung in the dark sky—
The small hut’s door creaked open. Clouds cast deep shadows over the mansion. By now, even the knights on guard must have let down their vigilance.
Jeron held his breath, tiptoeing across the estate—just as he had imagined it hundreds of times. Without hesitation.
At last, he escaped the mansion. Only after swallowing the stolen dyeing potion—something he had once risked his life to pilfer—did he finally let himself relax.
“Jus’ sleep a li’l… then I’ll go back…”
Mumbling in relief, his clumsy tongue slurred in the dark alley. No roof, no walls, but the air of freedom was warm.
For the first time since he could remember, Jeron’s eyelids grew heavy.
***
“Wow! Fantastic!”
“…Pardon?”
“I said it’s wonderful.”
Yes, it was perfect.
The guild base, with its crooked sign reading Achilles, was a small two-story building—one underground floor, one above ground.
Its location was also ideal: not too deep in the back alleys, but not too close to the main streets either.
“Count Tolkie.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“What can’t you do?”
“Haha, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Of course, you should.”
I stared at the sign dangling just out of reach.
“It looks tacky, doesn’t it, Princess?”
“No, it’s great. I love it!”
I took Count Tolkie’s hand and entered the base.
I didn’t know what the place had looked like before, but he had taken my words seriously and added various secret devices, turning it into something both eerie and dignified.
Truly the best.
As I busily darted my eyes around, the Count cautiously asked,
“But Princess, what does the name ‘Achilles’ mean?”
“Oh, that? Haha. Honestly, I just thought it sounded strong, so I picked it.”
No way I could admit the truth—that it came from “A” for Adel, “Kil” for Killian, and “Le” from Celestia, with an apostrophe-s tacked on at the end. Too embarrassing!
“I see. In that case, it’s an excellent name.”
“Thanks. And, you know, I’m the guild master now, right?”
“Yes, indeed.”
“As master, I’ll go by the name ‘Gun.’”
“Gun…?”
“Mm-hm. Doesn’t it sound really grown-up and manly?”
“Haha! Then your alias would be Achilles’ Heel—haha!”
“Count! You can’t shout out my alias like that!”
“Ah, forgive me.”
Haha.
This old man really has a habit of laughing things off, doesn’t he?
“Anyway, from now on, send all matters regarding the Dearc Black Salt Mine to Achilles’ Gun.”
“Yes, Princess. But… will you be able to come here in person? It may not be easy for you to make the trip each time.”
“You’re right. That’s actually been bothering me. Father’s so strict lately. I really need a trustworthy messenger….”
The original story didn’t have any suitable candidates either—what a headache. Can’t use Killian’s people, can’t use Father’s people…. Ugh.
As I grumbled, Count Tolkie gently brushed my hand, soft and careful.
“Don’t worry too much, Princess. You’ll surely meet the right person.”
“You think so, Count?”
“Of course. Absolutely.”
“Thanks… hearing that helps, but…”
Well, worrying won’t solve anything anyway.
“For now, I’ll continue sending letters to the Princess Palace. There’s still time. No need to rush. That’s something I’ve learned in this long life.”
“Mm, you’re right. They say the more urgent you feel, the more you should take the long way around.”
“Haha, is that really a saying?”
“…Maybe not?”
Hehe.
I’d laugh it off too.
