Side Story 3 – Chapter 5
“What?”
“What?!”
Jonas froze in shock.
Arsène stared blankly at Ivelina.
She looked at him seriously.
“Arsène, do you want to stay here?”
“……”
“I’m not saying this in a fit of anger. If you come to the palace, it’s because I brought you here, so I’ll take responsibility for you until the end.”
“Responsibility…”
Those words made Arsène’s heart pound.
Jonas stammered, unsure what to say.
“Ivelina, aren’t you being a bit impulsive?”
“I’m not impulsive. I’ve been thinking about this for a while.”
In truth, it had just come to her suddenly, but Ivelina lied innocently.
“There’s no one my age in the palace. I’m just… bored.”
“If you were bored, you should’ve said so earlier. Then I could’ve invited some noble kids your age.”
Ivelina pouted.
“They’d just say polite things anyway. I don’t really care about them. I want Arsène to be my playmate.”
“Ivelina…”
“Is that not allowed?”
Ivelina looked up at Jonas with pleading eyes.
Caught off guard by her sudden gaze, he flinched and stepped back.
“Brother… just this once. It’s my wish.”
“Ugh…”
“What? Then I’ll give you a kiss on the cheek whenever you want.”
Jonas’s expression shifted slightly at that.
Ivelina held up all five fingers and added,
“Five times!”
“Ugh…”
“Huh? Brotherrrr.”
She drew out the last syllable, sparkling eyes fixed on him.
Finally, Jonas pressed a hand to his face and said,
“Fine… you can have it your way!”
“Thank you, Brother!”
Ivelina jumped up and hugged him tightly before letting go.
Jonas cleared his throat and said,
“But only if she wants it.”
Ivelina whipped her head toward Arsène.
“Arsène, what about you? Do you want to come with me?”
For Arsène, there was no hesitation.
He did not want to continue living under his father’s roof.
Swallowing nervously, he answered,
“Yes.”
“Great! Congratulations on becoming my playmate!”
Ivelina giggled and shook his hand.
Arsène hesitated before asking,
“Were you serious about what you said earlier?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“About taking responsibility for me until the end.”
Ivelina tilted her head.
“Of course! I brought you here, didn’t I? That means I have to take responsibility for you.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Arsène smiled shyly.
Ivelina’s eyes widened at the sight of his first smile.
Jonas felt a twinge of unease.
‘Maybe I should have objected…’
But there was no way to refuse that proposal.
He shook his head and said,
“Let’s return to the palace now. He was the last one.”
“Yes, Brother!”
Ivelina held Arsène’s hand and smiled brightly.
When Ivelina returned to the palace with Arsène, chaos ensued.
Not only had she brought a playmate without consulting anyone, but he was from District Five.
Everyone wondered why she, usually so proper, had started acting so unusually.
When Isaac cautiously suggested finding another playmate, Ivelina accused him of discriminating based on origin, saying she never expected her father to think that way.
Isaac looked shocked, and Karina clicked her tongue, shaking her head.
“Why even bother persuading him if he wouldn’t agree?”
“I… I was worried something might happen to Ivelina…”
“She’s still young, but she’s clever. She has her own thoughts. Let’s trust her once.”
“Karina…”
Isaac, on the verge of tears, collapsed into Karina’s arms.
She chuckled and patted his back.
Karina had thought Ivelina’s behavior was unusual too, but now she seemed age-appropriate.
Jonas would’ve refused, but Ivelina must’ve insisted.
She usually acted overly mature, almost obsessively proper for her age, so it was a relief to see her acting her age.
“Since it’s come to this, let’s just let him become Ivelina’s playmate.”
Karina smiled.
From that day, Arsène was assigned a tutor.
The tutor taught him palace etiquette.
“Remember well. Good manners reflect on the princess. Don’t embarrass her.”
“Yes.”
“Straightforward answers. Good. Let’s begin.”
Arsène understood the stakes.
If he misbehaved, it would reflect badly on Ivelina.
He followed instructions quietly, even through strict lessons.
The tutor was surprised. Arsène had no complaints despite learning everything for the first time, and he absorbed knowledge like a sponge.
It was rewarding for the tutor to teach him.
Karina asked the tutor about his progress.
“He’s like the princess.”
“What do you mean?”
“He tries to do everything perfectly, just like her. He’s the most rewarding student to teach after the princess herself.”
“I see… Ivelina has a keen eye.”
“Truly remarkable. If he were a noble and entered the academy, he would’ve been top of his class.”
The tutor clicked his tongue. Arsène was exceptionally clever and quick-witted.
Karina smiled.
“Take good care of him.”
“Leave him to me.”
The tutor’s eyes burned with passion.
Satisfied, Karina smiled. She had worried he might quit, but those fears were unfounded.
“Should we assign a swordsmanship instructor too…”
Given his quick learning, he would excel at that as well.
When Ivelina became an adult, she would select her royal guards, and he could be appointed at that time.
Karina tugged the cord for attention.
“You called?”
“Go bring Arsène here.”
“Yes, Empress.”
Soon, Arsène appeared before Karina.
“I greet the empire’s second sun.”
“Sit there.”
Karina smiled kindly, indicating the seat across from her.
Arsène sat cautiously.
Karina studied him.
He looked completely different from when he first arrived at the palace.
No longer in tattered clothes, he wore fine fabrics befitting a noble and had neatly combed hair. He looked every bit the noble son.
Most striking were the blue eyes hidden in his hair.
Ivelina had always said his eyes were beautiful, and now Karina understood why.
Karina finally spoke.
“I called you to make a proposal.”
“What proposal?”
“Would you like to learn swordsmanship?”
Arsène’s eyes widened.
Karina said nothing, letting him read her intentions.
He spoke carefully.
“May I ask when Your Highness will select her royal guards?”
Karina smiled warmly.
“When she reaches adulthood.”
“I’ll work hard.”
“Good. Then from tomorrow, a swordsmanship teacher will be assigned to you.”
“Thank you, Empress. I will live up to your expectations.”
Satisfied with his answer, Karina nodded.
“Go now. Ivelina will be looking for you eagerly.”
Arsène’s cheeks flushed slightly, but the color faded before Karina could notice.
He bowed and hurried out.
Heading to the princess’s quarters, he saw Ivelina running toward him.
“Arsène!”
“Don’t run, Your Highness. You might fall.”
Ivelina reached him quickly, laughing.
“It’s fine! You’ll catch me!”
“…I will protect you for life.”
“Good! You must keep that promise.”
She said it lightly, unaware of the consequences her words would bring in the future.
Years passed.
Arsène grew rapidly.
Eating well, sleeping well, training in swordsmanship, and exercising, he soon became tall and strong.
He no longer appeared younger than Ivelina.
He also earned the title of knight at the youngest age.
During the knight exam, he displayed extraordinary skill, shocking those who assumed he had connections.
No one objected to his knighthood.
“Arsène… no, Sir Rikento, congratulations on becoming a knight.”
Because only nobles could earn knighthood, Isaac gave him the surname Rikento and the title of Count.
Ivelina was proud.
Arsène smiled and bowed.
“It’s all thanks to the princess.”
“Nonsense, you earned it yourself. Why is it my doing?”
“Because Your Highness saved me.”
At the word “saved,” Ivelina smiled awkwardly.
She had impulsively brought him along, so calling it “saving” felt exaggerated.
“Ugh, just spit your words and stop lying.”
“I always speak the truth to Your Highness.”
“Honestly, you live even more properly than I do.”
Ivelina laughed, shaking her head.
As they strolled through the garden, Arsène spoke.
“Your coming-of-age ceremony is near.”
“Yes. Only a few months left.”
Ivelina smiled.
“I’ll finally be an adult. Free from my brother’s interference at last.”
“The Crown Prince is only worried about you—”
“I know, I know. Enough!”
Ivelina pressed her finger against Arsène’s lips.
“I was just whining a bit. So no more nagging, okay?”
Arsène nodded slowly.
As they walked, she muttered.
“But you’re 18, why are you so tall?”
“Thanks to good food. And, of course, all thanks to Your Highness.”
Ivelina chuckled.
“At this rate, if you get married, you’ll probably say that’s thanks to me too.”
