CHAPTER 37…..
Was Callion’s stay here going to be temporary?
“So then…?”
“…”
In answer to my question, Father lightly shook his head.
‘Even for his beloved daughter, there are things he won’t say.’
Because this was probably a matter related to “the King’s duties.”
That was the limit of how far a young princess could push.
‘But still—this is good enough!’
My guilt was already starting to melt away. I flashed Father a bright smile.
“Thank you, Father!”
“Good. But tell that boy something as well.”
“Huh? Tell him what?”
“That you’re not even in the running as a candidate.”
“…”
A “candidate”? The word stirred a strange déjà vu.
‘Come to think of it, didn’t he say something similar the day Ares moved in…?’
I finally realized what those words back then had meant, and buried my face in my hands.
‘This dad is going to drive me crazy.’
Wasn’t he supposed to be a terrifying Demon King? The pioneer who had conquered the monster-infested eastern lands?
Then why is he such a doting fool?
“This guy… really showed up…?”
Ares muttered as if the world had ended.
Across from him, Callion was smiling sweetly.
In the end—just as I’d wanted—Callion would be living in the Perseon Palace.
The Perseon palace attendants were clearly uncomfortable, but they couldn’t oppose my stubbornness.
Not a single one of the normally lively demonfolk attendants smiled.
Even Minte stood there with her arms crossed, saying nothing.
Finally, Rete cleared her throat and addressed Callion first.
“Your Highness Alcyone. Welcome.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Epicus.”
“…We will serve you without lacking in any way, but please understand that the Princess’s needs come first. Your requests will be considered after that.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then we’ll have your luggage taken to your room. Please come at your own pace.”
Perhaps they had expected the Sacred Kingdom child to act arrogant.
Rete and the attendants looked slightly embarrassed.
Then they quickly began moving his things into the room next to Ares’s on the first floor.
Callion came over and murmured softly to me.
“Thank you for welcoming me, Lady Sion.”
“Mm. Welcome. Ares, why don’t you—”
But Ares, arms crossed, eyes blazing, cut me off.
“If you don’t want to see me beat him to a pulp, don’t even try to introduce us.”
“…Uh, okay.”
Callion also gave Ares a once-over, then leaned in to whisper only to me.
“Saintess, must you really keep such a barbaric boy at your side?”
“Hey now, Callion. Ares is actually my real friend.”
“…”
“So you can’t say things like that.”
The mental age gap between us might be huge, but Ares was special to me.
He felt like someone who would accept me no matter what I looked like.
Of course, Callion was the same in that way.
“Ares is really nice, too. He can be kind—”
“…”
“And if you just get along—uh…”
When Callion’s face began to show obvious hurt, I stopped talking.
‘Right. You can’t force these things.’
Friendship should bloom naturally.
“More importantly, Callion, are you sure you’re okay living here? Won’t you miss Halcyon?”
A prince of the Sacred Kingdom, living in the Demonfolk’s den.
What would become of his future?
Callion shook his head firmly.
Then he smiled at me so brightly it was dazzling.
“I only managed to endure because you came to me, Lady Sion.”
“…”
“So being able to stay here with you makes me happy. I’ll make sure you have nothing to worry about.”
…It was enough to make my chest tighten.
‘I don’t even think I treated him that well the few times we met each year…’
Was this what parental pride felt like?
Callion clasped my hand tightly, almost pleading.
“I really missed you, Lady Sion. I kept waiting for you.”
“Callion…”
“So this time, I want to be together for a long time. No parting because of war.”
“Me too… Let’s do our best—”
“—Hey, hands off!”
Ares grabbed Callion’s hand and yanked it away from mine with all his strength, shoving me behind him.
‘This brat! I was praising you literally thirty seconds ago!’
I didn’t even get the chance to scold him before Ares started growling at Callion.
“What are you scheming! I’m Sion’s friend. Don’t act like you’re close when you’ve barely even known her.”
“…Barely known her? Hm.”
“You brat, are you laughing at me—”
“Do you really think that?”
“Callion!”
I was horrified by his provocation.
‘He was all polite and bowing to Rete, but why is he like this to Ares?!’
Still smiling, Callion sneered.
“Maybe I know Lady Sion better than you do.”
“Ha. This brat… All right, let’s just fight.”
“Sto—oop!”
I started thumping my fists on Ares’s back to stop him.
But Ares and Callion were glaring at each other, locked in their own conversation.
‘Am I not the main character here? Why is no one listening to me right now?’
The two were so focused on their glaring contest they didn’t notice me hopping in frustration.
Ares pointed toward a tree standing out in the training yard—one Minte had designated on the first training day, but which still hadn’t been felled.
“Hey, blue eyes. See that tree?”
“And what if I do?”
“Whoever knocks it down first wins.”
“Hm.”
“If I win, you never act all chummy with Sion again. You only call her ‘Princess.’”
“…If I win, you call me ‘Your Highness Alcyone’ properly.”
“Ha!”
“And don’t you dare interfere with royal bonding ever again.”
“You’re hilarious. Say that when you win.”
What even was this situation?
Why was Ares suddenly summoning two practice swords?
I clung to his shirt and pleaded.
“Don’t do this! Don’t fight!”
But shockingly, no one listened to me.
Ares grabbed my hand, scowling.
“Sion, don’t stop me.”
“Why?!”
“This is about pride. I can’t live with myself if I lose to him.”
“Lady Sion, I also can’t stand losing to him.”
“Callion!”
At that moment, Minte—who had been silent—suddenly scooped me up.
Fine. I’d trust the one adult here.
“Minte! Stop them both!”
“…Princess. How about we just watch for now?”
“What?!”
The only adult had just betrayed me.
When I gaped at her, Minte looked at Callion with a wary gaze.
“With those priests and all, there are still a lot of things to be careful about. Especially since that prince seems to have some unusual ability.”
“Uh, w-why do you think that?”
“Well, he came to the garden during the Founding Festival, and also entered the palace at night.”
“Gasp…!”
I clapped my hands over my mouth.
Whether revealing Callion’s divine power was a good idea or not was one thing—but…
‘I thought the whole night visit incident had been swept under the rug… Minte knew?’
But…
I slowly lowered my hands and whispered.
“Why… why didn’t you stop us then…?”
Did she knowingly let us go all the way to the Hydes Palace?
‘Sure, I’d been prepared to take responsibility, but thinking back…’
Minte might have ended up taking the blame.
She only shrugged at my bewildered look.
“It was the first time you’d opened your heart to anyone since the Young Lord.”
“Oh…”
“And besides—everyone should have at least one special memory from their birthday! Even if that someone happens to be the prince of Halcyon.”
Minte grinned broadly as she held me lightly in her arms.
It felt totally different from Rete’s elegant smile.
But the absolute affection in it was exactly the same.
“Ah, the garden picnic did surprise me, though. I still need more training—”
“Minte. I’m sorry.”
“…!”
