Characters in this chapter:
- Sapphiras Perfectio, former 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge
- Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier
- Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield
- Adrian Aeternitas Sternkurst, Crown Prince of Sternkurst
Some time after Percival and I became each other’s spouses, the engagement of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Aurora was announced with great fanfare.
The wedding ceremony will be in two years. The wedding will take place six months after Aurora graduates from the academy.
Although a certain amount of preparation time is required for a royal marriage, especially for the Crown Prince, I believe that the reason His Highness waited six months after graduation was out of consideration for Aurora.
If they were to get married right after graduation, Aurora would have to prepare for marriage while she was still at the academy. So His Highness the Crown Prince must have respected the little time she had left as a Duke’s daughter in her final year at the academy.
The Crown Prince is a man who always puts on a straight face, but he does care for Aurora quite a lot. The position of Crown Princess is probably more difficult than I thought, but looking at His Highness’ behaviour, I’m sure he and Aurora will make a great couple and will make Solmontana even more exciting than it is now.
It seems that our country will be safe in the next generation as well.
Thus, the whole country is in a celebratory mood over the engagement of the kingdom’s young Sun Lion and the Saintess. The royal capital, Laetus, in particular, has a festival-like atmosphere. Portraits commemorating the engagement of the Crown Prince and Aurora seem to be popular and are selling like hotcakes.
Also, it seems that the mysterious kobold dolls are said to be secretly selling well in some parts of the city. I’m sure someone saw Aurora’s attached to a fan one day and spread the word, but even so, the people of the city have a strong business sense. In any case, it’s good to see people getting excited.
Of course, there is a somewhat frivolous atmosphere at the school. After all, the future crown princess is in the same school. For the children of lower-ranking nobles, this is the only chance they’ll ever get to see the future crown princess up close.
In this festive atmosphere, Aurora invited Percival and I to the salon. Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I’ve been to the salon.
“Sapphiras-sama, Percival-sama, welcome.”
When we arrived at the salon at the appointed time, Aurora greeted us with a smile. Aurora was getting more attention at the school than ever before, but she was calm and just the same as always. She is truly the future crown princess. After all, she was not the kind of young lady who should be just a spouse to the second prince.
“Thank you for inviting us.”
“I wish we could have talked in the cafeteria as usual, but……”
Aurora smiled, a little troubled.
In the current situation, if we were drinking tea in the cafeteria, there’s no way we could have a calm conversation. Everyone was dying to say a word to Aurora.
“Well, it can’t be helped now.”
“It’s a happy occasion above all.”
“I’m very grateful to hear you say that.”
“That being said,”
Percival and I looked at each other, we nodded, and quickly bowed.
“Daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield, congratulations on your engagement. We offer our heartfelt congratulations. We wish you continued success and happiness on your new path. Should you ever need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will do whatever it takes to help you.”
We spoke in unison to congratulate Aurora. Percival and I had decided to give her our congratulations today.
No matter what position Aurora is in, I’ll always be there to help her in times of need, so I’d like her to stay firm. Most things can be solved with magic.
“Thank you very much for your heartfelt congratulations. From now on, I will do my utmost to ensure that this country continues to be the sun for the two of you, with even greater responsibility and determination.”
Aurora said this with a dignified appearance befitting a crown princess.
When the time comes, we will leave this country for an extended period of time. Adventurers are like passing clouds, and rarely stay in one place. Hometowns are practically nonexistent, but even so, if you have a home you can be proud of, it changes your mood. It’s good to have a place to return to. Whether it is a person or a hometown.
Aurora said that even though we are in a faraway foreign land, she will do her best to make our homeland a source of pride for us.
“Now, please take your seats, both of you.”
As we sat down, Liliana, who had been waiting at the entrance to the salon, came over and spoke to Aurora softly.
“Aurora-sama, we are ready.”
“I understand. Then, please proceed.”
When Liliana opened the door at Aurora’s instruction, the servants of the ducal family entered the salon. They were carrying silver trays with beautiful pastries, like a jewel box, with cream squeezed into the shape of roses.
“Sapphiras-sama and Percival-sama, we have brought you sweets from our house today.These are the work of our chef.”
As usual, the tea was brewed without making a sound, and the plate with the pastries was placed next to it.
It’s amazing, even though I know it’s just cream, I still think it’s a real rose. What amazing craftsmanship. As expected from the Duke’s family!
Though I felt it would be a shame to eat it, I mercilessly put my fork into the rose and brought it to my mouth.
“!!”
The soft pink rose had a slight tart berry flavour and was very smooth! And the sponge cake was fluffy and light. Inside was cream and thinly sliced red berries……is this a heavenly treat?
“Amazing……it’s beautiful and delicious, a dreamlike treat.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
The exquisite taste disappeared in an instant. Happiness is such a fleeting thing……
As I was basking in the afterglow of this delicious happiness, an untouched rose cake appeared from the side.
“……Eh?”
I looked next to me and saw Percival smiling.
“You can still eat, right? You can have this too.”
“Eh? No, it’s fine……I’m fine. Actually, I think Percival should definitely try it too! It’s surprisingly delicious!”
Of course, I could eat a whole tray full of those delicious sweets, but I don’t intend to keep them all to myself. I’d like Percival to have a taste of it too.
“You two are just as good as ever. Don’t worry. This isn’t the only confectionery we have.”
Aurora smiled and turned her gaze to the servant standing by the wall, who brought in a cake topped with a variety of berries. And even a sable with a rich dairy aroma.
Th-this is the arrival of a new happiness!
“I want Sapphiras-sama to be happy, so I’ve prepared lots of them. Please feel free to enjoy them.”
Aurora’s figure appears radiant.
As we finished catching up on the latest happenings while enjoying the exquisite confectioneries lined up on the table, we reached a point where we had finished talking about each other’s lives.
“I thought you two might be interested in hearing a little bit about Sternkurst.”
“……Sternkurst.”
Come to think of it, I’d completely forgotten about that country. I haven’t forgotten my grudge against that outrageous Crown Prince, though! As I rekindled my grudge against that man, Percival beside me started to feel tense. It was only natural, as Percival had been a victim of terrible things.
It was not a very good country, chaining foreign students in dungeons and assaulting them, and reviving the Calamity Dragon. Has that country done something wrong again?
“The other day in Sternkurst, it was announced that His Highness the Second Prince will become the acting Crown Prince.”
“Ha? Acting?”
It was only last year that the outrageous Crown Prince got caught up in a self-inflicted disaster. At the time, it was unclear whether that man was alive or dead, or even if he was safe.
“By the way……umm, what is the Crown Prince doing now?”
“His Royal Highness Crown Prince Adrian was seriously injured while defeating a magical beast and is currently undergoing treatment. The injury was more serious than expected and will take some time to heal, so he has temporarily left his duties as Crown Prince to the Second Prince and will concentrate on his treatment.”
“Defeating magical beasts?……”
Defeating a magical beast is not something a man who revived the Calamity should be expected to say.
“Does that mean His Highness Adrian has been found?”
“Yes, it seems so. Though we don’t know all the details yet.”
Percival’s brow furrows deeply. I understand how he feels. He’s not the kind of person who should be back on the stage.
Well, I thought he might be alive somewhere, but it seems he was just a man of bad luck after all. Even so, he’s fully intent on returning to the throne of Crown Prince. Doesn’t he have any intention of reflecting on his mistakes and living out the rest of his life quietly?
But that outrageous guy had his arm eaten by the Calamity Dragon, so he must have suffered some serious injuries. Even so, he is still the Crown Prince of a great country second only to ours. He’s probably accompanied by a talented white magician……
Somehow, I don’t have a very good feeling about this.
![After I Transmigrated as a Mermaid, I Transmigrated Back [GL]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/mermaidtransmigrate2.jpg "After I Transmigrated as a Mermaid, I Transmigrated Back [GL]")
