And so, we passed by the flower shop.
“You ca back!”
The little girl from the flower shop imdiately said to happily when she recognized who I was. Her eyes so innocent gazed up at .
I could hear a faint chuckle from my brother behind . I ignored him and spoke to the girl.
“Yes. I did say I’ll co back later, right?”
Well, we were passing by anyway, so why not?
“Now then, I’ll have one each for different colored flowers. Give the best ones, okay?”
“S-Sure!” The small girl then turned to her mother. “Mama, um, I need help. The custor said she wants the best ones, but I don’t know if what I’ll pick is the best.”
“Really? Alright then,” the mother gently said to her child. “Please wait for a mont.”
I nodded.
“What does the custor want, exactly?” the mother asked her child.
The child conveyed my order. After a mont, the mother had bundled the assorted flowers, tied in a few thin ropes.
“Here you go, young lady.”
I smiled as I received the bouquet, gently taking them into my arms.
“Allow to pay, sister.”
Estevan offered, so I didn’t need to refuse.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you very much, beautiful miss!”
Oh? Such a flatterer, young child. Amusing.
“Farewell,” I said to them.
I gazed at the beautiful flowers as we walked. Flowers were indeed beautiful. Brother and I didn’t speak as we headed back ho. Perhaps there was just nothing to talk about, or perhaps what happened earlier was still plaguing his thoughts.
I didn’t want to speak for a while, anyway. I’m still troubled about everything. That said, I have decided what I will do.
When we arrived at the bridge, I stopped in place then imdiately looked at my surroundings. It was quiet, no one was around. This place was much better compared to the city. It was safer.
My brother looked at with a puzzled expression. “Estel…?”
I faced him with fear in my eyes. I looked down before raising them again, eting Estevan’s eyes.
“B-Brother… I have sothing to say.”
“W-What? What’s the matter? Sothing going on?”
My seriousness startled him. But that’s good, he had to take what I say seriously. As I said earlier, I was alone. Therefore, I need manpower. I need allies.
Soone that can be trusted.
And one of them was my very own brother. I have to tell him.
What? Don’t tell you ever thought I wouldn’t tell him just because the man earlier said not to tell anyone? Ridiculous. What am I? Stooopid?
No. I’m not that pathetic. I’m not an idiot.
Having Brother realize what was going will be beneficial. A knight, a royalty, a family of Estelia. What was the point of acting as Estelia if I won’t put it to good use?
And why would I follow the words of so stranger? I need to have faith in my own decisions, and what I think would be the best course of action.
Everything I’ve built up, the acting, the efforts, I will put it to use. I will have them protect . All those that can be used as shields, I shall use them. Those that can aid , I’ll use them. To survive, I’ll use anything that is necessary.
And the closest thing that could be used for those ends, was my brother.
Add to that the entire royal family.
I smirked inside my heart. I have the highest in the hierarchy within the kingdom by my side. I will put them to good use.
I opened my mouth slightly as though hesitating to speak. But then inhaled deeply, showing my conviction.
“S-Sothing happened earlier actually....”
“... What do you an?” Estevan narrowed his eyes.
“T-There was a man…” I averted my eyes away.
“A man? What happened?” His voice sounded a bit stern, anticipating my next words.
“H-He ca from out of nowhere, and it felt like he cast so sort of magic.”
“Hm? Magic?”
Now he sounded puzzled, must not be what he was expecting.
“He warned . But, there was sothing strange, he called sothing…”
“Go on.”
“Princess of Blood… he called that.”
“What?” He mildly shook his head. “Estel, I’m confused. What happened? Tell everything.”
I told him everything the man said to . As to how I t him, of course I omitted the information about coming from a blacksmith. I just said I was just walking around and the stranger called to .
Upon finishing conveying the information, Estevan covered his mouth as he processed what I just said. Suddenly, as though in realization, I saw his hand grip his sword’s hilt as he glared at the surroundings.
“Then, does this an that there are people watching us? Especially in the city…? And to think I left you alone?! I’m a useless brother.”
“B-Brother, don’t bla yourself.”
“Estel, let us quickly return to the palace. I need to speak with Father.”
“O-Okay.”
He suddenly held my wrist and pulled towards the palace gates. I accidentally dropped the flowers, what a waste. His grip was extrely tight, and he walked hastily. He was severely agitated.
“Open the gates, quickly!”
He shouted loudly the mont we arrived at the gates. The gates quickly opened, and we imdiately entered inside.
“Your Highness.”
The guard greeted him, but Estevan ignored him. When the other guards began to gather, my brother pulled towards him and held by the shoulders as if protecting from danger.
“B-Brother, can you please slow down?”
“No.”
He flat out denied my request. I never saw him like this. His eyes were so severe that one would hesitate to speak with him.
We quickly reached the front doors of the palace. With no hesitation, he slamd them open and pulled inside with him. He imdiately slamd the door shut, causing a loud bang.
“Y-Your Highness, what’s the matter?” A manservant nearby noticed the agitated Estevan.
My brother stared at him, no, more like scrutinizing him for only a short mont.
“I want to speak with my father. Tell him I’m coming shortly.”
“Y-Yes, at once, Your Highness.”
The manservant left quickly.
“B-Brother, may I retire to my room? I’m a bit tired.”
Well, I still need to hide the daggers I have hidden. I have to return to my room imdiately.
“... Very well. I’ll take you there.”
“Yes…”
He delivered to my room.
“Rest for a while, okay?”
“Okay...”
He closed the door after I entered. I took in a deep breath before facing the drawers.
“That went very well, didn’t expect him to react that hard,” I quietly muttered.
I took off my cloak and opened the drawer. I took off the bag and when I was about to put it inside, I paused.
The maids frequently open the drawer. Then, where should I…?
I looked at my bed.
Under the bed should do fine. They don’t clean underneath there often.
That being said, ra was now my personal maid, so she should be the one to clean the room. So I guess I’ll manage. It was a pain to not have much privacy. But whatever....
I placed the entire bag underneath the bed.
“Should work for now.”
Now then… I wonder how things will turn out.
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