If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 93

“…Your Highness.”

 

“Your Highness?” The black-haired noblewoman, who had been fuming, looked at me with wide eyes.

 

Hamel took a step back and quietly prompted her. “This is Princess Silver Bird. Show your respect, Madam.”

 

“Princess Silver Bird…?”

 

Normally, when someone making a scene runs into an imperial family member, they shrink back. But the black-haired noblewomen, instead, looked at me with sparkling eyes, as if delighted. I found her attitude curious, as if she’d met an ally, and then she greeted me.

 

“Verche of the Count Gawain family greets Princess Silver Bird.”

 

“…Gawain, you say.”

 

“Yes. I’m the mother of Raval. Hoho.”

 

Now I could somewhat understand the source of her inexplicable confidence. Suppressing a smile, I carefully chose my tone. “Ah, Count Gawain resembles his mother a lot.”

 

“Of course!” The noblewoman took my words as a compliment.

 

I continued, feigning warmth in my voice. “By principle, only those with imperial blood are permitted to enter this place.”

 

“I-I see.”

 

“However, there is a way to be considerate without breaking the rules. Librarian, bring one of the inner chairs and place it by the door.”

 

The chair I had been sitting in moments ago in the reading room was moved right next to the noblewoman.

 

“Please, have a seat.”

 

“You really don’t have to go to such lengths…” Though she said that, she looked thoroughly pleased. It wasn’t because she could rest her aching legs, but out of satisfaction from having won the power struggle.

 

“This is just a small courtesy for Madam Gawain. Please rest as long as you wish.”

 

With this, she probably wouldn’t bear a grudge or think of taking it out on Hamel. I turned away, intending to take Hamel and return to the detached palace.

 

“Wait a moment!”

 

“Do you have something to say, Madam?”

 

“I-I’m not familiar with the imperial palace. Could you escort me to where the carriage is? Personally, Your Highness.”

 

She was the first noble to make such a bold request to me. Truly, an uncommon type.

 

My hesitation didn’t last long. There was little to be gained from clashing with a woman who warmed the mad emperor’s bed. “With pleasure.”

 

“I knew Your Highness would grant my request!”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes. I really raised a fine son. Hoho.”

 

“…”

 

There seemed to be a serious misunderstanding, but though it was unpleasant, I let it slide for now.

 

“Ahem ahem, since I mostly go back and forth to His Majesty’s bedchamber, I’m still not used to the imperial palace. It would be nice if Princess Silver Bird could guide me like this from time to time.”

 

I only smiled. As we walked side by side from the main palace to where the carriages were, the madam chatted on without pause.

 

“Raval really takes after me, don’t you think? So handsome.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Not only is he handsome, but also capable, so he’s constantly pursued by noble ladies these days. The competition is getting fiercer, don’t you think, Your Highness?”

 

“I’ve heard he’s been rising rapidly since becoming captain of the capital guard.”

 

“Raval’s worth was discovered too late! Even before he became captain, he was outstanding and full of potential, but those young ladies didn’t see it and rejected all marriage proposals. At best, he’d get stuck with some unimpressive baron’s daughter. Just thinking about it makes me so angry.”

 

“…”

 

“But now the tables have turned. How must those ladies who rejected his proposals feel now, seeing my successful son? Surely, they’re gnashing their teeth in regret, right? Since it’s come to this, I’d love for Raval to marry the noblest lady, just to put all those others to shame.”

 

“…”

 

“Aah, I wonder which lucky lady will become Raval’s partner? Honestly, I’m so envious of my future daughter-in-law. Imagine marrying my son.”

 

“…”

 

What kind of sentiment is this? Is this some kind of emotional attachment, like fathers being their daughters’ first loves? It was starting to get unpleasant.

 

“Raval will rise even further. So, Princess Silver Bird, it’d be wonderful if you openly showed your interest in him, to lift Raval’s spirits. What do you think—”

 

“Madam.”

 

“Yes!”

 

I had endured enough. Even so, I kept my words as gentle as possible, saying just one thing. “Raval Gawain isn’t quite that impressive.”

 

“…Pardon?” The madam looked as though she had heard the words with her ears but failed to grasp their meaning. That was just about right.

 

At that moment, the tiresome subject of the conversation appeared.

 

“P-Princess Silver Bird?”

 

“It seems you’ve come to escort your mother, Count.”

 

“Huh? Yes.” Raval looked flustered seeing his mother and me together. He must have a guilty conscience.

 

“Take care, Madam.”

 

My part was done. As I pretended to bid the madam a warm farewell, Raval hurriedly approached and said curtly to his mother, “The carriage is right there, so please get in first.”

 

“Huh? Just me? What about you?”

 

“I have to escort Her Highness to the detached palace.”

 

“…Oh, right. Of course.” Mixed emotions flickered in the madam’s eyes. Proud of her son, yet wary he might be taken from her.

 

I didn’t bother refusing Raval. I happened to have something to say to him anyway.

 

On the way to the detached palace, Raval sidled up to me with a hint of anticipation. “Earlier, Your Highness seemed… ra-rather close with my mother.”

 

“Anyone who serves His Majesty is like a mother to me as well, isn’t she?”

 

“I-Is that so?” Raval looked delighted. Perhaps my neutral tone sounded friendly to him.

 

What I meant wasn’t that I’d treated the madam as a mother-in-law, but that I knew about his shameless, unfilial conduct. How foolish to not know shame.

 

Buoyed by unwarranted confidence, Raval started showing off. “This time, I’ve rendered great service. His Majesty has promised to commend me grandly at the Founding Festival.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“I might even receive a marquis title. Just like Sir Dominic.”

 

“Congratulations in advance.”

 

“When I think about how I’ll become even more popular than now, it gets a bit tiring.”

 

“That could happen.”

 

“Maybe I’ll get even busier socially. I’m already invited everywhere… Maybe soon I won’t even have time to stroll leisurely with Your Highness.”

 

Mother and son spoke in exactly the same way. Wasn’t this meant to make the listener anxious and prompt them to take the initiative? Unfortunately for him, he had chosen the wrong target.

 

I responded with only brief, uninterested replies. “What a pity.”

 

“Ahem. There will be a banquet at the imperial palace on the evening of the Founding Festival. Has Your Highness chosen a partner?”

 

“Sir Regen is more than enough as my escort.”

 

“He may suffice for now, but shouldn’t Your Highness think more long-term? Rather than a personal knight, it’s better to find a man with a solid foundation whom you can rely on.”

 

“I’ll handle it myself.”

 

Raval had a very low breaking point. When I failed to give him any of the responses he wanted, he soon showed his irritation.

 

“Your Highness, may I offer you some sincere advice?”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

“If you remain so stiff, the young nobles will find it difficult. Shouldn’t Your Highness, as a princess, strive to get along with the sons of noble houses? Your Highness may be the first in the competition now, but no one knows what the future holds. Your Highness must always be prepared—”

 

“That’s quite a speech. What are you actually trying to say?”

 

“…”

 

Flustered, he finally blurted out, “If you keep this up, I won’t bid for you at the auction.”

 

“…”

 

That really crossed the line.

 

“N-No, what I meant—”

 

Raval floundered, but it was too late to take back what he’d said. Because I could feel my expression growing icy cold.