―――― In the first place, I came to the the Royal Guard Chivalric Order"s practice ground to simply vent.

Although I had an unpleasant premonition about Lidi having tea with Mother, I still went to work in the morning.
In the afternoon, I suddenly received telepathic communication from Mother.
The telepathic communication, that could be said to be one of the first from Mother, was to my surprise about her sheltering Lidi in her room. Naturally I wouldn"t accept being unilaterally told that, and so some time ago I rushed to Mother"s place.
When I heard Lidi say it herself that she will stay in Mother"s room, I reluctantly withdrew since it was her own will.
… I absolutely didn"t withdraw because I received the invitation for tomorrow.
I want to take good care of Lidi.
She loves me sincerely enough to make the King"s Flower change, I want to meet her expectation as much as possible. Even if it"s something I"m unwilling about.
―――― Lidi wants it.
That"s why I endured. That"s all.
Still, thinking I couldn"t dissipate the heat that gathered in my body tonight, I didn"t feel like immediately returning to the office, and my feet naturally headed for the Royal Guard Chivalric Order"s practice ground.
Before I gained the King"s Flower I"d often practiced swordsmans.h.i.+p alone like that, it was a futile struggle to dissipate the heat in my body. Since I obtained Lidi I had no need for that, but since I also talked with Mother for the first time in a while, somehow I didn"t feel like just going back.

In the corner of the practice ground I single-mindedly swung a sword. There was a time when I was a vice-commander of a chivalric order.
It"s a place I"m familiar with, even after resigning from the vice-captain position, I"ve regularly come here to train my body. Treating me as their ideal, the knights enthusiastically stared at me. As usual, I endured their painful gazes.
I consciously put strength into my abs.
―――― I"ve realized Lidi likes them.
There"s no way I wouldn"t understand with how she often looks at them with spellbound eyes. At first I was wondering what she was looking at, but I became convinced seeing her gaze obviously turned to my abs.
Perhaps thinking I haven"t noticed, she delightfully creeps her hands to them.
Since it"s what Lidi likes I don"t intend to do anything about it, and ever since I realized it, I train with even bigger enthusiasm.

"Fuh!"

I swung the practice sword with all my strength. The air trembled. Once I loosened my stance to take a break, the knights, who were until just now peeking at me, surrounded me at once.
I was taken aback by the appearance the knights showed me for the first time. Usually they only look at me from distance.

"Y, Your Highness! Umm, if, if you have time, by all means please practice with me"
"U, unfair. M, me too… By all means, please"
"M, me too! It has been a long time, so please!"

They raised their voices, vying with each other. Somehow, everybody is excited. Although overwhelmed by their energy, I somehow nodded.

"Ah, yeah. I have no problem with that…"
"Really! Thank you very much!"

For this past year they didn"t see me practice much.
Hearing my reply, even more knights gathered.
As the crowd further increased and increased, my mouth twitched.
… Just how many will come.
Before, knights surrounded me at distance as if they were holding back. I am royalty, so the distance couldn"t be helped. I thought so.
And understanding they were treating me with respect, I didn"t particularly mind… So there"s no way I wouldn"t be surprised by their dramatic change in att.i.tude.
Although unpleasantly, I recalled the line Alex told me.
―――― Princess Consort effect.
While laughing, Alex told me rumors are that I"ve become approachable thanks to Lidi.
Whether I want it or not, I understand it"s the truth.
Everybody is looking here with sparkling eyes.
Seeing their expressions joyous at a glance, I resigned myself to keeping them company for as long as time allows.
To tell the truth, I wanted to return to office as soon as I finished training to finish work, but seeing their eyes full of expectation, I would feel bad to say that.
And then, I noticed a person who should be here, isn"t.
I asked a nearby knight.

"Where"s Glenn? I don"t see him"
"Captain returned to his mansion in the Royal Capital. He had some business"
"I see…"

Glenn, the Royal Guard Chivalric Order Commander.
I"m indebted to Glenn. When he isn"t here, from time to time I instruct in his stead.
While thinking so, I noticed an unusual person on the other side of the practice ground.
His black hair is swaying.

"Aah, Sion"
"Oh, well well, Your Highness Friedrich. Excuse me"

When I called out to him, looking nervous the tall man responded.
A lean young man wearing black-rimmed gla.s.ses. Sion Nanaohgi.
Sion was wearing matching blackish clothes, accompanying behind him was a beastman girl.
Seeing me, the little cat-eared girl dressed in the castle"s court lady clothes completely hid behind Sion.
She appears afraid. I don"t really remember doing anything to frighten her though.

"Hey, Rena. You are rude to His Highness"
"I don"t mind"

I stopped Sion who turned back to scold her. I have no intention to get angry over such a trivial matter.
While I wryly smiled, with I"m sorry Sion began awkwardly talking.

"She seems to shrivel whenever she sees somebody with high status… I apologize for her discourtesy"
"No, it"s alright. Rather, I wonder if Lidi hasn"t bothered her?"
"Princess Consort?"

Sion curiously tilted his head. He seems to have no idea.
But, Rena reacted with a twitch upon hearing Lidi"s name.
I chuckled seeing that.

"Lidi seems to have taken a great liking to Rena. I"ve heard Lidi can"t keep calm seeing her"
"Aah… I see"

Looking at Rena… or precisely at her ears, Sion nodded like he was convinced.

"Princess Consort… likes cats after all"

His expression said he had something in mind. However, I deliberately didn"t poke into it.
No thanks for unnecessary trouble.

"Looks like it. She seems to be desperately trying to win Rena over, but it appears quite difficult"
"Sweets are Princess Consort"s forte. Sooner or later Rena will drop her guard. Princess Consort is an honest person with a straightforward heart. With that in mind, there"s no way Rena won"t take to her"
"… Yeah"

Sweets are her forte. Honest, with a straightforward heart.
Right, Sion said it like it"s natural.
Burning pain ran through the inside of my chest.
Even without being told by Sion I know that the best. I was annoyed for an instant, but I suppressed it with that reasoning. I forcibly changed the subject.

"However, it"s unusual to see you in such a place. Have you come to train too?"

When I changed the subject, Sion"s eyes opened wide for just a moment, and while laughing a little he responded.

"No. I am a tactician. It"s embarra.s.sing, but I have actually never held a sword. I will not do something futile to bring shame upon myself. Besides, the saying goes the right person in the right place. My stage isn"t here. I won"t step on other people"s stage"