"I see"

I showed a nod to the man who told me he"d never trained. Sion turned his eyes to the practice sword I was holding.

"Does Your Highness train? You seem considerably trained, after all the people who stand at frontline are different"
"No"

I deliberately paused after that.
Even I thought that I was malicious, but the words smoothly rushed from my mouth.

"There is no need to go that far for just commanding at the frontline. Just… between you and me, Lidi seems to have taken a great liking to my abs. She wants to touch them every night. I do my best for her sake… Would you laugh if I said that?"
"… No. I respect how Your Highness spares no effort"

Hearing the words that could be taken a revenge for some time ago, Sion became speechless for a moment, but the next moment he regained his calm.
He said in a small voice.

"… Your Highness is quite malicious"
"Now, what might you be talking about"

When I smoothly sidestepped it, saying "We are both just as childish" Sion wryly smiled. I too laughed that it certainly is just like that.
Probably… No, certainly, Sion loves Lidi.
A man who"s not yet officially become my subordinate.
A man who was probably more than friends with Lidi in her previous life.
I understand from his att.i.tude that he"s given up on Lidi, but I think there"s a decent possibility he"d bare his fangs if I showed weakness. As a proof, once in a while as we face each other I can feel a p.r.i.c.kling sensation.
Of course he"s not saying anything concrete, but I can tell he"s got a bad nature from how he feels to be sizing me up.
It"s at times like these that I think intelligent men are troublesome.
Thinking his response is a test for me, I couldn"t carelessly let myself lose focus.
… Really, I"m troubled by Lidi"s disposition to be loved by bothersome men.
Worthless men wouldn"t be opponents, but every single man who wants her can"t be dealt with by ordinary means.
I constantly make them recognize my existence. This is what"s demanded from me.
Of course, I have no intention to hand Lidi over to anybody. That"s why even without being told I will scatter them all.
The spot next to Lidi is mine forever. Whispering my love to her, kissing and embracing her, everything is a right only granted to me.
To protect that I can do anything.
Phew, Sion spilled a breath.

"… Excuse me. I only went for a stroll wanting to grasp the complete picture of this castle. It would only cause inconveniences in the future if I had no grasp on the place where I"m staying"
"I see"
"Be that as it may, originally I was the Tarim tactician. If you don"t like it, I will behave myself"

I don"t doubt Sion. He"s saying he"ll enter under my umbrella. It"s correct to demonstrate trust here. While looking straight into Sion"s eyes, I told him.

"No, as you could expect I can"t give permission for royalty quarter, but you can see other places as you like. I will inform the soldiers"
"… Thank you very much"

It seems my intention was properly conveyed. Sion"s mouth slackened as he nodded.

"After all you are considerably different from the King of Tarim… It may be a matter of course that she"s chosen you"
"Sion?"

When I reacted to the words he muttered, he shook his head.

"No. It is nothing. Then, I will take you on your word and inspect as I like"
"Yeah"
"Let"s go, Rena"
"Yes, Lord Sion"

Urged by Sion, she finally appeared from behind Sion and bowed towards me.
Indeed, just as I heard from Lidi, she seems to be seriously receiving the court lady training. Although shoddy, she"s got the basic form down.

"Lidi seems to have taken a great liking to you. If possible, I"d be happy if you didn"t run away"

I heard it from the soldiers, but apparently when Lidi sees Rena, shouting "Rena!" Lidi rushes to her. I think it can"t be helped that Rena is frightened, but I once saw Lidi make a very happy face as she hugged Rena while clamoring "Fluffy! Fluffy!", so I"m sorry for Rena, but I want her to endure.
When I spoke to her, although Rena stuttered, she clearly said.

"Umm… It doesn"t really bother me… Princess Consort is a very gentle person. She always gives me delicious sweets… And there"s nothing unpleasant about her hugging me. It"s just… I can"t get used to being treated gently… So I feel sorry that I may make her feel unpleasant"

Apparently Lidi"s feeding strategy seems to be bearing fruit.
Rena"s face when she said delicious sweets was truly spellbound.
If she"s like this, she will take to Lidi in a not-so-distant future. Just by thinking that Lidi will be pleased, I felt happy. I too am considerably simple.
When I nodded that it"s alright to Rena who was worriedly looking up at me, relief clearly showed in her expression.

"I"m glad…"
"Rena? Do you like Princess Consort so much?"

When Sion asked Rena, who before I noticed stood at his side, she innocently smiled.
It seems she can talk honestly with him.

"Of course, I like her. After all, she is the person Lord Sion cares about. I like everything and everyone Lord Sion likes"

… This straightforward manner of speaking unsurprisingly left not only me but also Sion speechless.
Beyond astonished, Sion said troubledly.

"… I"m beaten"
"Lord Sion?"

Rena looked up at Sion. Sion put a hand on top of that Rena"s head.

"It"s nothing. Really, Rena watches me properly"
"Yes! Of course!"

I was praised! While stroking Rena"s hair as she said that, Sion turned to me.

"It"s a childish joke. Please don"t take her seriously"
"Of course"
"Thank you very much"

Taking him on his word, I decided not to raise an objection.
It"s the truth that for the better or worse he was dumbfounded by Rena.
As I accepted, while s.h.i.+fting his gaze behind me, Sion said.

"Now then, I apologize for keeping you for a long time. The knights have grown impatient, so I will excuse myself with this"

Sion gracefully bowed and turned away from me.
Although I do feel bad for the quietly waiting soldiers, I stopped Sion.

"Wait, Sion. As I said before, there"s no problem if you tour the castle. But, supposing your eyes catch anything strange, that"s fine too. I want you to notify me directly"

At my roundabout words, Sion stopped walking and his eyes widened a little.
He nodded like he thought of something.

"… I see. I understand. Let me show I can be helpful once in a while. If I ever feel a sense of discomfort, I will directly report to Your Highness. Is that fine?"
"I"m counting on you"

Yeah, with that acknowledgment Sion left while urging Rena.
I breathed out.
Thinking he"s a person who was involved with Lidi in the past, even if we just talk I can"t relax.
In that case the question is why I felt like employing such a troublesome man - but it"s of course because Sion is capable.
It"s the correct decision as the Crown Prince. And I don"t think I made a mistake when I made that decision.
In fact, he immediately understands what I leave unsaid, just like some time before. He"s a plenty useful man.
It"d be regrettable to lose than man over absurd jealousy, and just as she tells me, Lidi can only see me. So, I don"t need to worry about anything.
No matter who comes, I only have to keep demonstrating how suitable I am at her side, like I"ve done until now.

"Your Highness, may we?"

Sion left, and one of the knights fearfully talked to me.

"Yeah, I"ve kept you waiting. Sorry. Shall we start"
"Yes! Thank you very much!"

When I nodded, the knights happily gathered.
While practicing with them… I worried whether I would really be able to finish tomorrow"s work before the day ends.