Marx’s mother was a lady who always spoke cheerfully. As the only daughter of the previous Marquis of the Klüger House, she was full of confidence, and as she spun cheerful tale after tale with a bright smile, one just couldn’t help but listen to her.
“Although as expected, it’s more comfortable to be one’s own homeland, but the neighboring state was also a great place to be. It’s title as the Kingdom of Water was not just for show, you see, there are canals here and there. And the merchants, their house’s back door is directly connected to the canal, so from there they will ride a boat and go peddling. Since you can constantly hear the sound of the flowing water, it was a country where you can feel the tranquil flow of time”
Being put inside the circle of Marchioness Klüger and her friends, Christina and the others somehow ended up in a delicate seating order. The first one to go, Alberto, forcibly sat beside Marchioness Klüger, and beside him was Christina, Anna, Marx, Irene, and then the other ladies who sat in a circle surrounding a round table.
Ending up sitting right beside Marx, Anna lost the vigor she had until just now in an instant, and just kept on sipping the tea little by little. ──Maiden in love will become docile in front of the one she love after all.
Perhaps since Christina unconsciously looked at Anna, Marx shifted his attention to her, then looked at Anna. Seeing Anna who kept on drinking the tea while faintly blushing, he softly laughed.
“……Is the rose tea to your liking, Hime-sama?”
“Eeh…… っ“
Being asked in a subdued voice as not to obstruct the ladies’ conversation, Anna was startled and then looked back towards Marx. Marx, after making a face as if saying oh?, smiled again.
“That, is a souvenir from the neighboring state, you see. Since mother was so pleased with it she bought a lot to stock it up, so there are lots of it in our cellar. There’s a faint sweetness, isn’t it? It seems it is using dried fruits”
“Is, is that so…… It’s very delicious”
It seemed that even for Marx, just like what it had always been from their childhood, Anna had always been a lovely princess for him. Christina had just recalled that memory recently, but his gaze right now was the same like the one he had that day, it was filled with an affection as if looking towards a younger sister.
Meanwhile, Anna’s eyes was glittering without any speck of effort of hiding it, and Christina who saw that, ended up being the one who felt uneasy.
Hearing Marx’s voice, Irene called out to Anna.
“How about having some sweets, Anna-sama? There are also fruit cake that Anna-sama loves. Shall I bring it?”
She who asked while tilting her head, without doubt had a gentle expression of an older woman. Without having any hidden meaning, she was just full of smiles from the delight of having met Anna. With navy blue hair and azure eyes, she was a lady who seemed so gentle.
Anna stared blankly, and then embarrassedly nodded.
“Ah, yes…… Thank you very much”
The fruit cake was in a position that couldn’t be reach from Anna’s seat. She smiled and nodded to Anna, then took the cake and put it in a small plate. Marx took that small plate, and put it in front of Anna.
Christina desperately held herself from smiling, and then turned her line of sight towards the other ladies while keeping a straight face. Surely, if even Christina were to watch over Anna with a tender expression, Anna would get more depressed.
──That exchange just now, no matter how you look at it, just seems like, a kid being taken care of.
Moreover, the one who took care of her were, the man she liked and his lover. For someone who had such a high pride like Anna, it might even be a humiliation.
“……haa”
Anna looked down towards the cake, a gloomy sigh leaked out from her mouth. Christina was startled. Alberto who heard that sigh, turned towards Anna, his eyes were squinted.
If he were to once again say [does your stomach hurt?], it will surely leave an irreparable scar on Anna’s maiden’s heart.
In order to prevent Alberto from making that remarks, Christina cheerfully called out to both him and Marchioness Klüger.
“I heard that in Sechs Kingdom, products that use crystal are famous, aren’t they, Alberto-sama? I’m thinking of using them at our wedding, what do you think about it?”
Alberto who had just promised to work hard in cooperating for the marriage preparation, smiled at Christina and then turned towards Marchioness Klüger.
“That’s right. If Marchioness is well-informed about them, we would really like to hear the details”
Christina smiled, though she was actually sullen inside.
This reaction, he surely doesn’t remember it, does he? Since if he remember, Alberto would surely mention where do we plan to put the crystal at. The person in charge has proposed to decorate the banquet with jewelries that used neighboring kingdom’s crystal; even though we got that proposal just the other day──
Marchioness Klüger gleefully explained a series of brand that had wonderful products.
Alberto who heard briefly about the brand name products, turned around to Christina with a smile on his face.
“Then, if it’s alright, would you let me decide the things regarding the crystal?”
“──……yes”
Christina stared blankly, and nodded despite her puzzlement. Although it seems he still doesn’t remember what the crystal are used for, does he plan to check it up later on?
“Oh dear, will Your Highness even decide such detail things?”
Marchioness Klüger asked surprisedly, and Alberto amiably nodded.
“The basics are usually decided by the government officials, even so, we are the ones who will give the final decision about them. There are a lot of works that Christina still aren’t used to, it really is quite hard”
The ceremony for the royal family was basically held in order to demonstrate the power of the country, thus for deciding things, it centered around the government officials. From several final candidates that had went through careful examination, choosing one from them would be Christina and Alberto’s role. Although she was told to choose the things that she liked, but for someone with an earnest nature like Christina, she inadvertently examined the already few choices again and ended up taking more time. When she thought about how it involved the country, she just couldn’t help but to be cautious.
“Oh dear, what a wonderful talk. I too, want to be able to take part in the preparation for a ceremony soon “
Marchioness Klüger sent Marx a meaningful look. Irene raised her face uneagerly, and the line of sight from everyone in the tea room was concentrated at both of them.
Marx put a kindhearted-like smile on his face and shrugged his shoulder.
” Please no, I hope you won’t pester me like that. When the time comes, Mother will also be able to do that”
One of the ladies asked joyfully.
“As expected, are Marx-sama and Irene-sama lovers?”
Marx fell into silent with a smile. During that opportunity, the other ladies started to ask in succession.
“Oh my, isn’t it a matter of course? After all they did come together from the neighboring kingdom. Surely she has come to see her future husband’s country in advance, no?”
“That must be so. Will the ceremony be held here? Or as expected will it be in the bride’s home country?”
“Oh dear, is that so? When did you both got engaged? Did you not plan on having engagement ceremony?”
It seems Irene had not been introduced in detail.
Christina casually looked at Anna. Anna put a cake into her mouth, in her eyes, there was no sign of vitality anymore.
Irene kept on putting a ladylike smile, and turned her gaze towards Marx. Being urged, Marx turned around to face Alberto.
“Which reminds me, did Your Highness Alberto hold an engagement ceremony?”
In front of people, Marx used a honorific language towards Alberto. As the matter was brought up abruptly, Alberto raised his eyebrows, and responded with an expression that made it hard to guess his intention.
“……yeah, it was after you[1] moved to the neighboring kingdom. We only invited some relatives, it was just a simple ceremony”
The engagement ceremony for the ten years old Alberto and the seven years old Christina was a small scale one, held in the church inside the royal palace. If they were adults, a grand ceremony suitable for them would be held, nevertheless as it was not the case, holding an extensive ritual of vow for minors was hence judged to be too much for them.
Since they were scheduled to get married after Christina turned sixteen, there was no talk about having any engagement ceremony after her coming of age.
Although it was only a ceremony where only their relatives came, it was a very big event for Christina.
The statue of Goddess on the other side of the altar smiled benevolently, and behind her the stained glass was gleaming with rainbow color.
Within the white walled church wrapped in serene air, dressed in a pure white gown, Christina gave a promise of love to marry Alberto, and knelt before him.
Alberto too, gave a vow to marry her in the future, and kissed her forehead gently.
Though there was no veil, but it was a very sacred ceremony.
Remembering the past, Christina’s eyes teared up.
It was the day where her heart danced as it throbbed fast thinking how she would be tied together with Alberto in the future.
──And the day when I will finally able to marry him really is coming.
It was a future Christina had once given up on, and wanting to ascertain whether this was a reality or not, she turned her eyes at Alberto.
Alberto, who had grown up to be a splendid young man, met Christina’s eyes and then lowered his eyebrows. He smiled at her sweetly, and under the table, he lightly held Christina’s fingers.
Christina’s heart beat at the unexpected event, as Alberto brought his face near to her ears and whispered softly.
“What a face you’re making right now, Christina. It makes me want to kiss you immediately, socould you please do something about that adorable expression……?”
“──っ”
Christina pulled her body back as she felt his breath on her ears. She clutched her fingers firmly, and quickly straightened up her back. She opened her eyes that were closed when she pulled her body back, and saw Alberto, with his elbow on top of the table as his hand supported his head, laughing amusedly.
Kaa[2], Christina’s cheeks were dyed red, and when she looked around to her surroundings, lukewarm gazes were all focusing on her, making her teared up.
“Umm……”
──I just can’t think of any excuse.
Even though Christina put an air and acted like an elder sister in front of Anna, but in front of Alberto that pretense was ruined, and it made her blanked out.
“Both of you are really close since a long time ago”
Perhaps it was a timely help for her, as Christina looked towards the voice, which belonged to Marx. He looked at Alberto with teasing eyes, then returned his gaze to Christina.
“After being engaged when you were seven and ten years old, both of you have always been devoted to each other until now, it really is worth of respect”
The tea room which was full of pleasant giggle before, shiin, fell silent. Alberto stopped his laugh and got up from his seat.
It was clear even without anyone saying it. What crossed through everyone’s mind right now, was the rumor with Clara.
No matter how he attempted on settling down the issue, rumor was not something that can disappeared easily in such a short time.
Alberto unhesitantly circled his arm around Christina’s waist, and smiled towards Marx.
“Isn’t it a matter of course? There is no woman in the whole world who is better than Christina. I’m really looking forward to marry her”
Marx chuckled, though without any sarcasm in it.
“Really, how passionate. Even since before, you have always said that you don’t need any concubine. Such faithfulness. It’s really different with the royalties of the neighboring kingdom”
“……well, yeah. You, have you met before with the neighboring kingdom’s royalties?”
Marx lowered his gaze, only the corners of his mouth were lifted.
“Well, since Father’s work is a work. We were blessed to have various kind of chance to meet the royalties”
His father who went to Sechs Kingdom to lend his wisdom to its legislative system, just as when he was still in Noin Kingdom, seemed to be someone with the position of being close to the royalties.
As his son, it was natural for Marx to be friendly with the royalties too, however his expression seemed to suggest no favorable impression that was left in him.
The neighboring kingdom, just like Noin Kingdom, adopted a polygamy system that was exclusive only for the royalties.
The king of Sechs Kingdom certainly does have two concubines── as she pondered so, Alberto returned to talk while sighing.
“Even with the same position of being a royalty, each one has different thoughts. ……Shouldn’t you[3] just settle down and marry already, Marx?”
“Nnn……”
Marx was hesitating to say something, and looked towards his mother.
Marchioness Klüger returned her son’s gaze with a sharp look, making him shrugged his shoulders.
“……I wonder. I am an irresponsible person after all”
“── Oh dear, Marx”
Having his name called by his mother with a reproachful voice, he turned his eyes towards Alberto. Alberto looked back at Marx with half opened eyes, and then began to talk to the ladies within the tea room.
“……That’s right. I forgot to mention it before, but speaking of the neighboring kingdom, it seems the kingdom’s first prince will be coming here next time. Since it was not an official visit, there will be no parade, however it seems the prince wish to observe the structure of the royal capital. Perhaps, you ladies may also had the chance to pass him by”
“Oh dear, Sechs Kingdom’s first prince will?”
“His Highness Tobias, right?”
A fuss regarding Sechs Kingdom’s first prince soon arose.
Having been helped by Alberto by diverting the topic, Marx looked at Irene. She returned his gaze with a serious look, then Marx softly caressed her cheek with the back of his finger.
“…… If you’re destined to be together, you’ll surely be bound together, Irene”
That conceited words, sounded as an indirect promise of future. However the tone of his voice was as though he was giving a kind of oracle, without any deep accentuation at all.[4]
Christina remembered the out-of-place feeling she had, however the other ladies received those words in a positive way and simultaneously raised a shrilling voice together.
“How wonderful, I also want to be told that!”
“Being young is so wonderful! His Highness too, Marx-sama too”
“I’m so envious. I also want to return to the time when I was still young”
Bathed in compliments, Marchioness Klüger was smiling, however Irene’s complexion worsened, while Anna hung her head while making a face as if it was the end of the world.
“……ahっ“
When Christina was about to called out to Anna, she felt Alberto put power on his arm which was circling her waist.
Being forcibly made to stand up, Christina was held within Alberto’s arms. He then flashed a cordial smile to everyone in the tea room.
“Excuse me, please continue on with the talk. We will take a walk around the lovely garden for a while”
“Yes. Please enjoy yourselves”
As Marchioness Klüger replied with a smile, Christina lost the opportunity to called out to Anna.
Alberto was surely trying to leave for the sake of Christina who ended up recalling the incident with Clara.
However, I cannot bring myself to leave Anna by herself here.
Alberto swiftly turned the direction of Christina’s body, and at that time, there was another person who was trying to leave the seat.
“──Likewise, I’ll excuse myself too”
The one who said that, was the one whose face turned pale after hearing Marx’s words, it was Irene.
“Marx”
Without a moment’s delay, Marchioness Klüger ordered him to be the escort, however Irene quietly shook her head.
“That’s okay, I’m sorry, Oba-sama. It seems I eat a little bit too much sweets so I will return to the mansion. Marx, by all means please stay here”
“Oh dear, is that so? If you’re feeling unwell, just tell it to the people in the mansion,okay?”
“Yes”
After saying that, she bowed to Christina and the others, and disappeared to the mansion in haste.
“Both of us too, shall we go?”
Prompted by Alberto, Christina turned back towards Anna.
Marx was in the middle of talking with Anna. Her paled face turned bright in a blink of an eye.
“Anna will be okay. Since before, Marx has been very skillful in treating Anna after all”
If she’s feeling unwell, she’ll be returned immediately to the royal palace ── after saying a statement that was filled with feeling of trust, Alberto half forcibly took Christina into the garden.
.
.
“Christina…… I’m really sorry for letting you remember unpleasant things”
As they roamed around the garden, before one knew, They had reached an unpopulated place. Being led to such place, Christina gazed down.
“No, that’s……”
Hearing the rumor with Clara or even having it crosses my mind is actually unpleasant, however it can’t be helped. After all this world is about whether Alberto and Clara will be bound together or not, it is a world filled with such arranged fates.
Although she understood it, as expected she was afraid of the future where Alberto was snatched away by Clara, and Christina’s eyes teared up.
Alberto let out a sigh.
“……really, I’m sorry”
Having Alberto’s arm on top of her head, Christina unintentionally looked upward.
Looking at Alberto’s beautiful face drawing near, she blinked.
“Umm……Al?”
“Hmm……?”
Alberto flashed a thin smile, and drew his face closer.
“Ee, eeh……? Umm……umm”
Christina instantly put her hands on Alberto’s chest. It was in order to hold his advance back even for just a little, however it went without saying that its effectiveness was close to zero. As Christina stepped back in order to escape, her back touched the trunk of a tree.
Without minding it, Alberto used his other hand to grab Christina’s chin and making her look upward.
“Sorry, Kuu. But the only one I love is you”
Along with the sugary words, his obsidian eyes narrowed, and his beautiful lips drew near.
Christina flustered, she realized what kind of situation she was currently in and looked at her surroundings.
The place she was standing at, was right in front of a big tree. And right in front of her eyes, was Alberto. He put his hand on the tree behind Christina ── right on top of her head, while his other hand grabbed her chin, half restricting Christina’s movement.
There was no presence of people in the surroundings, however if she was to tip toe a little bit, she would be able to see people walking on the other side of the grove.
── Impossible.
Christina declared so in her mind.
Although we are hidden by the trees, but in a place where you can see people if you just tip toe a bit, anything more than this is impossible.
She understood his sincerity. Since he felt guilty, he tried to convey his feeling of love for her by doing that.
Christina then put her hand on Alberto’s chin, who was drawing his lips near with coquettish eyes.
Alberto stopped his movement, and raised his eyebrows.
Christina’s white slender finger firmly blocked his lips, and the attempted deed was made physically impossible to do.
“……umm, I understand your feeling. I’m no longer that mad about it anymore, so please don’t do such impossible thing”
Just to put Christina in a good mood, there was no need to even attempt an unreasonable skin ship like a kiss in other people’s garden.
She tried saying it while smiling sweetly, but then he released his hand from Christina’s chin before grabbing the delicate hand that was blocking his lips and took it down.
“It’s not impossible, you see. If it’s to convey my love to you, I’ll do anything”
From his shining smile, he’s considerably quite serious. Christina’s forehead started to sweat.
“Umm, but……in this kind of place”
“It’s alright, this place can’t be seen by anyone after all”
“──eh”
──is that really so?
Uneasy, Christina once again looked towards the other side of the trees. However, Alberto started to kiss Christina’s ear, and without being able to confirm it properly, her gaze returned startledly.
“Al……っ……”
As Christina tried to rebuke him, Alberto kissed her eyes, and caressed her cheek.
“Nee, Kuu. It’s fine even if it’s only for a little while, will you please look only at me?”
Perhaps it was for Christina who had teared up, just like what he did in the past, Alberto kissed both of Christina’s eyes, and softly pressed his lips on her forehead.
“……Al……”
Dropping the end of her eyebrows, her heart dokidoki beat fast as she was nervous; Alberto looked fondly at such her softly.
“It’s alright. No one saw us”
“But……”
Overwhelmed by Alberto’s calm demeanor, Christina’s judgment began to waver.
(T/N : Christinaaaa!!! щ(ºДºщ))
Is it alright to continue like this? If Alberto said it’s alright, I feel like it truly is. But, we haven’t done this kind of things outside after we grew up, so ── it’s scary.
Perhaps noticing Christina’s fear, he deliberately said with a gentle voice.
“It’s alright, Kuu…… It’s not ‘but’, just say ‘yes’. After that, I’ll take responsibility for everything”
“……”
As he drew really close, his words mixed with his sigh made Christina’s head to be filled with only Alberto.
Alberto kept looking at Christina who intoxicatedly gazed at him, then said the finishing blow to her.
“Nee, Christina…… You are mine, right?”
“……yes, Alberto-sama”
With dewy eyes, even as she trembled from the feeling of immorality, Christina obediently responded.
──Because, Christina does belong to Alberto after all.
Since the day when we vowed our love in the engagement ceremony, and for eternity──
The color of Alberto’s eyes, turn into one of a beast. Christina trembled, not from fear nor pleasant feeling, but as chill ran through her body,
“…… you’re such a good girl”
“……っ……”
Alberto had a cunning smile on his face, and then tried to eat up Christina’s lips. ──but, at that moment, there was a sound coming from the thicket as if someone was pushing through it. Christina immediately blocked Alberto’s mouth with her palm.
Christina with a pallid face and Alberto with an annoyed face, as both looked down, the one to appear was their important younger sister (sister-in-law) ── it was Anna.
Anna glared at her brother, then said such with a disgusted tone.
“── my, onii-sama, what a beast you are”
With the appearance of Anna who should have been in the middle of enjoying a pleasant chat with Marx, Alberto abandoned his plan of kissing Christina. However, with a face devoid of any shame, he hugged Christina closer and complained to his younger sister.
“Can’t you read the mood at all? Onii-sama and Chris onee-sama are lovers, see?”
“Oh my, I’m sorry. I can’t see it as anything than onii-sama skillfully deceiving onee-sama and tried to commit a crime, but it was supposed to be a skinship between lovers, was it?”
Christina turned bright red to her neck and teared up. She seemed unable to endure staying there for a second longer.
Alberto annoyedly sighed and asked.
“……so, what’s up?”
“It seems Marx has something he wanted to ask”
“──Marx?”
Being questioned back doubtfully, Anna then moved half of her body. Appearing and disappearing between the short trees and shrubs, and on the other side of the thicket, Marx was standing there.
His back turned towards Christina and the others as he looked over the garden, then he realized the presence and turned around.
Looking at the bright red Christina, and Alberto who clicked his tongue unreservedly, Marx smiled apologetically.
“We~ll, sorry. I did say that it’s better to come out a little bit later though?”
“──For the future king to deceive the future queen, as if I can just let it happen! It’s necessary to stop it……!”
──Anna is, how should I say it? She has completely returned to her energetic tomboyish princess self.
Christina, while trembling, asked in a whisper.
“……did you see it, the whole time……?”
Without saying anything, Anna just smiled sweetly.
Christina couldn’t endure the shame any longer, and buried her face in Alberto’s chest. Actually it was useless to do such thing, but as there was no other hiding place, at least she wanted to be hidden by Alberto.
Alberto quickly embraced Christina with both of his arms, and sighed troublesomely.
“──what do you want to talk about. Say it in a brief”
[1]Alberto uses “kimi” which is a polite form of saying “you”. Usually he’d say “omae” or a more rough form (usually used between close friends for males) to address Marx
[2]the sound of her face boiling up because of embarrasment
[3]Alberto returns to use “omae”
[4]not sure what it means : 低く抑揚がない I’m guessing it’s like he doesn’t stress anything or doesn’t put enough feeling into his words so it sounded fake or as if it doesn’t concern him at all
Marx’s mother was a lady who always spoke cheerfully. As the only daughter of the previous Marquis of the Klüger House, she was full of confidence, and as she spun cheerful tale after tale with a bright smile, one just couldn’t help but listen to her.
“Although as expected, it’s more comfortable to be one’s own homeland, but the neighboring state was also a great place to be. It’s title as the Kingdom of Water was not just for show, you see, there are canals here and there. And the merchants, their house’s back door is directly connected to the canal, so from there they will ride a boat and go peddling. Since you can constantly hear the sound of the flowing water, it was a country where you can feel the tranquil flow of time”
Being put inside the circle of Marchioness Klüger and her friends, Christina and the others somehow ended up in a delicate seating order. The first one to go, Alberto, forcibly sat beside Marchioness Klüger, and beside him was Christina, Anna, Marx, Irene, and then the other ladies who sat in a circle surrounding a round table.
Ending up sitting right beside Marx, Anna lost the vigor she had until just now in an instant, and just kept on sipping the tea little by little. ──Maiden in love will become docile in front of the one she love after all.
Perhaps since Christina unconsciously looked at Anna, Marx shifted his attention to her, then looked at Anna. Seeing Anna who kept on drinking the tea while faintly blushing, he softly laughed.
“……Is the rose tea to your liking, Hime-sama?”
“Eeh…… っ“
Being asked in a subdued voice as not to obstruct the ladies’ conversation, Anna was startled and then looked back towards Marx. Marx, after making a face as if saying oh?, smiled again.
“That, is a souvenir from the neighboring state, you see. Since mother was so pleased with it she bought a lot to stock it up, so there are lots of it in our cellar. There’s a faint sweetness, isn’t it? It seems it is using dried fruits”
“Is, is that so…… It’s very delicious”
It seemed that even for Marx, just like what it had always been from their childhood, Anna had always been a lovely princess for him. Christina had just recalled that memory recently, but his gaze right now was the same like the one he had that day, it was filled with an affection as if looking towards a younger sister.
Meanwhile, Anna’s eyes was glittering without any speck of effort of hiding it, and Christina who saw that, ended up being the one who felt uneasy.
Hearing Marx’s voice, Irene called out to Anna.
“How about having some sweets, Anna-sama? There are also fruit cake that Anna-sama loves. Shall I bring it?”
She who asked while tilting her head, without doubt had a gentle expression of an older woman. Without having any hidden meaning, she was just full of smiles from the delight of having met Anna. With navy blue hair and azure eyes, she was a lady who seemed so gentle.
Anna stared blankly, and then embarrassedly nodded.
“Ah, yes…… Thank you very much”
The fruit cake was in a position that couldn’t be reach from Anna’s seat. She smiled and nodded to Anna, then took the cake and put it in a small plate. Marx took that small plate, and put it in front of Anna.
Christina desperately held herself from smiling, and then turned her line of sight towards the other ladies while keeping a straight face. Surely, if even Christina were to watch over Anna with a tender expression, Anna would get more depressed.
──That exchange just now, no matter how you look at it, just seems like, a kid being taken care of.
Moreover, the one who took care of her were, the man she liked and his lover. For someone who had such a high pride like Anna, it might even be a humiliation.
“……haa”
Anna looked down towards the cake, a gloomy sigh leaked out from her mouth. Christina was startled. Alberto who heard that sigh, turned towards Anna, his eyes were squinted.
If he were to once again say [does your stomach hurt?], it will surely leave an irreparable scar on Anna’s maiden’s heart.
In order to prevent Alberto from making that remarks, Christina cheerfully called out to both him and Marchioness Klüger.
“I heard that in Sechs Kingdom, products that use crystal are famous, aren’t they, Alberto-sama? I’m thinking of using them at our wedding, what do you think about it?”
Alberto who had just promised to work hard in cooperating for the marriage preparation, smiled at Christina and then turned towards Marchioness Klüger.
“That’s right. If Marchioness is well-informed about them, we would really like to hear the details”
Christina smiled, though she was actually sullen inside.
This reaction, he surely doesn’t remember it, does he? Since if he remember, Alberto would surely mention where do we plan to put the crystal at. The person in charge has proposed to decorate the banquet with jewelries that used neighboring kingdom’s crystal; even though we got that proposal just the other day──
Marchioness Klüger gleefully explained a series of brand that had wonderful products.
Alberto who heard briefly about the brand name products, turned around to Christina with a smile on his face.
“Then, if it’s alright, would you let me decide the things regarding the crystal?”
“──……yes”
Christina stared blankly, and nodded despite her puzzlement. Although it seems he still doesn’t remember what the crystal are used for, does he plan to check it up later on?
“Oh dear, will Your Highness even decide such detail things?”
Marchioness Klüger asked surprisedly, and Alberto amiably nodded.
“The basics are usually decided by the government officials, even so, we are the ones who will give the final decision about them. There are a lot of works that Christina still aren’t used to, it really is quite hard”
The ceremony for the royal family was basically held in order to demonstrate the power of the country, thus for deciding things, it centered around the government officials. From several final candidates that had went through careful examination, choosing one from them would be Christina and Alberto’s role. Although she was told to choose the things that she liked, but for someone with an earnest nature like Christina, she inadvertently examined the already few choices again and ended up taking more time. When she thought about how it involved the country, she just couldn’t help but to be cautious.
“Oh dear, what a wonderful talk. I too, want to be able to take part in the preparation for a ceremony soon “
Marchioness Klüger sent Marx a meaningful look. Irene raised her face uneagerly, and the line of sight from everyone in the tea room was concentrated at both of them.
Marx put a kindhearted-like smile on his face and shrugged his shoulder.
” Please no, I hope you won’t pester me like that. When the time comes, Mother will also be able to do that”
One of the ladies asked joyfully.
“As expected, are Marx-sama and Irene-sama lovers?”
Marx fell into silent with a smile. During that opportunity, the other ladies started to ask in succession.
“Oh my, isn’t it a matter of course? After all they did come together from the neighboring kingdom. Surely she has come to see her future husband’s country in advance, no?”
“That must be so. Will the ceremony be held here? Or as expected will it be in the bride’s home country?”
“Oh dear, is that so? When did you both got engaged? Did you not plan on having engagement ceremony?”
It seems Irene had not been introduced in detail.
Christina casually looked at Anna. Anna put a cake into her mouth, in her eyes, there was no sign of vitality anymore.
Irene kept on putting a ladylike smile, and turned her gaze towards Marx. Being urged, Marx turned around to face Alberto.
“Which reminds me, did Your Highness Alberto hold an engagement ceremony?”
In front of people, Marx used a honorific language towards Alberto. As the matter was brought up abruptly, Alberto raised his eyebrows, and responded with an expression that made it hard to guess his intention.
“……yeah, it was after you[1] moved to the neighboring kingdom. We only invited some relatives, it was just a simple ceremony”
The engagement ceremony for the ten years old Alberto and the seven years old Christina was a small scale one, held in the church inside the royal palace. If they were adults, a grand ceremony suitable for them would be held, nevertheless as it was not the case, holding an extensive ritual of vow for minors was hence judged to be too much for them.
Since they were scheduled to get married after Christina turned sixteen, there was no talk about having any engagement ceremony after her coming of age.
Although it was only a ceremony where only their relatives came, it was a very big event for Christina.
The statue of Goddess on the other side of the altar smiled benevolently, and behind her the stained glass was gleaming with rainbow color.
Within the white walled church wrapped in serene air, dressed in a pure white gown, Christina gave a promise of love to marry Alberto, and knelt before him.
Alberto too, gave a vow to marry her in the future, and kissed her forehead gently.
Though there was no veil, but it was a very sacred ceremony.
Remembering the past, Christina’s eyes teared up.
It was the day where her heart danced as it throbbed fast thinking how she would be tied together with Alberto in the future.
──And the day when I will finally able to marry him really is coming.
It was a future Christina had once given up on, and wanting to ascertain whether this was a reality or not, she turned her eyes at Alberto.
Alberto, who had grown up to be a splendid young man, met Christina’s eyes and then lowered his eyebrows. He smiled at her sweetly, and under the table, he lightly held Christina’s fingers.
Christina’s heart beat at the unexpected event, as Alberto brought his face near to her ears and whispered softly.
“What a face you’re making right now, Christina. It makes me want to kiss you immediately, socould you please do something about that adorable expression……?”
“──っ”
Christina pulled her body back as she felt his breath on her ears. She clutched her fingers firmly, and quickly straightened up her back. She opened her eyes that were closed when she pulled her body back, and saw Alberto, with his elbow on top of the table as his hand supported his head, laughing amusedly.
Kaa[2], Christina’s cheeks were dyed red, and when she looked around to her surroundings, lukewarm gazes were all focusing on her, making her teared up.
“Umm……”
──I just can’t think of any excuse.
Even though Christina put an air and acted like an elder sister in front of Anna, but in front of Alberto that pretense was ruined, and it made her blanked out.
“Both of you are really close since a long time ago”
Perhaps it was a timely help for her, as Christina looked towards the voice, which belonged to Marx. He looked at Alberto with teasing eyes, then returned his gaze to Christina.
“After being engaged when you were seven and ten years old, both of you have always been devoted to each other until now, it really is worth of respect”
The tea room which was full of pleasant giggle before, shiin, fell silent. Alberto stopped his laugh and got up from his seat.
It was clear even without anyone saying it. What crossed through everyone’s mind right now, was the rumor with Clara.
No matter how he attempted on settling down the issue, rumor was not something that can disappeared easily in such a short time.
Alberto unhesitantly circled his arm around Christina’s waist, and smiled towards Marx.
“Isn’t it a matter of course? There is no woman in the whole world who is better than Christina. I’m really looking forward to marry her”
Marx chuckled, though without any sarcasm in it.
“Really, how passionate. Even since before, you have always said that you don’t need any concubine. Such faithfulness. It’s really different with the royalties of the neighboring kingdom”
“……well, yeah. You, have you met before with the neighboring kingdom’s royalties?”
Marx lowered his gaze, only the corners of his mouth were lifted.
“Well, since Father’s work is a work. We were blessed to have various kind of chance to meet the royalties”
His father who went to Sechs Kingdom to lend his wisdom to its legislative system, just as when he was still in Noin Kingdom, seemed to be someone with the position of being close to the royalties.
As his son, it was natural for Marx to be friendly with the royalties too, however his expression seemed to suggest no favorable impression that was left in him.
The neighboring kingdom, just like Noin Kingdom, adopted a polygamy system that was exclusive only for the royalties.
The king of Sechs Kingdom certainly does have two concubines── as she pondered so, Alberto returned to talk while sighing.
“Even with the same position of being a royalty, each one has different thoughts. ……Shouldn’t you[3] just settle down and marry already, Marx?”
“Nnn……”
Marx was hesitating to say something, and looked towards his mother.
Marchioness Klüger returned her son’s gaze with a sharp look, making him shrugged his shoulders.
“……I wonder. I am an irresponsible person after all”
“── Oh dear, Marx”
Having his name called by his mother with a reproachful voice, he turned his eyes towards Alberto. Alberto looked back at Marx with half opened eyes, and then began to talk to the ladies within the tea room.
“……That’s right. I forgot to mention it before, but speaking of the neighboring kingdom, it seems the kingdom’s first prince will be coming here next time. Since it was not an official visit, there will be no parade, however it seems the prince wish to observe the structure of the royal capital. Perhaps, you ladies may also had the chance to pass him by”
“Oh dear, Sechs Kingdom’s first prince will?”
“His Highness Tobias, right?”
A fuss regarding Sechs Kingdom’s first prince soon arose.
Having been helped by Alberto by diverting the topic, Marx looked at Irene. She returned his gaze with a serious look, then Marx softly caressed her cheek with the back of his finger.
“…… If you’re destined to be together, you’ll surely be bound together, Irene”
That conceited words, sounded as an indirect promise of future. However the tone of his voice was as though he was giving a kind of oracle, without any deep accentuation at all.[4]
Christina remembered the out-of-place feeling she had, however the other ladies received those words in a positive way and simultaneously raised a shrilling voice together.
“How wonderful, I also want to be told that!”
“Being young is so wonderful! His Highness too, Marx-sama too”
“I’m so envious. I also want to return to the time when I was still young”
Bathed in compliments, Marchioness Klüger was smiling, however Irene’s complexion worsened, while Anna hung her head while making a face as if it was the end of the world.
“……ahっ“
When Christina was about to called out to Anna, she felt Alberto put power on his arm which was circling her waist.
Being forcibly made to stand up, Christina was held within Alberto’s arms. He then flashed a cordial smile to everyone in the tea room.
“Excuse me, please continue on with the talk. We will take a walk around the lovely garden for a while”
“Yes. Please enjoy yourselves”
As Marchioness Klüger replied with a smile, Christina lost the opportunity to called out to Anna.
Alberto was surely trying to leave for the sake of Christina who ended up recalling the incident with Clara.
However, I cannot bring myself to leave Anna by herself here.
Alberto swiftly turned the direction of Christina’s body, and at that time, there was another person who was trying to leave the seat.
“──Likewise, I’ll excuse myself too”
The one who said that, was the one whose face turned pale after hearing Marx’s words, it was Irene.
“Marx”
Without a moment’s delay, Marchioness Klüger ordered him to be the escort, however Irene quietly shook her head.
“That’s okay, I’m sorry, Oba-sama. It seems I eat a little bit too much sweets so I will return to the mansion. Marx, by all means please stay here”
“Oh dear, is that so? If you’re feeling unwell, just tell it to the people in the mansion,okay?”
“Yes”
After saying that, she bowed to Christina and the others, and disappeared to the mansion in haste.
“Both of us too, shall we go?”
Prompted by Alberto, Christina turned back towards Anna.
Marx was in the middle of talking with Anna. Her paled face turned bright in a blink of an eye.
“Anna will be okay. Since before, Marx has been very skillful in treating Anna after all”
If she’s feeling unwell, she’ll be returned immediately to the royal palace ── after saying a statement that was filled with feeling of trust, Alberto half forcibly took Christina into the garden.
.
.
“Christina…… I’m really sorry for letting you remember unpleasant things”
As they roamed around the garden, before one knew, They had reached an unpopulated place. Being led to such place, Christina gazed down.
“No, that’s……”
Hearing the rumor with Clara or even having it crosses my mind is actually unpleasant, however it can’t be helped. After all this world is about whether Alberto and Clara will be bound together or not, it is a world filled with such arranged fates.
Although she understood it, as expected she was afraid of the future where Alberto was snatched away by Clara, and Christina’s eyes teared up.
Alberto let out a sigh.
“……really, I’m sorry”
Having Alberto’s arm on top of her head, Christina unintentionally looked upward.
Looking at Alberto’s beautiful face drawing near, she blinked.
“Umm……Al?”
“Hmm……?”
Alberto flashed a thin smile, and drew his face closer.
“Ee, eeh……? Umm……umm”
Christina instantly put her hands on Alberto’s chest. It was in order to hold his advance back even for just a little, however it went without saying that its effectiveness was close to zero. As Christina stepped back in order to escape, her back touched the trunk of a tree.
Without minding it, Alberto used his other hand to grab Christina’s chin and making her look upward.
“Sorry, Kuu. But the only one I love is you”
Along with the sugary words, his obsidian eyes narrowed, and his beautiful lips drew near.
Christina flustered, she realized what kind of situation she was currently in and looked at her surroundings.
The place she was standing at, was right in front of a big tree. And right in front of her eyes, was Alberto. He put his hand on the tree behind Christina ── right on top of her head, while his other hand grabbed her chin, half restricting Christina’s movement.
There was no presence of people in the surroundings, however if she was to tip toe a little bit, she would be able to see people walking on the other side of the grove.
── Impossible.
Christina declared so in her mind.
Although we are hidden by the trees, but in a place where you can see people if you just tip toe a bit, anything more than this is impossible.
She understood his sincerity. Since he felt guilty, he tried to convey his feeling of love for her by doing that.
Christina then put her hand on Alberto’s chin, who was drawing his lips near with coquettish eyes.
Alberto stopped his movement, and raised his eyebrows.
Christina’s white slender finger firmly blocked his lips, and the attempted deed was made physically impossible to do.
“……umm, I understand your feeling. I’m no longer that mad about it anymore, so please don’t do such impossible thing”
Just to put Christina in a good mood, there was no need to even attempt an unreasonable skin ship like a kiss in other people’s garden.
She tried saying it while smiling sweetly, but then he released his hand from Christina’s chin before grabbing the delicate hand that was blocking his lips and took it down.
“It’s not impossible, you see. If it’s to convey my love to you, I’ll do anything”
From his shining smile, he’s considerably quite serious. Christina’s forehead started to sweat.
“Umm, but……in this kind of place”
“It’s alright, this place can’t be seen by anyone after all”
“──eh”
──is that really so?
Uneasy, Christina once again looked towards the other side of the trees. However, Alberto started to kiss Christina’s ear, and without being able to confirm it properly, her gaze returned startledly.
“Al……っ……”
As Christina tried to rebuke him, Alberto kissed her eyes, and caressed her cheek.
“Nee, Kuu. It’s fine even if it’s only for a little while, will you please look only at me?”
Perhaps it was for Christina who had teared up, just like what he did in the past, Alberto kissed both of Christina’s eyes, and softly pressed his lips on her forehead.
“……Al……”
Dropping the end of her eyebrows, her heart dokidoki beat fast as she was nervous; Alberto looked fondly at such her softly.
“It’s alright. No one saw us”
“But……”
Overwhelmed by Alberto’s calm demeanor, Christina’s judgment began to waver.
(T/N : Christinaaaa!!! щ(ºДºщ))
Is it alright to continue like this? If Alberto said it’s alright, I feel like it truly is. But, we haven’t done this kind of things outside after we grew up, so ── it’s scary.
Perhaps noticing Christina’s fear, he deliberately said with a gentle voice.
“It’s alright, Kuu…… It’s not ‘but’, just say ‘yes’. After that, I’ll take responsibility for everything”
“……”
As he drew really close, his words mixed with his sigh made Christina’s head to be filled with only Alberto.
Alberto kept looking at Christina who intoxicatedly gazed at him, then said the finishing blow to her.
“Nee, Christina…… You are mine, right?”
“……yes, Alberto-sama”
With dewy eyes, even as she trembled from the feeling of immorality, Christina obediently responded.
──Because, Christina does belong to Alberto after all.
Since the day when we vowed our love in the engagement ceremony, and for eternity──
The color of Alberto’s eyes, turn into one of a beast. Christina trembled, not from fear nor pleasant feeling, but as chill ran through her body,
“…… you’re such a good girl”
“……っ……”
Alberto had a cunning smile on his face, and then tried to eat up Christina’s lips. ──but, at that moment, there was a sound coming from the thicket as if someone was pushing through it. Christina immediately blocked Alberto’s mouth with her palm.
Christina with a pallid face and Alberto with an annoyed face, as both looked down, the one to appear was their important younger sister (sister-in-law) ── it was Anna.
Anna glared at her brother, then said such with a disgusted tone.
“── my, onii-sama, what a beast you are”
With the appearance of Anna who should have been in the middle of enjoying a pleasant chat with Marx, Alberto abandoned his plan of kissing Christina. However, with a face devoid of any shame, he hugged Christina closer and complained to his younger sister.
“Can’t you read the mood at all? Onii-sama and Chris onee-sama are lovers, see?”
“Oh my, I’m sorry. I can’t see it as anything than onii-sama skillfully deceiving onee-sama and tried to commit a crime, but it was supposed to be a skinship between lovers, was it?”
Christina turned bright red to her neck and teared up. She seemed unable to endure staying there for a second longer.
Alberto annoyedly sighed and asked.
“……so, what’s up?”
“It seems Marx has something he wanted to ask”
“──Marx?”
Being questioned back doubtfully, Anna then moved half of her body. Appearing and disappearing between the short trees and shrubs, and on the other side of the thicket, Marx was standing there.
His back turned towards Christina and the others as he looked over the garden, then he realized the presence and turned around.
Looking at the bright red Christina, and Alberto who clicked his tongue unreservedly, Marx smiled apologetically.
“We~ll, sorry. I did say that it’s better to come out a little bit later though?”
“──For the future king to deceive the future queen, as if I can just let it happen! It’s necessary to stop it……!”
──Anna is, how should I say it? She has completely returned to her energetic tomboyish princess self.
Christina, while trembling, asked in a whisper.
“……did you see it, the whole time……?”
Without saying anything, Anna just smiled sweetly.
Christina couldn’t endure the shame any longer, and buried her face in Alberto’s chest. Actually it was useless to do such thing, but as there was no other hiding place, at least she wanted to be hidden by Alberto.
Alberto quickly embraced Christina with both of his arms, and sighed troublesomely.
“──what do you want to talk about. Say it in a brief”
[1]Alberto uses “kimi” which is a polite form of saying “you”. Usually he’d say “omae” or a more rough form (usually used between close friends for males) to address Marx
[2]the sound of her face boiling up because of embarrasment
[3]Alberto returns to use “omae”
[4]not sure what it means : 低く抑揚がない I’m guessing it’s like he doesn’t stress anything or doesn’t put enough feeling into his words so it sounded fake or as if it doesn’t concern him at all
