Chapter 47

A womanizer, perhaps?

When I gave a wry smile tinged with confusion, His Highness Lian widened his eyes slightly, as if surprised.

Indeed, in the current Lumos Empire, I’m labeled as a suspicious woman of unknown origin.
But in the Tsaobera Dynasty, I held the position of the daughter of the Frenzel Duchy.

Even so, I’m still just a noble.
There’s no need for him, a member of the imperial family, to show me deference.

His Highness Lian answered simply.

“Because you are a remarkable person, Lady Felicia.”

“Huh!?”

What did he just say?
In my shock, my “Eh!?” came out closer to a “Heh!?”
Hardly the speech of a proper lady.
Fortunately, His Highness Lian didn’t seem to mind my absurd outburst.
He tilted his head, looking at me.
His lush golden hair swayed gently at his chest.

“Is that strange? You are a figure from five hundred years ago, the fiancée of Felix Tsaobera, the last crown prince of the Tsaobera Dynasty. You are also the younger sister of the renowned Agnes Frenzel. Anyone with even a passing interest in history would know of you.”

“When I introduced myself at the Tower of Lament, you said you didn’t know…”

“I never imagined that you, Lady Felicia, would be alive in the present empire.”

Fair enough.
In my confusion, I’d asked something that absolutely didn’t need to be asked right now. After a few seconds of thought, I arrived at the same conclusion.

“I was just a noble lady. In the Tsaobera Dynasty, I was the daughter of the Frenzel Duchy, but Your Highness is the second prince of this empire. It feels… odd for you to address me with such respect.”

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

Nodding firmly as I spoke, His Highness Lian seemed to accept my point.
Then, glancing at me, he said.

“Then… Felicia?”

“—”

(Right!! Not Lady Felicia or Miss Felicia!!)

In this Lumos Empire, I’m just Felicia, with no title or status.
Being called simply Felicia, though—felt very,

(Strange…!! Unsettling…!)

Perhaps because I’m not used to it.
The only man who ever called me that, aside from my father, was my fiancé, Felix.
Recalling that, His Highness Lian tilted his head again.

“…Or perhaps, the Witch of Lament—”

I cut him off, denying the suggestion before he could finish.

“Felicia is fine!! Please call me Felicia!! Absolutely!!”

Answering almost too eagerly, His Highness Lian blinked rapidly, as if taken aback by my fervor—then let out a soft chuckle.
That reaction made me pause.

(Was I… teased again??)

Feeling a slight exhaustion, I pressed further.

“Why does Your Highness speak so formally?”

“Oh, does that bother you?”

“Well… yes. You spoke casually with Matthew-sama, didn’t you? I’d like you to speak to me that way too…”

After all, I’m neither a great historical figure nor someone of such high status that royalty should show me deference.
Nodding as I answered, His Highness Lian furrowed his brow slightly, placing a hand to his mouth as if troubled.

“…This way of speaking is something of a habit. I generally speak like this to everyone except my subordinates.”

“I see…”

That was a bit surprising.

“But if it bothers you, Felicia—er, I mean, Felicia, I’ll try to adjust. Though, since I’m not used to it, it might take a while. …For now, Felicia?”

“Y… Yes.”

I, too, am unaccustomed to His Highness Lian’s new way of addressing me.

(I’m the one who asked for the change, so it’s odd to be flustered by it…!!)

It’s just… I feel strangely nervous.
Not exactly unsettled, but… restless, perhaps.

(Yes… this feeling is like ‘going on a trip but feeling like I forgot something essential…!!’ That’s exactly it!!)

I have my wallet, my phone.
I have my house keys, so I can manage if need be…!!

Chanting those words like a mantra, I forcibly suppress the ‘I forgot something’ fear.

This uneasy feeling will surely fade with time.
As I thought that, His Highness Lian smiled softly.

“…See you later. I’ll come find you.”

With that, His Highness Lian walked down the corridor.
I’d heard he was tasked with overseeing the Ministry of Magic, and he likely had imperial duties as well.
He must be incredibly busy.
I could only feel gratitude for him taking the time to show me such care.

After seeing him off, I promptly unwrapped the candy he’d given me.
The candy inside was a translucent pink.
Holding it between my fingers, I raised it to the sunlight.
I recalled his parting words.

‘See you later. I’ll come find you.’

“…………”

(Just a change in how he speaks, and his impression shifts so much. That’s incredible…)

Is it a skill only a handsome man can pull off?
Or is it simply because it’s His Highness Lian?
It feels like both.

Thinking that, I popped the candy into my mouth.
It was strawberry-flavored.