By Zephyria The meal was surprisingly harmonious.
Rubel, the Second Prince, had a surprisingly gentle voice and was quite eloquent, unlike his appearance. Listening to him softly recount Mikael’s daily life, which we didn’t know about, in contrast to his reserved and cool demeanor, made me wonder if the Mikael he spoke of might not be my son.
Mikael’s stories about his friends were particularly fascinating, no matter how many times I heard them.
Viscount Holmos, Count Christopher, and House of Rose were families with a long-standing pro-Valentia inclination. They were close enough to see Mikael on his birthday, and Viscount Holmos, in particular, was actively involved in various lucrative businesses, making it easy to hear news without much effort.
However, the Claudian Marquisate and Baron Philodendor remained unfamiliar, no matter how much I heard about them.
The Claudian Marquisate, known for its martial physique, was said to have produced a Grand Sword Master in some past generation, and in another, to have had dragon blood mixed in. Since there was no one my age, I had never actually met anyone from there, so it sounded like a tale from legend. For Claudian to be such close friends with Mikael. I was naively thrilled, thinking my son was associating with legends and ushering in a new era.
After the tender meal, we were each served a cup of tea.
While discussing Lady Marienne, whom Mikael had accompanied at his coming-of-age ceremony, I felt a certain intention behind the stories about the many handsome and kind men she was currently close with.
Reni, who had been probing only about Mikael’s friendships and had not asked a single thing about Rubel, suddenly said this.
“So, did you like the bow you received?”
“⋯Yes.”
The Second Prince, biting his lower lip once more before releasing it, smiled cautiously. A blush slowly bloomed on his pale face. Seeing that, I flusteredly withdrew my hand from the teacup. The Second Prince slowly raised his gaze to meet Reni’s directly. Then he said.
“Did you perhaps hear what gift I received?”
“No.”
“I received a Chilopoda-Worm, a giant monster, and a Grey Giant Bear. I⋯.”
Why was he taking such a deep breath, about to say something?
“⋯Mika once said that I resembled a bear. Remembering that⋯.”
I choked, though I hadn’t drunk anything.
Was the Second Prince really calling Mika by a pet name in front of us? And was it really okay to say such things with such a shy and secretive expression, while blushing? Are the children these days so shameless? Reni patted my back, which had been flustered, and handed me water, helping me to calm down.
While the Second Prince and I were both blushing furiously, Reni alone remained composed.
“Ah. Is that so?”
“⋯Yes. Thanks to that, I was able to reach the most glorious position this year. I wanted to express my gratitude for the sincerity with which you sent the mark of Valentia, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to bring it up.”
“We will consider Your Highness’s glory as Valentia’s pride, so please do not worry. However, I have one question.”
“Yes.”
“How did Your Highness become friends with Mikael?”
This was the first time Reni had asked about Rubel, the Second Prince, during our long conversation. The young man, still with a flushed face, now made no attempt to hide his nervousness. His hands, resting on the table, were clenched into fists, and his tense shoulders were stiff.
“Well⋯. We became friends by chance because we shared a hobby.”
“A hobby, what kind?”
“When I⋯. was taking a swordsmanship class, Mika showed interest in me.”
“Ah.”
Indeed, Mikael had always been particularly kind to knights who were skilled with a sword within the family. It seemed the Second Prince had a talent for swordsmanship and received Mikael’s kindness. The Second Prince, in a quiet and gentle tone, boasted about how kind Mikael was and how well he took care of him.
There was a sense of déjà vu in his stiffly frozen demeanor.
Did all my fumbling in front of Lady Seiren show so clearly? Did I feel this way every time Oscar, the Young Duke of Valentia, no, now Duke Valentia, looked me up and down?
Reni, who had been listening quietly, added.
“But, Mika is mostly kind to everyone to that extent, isn’t she?”
“⋯I know that too.”
“Still, do you like Mikael?”
“⋯.”
The Second Prince couldn’t answer immediately. After biting his lip for a long time, he let out a sigh and looked up. His cheeks were red, the ends of his eyebrows drooped, and his lips were slightly parted from taking a deep breath. He laughed, then bit his lip again, then laughed once more.
“⋯I haven’t received permission to say that yet.”
“From Mika?”
“Yes. Still, I plan to try a little harder.”
“Your visit today is also part of that effort, isn’t it?”
“⋯Shamefully, yes.”
After that, Reni and the Second Prince exchanged a few more polite remarks. Throughout it all, the Second Prince became increasingly flustered and anxious, while Reni’s expression grew more satisfied and pleased as she savored his embarrassment. Thus, the meal, which was long and short, finally concluded.
The Second Prince escorted us back to the Valentia Townhouse before it got too late. As I escorted her, Reni, who seemed to float lightly, entered the townhouse’s entrance and immediately looked up at me, smiling brightly.
“How was it?”
“Excuse me? How was what?”
“I was fine. We’ll know for sure if we meet again as a foursome next time, but for now⋯. He’s cunning, but very different from what I expected. If this was also an act, I’d be willing to be fooled once.”
“⋯This, too, if?”
“Did you see how nervous he was? Sweat was beading from his forehead to the bridge of his nose.”
“Ah. Yes⋯. That’s right.”
“Besides, he was better looking than I thought. Mikael thought everything else resembled you, but perhaps his taste in men is similar to mine.”
“⋯Is that so? He looked so snake-like.”
“But he’s cute when he smiles.”
Well. That frozen smile⋯. It seemed more pitiful than cute. But I didn’t want to argue with my wife about every little thing, so I just nodded. Still, I was relieved that she seemed to have cheered up, and that Mikael seemed to be treated more preciously by the Second Prince than I had expected.
And so, in December.
We deliberately put the two children to bed early and called Mikael out alone. Since Reni had entrusted the responsibility to me, I, lacking eloquence, repeated the same obvious points several times. Mikael’s right eyebrow began to twitch. Mika, who couldn’t stand boredom, couldn’t endure it for even five minutes.
“Father. If you have something you wish to ask me, you may ask directly.”
Now it was Seiren’s turn. She fluttered like a butterfly and sat down next to Mikael. A silence filled with tension and excitement permeated the family room. I calmly observed Mikael’s bewildered face.
“⋯Mika, I wish you would tell me honestly.”
“Yes.”
“Did something⋯. happen with the Second Prince?”
⋯Why is he smiling?
“You offered the Second Prince a hunt at the Hunting Festival. The words written in your letter didn’t seem like they came from your own mind. Was that⋯.”
“Yes, that’s right. I have come to love the Second Prince.”
“Was there any coercion⋯. What?”
“Yes?”
How could he say such a thing in such a manner? Seiren spoke cautiously, but Mikael was upright and confident, as if he had done nothing wrong. He was my son, but truly strange.
“It is said that in the Sierran Empire, it is common for people of the same gender to share affection. So, wanting to give something good to Ruben, I offered a beast at the Hunting Festival first.”
“⋯Of course, it’s not unheard of⋯. but it’s not common, is it?”
That’s right. Although I had put it aside for a moment because Mikael suddenly bringing up affection, love, or such words was so unfamiliar and surprising, anyone with eyes could tell that Rubel Anti Sieron was a man.
As I recalled the young knight with a cold demeanor, who seemed to have walked out of a magic territory, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Mikael’s face, which was melting sweetly.
“Indeed, I did think that it wouldn’t be common for people of the same gender to meet⋯ and for such things to happen.”
“Right. Especially⋯. those who inherit titles usually⋯. want to see descendants, so it’s even rarer. You are too young⋯. What if you mistook friendship for love⋯?”
Reni, who had been so proud and cold in front of Rubel, the Second Prince, was not present here. Her voice trembled like a baby goat. In contrast, Mikael showed no sign of embarrassment. He simply nodded with a gentle smile, just as he would soothe his younger sibling.
“Yes, at such a young age, one might make such a mistake. That’s why I told Rubel we would talk again when he’s a bit older.”
“⋯Not you⋯. The Second Prince, when he’s older⋯?”
“Yes. My appearance is quite striking, so I tend to easily captivate others.”
Now I understood why he said he hadn’t received permission to say he liked her yet.
The Second Prince was indeed caught up in Mikael. With his pretty face, so like Lady Seiren’s, he must have melted the cold and stern Second Prince by coaxing and flattering him, calling him pretty and cute. The image was vivid in my mind.
I like you, but your liking me might be a mistake, or you’re too young, such strange words spoken with that expression, how could anyone not fall for him? Even though he’s my son, my heart couldn’t help but lean towards him.
I had already resigned myself to it, but Lady Seiren asked again, as if she couldn’t believe it.
“⋯To the Second Prince, that is⋯. Did you already⋯. tell him that you like him?”
What are you asking? The answer was obvious.
“Yes.”
I laughed, so dumbfounded. A sigh escaped me involuntarily. Mikael looked at me with a face still brimming with a satisfied and pleased smile, as if looking down on me.
“What happened?”
“⋯No, last autumn, I happened to meet the Second Prince⋯. and he was very⋯. surprisingly polite in his greeting and care, which made me a bit embarrassed. I didn’t know this was happening⋯.”
Yes, if I had heard it from Mikael first, I might have been less surprised.
No, that’s not right. I would have been surprised anyway. Because I couldn’t reconcile the words ‘child’ spoken by Mikael with the face of the Second Prince. But still, a little⋯. No, this one is just⋯.
Lady Seiren, who was looking at me tenderly, as I was troubled, cheerfully tidied up the situation.
“Yes⋯. Let’s take more time to consider it. But, no matter who you like⋯. I love and support my son very much.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“You’ve always been good on your own, but if you have any worries, please tell us.”
“Yes.”
From that day on, Reni began to ponder how to deal with the First Prince.
She worried that as long as the First Prince, who was in constant opposition to the Second Prince, was alive, even if Mikael somehow ended up with the Second Prince, he would be relegated to a remote territory and live his life without ever being able to spread his wings.
But I couldn’t understand her. When and how could my son ever be intimidated? This boy would stand tall and spout frustrating nonsense even in front of a goddess, let alone the Emperor.
Still, since same-sex marriage was not yet legalized, some change was needed. Reni largely took charge of gathering people to support the Second Prince. I was busy diligently taking care of her and the children, following along.