Simon was the best when it came to execution.
However, the problem was.
“Why me……?”
“I need courage.”
Why not just be honest?
You’re trying to bring me along because I seem close to Peril!
“I need some time to rest, though?”
“Let’s work in the storage together tomorrow.”
“Isn’t that something we normally do together anyway?”
He immediately shut his mouth.
Seriously, how absurd.
Acting like he’s doing me a favor for something we’re obviously supposed to do.
“……Let’s just go without saying anything.”
“Sh-should we?”
Simon seemed to think it was better that way too, as he immediately accepted my suggestion.
By the time we reached Peril’s room, Simon was so tense he gulped audibly.
Where did that confident attitude in front of me go?
If I waited for him, the sun would probably set.
“Teacher, we’re coming in for a moment.”
When Peril saw me and Simon enter the room, he narrowed his eyes.
“……An unexpected combination.”
I lightly tapped Simon’s stiff arm. But with his face pale as a sheet, he just opened and closed his mouth without saying a word.
In the end, I stepped forward.
“Simon here has something he wants to say.”
“B-Bianca!”
Simon jumped at my casual remark.
“Should I say the rest too?”
“No, no! I’ll do it!”
Thankfully, he seemed to come to his senses at my words. After taking a deep breath, he hesitantly stepped up to Peril.
“A-about being taken off the Kingdom of Orphen list…”
“If you have something to say, say it properly.”
Simon flinched at Peril’s firm voice.
“S-so…….”
“…….”
“I was hoping you might reconsider……”
His ending trailed off, not quite matching his earlier confidence.
Is this what it feels like to have a frustrating younger sibling?
“Since Simon is from the Kingdom of Orphen, wouldn’t he be helpful?”
I subtly threw out a bait, and thankfully, he had enough awareness to take it.
“Y-yes. I might be helpful in the kingdom. At the very least, I won’t be a burden.”
Peril’s gaze briefly flicked to me. It was as if he was asking how I ended up bringing Simon here.
I gave a slight shrug to say I didn’t know either, and he let out a deep sigh.
“……You’ll keep your word about not being a burden, right?”
“Huh? Yes!”
Simon’s face, which had been gloomy the whole time, brightened.
“Alright, fine.”
“……!”
“I’ll believe you just this once.”
Simon let out a short gasp.
“Well, if anything happens, the one beside you can suffer the consequences.”
……Don’t tell me he meant me?
Blinking at the unexpected reply, Peril gestured toward me.
“Yes, you.”
Oh, god. I dug my own grave.
There was no helping it.
I couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed at Simon, who was now bouncing in joy right next to me.
* * *
Time flew by, and the day to depart for the Kingdom of Orphen had arrived.
“Never take this ring off.”
Peril firmly instructed me as he slipped a ring onto my ring finger.
“It will hide your appearance.”
As he said this, Peril had already changed his own appearance. I thought he would dress as a woman again for this trip, but unexpectedly, he remained in male form.
Brown hair and brown eyes.
An ordinary appearance without any distinct features.
If I had seen Peril like this right after my possession, I’d have thought he was just a background character.
“What should I call you in the kingdom?”
“Thomas.”
So plain.
……Well, not that I’m one to talk.
I also had inconspicuous brown hair, just like Peril. My cheeks were dotted with freckles, making for a truly ordinary appearance.
“I get why Lord Peril would change his appearance, but why you too, Bianca?”
Simon looked like he couldn’t understand at all.
“Because I’m a noble. We’re preparing for unexpected situations. Right, Anne?”
Ah, that was my name.
I reacted a step late, still not used to the name. Then I noticed Simon wasn’t saying anything.
He stood there dazed, looking shocked, and finally managed to speak.
“Bianca, you were a noble?”
……You’re only realizing that now?
“Wow, I really didn’t know. It didn’t show at all.”
Was that a roundabout way of insulting me?
“My god. I can’t believe it.”
Simon kept repeating how shocked he was.
In the end, I couldn’t hold back and cut him off.
“Okay, that’s enough.”
“……Am I going to be arrested for insulting a noble?”
“It’s nothing like that, so just keep your mouth shut.”
I had to be around Simon for the next few days. Was this going to be okay?
While anxiety slowly crept in, the carriage began to move.
“I’ll treat you big when we get to Orphen.”
“That’s not necessary. Just wake me when we arrive.”
At my firm words, Simon quickly pouted and fell silent.
* * *
“Your Grace, all preparations for departure are complete.”
Sharp sunlight pricked at his eyelids. As Ricardo slowly opened his eyes, the sound of waves filled his ears.
The foam stirred by the waves crashing onto the shore sparkled warmly under the sunlight.
“……It seems you can depart right after receiving the blessing from His Holiness.”
The voice came in and out. Ricardo barely made it out and responded.
“Alright.”
Rose hesitated briefly before speaking.
“Did you bring the sleeping pills?”
He had eaten well, and slept well too. He had contributed in the subjugation battle and fulfilled his duties as Harnen’s proxy in the meetings.
It was a perfect routine. He even felt so refreshed that he doubled his training time.
“The chief physician said your dosage needs adjusting. Anything beyond what’s prescribed could be poison.”
He had fallen into a deep sleep for the first time in a while. With no dreams at all, his body felt excessively light.
Wasn’t this the ordinary daily life he had longed for?
Maybe that’s why. Her words felt contradictory.
“No need to worry.”
“Of course, it’s fortunate if there are no issues.”
To Rose’s eyes, Ricardo looked perfect. The traces of unease he sometimes showed had completely disappeared, and he seemed like the ideal duke one could only dream of.
“……That’s a relief.”
In the past, he had suffered from insomnia. He didn’t show it, but if one went to the training grounds before dawn, Ricardo was always there.
Perhaps he was exhausting his body to fall asleep. That’s what she used to think.
That was still the same now, but unlike before, his expression looked brighter, which was a relief.
Though she didn’t know the exact reason.
“Duke, the priests have arrived.”
At the servant’s words, Ricardo began to walk.
“Have you been well, Your Grace?”
A priest limping toward him greeted him. A sudden shaft of sunlight made Ricardo squint.
“I don’t recognize your face.”
“I-I greeted you once before with the Crown Prince. M-my name is Brandon……”
Ricardo removed his gloves and extended his hand.
“I apologize for the unintentional discourtesy.”
“N-not at all. You’re a very busy man. I’m just thankful for the chance to greet you again.”
Brandon awkwardly took his hand.
“I wish you a peaceful journey to Orphen……”
Ricardo quietly observed Brandon’s hand, which held his.
“You were a knight?”
“I-I was. But I couldn’t officially join due to an accident.”
Brandon glanced awkwardly down at his leg.
“Your Grace, really!”
Elliot, who was standing nearby, lightly scolded Ricardo. As Ricardo put his gloves back on, he gave a brief nod.
“Thank you for coming all this way.”
“O-oh, not at all! It’s my duty, after all.”
As Ricardo walked toward the ship, he gave a short order.
“Keep an eye on that priest.”
“Huh? Priest Brandon?”
Without giving a clear reply, he boarded the ship. Staring at the vast horizon made him feel suffocated.
Am I going to fall overboard and drown?
Ricardo let out a soft chuckle and said,
“Let’s go to Orphen.”