Book 8: Chapter 14


    <em>The outer court was kept as always. It appears that my outer court remains the same even in my absence.</em>


    <em>Living in the outer court actually makes me feel that Im a guest, a stranger now. My guess is that its due to me having gotten used to living in my own pce. Additionally, this is Moms pce. Its Moms territory, not mine. Perhaps thats why it feels foreign and Im struggling to adapt. </em>


    <em>It seems that Ive lived as a master for too long.; </em>


    <em>Nara is arriving today so Ive prepared to provide her with a reception. As the Prince, I dont need to wee her outside of the city. However, I need to at least meet her and her group in the guest hall. </em>


    <em>Truth be told, given our rtionship, I wouldnt have a problem with weing her at the entrance. </em>


    <em>The only thing is that I would have failed the requirement Freya gave me, and that is to ensure I maintain a bnce. </em>


    <em>Hence, the three of us sat in the guest-room and waited for Nara. Luna had made tea. Wait. We say boiled tea here. I wonder if Nara, who always drinks strong alcoholic beverages, will be able to drink tea. Freya sat behind me with her eyes shut as she awaited their arrival. Perhaps she was listening for the sound of the horse carriage.</em>


    <em>You know, the vassal states do suffer a fair bit. They have to send tributes at the end of every year. Not long after is Her Majestys birthday, so they need to send another bunch of gifts. And now they have to send more gifts once again. Hmm, I actually think the people in charge of the national treasury are the most pitiable. Her Majesty cant store any more in her inner court, and theres more stored at my outer court.</em>


    Sounds suddenly came from outside. The sound of a heavy horse carriages wheels rolling on the road came in. Freya stood up and looked out the window. You can see a corner on the other side of the flower garden outside of the window. She chuckled and said, It appears that the group from the desert have arrived. I never thought Socinas group would bete.


    I assume its because their lord has other business. They do still need to handle their own affairs, after all. I chuckled. I am aware of what the lord of Socina needs to settle. She was after the mineral to consolidate her rule inside her city, after all; consequently, she must be trying to sort out the internal political affairs there. That must be why theyre slightlyte. I believe that her problems will be solved once she arrives, and Ill be able to head to Socina without concern.


    I sat up straight. A momentter, footsteps from outside approached, apanied by Naras heartyughter and Taraks somewhat stunned voice. It seemed that the young man from the desert is very surprised by this pce. Naras pce cant hold a candle to the Royal Pce after all.


    Ah, Your Majesty! I heard Naras voice from behind. I stopped up and turned around to see her smile. I greeted her, Long-time no see, Nara. The journey must have been rough.


    Nara giggled softly then replied, It was all right. I would say the trip has been an eye-opener for me. Or should I say, I have found how Karnashun look in the future?


    Iughed heartily.


    <em>Nara sure is ambitious as I thought. She wants her city to flourish as the Royal Capital is in the centre of the southern ins. While one may feel threatened by that, I, personally, dont feel that way.</em>


    <em>Im not Elizabeth after all, and Nara is also my friend.</em>


    Your Majesty!


    Tarak sincerely saluted me as per usual. I tapped him on his shoulder and said, You dont need to be so serious. Tarak, while we might not be able to be so friendlyter, were the only ones around right now, so you dont need to be so serious. We arent just Prince and his bodyguard after all. Were good friends, too. Moreover, Im waiting for your invitation to act as the witness for your marriage.


    That uhh We we it is still a long way away.


    Tarak instantly went red in the face and shyly stuttered. Nara, on the other hand, was very calm. She looked at me. With a grin, she asked, Probably around summer this year. We still need to prepare for our wedding for some time I think. Did you not prepare for half a year for yours, Your Majesty?


    I chuckled and replied, No. Nier and I got married in two months. With Lucia, it was about three months. We originally needed lots of time for nning, but in the end, we just hurried and got married.


    Nara froze for a moment. She then smiled and said, We might as well get married next month, then. If you only prepared for three months and we prepared for six months, would we not be stepping out of line?


    I dont care, honestly. Plus, I had reasons for getting married so early, reasons Im not too willing to mention Of course, your marriage will be the first marriage I had a hand in arranging; therefore, you need to prepare well for it. Ah I get it now. Youre in a bit of a rush, arent you Nara?


    Nara was the one who went red in the face this time. She shyly nced at Tarak and went silent. I chuckled and said, Stay in the pce for tonight. Thats a great honour to have, you know? You wont be able to stay in the pce once more people arrive.


    Really? Thank you very much for giving me the honour then, Your Majesty. I am very honoured. I am very honoured, not to mention that you are the one to provide us with a reception this time, Your Majesty. I want to know if you are receiving us as a friend or as His Majesty.


    Nara sat to the side. She picked up a cup of tea and drank it as she spoke. But then she looked at the cup of tea in front of her and froze. It would seem that this stuff doesnt suit her pte. However, her eyes were full of vignce and sensitivity. She appeared to have already discovered the purpose of me being here.


    I tilted my head and with a smile, asked, What do you think, Nara? Which identity would you be happier with?


    Nara tilted her head the same way and with a smile, asked me back, Your Majesty, which response would you prefer?


    You tell me first.


    I do not think that I would be particrly happy with either. Instead, I would be happy when you are both His Majesty and my friend.


    I froze for a moment and thenughed aloud.


    <em>It seems Nara is one whose eyes are bigger than her stomach. In her opinion, knowing a Prince isnt important. Not even being his friend was very important. What made her happiest was that her friend was the Prince who was soon to seed the throne.</em>


    <em>That would be the equivalent of being connected to Empress Elizabeth. Meaning she wants to be in a favourable position among all the vassal states, or even half of the continent.</em>


    <em>That must be Naras ambition.</em>


    Nara smiled then stood up. She looked at her thin clothes and said, By the looks of it, I need a new set of clothes here, as people look at me with strange gazes when I wear this. I shall not take up any more of your time, Your Majesty. Also, it would be better if you could serve me strong wine next time. But it is fine if you do not have any. I have prepared lots of wine from the desert for you.


    Yeah? That does bring back memories


    I smiled.


    <em>I dont know when it started. Mom particrly likes strong wine, so it became one of the treasures I always wanted. I wonder what my trip to the desert gave me. A wine addiction, perhaps?</em>