His Royal Highness's cats are very hairy.

Rutvias, who turned 15 six months ago, became a frequent attendee at park games, night clubs, etc. 5 years after the end of the war. I was still an empire with a strong animosity toward Rude Saxony, and I didn't feel comfortable going out into a social setting, but if the foreign ambassador of my home country, who sometimes shows his face, told me that that would lead to friendship between Rude Saxony and the Empire, I would have to work hard as a future king.

But Rutvias had no idea what the hell would lead to friendship between the two countries if he actually showed his face to the night club. Seen as a giro as worthy of being "Is that the Prince of Rude Saxony," he is forced to drink liquor he doesn't like and pretends to enjoy talking about it that isn't even funny. Besides, when I did it to Rutvias' vain superior appearance, the women flocked, and I just had to get annoyed. I feel like a peacock in a dojo or a spectacle hut.

-... is it friendly to be laughing like an idiot even if they look down on you?

While so frustrated, Rutvias was softly wearing a cat from his head that night to a night club held at a noble mansion.

The ladies pushed me first, and I was heartily and appropriately smiling and rhetorical, and a man called me out.

"This is, His Royal Highness Prince Rutvias. Thank you for being with us the other day."

With deliberately polite rhetoric, Rutvias opened his heart to a man who approached him familiarly.

The man is several years older than Rutvias and is the son of a noble nobleman of the Empire.

Because of the approaching age, he was introduced by the Emperor as a "alumni" who meets regularly, but is actually far from your alumni.

What the man doesn't like about Rutvias - no, I'm sure he hates Rutvias just because Rutvias is the prince of Rude Saxony - he's been hitting on Rutvias since the first time he met him.

Even the other day, a man who brought several friends to visit Rutvias said, 'I can't show you down below that royal men can't handle swords better. I'll tell you,' he said kindly, scattering Rutvias with a simulated sword.

Rutvias is forbidden to have a sword. He hasn't even trained since he was ten, so even with a sword he can only do some basic moulds. Moreover, on top of the multiple opponents, he could not wave his sword at the murmur if he was a descendant of a noble nobleman who would have been a problem if he had let him even be injured. Anyway, even that day, the man was only named for his sword training and wanted to stop by with his people to beat Rutvias and kick him. - Just aim where you can't see if you wear clothes.

There must be a samurai, a woman, or anyone else who has witnessed the scene, but no one plays it up to the emperor. Rutvias can't do it either. If the Imperial Council finds out that he had a sword, even in a simulation, it will be a big deal. Besides,

A handful of opportunities to touch the sword, even if it's not real. One day to Prince Wang, when he became king, even if he had forgotten how to hold his sword, it would be a disgrace to Rude Saxony.

Rutvias smiled affectionately at the man and showed him the wound on his arm he had handled himself, sheltering him softly.

"Welcome. Looking forward to another opportunity."

"Is this a dress consultation with your ladies? If you were me, you'd be wearing a fashionable little floral dress."

Knock it off, the man laughs like he made a little fool of Rutvias.

-... I wasn't born on this face because I liked it.

Hiding his frustration, Rutvias vaguely returned only a laugh.

The man seemed to assume that Rutvias would not say this back, nor would he remain beaten, nor would he perform to the Emperor, because he was afraid of himself. Without even knowing that Rutvias is just enduring to avoid becoming a diplomatic issue.

-... he's a stupid man...

He grew up spoiled and muddy around Rutvias forgetting that he would one day be king of a great power, albeit a defeated nation. Even though Rutvias said if he cared about it, his house would stay away from the profits of the deal against Rude Saxony.

The women who were around Rutvias blamed the man with their mouths.

"Well, it's disrespectful to have a dress that suits His Highness Rutvias."

"That's right. Your Highness is talking to us. Why don't you go over there?

"Oh, oh, excuse me."

As he bows his head with dislike, the man leaves with a curly body orientation. Next to the man, there was a man who looked familiar. The other day, he hit Rutvias in the back with a simulated sword.

"I don't even say it back, he's embarrassed to be sheltered by a woman. Rude, the succeeds are fallen."

"I'm losing my back. It's a country ruled by a king who begs for his father's neck in exchange."

It seemed like I went out of my way to tell you to sound like Rutvias.

Anger creeps up. Why, you have to be ridiculed. Why should Richard, who made a bitter choice for his country, be called to sit back?

"Hey, Your Highness Rutvias. So I've been telling you."

In order to make her comfortable, the woman wraps her own arm around Rutvias' arm.

"I won't let you insult me like that if you give me more side"

"Even I can help you, Your Highness. Hey, Your Highness. I don't want you to be my queen. Just stay close to me until your Highness returns to Rude Saxony."

………

The smell of too strong a perfume made me nauseous. They have husbands and fiancées. I mean, I'm telling Rutvias to be our own mistress. In the Empire, it is a country that tolerates having a mistress if even a successor is born. It can be a man in power - or a mistress of a woman - and a help to the birth of her spouse, which in a way is a political rush. Indeed, with the power of their homes and spouses on their side, there will be no one to insult Rutvias even on the table. But aren't they the most insulting to Rutvias in the first place?

-... you want me to act like a whore?

Rutvias stood up.

"Your Highness?"

"... I'm sorry. I have an appointment with someone else today."

It was a lie. It's always an excuse to use when you want to get away from the spot.

"Well, who is it?

The women's mood plummets while they watch. Rutvias took the hand of one woman and gave a light mouthpiece to the back of her hand.

"That's a secret. It was an honor to be with you."

chuckled, Rutvias laughed. On that smile like a saint, the women dye their cheeks.

"Well..."

"I can't believe I'm singling out Your Highness... you envy me."

When he also drops his mouth in the hand of the woman, who says so obstinately, Rutvias smiles only once more, and returns his heel.

I followed the scene early enough so that someone wouldn't call me off.

-... you fool!

With her sleeves, she wipes her mouth in the hands of the women.

Both the women today and the men just now, I want to put them together and beat them down. But that is unacceptable to Rutvias. Because I don't know how every single step of Rutvias will affect my home country. I'm just saying I lost the war, and that's all I can do, even if I'm trampled with pride. As Rutvias jumped on the carriage, he ripped the coat touched by the women off his shoulder and threw it out the window.

In the corner of the inner palace behind the Imperial Palace is the living room of Rutvias. There was no welcome for the woman or samurai who should have been, but he didn't care about it, and Rutvias opened the door himself.

"... again..."

In a dark room with no one, I pound my tongue. There is no fire in the fireplace even though it is winter, besides the windows are fully open and the room is cold.

Rutvias has several female and samurai officers to look after him around him, but all of them had lost their lives or friends in the war against Rude Saxony. Because of that, they repeat their plain harassment of Rutvias. A fireplace without fire is one of the common harassments. It's natural that you don't have a welcome. He doesn't get it right because he rarely comes when I call him, and he's too busy asking for errands. A sumptuous meal can be salty or totally cold, contrary to appearance, and when there were bugs in the soup, it was just a cliché. The harassment regarding the meal was somewhat daring, as Rutvias sometimes did not turn on the poisonous viewer.

It's easy to get the emperor to play and stop harassing you, but it's too plain and fine harassment. Five years went by before I hesitated to perform well and on the contrary to be told that Rutvias was more selfish or nervous.

I'm no longer used to harassment, and I can do most of the things around me myself without the ladies. The meal is cold or hot, but if it's not even poisoned, it doesn't matter what the flavoring is, and it's already yours to set the fireplace on fire. Rutvias is proud to say that he is the only royalty so good at handling firestones, not to mention continental expanse.

But all sorts of things overlapped that night and I was tired anyway. As cold as the room is, harassment, often so accustomed to laughing with my nose, hits me oddly. If one of the flint stones does it, it's heavy and I can't lift my arm. My head knew I should at least close the window, but that was also too much of a billion-dollar to move. Rutvias stared at the fireplace without fire.

-... cold...

The exhaling breath is white and the fingertips blush red. Keep it up, I wish I could hold my breath. That way, I don't have to feel any pain.

"Rut!"

From the open window, Bianca shows her face.

"Shit. Left the window open again? Please tell His Majesty the Emperor. There's a pay thief."

"... the way you call it, don't"

With a low voice and a sharp eye, Rutvias intimidated Bianca. But Bianca doesn't seem frightened.

"Why? Not good. Stick. I want to call you Ruto."

Frightened, Bianca laughed.

-... this woman...

Always is. I don't listen to Rutvias or anything. It has been since we first met. Call it 'Bibi', and when I call it 'Ruto' too, I start nicknamed Rutvias on my own, push him on my own, and say what I want to say. But there was no falsehood or contempt for the words, and her utterance sounded clear in Rutvias' ears, which he had grown accustomed to rhetoric and insult.

"Rut?"

"... don't"

Called by that name, you feel the emotions that usually keep killing you ripple. I don't like that. I want to go home, I want your help, I'm about to cry.

'Ruto' and the people who called me Rutvias by that name were now far and away. Will one travel farther than he will ever see again, and the other, fulfill and see again?

-... no... that guy... he may not be waiting for me or anything...

Then nowhere in the world, such as those waiting for Rutvias, is there anymore. There's no place to go back to Rutvias when you mourn that you want to go home.

At some point, Bianca, who came indoors beyond the window frame, laid her hand on Rutvias' cheek.

"Shit, you're cold. Are you okay?"

The white breath came out of my mouth.

It was cold and cold, I couldn't wait.

But it's only warm there where Bianca's hands touch. Rutvias held Bianca tight so that she could feel its warmth. If I hadn't, I would have frozen to death.

"What do you mean?

I couldn't believe what I just heard, it said on Aurio's face. I can't help it. For him, who cares about his cousin, what Rutvias has asked for now could be taken as a slight betrayal of that cousin. But I really needed his help. Again, Rutvias says the same favor.

"I want to see Bianca. Get your hands on it."

"What are you thinking!?

Aurio grabbed onto Rutvias' chest. Strong momentum, Rutvias strikes his back hard against the wall behind him. Nobody stopped Aurio. Because Rutvias paid for it, because there was only two of us in the office.

"You said so! When you take care of the lady! So I...... but are you willing to hurt your lady again!?

"No!"

Frowning at the pain, Rutvias shook Aurio's hand off.

"I'm not going to hurt Adeline! I just want to talk to Bianca!

"What if a woman even sees that!? Rumors are spreading and reaching your daughter's ears!

"That's why I'm asking you! You would be able to keep no one from knowing!?

"..."

In Aurio's eyes, a confused light seeps through. To the light, Rutvias pleaded.

"Please, Aurio"

If Rutvias had met with a woman other than her fiancée at a time when she currently refrained from the wedding, the public would make a scene again. There should also be people out there who insult Adeline like before. How much would Adeline hurt if that happened... So I just have to ask Aurio. If Aurio does, he handwraps it around without hesitation.

In an attempt to control his anger, Aurio seemed to be trying. Aurio's eyes, which closed, took several deep breaths and finally raised his eyelids, were the usual calm color.

"... I am protesting strictly against His Majesty the King and His Highness the Prime Minister for the addition of Bianca... to the Mission."

"... I know"

Rutvias nodded.

After the luncheon, I found the name 'Bianca Mhambra' in the roster of interpreters given to Aurio.

Bianca's original family name was' Oren '. No, it was originally' Mhambra ', but she named' Oren 'because she was adopted by her uncle, the Knights of the Empire. After the disturbance three years ago, he may have returned to his original family name to hide himself. Aurio looked at the roster of interpreters and realized that it was only because he had a vainly broad knowledge that' Mhambra 'was the mother's family name for the Knights of the Empire.

He then immediately lodged a protest with the Imperial side through Richard and the Chancellor. Too much consideration for the new Crown Princess, he said.

"I mean..."

Aurio, looking to Rutvias, resembled a prime minister somewhere. Ruthlessly calm, but with hot, lava-like emotions just beneath his skin.

"I mean, do you realize that you don't have to go see Master Bianca anymore? If you still say you're going, why?

"... I want to talk to Adeline about Bianca"

Rutvias' words, once calmed Aurio's eyes, burn up again.

"Are you stupid? You are! Why do I have to go out of my way to say, 'The example lover is this guy'! What did you spend the first time pretending to meet for!!

"You don't have to say anything, he already knows everything!

Aurio takes a breath.

"... what do you mean"

"... my cat doesn't work for him anymore.... he probably noticed it all."

When Rutvias said bitterly, Aurio frowned.

"That can't be right"

During the disturbance three years ago, Bianca's name did not become taboo, nor did it appear in its pictures or anything else. Unless Rutvias or Bianca talks, Adeline shouldn't realize Bianca is the 'example lover'. I guess that's what Aurio wants to say. Rutvias, however, shook his head slowly.

"Even if you don't know what you're hiding, he'll see what I'm hiding."

In his first reunion in three years, Bianca pretended to meet him for the first time, and Rutvias went into the play aggressively as well. Honestly, I thought it helped. I know a hundred things about cowardice. Still, I thought that would be the best thing to do if you did it knowingly, such as in the past. But Adaline seemed uncomfortable with the act, which was supposed to have been perfect.

-... I guess someday they will...

Rutvias' bewilderment, frustration, and the movements of his mind that Rutvias should be hiding well are flawed by Adeline. She easily finds and picks up tricks, eye movements, and such slightly spilled emotional shards

Does that mean that's all Adeline sees Rutvias? If that's the case, I'd love to.

-... but it's inconvenient at times like this...

Rutvias mocked himself. Why pretend that Rutvias and Bianca meet for the first time? Adeline would stick to Bianca's identity if she thought about it a little bit. What would Adeline think then?

"... I... could never admit that I was weak... cowardly"

"... Your Highness?

To the surprise Aurio, Rutvias turns again.

"Back then, I had no choice but to oh and stop running away to such excuses. I was weak and that hurt Adeline. It's not just Adeline. And Bianca. I'll spend the rest of my life atoning for Adeline. But Bianca can't make amends. So... so at least I want to apologize"

I know I'm self-satisfied. But the bitter hindsight against Adeline I felt when I pretended to meet Bianca for the first time. I didn't think it was going to work like this. If I don't face my weakness, I can't look Adeline in the eye and swear marriage.

I've been turning away. I never had a chance to face it, but that's why I don't want to miss this opportunity.

"... ok"

Aurio spilled a loud sigh.

"Aurio..."

"I'll get my hands on it. Is that okay with you?

Abandoned like angry, Aurio left the room.

Later at night, when the ladies were asleep. Rutvias turned to a room, as Aurio had instructed him. The knights and samurai waited a little further away, and were led by Aurio, who rendezvoused along the way, to hurry ahead. That room, which is so close to Rutvias' office, is often used by Aurio and other secretaries to organize vast amounts of paperwork. Once inside, on a number of desks lined up, the documents and books were stacked in a mess. I cleaned it up for now.

Okay, hold on a second.

Gently bowing his head, Aurio shut the door. Only one candlestick illuminates the indoors, and the corners are dim as the darkness nodded.

When I was in the Empire. Rutvias blurred to remember that his room was so dim. The candlestick in Rutvias' room was always out of oil and wax for some reason.

Concon, and the door is knocked. Without waiting for Rutvias' reply, the door slowly opens. It wasn't Aurio who was over there, but Bianca, wearing a light gray coat softly from her head, with a bright white face.

"Bibi..."

I accidentally called him by the nickname I was used to calling him, but Bianca hasn't responded. In a foothold like stepping on thin ice, Bianca advances on her steps, behind which patari and the door close.

………

………

I don't know what to tell you from, Rutvias mumbles.

Bianca stayed down, not even tingled. I've never seen her like this before. Bianca's smile was just one light that lit Rutvias' dim room.

-... but...

After all, it was Rutvias who took that light smile away from her.

"... forgive me!

All of a sudden, Bianca screamed, kneeling in a momentum that could be overwhelming.

"Bibi?"

"About this... the ambassador was against it. It's finally starting to work correctly. I need to break the national deal with Rude Saxony... but there are still factions in the Empire that want to use me to interfere in the internal affairs of Rude Saxony..."

You know what, Rutvias was good at it. It was strange that the ambassador of the Empire, with excellent diplomatic skill, had agreed to include Bianca in the mission.

"I swear to you! I do not intend to disturb Your Highness's wedding! Just..."

Bianca's shoulder was trembling.

"I just... wish I could see you well..."

A fine voice falls to the floor.

Would she have been so small? I was supposed to be more confident and shiny with my chest on.

Rutvias approached Bianca step by step and fell on one knee.

"... Bibi"

"That's just it, I never... oh, I never approached the lady with evil thoughts... never..."

"Bibi"

Again, when he called the name strongly, Bianca shook Bikri and his shoulder. Rutvias laughs at the pale eye that looks up at Rutvias, roughly. It didn't laugh well and turned out to be a shabby thing.

"... you look good"

"... yes... yes"

"How are you doing now? Are you still in the convent?

"No... the monastery is... yes, uncomfortable..."

"... uncomfortable?

Rutvias frowned. His friendship with Rutvias became public, and Bianca isolated herself from her surroundings. Is that also one factor that led to the departure of the Knights, but does it mean that even the abbey where they fled is isolated because of their relationship with Rutvias?

But Bianca leaned down again, clouding but revealing the truth.

"Um... a quiet place like a monastery... its... like me... then to a horse... a little..."

"... I mean, you escaped..."

"... well..."

Rutvias unwittingly blew out at Bianca's pitifully nodding appearance.

"... you, whatever."

Seeing Rutvias giggling, Bianca also seemed somewhat relieved of tension.

"... now... with the introduction of my uncle, I serve some as a private soldier..."

"What's the trouble?

"None."

"Then... good..."

Once again, silence comes indoors. Rutvias wondered if that silence could be broken.

-... don't run away.

Close your eyes. Ugly Adeline shadow on the lid. Inhale and exhale heavily.

"You were my salvation."

As surprised, Bianca looked up.

"Back then, only when I was with you, could I be me"

At first, Bianca was in line with many other women flocking to Rutvias' appearance. Rutvias deliberately took off the cat in front of her in order to get rid of Bianca, who too persistently clings together. However, Bianca laughed reluctantly after making a slight fuss that 'it was a fraud' and 'I was fooled'. 'Well, I fell in love with your face in the first place,' he said. To that unyielding smile, Rutvias was drained of poison.

"I could have stayed put in front of you. I survived those days because you were there."

Rutvias can only thank Bianca for revealing herself in front of me that day. But now I think. No, now's the time to know.

"But... I get it."

Bianca's eyes shook. It was painful that the pale jewels would still melt and flow down his cheek, but Rutvias stared directly at Bianca from the front, without distracting him.

"... meet Adeline... love Adeline... so ok. That sentiment for you wasn't love..."

The moment Adeline's tears blinded me. The world of Rutvias was vividly colored. And I was reminded how lonely and cold the world was until then. I have fought against inclined emotions. But that was futile. Instinct asked for Adaline. irresistible turbulent emotional twists. That's love, Rutvias found out. At the same time, fuzzy questions come to mind. If this is love, then I wonder if that love three years ago was love at all.

"... I loved you. Back then, I thought I loved you. But it probably wasn't. I... used you."

Rutvias reached out to Bianca as the traveler twisted himself in his jacket to catch the cold. Weak. I missed you. I couldn't help but feel something. I didn't want to admit my weakness, so I tried to marry Bianca. He wants you by his side because he loves you. That's why you want to marry me, delude yourself. Turn away from weakness.

This is the truth about The Scandal of the Century, fussed all over the continent. Too pitiful, too shy.

"... sorry. You think of me. I cling to your feelings, and I... flunked you around, hurt you, and even threw you away to the title of knight. I screwed up your life."

I bowed my head. Like sinners who repent before the altar.

"Sorry."

I know it's not about apologizing. Bianca can no longer return to the Knights, and this apology, if stuck, is Rutvias' self-content. Where you have done it, it will not make amends. Then all I could do was apologize to Rutvias.

"... stop it"

The trembling voice was thin and small, but back to the tone of Bianca once was.

"... I have to apologize... because it's me"

Petari and Bianca sit on the floor. The invisible wall that was there collapsed without sound, and whoever loved Rutvias, regardless of his identity or the country in which he was born, was there.

"Bibi?"

"I've noticed everything."

Cover your face with both hands, Bianca leans down.

"You're lonely... because you're lonely, and you want me to be beside you... It doesn't have to be me... because anyone can stay by my side... But I... wanted you. I liked it. So I... thought I'd marry you. I knew you'd never say no because I miss you. I thought I'd marry you and let you throw away something important, and then you'd finally be mine."

………

Even if you want to forget it, you can't forget it, a golden scratch that stumbles on your ears.

'If you love me, abandon my country!

'Pick me over the throne over the country!!

"How can you not? You don't love me!?

- That was Bianca's scream. Love you. It was a sad complaint against an untrue lover.

"If you cling to my thoughts, I cling to your loneliness. Let you throw everything away... the country, the throne, your father... your fiancée. Then I'll be all you have. It will be just me..."

I felt that Rutvias had finally caught a glimpse of how much he had tormented her. Bite your lips. What a sinful thing I've done. I wonder why they loved me so much and couldn't love Bianca. Still, Rutvias met Adeline. Whether Adeline loves Rutvias or only beside him with a sense of duty, Rutvias, nevertheless, can no longer choose other than Adeline.

"Well, I'm terrible, aren't I?

Bianca looked up. Her cheeks weren't wet, but her smile was crooked.

"... I was more and more disgusted with myself. So I ran away without even saying goodbye. Leave you..."

From Bianca's left eye, soaked tears. As soon as I can, I can't even smile and crush it.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. To marry me, I watched Ruto go through a lot of trouble, but I knew he'd lost his political credibility, and he was standing on the arrow of accusations, and yet he ended up flattering me, everything including you. I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

On Bianca's shoulder, crying like swallowing words, Rutvias reached out and stopped. To Bianca today, Rutvias' kindness is just painful.

"... no more apologies"

Rutvias said, Bianca, who was lying down and crying, shrugged, looking up.

"... rut?

"You don't have to apologize to me anymore.... I don't apologize either. So, okay?

The truth is, there's not one thing Bianca should apologize for. She just loved Rutvias. But if you don't say this, I'm sure Bianca will continue to blame herself all the time. While he continues to blame, Bianca cannot forget Rutvias. I can't step out new. I already wanted to let her go.

"... eh"

Bianca bursts out again and begins to cry. I kept crying like that for a while, and eventually, I got up slowly, wiping my reddened eyes with my hands.

"Rut... you've changed..."

"Huh?"

"I don't think you would have apologized to me in the old days. I can't believe you made me apologize... I could never forgive you."

And when I snorted, Bianca laughed.

"You're so sweet. Oh, no. Wrong. You've been sweet for a long time.... Be nice, I'm good. Because you had someone you wanted to be nice to?

……

Rutvias didn't know how to answer, and when he had no choice but to return his silence, Bianca laughed with pleasure as he unexpectedly creaked.

"Master Adeline, you're a lovely man. They try to take care of what people value, together with themselves. I know you're going to like ruts....... lt"

I had such an instinct for Bianca that it must be the last time she would be called by that name. Over and over again, I told him not to call me by that name, but until today Bianca ended up calling me. "Rut" and. Now, maybe Rutvias didn't lose sight of herself because she kept calling me that.

"Good for you. You're not gonna miss me anymore, are you?

In response to Bianca's confirmatory inquiry, Rutvias answered.

"... oh"

Slowly, snort.

I don't miss you anymore. It's not cold. Because we have Adeline...

Bianca grinned, kneeling again, correcting her blindness.

"Congratulations on your marriage. His Royal Highness Prince Rutvias. I wish you the best of luck."

Deep down, Bianca bowed her head.

Eventually she was told she would be in charge of one wing of the Imperial Knights, and she lost her sword because of Rutvias. But the figure is nothing but a proud knight.

Rutvias sincerely hoped that one day, again, there would come a day when Bianca would put her sword up on its chest.

"... cheerful"

"His Royal Highness too. Please, be healthy."

Bianca laughed. Rutvias laughed, too. Now I could smile well.