Taisetsuna was frowning at her wrist while Robert was putting one of his bracelets there. He smiled at her and kissed her hand. “A pretty bracelet for a pretty woman. This one matches your eyes, it really suits you.”
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She retrieved her hand, completely red, while the Nobles were frowning and the Princess was smiling. Besides her, no one seemed very pleased to see Robert addressing with such politeness and interest in a mere commoner.
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One middle-aged woman put in words what everyone was thinking. “I don’t think it’s very proper for you to offer such an exquisite bracelet to a commoner, Robert. She will sell it at the very first opportunity.”
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He answered without even averting his eyes from Taisetsuna. “No, she will not. But even if she sells it, I will just give her another. Besides, a bet is a bet, and she won her game.”
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The woman slowly shook her head, visibly disappointed, and Taisetsuna pointed at the bracelet. “This means nothing, okay? I am not yours, nor I will ever be. I am not even sure if I won’t lose it during a fight one day!”
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“If you lose it, I will be sad, but then I will give you a necklace that you will have to use under your clothes so that you don’t lose it as well. So try not to lose this bracelet, okay?”
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“I... argh, okay, I will try! I guess that if I keep the bracelet under the sleeve of my blouse, it will be safer. Or I keep it in a drawer during training.”
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The Princess clapped, and the Nobles followed her lead, even if they didn’t like the outcome of the tournament. “Congratulations on your victory, Taisetsuna! We must have another one of these days! This game was fun, Nozomu! How did you get this idea? I never heard of such a fun and simple game everyone can play!”
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“I kind of made it for the cute Takanari. She wanted to play a game before going to sleep, and I thought this one could be fun.”
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“Talking about sleep, it is time for me to retire. I have work to do early in the morning, with people that will for sure come to visit. Care to escort me to my room and one of my maids will point you and Taisetsuna to yours?”
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Nozomu jolted, while the Nobles whispered. “I... don’t think I deserve to sleep in this Castle, Princess. I can go with Taisetsuna and get two rooms in the Guild and we will leave in the morning to Ourelona. I have more cities to visit tomorrow.”
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“The problem is, the Guild is most certainly closed, so you would have to sleep in the stable with the Unicorns. Besides, Takanari and Asadate are coming tomorrow morning, and I thought you would want to see them before leaving.”
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Nozomu glanced at the group of whispering Nobles and tried to find an excuse. “I don’t think it would be proper, Princess. I am just an orphan commoner, and sleeping here…”
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“Yes, that also reminds me. Tomorrow I will make proper arrangements to give you the title of Baronet for your services to the country. The chewing gum that you created and that my Beast-kind Royal Guards are already using makes you well worthy of such an honour.”
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The Nobles whispered, and a Dog-kind among them cleared his throat. “Aham... Princess, isn’t that a bit too sudden? I mean, he just created a weird food with effects still not used in battle...”
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“If I recall correctly, your grandfather received the title of a Count which you inherited because he protected our borders with the Empire for all his life. For all that time, he only fought twice, and almost died the second time. My grandfather granted him his title because they were childhood friends, and he was his most loyal advisor. If we are talking about sudden titles that my family gave, I think that every Noble family in our country received their title suddenly as well, for either being my family loyal friends or for services to the country. Unless my tutors were wrong and all the scholars that studied every Noble branch in our country.”
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“That... is accurate, Princess. I see your point, and I also agree with your explanation, but let’s not forget that every Noble family started with a Knight, not a Baronet.”
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The Princess noticed that the other Nobles were nodding, a few were whispering, and she attempted to sound casual and unshakable. “Indeed. Nozomu has no training as a Knight, but I don’t see why that can be a problem, considering his creation makes every Beast-kind in my army a powerhouse in a battle. Would it make you less worried if he received the title of a Knight together with Taisetsuna, and when they graduated from the Academy of Adventurers, they would get the title of Baronet and Baronetess? Together with a few of my lands, of course.”
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The Dog-kind Noble looked around and then faced the Princess with a slight smile. “That would be the proper way, Princess. Forgive me for contradicting you, but it is my duty as a member of your court to advise you the best I can.”
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“Thank you for your care. Perhaps I was indeed in a rush, but that was merely because I wanted to be sure none of you doubted Nozomu and Taisetsuna’s worth in my eyes. Because, let’s face it, defeating two Unicorns and making them their friends, together with entering a cave full of Goblins to save two young girls, are feats worthy of the title of a Knight. The chewing gum is just the fruit on top of the cake. I believe that this alone already granted them the right to have dinner with me and sleep in my Castle.”
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“Yes, I believe the same, Princess, as several of the members of your court. That is why no one spoke against them joining your table, despite their lower class. We are... mostly surprised, perhaps... You seemed to be so baffled by them that lead you to have the young Nozomu as your escort until now. And Robert Keskula, one of our finest young Nobles that so vehemently refused to have a marriable young woman near him at dinner every time he came here, was so interested in the conversation with a commoner Cat-kind girl.”
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The Princess kept her cool as she answered, “I am indeed baffled as you said. Understandably, considering their achievements. As for Robert, perhaps he likes Taisetsuna’s company, or he merely sees her as one of his targets. If I am not mistaken, your two daughters already fell in his trap, and they are often fighting for his attention.”
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“Aham... Yes…”
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The Dog-kind Noble looked disturbed by the Princess’ comments, and she looked around with a serious face as she continued. “I hope my explanation satisfied your curiosity, because I am indeed impressed by these two, and I appreciate their company. I hope none of you makes them feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in my Castle, because for sure you all care for me and like to see me pleased by the people I choose to surround myself with.”
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Letting no one answer, she held Nozomu’s arm and went to the doors that led to the main corridor, followed by Taisetsuna and Robert Keskula.
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In the corridor and while they were following the Princess, Taisetsuna asked in a low tone. “What kind of trap you led those two Dog-kind girls, anyway? To your bed?”
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“Well, I need to keep up to my role as a good catch, you know? It is a pity that most Noble girls don’t go to such lengths as I do, to be properly trained on every aspect and subject. They were in my bed on different nights, and while one didn’t even move, making me doubt if she was alive, the other cried the entire time. She said it was from emotion, but I think it was from nervousness. Or she was so amazed at being with me she could only cry. A huge disappointment, both of them.”
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“You know, you shouldn’t talk like that about other girls. Makes you sound rude, and a bragger. You are also going to brag about me if I make the mistake of falling into your trap, won’t you?”
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“I did it again, the bragging... Sorry, old habits die hard. I don’t understand why you are frowning. You asked I answered, as honestly as I could. And to answer your other question, no, I won’t ever speak about us if we ever reach that point. I already told you, you are not like any other woman I ever met. There is no way I would risk angering you.”
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“Because I would rip your face off the moment you made me angry?”
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Robert gave her a gentle smile and answered, making her turn bright red. “No, because I want to make you fall for me.”
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While Taisetsuna gulped, Nozomu asked the Princess in a low voice. “It is wise to grant me and Taisetsuna the title of Knights? Your Nobles didn’t look thrilled with that idea, even after your explanation. I noticed one or two still frowning.”
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“That is probably because they fear losing their influence on my decisions. They dispute among themselves with stupid bets and bragging every time I agree with one of them. I do tend to smile at one in the morning and talk to the other in the afternoon. My grandfather taught me to always have the Nobles arguing among themselves rather than me. My days are peaceful if I keep them clashing with each other. I know it is an ugly thing to do, but it is a necessity. Nobles are too prideful and always think too highly of themselves. I only need to make them aware that I have the final say. Like what happened with the fat, greasy Noble that Taisetsuna threw at my feet the first time you came with Takanari. It made some of them remember the power I have.”
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“I didn’t notice you were having such problems with your court.”
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“That is because they hide it very well. If you keep one eye and one ear over them, you will notice things. Everything they say has a double meaning, and they never mean what you think they mean. It all depends on their agendas, which, more often than not, causes them to care more about their prestige and money than about the people and the country. This is just the tip of the intrigues in a court, and with time, you will understand. It is also one of the subjects in the Academy, how to deal with Nobles and Merchants. Dealing with Adventurers is easy, they are all straightforward. Nobles and Merchants, not so much. But you will get there, don’t worry. Besides, if you one day need some tutoring because you are having problems with a class or a subject, you can come for a visit and I will tutor you.”
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Nozomu smiled and gently squeezed the Princess’ hand that was holding his arm. “Are you perhaps offering me an excuse for me to come and visit you while I am in the Academy?”
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“Yes, that is exactly what I am doing. I don’t want you to forget my face and become distracted by all the girls in there. If you come for a visit now and then, it will allow me to keep you interested.”
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“And perhaps at the same time, not missing me so much?”
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The Princess answered with a giggle. “I will not deny or confirm such a thing! Hihihi!”
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“I think you just confirmed it, Princess. Of course, I will gladly accept your offer. I also don’t want you to forget about me and fall for some annoying Noble that comes for a visit.”
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“Yes, because that can happen, so it’s in your best interest to come at least once a week. For lunch or tea in the afternoon, for instance, and you can tell me what you are up to in there.”
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“Gladly, my Princess. And in return, you can clarify some of my doubts that for sure I will have during my classes.”
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Nozomu saw Princess Mere making such a smile that for a second, he thought to be looking at his wife on Earth. He quickly forced that thought away, because it was not fair to compare the Princess like that.
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