Chapter 31

The third princess did not open her mouth. Behind her bright smile was a cold attitude. Even her standing posture gave her a demeanor of calm.

There was no way that this attitude would bother him. He didn’t know when he had come to think of her this way.

There were three princesses. The title of princess was not appropriate for her. He had come to call upon Ashite-Ploca, but he didn’t even want to call her by that name. And so he called her:

“Ashite.”

Ashite. The wind blew and tickled the ends of his tongue. Calling her by her name felt lighthearted and simple. But once the sound of it exited his lips, her name overtook him like a wave. The strength of the water was great. The things he had buried deep in his mind rose up to the surface. The water spread. Really, he could not tell when he had come to feel this way.

Ashite. What kind of woman is she?

The princess was smart. She had gone to Wroclaw often. The princess was also knowledgeable about books. She was also interested in philosophy. Her thoughts were not shallow, even though she was younger than him. Now that he thought about it, he came to a strange realization. The princess ate boneless fish. He informed the chef of this preference. It was only an interest.

But this woman. She was able to show him how beautiful dance could be, something he had never once paid any attention to.

This woman liked to wear ivory dresses. He informed his Chief officer about this preference. “Your majesty, I am discussing how we should decorate the dance studio with the head chambermaid as we speak.” And so he told him. “Ivory color will be good.”

The reason was immensely simple. When the Chief Officer had told him this, he remembered that she had worn an ivory dress when he had seen her dancing and had thought that it matched her well. Dance, sunlight, and ivory. It was a wispy thought. It was not deep.

This woman’s mother’s status was very low. She would have suffered the same as he had. She must have endured it for a long time. He identified with her and sympathized. She cautiously called out to him.

***

<<“…Your majesty.”>>

Now that she thought about it, it may have caused a stir.

Afterwards, they had talked about several things other than books.

<<“Have you ever been to Alexandria? You seem to know the setting well.”>>

<<“I had heard of it before in the past. I was told it is covered in snow and is a beautiful sight to see.”>>

<<“You’ve heard of it before?”>>

<<“Yes.”>>

<<“Hmm. Do you know Claremont?”>>

<<“Yes. I have never been there before but I heard it is a beautiful place.”>>

<<“Very.”>>

***

<<“Are there any foods you do not eat?”>>

<<“Pardon?”>>

<<“You have not eaten the pickles after touching them.”>>

<<“Oh… It is because they are a bit spicy for me. But they do taste good and my hands keep going towards them.”>>

“They are flavored a bit strong but I do like them also.”>>

***

<<“What Your Majesty has just seen is dance’s most basic moves.”>>

<<“Oh. From Helena?”>>

<<“Yes.”>>

<<“The basics you say. How old were you, Princess, when you learned it?”>>

<<“I learned it when I was nine years old.”>>

<<“That’s incredible.”>>

<<“You are too kind.”>>

***

This woman did not get scared or discouraged easily. With a pretty smile, she would always converse with him respectfully and humbly. There was no pretentiousness or hypocrisy.

This woman practiced dance often. Without realizing it, he had been visiting the dance studio from time to time. <> Any time he propped his chin on his hand, it was always his left. And he never sank down, leaning comfortably onto the back of his seat. One day, she walked into the restaurant and he found that her movements were elegant. Sometimes, this woman would look out far into the distance. When he followed her gaze, he found it faced south.

This woman, Ashite. She was already so elegant. But in front of those two other princesses who clearly looked down on her, she remained standing tall and confident. Since when has that woman been able to express herself so freely and as her true self?

Ah, she was always confident. Her reckless behavior. Even though that was different from her truthful expression. He had never been curious about what she may have wanted or thought about.

He hadn’t.

But now, he was a little curious. He wondered what she thought of him calling her by her name.

Lu Havre accepted his curiosity. It was the first time he had called anyone purely by their name without some sort of title attached. It was the first time he had called out anyone with such familiarity. Even to Lizdeika Lebra Habava, he had used Lieutenant. He could have called her the same way but he didn’t want to add the Ploca part.

Naturally, his thoughts flowed out of him. Like raindrops coming together on a calm surface, the water grew and shook his core.

Ashite.

These days, she seemed to have found peace in being herself. It was a strange belief to have. Every time he would have meals with her, he felt it more. She smiled more often. A strange sense of trust, identification, a strange friendliness.

The dress she wore today was again an ivory-tinted white one. As always, she ate only the fish that had no bones, read books often, and had perfect etiquette. And she was still the girl with the free spirit mother. But her dance was still as beautiful as ever, and he wondered what other things about her would be like.

The smallest things aroused his curiosity. What kind of woman was she?

Ever since he became king, he hadn’t necessarily lowered himself for or hid his true identity from anybody. To those he liked, he was able to be generous, and he had to get to the bottom of his curiosity.

Ashite. The pronunciation was smooth. He suddenly felt ecstatic.

She was smiling brightly. Her voice sounded as if she was singing. She did not hide her excitement.

“Your majesty. You called for me.”

It was easy to tell that she looked excited.

The smile did not disappear off of Ashite’s face. Lu Havre was smiling also.

“Nice to meet you. I will introduce myself. I am Skara’s first princess, Allo Lizdeika Rabri Ashite-Ploca Joanena Pescara Van Squirina, the Dragon’s descendant, the Red Eye of Nante, the owner of the White Castle, Ottoi and Nante’s leader, the Black Sword, Del Monte the Third.”

Her voice was delicate. Her sophistication flowed out of it. There was not anything that she lacked as she greeted them elegantly. Lu Havre slightly lifted his hand up and respectfully received her greeting.

“I’ve met you before.”

Ashite bent over slightly and closed her eyes. On her forehead, they drew the wing shape associated with Monvixo. Lu Hare motioned for her to lift up her head. Suddenly, Elbloara tilted her head curiously.

“Ashite-Ploca. What is that―”

“Oh, the king has given me permission.”

Ashite cut her off quickly and quietly so the king would not hear. Ashite laughed.

Whenever one went to another nation or met someone from another land, it was courteous to respect their customs before your own. But every circumstance required etiquette and greetings that could change depending on the situation. Also, explaining the customs of the nation to a foreigner meant that you cared for them and were close to each other.

The expression was certain.

It was surprising that the Third would show the nation’s etiquette to the king of Monterobis but there was something even more shocking. Her head throbbed. <> Elbloara couldn’t help but clench her teeth. However, in front of her was this country’s king. Elbloara forced a smile on her face. Baayeme seemed to understand the meaning behind the words and her face showed her discontent.

“Nice to meet you. We welcome you coming to Theheras.”

“We thank you for inviting us here.”

It was an arranged meeting between the princesses from the defeated countries with the victorious king. The people surrounding them glanced over in interest at them, but the four of them spoke elegantly to each other without minding them. As if the war had ended long ago, none of them brought up the subject.

They only mentioned their gratitude for the invite and the extravagance of the banquet. As he conversed over such frivolous topics with the two princesses, Lu Havre glanced over at Ashite. There were three women in front of him but he only had eyes for one.

Elbloara was able to catch this and immediately shut her mouth.

“Wait a moment. I would like to discuss something with Ashite. Please excuse us.”

“Yes. Your majesty.”

“I hope to see you again soon, Your Majesty.”

The two princesses greeted him with a smile. Lu Havre had always been good at deciphering a benign smile. He returned a strange smile back at them.

“I hope the two princesses will enjoy the rest of Theheras. Monvixo is glad to have you here.”

Lu Havre turned his back to them without any hesitation. Ashite followed behind him but turned her head slightly and bowed to them. It was Skara’s way to show respect. But there were no words. She didn’t check if the two princesses took her greeting and Ashite hurriedly continued walking.

The night had fallen completely outside. The darkness from outside didn’t penetrate through the window and the ballroom was extremely wide. Lu Havre walked slowly following the wall and Ashite followed elegantly behind him.

Suddenly Ashite stopped. It was because Lu Havre had suddenly stopped walking. Confused, she stared at his back. Lu Havre turned around.

The music was continuing to play. It was a melody reminiscent of a waltz. In this atmosphere, in a voice that could be heard clearly by Ashite who was standing in front of him, he said to her:

“I hope you will understand.”

Ashite opened her eyes wide. Lu Havre sounded a bit emotionless. He slowly opened his mouth.

“I don’t seem to have a proper way to address you, Princess.”

The words came out fast. Ashite smiled, finally seeming to understand. This was another courteous gesture.

“I’ve called you by your name without your permission.”

“That is alright.”

It was the truth. Even if one was king, it was not respectful to call someone by their name without their permission. But to her, it was a miraculous thing. She didn’t want to spend any more time with the two sisters and had no urge to continue making conversation with them. Situation aside, the voice in which he asked to call her by her name was a welcome surprise. Either way, even if the king had called her by her name without her permission, she would not have been offended.

Lu Havre’s expression changed strangely. His rigid face softened. As expected, it was out of courtesy. Ashite thought that he could be a bit more truthful. This much was enough, however.

“I am honored for the privilege.”

Lu Havre smiled slightly as he saw her form a natural smile. Her purple hair was tinted blue and the part over her forehead fluttered slightly. His red eyes glittered clearly.

“There are people who would like to speak with you,” Lu Havre continued before Ashite could open her mouth to respond. “The king of Kahn, the king of Safflower, and the Head of Limne.”

He mentioned a list of many important men of Latrice.

Ashite looked at him with a look of curiosity. Why would these people want to come see her? Then suddenly, a thought occurred to her. Maybe…

“There they are. Will you go with me?”

When he had spoken previously, it had sounded like they were going together to discuss something, but now he was asking her if she would accompany him.

His generosity, respect, and courteousness. Ashite spoke with a smile on her face.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will be honored to accompany you. I will do as you wish.”