“Miss, Rita has arrived.”
The servant led Rita to the table in the Garden, where a chair had already been set out for her.
On the opposite chair, Miss Zack—who Rita suspected wanted to win her over—was already seated.
“All right, I understand.”
Miss Zack rose to her feet, walked up to Rita, and extended her hand.
“Rita, it’s been a long time.”
This wasn’t the usual etiquette between noble ladies, and even Rita, who wasn’t familiar with such customs, could sense it. But seeing the other’s face, Rita didn’t feel surprised at all. She immediately raised her hand and shook the other’s.
“Promi? Why is it you? I thought it was…” Rita began, but swallowed the rest of her words.
Seeing that it was Promi, most of Rita’s tension melted away, though she still felt a trace of caution.
Though she and Promi had survived life and death together, Promi’s elder sister was the exclusive knight of the Second Princess. After all that had happened with Lilia, Rita was unsure what Promi truly thought.
Of course, to be fair, she didn’t want to suspect Promi of ulterior motives.
“What did you think it was?” Promi asked.
“Oh, nothing, nothing. I’ve even forgotten your surname… ahaha…” Rita scratched her head and laughed awkwardly, then sat down with Promi.
After sitting, Promi spoke first.
“I heard you arrived at the royal capital, so I immediately wanted to thank you for what happened back then. But the palace isn’t a place I can enter easily, so I had to trouble you to come here. I hope I haven’t disturbed your rest?”
When the maid guiding her earlier was replaced by the servant, Rita had already guessed most of it.
“It’s fine, really, I had no plans today.” Rita replied.
Promi breathed a sigh of relief and immediately asked the servant to prepare refreshments for the two of them. After the servant left, they resumed chatting.
“So, is this your home?”
“This is a residence under Brownie’s name. She doesn’t return often, but you need a proper place in the capital, and this place is near the palace and not too big, so Brownie bought it.”
“Then how did you know I’d arrived in the royal capital?”
“The Fourth Princess’s return to the palace was big news—many people knew. I guessed you’d come back with her, so I took a chance. I didn’t expect you’d really be here.”
Before long, the servant returned with Fruit Tea and Candied Fruit. After pouring them each a steaming cup of tea, the servant withdrew again.
Brownie was just as taciturn as always, but unless the conversation turned academic, she would never really open up.
They chatted for some time, and Rita was nearly certain that Promi harbored no ulterior motives, but truly wanted to thank her for what happened in the past.
Though Rita didn’t need thanks, running into an old acquaintance in the cold royal capital still warmed her heart—especially one she’d survived life and death with.
As they talked, the topic returned to Brownie.
“Actually, Brownie doesn’t want me to become a Holy Knight. But I want to prove I’m not any worse than she is; anything she can do, I can do too. That’s why I’m so set on becoming a Holy Knight.”
“I see. So you also want to become an exclusive knight?”
“No, it’s not a matter of wanting. It’s simply not possible anymore.” Promi replied, but her expression showed no trace of regret—it was clear she truly had no interest in being an exclusive knight.
But Rita was intrigued.
“Why is it not possible?”
“You probably know that His Majesty has no sons, but five princesses—of course, possible illegitimate children don’t count. After the Queen’s passing, only those five are eligible for the throne.” Promi explained.
“Mhm.” Rita nodded earnestly.
“Other than the Fourth Princess, each princess already has her exclusive knight. And it seems the Fourth Princess’s exclusive knight has also been chosen.” As Promi said this, she looked at Rita with a gaze as certain as a nail in the board.
Wait, was it that obvious? Why did everyone already think she was Cecilia’s exclusive knight?
But in theory, Promi was correct.
“Promi, may I ask something, though I’m not sure if I should.”
“What is it?”
“Your sister is the Second Princess’s exclusive knight, and I’m the one chosen by the Fourth Princess—or at least, that’s what everyone thinks. With the royal selection imminent, wouldn’t your association with me cause trouble?”
“Who my sister serves as an exclusive knight has nothing to do with me. Even if you weren’t the Fourth Princess’s exclusive knight but belonged to a more powerful contender, I would not pass up my chance to show my gratitude.” Brownie declared resolutely.
Wow, that’s touching.
But Rita also caught Promi’s implication—Cecilia stood little chance in the selection, so associating with Rita or Brownie wouldn’t affect either of them much.
Rita understood this as well. Lilia’s repeated provocations were evidence enough—among the princesses, Lilia likely wouldn’t say such things to anyone but Cecilia.
Out of curiosity, Rita asked another question.
“Then, who are the other stronger contenders?”
“To speak lightly of the princesses would be improper,” Promi said, “but with just us and Brownie’s servant here, I suppose it’s fine to share my thoughts.”
This gesture made Rita think more fondly of Promi. Though she knew some things shouldn’t be said, Promi was still willing to discuss them with her—a true friend.
“In my view, three princesses are the strongest contenders. The one with the highest chance of winning the selection ceremony is, of course, the First Princess, Emilia. Whether in beauty or strategy, she’s the obvious leader.”
“The Second Princess, Rosalia… since she is Brownie’s master, I shouldn’t say too much about her in Brownie’s home. Suffice to say, Rosalia is by far the most formidable.” Rita nodded and then asked, “And the third? Is it the Third Princess, Lilia?”
“No, it’s the youngest, the Fifth Princess, Iliya. She may seem naïve, but she’s far from as childish as she looks,” Promi replied. “The Third Princess is too eager for quick results—not fit to rule. It seems only she hasn’t realized it yet.”
If Promi said as much, it seemed that Lilia was truly unpopular.
No wonder she always targeted Cecilia—she couldn’t target the others.
“So, what do you think of Lady Cecilia?”
“Are you really asking me to comment in front of the Fourth Princess’s future exclusive knight?” Promi blinked, then said seriously, “The Fourth Princess is unique—like a transparent princess. If not for her curse, she wouldn’t be in this situation, so I can’t give you a proper answer.”
She dodged the question after all.
Well, it made sense that Promi wouldn’t reveal her true thoughts about such things.
“Do you know what kind of curse Lady Cecilia bears?”
“I don’t know. I fear no one does, except perhaps the Fourth Princess herself and His Majesty.” Promi replied.
Actually, even Cecilia herself didn’t know, but Rita saw no need to correct Promi on such details—nor would she casually talk about Cecilia’s affairs.
Just as Rita was thinking she’d gained nothing, Promi added,
“But, in most people’s eyes, the Queen’s death must be related to the curse on the Fourth Princess.”
“The specifics?”
“I don’t know. There are far too many rumors, most of them baseless. My personal advice: don’t dig too deeply into this.”
Talk too much and you’ll slip. That last comment from Promi sounded like a slip of the tongue—perhaps she or Brownie knew more, but they wouldn’t tell Rita easily.
Since the conversation had reached this point, Rita knew not to press further and turned the subject toward daily life in the royal capital.
After another bout of chatting, a ringing sounded at the garden door. Rita had heard it once before entering, likely equivalent to a knock.
Next, a stranger—another servant—walked in and stood respectfully by their table.
“Miss Promi, the master wishes to meet Miss Rita. She is waiting in the parlor. Miss Rita, if you would please follow me.”
“Brownie? Why does she want to see Rita?” Promi frowned, her displeasure plain. “Does she know I specially invited Rita here?”
“I do not know, Miss Promi. The master merely said she wished to see her.” The servant repeated himself simply.
Rita, too, was puzzled. She’d just arrived at the residence, and Brownie already wanted to see her—it was indeed odd.
But seeing that ‘siscon’ once wasn’t a big deal. Their connection probably came down to saving Promi, or perhaps Brownie meant to gift her a fine sword.
Seeing Promi’s tangled expression, Rita stood up.
“Let’s go, then. I have nothing else planned today anyway.”
Promi nodded and also stood by Rita’s side. “Right, let’s go together.”
This house wasn’t big, so within less than a minute, Rita and Promi, following the servant, arrived at the parlor.
Brownie sat with closed eyes at the place of honor, that twisted Longsword laid across her knees. Though her face showed little emotion, there was a sternness to her bearing that dispelled most of Rita’s casualness as she entered.
Facing Brownie, Promi also showed a side Rita had never seen—an aggressiveness:
“Brownie, Rita is my guest. You suddenly return and want to see her—what are you planning?”
“Sister.” Brownie opened her eyes, and the ‘siscon’ air Rita had seen before vanished utterly. Her solemn tone made even Promi sense things were different than she’d expected.
“It’s not me who wants to see Rita.” Brownie spoke as she gripped her single-handed sword. Even without drawing it, the pressure she radiated was suffocating.
“It’s His Majesty. He wants me to bring Rita back to see him.”