Chapter 154: Endless Worries

　After dinner, I take a bath alone and go to bed alone. I usually have Mira with me, so I feel a little lonely. I thought I would feel a sense of freedom now that I was alone, but that was not the case.

　As I expected, it seems like Chloe will be used as a political pawn. There’s nothing I can do about this. I wonder what Chloe thinks. It would be nice if the prince of the neighboring kingdom of Lund Al was a good person…

　Oh, stop, stop. Stop thinking about things that can’t be helped. I’m not the ruler of this world. I can’t make the story move the way I want.

　So this is the aristocracy. It was a common story in novels, so at the time I thought it was just like that. There’s something bewildering about actually being a party to it.

　Perhaps I feel that way even more so because Chloe and I were close in our own way. I should have been careful enough not to get sentimental. Caro, who is right next to her, may be feeling even more pain.

“Julius, did you not sleep well?　Maybe your pillow doesn’t fit?”

“Good morning, Brother Alex. It’s nothing like that. I just couldn’t sleep, that’s all.”

“Okay.”

　He looks at me with a concerned look. He is a very perceptive older brother. I’m sure he knows why I couldn’t sleep.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Cain.”

“Good morning, Brother Cain.”

　The three of us eat breakfast together. This kind of breakfast will probably continue until the school year starts. However, once the school year starts, both of them will commute from the school dormitory. Then I’d be eating breakfast alone and lonely. I guess I should have brought …… Mira with me after all. Or call the spirit of the lake?　No, I can’t. The female servants would have a stroke. Because he looks like a pervert.

“Julius, you haven’t toured all of the capital yet, have he?　I’ll give you an escort, and you can go wherever you like.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

“Cain is going to Viscount Raniemi’s, right?　You must take a pastry with you. Don’t just take the sword.”

“…… yes.”

　Your voice is so quiet, Brother Cain. It seems that Brother Cain’s crush is the daughter of Viscount Raniemi. I’ll find out what kind of person she is later. It might be of some use.

“I’ll be at the school today as well, so if you need me, please call me right away. Please don’t move on your own accord. Good, Julius.”

“…… yes.”

　Ugh, you don’t have to go out of your way to mention me by name. I understand your concern. As you can imagine, I won’t cause any problems that many times in a row.

　After breakfast, each of us started to move.

　Brother Alex is getting making preparations to go to the school, and Brother Cain is going to buy some pastries first, just like Brother Alex told him to. What about me?

　Well, since I’m here, I guess I’ll go on a tour of the royal capital by myself. I should be able to show Rosalia around next time she comes to the royal capital.

“I think I’ll take a look around the royal capital today. Please show me some sightseeing spots.”

“Understood. I’ll make adjustments, so please wait a moment.”

　With that, the servants who would take care of me while I was in the capital began to scurry about. They are supposed to be taking care of me, but that doesn’t mean anything. It was just to keep an eye on me. Well, if a ten-year-old boy decides to wander around, he will probably be supervised, won’t he?

　After a while, everything seemed to be ready. The servant told me to wait at the entrance for the carriage to arrive.

　Next to me, my brother Alex was also waiting for the carriage to arrive.

“Where are you going?”

　The older brother smiles a fresh smile. Well, he is as handsome as ever. Do you think I’d look good-looking too if I smiled like this?

　I look at the servant, since I didn’t ask where I was going. The servant bows.

“Today I am going to show you the cathedral.”

“The cathedral. It’s definitely a place you should visit at least once. I am sure that every nobleman in the capital has been there at least once. If you have never been there, you might be in a bit of trouble.”

　Is that so? I’ve never really visited the church in the capital, let alone the cathedral. Perhaps I am being scowled at by the church officials in the capital. I’ll visit them once I get back home.

　Two carriages arrived at the entrance. Looks like we’ll be leaving at the same time. my brother Alex spoke to me as I was about to get into the carriage.

 “About Chloe-sama, Julius, don’t worry about it. This is the royal family’s, the country’s will. It’s not something that a mere subject should interfere with. Miss Daniela was worried about Chloe-sama and told you about it, but afterwards, she regretted that she shouldn’t have told you.”

“I see, …… then please tell miss Daniela. I’m fine, so please don’t worry about it.”

　I exchanged glances with my brother. The older brother nodded firmly and made his way to the carriage.

Miss Daniela may be feeling guilty. She is in a position where she can marry for love, but her sister can’t.

　Perhaps she thought that if her engagement to my brother Alex had not yet been finalized, she would have been in that position. The first prince of the Kingdom of Lund Al was sixteen years old, as I recall. The second prince would have been 11. If she was going to marry the first prince, miss Daniela would have been more suitable for the position because they were closer in age.

　If so, which one would Lady Chloe have been betrothed to?　If she were to be betrothed to the first prince, the ties between the two countries would be stronger, but the second prince might be closer in age and easier to get along with.

　In that case, the connection between the two countries would be a little weaker.

　This is not something I should think about any more. It is up to His Majesty the King to decide. Whichever way it goes, there is no doubt that the ties between the two countries will grow stronger.

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