Well, yeah.

I’ve seen Philia before. I think it was on the day when the New Year’s Event was held. Young children were not supposed to be accompanied to social gatherings.

However, children who did not make their debut were able to join the New Year’s Event. I remembered having an encounter with Philia there.

I remember her being a bright little kid.

“Well…… I’m sure we have met before.”

“Then, why are you suddenly curious?”

“Because you keep looking at me like that.” She paused, staring him in the eye. “I thought that you were thinking of her whenever you’re looking at me.”

Of course, those words were just vague. His eyes were tearful as I touched on the sensitive topic intended for the Crown Prince.

“Looks like…”

I tapped Gerald. I wanted him to help me and add a comment.

He can do it, right? It’s about stimulating his emotions. That way, the atmosphere will be softened and more information will be gathered.

I sent a signal with my eyes.  Gerald nodded knowingly.

That’s right. If you know this much, you can understand.

“Louella will not be better than Philia’s love. Even if she is already gone.”

It’s not like we can see each other more than that. But those words stabbed him in his heart.

Isn’t it the time to ask why? Why is this man trying to turn the table upside down?

It appears that both of us are hundreds of years away from having decent communication.

“Gerald, that came out weird! I think he meant that Lady Philia was way prettier. Right, Gerald?” He quickly smiled fondly. I felt my cheeks tremble.

“Yes.” Gerald breathed heavily.

“Philia. She was such a beautiful person. I’ve never seen anyone so pretty smiling with her eyes.”

Fortunately, it was clear that his mind was crushed as much as his words trembled. I was glad he was that drunk, what would she have done if he wasn’t?

“I see.”

“I really didn’t want Philia to die.”

“Nobody would have wanted it, Your Grace.”

“But.” The Crown Prince’s eyelids quivered. It felt like pity, anger, and resentment at the same time. It was as if he was about to burst into tears.

“But?”

“Nothing went my way. I was the Crown Prince and I had to be strong.”

“But it was an illness, Your Grace. It happened because having the illness was inevitable.”

“It’s a disease… Yes, it was a disease. It swallowed Philia as a whole. It was definitely that and she was taken away from me. That’s right, but…”

It was not? I had that gut feeling.

Obviously, there was something more about her death. It was clear that the Crown Prince had something to do with Philia’s death. That dubious attitude.

“But?”

“But. I could have prevented it.”

“Are you able to prevent it?”

My heart beat fast. How can the Crown Prince stop Philia from getting sick and dying?

“You mean you are able to stop her from getting sick?”

Do you mean you know more about Nisephor?

The Crown Prince shook his head. Then he lowered his head as if he didn’t want to share any more details. The Crown Prince then fell asleep on the table.

“I’m sure there’s something going on here.”

“…….” I looked at Gerald.

“Why are you doing that? You must have heard something from Alexid?” I asked. “Didn’t you hear about the reason why I’m meeting the Crown Prince?”

“You knew about it?”

“It’s always been Alexid, you know. It’s not been a day or two and here you are, standing at the same place as me.”

It was something she intended in the first place. Hope that Gerald will notice and come to her at any time.

I wanted him to be jealous of the Crown Prince, but I didn’t want him to beg me with such a loving expression.

Why do I fall down so fast? It’s upsetting but I can’t do anything to refute it. Phew. I wonder if I’m too soft.

“Anyways, don’t you feel like the Crown Prince actually knows something about Nisephor?  Actually, I heard that the Crown Princess died at a very young age, and thought it was weird.  Wasn’t it normal for the illness to develop and mature over a long time?”

“That’s why you suspected the Crown Prince?”

“And…… It was definitely strange. He kept looking at me pitifully. I think it’s too much. Even if I look like Lady Philia. He was too kind to me when I first saw him.”

“…….”

“There is always a reason for the kindness that people give. This time, my prediction is correct.”

I filled Gerald’s empty glass and filled mine as well.

“Whew. It was not easy and it all happened all of a sudden. How will I get close to the Crown Prince? Alexid said he’d look around and help me. But the Crown Prince wouldn’t have let anyone know if there was a secret about Philia’s death.”