44
However,
on the way back from the archives, the memory of her huge blunder revived.
（If only I had walked while looking
properly ahead that time, it might not have turned out like this.）
After
finishing breakfast, she hugged Arthur one more time.
（I will definitely make it back
alive……!）
She
resolved in her heart. More than anything, she thought she absolutely did not
want to die at this stage.
（Even though I am heading toward the
path of a good Imperial Princess, I must not give up in a place like
this. Until I leave this Empire, I cannot die!）
With
such determination in her chest, she returned to her room and made preparations
to head to the Violet Palace. Perhaps due to a lack of sleep, while Eva
and Rose were doing her preparations, Candice was dozing off the
entire time.
（Is it because I am a child, I
wonder. I am so sleepy. Why is this sleepiness so unbearable, I wonder…… even
though I only stayed awake for a single night.）
While
letting out a big yawn, she was called out to by Eva, 「Let's go,」 and unsteadily stood up. She wore a
simple dress so that she could run away with all her might if something were to
happen. It was to raise her survival probability even a little.
「Even though you have so many
adorable dresses, it is a waste, you know.」
「If by some chance something were to
happen, it would be troublesome, wouldn't it!?」
「J-Jeanne-san also said it,
but isn't Imperial Princess-sama overthinking it?」
「It might surprisingly be fine…… or
maybe not, but we are with you!」
「That's right! We will protect you」
「Because we are together with Imperial
Princess-sama until the very end!」
「Eva, Rose……!」
Eva and Rose were probably
trying to encourage Candice. Although their expressions and words did
not match, she was grateful for their consideration.
While
Candice and the others were heading to the Violet Palace tense
and trembling, just as the courtyard came into view, they passed by Maxence,
who carried a sword at his waist. This time, without giving a greeting, she
ignored him and passed right by his side. Right now, she did not have the
leeway to talk to him with a smile. Maxence too, perhaps having no
interest in Candice, completely ignored her.
（I wonder if he is going to the
training grounds today too……）
If
there was something she realized anew like this, it seemed Maxence had
always been putting in effort since he was young in order to train himself.
With her range of action expanding, she was beginning to see what her other
siblings were doing when they were young.
（Up until now I only thought about
being loved by Okaa-sama and Otou-sama, but as expected, hearing about it in
stories and actually seeing it properly with my own eyes makes everything look
different, huh.）
While
thinking such things, Candice set foot into the Violet Palace. Eva
and Rose were also with her, but in a palace much wider than the White
Palace, she didn't know where to go. Even if she wanted to have someone
guide her, wasn't the dead silent hallway completely devoid of people?
「Right on time, aren't you!」
「──GYAAAAAH!?」
「「……Hic!」」
Because
Hugo had appeared soundlessly in a place where no one had been just a
moment ago, Candice clung to Eva and Rose's bodies with
all her might while letting out a scream. While clumping together like a
dumpling, the three of them were wary of Hugo. Her heart was pulsating
rapidly. Hugo widened his eyes seeing the three of them so surprised,
but he formed a smile as if nothing had happened.
「Good day, Imperial Princess-sama.
You are extremely adorable today as well.」
Startled
by Hugo's words, Candice cleared her throat and fixed her posture
before returning his words.
「Th-Thank you…… I am happy.」
「……!」
Without
noticing that Hugo had been surprised for just a brief moment, Candice
took a deep breath as if to calm herself down. Then Hugo said, 「Right this way, please,」
and stepped forward. So as not to be left behind inside the wide palace, Candice
also widened her stride and followed him.
Whether
on purpose or not, Hugo was walking at a brisk pace, but Candice
followed along without uttering a single complaint. Normally, Candice
would make a fuss saying, 「Match your pace with mine! Damn it.
You're useless, aren't you,」 but she didn't get angry over this
level of things anymore.
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