It happened a week after the incident involving Chancellor Gilbert and Marianne.
"I'm sorry, Arthur. I know it's your day off, and I’ve dragged you along just to visit someone in the infirmary."
"Not at all, really. Actually… I wanted to come too."
Arthur, Stayle, Tiara, and I were riding in a carriage on our way to visit Marianne.
Even though Arthur had healed her with his special ability, Marianne, who had barely been able to eat for the past seven years and had been bedridden all that time, still needed time to recover. For now, she would continue her convalescence in the same room within the castle.
For the record, both Father and Mother knew about today’s visit.
About four days ago, Chancellor Gilbert came with Father to formally tell us—Stayle, Tiara, and me—about Marianne’s condition.
In front of Father, we all acted as though we were hearing it for the first time.
"Princess Pryde, future queen of this kingdom; Prince Stayle, who supports her; and Princess Tiara, I humbly request your formal approval and understanding."
With that, Chancellor Gilbert explained how Marianne had been ill, how she was temporarily residing in the castle as a special case, and how now that her illness had been cured, she would soon be able to leave.
His storytelling was flawless, as though it truly was the first time we were hearing any of it. As expected of the kingdom’s brilliant tactician.
But what surprised me was how calm and serene his expression was, even though only three days had passed since everything happened. It made me wonder how much he had masked his true self around us until now. As for how he behaved toward Stayle… well, let’s just say their usual dynamic remained unchanged—though to be fair, it’s usually Stayle who starts it.
In any case, we officially approved Marianne's stay in the castle, and said we’d like to visit her soon. Gilbert gladly agreed and even added with a smile, "If it pleases you, I’d also like to apologize to Lord Arthur, Prince Stayle’s friend, for my conduct at the knighting ceremony." Father gave Gilbert a sharp look at that, muttering something like, "Saying unnecessary things again, aren’t you?"
Still, thanks to that, we can now visit Marianne freely without having to worry about being seen.
Today, since it was Arthur’s day off, and with Gilbert’s prior permission, we were finally going to see Marianne again.
“We’ve been expecting you, Princess Pryde. Prince Stayle, Princess Tiara, Lord Arthur.”
Chancellor Gilbert greeted us the moment we stepped out of the carriage. Technically, we had never been to Marianne’s room before, so he had agreed to guide us there himself.
Although it was still inside the castle, the location was so far on the western end that horses were needed to reach it. When I asked Stayle, he told me that a week ago, he’d used his teleportation ability to bring both Gilbert and himself there. Thank goodness Stayle had been there at the time.
We exchanged pleasantries with Chancellor Gilbert, and he led the way to Marianne’s room.
Tiara, who was meeting Marianne for the first time, was clearly excited—she held my hand and skipped lightly beside me. …Meanwhile, Arthur was cracking his knuckles behind us for some reason, and Stayle was silently trembling with what I guessed was laughter.
Marianne’s room was discreetly guarded, with a single soldier posted nearby, and the entrance was hidden away from prying eyes. The door was rigged with subtle traps and enchantments. No wonder no one in the castle had discovered her.
Since the door wasn’t very large, we entered in order: first Chancellor Gilbert, followed by Arthur, then Stayle, Tiara, and lastly me—though I felt Tiara, as the youngest, should have gone last. Everyone else disagreed.
After passing through the entrance and walking a short distance, we reached the room. It looked just as it had before, even the number of maids. But the atmosphere inside had completely changed.
As the soldier excused himself, and just as Marianne sat up in bed to greet us—
Thud!!
A loud, aggressive sound echoed through the room.
Startled, I turned toward the noise—and saw Arthur planting his fist squarely into Chancellor Gilbert’s stomach.
“Guh…” The Chancellor doubled over, clutching his abdomen. Stayle, standing behind Arthur, was shaking with stifled laughter.
"A-Arthur?! What are you doing?!"
The guard, who had been leaving, froze, unsure whether to detain Arthur or not. Marianne and the maids covered their mouths in shock.
“Sorry,” Arthur said bluntly, cracking his knuckles again. “I’ve always promised myself I’d make whoever spread nasty rumors about Princess Pryde pay. Figured it was time.”
He even declared that he’d been planning this punch for a week, radiating a faint air of menace.
I glanced worriedly at Marianne—wasn’t she upset that her fiancé had just been assaulted? But all she gave was a pained smile.
"And now that I’ve punched him, Chancellor Gilbert, feel free to punish me for striking a superior."
He straightened his back. Stayle was now openly laughing, clutching his stomach, while Tiara and I watched in stunned amusement.
Then, unexpectedly, another voice joined the laughter. Chancellor Gilbert was quietly chuckling, even as he clutched his stomach.
Hearing his suspicious, low chuckle, I instinctively pulled Tiara closer to me.
Gilbert slowly straightened and fixed his eyes on Arthur.
“Arthur Beresford…”
Arthur tensed at the sound of his full name.
“…You are truly magnificent.”
He smiled—a sharp, somehow satisfied smile, as though delighted by something. I had no idea what he meant.
But Chancellor Gilbert didn't seem angry. In fact, he returned to his usual composure and smiled calmly at Arthur.
“No need for punishment. If anything, I deserved it.”
Arthur blinked, confused, while Stayle grinned behind him and muttered, "Nice one, Arthur. Give him another next time."
Stayle then stepped forward toward Marianne, bowing slightly.
“My apologies, Lady Marianne. He’s a bit hot-blooded.”
Tiara hurried over beside him and handed Marianne a bouquet. “These are from my sister,” she said sweetly.
"Didn't I tell you to punch him somewhere private if you had to?!" Arthur barked, but Stayle just smiled and offered Marianne a smooth, “Congratulations on your recovery.”
Tiara leaned against Marianne’s bed, softly greeting her. With Marianne’s elegance and Tiara’s angelic presence, the two of them looked like a scene from a painting.
I hurried forward to greet Marianne as well, just as she spoke first.
“Princess Pryde…”
Her soft smile reminded me a little of Tiara’s.
“Sorry for the late introduction. I’m Pryde Royal Ivy. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Marianne.”
“Please, call me Maria,” she said, bowing deeply. “I’m terribly sorry for the trouble Gilbert and I caused. Thank you so much. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for us.”
Her complexion had improved dramatically. Her voice was clear and strong, unlike the last time we met. And yet, I couldn’t understand why she was thanking me—not Arthur or Stayle.
“I didn’t do anything. Arthur and Stayle deserve your gratitude.”
I smiled, but Maria tilted her head as if confused.
Tiara then stepped in with a bright, “She’s my amazing big sister!”
That got a smile out of Maria, and I relaxed.
But Tiara kept going. “She’s so kind and cool!”
I flushed with embarrassment. Maria listened warmly, but I eventually had to cut in with, “Tiara, maybe that’s enough…”
“Arthur, you should greet her too.”
Stayle’s voice prompted Arthur to step forward. He stood beside Chancellor Gilbert, awkwardly a step behind the rest of us.
As Maria looked his way, Arthur mumbled, “It’s been a while,” averting his eyes.
Maria smiled gently and extended a hand. “It’s good to see you again… Thank you, truly.”
Arthur took her hand and, seeing her smile, smiled back faintly, shyly.
It was such a heartwarming scene that I couldn’t resist. I grabbed Tiara’s and Stayle’s hands and layered them atop Arthur and Maria’s.
They all flinched in surprise as I gently pressed their hands together.
“Let me say this too. Thank you, Arthur, Stayle, Tiara. Truly, from the bottom of my heart.”
Arthur and Stayle’s eyes widened. Tiara beamed.
I hadn’t done anything.
Without Arthur, Maria wouldn’t have been healed.
Without Stayle, we wouldn’t have returned in time with Chancellor Gilbert.
Without Tiara’s support, we wouldn’t have been able to leave the room in the first place.
It was all thanks to them.
“I love all three of you,” I said with a bright smile.
Tiara and Maria smiled back radiantly. Stayle turned red, fumbling for words. Arthur blushed, staring at their joined hands—probably overwhelmed by being so close to two beautiful girls.
Feeling a little bad, I gently released my hands from theirs.
I suddenly realized I’d left Chancellor Gilbert out. Turning around—
He was smiling with such warmth.
It was such a genuine, radiant smile that I couldn’t look away.
It was happier than even the ending scenes from the original game.
He caught my eye and, without a word, bowed deeply to me.
I didn’t know what he was thinking. But later, when we returned to the carriage, I overheard Arthur say to Stayle:
“He didn’t smile that creepy smile today.”
I didn’t know what “creepy smile” meant. And personally, the laugh he let out after being punched still seemed creepy to me.
But seeing Stayle nod and say, “I see,” with a satisfied smile, I couldn’t help but feel relieved too.
As Tiara swung her feet playfully and talked about visiting Maria again, I looked back toward where her room was—
I’m so glad she’s doing well.
I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that she finds happiness now—
With the person she loves by her side.
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