7 Years Old J of Hearts

First of all, once again (Ive mentioned this in Maou), good will is a very, very common Japanese euphemism for like/love.

Dont get so cocky, you fucking brat!

Why the hell was he left a job higher than ours!?

Hahh The boys who were my co-workers were picking a fight with me. Whereever you go, there are idiots like these, huh. Are they slightly older than me? Theyre a bunch that ignore their own shortcomings and use reasons like social status and age to discriminate against others. Theyre gunna pick a fight with a seven year old apprentice?

Ahahahah, you have it tough too, huh~

After meeting with Camille for the first time in a while, she had a huge laugh. It seems that she saw what happened just now.

Just because its someone elses problem

I get told that too, you know, Connected Girl they call me P-Pfft Since Im the daughter of a marquis, its true though.

Seeing Camille talk about it like it isnt a problem, I start feeling like an idiot for getting annoyed.

Royce-sama says that hell come once his classes are done, you know.

It seems itll take a little longer, huh

Because I had business at the castle today, we all decided to meet today. Camille and I are candidates for his future aides, so there are a lot of chances to meet with His Majesty during the breaks between our work. There are times when I meet him alone too, but there are also days when Ill be meeting him together with Camille.

Achille, you help Royce-sama with his studies, right?

When he asks me, yeah. His Highness has a number of talented private tutors, so I think itd be quicker just to ask them, but

But you explain things easily, right? I mean you immediately remembered the political science stuff you were taught the other day.

It seems that Camille is bad with studying. It wasnt like that in the past, but recently theres been an obvious trend towards it.

Shes concentrating on magic too much. In exchange for the neglect of her studies, her ability in magic has recently been growing at a strange rate. Both her arms and her legs are marked with magic tattoos now, and shes done for as a woman. However, Camille doesnt care about the eyes of society at all, and just keeps marking herself all over with her custom made tattoos of strange patterns like butterflies, or hearts, or angel wings. And I just wish she would stop stripping her outerwear off each time, and trying to show me. That time when she tried to show me the rose or whatever tattoo on her chest, I had no idea what to do, you know.

Ahh-! Oneechan!

Suddenly, a dark skinned girl came running out of nowhere. Shes somebody Ive seen. This woman was one of the followers of the royal princes son, wasnt she?

Mei-chan?

Youre acquaintances!?

Oneechan, even though I asked you to come play, how come you wont come?

Sorry, Meichan. There are some grown-up reasons behind it.

Really Then, its okay if I come to play?

Of course!

For some reason this woman has gotten close to Camille, even though theyre supposed to be enemies.

Indeed, of course its no good. Geez, just when I was wondering where you ran off to

From behind the woman named Mei appeared the son of the royal prince, Raiga Transbaal.

Nooo! I wanna play with Oneechan!

You mind not luring my attendant?

Raiga glared at Camille with a cold gaze, but Camille wasnt concerned in the slightest.

Just when did she become acquainted with Raiga? Even though the two of them are supposed to be completely avoiding each other. Even for the areas theyre active in, the King Faction are in the eastern building, whilst the Royal Prince Faction are segregated in the western building, so except for work, there are few places theyre together. Speaking of which, this was the central building, wasnt it? The central building has a lot of workplaces, so both factions come and go.

Sorry, Mei-chan, your bully of a master said that we couldnt play I like Meichan, but theres nothing I can do, huh? (In regards to this and that.)

Raiga-sama you idiott!

With that, Mei ran back towards the western building. Camille is snickering away happily.

Youu This is the seventh time. I told you not to get involved with Mei, didnt I?

It seems that the two of them come into contact surprisingly often. Despite the fact that theyre hostiles, it kind of seems that both Raiga and Camille are relaxed around each other.

Mei-chan is the one that comes to me, so I cant refuse.

Tsk

With a sour expression, Raiga swiftly disappeared in the direction of the western building. Camille fluttered her hand in a wave. She really doesnt know fear.

Expensive tableware and small, round tables that seem like they would be popular amongst females, were lined up in the wide garden. A garden party in name only, it was a gathering to strengthen the bonds of the King Faction. Of course, the members were all nobles of the King Faction. Since a few years ago, the Rhodolite Marquis family and the Jade Viscount family were able to be invited here as well. Todays party was one that invited the children of these nobles as well. Camille and I were invited as well, so we attended.

Achile-samaa!

Kyaa~, please look this wayy!

Aahh! Just now, our eyes met!

Im ridiculously popular with the young ladies of around my age. Its annoying but, I cant forget to be sociable. After all, this might come in handy one day, right? I suddenly felt a gaze, and when I turned around, I found that Camille was, black tea in one hand, looking this way with a smirk.

Hey, lady-killer!

She mocked me with words that might come from my drunk father. Its kind of irritating.

Camilla has no males around her. Since her whole body is marked with magic tattoos, if you ask me if its natural, then it is, but When Camille made her debut, she was surrounded by a huge group of men. Like me, they were second and third sons aiming to marry into her family. Probably being fed up with this, she decided to try attending with all her magic tattoos on. It was shallow thinking, but super effective. Still, backing away so easily just because of magic tattoos, what a bunch of useless guys.

Royce-samaa!

Kyaaaa! How wonderfull!

Haah That smile, is so dazzling that Im dizzy

His Highness is popular too. Wherever he went, high-pitched voices would call out.

Royce-sama Shant we have a chat over there?

No, Royce-sama will with I

No! With I!

You vixen! Step away from His Highness!

What! Youre the one! Ah! You over there! Would you mind not stealing a march on us!?

A battle between five, six women unfolded around His Highness.

Royce-sama will be eating cake with me!

What was thattt!? You damned tattoo woman!

What!? You make-up monster! Even though youre just a little kid!

At some point, Camille joined the battle.

That one area alone turned into chaos. I dont want to be near such a weird place.

Achille

His Highness unsteadily walked over to me. It seems that his spirit was shaved down upon seeing that ugly dispute between the women unfold before his eyes, and he came here to escape. After I offered him a nearby chair, he basically collapsed into it.

That seemed rough.

Mn Im a little tired. All of these young ladies sure are energetic, huh.

For women like those, couldnt you just use Camille like insect repellent

Shes an overly loyal guard hopeful and holds goodwill towards His Highness, and yet doesnt desire to become queen. While Im saying this, I should mention that she isnt acting in self-interest either, and neither is she looking for repayment. Truly, an overly devoted and convenient partner.

Mmmmmn, but you know

What is it?

His Highness looked like he was having trouble saying something, while he made eye contact with me. Its like hes trying to get me to say something.

Achille, are you okay with that?

Sorry? To begin with, why did you ask me something like that?

Hearing my words, His Highness let out a huge sigh. Its rare for him to take such an attitude. Hes kind to everybody without distinction, and is a person who is in a sense the very model of a prince.

You know, Achille. You shouldnt have the girl you like, do something like that, you know?

Hahh?

like? I, like Camille? Even though Im in front of His Majesty, I let out a foolish sound.

Youre always thinking about Camille, right? When Camille is paying attention to me, your mood turns bad after all.

That is not the case.

Wasnt it you who reacted first when Camille was stabbed? You gave her first aid too, and afterwards you were looking after her the entire time, after all.

That was just coincidence That time the Marquis was stuck with dealing with the aftermath, and Your Highness couldnt leave the room, after all.

His Highness sighed again. Just why?

Does Your Highness not feel anything about Camille?

Unconsciously, something other than the words I prepared came out of my mouth. Even though I had no intention of asking such a thing. His Highness made a surprised expression, but its too late to take back my words now.

Me? About Camille?

I mean just now, she participated in the Struggle for His Highness, didnt she?

Even though she has such obvious good will towards him, His Highness didnt look swayed by Camille in the slightest.

I wonder if its that kind of good will. Camille absolutely never crosses a certain line, and its because of that that I can continue being around her, though.

With those words, His Highness fell into thought. Camilles good will had no effect at all.

Are you saying that you do not feel anything for Camille, Your Highness?

I like Camille, but I dont think these feelings are romantic. Shes somebody wholl succeed her marquis house, and Ill probably have a fiance before long as well.

Its a standard answer, huh. And Camille said this earlier too. Why on earth am I asking questions with such obvious answers? I feel annoyed at myself for having said something needless. Besides that, somehow the area near my chest feels bad

Camille is strong, isnt she?

While gazing at Camille who was even now doing battle with the other young ladies, His Highness suddenly muttered this. Shes wrapped up in an intense all-female battle at the table on the far side of the room, but thats probably not what His Highness is talking about. Moreover,

Camille is, strong?

Theres no way that she is.

Mmn, even though shes a girl, shes trying hard to become my guard. Because of me, she got stabbed once, but despite that, even now shell stay by my side.

His Highness spoke of the past painfully. When our conversations come to that topic, his beautiful face always warps bitterly.

Certainly, Camille is different to the other daughters of noble families. Occasionally shell have a strangely mature face on, and shes good at handling magic too. If its to protect His Highness, she wont hesitate to fight either. But how can he declare that shes strong just because of that?

Even in the incident from a year ago, she was trembling and crying by herself on that bed in the infirmary. If I werent there, there probably wouldnt have been anybody whod have known.

Camille is just acting stronger than she is, and is by no means strong.

Why wont he notice this? His Highness, of all people. Even though Camille has been trying that hard, all for the sake of protecting him. If it were me

Having thought that far, I was suddenly struck by lightning.

Just what on earth would I do, if it were me?

Many of the noble daughter fangirls use watakushi. If you dont know what that means, again, dont worry.

Sorry? is Okay or anything else implies idea of even if you ask me okay or whatever, that has nothing to do with anything/okay or not has nothing to do with me/the situation anyway. Those words dont fit the situation to begin with. Its a really common Japanese phrase, but afaik we dont have an equivalent in English. Would usually just say Huh? and skip to the second part, which is Why did you ask me something like that?

who is in a sense the very model of a prince Gunna assume she meant and not , though apparently its become common to use the former even when they mean the latter.