Lake Island. The royal palace.

Shien and Vivian entered quite easily.

It was because Vivian handed a letter to the knights guarding the gate, asking them to pass it along to the princess. Then, things happened just as Vivian had said, and they were told that they can meet right away.

Only, the only ones to enter the palace were Shien and Vivian. Diere, Lumia and Melika werent allowed in.

The reason was that there were too many of them.

For a private meeting, taking so many people to see the princess together was indeed not very appropriate.

Thus, Lumia and Melika hurriedly stated that they were fine just waiting outside.

I-Im a bit scared to see the princess for real

Yeah! Its too sudden!

Lumia and Melika proclaimed as such with teary eyes. It was obvious that they were somewhat intimidated to meet the princess. Rather, they were completely lacking in mental preparations for such a thing.

After all, its not like it was previously. Lumia and Melika already gained a true understanding of the princesss fame. For those two girls, seeing the princess right this moment wasnt all that good for their hearts.

In that case, Ill stay and keep them company.

Diere so declared. Thus, she too didnt enter the palace.

Thus, Diere, Lumia, and Melika waited for Vivian and Shien to return in a waiting room outside the palace that the knights prepared. Shien and Vivian followed the knight leading the way as they entered the palace and headed toward the princesss room.

During their journey, the knight leading them acted very respectfully to Vivian. Vivian also moved like she was very familiar with the place, to the point where one would suspect whether she actually needed someone to lead the way in the first place.

Shien watched this from the side and, after a bit, quietly asked Vivian a question.

You seem like youve come to the palace pretty often before?

That was Shiens only conclusion after seeing how familiar Vivian seemed with the surrounded.

Vivian didnt deny it either.

I cant say Ive come that often, but back when I was still in the Capital, I should have come at least several times every month perhaps? Vivian replied back to Shien with a similarly lowered voice, I did say it just a moment ago that I have some relations with the princess. Well, that was thanks to Leili though.

With that, Shien more or less understood.

Leili was the only child of a high noble of the Capital, so she definitely has quite a few dealings with the palace.

In that case, as Lielis childhood friend, its pretty normal for Vivian to also have some connections with the people in the palace.

If not for that fact, then theres no way that the knights would have so easily accepted her request to pass a letter to the princess, right?

Theres no way that just anyone could hand the princess a letter.

Of course, Ive only met the princess a couple of times. We have a relationship, but I cant really say that were that familiar. Rather, its Leili who has a far closer relationship with the princess. Shes far closer to her. Vivian so stated, If its Leili here, she likely wouldnt have even needed to pass a letter in asking for permission. No, she probably could have just taken you with her in entering the palace directly.

Entering the palace huh?

That wording feels a bit weird.

As Shien grumbled in his head, he instead spoke something else, Then, that princess only agreed to see us immediately due to guildmaster Leili, right?

To that question, Vivian gave the following answer.

I can only say that it was a factor. It was unknown just what Vivian was thinking, but she showed a weak smile, The real reason she agreed to see us immediately is more likely because the current time is rather special. Otherwise, even if it was Leili, itd be hard to get a meeting without first making an appointment.

Oh. Shien nodded, and spoke casually, It looks like that princess is quite busy.

Of course. Vivian spoke meaningfully, Putting aside all the various things required of royalty, just the matter of showing herself at noon is something that the princess has to do each and every day. Such an activity also requires the deployment of knights to maintain order. It also requires dealing with the aftermath and dispersing the crowds. All that stuff is done by the princess. Add to the fact that shes someone respected by the gods, pretty much all work relating to diplomacy between the royalty and gods have also basically all been handed to her. Even a lot of important temple events will invite her to participate. Thus, her schedule each and every day has been jam packed. Its basically only around this time that shes relatively free, but even then, shes still being pestered.

Pestered? Shien was confused, What does that mean?

Youll know very soon. Vivian showed a bitter smile, Its because I know about this that I brought up visiting her at this time. I believed that, compared to dealing with those people, she should be much more willing to meet us instead. I ended up kind of manipulating her, so I feel rather guilty about that.

As she said that, Shien and Vivian had finally reached the princesss quarters.

However, the moment they arrived, Shien was stunned.

It was because countless people were gathered at the receiving room of the princesss quarters.

Those people had two points of similarity.

One: All of them were dressed extremely richly. It was easy to tell from a glance that they were nobility.

Two: All of them were men.

This is?

Shien was rather befuddled.

Rather, it was Vivian who muttered as expected under her breath.

At this moment, Shien and Vivians arrival had also come to those young noblemens attention.

Those young noblemen first looked at Shien, gave him a once over as if trying to estimate Shiens background with eyes filled with calculation and a strange sense of hostility. Only when they realized that Shien was wearing normal clothing did they finally disdainfully shift their gaze away.

It was like they were saying that this person is of no threat.

However, immediately after, those young noblemens eyes lit up at the sight of Vivian.

Of them, there were even several who hurriedly ran over.

Isnt this Miss Vivian?

Long time no see, Miss Vivian.

I heard you left the capital to train at some other town. How are you here now?

Wheres Lady Leili? Did she not come back with you?

Youre here to see Princess Lucilosti, right?

If you dont mind, can you allow me to accompany you?

No, you should allow me to accompany you instead.

No, it should be me instead.

Im from a counts family!

Im from a marquis family!

You should let me come with you!

No! Me!

A crowd of young noblemen thus gathered around Vivian and started arguing.

Shien watched all of this, stunned.

Only after did Shien find out that those young men of noble families have all gathered here in order to try to meet the pincess.

Their goals were very simple too. That was to gain the princesss affection so that they may ask for her hand in marriage.

However, due to the fact that there were just way too many of them, the number of them who could actually see said princess were very few indeed. Sometimes, no one could see her at all.

Thus, those people would lay wait here ever single day without getting tired at all. Since a lot of them knew that Vivian had certain personal relations with the princess, they guessed that she might be here to see the princess. Thus, those people would of course shamelessly come on over to beg Vivian to take them along.

It was precisely because Vivian knew all this that she showed such a bitter smile.

Shien understood as well.

True enough. Compared to those buffoons, that princess would definitely rather see Vivian instead.

Only

It cant be that they showed such hostility toward me a moment ago because they thought I might be competition, right?

When he though that, Shien felt seriously uncomfortable.