The Princess's Private Tutoring - Chapter 13

Chapter 13. Someone’s True Feelings

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Celestia was greeted by a busy morning.

Today was the day of the breakfast with the Brilliant Guild, who had just returned from a long voyage.

“Samuel will be coming as well.”

“Really?”

Celestia, standing in front of the mirror, brightened.

Samuel Christopher, the son of the head of the Brilliant Guild, was Celestia’s friend.

A friendship between a merchant and royalty was something unimaginable in the past.

But the times had changed greatly.

It was an age where science outweighed superstition, and doctors were treated with greater respect than shamans.

The authority and power of royalty remained firm, but merchants were no longer automatically despised.

Some merchants, with the knowledge and experiences they gained abroad, possessed refinement surpassing that of nobles.

The wealth of certain merchants had even reached heights difficult for nobles to achieve.

The foremost of them was Isaac, head of the Brilliant Guild, and Samuel benefited greatly from this.

King Perriorson, who had long harbored admiration and curiosity about foreign continents, often summoned Isaac to the palace, and Samuel would join him.

Though only two years older than Celestia, he seemed far more mature, having traveled through many countries.

But he never imposed the authority of age upon her.

With Celestia’s curiosity and Samuel’s wish for a younger sister, they easily grew close.

And they became friends.

“I thought you would be downcast all day since Sir Killian isn’t here, but fortunately, Samuel will be coming.”

“Since I couldn’t get a horse, should I at least ride a cow?”

Lyla, who was brushing her hair, stopped and shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. But I wonder what’s wrong with Sir Killian? Just three days ago, he was perfectly fine.”

“True…”

Celestia’s expression suddenly darkened.

‘He said he secluded himself in the mansion whenever the full moon rose. Could he have some grave illness?’

Celestia’s worry deepened.

‘It must not be serious. If the head of House Eustia had fallen gravely ill, rumors would have already spread far and wide.’

That was how high Duke Eustia’s status was in the Kingdom of Mason.

The family affairs of House Eustia were important enough for the king himself to attend to.

And according to what she had learned, no physician had visited either.

‘It must just be something minor, like a cold. Perhaps his seclusion during the full moon is simply a scheduled rest because of how busy he is.’

Even Perriorson would always rest on Sunday afternoons, saying that rest was essential for hard work.

‘It must be the same for Sir Killian.’

Pushing aside her worry, Celestia made her way to the banquet hall.

By the time Celestia arrived at the breakfast hall, all the other attendees were already seated.

“I’m late, aren’t I?”

At her entrance, Isaac and Samuel rose and greeted her respectfully.

“We came early, Princess,” Isaac replied. And he was right. Celestia had arrived exactly on time.

Celestia smiled brightly and pressed her cheek to Perriorson’s.

“Forgive me.”

“Waiting for my daughter is a joy. Besides, I was engrossed in conversation with Isaac and hardly noticed the time. Sit, quickly.”

As she took her seat, the appetizer was served. A beef and tomato stew, perfect for whetting the appetite and warming the body.

“Where was it you went this time?” Perriorson asked.

Isaac set down his spoon and dabbed his mouth. “To the eastern country of Jang.”

“Jang? A peculiar name.”

“The culture there is very different from ours. They don’t eat bread.”

“Oh? Then do they only eat meat? Or cakes?”

Intrigued, Perriorson listened as Isaac launched into explanation.

“They eat rice, a grain. It looks like this…”

The two carried on their discussion, not minding as their food grew cold.

Across the table, Celestia and Samuel exchanged glances. Both shook their heads.

“This breakfast will surely drag on until lunch, don’t you think?”

When Celestia only mouthed the words, Samuel quickly caught on, lowered his head with a laugh, and answered.

“Shall we slip out midway, Princess?”

“That’s what I was hoping for.”

Celestia beckoned to a servant carrying dishes.

“You called, Princess?”

“Bring our food out quickly.”

“As you command.”

They had hardly eaten half the appetizer when the main dish was brought out. The star was roasted duck fresh from the oven.

On the side came ratatouille and bread, which Isaac had just passionately praised as “the pride of our country!”

Listening to Isaac’s excited voice, Celestia continued her meal.

Before long she had cleared the dessert as well and rose from her seat.

“Sir Isaac, thank you for your efforts.”

Isaac had no title yet, but in respect to the king’s close friend, she addressed him as “Sir.”

“You’re leaving already? You’ve hardly eaten… oh, you’ve finished everything.”

So absorbed had Perriorson been in the conversation, he hadn’t even noticed the servants bringing in food.

“I need to walk with Samuel. My belly’s as round as a bear’s.”

“Even if it were, you’d still be nothing but adorable.”

Perriorson showed no restraint in expressing affection for his daughter, regardless of who was present.

Celestia smiled brightly. “Even so, I can’t eat any more. Please enjoy the rest of your time together.”

She quickly left the banquet hall before Perriorson could stop her. Soon after, footsteps sounded behind her.

“His Majesty would have kept you if not for me, wouldn’t he?” Celestia turned with a radiant smile.

“But the moment I said I had to escort the princess, he let me go.”

“You used me as a shield again!”

Celestia put on a stern face.

“Wasn’t it His Majesty’s permission? Or shall we return?”

Samuel jerked his thumb toward the hall. Celestia extended her hand.

“If you’re going to escort me, then do it properly.”

“I’ll make sure you’re not disappointed.”

Samuel took her arm, and the two walked side by side toward the garden.

“You left in summer, and only returned now that it’s winter.”

Celestia pulled the shawl Lyla had draped over her shoulders tighter.

“So it seems.”

“A long voyage, then. Wasn’t it difficult?”

“It always is. Hard and frightening.”

“And yet you always go.”

“Yes.”

“Is the sea that irresistible?”

Samuel’s brown eyes quivered. He hesitated before speaking.

“The sea is fair. It doesn’t care if I’m a noble, a commoner, or a slave. The waves strike just as hard, and to survive you’ll do whatever it takes.”

“Sounds like you’re criticizing me. That because I’m royalty, I live in ease?” Celestia narrowed her eyes.

“If it sounded that way, I apologize.”

Samuel quickly bowed his head.

Celestia chuckled. “You’re not wrong. I’ve lived in comfort. So then, what did you see in the countries you visited? Surely you’ve brought back amusing tales for me?”

“Of course. What would you like to hear?”

“Obviously…”

Walking a few steps ahead, Celestia twirled around.

Her hair and skirt puffed up like a tulip bud, then settled down.

In that instant, Samuel’s chest swelled as well. Unlike her skirt and hair, it did not settle.

“A story of you getting into trouble.”

Celestia giggled.

The mischievous smile tickled Samuel’s chest. His whole body tingled, but he didn’t want the feeling gone.

“I’d rather tell the story back at my residence. I’ve cleared my schedule. You weren’t planning to send me off so quickly, were you?”

“I would have been disappointed if you left so soon. But don’t you have studies today?”

“Studies?”

“I heard you’ve begun private lessons with Duke Eustia.”

“Goodness, didn’t you only just arrive yesterday? And already you’ve heard? Who feeds you palace gossip so quickly? Did you plant spies here? If so, remove them at once.”

Celestia shot him a mock glare.

“Of course not. I’d never do such a thing. It’s only that I care for you, Princess. News of you always finds its way to me.”

“Is that so? Then I must be quite the sinful woman.”

Celestia burst into laughter, then suddenly froze.