Within the grand hall, voices of discussion rose again.
"Protect the Third Princess at Fusion Academy?"
"Does that mean the princess no longer resists dueling?"
Though not as shocking as Aisha's investiture as Royal Duel Knight, the news of Princess Nova enrolling at Fusion Academy still startled many. The young princess, long known for disliking duels—so much so that even Old King Kaiser could not rein her in, indulging her as a beloved late-born child—was now willing to study dueling in earnest after the capital's war.
This meant all three royal heirs possessed dueling talent. To nobles loyal to king and country, the thriving of House Kaiser was joyous news.
"How splendid!"
"Heaven bless Livorden—may our kingdom prosper forever."
"But…" Aisha, the newly named Royal Knight, tilted her head. "Isn't Princess Nova only twelve? She's not of entry age yet, is she?"
Fusion Academy's minimum age was fifteen. Aisha herself had barely scraped admission at that age—though she was expelled half a year later. That had been… an accident.
"The matter of age needn't worry you, young Royal Knight. I've already spoken with the Vice Principal."
"Vice Principal Raiden?"
In her mind, Aisha pictured him gleefully counting coins atop his desk.
[Raiden: "As long as the money's right, anything can be arranged~"]
(￣ー￣)
"That does sound exactly like him."
The King's decision to enroll Nova early was, in fact, her own request: she'd declared she would only attend if Aisha went with her.
Old King Kaiser narrowed his eyes. Beyond his indulgence, he also wanted her to train as a duelist. He was aging; he could not shield her forever. Regardless of House Kaiser's glory, for her own safety, she needed strength.
"The princess is young and has never left my care. With her unruly nature, she will surely face hardships at the Academy. Royal Knight, I entrust her to you. Not only as King's command, but as a father's plea."
"Your Majesty…"
To Aisha's ears, the warmth of a father outweighed the authority of a king. Truly, parents everywhere love their daughters… save for rare men like Reigun Seth.
"I understand, Your Majesty!" Aisha pressed her hand to her chest, enacting the knightly salute she half‑remembered. "In the Academy, I shall guard Princess Nova."
Ren chuckled. "Look at you, Little Ai—already knightly. Protecting a princess… romantic, isn't it? Wait—no, that sounds wrong!"
She'd only meant it playfully, but then recalled Nova also knew of Miles's existence, saved by him as Ren had been in a deadly Shadow Game. Whether that bond was truly "pure" was questionable.
"Wonderful, Aisha! I knew you'd accept!"
Unable to contain herself, Princess Nova burst from where she had been waiting, flinging her arms around Aisha's slim waist.
"Now we can study together, summon cute monsters together, duel happily together—just thinking of it makes me so excited!"
"Yes, Princess Nova."
Aisha stroked her golden hair. For all her reputation as spoiled, the girl seemed perfectly sweet to her.
"And Miles too, of course."
Pressing her cheek to Aisha's chest, Nova looked at the Millennium Puzzle.
"From now on, please take care of us too, Miles. Heehee… this feels less like knight and princess, more like friends!"
"Not 'like friends,' Nova. We are friends."
Perhaps for the princess, cloistered in the palace, the word "friend" had been an unreachable dream. The thought made Aisha's heart ache; she patted her head again.
"Let's be lifelong friends, Princess Nova."
"No! You and I could never just be lifelong friends. Impossible!"
"Eh? We can't?"
Blushing, Aisha felt as if her goodwill had been rejected outright.
"Not lifelong friends, Aisha. Don't be so distant. You're my knight! And in the books Head Maid Sally showed me, the knight and princess always marry and bear the fruits of love."
Nova's serious tone left no room for jest. Perhaps that maid really was a bad influence.
"No, no, Princess, you're mistaken!" Aisha's face burned hotter. "Even if I am your knight, marriage—bearing children—that's impossible!!"
"What's so impossible about it?"
Nova pouted and pressed a hand against Aisha's flat chest.
"You're not really a girl—just a boy who looks a little cute."
From the very root, the princess had entirely misunderstood… As Ren feared, there was nothing "pure" about this friendship at all.
...
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