The prince is coming to visit. He is two years older than me and often comes to our house. Today too, he is sitting in a chair in our garden with a self-centered look on his face, drinking tea.
I hate the prince. After all, I know that, in the future, he'll become a friend of the heroes who fight against the Empire, and they'll beat me up. He's just a child now, but when he grows up he'll become bulky and have a huge shield that will block all my attacks. Moreover, he will attack with the shield.
Shields should only be used for defense...!
I munch on an apple pie that's bigger than usual.
"Fran, what's with the sad face? At times like that, it's good to remember happy things. Come on, tell me happy things."
This person with golden, shiny hair is making unreasonable demands. It's not because I remembered my past life, but dealing with comments like this is troublesome. But I can't go against important people.
I try my best to remember the happy things from recent days.
"Hmm, happy... happiness, oh! The other day, I took a bubble bath with my Sevran-onisama!"
"A bubble bath...?"
"Yes! With lots of bubbles, and when I got out of the bath, my skin was so smooth. Sevran-onisama even said my cheeks were smooth and cute!"
"Hmm... Is it that fun?"
He looked at me with a really puzzled expression.
You're the one who asked me to talk about something happy, Prince! We're not on the same page at all! Is it because of the difference in status? Is it because the Prince is richer than me?
I grip the fork tightly in my hand.
It was fun. Sevran-onisama hugged me tightly, squished my cheeks, and I was so happy.
"Oh, Prince, you should try it too. If you take a bath with Prince Lionel, I'm sure it will be fun."
Prince Lionel is the Prince's older brother. He's going to be the next emperor, but I haven't met him much. I've heard that he's close with my brother, Stefan.
"...My brother doesn't really speak with me."
"Hmm..."
Did I step on a landmine...? I'm sorry, Prince.
Awkward. Both the Prince and I quietly munch on our apple pie. It's really awkward. I glanced at the Prince's butler, but he quickly looked away. Come on, it's your Prince—help me out here!
"Fran."
"Y- yes?"
"...How do you think I could invite my brother to take a bath?"
"Huh, uh..."
Can't you just ask him directly?
"I just go to brother's room, and if he doesn't seem busy, I say, 'Sevran-onisama, let's go take a bath!' and he usually replies, 'Sure, let's go,' and we go."
"What if 'let's go' won't work...? I haven't spoken to him in about a year."
"Wh- why?"
"Because Mother told me to. She also said that my brother hates me."
Ahh... I've seen this kind of thing a lot in historical dramas from my past life. The kind of politics and court affairs that adults often deal with.
"If you talk to him, does he hit you?"
"No, my brother wouldn't do that. And Mother... wouldn't go that far either."
"Then, why not just talk to him?"
What kind of rule is this?
As I looked at the Prince, thinking how strange it was that they couldn't talk, he suddenly smiled softly.
"You're right, Fran. Even if he dislikes me, I'll try talking to him. After all, I like my brother."
"Me too! I love my brothers! So, I always tell them. Sevran-onisama pats my head, and it makes me really happy!"
"Haha, I see. Even if he doesn't pat my head, I'd be happy just to talk to him."
"Tell him you like him! There's a chance it might work!"
"A ch- chance...?"
"Good luck! I'll give you some apple pie! To cheer you on!"
I quickly glanced over and had the maid cut some more apple pie. Then, I pushed the plate with the fresh slice over to the Prince.
He seemed a bit stunned, but the Prince ate the apple pie.
"...Do you think he'd laugh if I told him I like him? Well, if he does laugh, I can always come back here and have Fran tell me another happy story."
"That's the spirit, Prince Rafael!"
"Talk to Lionel-sama!"
"What's important is your feelings, Prince Rafael!"
The Prince's attendants started buzzing with comments, but no one, no one noticed! I've somehow become the one cleaning up this mess!
"Ugh..."
While biting my lip, I asked the maid for another helping of apple pie.
A few days later, I got bored of the egg hunt and was swinging on the garden swing when brother Stefan showed up.
"Stefan-onisama!"
I hopped off the swing and stood ready.
As brother approached, he began ruffling my hair with both hands! His hands are so big that they cover my entire face.
"Fran, you've played a part in averting a national crisis."
He squished my cheeks, making my mouth look like a little octopus! It's fun!
"Whnnn waht do you mean?"
When I asked what he meant, Brother Stefan suddenly picked me up.
"The relationship between Prince Lionel and Prince Rafael has improved. Prince Lionel is now at peace, and the Empress is delighted."
"That's... good news."
"Yes, apparently, Prince Rafael mentioned that it was your advice that helped. It's something to be very proud of, Fran. Well done."
"Ehehe..."
I forgot what we were talking about with the prince, but being praised makes me happy!
It's been a while since I've seen him, and since Brother Stefan isn't wearing his knight's uniform today, maybe he'll play with me!
"Stefan-onisama, is today your day off? Will you play with me?"
"Yes, let's do that."
"Yay! Hooray!!"
Playing with Brother Stefan is amazing! He even wrestles with me. I always get thrown, but it doesn't hurt—it's just a lot of fun!
When I tried to get down quickly to start playing,
"But before that..."
"Huh?"
"Fran, do you like me?"
"I do!"
"I- I see."
He made a strange face, but his ears were red, so he's not mad, right?
Alright, time to get down and wrestle!
Excited, I rushed at Brother Stefan, but he gently picked me up, spun me around, and then softly set me down on the grass.
This is so much fun!!
"Haha, what a face you're making."
"Brother! Brother!"
"Yes, yes."
"This is fun! One more time! One more time!"
"Alright, come here. Oh, you're trying to fake me out now, huh?"
"Ahh! I got caught! Waaah!"
"Fran."
"Yes?"
"Brother loves you too, Fran... and... here we go!"
"Aahh! Defeated again! One more time! Brother, one more time!"
Until the maid called us for tea, I kept charging at Brother Stefan over and over again.