Lately, a hard-to-believe rumor had been quietly spreading through the Palace of Radiance, where the Empire's precious jewel resided.
The rumors concerned Princess Alicia von Diana Solaris and the possibility that she had fallen in love.
"Marianne, don't you think the Princess has been hiding something from us lately?" "Yes... and there's more. Snow suddenly flies off and doesn't come back for ages, even though I keep his food bowl full." "She stares out the window sighing, and sometimes her expression suddenly gets all... wistful."
Naturally, the topic dominated the chatter among the maids who served her directly. For a Princess who had never shown interest in men—not even to the point of selecting a fiancé—the signs of a budding, irrepressible first love were fascinating.
"So, it really is that, right?" "Is that even a question? At this point, it's practically set in stone." "Mhm. Some cheeky thief must have stolen our innocent Princess's heart."
The main mystery, of course, was the identity of the culprit.
"Just how handsome must he be to make our Princess lose her mind like this?" "The Archduke's heir? Or a prince from one of the vassal states? Honestly, even then, the Princess might be out of his league..."
Of course, the maids' gossiping would never reach the outside world. This was due to the 'Oath of Silence' placed upon those who served the imperial family. Furthermore, upon retirement, their unnecessary memories would be wiped for imperial security. Thus, a bit of romantic speculation was a tolerable transgression—provided they weren't caught.
"I see it differently, though." "Oh, it's Emma."
A young maid from a minor baronial family, often overlooked due to her short tenure, spoke up timidly.
"The Commander of the Black Lion Knights. Wolfgang von Schwarz. I think he's the one she likes." "What? No way. That savage man? For our Princess?" "Exactly. Isn't he basically an Ogre in human form? He's too big, covered in scars... a battle maniac who only cares about swinging a sword." "How do you know all that, Sister Bella? I've never even heard his name before."
While most dismissed it, it wasn't treated as complete nonsense. Wolfgang of the Schwarz Earldom wasn't entirely unknown in social circles—though his nicknames were "Destroyer," "Slayer," and "Blood Demon." He was a war hero who had appeared in the triumphal procession led by the Emperor. However, coming from a troubled family and possessing a terrifying appearance, he was never considered "husband material."
"B-but... she visited the Black Lion Knights for no reason recently. And... if you look closely, despite the scars, his face isn't actually that bad..." "Well, if you put it nicely, he has a certain... primal charm. But Emma, do you really think he suits her? The Princess would never—" "Hey, I actually like those muscular, rugged types. I wonder how men like that are at night..." "Eek! Sister Leah, you're a pervert! The Princess isn't like you!"
As the conversation spiraled into chaos—
"You lot! Do you know what time it is?!" "Eek! The Head Maid!"
The maids scattered like startled birds at the thunderous voice of their superior.
"Phew... high-born girls or not, they're so willful," the Head Maid sighed, adjusting her monocle. "But what is the Princess doing locked in her room all day...?"
She stared at Alicia's firmly shut bedroom door with concern.
Inside...
—Mwah, mwah...
"Haaa... Wolfgang von Schwarz. Why...? Am I not charming enough? To start sending letters so infrequently already..."
The innocent Princess, deeply infatuated, was composing a letter. Kissing the expensive stationery repeatedly with her ice-blue eyes gleaming, she looked exactly like a girl in love—albeit in a slightly... skewed way.
"The books say leaving lip marks on a letter can set a man's heart ablaze. So, the more the better, right?"
—Mwah, mwah... slurp...
"I-it's a bit embarrassing. But I think this is enough."
Thinking of Wolfgang—her Master—she kissed the paper dozens of times until the white sheet was stained with symbols of her affection.
"Kyaa!"
Alicia shivered with delight and picked up her pen.
"And... most men dislike overly long letters. So, I'll try something new this time!"
[Look forward to it]
After scribbling the short sentence, she tied it to the leg of her white snowy owl.
"There. I'm counting on you again, Snow."
—Hoot!
The owl took flight, its speed accelerating to an impossible degree. As an imperial pet with strong elemental blood, Snow possessed mystical abilities. One of them was Vision Sharing.
"Have you arrived? Show me what my Master is doing, Snow."
—Flash!
Blue light flickered in Alicia's eyes as she tapped into the bird's superior vision.
"Kyaa?!"
The scene was a battlefield—knights and monsters entangled in a mess of gore. It was a scene of war. She watched with bated breath as Wolfgang floored a variant Ogre with a single punch, then immediately cut the connection.
"He really is... my Master. But, ugh..."
The sight of humanity and monsters spraying blood was too much for a princess who had never even seen a drop of dirty water. She ran to the bathroom to heave.
'While I live in comfort, they are doing such terrible, dangerous things...'
She had never cared about knights before, but now a wave of pity and gratitude washed over her. Her interest in Wolfgang was blooming into an interest in his profession.
"I... I should go on more morale-boosting visits in the future."
Realizing he hadn't written because he was busy, not because he was indifferent, made her feel better. When Snow finally reported the delivery was complete, she decided to let the owl linger.
"Alright, Snow. Show me his face one more time."
—Flash!
She shared vision again, hovering in the sky above Wolfgang.
"Th-that alley cat!"
In the marketplace of the Bartok territory, she saw a woman with blue hair walking intimately with Wolfgang in civilian clothes. Seeing them talk so harmoniously made Alicia's blood boil. She couldn't hear them, but she could see the "shameless" expression on the woman's face.
"Th-this...!"
Something snapped in Alicia's mind.
"This won't do! His 'first' must be mine! At this rate, that woman will—!"
She gnawed on her thumbnail. She decided that the moment Wolfgang returned to the capital, she would have to "secure" him properly.
'It feels a bit early... but I have no choice.'
"Phew..."
After replying to the Princess's chilling letter as sincerely as possible, I was lounging on my bed when—
—Knock, knock!
I opened the door to find a woman I didn't recognize. Her sky-blue hair felt familiar, but she looked like a stranger. Her long, slightly wavy hair was loose, and she had a provocative figure that rivaled the Princess's, though she was smaller in stature. Her beauty was somewhat haughty, and her outfit—a blouse that showed a hint of cleavage and tight pants that emphasized her toned legs—was... bold.
The world had certainly changed while I was at war. Not that I was complaining.
"Excuse me, but who are you, Lady? Are you the Security agent?"
The answer was entirely unexpected.
"It's me, Commander!"
That voice. That tone. She even looked offended that I didn't recognize her.
"Is it... the Vice-Commander?" "Yes. Come to think of it, this is the first time you've seen me in civilian clothes."
My jaw dropped. I knew women could transform with styling, but this was extreme. With her hair down and the uniform gone, she was unrecognizable.
"I didn't recognize you because you look so different. You're... strikingly beautiful." "Again with the bluntness... Ahem. Regardless, thank you, Commander."
"But why have you come here in those clothes?"
She blushed. "You saved my life. I'll be in your debt forever, but I wanted to express my gratitude, even if just a little..." "Nonsense. Allies saving each other on the field is natural. No need for debts. You can save me next time."
When I tried to gently decline, she quickly jammed her foot in the door.
"No, I can't just let it go. Please... let me treat you to a meal." "A meal?"
I was actually craving some good meat. It had been a while since I'd had a proper feast.
"Do you like meat?" "Yes. I don't dislike it..." "Wait outside. Give me three minutes."
—Slam!
I closed the door and changed. I didn't have fancy clothes, but I managed a clean shirt and trousers. I used a bit of Aura on my fingers for a quick "superhuman shave" and straightened my messy hair.
"Let's go." "Yes, Commander!"
—Glance.
For some reason, that white owl was still hanging around.
"Commander, do you know what the specialty of the Bartok territory is?" "I don't. But you've made me curious. What is it?"
I stepped out onto the street with my strangely enthusiastic Vice-Commander.