n

n

n“Don’t worry, you look like a great Princess.”

n“Really?”

n“That’s right, you look great today.”

nRieta’s worries continued, even though he had pointed to her thumb and praised her.

nStill, she seems to be worried that, as a Princess, she would lack dignity in front of her own people.

nEven so, she was just a 12-year-old little girl.

n“If you really don’t believe it, would you like me to put ‘Princess’ on your forehead in Imperial language?”

n“Then, should I put ‘Young Master’ on Noel’s forehead in Kingdom language?”

nThe two laughed together while imagining pasting notes on each other’s foreheads.

nAnd soon, a carriage arrived in front of the mansion.

n

n

nRieta ran all the way to the front door.

nDespite the freezing cold, she hadn’t even worn a coat.

n“Alicia!”

nRieta shouted happily before the carriage door opened.

nIt was unclear whether it was because of the cold or the excitement.

nHowever, recently her cheeks, which had become a little round, had turned rosy.

nFinally, the carriage door opened.

nThe rider carefully got off.

nIn a neat, but slightly old, outfit.

nThat must have been specifically chosen for their encounter with Rieta.

nAlicia sometimes put so much value on manners, to the point of being strict.

n“Princess.”

nHe immediately put down one knee and placed his forehead over Rieta’s hand.

nIt was a long tradition in the Kingdom, which meant ‘loyalty’.

n“Alicia…”

n“Yes, Princess.”

nAlicia finally stood up, right in front of Rieta.

nRieta looked at her old friend with such emotion reflected in her eyes.

nHis beautiful dark black hair remained the same.

nShe thought he had grown a little taller.

n“You’ve grown taller.”

nRieta was so glad to see Alicia and to be able to use her Kingdom language after such a long time.

nIt was amazing that they could have this kind of meeting at the Duke’s mansion.

n“You’ve grown up too, Princess. You look prettier than anyone else.”

n“D-do I? I don’t know…”

nRieta mumbled as if she were troubled by the statement and looked back having just remembered.

nShe needed to introduce Noel and Alicia to each other.

n“Noel,”

nRieta called quietly, but Noel didn’t answer.

nHe looked completely embarrassed, as if he had been surprised by something.

n“Noel, what’s wrong? Do you have a crush on Alicia?”

n“D-don’t be ridiculous! What the hell is that!”

nNoel was so embarrassed that he forgot to act as a ‘gentleman’ and started pointing fingers.

nThat is at Rieta’s guest, Alicia.

n“He’s a boy!”

nThen Rieta nodded, as if saying, ‘of course.’

n“Yes, Alicia is a man. I told you.”

n“You didn’t!”

n“Is that so?”

n“I just told you you didn’t?!”

nNoel screamed in a flush.

n“Well, I don’t know how you came up with that misunderstanding, but this is Alicia, as I said.”

nAfter a calm introduction, she told Alicia about Noel in the kingdom’s language.

n“This is Noel Mayer. He’s the second son of the Duke and my friend.”

nAlicia glanced at Noel.

nNoel’s eyes still seemed to be staring at him. To the point where he began feeling a little discouraged.

n“…..”

nAlicia looked down from Noel, and soon bowed politely.

nIt was a great greeting, proper of a gentleman.

nSadly, Noel’s finger-pointing continued in the meantime.

n“W-why is your name so p-pretty when you’re a man? You made me misunderstand!”

nRieta quickly interpreted Noel’s words.

n“Noel thinks Alicia’s name is pretty.”

n“Is that so? The Young Master from the Empire is generous with his praise. I like my name too. Thank you, Young Master.”

nRieta again told Noel what Alicia had said.

n“Alicia thanked you for praising his name.”

n“What? When did I?”

n

n

n“You just said his name was pretty?”

n“I meant who would pick such a name for a man in this world!”

n“But Alicia’s grandfather was also named Alicia. He was a very very brave knight.”

nRieta repeated the same thing to Alicia in the kingdom’s language.

n“Yes, I’m proud of my grandfather,” he said, placing his coat on Rieta’s shoulder.

n“And please, be careful when you step outside, since winters in the Empire are very cold. Even for a short time. Because the Princess gets cold very easily.”

n“Ah.”

nRieta touched the warm coat and smiled at Alicia.

n“You’re still so sweet, Alicia.”

n“It is not a big deal, Princess.”

n