Silent Witch-CH20: The Next Visitor was…

Prince Yuma looked sheepish as he scratched behind his ear and averted his gaze. At such a sight, Lady Alteria could only tilt her head in confusion.

“…Prince Yuma, your face is beet red.”

“Annoying.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them, but that got me thinking.

Ever since he was young, Prince Yuma had been exceptionally skilled at perceiving the situation around him. A place like the castle is always filled with someone's schemes. The intelligent Prince Yuma acted to avoid trouble, but as a result, he ended up playing the part of someone with a carefree and elusive personality.

Fundamentally, Prince Yuma possesses the same kind of abilities as His Highness Lenanino, who is hailed as a genius. However, being royalty and possessing the temperament common to men in this country, His Highness Lenanino could also be somewhat cold. On the contrary, Prince Yuma seemed to be fed up with such attitudes in men, he was considerate of the Queen, my mother the wet nurse, and the maidservants around him. This is how the kind-to-women Prince Yuma came to be.

However, that side of him earned him the reputation of a womanizer among the other men.

No one has noticed. Prince Yuma isn't just kind to women. He shows consideration for me, his retainers, and even the servants. The old merchant we reunited with in town the other day is the same.

The high-ranking nobles, who hold to old-fashioned ways, support His Highness Lenanino. They see him as the ultimate authority, full of dignity, excellent, and skilled in military might. But behind the scenes, among those who reject that way of thinking—the lower-ranking nobles and commoners—there are many who support Prince Yuma.

But Prince Yuma says that even if he were to become king, this country would not improve. Apparently, unless each and every person changes their way of thinking, nothing fundamental will change. He says that if that's what they want, it would be better to let Lord Lenanino inherit the throne and act while changing his way of thinking.

“In the end, in a company or whatever, even if you just give orders from the top, no one's going to follow you. It's only when you take action and produce results that people will start to listen.”

He gave me an explanation that was both clear and unclear. What’s a company?

So when I asked what Prince Yuma does want, he says, “As someone who prefers to avoid trouble, I’d rather renounce my royal status and go into business.” When I glared at him, he immediately apologized with a “Yeah, yeah, that was an irresponsible thing to say for a royal,” but he ultimately concludes that it would be best to work under his older brother, the crown prince, in a diplomatic capacity—arriving at a conclusion based on his desire to get out of the palace.

Prince Yuma has not the slightest intention of becoming king.

And yet, just like with Neville earlier, there are times when his life is targeted by followers of His Highness Lenanino. Prince Yuma's perceptive abilities, while he complains about what a pain it is, allow him to prevent these things before they happen.

According to him, liars naturally look to the right, or they act differently than usual, but I think it's stranger that he even notices such things.

“The men of this country are all brawn and no brains… ahem.” He says that since many of them act before thinking, he can kind of read their minds, and the fact that he doesn't see this as a problem shows his characteristic generosity.

Otherwise, he would never be able to meet someone who targeted his life like this, one-on-one and without making it public.

On top of that, the man makes no attempt to hide his killing intent for Prince Yuma and continues to make rude remarks. No matter how many times I tried to cut him down, Prince Yuma would stop me, so it couldn't be helped.

And all for the reason that Neville is necessary for His Highness Lenanino.

Prince Yuma is truly too kind, but as far as I can remember, his kindness has never been repaid. Even the Queen, in public, has to act while being mindful of the King's gaze. I, who had been feeling frustrated, wondering if there was anyone who truly understood the real Prince Yuma, was now riveted on Lady Alteria, who had drawn out a new side of him.

Perhaps, through her, Prince Yuma's kindness might finally be repaid.

I watched the two of them with an expectant expression.

Next to Prince Yuma was me, and directly across from us was Lady Alteria in her boy's disguise. Beside her sat Lady Chiffone.

Prince Yuma, who had finally composed himself, cleared his throat and formally answered Lady Alteria's question.

“Basically, I don't have any attending maids. The people around me, starting with Brian, are all men, and I have about three retainers. They just help with things like preparing tea or running small errands. I don't really need many people in my daily life.”

“Oh, I basically leave everything to Chiffone too, so I don't have a personal maid. I can handle my own affairs.”

“Right? Having a bunch of people trailing after you is just a nuisance.”

As the two of them shared a grin, Lady Chiffone and I put our hands to our foreheads.

“You two, that is not something a high-ranking noble would say. There are very few nobles who handle their own affairs.”

“We're right here.”

“That's why I said you two are special.”

“I suppose so. This might be the first time I've met someone so special.”

Prince Yuma narrowed his eyes as if looking at something dazzling. At that, Lady Alteria gave him a soft smile.

This feels… promising.

Just then, there was a quiet knock on the door.

When I approached to see who it was, there, standing with a gentle smile, was none other than the Queen, the jewel of our country with her radiant beauty. In other words, Prince Yuma's mother had paid a sudden visit.

I looked to Prince Yuma. Lady Alteria is currently dressed as a boy. I wondered if it was alright to welcome her in this situation.

Prince Yuma looked at Lady Alteria, stroked her back, and said, “It's alright, don't worry,” reassuring her before heading my way. The two of them stood up, and Lady Chiffone moved to stand behind Lady Alteria.

Prince Yuma opened the door himself to greet the Queen.

“Welcome, Mother. You are as beautiful as ever.”

“Fufu, you're as wonderful as ever, Yuma. Even though you're my own son, I find myself staring.”

“You're joking. My looks are nothing compared to yours or my brother's.”

“Well, I think you're the most wonderful person in the world, Yuma. Not just your appearance, but what's inside, too.”

“I'm honored.”

Saying so, Prince Yuma respectfully kissed the back of the Queen's hand.

Are these two really mother and son?

The Queen smiled at such a child of hers, then turned her gaze to the two people in the back of the room.

I moved to stand beside Lady Chiffone in her maid's uniform.

“My, what a cute guest we have here.”

“She is my cute fiancée, Lady Alteria of Count Hwant. You must have come all this way to see her.”

“Fufu, since she's a child you brought here yourself, Yuma. I was wondering what kind of young lady she was, and she's just as adorable as I imagined.”

As Prince Yuma moved to Lady Alteria's side, the Queen smiled at Alteria, who was still in her boy's disguise.

Their engagement ceremony was a remarkably simple affair, completed with just the King, a few key officials, and the signatures of the two parties on a document, so this was the first time the Queen and Lady Alteria were meeting. While it was a shabby affair for a royal engagement, it seems it was difficult to make a public announcement, as the scrutiny on Prince Yuma was harsh, it having not been long since his previous engagement was broken. Besides, Prince Yuma laughs that this is for the best, as their engagement holds the possibility of being dissolved once the matter with Lord Jumelba is settled.

By the way, he had told Lady Alteria, “I’m sorry. We’ll have a big wedding,” but she had admirably replied, “If it means everyone can accept our relationship, I don’t mind if it’s simple,” which left me at a loss for words. I pretended not to notice her blushing face.

“It is an honor to meet you. I am Alteria Hwant. I apologize for appearing in this state.”

Lady Alteria curtsied, still in her boy's disguise. Since she had no skirt, she daintily pinched the hem of her vest.

“Miss Alteria, is it? What a cute name, too. Don't worry about the clothes. I'm sure Yuma is up to something, as usual. I'm Yuma's mother. I'd be so happy if you called me Mother-in-law.”

The beaming Queen's cheeks were faintly flushed. She seemed a little excited.

“Mother, that's a bit premature.”

Prince Yuma stopped the Queen as if to chide her, and she puffed out her cheeks.

“But if a child this cute calls me ‘Your Majesty’ so formally, I’ll cry!”

Lady Alteria and Lady Chiffone eyes went wide at the Queen, who was acting just like a young girl. I was used to this behavior, but today she was more intense than usual.

“Mother, would you care to join us for some tea?”

Prince Yuma subtly placed a hand on the Queen's waist to guide her to the sofa, but she gently refused.

“Thank you. But today I just wanted to meet Lady Alteria for a moment. I'll be heading back soon. Otherwise, who knows what the King will say to you again.”

“It’s alright, you don’t need to worry. I’m used to it. I’ll smooth things over.”

“I really cause you a lot of trouble, don’t I? I’m sorry, for being such a useless mother. But I will protect Miss Alteria, even if I have to risk everything, so please rest assured.”

“Haha, who do you intend to fight, Mother?”

“The King, of course.”

Everyone fell silent in an instant. The King… Just as Prince Yuma said, it seems there is an unseen wound between the Queen and the King. As if to say, “It can’t be helped,” Prince Yuma stroked the Queen's back.

“Thank you, Mother. But you don't need to worry. I will protect Lady Alteria. After all, a knight's duty is to protect women. Your kindness has been passed down to me, after all.”

“That’s not true. It has nothing to do with me. You are special, Yuma. My child, Lenanino, thinks just like the King.”

The Queen turned back to Prince Yuma, taking his hand and insisting. Prince Yuma gently returned her grasp and smiled.

“My royal brother is destined to be king. It's natural that he resembles our royal father to some extent. Besides, our royal father truly cherishes you, Mother.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I’ve made Miss Alteria listen to such unnecessary talk. But I didn’t want her to feel the same way I do. Perhaps it wasn’t necessary to worry, since you are with her, but I wanted her to know that she has allies even within a castle like this.”

The Queen, her radiant beauty clouded and her brows furrowed, must truly be supporting the relationship between Prince Yuma and Lady Ariteria. Back with Lady Delia, the Queen had barely interacted with her at all. The Queen, who secretly dotes on Prince Yuma, may have noticed that Lady Delia treated him lightly.

“Ah, excuse me for interrupting your conversation. Please forgive my rudeness for cutting in.”

Lady Alteria gently raised her right hand and joined their conversation.

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