"As expected of a young lady educated to be a Crown Princess. Her composure, her dignified bearing. I am truly impressed."
My mother narrowed her eyes, looking at the moving white cocoon. The white cocoon seemed a little shorter. She must have curtsied.
However.
Behind her.
Mail, encircled by Crown Prince Arios's arm, didn't seem pleased.
She was scowling intensely at the white cocoon, her eyebrows deeply furrowed. She probably disliked being praised when she wasn't the one being praised.
Her heavily lipsticked lips moved.
I'm cuter.
That's what she was saying.
"Excuse me, young lady, but what about your Tidrosian?"
My mother switched languages to Tidrosian. Until now, she had been using the official language of Karabana, to match the visiting country.
"It is still quite unrefined, but enough to get by in daily life."
The white cocoon replied.
She was being modest. Her pronunciation was quite good. She truly was raised to be a Crown Princess.
Behind them, a puzzled Mail asked Crown Prince Arios, "What are they saying?" And he replied, "Mail doesn't need to know," then kissed her on the forehead.
Ah, come to think of it, I came here to see this, didn't I?
No, but...
That girl named Mail.
Is she bad at foreign languages?
I pursed my lips into a V-shape, thinking this was going to be difficult.
There are several royal families on this continent, each independent or vying for supremacy. Language is absolutely indispensable for negotiations.
My eldest brother's wife, the Crown Princess, is younger than me but fluent in languages. She might seem as innocent as Mail, but she's a talented woman.
Even my second elder brother, who married into another family, can speak and write several languages. My second brother's wife is the eldest daughter, but since the first child inherits the throne there, she will surely make an excellent consort.
Well.
"You're the third son,"
From the moment I was born, I was thrown into the Knights and focused only on martial arts, but even I can speak the major languages well enough to get by. Otherwise, I couldn't interrogate prisoners.
Of course, using an interpreter is an option, but then the problem of how much you can trust that interpreter arises.
"I apologize for being so abrupt, but Lord Balimoa, would it be possible to welcome your daughter as a partner for my foolish son?"
As my mother asked Lord Balimoa, the venue buzzed all at once.
Well, of course it did. I understand how they feel. Right after a broken engagement, there's another engagement.
"To offer your daughter, who was raised to be a Crown Princess... to a third son, even if he is a prince, would be a downgrade in status."
"No, Your Highness. Those are undeserved words."
Lord Balimoa answered firmly.
"Lord Balimoa!"
"Wait! Please wait a moment!"
The senior retainers of the Luminous Royal Family tried to stop him, but he wasn't looking at them at all. Oh dear... Is this going to be alright?
"However, I am a vassal of King Tania. The marriage between the Luminous Royal Family and my daughter was also in accordance with the will of King Tania. May I first inquire about King Tania's intentions and then formally respond to the Tidros Royal Family later?"
Lord Balimoa replied calmly.
"Of course, Lord Balimoa."
My mother smiled magnanimously.
"We await your favorable reply."
After Lord Balimoa bowed deeply, he let out a small sigh of relief.
"As a father, rather than the Luminous Royal Family, I feel inclined to entrust my daughter to the Prince who was the first to stand up for her honor."
Ah. That's me.
All eyes were on me. I shrunk my shoulders uncomfortably, and my mother glared at me. She probably meant "straighten up." But I felt ashamed that my righteous indignation still seemed so green compared to Crown Prince Arios.
"I understand your feelings."
My mother nodded, "Yes, yes."
"To treat a young lady in such a way. If I hadn't said something right then, I would have punched my own son."
Crap, I was almost punched.
"So. Please tell King Tania that we are earnestly looking forward to their positive consideration."
My mother smiled brightly.
Lord Balimoa said, "Understood," and bowed again. He then pushed past the senior retainers of King Neue and proceeded onto the red carpet.
The white cocoon moved and took Lord Balimoa's outstretched arm. Seeing the two of them walk toward the door, I somehow felt a surge of urgency, like I had to say something.
"Um, excuse me, Lord Balimoa."
When I called out, Lord Balimoa stopped and slowly turned back. The white cocoon also seemed to tilt her head and look this way.
"I am, well... as you can see, I have this appearance. I don't resemble my elder brother, the Crown Prince, or my second elder brother, who will become a consort in another country. So..."
I straightened my back, determined to convey this clearly.
"Please, do not force your daughter into anything. Even if we receive a refusal, it will not bother me, Salue El Tidros, in the least."
My mother chuckled beside me.
"Honestly, you. Are you going to update your losing streak for arranged marriages again?"
"See, that's how I am."
I shrugged and made a playful gesture.
Finally, a faint smile appeared at the corners of Lord Balimoa's mouth, which relieved me.
"Please, do prioritize your daughter's opinion."
"The Prince's renown echoes even in our country."
"A guy on a losing streak with arranged marriages, you mean?"
His eyes widened in astonishment, and this time, Lord Balimoa clearly laughed aloud.
"Absolutely not. That's classified information I'm hearing for the first time. It's 'The Winter Bear of Tidros,' you know."
That's what they meant.
Just as I felt disappointed, I heard a woman's laughter and felt even more dejected.
I thought for sure the white cocoon had laughed at me.
It was Mail.
"That prince, they call him the Winter Bear. It's really true, isn't it?"
Well, I'm glad you found it amusing.
I glanced sideways, and sure enough, Crown Prince Arios was making a "shhh" gesture with his index finger. Well, I am a prince, aren't I?
"I had been wanting to speak with you. Thank you for today, for my daughter."
Lord Balimoa bowed deeply once more, and taking the white cocoon—who seemed to have bowed in return, briefly becoming shorter—he exited the cathedral.
This was.
My first meeting with Citroen Balimoa.