William found himself in a somewhat difficult situation.
'Why won't they just leave me alone?'
Ever since his return, he hadn't been left alone for even a moment.
And now...
He was stuck in another situation just like that.
"It's an honor to meet Your Highness. I am the third lady-in-waiting of Estralin Palace."
"..."
"My name is Even Roseville. I'm here today to assist you with anything you may need."
The woman introduced herself with noble grace and flawless etiquette.
Something twisted inside his stomach.
'Why... Why does everyone look like copies of one another? Damn insects.'
Naturally, he cursed his luck inwardly.
He couldn't stand the Empress's attendants.
'At least... not right now.'
In the end, he gave up and sat down on his bed.
Even gave a small nod.
Several maids stepped out from behind her.
There were easily more than three of them.
Suddenly, the spacious room felt cramped.
William blinked once.
The sight before him was unbelievable.
"What is this?!"
"Maids, Your Highness."
Even approached with calm steps, her dark hair pinned up neatly.
Before he could even process what was happening, she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"What are you..."
With practiced ease, her fingers began undoing his buttons one by one.
'Huh?! No!'
He shoved her away with his small foot.
It wasn't enough to actually hurt her, but it did make her stop.
She stared at him for a moment.
"Your Highness, you need to change your clothes. The banquet will begin soon."
He wrapped both arms around himself.
'Impossible... Never.'
With a stubborn pout, he clung to his decision as though it were the last thing he'd ever do.
At a signal from Even, even the maids standing farther away began approaching.
William threw himself onto the bed and started squirming across it.
"No! I already changed my clothes myself!"
Even rejected the argument immediately, her tone firm enough to leave no room for discussion.
"You did, but those clothes are far too plain."
His cheeks puffed out.
The corners of his lips curled into what looked suspiciously like a wicked grin.
Even paused for a moment, waiting to see what he would try next.
"Your Highness, if you're thinking of doing anything strange... like running away..."
She never finished the sentence.
The plump maid standing closest to the door quietly locked it and slipped the key into her clothes.
"..."
"And if you're thinking about throwing yourself out the window..."
A thin maid with a hooked nose calmly shut the window as well.
William stared at the elegant woman before him.
For a split second...
She looked as though horns and a tail might sprout from her back.
Smiling, Even clasped her hands together.
"You'll just have to wait. There's an important banquet waiting for you."
"..."
He'd been wrong.
It wasn't just the room that had become smaller.
The whole world had become cold and colorless.
"Come now, Your Highness. Work with us."
William drew in as much air as he could.
His heart pounded.
His ears turned red.
And...
'I really don't want to do this, but...'
He opened his mouth as though he were about to say something truly serious.
Then...
"Waaah... Waaah..."
His crying echoed throughout the room.
Even rolled her eyes.
Perhaps she'd expected something like this.
Perhaps she'd been waiting for it.
"Why are you crying? They're only clothes."
William looked up at her, stammering as tears streamed from his large eyes.
"My mother told me to do it."
"...?"
He narrowed his eyes.
Then dropped the bomb.
"You're harassing me... I'll scream."
"Huh?"
One of the maids gasped.
The others didn't.
They were too stunned.
Even herself was beginning to panic.
"Help me!... Waaah..."
***
The moment William stepped into the banquet hall, the overwhelming scent of perfume struck him.
He covered his nose with his left hand.
'Do they bathe in perfume...?'
He almost raised his other hand as well, but...
'Damn it.'
Even had already taken hold of it while gazing solemnly across the hall.
'...'
He ignored it.
Trying to endure the smell, he looked around.
The same faces.
The same tedious activities.
As always, the nobles gathered in small circles, exchanging conversations devoid of any real meaning.
He hadn't intended to pay attention.
Yet one man nearby caught his eye as he held a wine glass.
He looked younger than the rumors suggested.
Perhaps that was simply because he was a high-ranking mage.
With sky-blue hair and matching eyes, Duke Al Morin appeared remarkably youthful.
Their eyes met for a brief instant.
The Duke regarded him with a sharp gaze before calmly looking away again.
'Whatever.'
"Would you like something to eat, Your Highness?"
"No."
That smile irritated him.
"You're not refusing because you're upset, are you?"
He tried pulling his hand free.
"I'm not a child who gets upset."
"Not according to you."
She tightened her grip on his hand.
A quiet laugh escaped her.
"Those clothes look wonderful on you."
She picked up a plate, placed two slices of cake on it, and offered it to him.
"And since you listened and changed your clothes... you've earned this."
William stared at the plate.
He wanted to throw it away.
After everything she'd done...
He stopped.
Apple cake.
"This..."
Even cut off a bite and held it toward him.
William took both the plate and the fork from her hands.
Then he sat down on a chair a short distance away and quietly began eating.
He could feel her watching him.
The corner of his lips lifted ever so slightly.
'This is the only good thing about these occasions.'
He didn't even notice when he finished.
Come to think of it...
These banquets had never been enjoyable.
Not even a little.
He looked down at his plate.
One slice remained.
The strawberry cake.
'What a shame... The apple cake was good.'
'I don't remember them serving this back then...'
"William!... William!"
An annoying voice interrupted his thoughts.
He turned around.
Two arms wrapped around him.
That damned perfume again.
"I'm so happy. It's been such a long time since I last saw you."
"I saw you this morning."
"Several hours have passed since then."
Idiot.
Unlike at the funeral, everything from his white hair to his royal attire was impeccably arranged.
'He looks much better than he did this morning.'
"William, would you like to sleep in my room after the banquet?"
"No."
Edward wasn't really listening.
He simply wanted to reclaim the peace that had been stolen from him in a single second.
Edward looked slightly disappointed.
"Why? It'll be fun. I'll prepare some snacks."
The last trace of interest vanished from William's face.
"I don't like snacks."
Edward sighed and glanced at the plate William was holding.
"Aren't you going to eat that?"
"No. I'm full."
He nodded in understanding before walking away.
'Finally.'
Yet he soon returned carrying a plate piled high with cakes.
He pulled over a chair and sat beside him.
'Why is he sitting here?'
The hall wasn't merely spacious.
It was magnificent.
'Out of every place in this hall... he chooses to bother me here.'
William looked at the ridiculous amount of cake.
'He likes sweets that much too... doesn't he?'
I don't think children should eat that much sugar.
'Maybe the restrictions disappeared after the former Empress died.'
The boy sitting across from him suddenly reached out.
He pinched William's soft cheek.
William slapped his hand away.
Edward didn't let go.
"Stop."
Smiling, Edward nudged his plate forward.
"Do you want some?"
"No."
'What a child... I'm nothing like him.'
Edward slowly pulled the plate back toward himself, looking dejected.
"What a shame. I don't like apple cake. All I could find were these awful ones."
"..."
"And now it'd look strange if I put them back. I guess I'll just throw them away."
Just as he was about to lift the plate, a small hand stopped him.
"If that's the case... give it to me. I'll eat it."
"Oh, really? You don't have to trouble yourself..."
"Give it to me."
Seeing the determination in the little boy's eyes, Edward handed him the plate without hesitation.
William immediately began eating.
'I don't really want it... but food shouldn't go to waste.'
He left the strawberry cake untouched.
Resting his head against one hand, Edward watched William silently.
Then he lifted a handkerchief and gently wiped William's mouth while the boy remained completely absorbed in eating.
"I don't see Charlotte anywhere. Isn't she coming?"
'Charlotte?'
Come to think of it...
That girl had never attended this banquet.
It was somewhat unexpected considering her personality.
Edward spoke with a hint of bitterness.
"Is she planning to declare her hostility openly? She's my older sister... but I don't really understand her."
"She might be busy."
Edward's expression relaxed a little.
"It must be nice to be a child. Life seems much simpler."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing."
"Looking for a fight?"
"No."
Then the announcement echoed throughout the hall.
"Everyone, bow in reverence. His Majesty the Emperor has entered the hall, accompanied by Her Majesty the Empress, the Empire's new Lady of the Throne."
Silence settled over the hall.
The whispers gradually faded away.
William slowly rose to his feet.
"It's time."
Edward said it firmly as he extended a hand toward him.
William hesitated for a moment.
He looked around the hall.
Then at the outstretched hand.
Finally, he took it in silence and stood.