Prince 22

#22.

To my clever friend Cordelia,

Of course, I immediately went to ask Florian the next day what exactly he whispered in Cecil’s ear.

I wanted to know what he said that made her refuse to call a healer and just leave,

Why did she rush over, pick him up, and leave after having some mysterious conversation,

And what did she hear that made her protect him so diligently since then?

…I had so many questions, but since Cecil likes to keep things short and sweet, I decided to ask simply.

“Are you mad?”

The response I got was this:

“Get lost.”

Even so, I persisted, nagging Cecil like a little puppy that refuses to let go of your pants.

So I asked again,

“Are you out of your mind, Cecil?”

But the answer that followed was the same:

“I said, get lost, Archie. You idiot.”

I was so stunned by this sudden attack on my character and intelligence that I must have shown it on my face. Cecil, seemingly eager to insult me further, added,

“What did you learn from skipping royal events, reading books, and meeting women? You’re utterly pathetic.”

What broke my heart more than these harsh words was Cecil’s face, which turned into a gentle smile the moment she looked at Florian, as if she hadn’t just cursed me out.

“Rest well, don’t be scared.”

At this point, I really want to doubt whether Cecil and I are truly siblings, but then the shared blonde hair and blue eyes that serve as our family’s proof of lineage make me think otherwise.

Why Cecil is acting like this remains a mystery, even now, several days later.

Now that I think about it, Coco, maybe your advice could help, but I don’t want to interrupt your romantic affairs.

I’ll be spending the evenings in the study, reading the book you gave me, *Hamlet,* so write me back when you return, my dear friend.

If you knew how much I rely on you, you might suddenly feel a weight on your shoulders.

At the end of the Pale Green Moon.

– From the midst of confusion, your Archie

* * *

To Coco, who is likely enjoying sweet moments unlike me,

You’re always lovely, but when you send me books like this, I want to punch through the box and shower you with a thousand kisses. It’s strange, isn’t it? How do you always manage to give me the perfect book at the right time?

Could it be that Anne Selin’s manuscript has a line that says, “At this time, Prince Archibald starts to suffer from a dilemma worse than life or death like Prince Hamlet of a distant land”?

Honestly, I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. It’s like throwing a tangled ball of yarn onto my desk, knowing I have to untangle it eventually but not wanting to do it right now, yet still constantly staring at it.

Meeting a friend who shares the same torment during such a time is truly comforting. It makes me realize that I’m not the only one in the world feeling this way.

Seeing that friend grappling with a far more serious problem and dithering pathetically is even more reassuring. (Yes, Prince Hamlet is quite pathetic. But that makes him more human, doesn’t it?)

Just from this, you can tell that I’m not as pure-hearted as you might think, right?

And of course, the one who made me this way is none other than Florian, son of Princess Edwina.

These days, I find myself constantly on edge with Cecil, all because of Florian.

On the bright side, it seems that the situation we initially worried about—Cécile trying to kill the red-haired boy—is never going to happen. Just look at today.

Today was the first day Cécile was supposed to teach Florian swordsmanship.

It seems that Florian borrowed Cécile’s chainmail, but since he’s much taller and has no muscles to speak of, it looked quite loose on him, though it was very cute.

As you recommended, I went to the training ground to observe them closely, and what I saw was not swordsmanship training—it was practically a love affair. When Cécile spars with me, she usually slams me into the ground whenever she gets the chance, but with him, she was as gentle as a soft breeze. And every time she spoke, Florian would burst into laughter and look at my sister with such adoring eyes that I was almost jealous.

It’s strange, isn’t it? I’ve never been jealous of Cécile being close to anyone. Yet, after watching them for about two hours, as the training was winding down, and his pale face turned red with sweat dripping from his hair, I went over to offer him some water.

Sometimes, on such hot summer days, Cécile would scold me and tell me to bring water if I wasn’t doing anything, tossing aside her chainmail.

So, as usual, I casually tried to pour water on him, but Cécile suddenly pushed me away.

The water spilled on the ground, and Florian screamed and fell to the ground as if he’d seen a horrible insect. Cécile rushed over to check on him, dusting off his bottom and looking at his hands with such concern.

I mean, come on, even if they’re master and disciple, dusting off a grown boy’s bottom is a bit much, isn’t it? I couldn’t just stand by, so I approached, offering to do it myself.

But then, as if he held some grudge against me, he recoiled and backed away. And Cécile yelled at me again, “Get lost, Archie. You pathetic fool.”

Coco, I’ve never been treated like this in my life. As you once said, I was born lucky. I know it too. So, both men and women have always treated me kindly. I’ve tried to return that kindness as much as I could.

I can’t blame you for thinking I’m pathetic like Cécile does, but at that moment, I suddenly felt a deep sense of disillusionment with life. I wondered if I’d hurt him that much when I tried to take off his shirt and nearly dropped him from the window without really knowing what I was doing. So, I tried to be nicer.

I thought it was a pity that he didn’t even have a proper chainmail, so I tried to get him fitted for one, but he freaked out and avoided me again.

Worried that he might struggle with the heat in Arlé Palace, which is much hotter than the forest, I tried to take him to the lake that only the Windsor royal family can enjoy, thinking he might enjoy swimming, but he adamantly refused, shaking his head.

I told him it would be fun and grabbed his hand, but he started trembling and called out, “Princess Cecilia!” My sister, as you know, said this:

“Get lost, Archie. You pathetic fool.”

I’m starting to confuse whether my name is Archie Albert William Whatever or “Get lost, Archie, you pathetic fool.” The problem is, I don’t even hate this kid anymore. I don’t mind when he runs away screaming, or when he sneaks into our writing room, peeking in as if curious.

I’m just curious. My reason tells me to uncover his secrets, while another part of me just says to win his heart. My head servant, Edmund, adds with a wry smile,

“Your Highness, you should quickly accept that not everyone will love you, including me.”

Yes, Cordelia, it may sound arrogant, but except for Cécile, I’ve never been hated by anyone like this!

On the last day of the Midgreen Moon,

—Archie, who is now hated by a total of three people.

* * *

My pathetic prince,

You always call me your wise friend, right?

But even when I’m floating on air from your praise, I know.

I know that you’re far smarter than I am.

Yes, I know, but right now, I’m beginning to doubt that fact a little.

Even without reading Ms. Anne Selin’s manuscript, just from your letters, I can tell all too well what’s going on. Why don’t you see it?

If I told you outright, it wouldn’t be any fun, so I’ll just keep my mouth shut and watch you go through the most pathetic moments of your life.

Please write to me often. Don’t leave out a single detail of what happens with Florian.

On the last day of the Midgreen Moon,

—Cordelia, who believes that sometimes friends should tease each other.

P.S. The trip with Liam was enjoyable, unlike with Mark. Right after watching *Hamlet*, he asked me, “What was your favorite scene?” Instead of answering right away, I suggested we count to three and then say it. Of course, we picked the same scene. Instead of keeping that scene as a secret between me and Liam, I’ll send you a line from *Hamlet* instead: “There are times when you must keep silent, even when your heart is breaking.”

Yes, that’s how I feel right now too! Try to find the answer yourself, my wise Archie.

* * *

To my dear advisor, Miss Cordelia.

Well, I’ll try to maintain some distance and address you this way.

Instead of relying on our friendship, I’ll ask you formally, hoping you might grant my request.

What on earth is Florian’s secret that you’ve noticed?

Today, I ended up making him cry.

Things were going so well until yesterday.

He’s truly fascinating; he follows me around every day, just like Noel used to when she was young, always saying, “Prince Archie, Prince Archie.” Except for those moments when he suddenly shies away from me, he’s incredibly affectionate.

Even when I teach him something very trivial or say something small, his green eyes light up, and he says,

“Prince Archie, I’ve always wanted to do this with you. It’s like a dream come true.”

Even when I just show him around the garden, feed Sherlock, my horse, or have tea together, he’s so delighted…

Sometimes, seeing him like that makes my heart ache a little. It feels like I’ve become his whole world, like when you see a tiny puppy whimpering.

Today, I was in such a good mood observing Florian that I was about to write you a letter.

We had agreed that I would start teaching him to dance today. Worried that the hot weather might drain our energy, we rode out of the palace and went quite a distance.

There’s a small cave on the path leading to the forest in the opposite direction of the monastery. Even in the height of summer, a cool breeze blows through it, sometimes making it chilling.

A quiet wind swept through the serene cave, and there, Florian and I danced together for quite some time. As you know, Coco, the steps I learned with Cécile during our youth were for women, so I was the perfect teacher for Florian.

But when I offered to play the woman’s role and asked him to follow the man’s steps, he insisted on learning the woman’s steps instead. Just like when he wanted to learn swordsmanship from Cécile, he’s a good boy without any unnecessary stubbornness.

With such a contented heart, I held Florian’s hand and taught him to dance for quite a while. When his green eyes reflected the leaves outside the cave, I thought how beautiful it was, as if the entire world was green.

Cordelia, I wonder if your green eyes also fill with such seamless green sometimes? As I pondered such things, a gentle smile naturally appeared on my face.

After a couple of hours, a sudden downpour began outside. Thinking it was just a passing shower, we waited, but the outside grew darker, and the rain showed no signs of stopping.

Feeling the creeping chill, I glanced at Florian to check his condition. He was only wearing a light white shirt and, being so thin, was surely more sensitive to the cold than I was.

“Are you cold?”

“I’m fine.”

After such polite exchanges, I noticed that his body was trembling, so I quickly pulled him into an embrace.

At first, he struggled like a cat caught by its owner, but soon he calmed down.

“I know you’re not the type to dislike being hugged by another man, Florian.”

When I said this, Florian looked at me silently, then suddenly leaned in closer, like a lamb seeking its mother’s warmth.

Cordelia, you might be laughing, but I had no choice. The coldness enveloping the entire cave was enough to give him a cold if I hadn’t done something.

After a while, he was the one who spoke first.

“Let’s go now, Your Highness. The rain won’t stop. If we delay any longer, it will get dark.”

Coco, as you said, I’m not an idiot, and I’ve been carefully observing Florian and coming up with my own theories.

When I tried to pour water on him and when I suggested going to the lake, he recoiled in fear.

My conclusion was that there’s something he wants to hide, and it must be related to water.

So, I cautiously asked if it was okay.

He looked at me as if trying to see into my very thoughts, then nodded.

“Yes, Your Highness. Just ride, and when we reach Arlé Palace, please don’t look at me.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if he was cursed with some dark magic that manifests when he gets wet, but I simply nodded in agreement. Florian’s expression was quite resolute as he said this.

So, we rode through the rain. Florian, following my order to hold onto me tightly to avoid slipping on the wet path, clung to me so faithfully that my back didn’t have a chance to get cold.

Once we safely arrived at the palace, I kept my promise and didn’t look at him.

I only heard the sound of his hurried footsteps as he walked away to his room.

The day seemed to end without any further trouble. But the very next day, I heard my new full name once again. Yes, Cécile came to scold me.

“Archie, you pathetic fool.”

…she said, of course. When I asked her what was wrong this time, she berated me for taking a frail boy so far away in the rain.

Realizing she was talking about Florian, I asked how I was supposed to know if he was weak or strong, to which Cécile stammered a bit before saying I should’ve known just by looking at him. And then, she called me by my name again.

“Get lost, Archie, you pathetic fool.”

“…Cécile, this is my room.”

Cécile’s face flushed with frustration, and then she shouted at me again.

“Still, get lost, you pathetic fool.”

Thinking that I should help my sister improve her creativity with insults, I, like a good younger brother, left my room as she wished. As I looked at the rain still falling outside, I thought of Florian, soaked and shivering in the rain.

I decided to check on him, to see if he was okay, and went to his room.

Sure enough, there was no attendant with him, and he was drenched in sweat, tossing and turning in his sleep.

His forehead was burning, and his clothes were already damp. I thought I should quickly change his clothes and put a cool towel on his forehead, so I tried to lift his shirt.

But then he said,

“Please don’t. Archie, why do you make me suffer like this?”

…he said this, almost in tears.

I just quietly closed the door and left. I went to find Cécile, explained the situation, and then brought a cool towel, using the healing magic spells necessary at times like this.

That’s all, Cordelia.

Why does Florian dislike me so much?

What did I do wrong?

Seeing him sick and crying, why does it hurt my heart so much?

Cordelia, please answer me.

On the first day of High Heat Month,

—Your slightly lonely friend, Archie

———= Author’s Note ———=

To my readers,

You are reading a raw draft, just finished a minute ago…

Please don’t be too harsh on a writer with poor editing skills, but I would appreciate any corrections for typos and errors.

Please refrain from telling me to “Get lost, you pathetic fool,” though.

P.S. Thank you so much for all the favorites, recommendations, and comments.

P.S. 2: Finally, we’re in July in the story. Another name for July is High Heat Month, and I feel a bit sad that I’ll be talking about it the day after it ends. I hope all my readers enjoy the start of the Fruit Month!

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