The Crown Prince's Perspective

"Mother! Forgive the intrusion!"

I had come to my mother the Queen's chambers, in the royal palace. Still caught up in my agitation, I knocked in a rush and pushed the door open without waiting for an answer. To consult her, of course, about what had happened at the Founding Festival tea party earlier.

Never had I imagined Cosette would take up a duel. That she — who had been someone special to me since childhood — would put herself forward as a candidate for my consort was beyond belief.

I had thought I'd made my regard plain at every opportunity, but there had been no response to it whatsoever. I'd been anxious beyond measure over whether my feelings were even getting through, so to learn that she felt the same as I did made my joy all the greater.

Yet glad as I was that our hearts had reached each other, the duel was not something I could welcome. If by some chance Cosette lost, she would be cast far from the running for crown princess in a single stroke.

According to the reports the school sends at regular intervals, Cosette's marks are upper-middling… She does well in subjects like arithmetic and needlework, but in art and poetry she barely scrapes into average — there's a certain unevenness across her subjects. So by grades alone, she is by no means at the level to be chosen as a candidate for crown princess. But she has extracurricular achievements, such as running Signora, and the trust of her fellow students; taking those into account, she could stand at the very head of the candidates.

In other words, as things stand, Cosette would be selected as a candidate without saying a word — there was no need for her to pick a duel at all.

Having thought this far, I grew a little uneasy. Could it be that Cosette had only meant to protect the honor of Remie and Remias and her friends — that she hadn't been answering my feelings at all…?

As if fleeing the shadow of that unease crossing my chest, I had come rushing into my mother's chambers.

Having called on her the moment I got back to the palace, I waited for her response, breathing hard.

"Leonhardt… what is the meaning of this, so suddenly? Son of mine or no, it is rude."

Mother set down her teacup with grace and turned a stern gaze on me. At her utterly composed manner, my head cooled as though doused with cold water.

"M-my apologies, Mother…"

When I bowed my head, ashamed of my own childish conduct, Mother shrugged and gave a soft laugh.

"…Honestly, what a hopeless boy, in such a fluster. Where Lady Cosette is concerned, you lose your composure far too easily."

"I'm sorry…"

"For now, sit. This is about the duel earlier, I take it?"

At Mother's bidding, I sat down across the sofa from her and nodded.

"I hadn't expected you to be at the school, Mother. Why do you suppose Cosette declared a duel, of all things?"

I haven't the faintest idea what goes on in a woman's heart. Where Cosette especially is concerned, I am utterly at sea. It's a pathetic thing to admit, six years on from when we first began speaking closely, but Cosette's actions always sail clean over my expectations and off at some unforeseen angle.

"Let me see… A good part of it is surely righteous anger, for her friends' honor… but she may also mean to use this contest to make her own position clearer still."

"Her position… I see."

Earl's daughter though Cosette is, her father, Earl Edelweiss, holds no high standing at court. Considering rank and court influence alone, there would be nobles to argue that Lady Isabella was the fitter choice for crown princess. But if Cosette defeated Lady Isabella in the duel, there would no longer be anyone fit to stand as a candidate but her.

To think Cosette had been aiming that earnestly for the seat of crown princess… of my consort. Along with joy rose the thought of how dependable she was.

As my face slackened into a contented grin, a sharp voice came from Mother.

"…You look terribly pleased with yourself, but in judging the duel, there is no guarantee I shall choose Lady Cosette, you know."

"Mother?"

At her unexpected words, my eyes went wide. The contest was one of fashion and how one wore it — Cosette's very forte. And with my vote and Mother's counted, I had thought victory assured.

Mother turned an exasperated look on my fluster and sighed.

"What a spoiled thing to say… I am fond of Lady Cosette too, but that is one matter and this is another. Though I would have her be grateful that the contest happened to turn out in her favor, coincidence or not."

Realizing how I had been indulging myself, I felt as though struck over the head, and in my shame could no longer even open my mouth.

Mother was quite right. Wanting to make Cosette crown princess is my true wish, but as crown prince, as a public figure, I must not put my own feelings first. I had quite forgotten so obvious a truth. And to decide to back Cosette without so much as seeing the two of them dressed would be an insult to both, who are approaching this contest in earnest.

My own feelings have nothing to do with it. As crown prince of the Kingdom of Altria, I am choosing a crown princess… a future queen.

"…Yes. I thank you for the reminder. I too shall judge strictly — and fairly."

When I spoke the words with resolve, Mother smiled as if in praise. Well done.

"You have still a good deal of the child in you. As a reward, your mother will tell you one thing. …It seems Lady Cosette has a new design she wishes to unveil. Knowing her, always turning out one new thing after another… she must think this the perfect occasion for it."

Mother gave a wink full of mischief.

"A new design… I wonder what she'll come up with." Despite myself, I found I was looking forward to it.