The sixth prince, who had been executed in the kingdom after being betrayed by the trusted saint, was reincarnated and, in order to seek revenge, became engaged once again to the neighboring kingdom's "Guillotine Princess." As a result, he was adored and lived happily. - Chapter 54 Encounter

“There’s no time until arrival! Hurry with the preparations!”

Finally, it’s the day of the arrival of the Kingdom’s diplomatic delegation, and the Imperial Palace is bustling with preparations as attendants and servants rush about.

The formal ceremony for bestowing the royal insignia is scheduled for tomorrow, and today, a party to welcome the Kingdom’s delegation is planned.

After finishing today’s training, I glanced at the preparations from the side and returned to my room.

“Your Highness Gustave, you’re late!”

“Huh?”

Caught by surprise by Mariette, who had been waiting, I was forcibly pushed into the bath that had been prepared.

Well, I’m a man too, so it’s embarrassing to be seen naked…

“Considering that the Holy Maiden will be present, we can’t let you smell of sweat!”

“But still, isn’t this going a bit too far…?”

I gazed at the petals floating in the bathtub and couldn’t help but sigh.

Moreover, not only that, but there’s also scented oil in the bath, so won’t the fragrance become too strong?

As I pondered these things, Mariette efficiently helped me get ready, and my reflection in the mirror was perfectly prepared.

With this, maybe even Princess Abigail will like me.

“With this, Princess Abigail won’t be able to help but admire Your Highness Gustave! …Though I’m a bit reluctant.”

Mariette has occasionally shown a competitive or sulky attitude towards the Holy Maiden, but what’s the point of showing me such things? I’m the one she’s interested in, so she should try to win me over sooner. It’s a hassle.

“Well then, I’m off to welcome Princess Abigail.”

“Good luck! I’m also participating as a Valois… on the Kingdom’s side… so I’m looking forward to today’s party!”

With a deep bow, I was seen off by Mariette, even though it was inappropriate for her to say she was participating as a Valois… on the Kingdom’s side, considering her formal role as my attendant. But that’s probably her true feelings.

So, with that in mind…

“Um… does it suit me?”

“Yes…”

Timidly inquiring, Princess Abigail, I nodded slightly. However, today she was dressed differently from her usual attire, wearing a dress with black as the main color. Even her accessories, unlike her ruby eyes, were unified in onyx. It was as if she were attending a funeral.

“Oh… hehe, considering you’re the Valois Holy Maiden, I thought of going for something in white or silver to create a more contrasting look.”

“I see…”

She giggled, maybe fueling a sense of competition based on the behavior of the Holy Maiden in Normand.

“Now, let’s go. According to Claire, it seems the delegation has already arrived at the Imperial Palace.”

“Yes.”

I took Princess Abigail’s hand, and we headed to the venue for today’s party. Along the way…

“Hmm?”

“Oh my!”

Unluckily, we ran into the Holy Maiden and Philip, part of the diplomatic delegation.

It seemed they had finished their audience with King Edward and were heading towards the venue.

“Let’s go.”

I deliberately ignored them, but…

“Wait. What do you mean by not even giving us a greeting?”

Philip forcefully grabbed my arm and reprimanded me in a low voice. This guy is really foolish.

“If you wish to greet us, we can do it formally at the venue. There’s no need to do so here in the corridor, is there?”

“You! Watch your mouth!”

As expected, Philip got furious at my words.

“You should be the one watching your mouth. I don’t know where you came from, but for your rudeness towards my… Lord Gustave, you should apologize right now.”

Unacceptable to her, Princess Abigail intervened.

She fixed her gaze with absolute zero coldness and questioned Philip.

“I apologize for this. I am Philip, the third prince of the Valois Kingdom. As my younger brother, I request you to forgive the manner in which these words were spoken.”

He must have recognized her as Princess Abigail. Philip formally apologized, but only to her, with no intention of even looking at me.

Even so, her gaze held anger and arrogance.

However…

“No matter who you are or whatever the circumstances may be, it’s none of my concern. I already told him to apologize. Can’t the third prince of the Kingdom understand even such a simple thing?”

“Ugh!”

Princess Abigail pressed on further. Thanks to her, Philip’s face turned red, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

“Sigh… I was told that I would receive the ‘Iris Emblem,’ but it’s not as I had heard. I accepted it with the intention of being with Lord Gustave, but if I’m going to be treated like this, I should have declined.”

“Princess Abigail, I apologize. Prince Philip has been focusing so much on the delegation’s security and fulfilling his duties as the Commander of the Knights… Please, can you find it in your heart to forgive?”

It seems they judged that it wouldn’t be good to argue any further. The Holy Maiden intervened between the two and bowed deeply.

“…I hope there won’t be such incidents at today’s party and tomorrow’s ceremony. Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

I glanced at the Holy Maiden, and we passed by Philip, whose shoulders were shaking with anger.

“…Lord Gustave, did it go well?”

“Yes, without a hitch.”

I nodded with a smile at Princess Abigail, relieved. We had planned to provoke Philip like we did when we encountered the delegation, to make his arrogance and high self-esteem cause him to explode at the right moment.

“But that was a brilliant performance… Philip undoubtedly fell for our bait…”

“It wasn’t a performance.”

It seems that’s the case. In other words, she had shown anger towards Philip for my sake.

“I’m in trouble. Your feelings make me so happy; my heart is full.”

“Oh…”

I loosened my cheeks, looking at her, whose ears had turned bright red.