A Princess’s Gambit

Although checked by Parliament and the Church, the royal family of the Three Islands Kingdom was far from a mere figurehead.

While the royal family’s power had significantly waned, the King remained more than a titular monarch; many crucial decisions, such as declarations of war and taxation, still required his personal assent.

Consequently, the status of royal members continued to transcend that of common nobility, compelling the assembled aristocrats to dutifully bow before Cecilia, a gesture signifying their respect for the Crown.

After Cecilia gracefully waved away the guests’ bows, she proceeded directly towards a secluded corner of the grand hall.

Witnessing this, the nobles present felt their initial assessment confirmed: Her Royal Highness had indeed arrived at the banquet with a distinct purpose in mind.

A gasp rippled through the young aristocrats, led by Maika, as they realized Cecilia was heading precisely in their direction!

The cluster of youths frantically began to adjust their attire, pinching collars and smoothing sleeves with nervous haste.

As Cecilia drew nearer, they stood rigidly, like a row of sentinels, determined to present their finest selves to the kingdom’s foremost beauty.

Then… there was no ‘then’.

Cecilia swept past them without a glance, leaving the group of aristocratic youths to realize, with a jolt, that the Princess had been making a beeline for Yodel, who stood just beside them.

“Why would Her Royal Highness seek him out? Could it be because of the Battle of Landen?”

“Surely Her Highness hasn’t fallen for those fabricated reports, has she?”

“I’m certain of it. Her Highness is too young and has lived deep within the palace due to her delicate health. She is pure and innocent, which is why she’s been so easily deceived!”

This time, the noble scions did not deliberately lower their voices, hoping Her Royal Highness the Princess might ‘accidentally’ overhear their discussion.

As Cecilia passed them, she cast a fleeting glance at the group of nobles, a flicker of disdain evident in her eyes beneath the delicate veil.

She approached Yodel without hesitation, extending her hand towards him.

“You are Mr. Yodel Finn, aren’t you? No, you needn’t bow. A hero who saved the kingdom has no need to humble themselves before me.”

Cecilia’s sudden overture caught Yodel completely off guard.

He offered a strained chuckle before responding:

“You flatter me too much. At best, I merely helped save the city of Landen, and that victory wasn’t achieved by my efforts alone, but through the concerted efforts of everyone, from nobles to commoners.”

His diplomatic response praised everyone present, a masterful stroke designed to offend no one.

Undeterred, Cecilia pressed on with her next line of inquiry: “You are truly a humble man. I am very curious about your heroic deeds. Would you be willing to share a few stories with me?”

As she spoke, she made a dismissive gesture, clearly indicating her intention to lead Yodel away from the hall.

Maika, witnessing this, found himself unable to remain seated.

He could not possibly allow the ‘naïve and innocent’ Princess to be charmed away by Yodel.

Ignoring the hushed pleas of those around him, he rudely cut into their conversation:

“Your Royal Highness, to my knowledge, there are many false reports circulating about Mr. Finn. I hope Your Royal Highness will discern the truth.”

Had Cecilia not been wearing her veil, Maika surely would have perceived the anger simmering in her expression.

Yet, even so, Cecilia maintained her composure:

“Thank you for your reminder, but if there are inaccuracies in the rumors, shouldn’t I confirm them directly with Mr. Finn himself?”

“Ah, this… wait…”

Maika stammered, attempting to formulate a further protest.

However, Lynn and the cohort of second-generation military scions surrounding him collectively fixed their gazes on Maika, their eyes conveying an unmistakable message:

“‘If you dare to ruin Boss’s and Her Royal Highness’s good thing, we’ll rip out your tongue.'”

The words that had been poised on Maika’s lips were forcefully swallowed back by these intimidating stares.

Yodel, as the subject of such attention, found it impossible to decline the Princess’s invitation.

After instructing Lynn to look after Yali, he accepted Cecilia’s invitation and followed her out of the grand hall.

Any discerning observer could tell that the Princess was certainly not taking him to listen to stories; more critical matters undoubtedly awaited their discussion.

****

In a private reception room, nestled in the southern wing of Herman University.

Cecilia dismissed her ladies-in-waiting from the chamber, leaving only Yodel and herself within the quiet confines of the room.

A tremor of nervousness ran through Yodel at this moment.

He could not decipher the Princess’s intentions in bringing him here, dreading that an ill-chosen word might provoke her ire and jeopardize his ambitions to expand his influence among the kingdom’s elite.

“Your Royal Highness, taking me away so directly might lead to some unsavory rumors.”

“Do you care about those buzzing mosquitoes? I will make them shut up.”

“Your…” Yodel suddenly perceived a stark shift in Cecilia’s aura.

The gentle reserve she had maintained in public had completely vanished, replaced by an unsettling blend of aloofness and world-weariness.

With a faint sigh, Yodel followed her lead, continuing the conversation:

“If Your Royal Highness, being a princess, doesn’t care, then naturally I have no objections. So, what is it that Her Royal Highness wishes to discuss with me?”

“Tell me your assessment of the Three Islands Kingdom.”

“Hmm?”

Yodel was uncertain whether Cecilia sought praise or criticism, so, exercising caution, he began with a positive appraisal.

“From the perspective of its comprehensive national power, the Three Islands Kingdom stands as the foremost global superpower.

Militarily, it commands the world’s most formidable navy, ensuring an unshakeable dominion over the seas.

Economically, its vast colonial holdings provide the kingdom with an abundance of resources and manpower.

The prosperity born of the Industrial Revolution continues unabated, promising a future of sustained growth and ever-increasing prosperity for the kingdom.”

“Sustained growth? Ever-increasing prosperity?” Cecilia let out a soft, humorless laugh, a shadow of disappointment crossing her delicate features.

In her estimation, the kingdom’s decline was imminent, with the inevitable great war serving as the catalyst for its downfall.

Indeed, Cecilia firmly believed this world war was inescapable; the kingdom, and the world itself, teetered on the brink of a precipice.

Yet, the vast majority of the nation’s populace remained lost in the blissful delusion of an empire on which the sun never sets, utterly oblivious to the impending catastrophe.

She had striven tirelessly to warn those around her; that very day, aboard the cruise ship, she had even explicitly cautioned her imperial brother about the looming conflict.

But to what avail?

Not a single soul believed her, dismissing her grave concerns as the naive anxieties of an uninformed princess.

She desperately hoped someone would step forward, to halt the precipitous slide and salvage the kingdom.

It was for this very reason she had made a special journey to meet the “hero who saved Landen.”

Now, however, it appeared she was destined for disappointment.

The man before her seemed equally ensnared in the comforting illusion, utterly convinced the kingdom’s prosperity would endure indefinitely.

‘If only my foolish brother could grasp the gravity of all this…’

‘If only I possessed a healthy body, one free from the constant dread of imminent death…’

‘If only someone, just one person, could truly understand me…’

Cecilia bit her lip, her gloved fingers—the lace straining—clutching the hem of her gown with desperate force.

“Your Royal Highness, I haven’t finished my assessment of the Three Islands Kingdom…”

Cecilia snapped her head up.

She watched as Yodel drew a deep breath, as if steeling himself for a momentous declaration.

“You… please, continue…”

“What I am about to articulate may not be welcome, but it represents my reasoned assessment…”

“Rest assured, you may speak your mind freely.”

Yodel’s gaze settled upon Cecilia’s veil; he resolved to take a chance.

He would gamble that the princess before him would credit his dire warnings of an impending world war.

He would gamble that she could truly grasp the kingdom, and indeed the entire world, stood at the precipice.

He would gamble that she was not lost in the comforting delusion of an empire on which the sun never sets!

“Then, Your Royal Highness, I shall begin.”