“Have they been shown to you?”
“Not…as of yet.”
Sir Leonhard sat across from me inside the carriage. When he questioned me, I looked down.
My father was too busy, so I’ve had difficulty catching him during the day, and even when dark fell. I considered imposing on him right before he went to sleep, but couldn’t manage to work up the courage.
Under one of his absolute zero stares, if he were to question whether I lacked common sense or not, I’d cry. Yeah no, that was a lie. I’d probably flip out.
“He’s busy throughout the day, and I lose courage when I think of disturbing his work. But, the sooner the better, right? I’ve decided I’ll ask him to make time, even if it takes a few days.”
It sounded like I was trying to justify myself, but the words just fell out of their own volition.
When I peeped up at him with a You must be surprised, right? look, for some reason Sir Leonhard looked uneasy. Rather than shock, it seemed like he was worried about something.
“What troubles you?” I asked him timidly.
His jet black eyes seemed to settle on me with hesitation.
“Have you said a word of your meeting with His Majesty to Prince Christof?”
“I haven’t,” I said with clarity.
Sir Leonhard’s expression became even more clouded.
Looking at his brows furrowed in worry, I was impatient. What was it, have I messed up?
Though I did encounter my father—who I hardly ever saw—I hadn’t considered it information I needed to go out of my way to report, but had I been mistaken?
“Uh, umm…”
Silent the entire time, Sir Leonhard took notice of my self-doubt forming and softened his expression, like he was trying to let me calm down.
“Ahh, it was nothing. I am not criticizing you, princess. Please, do not make such a worried face.”
I must have looked absolutely pathetic.
Sir Leonhard smiled, like he was trying to make a child feel better. I wasn’t exactly happy to be treated like a child, but right now my relief far outweighed my concerns.
I’m so glad…I didn’t make him mad.
“Your Royal Highness…”
“Yes?”
“The story you have inclined to share with me, have you not considered sharing with Prince Christof?”
“Huh?”
At the unexpected question, I stared with eyes wide.
It took a moment for my brain to catch up. The story I told Sir Leonhard…in other words, telling my brother? About me knowing about the future?
That was…
“No.”
It slipped out, speedily and without hesitation.
“I can’t tell him. If I must, I would rather tell my father,” I said decisively.
Sir Leonhard’s eyes opened as wide as mine had.
Mouth dropped open, and eyes rounded. I wanted to take my time enjoying him make such a rare expression, but the timing was entirely inappropriate.
I cleared my throat to cover up my split second of fascination, and continued to explain myself.
“My story makes no sense, but I’m sure my brother would still believe me. Additionally, I do believe it would be to my advantage for any course of action I take from here on out.”
“Then, whyever?”
“While Chris is my older brother, at the same time, he is also the heir to the throne. I mustn’t do anything to influence him, such as giving him information that may or may not be true. The future I saw has already begun to change, and not one thing remains that is for certain.”
“Your Royal Highness…”
“That is where I stand.”
After I gave him a plausible reason, my serious expression remained unchanged as I added another thought.
“If the future I have seen was to come true, somewhere down the road my brother will one day have to use me for the good of the kingdom, won’t he? Not as my brother, but as the prince.”
“…………”