Volume 1 - Chapter 33: Saint? Strategist? Little Devil?

[Oh. You've been brilliantly rejected, your highness Sion.]

After Mia and Abel left, Keithwood walked up to Sion, who was left at the scene.

[Still, I didn't think she would refuse. That princess is not bad at all. Well, it would certainly be a good opportunity to deepen your friendship, but it isn't the last one, so, there is no point in getting all depressed over....Huh?]

Suddenly, Keithwood felt somewhat uncomfortable.

His master, Sion,..., who had been training his moderation and self-control since childhood as a member of the royal family... had a rare moody face.

No, rather than moody, it is more like a sulky face....

[Don't tell me you got hurt because she refused your dance invitation?]

[Of course, that is not the case.]

Sion shows a smile, but the smile was a little stiff.

[Her actions were admirable and she helped prince Abel upstand his honor. The first prince of Remno doesn't have the best character, so, it makes sense she would support Prince Abel.]

(It is like you are trying to convince yourself.)

Keithwood's feelings for Sion, who is 4 years younger than him, can't be described in a single word.

Part of it is respect for his master, part is loyalty to the King's son and part is friendship for his childhood friend, with whom he grew up with.

And now, what he feels for Sion is a burning desire to tease him. Like an older brother who wants to make fun of his younger sibling.

[Besides, I was the one who invited her. She has the right to accept or to refuse.]

[You say that, but aren't you all down and gloomy?]

[As I said, I'm not gloomy at all!]

Keithwood was a little astonished by the childish objection.

[I was just a little disappointed. That is all.]

Sion forced his lips closed, after saying this.

(It is anusual for His Highness to get so worked up about anything.)

Normally, when Keightwood teases him, he just calmly dismisses it.

(Maybe he is starting to feel more than just a small curiosity...)

Keithwood could read Sion very well. Even the things Sion himself wasn't aware of. He knew what he was feeling now was not too dissimilar to the feelings of a boy who was treated coldly by the girl he is interested in.

(His Highness Princess Mia, isn't it?)

Mia's response surprised Keithwood as well.

From his perspective, Abel didn't have a single winning point over Sion.

Indeed, he didn't look bad. He had a nice appearance and his behavior was good at first glance.

When school starts, he will be popular.

.....But that is about it.

As Keithwood saw it, Abel's charm was very superficial. A pretense, so to speak. A person who is deceived by such charm isn't worthy.

(That would be the case, but the problem is the comparisons with Prince Sion.)

Right. If you compare Abel and Sion, even if you limit the comparisons to the surface level, Sion is still superior.

The prince Sion Saul Sankland was the real deal. Able to charm anyone, whether they were deceived by appearances or wise enough to see the essence.

And even then, Mia still chose Abel to be her dance partner, refusing the right to be Sion's partner.

And that is in spite of the fact that Abel himself tried to decline her offer.

(It makes sense if it was to protect Prince Abel's honor, but....)

Keithwood couldn't help but feel there was another reason.

The words she spoke at that time seemed like she was encouraging him.

(Are you saying you can see the qualities of Prince Abel that I can't?)

Her Highness is said to be the wisdom of the Empire. She probably knew what she was doing.

(Is she a saint whose caring heart can't take seeing her partner's honor being hurt? Or maybe a tactician whose every move is calculated and part of a grander plan?)

Keightwood smiled bitterly, remembering Mia's face.

(Or maybe she was just teasing His Highness Sion? The smile on her face was more like a little devil than a saint.... I never thought there would be a little devil who could play with His Highness on the palm of her hands.)

It would be a little later that Keithwood would learn of Mia's intentions ( or what he believed were her intentions ).

At that time, he will shudder upon seeing why Mia is called the wisdom of the Empire ( or what he believed was the reason ).

But that is a different story for a different time. Right now, only one thing is certain.

Mia has acquired the tittle "litle devil" without knowing it.

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