Do you want to hang out with Kaphne? ”

Dmitry stared at Annan and repeated slowly.

His brow furrowed even tighter.

He subconsciously pressed the second knuckles of his index finger and middle finger of his right hand against his chin, quietly thinking about something.

But in the pupils, which were always indifferent and calm, there was still no color of emotion.

Even if Annan only has shoulder-length short hair, it is easy to be mistaken for a girl with an awe-inspiring temperament; But Dmitry's long hair and waist-length hair would never be mistaken for a woman.

And not just because of his deep voice.

What's more, it's the heavy "bearer" temperament on his body.

“…… Yes. ”

Annan pursed the corners of his mouth and replied in a low voice.

For some reason, the Dmitry in front of him actually overlapped with Ivan Rindon, who trained Annan's swordsmanship in Annan's memory.

…… Is it because the eldest brother is like a father?

Gazed at by Dmitry's majestic gaze - even Annan himself felt for a moment that this pretence could not be invited......

But even so.

After a few seconds, Dmitry calmly replied: "Yes." ”

For some reason, he easily agreed to Annan's request.

Immediately, Dmitry turned to Princess Elizabeth on the side and said politely and slowly: "Brother She's causing you trouble. ”

"Where...... Little Caffne is usually a relatively withdrawn child, and it is rare to make a friend, and I am very happy for her. ”

Princess Elizabeth smiled like a flower.

Her face seemed to be shining, and she couldn't tell her specific age. But her slightly squinted eyes shone with a cunning light that was not annoying.

She smiled at Annan and said, "You have a good brother, Your Highness Annan." ”

“…… Thank you, Your Highness. ”

Annan's reaction was somewhat awkward, and he bowed to Princess Elizabeth in a very soft and polite voice.

The momentum in his voice was faint, but it was as clear as a flame in the cold wind.

But looking at his appearance, Dmitry suddenly spoke, and said without a word: "Annan, remember why you came here." ”

…… I—Why did I come?

These words made Annan a little confused.

But fortunately, he reacted quickly:

By this time, Dmitry had actually lost his fertility. In other words, the reason why Annan and not Maria followed Dmitry to Noah is probably because Annan was the one who came as the "heir of the principality" -

That is, not "Annan follows Dmitry", but "Dmitry follows Annan".

It's just that Annan is too young.

That's why Dmitry was asked to assist Annan...... Conduct a series of consultations.

So, what would be Annan's primary purpose in coming here?

- The answer is imminent.

He came to see it for a long time.

Or rather...... Annan came to build confidence.

As the eldest brother, Dmitry acted aggressively and appropriately, which is probably the main reason for Annan's weaker character. So even if Annan made such an outrageous request, Dmitry decided not to oppose Annan.

Because what he had to do was build confidence in Annan — not undermine his confidence.

His mind was racing fast, and Annan finished thinking in the blink of an eye.

His immature and delicate countenance soon revealed a determined look: "Of course I remember, elder brother.

"Thank you for your accommodatingness, Your Highness Princess."

There was still a faint tremor in Annan's voice. But his voice grew a little louder and clearer—like Annan's voice outside of a nightmare.

At this time, Annan was very clearly aware that Dmitry's frowning brow had always relaxed slightly.

…… What does it mean to be happy?

In other words, it was the right bet.

Annan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Dmitry still didn't have any expression on his face, but he said flatly: "Remember to come back before dinner." ”

"You can also ask your new friends to show you around."

Princess Elizabeth added.

She didn't know if she noticed something—the woman, who was known for her iron will in the army, softened after changing into a gown.

She smiled softly at Annan and gently took Annan's hand: "Few people want to play with Kaphne, but I know she is a good boy...... Stay with her, okay? ”

…… Are you and want to get married?

Annan, who has the wisdom of an adult, immediately sensed Elizabeth's intentions.

This woman is smart. She did not "allow" Annan to associate with Kaphni, but "begged" him to take more care of Kaphni - which was undoubtedly a clever gesture of favor.

Why?

Did she realize that she was the heir to the principality?

No, it can't be. Dmitry's loss of fertility was a secret at this time - otherwise, she would have been more overtly courted to herself.

And if she realized about it, it would not be possible for Kaphne and Annan to stay together immediately.

After all, Kaphne's father is the fourth prince, and if the "future Grand Duke of Winter" can become the husband of his only daughter, then Annan will become his powerful political bargaining chip.

If Elizabeth realized that Annan was the future Grand Duke...... Then she will definitely form a de facto alliance with Albert before allowing Albert's power to expand.

- because she is a smart person.

So there's only one possibility.

The political situation at Noah's top level has become tense to the point that it needs to be alleviated by marriage? An "outsider" is needed to disrupt the situation and reshuffle the forces of all sides......

Princess Elizabeth, who was unwary of Annan, inadvertently revealed a lot of political information to Annan.

Annan, on the other hand, did not have any anomalies.

He just replied softly, "Yes, Your Highness Princess." ”

Annan's voice became stable...... There was a faint shadow of Mary.

This made Dmitry slightly satisfied.

Annan and the two then retired.

Kaphne took Annan to her boudoir.

She did not ask Annan how he had been promised two "heirs to the country" next year.

As if it all seemed to her that it was all taken for granted.

Maybe it's also because Kaphne doesn't care about any of this.

“…… This is the secret passage. ”

Kaphni took Annan's hand and walked to her closet: "After you go out, you can go directly to the corner of the garden." I often sneak out of here......"

Her voice was fluttering, and her face was a little red.

There is a clear difference from Kaphne, who was able to calmly hold Annan's hand when they met for the first time a few years later - today's Kaphne will still be shy.

She seems to be concerned about the somewhat intimate relationship between the two now.

Annan was a little powerless to complain.

…… Hey, you're only nine years old.

Although I know that girls may be precocious...... But is it really okay for you to understand so much at such a young age?

"What are you going to do?"

Annan opened the splint at the back of the closet and whispered to Kaphne before getting inside, "Without my voice, they might have realized something was wrong." ”

Without thinking, Kaphne replied, "I'll paint for you." ”

“…… But I'm not here. ”

"You used to be here."

Kaphne replied softly, "I can remember." ”

Her glass-colored red eyes, which were not human, seemed to reflect another world that Annan could not understand.

She replied in a low voice, "I can see it...... Your afterimage. ”

There is a third more

(End of chapter)