A Concrete Date

After talking at length, Princess Yupe seemed satisfied.

Most of it had been either self-praise or boasting.

Normally, being subjected to that much of it would sour anyone's mood, but strangely, it wasn't that bad.

Her bragging wasn't meant to lord it over others. It came from a genuine pride in herself, and that came through.

Annoying as it was.

She then poked Yohane in the chest with her right index finger.

"Since I'm participating, mere success is already a given. If you're the one managing this event, make sure it goes down as a historic triumph. That would be best for everyone. Understood?"

"Understood. I'll do my best to make it happen."

"Good. You give good answers, as expected of someone those two trust. I'll leave it to you, then."

"Where are you going? If you're joining the rehearsal, Chancellor Anatia is over…"

He'd assumed she would join the rehearsal, but she started walking in a different direction, so he called out to her.

She turned back with a beaming smile.

"Rehearsal? Me? I don't need such things to sing. Give me the finest stage, and I'll deliver the finest performance. Remember that. Besides, the jeweler is bringing new gold accessories today. See you."

Princess Yupe left as if she couldn't spare another moment.

Everything she'd just said was probably the honest, unvarnished truth.

And rather than helping with the work, she'd tossed it all onto him with perfect naturalness.

What a free spirit…

Still, there were probably plenty of subordinates who were happy about that.

The Royal Shadows had been the same way.

If she ever became the ruler of this kingdom, it would probably turn into a dictatorship completely unlike the current one.

Well, whatever.

Just having her help secure the venue, the hardest part, was plenty to be grateful for.

He'd work out the details of stall placement and security later. For now, he should let Azu and the others know the location was set.

How would they react?

He couldn't imagine anything beyond Chancellor Anatia being thrilled.

They were probably too overwhelmed with everything they were doing right now to care.

Thinking about the members of his household participating in an event of this scale made his heart race, even though he wasn't performing himself.

He would make it a success. No, a grand success.

It would be a good memory.

He headed to Chancellor Anatia's practice room.

They should still be rehearsing at this hour.

As he neared the room, music leaked through the door.

The last time he'd come, everything besides the piano and violin had still sounded very much like a work in progress, but now… the piece coming through was a bit stiff in places, but clearly being played properly.

Not wanting to interrupt, he waited by the door and listened until the piece ended.

They really had improved tremendously.

Timing his entrance for when they finished, he opened the door.

Inside the practice room, everyone held their instruments with serious expressions.

The atmosphere was remarkably focused.

He couldn't bring himself to speak carelessly.

"Let's take a break."

The tension in the room eased with Chancellor Anatia's words.

They seemed exhausted from practicing nonstop.

"Yohane-san, did you come to check on us again?"

"Yes. And to let you know we've settled on a venue."

"Oh my. Where did you decide? I feel bad for leaving everything to you…"

He told everyone the location.

Reactions were mixed.

Azu and Orleans didn't seem to quite grasp the significance.

Alexia and Finn didn't look particularly interested.

Elza and Chancellor Anatia had their eyes sparkling.

"My, you secured such a spacious and fine location? The jurisdiction for that is… how did you get the Treasury Bureau to approve it? Did Tianis put in a word?"

"No, it wasn't Her Majesty. I had Princess Yupe… -sama's help. I was stuck in negotiations when she wandered over, took one look, and said she wanted to participate too, so approve it. That alone was enough to settle everything."

He gave a wry smile.

Explaining it to someone else really drove home that it hadn't even been a negotiation. It was laughable.

Chancellor Anatia also smiled awkwardly upon hearing Yupe's name.

She must have experienced similar things many times before.

"That girl has always been like that. She makes selfish demands, but because everyone around her adores her, they're usually granted right away. She must have a gift for it."

"If only her personality were a little better…"

"Then she wouldn't be Yupe anymore. It's precisely because of that behavior that she captures people's hearts… Though it's true that even with a duke's prestige backing an outsider like me, one reason little Tianis's rule is stable is Yupe's popularity. That's why I forgave what she did."

Princess Yupe, who had been abandoned by the Secretary of Military Affairs after her sabotage and near-coup.

But her popularity had saved her life.

They say beauty is an advantage, but that phrase was made for her.

"I was sure she'd catch wind of it sooner or later, so at least it saved us the trouble of inviting her. She'll probably practice in her own room the whole time until the performance."

"She said she doesn't need to practice."

"She always says that. But the truth is different. No matter how naturally gifted you are, you can't stay beautiful without any effort. She does put in the work, that girl. It's just that she does it purely to make herself shine."

An unexpected side to her.

Sparing no effort to remain beautiful certainly fit the image, though.

"That aside, you've all improved tremendously. I was listening from outside and it caught me by surprise."

"Everyone picks up what I teach so quickly that they just keep getting better. If anything, I feel like I'm the one who's been learning. At this rate, I think we'll have several pieces ready soon."

"Then perhaps it's time to set a date. How about one month from now?"

"That's plenty of time. Besides, if we leave too long a gap, we won't be able to maintain the tension."

"Is that how it works?"

Finn walked over.

He could see she was a little sweaty.

"So you came to see us working hard and you show up empty-handed? We've been practicing without even eating."

"Oh my, is it that time already? I was so focused I didn't notice."

"Got it. I'll get something ready right away."

"Make it fast!"

"I know, I know."

Answering Finn as he went, he rushed to the castle kitchen.