A Captive Prince Awaiting Execution Falls In Love With A Young Lady - Episode 13

Seven days later.

Sirius left the tower for the first time in several years and was escorted by numerous knights to the mansion of the Duke of the Imperial Court.

Of course, that’s the reason.

It’s to escort Judith and attend the ball.

“Well, this is… how should I put it…”

After changing into the tuxedo that Judith had prepared in one of the mansion’s rooms, Sirius stepped out, and the familiar knight’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Strange? Doesn’t it suit me?”

I tried to smooth down my hair, but now I’m worried that I should have cut it a bit shorter.

“No, not at all. I was quite surprised by how well you two suited each other.”

Since we were transferred to the tower, we’ve been together for about four years now.

At first, they treated me with the eyes and attitude of an enemy, but now they are as friendly as younger cousins. It’s not just this knight; all the guards are like that.

“After all, he really is a prince.”

“Former prince, huh?”

Sirius gives a wry smile.

“That’s true as well.”

The knight exchanges glances with his colleague and laughs.

“That’s a secret here too. Call me Jones.”

“That’s right. I almost accidentally called you by your name.”

“Let’s not say anything unnecessary.”

The two knights nod to each other and then start walking with Sirius. Originally, they were meant to prevent his escape, but to an outsider, they would appear to be his escort knights.

We are that close and get along well.

“But I never thought it would be this kind of outfit.”

I walk down the hallway with the long-pile carpet. My destination is the room that Judith is preparing.

“Indeed, indeed”

“If it were you, I was wondering… if you might have something like an animal costume prepared.”

Everyone, including Sirius, burst into laughter at the knight’s words.

Mr. Sanders took the measurements, and Judith selected and prepared Sirius’s clothes.

It was a perfectly standard tuxedo.

The jacket is black silk. The shirt is white silk. The pants are neatly adorned with a decorative trim, and even the bow tie is black. There is no pretense whatsoever.

“But you really look great together. You wouldn’t lose to any noble or royal.”

“That’s right. Truly, this is what is meant by innate elegance. Those nouveau riche would run away with their tails between their legs.”

“It’s not even that kind of competition.”

Sirius gives a wry smile.

“But thank you for saying it looks good on me, even if it’s just flattery.”

“It’s not flattery.”

“It really suits you.”

Because the knights spoke in unison, the three of them laughed again.

And then, I arrive at the room where Judith is waiting.

The butler was waiting in front of the door and said, “You have arrived.”

Before long, the door opened, and Judith came out.

Here is here.

The two knights and Sirius gaped in shock, speechless.

When Judith comes to the tower, she is always dressed in a one-piece with an apron dress. She also wears lace-up boots. Her hair is either in braids or tied up in a single bundle. I’ve never seen her wearing any makeup at all.

However.

Right in front of me now.

Judith with glossy lips and light makeup.

Her hair is beautifully braided, and because she is wearing a pink dress with a wide neckline, the line from her nape to her collarbone is extremely beautiful.

The pink dress also had a cinched waist and a voluminous skirt, which accentuated her slender waist.

“Strange?”

It’s probably because there’s been so little response.

Judith, with her eyebrows drooping and tears in her eyes, asks Sirius.

“No way! It’s beautiful! Right?! Isn’t it?!”

When I hurriedly addressed the knights, they nodded their heads up and down like broken puppets.

“I was so surprised that my reaction was delayed.”

“Ah, so beautiful. This is indeed the hidden gem of the Imperial Court.”

Praising words echoed around her, and finally, Judith began to wear her usual confident smile.

“Great! Mr. Sanders said it looks good on me too!”

“Yeah. It’s great, really. Oh, by the way, Judith. Thank you for picking out this tuxedo too.”

When Sirius said that, Judith lifted her chin with a “hmph.”

“My judgment is still the best, isn’t it? It really suits you.”

“No way, I never thought it would turn out to be such a normal thing.”

“What do you mean by that?!”

“I thought it would be a more extravagant design.”

“Because today I’m the one escorting you, right? I don’t want to embarrass myself.”

“Oh… I see.”

With their shoulders slumped in disappointment, the knights also nodded in understanding, saying, “Ah, I see.”

“But Sirius is cool too!”

Judith says. Immediately, Mr. Sanders, who had been waiting behind, interjects.

“I am Lord Jones. Please do not make any mistakes.”

“Oh, right. Today is Jones.”

There’s no way the imprisoned former prince could just come out in the open like that.

“But it sounds kind of fun. Maybe I’ll join using a pseudonym too.”

Because Judith said it, Sirius was taken aback.

“That’s strange, isn’t it? You’re a proper daughter of a court noble, after all. A lady, right?”

“Because using a pseudonym feels more like being on a secret mission, doesn’t it?”

“I have a secret mission. To perfectly escort you, no matter if I get stepped on, kicked, or even break a bone, and dance until the end.”

“That’s terrible. You practiced since then and stopped stepping on it, right?!”

“My core has been quite well-trained by the time I stopped stepping on it, you know.”

“That’s great, isn’t it?”

“That’s not something you should say so boldly, you know?”

Mr. Sanders interrupts Judith, who was about to say something else, with a cough.

“First, let’s head to the venue, my lady.”

“Oh. Right. I almost forgot.”

“No, that’s the primary mission.”

While thinking that using a fake name and carrying out a secret mission might be impossible after all, Sirius extends his elbow to Judith.

Judith, who had been puzzled, happily took Sirius’s elbow.

“This is the first time I’ve walked like this!”

“Actually, it’s the first time I’m walking outside the tower with you.”

“Now that you mention it, it’s true! It feels kind of off, doesn’t it? Right?”

Judith calls out to the knights.

“That’s right.”

“I’ll say it again, but you really pull off a tuxedo… You know, some things are just innate.”

In response to the knights’ words, Sirius waved his hand lightly.

“No way. That’s not it. The reason it doesn’t feel off is because all the members inside the tower are gathered together, right?”

The living environment has changed, but the people have not, that’s for sure.

“Really?”

“Oh, right. You know, Judith…”

“Hmm?”

“Do you have some time today, Lord Kyuchuu? I have something I would like to discuss with you.”

Saying that, Judith tilted her head slightly.

“Hmm… Today is our event, so I might not have time. I’ve been busy entertaining guests and talking to visitors the whole time.”

“Yeah… right?”

Feeling a bit disappointed.

The reason is that I was thinking of consulting about my brother-in-law.

At that rate, they will surely make a move soon.

To prevent it from happening, we have no choice but to expose it to the court.

Indeed, we are bl00d relatives.

They are siblings who share the same father.

However.

For the current Sirius, he was that kind of man.

More importantly, the Kyuchuu-haku who maintained this lifestyle for me and Judith, who spends time with me every day talking about trivial things, are more important.

This.

The only things Sirius had to protect were the human relationships and life that were confined within the tower.

“Well then, let’s look for an opportunity to go see Father. We can’t stay long, but he might be willing to listen to us.”

Judith says something comforting. Sirius nodded.

For today, just saying “I have something to discuss” is enough.

It would be great if you could come to the tower when you have time.

Sirius walks together with Judith, led by the knight.