A Happy Life in the Empire - The Princess Once Called a “Failure” Becomes the “Most Important Person” as a Hostage in the Empire - Chapter 6

The next morning, I woke up in a small room on the second floor of the inn.

The morning light streaming through the window had a different beauty compared to yesterday’s sunset.

The strong scent of the sea filled the air, reminding me once again that this was a port town.

I slowly got up and stood in front of the mirror.

That’s when I realized I had slept with my necklace on.

It was the pearl necklace I received from Prince Alto.

I had intended to take it off before sleeping, but I must have dozed off without realizing it.

“It’s so beautiful, no matter how many times I look at it…!”

Of course, I was talking about the necklace.

I wasn’t vain enough to admire my own reflection.

The glow of the beautiful pearls blended perfectly with my hair and skin tone.

“Hehehe…”

I couldn’t help but grin.

I was reminded of how Prince Alto had given me this necklace.

Even now, it felt like a dream.

(Last night was truly wonderful…)

After that, I had dinner at the inn’s dining hall with Prince Alto, the knights, and the magicians.

We ate various seafood dishes that the port town was proud of.

Grilled white fish seasoned with herbs and lemon, a rich soup simmered with shrimp and shellfish, and appetizers of small grilled fish marinated in vinegar.

Every dish was absolutely delicious.

“Sophia, it’s an informal gathering, so don’t hold back!”

At the dining table, Prince Alto was like a completely different person.

He joked around with the knights, laughed with them, and discussed various topics with the magicians over a glass of wine.

It was unusual for the crown prince to dine with knights, magicians, and even me.

However, Prince Alto said, “Food tastes better when shared,” and insisted we all eat together.

Thanks to that, I was able to get closer to the knights and magicians as well.

When I first left town, I had some worries, but now, I was simply having fun.

(I’m glad I was sent as a hostage!)

I truly felt that way from the bottom of my heart.

◇

Breakfast was just the two of us—Prince Alto and me.

The knights had already eaten and were in work mode.

The magicians were attending the ritual and were nowhere to be seen.

We sat facing each other at the same table.

After sharing dinner last night, the tension from before had disappeared.

I felt completely at ease.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

Prince Alto took a bite of his sandwich.

I followed suit and took a bite of mine.

It wasn’t something to rave about, but it was a simple and decent BLT sandwich.

The strong black coffee paired well with it.

“Yes! I slept very soundly…! Did you rest well too, Prince Alto?”

“Well, I did recover from my fatigue. But I doubt I slept with my mouth wide open in the carriage like you did yesterday.”

“T-That was… I was just really tired yesterday…”

“I’m joking.”

I groaned, lowering my head in embarrassment.

Seeing that, Prince Alto laughed.

“More importantly, is there anything you want to do?”

“Something I want to do?”

“I was planning to show you around the town, but the only place I haven’t introduced yet is the marketplace. So, if there’s anything else you’d like to do, just let me know. I’ll be free until the ritual ends.”

“I see…”

I thought for a moment.

In the end, I became curious about the ongoing ritual.

I had never heard of a ceremony to bind magic power to the land in my kingdom.

Since my magic would help the people, I wanted to see the process with my own eyes.

“If possible, I’d like to see the ritual.”

I finally voiced my thoughts, and Prince Alto smiled happily.

“Of course! I’m glad you’re interested in the Empire’s techniques! Let’s go right away!”

“Thank you so much!”

After finishing our meal, we stood up from our seats.

◇

On our way to the open square at the outskirts of town—

As we passed through the narrow alleys of the residential area, a small boy ran up to us.

His sun-kissed cheeks, innocent smile, and youthful eyes left an impression.

“Hey, important big brother!”

The boy spoke to Prince Alto.

If an adult had said the same words, they would have been executed.

“Hmm? What is it?”

Prince Alto crouched down to meet the child’s gaze.

Even in small actions like this, his kindness showed through.

“Who’s that lady?”

The boy pointed at me.

He must have overheard the townspeople talking and become curious.

Prince Alto had not explained who I was to the townspeople.

Because of that, rumors about “Who is that woman?” were still circulating.

Even the town mayor seemed curious but was too intimidated to ask.

“U-Um… I am…”

As I hesitated, Prince Alto grinned.

“Her? She’s someone very important to me.”

“What…!?”

His sudden words made my eyes widen in shock.

The boy, on the other hand, looked intrigued.

“Important? You mean she’s your girlfriend, right?”

The boy innocently asked a dangerous question.

(What is this child saying…!?)

I was too stunned to respond.

Prince Alto, however, looked amused by my reaction.

“What do you think, Sophia? Are you my girlfriend?”

“E-Eh, no, no, no, no! I’m not! Definitely not!”

“Oh? I thought we were. I guess it was just one-sided on my part… How unfortunate.”

Prince Alto smirked.

It was clear he was teasing me.

Even knowing that, I could only fluster in response.

“U-Uh, um, err, that is, uh, ah—!”

My mind went blank, and my face turned bright red.

“Haha! You two are so in love!”

The boy clapped his hands in excitement.

Prince Alto kept smirking, and I felt like I was about to explode.

“Hey! Don’t say such rude things!”

Just then, a woman rushed over.

She looked like the boy’s mother.

“Your Highness! I deeply apologize! My son has been so disrespectful! Please, please forgive us!”

She quickly stood in front of her child and frantically apologized to Prince Alto.

Her face had gone pale.

She probably thought she was doomed.

“Don’t worry about it. Kids should be lively. In fact, I feel like I’ve received some of his energy. Don’t you think so too, Sophia?”

Prince Alto responded gently, then turned to me.

“Yes! I do!”

I nodded with a smile.

Seeing Prince Alto’s generosity made me feel more at ease.

“Thank you, Your Highness! Come on, let’s go!”

After apologizing again, the mother took her child’s hand and left.

Prince Alto let out a sigh.

“Since I haven’t said anything, the townspeople are still curious about you.”

“Yes… But calling me your girlfriend is just too much!”

“I don’t think it’s that bad.”

He said that with a completely straight face.

“Eh?”

“You’re a princess, and I’m a crown prince. Even if we were lovers, it wouldn’t be strange.”

“No, no, the Luminare Kingdom is a vassal state of the Elysion Empire. A princess from a vassal state, especially one sent as a hostage, being your lover… that’s impossible.”

“I know it might sound arrogant coming from me, but I don’t really care about status.”

Prince Alto muttered with a somewhat lonely expression and resumed walking.

As I walked beside him, an outrageous thought crossed my mind.

(If we were really lovers…)

Since I have no experience with romance, I couldn’t picture anything concrete.

And yet, or maybe because of that, my imagination spiraled in the strangest directions.

“What’s wrong, Sophia? Your face is pale.”

“Ah, no, it’s nothing! I was just… daydreaming a little…!”

I quickly shook my head, trying to erase my thoughts.

“Oh? A daydream? What kind of daydream would make your face turn pale? Tell me.”

“I can’t! I absolutely can’t!”

“Aww.”

In my imagination, I was being sent to the execution platform.

Not only Prince Alto but even His Majesty the Emperor would deem me guilty of the utmost disrespect.

(Now that I think about it…)

I reflected on my daydream and realized something.

None of my family members had appeared in it.

(Just as I am unnecessary in my father’s, sister’s, and brother’s world, they are unnecessary in mine.)

That was the conclusion I reached.

◇

We arrived at a plaza on the outskirts of town.

A large magic circle, drawn by a magician, spread across the ground.

The intricate geometric patterns made it clear that this was an extremely advanced ritual.

The magic circle emitted a faint glow.

Like a beating heart, it pulsed with subtle flickers of light.

At its center, a magician was chanting a spell.

“So that’s the ritual to bind magic power to the land… It’s amazing.”

I focused on the magician.

Yesterday, he had been laughing with a glass of wine in hand, but now his expression was serious.

The strain of chanting seemed overwhelming, as sweat trickled down his neck.

Even the knights standing around the magic circle looked tense.

“Sophia, once your magic power settles into this land, this town will become a better place. Thanks to you, the damage from monsters will be significantly reduced. I truly appreciate it.”

Standing beside me, Prince Alto spoke while watching the magician.

As if in response to his words, a gentle breeze brushed past us.

“I never imagined I could be of help in this way. Thank you, Prince Alto.”

After glancing around, Prince Alto smiled.

“Sophia, you can stop calling me ‘Prince.’ This isn’t official business; you’re just helping out, so there’s no need to be so formal.”

“But… then how should I address you? Maybe… Alto-sama?”

“’Sama’ is even worse. You saw how the knights addressed me at dinner yesterday, right? They don’t call me ‘Prince’ in casual settings.”

True enough, most of them simply called him “Alto-san.”

Some of the older knights even dropped the honorifics altogether and just called him “Alto.”

“T-then… Alto… san?”

My awkward way of saying it made him chuckle and nod.

“I truly appreciate you, Sophia.”

“I’m just glad my magic can be of use!”

“It’s not just your magic.”

“Huh?”

“Spending time with you like this is enjoyable for me. Because of my position, I can’t always show it, but I genuinely have fun when I’m with you.”

“Really?”

“Really. As the future emperor, I’m grateful for your magic, but as a man, I’m grateful for you. I don’t know how you see me, but to me, you’re important—regardless of your magic power.”

“Alto-san…!”

Prince Alto—no, Alto’s words pierced straight into my heart.

I could tell he was being sincere, and that made me happy.

And because of that, I felt truly blessed.

“L-Listen, that wasn’t a confession, okay?”

As I basked in his words, Alto suddenly spoke up again.

His flustered expression was something I had never seen before, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“I know, Alto-san!”

“Good! I wouldn’t want you to mistake that for a proposal…!”

“Hehe.”

In my heart, I silently whispered, “Thank you, too, Alto.”