[Matthias]

Time pa.s.sed since I began working as First Retainer.

As usual, today I got up just as the sun was rising and got ready to dress up. Since I became a retainer, I started to live alone. The First Retainer must constantly be at his Master’s side in order to serve him properly. For that reason, a room arrangement was necessarily prepared in the Green Water Palace just for me. Though there was some anxiety, I don’t have any particular problems in living alone.

Excellent, I’m on time today as well. I confirmed the time from the pocket watch I received from Father the other day, then continued to Elmer-sama‘s room and knocked before pus.h.i.+ng the door open.

“Good morning…”

I approached the Prince to remind him that it was time to get up, and his eyes fringed with long eyelashes snapped open. It was so unlike a child’s way of waking up that I doubted whether or not he was awake from the beginning.

Nowadays, I describe the day-to-day schedule while doing various preparations. If Master grows a little more, it is necessary to a.s.sist him in changing his clothes, but right now it’s too early to do so.

I fully opened the curtains near the bed in order to clear the atmosphere. The scenery seen from here cannot compare to the central garden I saw when I came here, it a was lonely sight. Usually, grooming is done so that the flowers will bloom all-year round, however there was only the sight of flowers falling but not spreading. Is there someone in this large country who will believe that this is the private quarters of a Prince of Almerti Kingdom?

…maybe it would be better if the curtains remain unopened.

I looked at Elmer-sama for a moment, but I cannot perceive anything from his facial expression. Because it is unnatural to close the curtains now, I kept it as is.

“Today is a personal day…”

I spoke about how I will come immediately if the Prince called. Up until now, there was never a time when he did this.

I asked the maid to take care of Elmer-sama and returned to my private quarters.

I opened the closet and began to change into more formal clothes than what I am wearing right now.

“Ieden.”

Towards the empty s.p.a.ce, I called out the one named [First].

“You called?”

An immediate answer came. Of course, the figure can’t be seen.

“I have an audience with the King today. Stay by the Prince’s side.”

“As you will.”

I can always place my expectations on Ieden to do an excellent work. As expected of the one holding the position of leader of the [Shadows]. Shadows are mainly employed individually as spies. Including him, my Shadows hardly report a failure.

I think other n.o.bles also wanted to have Shadows, but they do not know how to deal with them. I have come across one who called himself with a number. I thought of giving him another name, but the individual himself wanted to have number attached to his name. That’s the Shadow’s standpoint, I myself don’t have a naming sense so I don’t really get it.

Showing no emotions, Shadows would carry out their Master’s orders no matter what… This was how they are trained to be. Somehow or another, besides their way of life towards emotions, I certainly trust my Shadows.

… Still, there was an error. Alone in the shadows, “the problem child” was completely forgotten. The foreign country’s royal families were already transported, so the child was quiet…

Where did Ieden picked up this child? Even though the child’s speech and conduct were a problem, Ieden said that the child was surprisingly skilled. He doesn’t seemed to be really worried about it, that guy is really different from other Shadows.

Preparations are in order, so I went towards the exit of the Green Water Palace.

After ten minutes of walking, a familiar face came into my view.

Orange hair. It’s Southtina House’s eldest son, Crate.

“Matthias… why are you in a place like this?”

“It’s because Elmer-sama stays here.”

Now that I think about it, we live at the same place, but it’s odd that we never met each other so far.

“Who…?”

During that awkward situation, a child came from behind Crate’s shadow.

Prince Sveri de Almerti Casariel, the Second Prince also living in the Green Water Palace.

I’ve seen him many times, Elmer-sama‘s older brother.

In case an [Explosion] doesn’t happen, it’s good that the King will have someone to place his expectations on.

“Is it Matthias?”

Sveri-sama seemed to remember me.

“It is. Sveri-sama, please return to your room as soon as possible.”

Crate stood to interrupt, and led Sveri-sama to his private quarters by his hand before my eyes.

When Crate pa.s.sed by my side, he murmured quietly so that no one would be able to hear.

“Playing house with Doll Prince… oops, excuse my rudeness. Please persevere in a.s.sisting the prince as much as you can.”

Crate was smiling faintly, I know even if I can’t see it.

That statement about the Prince, Crate von Southtina’s plain sarcasm made me irritated as I made my way to the center of the royal palace.

Crate is one of the Four-Color Houses’ children who is closest to me in age, and collides with myself often. He never won against me in a duel, so when he was chosen as the Prince’s retainer, he became obstinately prideful. It was really bothersome.

To be called as the failure prince’s retainer, of course my mood became unpleasant.

I knocked at the door.

“This is Matthias.”

“Enter.”

A low voice came from the interior of the door I knocked on.

“Please excuse me.”

Bowing as I enter the room, the King was already seated, waiting.

“Have I kept you waiting?”

“I don’t mind. I want to hear your report.”

Without delay, I went into the main subject immediately.

“Regarding Elmer-sama, he doesn’t laugh, cry or talk. His actions show no reaction towards anything. If you bring food near his lips, he’ll open his mouth and eat it.”

The King who received this report fell silent.

With nothing to say, I waited for the King’s judgement.

“The [Explosion] hasn’t happened yet?”

“Yes.”

Explosion. It is a dangerous word, just as it is a dangerous event. If a child exceeds the constant amount of magic power, the child’s excess magic power will be discharged outside of the body in the form of an explosion. Because they have no control, it is dangerous being nearby, as the chances of getting involved are high.

This certainly happens to royal family’s children. It is because their bodies could not hold that much magic power.

The King thinks that the Prince’s hold on his emotions might come off if he personally experience this. The age in which the explosion happens varies from person to person. Elmer-sama‘s age is still within that range. However, if he doesn’t have magic at all, how will Elmer-sama cause an explosion?

“Six years old. Dispose of him if he doesn’t cause an explosion by that time.”

The King stated so.

Approximately five years. I don’t know whether it’s long or short. However, that is my time limit. I understood that much.