"...Lord Clover. Rest Clover is remarkably thorough, isn't he?"
"Yes, he seems to be a rare find—an invaluable talent we were lucky to stumble upon."
Once Rest had departed the tent, Andrew and Riranda began their private exchange.
A sketch of the central plains lay atop the table. While it lacked any professional artistic flair, the map meticulously detailed every elevation, marsh, and potential monster nest.
"He likely used magic to observe the land from above... regardless, it's quite easy to understand."
"Even so... Your Highness, what was your intention in including Lady Yuri Catreia in the survey of the central region?" Riranda asked as Andrew gazed at the map. "I understand Lord Lyubase and Ms. Isis. Lord Argil and Priest Rail are fine choices as well. But what is your aim in involving Lady Yuri—the daughter of the Knight Commander?"
Yuri Catreia was the daughter of Marquis Catreia. Furthermore, as a select few knew, she was a sheltered girl whom the Marquis cherished like a jewel in his palm. If she were added to the Pioneer Group and assigned such a dangerous mission, it could easily incite the Marquis’s wrath.
"Well... for one, she volunteered herself," Andrew answered with a wry smile, looking up from the table. "Apparently, she’s taken quite a liking to Lord Clover. She insisted on joining the Pioneer Group because she wanted to be useful to him. When I asked about her family, she claimed it had nothing to do with her father. It seems to be a rather complicated household."
"A runaway, then?"
"Most likely. Since her motivation centers on Lord Clover, I decided to leave her in his care. She proved herself during the civil war, so I knew her abilities were more than sufficient. I judged that she wouldn't be a burden."
"……"
Andrew’s reasoning was technically sound. However, Riranda had known him long enough to see through to another motive. As she maintained her skeptical gaze, Andrew finally raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.
"...Fine. Don't look at me like that. I suppose I can't keep secrets from you, Riranda."
"Your Highness..."
"I had a reason to distance myself from Lady Yuri. I was hoping Lord Clover—or anyone, really—would take her off my hands. That’s the truth of it." Andrew sighed wearily, fiddling with a pen. "The Royal Palace is pushing marriage on me again. They say that since the plains are being developed and I’ll eventually hold a vast territory, it’s time I settled down. And Lady Yuri has been put forward as a primary candidate."
"Between Your Highness and Lady Yuri... a prince descending to subject status and the daughter of a Marquis. The ranks are certainly well-matched, but..."
"Only the ranks. Our hearts aren't matched at all." Andrew tossed the pen onto the table, his face clouding with rare anger. "The Rosemary sisters found their fiancé, and I maneuvered so that Celestine would be used as a chain for Lord Clover... I thought that would buy me some peace, but now it’s Yuri! Honestly, I’m sick of it. I have no intention of going through with it!"
"……"
"You know, don't you? There is only one person I love. Marrying anyone else is unthinkable!"
"For royalty, political marriages are a duty. You could always take a wife as the King suggests and keep your true love as a mistress in secret, could you not?"
"Don't be absurd! I refuse!" Andrew clicked his tongue sharply, as if the very idea were repulsive. "My nature is to love one person deeply. I’m not nearly skillful enough to love two people at once—you should know that better than anyone!"
"……"
Riranda quietly averted her eyes as her master spoke with such passion. She understood Andrew’s feelings all too well. Painfully so. Yet, she also understood that those feelings would never be recognized by the King.
"...Let's leave the discussion there for today. I shall take my leave."
"Hm? Ah, good work. Make sure to get some rest."
"Yes. Excuse me..."
Riranda bowed and withdrew. As she moved to exit the tent, she nearly collided with a man entering from the outside.
"Oops, my apologies."
"Forgive me, Yusgos."
The man was Yusgos Betras, the Student Council Secretary. He was a long-time friend of Riranda and a colleague who served Andrew alongside her.
"Heading back, Riranda?"
"Yes, it's already late. Goodnight."
"Right. Goodnight."
The two exchanged brief greetings and parted ways. Passing Riranda, Yusgos stepped into Andrew’s tent.
"I have returned, Your Highness Andrew."
"Ah, My Honey. I’ve been waiting for you!" Andrew said happily, rising from his chair. He approached Yusgos and pulled him into a warm embrace.
"Yo-Your Highness... this is quite sudden."
"I can't help it. I’ve been waiting all this time... Don't worry, I’ve dismissed the guards."
"Your Highness..."
"Yu..."
Andrew’s love would likely never be recognized by his father or brothers. The reason for that was a secret known only to a very few, Riranda among them.