Shadowless Night

What was the name of Macaron’s female form again? Was it Mimi? Ricardis wasn’t entirely sure, but there seemed to be a trendy doll named Mimi or Juju among young girls these days. It was a somewhat awkward name that didn’t sit well on the tongue. To think of it, Rosaline also named her eagle Macaron and the warhorse he gifted her Chocolate.

Could it be that this species is awful at naming?

Ricardis pondered these strange thoughts as he looked at the man.

“Rise.”

“As you command.”

The voice didn’t sound respectful. Isserion was on the verge of collapsing, and the guards around had harsh expressions, except for Rosaline.

“I am quite shy, Your Majesty.”

“I see. That’s surprising information.”

“I’m also very cautious around strangers. Would it be possible to have the guards step back?”

“You can’t, Your Highness.” Starz looked at the man and abruptly cut into the conversation with a cold tone.

Rosaline’s true identity was unknown within the Knights of the White Knight. To them, she was simply a powerful mage; they knew as much as the rest of the public. Their knowledge was limited to ‘dangerous individuals were pursuing her’ and ‘prepare yourself if someone approaches her.’ Therefore, it was unavoidable for them to be cautious with Macaron.

“I-I think it should be fine,” Rosaline timidly expressed her opinions but was ignored.

“This man is my guest. Rosaline can remain, but everyone else can leave.”

Starz looked at Ricardis silently. When Ricardis nodded, Starz saluted and led everybody out of the tent. Once they were gone, both Macaron and Rosaline simultaneously looked outside and narrowed their eyes. It seemed as if they were assessing how close the people remained. When they determined that they had retreated far enough, they nodded at each other.

“You have a quite precious body, Your Highness. Just showing my face for a while was so scary. Should I even come back a second time, I wonder?”

“Ordinary commoners or mercenaries usually don’t arrogantly come to see a prince, so they couldn’t help but view you with suspicion. In any case, it was an impressive first meeting, Jurenz.”

“Why do you speak so formally? Please call me Juju.”

Ricardis subtly turned his head away from Macaron’s words. It seemed he was determined not to call him Juju, even if it cost his life. Macaron lightly brushed Rosaline’s head as she fed him jerky.

“Enough pleasantries. The hunting competition is approaching, so we don’t need to see each other face-to-face. Make sure to remember this handsome face. Although it’s for a limited time, it’s an ally, so don’t get confused.”

“I have memorized it thoroughly.”

The remark about the handsome face was undoubtedly sincere.

“There’s no specific plan, but do you remember what I said yesterday?”

Macaron nodded inattentively. “But there’s one thing I’m curious about, Your Highness…” Their words trailed off.

“There seems to be a sense of assurance in this plan or… the plan that doesn’t exist. You seem to have some level of confidence…”

“I have never experienced certainty in my life. I only observe various circumstances and prepare for the worst-case scenario.”

“Don’t you need to know what the worst-case scenario might be to prepare for it? In that sense, you are currently… analyzing this situation and preparing accordingly?”

“If we must analyze it, then yes.”

Macaron flashed a mischievous smile. “What do you know about them, about me, and about Rosaline?”

Ah, what a disrespectful tone. Ricardis, unfazed, pondered for a moment before answering.

“You’re an existence rooted in magic and capable of transforming into various forms. You possess an incomprehensible depth of power. The only difference between you and Rosaline is that you haven’t consumed a living creature. That’s why Rosaline can’t perform a complete transformation. I don’t know what category they belong to. Is there any part of what I’ve just said I’m mistaken about?”

“Just from that, I can tell you’ve had a conversation with Calyx, and since he isn’t one to talk first, then you must have come up with many hypotheses and been spinning your wheels over there…”

That’s right. Ricardis shrugged.

Macaron raised an eyebrow.

“If I were to ask you about yourself, would you talk about how you are a mammal who walks on two legs, possesses average physical strength and high intelligence, and is positioned at the top of the food chain… something like that?”

Ricardis hesitated for a moment. Wouldn’t one be curious about another being’s identity: their personality and unique traits? Wouldn’t one want to know about something that describes their characteristics, not just biological information?

“So, you know nothing, in other words.”

Macaron wrapped their arms around Rosaline’s shoulders and turned her around. Just as Ricardis was about to grab at the man, Macaron slightly turned their face, looking at Ricardis.

“I know there’s not much we can do right now, but I wanted to provoke a reaction.”

The man spoke candidly for no reason. Was that also a characteristic of their species? Perplexed, Ricardis responded weakly. What could he do if they wanted to provoke a reaction?

“… Sure.”

***

Emperor Laino addressed the participants before the hunting competition. Everyone applauded while foolishly laughing, and the competitors finished their preparations.

The hunting competition would last six hours, during which the person who caught the most animals would be declared the winner. Each animal had a certain number of points assigned to it, with higher points awarded for capturing more elusive targets. The Imperial family had already stocked the mountain with various animals and excluded dangerous predators as a precaution.

Rosaline emerged onto the open field, holding the reins of a horse with dark black fur. It was the gift she’d received from Ricardis after the envoy mission, the horse named Chocolate. Rosaline patted Chocolate’s back. Ricardis approached her and gently stroked the horse’s mane.

“Do you remember what I said yesterday, Rosaline?”

“Yes. I won’t win.”

Ricardis nodded with a sigh of relief. Perhaps due to the sunny and warm day, Rosaline appeared more sluggish than usual, with a noticeable lack of combat readiness. She seemed to have no intention, not even the slightest desire, of achieving a remarkable performance in the hunting competition.

Her name would be revered if she were to dominate both the martial arts and hunting competitions. However, there was a possibility of getting entangled in somewhat troublesome matters, like the Emperor’s jealousy. Although he wouldn’t dare voice it out loud, the likelihood was high.

That’s why they had decided to discreetly hand over first place in the hunting competition to the Frostlance Knights. Rosaline nodded and spoke.

“I won’t get hurt.”

“If you get injured, I’ll dock your pay.”

Rosaline expressed her frustration with a huff at Ricardis’ words. I’m getting hurt, so why should my salary be reduced?

“For three months.”

Of course, it was a joke, but Rosaline took it at face value. She immediately calculated the value of a three-month pay deduction, excluding the allowance she gave to Calyx. She felt a sense of despair, muttering something about mice and their tails. Ricardis chuckled secretly. [E/N: I’m assuming Rosaline is saying that the remainder of her salary after the deduction will only be about the size of a mouse’s tail. If y’all know more about a particular saying like this, please share!]

“So, don’t get hurt.”

“No. Definitely!”

Rosaline clenched her fists tightly as she responded. Her determined expression was unlike anything Ricardis had ever seen before. It wasn’t even close to when she had said she would protect him on the journey from Balta to Illavenia. Ricardis gently brushed away a fallen eyelash from her cheek and leaned in closer, his eyes shifting from a playful demeanor to seriousness as he focused on Rosaline.

“And there are two more things to keep in mind, right? Do you remember?”

“Yes. Trust no one.”

They whispered to each other in hushed tones, only loud enough for the two of them to hear.

“And never…”

…Leave your position.

A familiar voice interrupted their conversation before the words could escape their lips.

“Your Highness.”

They didn’t hear it often, but the distinctively languid voice was unforgettable. Ricardis and Rosaline turned their heads in its direction. It was Ganje, Balta’s 3rd Princess, whom they hadn’t seen since the day the Balta delegation arrived. She appeared at the hunting competition accompanied by Baltan warriors responsible for escort and surveillance. On Ganje’s face was adorned a smile.

Ricardis was a little surprised. He hadn’t seen her since Balta’s emissary first arrived, and he honestly thought something might have gone wrong or that she had met an untimely demise. Yet, she seemed perfectly fine.

“Long time no see, even when we’re residing within the same Imperial Palace,” Ganje spoke as she approached Ricardis with graceful steps.

The distance between the two rapidly closed. Rosaline snapped back to attention. As a result of repeated training, she knew what would happen next. As Rosaline had anticipated, Ganje gently closed her eyes and leaned toward Ricardis’ cheek. Rosaline’s heart sank. Before she could comprehend her emotions, Rosaline swiftly moved as if carried by the wind.

“Woah.”

Ricardis was suddenly pulled backward by a powerful force. Rosaline disregarded Ricardis, whom she’d thrown into the embrace of Knight Commander Starz, and took his place. Unable to stop her initiated movement, Ganje kissed Rosaline’s cheek instead. It all happened in the blink of an eye.

“Oh my.”

Ganje’s eyes widened. Ricardis, partially held by Starz, watched the scene in a daze. What happened…?

Despite the potentially uncomfortable situation, Ganje showed no signs of displeasure. Instead, she chuckled. Rosaline also lowered her head and kissed Ganje’s cheek. The sound was light and cheerful. The Knights of the White Night covered their mouths with their hands. This situation seemed oddly familiar…

“I see the 3rd Princess of Balta.”

Ganje looked into Rosaline’s eyes, which were right before her and smiled. Her hand still rested on Rosaline’s shoulder.