Contrary to Theo's words that I shouldn't expect much, the festival night was so enjoyable that I kept replaying the memories. Especially the sight of the sky filled with swarms of floating lanterns was spectacular. Just as Theo said, it felt as if the sky and the earth were connected.
As I recalled yesterday's memories and wrote them down as they came to mind, my diary was soon filled with a whole page. I looked at the diary, now undeniably at a human level, with satisfaction and then put it in the drawer.
Knock knock-.
While I was contemplating whether to swing on the swing for the first time in a while while waiting for Theo, I checked the time at the sound of the knock. It's already time for Annie to come.
Since I became human, the number of servants has decreased even more. Especially, Annie was the only one who could enter Theo's bedroom. Annie was also one of the few people who knew that I was a divine beast.
While Annie was cleaning, I took out my diary again and scribbled here and there. After all, I'm a divine beast, I can't just swing and play in front of other people! As I was pretending to be serious and scribbling in my diary, Annie, who had been glancing at me throughout the cleaning today, seemed restless as if she had something to worry about.
"Do you have something to say?"
"H-huh, w-well, that is."
I couldn't stand it anymore and spoke first. She was startled, but she didn't deny it, so she must have something to say. I closed my diary and turned to Annie.
"What is it? You can speak comfortably."
Of course, even if I tell her to speak comfortably, she can't really speak comfortably. Annie nodded with effort and hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.
"Um... there are blasphemous rumors circulating in the palace right now... that Second Prince Theo engages in homosexual acts, and that Shuian... is a priest or black magician of the Erebus Order... The rumors that deserve condemnation are so rampant that I am worried and tell you!"
As I listened to Annie's words, I had to clench my jaw tightly to control my mouth from opening in absurdity. What is this...
"No, putting aside the homosexual rumors. What's with the priest and black magician rumors?"
"It seems that the rumors arose because Shuian always wears a hood. Most of those wicked people wear hoods to hide their black veins..."
Could these rumors be the Empress's doing too? Am I really going to peck her all to pieces?! As I was grinding my teeth, Annie's face turned pale and she cowered. I quickly relaxed my expression and said.
"Thank you for telling me."
"H-huh, n-no problem!"
"And thank you for washing my cushion so cleanly every day. It's my favorite cushion. I've wanted to say that since I was an eagle."
At my words of gratitude, Annie's cheeks turned red and she repeatedly bowed before leaving the room. I should have told her sooner if I knew she would be so happy.
Anyway, the fact that such rumors were circulating was definitely not a favorable situation for us. Homosexuality may not be a flaw for the imperial family, who are considered to be able to do whatever they want, but priests and black magicians, who are taboo in the empire, are on a different level.
But it's ambiguous to say it's the Empress's doing. Even if such rumors circulate, all you have to do is prove that they are not true. In other words, it wouldn't have a big impact on the Crown Prince's appointment. What the Empress wants is for Theo to be completely eliminated, not to childishly tarnish his reputation.
I don't know if it's the Empress's doing or not, but all I have to do is prove that the rumors are false anyway. Above all, I am a divine beast, so it's not difficult to prove. Rather, I could turn the rumors around.
I'm now used to speaking, I can read to some extent, and I'm used to switching between human and eagle. It's not satisfactory, but it means I'm not too lacking to appear in front of people.
If Annie told me, it means the rumors have already spread quite a bit, so Theo must have heard them too, but why hasn't he said anything? Judging by the fact that he keeps putting it off, he must be worried that I'm in danger.
'I need to pull myself together, especially at times like this.'
First of all, I need to think about how to reveal that I am a divine beast in a way that is beneficial to Theo. Just as I was thinking that I should discuss it with Theo when he comes, the door opened.
Our dear Theo sure can't be respectable gentleman! Hmm… but he is a prince anyway? Ah—wait, no, that’s not the point right now!
"Theo!"
"Shuian, did anything happen today?"
"Yes, there was. A very important thing."
"Important thing?"
First, I hugged Theo tightly to mean that he had worked hard since morning, and then sat him down.
"Theo, have you heard our rumors?"
"...Who told you about that?"
"That's not important."
"But..."
"I know, I know what Theo is worried about. But if we stay like this, nothing will change."
Looking at Theo's face, which was full of worries even though it was just about revealing my identity, I couldn't help but smile.
"I'm ready. Ready to protect Theo. Is Theo ready too?"
"Always."
He sighed deeply and pulled me into his arms. He hugged me so tightly that he seemed afraid that I would disappear as I am.
"What if I lose you, even just in case."
"That won't happen."
"I think I know how the Empress feels now. Just as you are precious to me, the Emperor's crown must be precious to that woman. To the point where she will do anything to not have it taken away."
At Theo's words, I immediately frowned. Is he crazy?!
"Are you crazy?! You shouldn't say such things, even if it's someone else! How can you rationalize what that woman did!"
"I mean..."
"Whether it's your words or my words, you said bad things, so your mouth is confiscated for 5 minutes!"
Theo was about to say something, but when he saw me getting angry like fire, he closed his mouth again. Then he rolled his eyes and mouthed something.
"Huh?"
'Lunch. Shall we eat?'
I couldn't help but laugh at him gesturing as if he was eating. When I couldn't hold back my laughter, Theo smiled back and mouthed something again.
'You'll cancel the confiscation, right?'
I immediately hardened my face.
"No."
You can't try to get away with everything with cuteness!
ê•¥
Theo, whose mouth was confiscated for 5 minutes, kept his mouth shut without complaint until the time was up. How is he going to live in this harsh world being so docile...
After lunch, Theo summoned Orca to the bedroom and asked for his opinion on how to reveal my identity. He also looked serious, as if he was aware of the rumors.
"First of all, as Your Highness suggested, it would be best to reveal Lord Shuian’s true identity in front of as many people as possible. How about a hearing? We could use the unfavorable public sentiment to our advantage."
Orca added after a moment of thought.
"The more negative the atmosphere is for us, the better. We can create a more dramatic atmosphere when there is a twist."
"Then it would be better to have the Empress or the neutral faction propose a hearing first. If Shuian engages in external activities without revealing his face, the neutral faction will step forward first."
"How about pretending to strengthen the rumor that you engage in homosexual acts to divert attention? It would be even better if Your Highness acts overly affectionate with Lord Shuian. Some fools will be fooled, even if the Empress, who is quick-witted, won't be. First, I will look for official events that Lord Shuian can attend with you."
"It will take some time to sort the invitations, so it would be good to go out often until then."
They must work well together because they get along so well... It was truly amazing how their opinions matched so well. Theo pondered something for a while and added as if muttering to himself.
"Acting affectionate... Then I can be with Shuian outside too."
"Is that what's important now...? Hah, never mind."
No, were you thinking about being together outside now...? How much more are you going to stick together! But I didn't think it was too bad either, so I pretended to look around and pretended not to care.
"The more exaggerated and artificial it looks, the more doubts people will have."
"Okay."
"That means you shouldn't enjoy it too much."
"I'll try."
Uh... But Theo is already enjoying it too much.
Orca was so worried that he repeatedly nagged Theo as if he was urging him, and then returned to his office.
"But where are we going to play?"
"Well, it's good to go wherever our feet take us, and it's also good to go to famous dating spots. Then, shall we go shopping today?"
"To buy what?"
"Anything. Those who are crazy in love are bound to be extravagant."
There's not much I want to have. I nodded vaguely.
The preparations for going out were quickly completed. I took a magic potion in preparation for anything that might happen and pulled my hood down. In contrast to me, Theo dressed well so that anyone could tell he was a nobleman at a glance.
After that, it was simple. We took the black six-horse carriage led by six black horses, which is Theo's trademark, got off at the most crowded place in the capital, and then roamed the streets, or went into any store we liked and shopped as if we were sweeping it all up.
The climax was at a jewelry store. Theo, confident in his acting, hugged my waist tightly and gestured to the jewelry with his chin, arrogantly saying to the owner.
"My lover likes shiny things, so calculate everything he likes."
The owner, whose mouth was so wide open that I wondered if gravity was only acting strongly on his chin, looked back and forth between Theo and me several times before finally coming to his senses and starting to show me various jewels.
I, who had never been extravagant like this, trembled and barely picked a few that seemed to be less expensive, but tragically, they were all the most expensive jewels in the store. Of course, regardless of my pale face, Theo handed over a checkbook with a satisfied face.
After shopping, we didn't forget to have dinner at a restaurant that nobles frequented the most, and have dessert at a cafe that was popular among young ladies these days.
Sitting face to face with two men in a cute cafe with sweet desserts in between made me think for a moment that this was not something to do, but I thought it was bearable because I thought it was work. Yes, this is much better than washing dishes by hand in cold water.
Being outside from dawn to dusk was quite difficult for me, who had become a divine beast and had a lot more stamina.
Apart from the physical fatigue, it felt like receiving people's attention consumed a lot of mental energy. I thought Theo, who always lives like this, was amazing.
Uh... Come to think of it, does that mean I have to do this for at least a few more days?
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