Fake Cinderella

(... How did this happen...)

No matter how much I think about it, I don't know it in my head.

(... because I don't think this is called a walk)

There are also many things in the definition of walking.

But if you don't walk on your own feet, it shouldn't be a walk. At least, by my definition.

"Um... Dear Nadir"

"What?"

Me, my legs are healed.

So I walked myself, and when I tried to get it off my arm, I was held back tight.

"You can keep this up."

(Not good! Definitely not good!!

I'm happy, but I'm not happy, or I don't know what to do anymore, but I look flat.

(... It's probably been a long time since I've been able to hold him like this)

I don't feel uncomfortable or afraid at all, even if I'm held in my arms. Rather, I feel secure being protected.

"... where are you going?

"Enjoy your arrival."

Your Highness looks like he's having fun.

This is probably the first time I've seen something look so fun.

(Something, even fun to me)

"… Your Highness"

"What?"

"Thank you"

"What are you thanking?

"That's what you brought me for a walk"

It's a mystery if we can call this state of our being a walk right now.

(... and I'm not walking)

"... nothing like being thankful"

His Royal Highness gave him a slightly illuminating look.

(Oh, I might really like the look on your face right now...)

I'm sure His Highness Nadir's face like this is sooo rare.

I somehow found out that I had fallen out of the rear palace into the main palace.

Although they were both buildings built on Alsey-Nay in the same age, the difference in purpose between the part to be used privately and the part to be used publicly probably manifests itself in the difference in atmosphere.

He turned in the middle of a long corridor and stood in front of a large door.

"This is my office."

"You're not that big."

"Too wide to concentrate"

"That's right."

I know that very well.

The only reason the bedroom settles in is because thanks to the lid and the book, it will be a space separated like a small room, and where there is a couch in my library, because it is surrounded by bookshelves and separated like a small room.

"... you have no one"

I was wondering if you had a secretary or something, but it was deserted.

"Oh. We're all paying for an investigation"

"Investigation, is it?

"That's right. The work of the secretary is varied. I have a lot of corroborating research to do and find out."

Then I stepped into the dossier room next to the office.

"Lutia."

"Yes."

"... try pushing this shelf"

Like I was told, push the third bookshelf on the wall full of force. But even if I try my best with the whole body, I won't even say yes to the bookshelves.

"... can't you do it yet"

His Highness smiles bitterly, so we push the bookshelf together.

Then, the bookshelf slowly slid sideways.

"Huh?"

It's an underground passage.

"... you're in contact."

"Oh.... they say this is made by Nay too"

(Arsey-Nay...... Ancient Genius Architect...... like Leonardo DaVinci)

I stepped into that space, black pompous and empty, holding it up in His Highness's arms.

"It's a staircase from here, so be careful"

"Yes."

For once, I replied, but to tell you the truth, I don't even remember how I got here anymore.

(When you're held, you don't know the way and you don't remember)

You won't even be able to reach your own palace if you don't send me.

(... well, even if I walked on my own without being held, I probably didn't know anymore)

"... is this, underground,?

"That's right. A vast underground palace stretches beneath the ground of the Royal Palace.... not just the royal palace. Al Greer is a city with a vast labyrinth in its basement."

"Labyrinth, is it?

"Oh. It's complicated and strangely maze. Heritage tells me that sometimes that maze changes."

"... how?

"It's just a heirloom. I haven't been able to confirm yet."

I say unfortunately.

(I really like academics)

He said many times that he wanted to be a scholar, and the others said it.

(Speaking of which, where is that library...)

"... what's up?

"No.... I remember walking down the underground aisle with His Majesty, who died before"

"From the cathedral with the womb of Wang Tai through the underground passage to the library where you don't know, did you?

"Yes."

I look around with Kyolo Kyolo. Though I thought there was something familiar about it, honestly, there can't be any characteristic of a passageway that's the same anywhere.

"I'm probably the most knowledgeable person in the basement, but unfortunately I don't know that library. The basement is labyrinthine, so you don't know everything."

That looked a little unfortunate.

A library is a treasure trove of knowledge. They also say that getting one new library is worth the same as getting one country, and someone as knowledgeable as His Highness would be very interesting.

"One day, let's go find it together. With snacks and lunch."

"... right. It was hard, wasn't it?

"That's right. It's a picnic."

We laugh at each other.

(Something like this, I think...)

It was warm, muddy and filled with tickling feelings.

"Master Nadir."

Called to a quiet voice.

There were several men when I glanced in the direction of my voice.

Everyone is wearing white.

(... 'Scholar'...)

"Your Highness Nadir, it is rare to come at such a time"

About fifty years have passed. A dundee uncle with a monocle on his left smiles gleamingly.

"Oh, I had plenty of time today."

"Don't you say that and they'll call you back soon?

"Well, that's possible."

I guess he's someone I know very well. Tap each other casually and lightly.

"Your Highness, could you introduce me to the one in your arms?

"... I don't mean it."

His Highness takes one sigh.

(Sure, he said the same thing when the previous...... Count Diha)

"Are you so unwilling to introduce us to Her Highness the Adorable?

"Oh, I didn't mean it."

(Huh?)

His Highness was a true face.

(Huh? What? Is that what you mean by "not serious"?

"... I really want to keep them locked up, not outside."

His Royal Highness gives strength to the arms that hold me all the time.

"... Huh? Yeah?"

"Master Nadir is still very obsessed with your favorite things."

"... there's nothing more appealing to me."

"Well, you have no choice. Master Nadir likes and dislikes too much."

And they look at each other with a slight laugh, and then, look at me.

His Royal Highness Nadir looked over at them and then introduced me to one sigh.

"... Rutia, they are the scholars in charge of the excavation investigation of this royal palace"

"Excavation investigation...... is it Nay's architecture?

"Oh.... and please you guys. She is my only queen, the contemporary princess of the keys."

Ooh, I can cheer from their mouths.

"… Your Highness"

One of the scholars kneels in front of me.

"Yes?"

"You can have it in your spare time. Please, I'd like you to join me."

"... with strength, is it?

"Yes."

"What the hell? I can't do anything."

"All you have to do is hang out with the experiment."

"... experiment?

"Yes."

They nod forcefully at me tilting my neck.

(Something, maybe a little scary...)

Somewhere disturbing the sound contained in the word experiment, I turn my gaze to ask Master Nadir.

"You guys, the only time Ruthia's going out with the experiment is when I'm with you."

"It's such a killing."

"Master Nadir will have very little time to experiment."

Everyone complains about it.

"Fool. It's not a sane thing to do, to entrust a madman like you with a precious queen."

That's how you hug me all the time.

There was nothing colored there. There was just something like an obsession with hugging an important stuffed animal, or a pillow.

"Your Highness, we are always waiting for you."

"Please, feel free to come anytime - without His Highness Nadir."

"Thank you"

He looks like His Highness kind of crushed the bitter bug.

That face was strange, and I grinned small and snuck up in His Highness's ear.

"... it's okay. I can't come this far alone."

I'm directional tone deaf, thanks to His Highness for the crease... but I laughed somewhere satisfied.