Caine had no reason to doubt Vita’s temporary departure.
After all, her credibility was higher than Corellia’s in his eyes. Even if Corellia might be plotting something in the shadows, Vita wouldn’t.
Besides, what was there to be suspicious about in a twenty-minute absence?
So, Caine didn’t overthink it and simply sat back to rest.
From this resting area, he could see many passersby. Having the time to watch others enjoy the festival was a form of leisure in itself.
While Caine had no intention of initiating a conversation, that didn’t mean Edwina felt the same.
“…Um, Mother, do you like the atmosphere here?”
Just as Caine was soaking in the leisure, the Princess’s hesitant voice came from beside him.
Caine looked toward the sound and found Edwina staring at him, holding a glass bottle with both hands.
Seeing her stiff, rule-abiding posture even during their break, Caine realized he had probably been focusing too much on Vita and the festival.
He had forgotten that this quiet Princess was likely visiting a place like this for the first time.
She probably felt out of place, which was why she asked if he liked the atmosphere.
“I wouldn’t go as far as to say I like it, but it’s certainly not bad. Not to mention, this is an event Vita supported and participated in.”
Caine didn’t intend to lie; he simply gave a straightforward answer.
“…That’s true. I’m sorry for asking such a strange question.”
After a short pause, a polite and cultured smile appeared on Edwina’s face as she apologized.
Caine was right. Even if she wasn’t interested in the event itself, she would naturally feel some fondness for it since an acquaintance was involved in organizing it.
She really had asked a strange question.
She didn’t know what had come over her; the question had slipped out before she realized it.
‘This won’t do. I’m spacing out right in front of Mother… It wouldn’t even be strange if I were scolded. I have to pull myself together.’
“…It’s fine, there’s no need to apologize. Besides, I only said it wasn’t bad. If I had to come here every day, I’d definitely have a headache. Edwina, do you not like the atmosphere here?”
“Eh?”
Edwina, not expecting Caine to turn the question back on her, was stunned for a moment.
“Ah, no. Just like you, I don’t particularly like it, but I don’t hate it either. If Aunt Vita hadn’t brought me, I certainly wouldn’t have come to a place like this on my own.”
Realizing that her dazed state was rude, she quickly composed herself and smiled as she replied.
“…You’re quite honest, Edwina. How about relaxing for once?”
Seeing her so serious, Caine felt a bit helpless and teased his “daughter.”
“Eh? But as a member of the Royal Family, shouldn’t I maintain elegance and composure at all times?”
Edwina blinked, an expression of surprise on her face.
“…That’s true, but are you really Princess Edwina right now?”
“What do you mean by that… Oh.”
She was confused at first, but seeing Caine’s warm expression, she suddenly seemed to understand and looked down at herself.
Though her style hadn’t changed much, her current outfit certainly didn’t make her look like royalty.
“…Are you saying I should let loose and enjoy the event’s atmosphere rather than keeping myself detached from it?”
Edwina was prone to melancholy, but she was actually quite intelligent.
Caine had only given her a hint, and she had already deduced what he meant.
“…I’ll leave that to your judgment. You can continue being your usual self or let loose once in a while. Either way, I won’t tell anyone about today, not even Corellia.”
Caine replied with a smile to his “daughter’s” question.
He seemed to be taking a hands-off approach, but based on his words, he was actually supporting Edwina in temporarily setting aside the constraints of her princess status. He wanted her to enjoy the event as vibrantly as any other girl her age.
After all, people were complex. One could be passionate about what they liked and indifferent to what they didn’t; there was no need to be so hard on oneself.
“…Thank you for your concern, Mother, but I’ll pass for today. After all, Aunt Vita is still here.”
Normally, she would have followed Caine’s advice and set aside her princess duties.
But Edwina didn’t do that. She maintained her princess-like demeanor, her legs together and tilted to one side in an elegant seated posture, as she smiled serenely at Caine.
“Next time, when Aunt Vita isn’t around… when it’s just the two of us, I’ll temporarily forget my status as a princess. You haven’t forgotten, have you? You promised to go out with me, just the two of us.”
She wasn’t refusing; she was simply saying that with Vita present, she felt too embarrassed to let her guard down.
When it was just the two of them, she would do it.
Doing such a thing was still somewhat shameful for her, so she wanted as few people to know about it as possible. Specifically, just her and Caine would be enough—not even Aunt Vita.
“Ah, there was such a thing, wasn’t there? Oh boy, what should I do? If I were taking a son out, I could probably think of where to go, but a daughter is a bit more troublesome.”
Naturally, Caine hadn’t forgotten the promise to go out with Edwina.
To lighten the mood, he intentionally teased her in a half-joking, easygoing tone.
His slightly troubled look was clearly an act rather than a real headache.
“Anywhere is fine! If we go for a picnic in the suburbs, I’ll dress up as a Mage adventurer to prevent monster attacks. Or… would it be better to dress as a Magic Swordsman occasionally, like Vanessa?”
Edwina hadn’t completely let go of her restraint, but with Vita gone and only the two of them there, she had indeed opened up a bit.
She was as relaxed as she had been in Caine’s room when they spoke alone.
“…Wearing a tight uniform like Altina’s would be nice too. I’m sure you could pull off any kind of clothing, Edwina.”
“Thank you for the compliment. I’ll make sure to prepare well for that day so I don’t let you down. Ah, why don’t we make it this Sunday?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.”
“It’s a promise, then, Mother. This Sunday. As for the specific location, I’ll let you know later~”
Forgetting the noise, the chaos, her status, and her sorrows, Edwina laughed happily. She looked up at the young man beside her like a girl in love, immersed in an atmosphere of joy.