Echoes of Philomel

A Shift in Shadows

It seems that the fruit of the World Tree was a good medicine. After drinking the tea sent by Eustis, Philomel regained her strength. She felt that her body and head were lighter than before.

In the princess's literature class, Philoman, who closed the book he was reading, said to the literature teacher.

"I read everything. What should I read next?"

"Have you read it already? If you've just turned over the bookshelf..."

"I really read it all. If you're in doubt, ask questions from what I have read."

Philomel got all the questions given by the teacher right. Her nursemaid and her teachers watched with wide eyes as the princess eagerly attended her class, almost as soon as she got up from her sick bed. It was completely different from before when she showed no interest in the content of her class and just spent time doing something else. She said there was something Philomel didn't understand, and when she voluntarily organized her questions and went to him, the elderly foreign language teacher even freaked out.

She also spent her free time quietly taking supplementary classes or reading books. And her time with Nazar was no exception.

"...ness... Her Highness the Princess."

"Um, Nazar. I have a question, when was the Battle of Decilia?"

"It was in the 132nd year of the Imperial calendar."

"Oh right. Thanks for letting me know. After all, Nazar is smart."

Nazar glanced at his fiancé sitting across from him, memorizing a history book.

"Shall we spend time doing our own homework today? Nazar, from now on, brings a pastime from your house. It's once a week, but it's a shame if you waste your precious time in vain."

As soon as she met his face, Philomel said that, opened the book, and began to study without paying any attention to Nazar. Philomel's gaze lingered on the book, even on the occasional question she did not know.

Permission was granted to borrow a book from the imperial library for his empty hand, but he didn't feel like it. Nazar emptied only the teacup placed in front of him like a machine, feeling like a borrowed barley sack. It was the first time he had been so free since he entered the palace to play with the princess. Up until now, after Philomel had moved as she wanted, it was always time to go back in an instant.

'Are you mad at me?'

Even though he knew it wasn't polite, Nazar stared intently at the small face that was concentrated enough to be buried in the book. Far from being angry, Philomel always smiled at Nazar, but he felt a strange sense of distance.

It was awkward. The sense of distance, as if blocked by a thin glass wall, and Philomel, who had no interest in Nazar. At that awkwardness, the young lord tilted his head. For some reason, he was not in a good mood. In the past, there were times when he wished that the princess would become a little more mature... but for some reason, it wasn't good at all.

The change wasn't just that. The number of times the princess would lose her temper to those under her was markedly reduced.

Clink!

"Ah. Sorry! Princess!"

A teacup dropped by her maid shattered. The bluebird painted on the surface was split into three pieces. The teacup was a gift given to her by Prince Avrydon on her birthday last year and was one of the princess's most treasured possessions.

"So... sorry! I'm so sorry, ah!"

The maid trembled at the thought that she would be severely punished since it was her fault. In fact, even if the princess was angry, it wouldn't be much of a problem if her nanny would stop her, but recently the nanny had fallen out of favour with her. She went back to her hometown on vacation because she forgot her souvenirs.