Little Pink Starfish

A single misstep could cause serious injury. Tense, Asher took a deep breath and slowly, steadily made his way downward.

It’s okay… stay calm… slowly… slowly… ah!

The moment his left foot slipped, a jolt ran through his body as he suddenly dropped. All his weight pulled hard on his arms gripping the sheets.

“…Ugh, ah!”

The shock of falling caused him to swing like a pendulum. Panicking, he tried to regain his footing against the castle wall, but couldn’t manage it.

Calm down—don’t panic.

He tightened his grip on the sheets and waited for the swinging to subside. His heart pounded violently, his breath came in gasps, and sweat beaded on his skin.

“…Slowly… slowly.”

Though awkwardly, he inched closer to the ground—just a little more and he’d be able to safely drop down.

“Alright… if I jump now, I’ll be fine—”

The moment he allowed a small smile to creep onto his lips—

The sheets suddenly tore with a loud rip from above, and he plummeted.

“Eh⁉︎ Wah… uwaaaah!”

Asher fell hard, but luckily landed in a bush. He blinked, now flopped over like a frog, limbs splayed awkwardly.

I-I thought I was gonna die!

I seriously thought I was gonna die!!

His heart pounded, and cold sweat broke out all over him.

…No one saw that, thank goodness—but I must’ve looked ridiculous.

Even though no one had seen it, he still felt embarrassed.

“…………P-Prince Asher?”

Startled by the sudden voice, he looked up to see a noblewoman in a luxurious gown accompanied by several guards, watching him.

She issued instructions to her guards and quickly approached Asher. Pulled out from the bushes and seen in such a pathetic state, Asher forced a smile to mask his discomfort.

“Prince Asher, why were you in such a place?”

“Uh, well…”

Apparently, she hadn’t seen the actual fall. Even better, it seemed the sheet had torn at the window frame, and nothing dangled from the infirmary window. The torn cloth was hidden in the bushes.

“I just wondered what the view would be like from lying there… Haha, good day to you, Duchess Veil. Ah, right—Lady Doriana got engaged, I believe? Congratulations.”

“Ah… yes, thank you, Prince Asher… Um, excuse me, but you have a leaf in your hair…”

“Huh? Ah, sorry.”

He brushed the leaf from his fringe, embarrassed, while the duchess gave him a suspicious look.

“Are you also heading there now, Prince Asher?”

“Ah, well…”

“…My daughter’s engagement aside—Prince Asher, you’re seeking to marry the Black Knight, aren’t you?”

Hiding her mouth behind a fan, the Duchess furrowed her brows in concern. It seemed she too, like the other nobles, did not think highly of the matter.

And there was no way Asher could tell her that both his brothers—and the knight in question—had told him not to attend.

“If you’d like, shall we go together?”

“Ah, but…”

Wait. Actually, if I go with Duchess Veil, maybe I’ll be able to get in without issue…!

With that thought, Asher dusted himself off and turned a bright smile to her.

“Let’s go together.”

He offered his hand. The duchess, momentarily captivated by his smile, hesitated before taking it.

And if he followed her, he wouldn’t get lost. Not having been told anything, he hadn’t had time to investigate on his own, so meeting the duchess here was pure luck.

“I’m terribly sorry, Prince Asher.”

How many times had he heard that now?

The guard standing before the door looked genuinely apologetic.

“W-Why… The discussion is about to begin… I was invited too…”

“My apologies.”

“Guardsman, why is Prince Asher not allowed through? Explain.”

Unable to watch in silence, Duchess Veil pressed the guard. After a brief hesitation, he answered.

“Duchess Veil, you may proceed. However, we’ve been ordered not to allow Prince Asher through.”

“Only me…? How absurd… Who gave such an order?”

“His Highness, Crown Prince Samuel.”

“Prince Samuel…”

So much for sneaking in directly—he’d underestimated them. Maybe Samuel had ordered Theodore to lock him in, too.

They’re seriously trying to keep me out of this… Why go that far?

Seeing Asher slump, the duchess suddenly took his hand and turned her back to the guards, walking off.

“Eh? Um, Duchess Veil?”

“There’s still time. Please, come with me.”

The room she brought him to was one of the castle’s guest chambers for noble visitors. It seemed she was staying there now.

The maids tilted their heads at the sudden return of their mistress—but when they saw Asher, their eyes nearly popped from their sockets.

“M-Madam Maderina… W-Welcome back…”

“Prepare Doriana’s dress.”

“Y-Yes? Um… Pardon me, but is that behind you P-Prince Asher…?”

“Did you not hear me? Fetch the dress I bought yesterday for Doriana!”

“Y-Yes‼︎”

Shouted at, the maid scurried into the adjacent room.

Watching this play out in confusion, Asher finally spoke.

“…Duchess Veil… um, why here…?”

“It’s strange, isn’t it? That Prince Asher, who is central to this discussion, is being shut out?”

The duchess frowned, staring directly at him.

“…Even if it is Crown Prince Samuel, this is overstepping. As it stands, anything the Black Knight says will be trampled. Even if His Majesty and Lady Angela gave their blessing, they must remain neutral…”

Asher was taken aback by her words. He’d assumed she shared the other nobles’ opinions.

“B-but still, why go this far… And, um… Doriana’s dress?”

“…If you sneak in unnoticed by that guard, then it’s our win, no?”

The duchess smiled sweetly.

“I bought a new dress yesterday for Doriana’s engagement. And a hat, too.”

“Eh… um…”

“I’ll have the maids look for a wig in the castle. Your golden hair would give you away immediately.”

“No way…”

“Lady Maderina! I’ve brought it!”

Right on cue, the maid returned, carrying a sky-blue dress adorned with fine jewels.

“Madam, what shall we do with this…?”

The duchess deepened her smile and looked at Asher. The maid looked between them, completely confused.

Twitching slightly, Asher asked again.

“Duchess Veil… no way, right?”

That no way was indeed the case, for the duchess curved her red lips into a smile and gave a slow nod.

The maid, glancing between the two, wore a troubled look.

“No, come on, I’m a man—this is way too much.”

“If you pose as a noble’s daughter and sneak in, even if you’re discovered halfway through, surely not even Prince Samuel would throw you out in front of His Majesty. Just stay hidden until the time is right.”

“Going in disguised as a woman!?”

“Then wait outside the door while the Black Knight is condemned by the nobles.”

“…Y-You’re a noble too, Duchess Veil.”

Why would she help him?

Doubtful, Asher looked at her. But her smile didn’t waver.

“…Yes, I’m a noble. And a pitiful widow who lost her husband. A mother who wishes for her daughter’s happy marriage. And—if I may be so bold—a friend of Lady Angela.”

She stared directly at Asher.

“And I have a feeling. A strong one. That I should take Prince Asher there… My intuition is often right.”

She giggled behind her fan.

Disguising himself seemed like the only option. Asher searched for another way, but nothing came to mind.

“Well then, Prince Asher… what will you do?”