Chapter 3: TS Princess Wants to Persuade the Saint

TS Princess Wants to Persuade the Saint

The night we left town, we stayed in a small village just off the highway. It was lucky we'd avoided camping for two days in a row and found a decent place to sleep.

...Well, maybe it was unlucky now. I wanted it to take a little longer.

Nina prepared dinner. She's the only member of our party who can cook properly. Normally, I would have enjoyed this dish even more, but right now, I couldn't concentrate on the flavor.

"Isolde, do you have no appetite?"

Oops, I seem to have worried Nina.

"Ah, well... I'm just a little tired."

"Really?... Please don't push yourself."

Nina said, looking at me with a gentle, shy smile. ...Her expression seemed to be saying, "Don't forget your promise."

No, perhaps I was just being paranoid. She was cornered about me and my thoughts were going in the wrong direction. 

I shook my head and look to the side. Clarissa is quietly eating. Her long blonde hair is lit by the candlelight, and her beautiful features have a saintly expression on them.

...Yes, my next target is her.

To be honest, I was surprised when I found out she had feelings for Leon. I didn't really see any signs of it though. Oh well, it seems she actually confessed.

Clarissa is an intelligent woman. It didn't work out with Nina, but if I explain it logically, I'm sure she'll understand. At the very least, it shouldn't turn out like it did with Nina.

Of course, I can't repeat yesterday's mistake. This time I've prepared some persuasive material in advance. Any concerns she has about being with Leon... I want to convince her by removing those.

While I was formulating a plan in my head, the meal was over and the cleanup was complete. Now, it's time to set up the trap. 

"Clarissa, how about we go for a walk? The night breeze feels nice."

"A walk...?"

She seemed a little surprised by my suggestion, something I'd never made before, but soon a gentle smile formed on her face.

"...That sounds good. Let's get some exercise after dinner."

"Okay, let's go."

Leon and Nina sent us off, telling us to be careful, and we left the inn. We walked to the outskirts of the village. The moonlight lit our way. It would be a good environment for a quiet conversation.

I remained silent for a while, waiting for the right opportunity to start the conversation, when Clarissa spoke.

"So, what would you like to talk about?"

"...Yeah."

I guess she knew I wanted to talk. Well, I wouldn't normally invite anyone out like this.

I took a breath and brought up the topic. 

"Clarissa... you like Leon, don't you?"

Clarissa's eyes widen for a moment, then her usual smile returns.

"...You know me well, don't you?"

"I can tell just by looking at you."

It's because of the diary, though.

"So, what's the deal with that?"

"You're just going to give up, aren't you?... Are you sure?"

I speak, trying to keep my expression serious.

"What do you mean?"

Clarissa gazes at me, her expression calm.

"I've heard your thoughts many times, so I know what you're worried about... The Church, right? You want to prevent the power of the higher-ups you dislike from increasing."

She doesn't like the Church she belongs to. ...Or rather, she hates the corrupt upper echelons. Therefore, she would not approve of the idea of ​​the higher-ups gaining more influence by her being in the relationship with the Hero.

I should be the one to resolve that.

"...You understand very well. Yes, there's no good in giving them power."

Clarissa looked a little surprised, then spat out her words in a tone that was unusual for her.

"A marriage between a Saint and a Hero... It's true that it could increase the Church's power. But if I, as a Princess and a Magician with a lot of influence, help, that could change."

I continued.

"You and Leon can be united while maintaining the balance between the Kingdom and the Church. I'll do my best too. I'll support you with all my might so that you can free yourself from the Church."

"....."

Clarissa listened to me in silence, deep in thought.

"So, why don't you try facing your feelings again? Isn't it too early to give up...?"

I pleaded with her seriously. 

Clarissa stared at me intently, then quietly shook her head.

"...I appreciate your feelings. But I have to decline."

"Why!?"

"Leon-sama's feelings... lie elsewhere."

Clarissa looked me in the eye with a fleeting smile.

"Right? Lady Isolde..."

Clarissa continued speaking in her calm tone.

"As long as you and Leon-sama living happily together... That's enough for me."

"No! I don't love Leon!"

I denied her words. Yesterday's failure combined with her words made me cry out loud. 

"Is that really true? Isn't Leon-sama a desirable match? He's honest, strong, and kind. He's accomplished more than enough on this journey. He's the perfect man for you, the Princess."

"...I like him as a person! But marriage is a different story."

"You won't marry anyone unless they're stronger than you, right? There won't be anyone else who fits your criteria in the future. You're a Princess. Do you really think you'll be single forever?"

"....."

Seeing my silence, having been hit where it hurts, Clarissa continues to question me.

"Can I ask you something?"

"...What is it?"

"Why are you so keen to avoid marrying Leon-sama?"

I couldn't answer that question. I couldn't say something ridiculous like... "Because I was a man in my previous life." 

"Well..."

"You don't have to force yourself to talk."

Clarissa said gently.

"You're probably worried about something... But maybe you could be a little more honest?"

"No! I..."

"Leon-sama loves you deeply."

"No!"

I once again firmly denied it. Clarissa sighed quietly.

"I see. Then I won't say anything more."

But there was something cryptic about her expression.

The two of us returned to the inn in silence.

...Another failure.

Clarissa looked back in front of the inn.

"Good night."

"Yeah."

"Sweet dreams~"

I felt there was something meaningful in her smile. I felt uneasy, but there was nothing I could say even if I called out to her now.

I returned to my room and collapsed into bed.

...I didn't understand Clarissa's intentions.

The diary did indeed say that Clarissa had confessed her feelings to Leon. But I felt like she had some other motive.

...I wonder what she was thinking. In the end, she tried to persuade me instead.

...In any case, it was a failure.

Nina misunderstood and declared herself as a concubine.

Clarissa, in fact, persuaded me to marry him.

Should I reject Leon directly before the audience?

But how did I know his feelings?

Should I say I read his diary without his permission?

Should I talk to my father?

.... No, this is a good opportunity to bring the Hero into the royal family. As king, he will definitely push for it. Even if that wasn't the case, this opportunity came unexpectedly for me, who has never taken a fiancée. I would do the same if I was in my father's position.

...Should I just leave the country?

...It would be a major problem if the princess fled the country. Well, honestly, that's fine, but it would cause major disruptions to my magical research. ...I can't accept that.

None of these options are viable.

I lay in bed thinking, but no good ideas came to mind.

"Four days left until the royal capital..."

•

•

The next morning, we set off from town. My eyes are wide open, probably because I barely slept. I'm sure I have dark circles under my eyes.

"Lady Isolde...are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Clarissa looks at me, smiling with concern.

...No good, after what happened yesterday, I can't help but feel like she's up to something.

With each step I take along the highway, the time I have left is wasting away.

Four days left until the royal capital. Time passed without an answer being found. 

Isolde's frustration deepened.