I'm a court magician. Recently, I’ve been worrying about the princess staring at me.

“Hey, Raize. The princess is watching you again.”

“You don’t have to tell me, Elt-san.”

Sitting at the benches in the gardens of the Royal Palace, I spilled a sigh. My colleague, Elt-san, sat next to me. I stopped eating the homemade sandwich in my hand and turned my gaze toward the fountain in the center of the gardens. A woman was peeking at us from behind it.

“Are you sure you haven’t done anything? Hasn’t she been staring at you all week?”

“No, more than a week…”

In fact, it’s been several.

“I really don’t know why she keeps watching me… Lately, it’s all that’s been on my mind.”

“I don’t think she’d hate such a well-mannered guy…”

Elt-san put down his sandwich, crossed his arms, and made a troubling gesture.

“Did you offend her somehow?”

“Me? It’s impossible. Come on, I’m a court magician, and she’s the princess of our country. Sure, we cross paths sometimes in the royal palace, but other than that we don’t interact.”

“I guess so…”

Not knowing the cause, I sighed again.

Elt-san wiped his hands and drank some tea. Tea from my flask, by the way.

“There’s no reason for it. We’re in completely different social castes.”

“Are you sure?”

I searched my memories as hard as I could, trying to remember the actions and words and deeds I’d done since I had come to the kingdom. After a minute of fruitless thinking─

“Nope, nothing.”

“Huh?”

“There’s nothing that rings a bell.”

“Maybe you just forgot?”

“I doubt it.”

If I had an audience with the princess, I would certainly remember it. Well, it was true that I’d see her sometimes, considering I worked in the royal palace, but I never talked to her or did anything rude.

I wish I knew how this situation came about.

“Oh, here’s an idea.”

Elt-san raised his index finger in a flash and smiled.

I’d known him for a few months now, and when he smiled like this, he was usually thinking about something weird. I couldn’t trust him.

…Do I ask him? Not that I expect anything to come of it.

“What is it?”

“Just ask her directly.”

…? What are you talking about?

“Directly… the princess?”

“Who else is there?”

“No, no, no.”

That would be too difficult. Even though we both frequented the royal palace, she wasn’t someone I could talk to. If I were unlucky, it could spell the end of my life as a court magician. My neck could be blown off. Realistically speaking.

I wouldn’t want that to happen. I had arrived here only months ago, after finally leaving my village.

“I’ve been lucky enough to become a court magician, so I’d rather not end my life here. Please don’t say anything that would hasten the death of your junior.”

“Don’t worry. No one would sentence you to death for simply talking to her…”

“Really, now?”

I glanced at Elt-san nervously, prompting him to laugh dryly.

“Actually, maybe someone would. When humans have power, they do things that don’t make sense.”

“Thanks, I’m even more worried now… Well, I don’t think the princess would do that. She’s known for being very kind.”

“She’s also very popular with the people.”

Her Royal Highness was a wonderful person both on the inside and outside, what with her beautiful appearance and benevolent, gentle personality. In no small part due to her presence, the royal family was well received by the citizens.

Suddenly, my eyes met those of the princess.

Our postures both immediately stiffened.

In this kind of situation, I should move first. Being absent-minded right now was not the best idea. The other party was a princess. If I even seemed disrespectful, my head could fly away!

I stretched my mouth wide, trying to present a beaming smile.

“—Huh?”

The princess’s face turned a bright crimson. She bit her lip, then swiftly turned around and ran away. Her dazzling silver hair fluttered behind her.

…Did you hate the thought of meeting me that much?

“Ohhhh, so that’s what this is?”

Unlike me, who was tilting my head in confusion, Elt-san muttered meaningfully.

“Oh, yes, yes, yes.”

Then he slapped me on the shoulder.

“You… are such a sinful guy.”

“What?”

I understood even less now. Nevertheless, Elt-san gave me a thumbs up and a mysterious smile. Soon after, I stood up and left the gardens.

“…What could it be?”