The Invincible Aloof Yandere Princess Falls in Love with Her Younger Court Mage's Fatherly Warmth! ~She Clung to Him So Much That the King Fired Him. When He Made Marriage His Official Reason for Resigning Under Royal Order, the Light Vanished from the Princess's Eyes~ - Volume 1 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Tantrum

The princess stood up from her chair and walked over to me with light steps until she stood right in front of me.

From the princess’s point of view, I was supposed to be in a situation where I wanted to quit because of marriage but was not allowed to. She must have known I came to her office to protest.

“Princess. You understand why I’m here, right? I’m not here to have a fun chat…”

“Mmm. You don’t have to make such a scary face… No matter the reason, I’m really happy to see you this morning?”

The princess lowered the corners of her eyebrows sadly.

I did not mean to look scary, but I came for a serious talk. Right now, my position was really bad. I had to somehow make the princess give up on forcing things.

“So, princess. This time, isn’t it just too unreasonable? I’m grateful that you’ve valued me this much, but…”

“Unreasonable?”

“Yes, unreasonable. Interfering in the court mages’ personnel decisions by jumping over the proper chain of command. And earlier—you even said something that sounded like a coup threat.”

“…But”

The princess looked down at my words.

“I—I just didn’t want to be separated from Albert no matter what…”

She said it cutely with a pouty mouth. But still, there were limits.

“…Those feelings make me really happy. But it’s still too much. Especially the threat part.”

“But”

“No buts. It’s true that His Majesty relies on you, and you’ve already been given important work. Plus, that hair and your unique magic—they’re the reasons you’re called the second coming of the first king. But because of that—when you talk about usurping the throne, it sounds way too real.”

Yes. The princess was already seen by some nobles as the successor to His Majesty.

The rare silver hair that sometimes appeared in the royal family. The unique magic passed down in the royal line. Both were the same features as the first king of the Atlas Kingdom.

And because of that, there was even a movement to put the princess on the throne as the next ruler, skipping her older brother the crown prince.

If things went wrong, it could split the country, and who knew what dangers might come to the princess herself…

My worries seemed to reach her properly.

The princess looked up, her eyes growing teary, and gazed at me dreamily.

“I’m happy. You’re worried about me.”

“Of course I am. You’re my important magic student, princess.”

“……..But still just a student, huh.”

Hm? I did not catch the last part. The princess’s face clouded over, and the light seemed to fade from her eyes.

Actually. The princess had been in that role-play mode all day today. Usually, it only started when she gave the signal.

As I tilted my head,

“But you know, Albert. I will absolutely never give up my position as your student. No matter what anyone says…”

“That’s… but—”

“I know. You’re going to say it’s because of your wife, right.”

She said it before I could.

But yes. That was the only reason I could give the princess. I could not tell her that His Majesty ordered me to quit.

And if she understood that—

“Don’t worry? —I’ll bring your wife here.”

“Huh?”

“We’ll all live in the palace together. I really want to be Albert’s number one, but… I’ll try hard to hold back. I won’t make your wife… disappear or anything.”

She bit her lip hard. She could not fully control her own feelings.

This was a really bad development. It was impossible to bring a nonexistent person here.

“No, um, princess. But you see. The person who will be my wife says she doesn’t want to leave her hometown.”

“Is that absolute? Can’t she give in on just that much?”

“Uh, umm. I think it’s diffi—”

“……Even though she stole my Albert?”

Whoa, her eyes…! They changed from the color of a child throwing a tantrum to clear anger.

“I’m giving up being Albert’s number one, you know? And even then, you’re still not satisfied until you have everything? A-Are you going to take everything from me—?”

“Princess, calm down a lit—”

“—When Albert is the only one I have!”

She distorted her usually cool face. The princess cried out desperately, appealing to me.

…I never thought it was this much. I knew she liked me, but this was an abnormal level of attachment.

This was trouble. The princess said she would never let me go no matter what. That meant no matter how hard I tried, confrontation with His Majesty was unavoidable.

Plus, I felt bad that my lie had hurt the princess.

What should I do about this.

I was at a loss with the princess staring at me, trembling. As I thought for a while without finding a solution,

“Hey. Albert, say something… D-Did you end up hating me?”

“…If I said yes, would you quietly let me quit?”

“Absolutely not! Even if Albert hates me, just being by your side would…! In the worst case, I could tie your hands and feet and keep you in my room—”

This was bad. Hmm.

“I don’t hate you. I’m just troubled…”

I could not think of a good plan in this situation right now. The princess was breathing hard too, not in a state for calm conversation.

“Let’s leave it at this for today. I’ll think a bit more about what to do from now on.”

“No matter what Albert says, I won’t give in on this…! If you won’t tell me, I’ll find where your wife is myself! I’ll absolutely never give up on Albert!”

“… Then, excuse me for today. I’ll come again.”

I bowed to the princess stomping her foot and headed for the room’s exit.

This—really, what should I do?