Tilea's Worries

Timu-chan gave me a strict order to finish every last bite.

When it comes to anything related to her sister, Timu-chan never compromises. I have this terrible feeling she might force-feed me like a goose.

But I can’t do it. It’s absolutely impossible!

If I eat any more, it’ll start coming out of every hole. I’m going to throw up everything.

Please, spare me…

With teary eyes, I look at Timu-chan.

No use. Timu-chan’s face may be smiling, but her eyes are filled with murderous intent that clearly says she’ll kill me if I leave anything.

What should I do?

The feast that looked like heaven now feels like a full course from hell.

"Tiimuuu! You’re such a bad girl, aren’t you? Don’t make Miless-chan suffer!"

Just as I was sinking into despair, Tilea-san grabbed Timu-chan’s cheek and started pulling it.

Am I saved?

"Um, is it really okay if I don’t finish everything?"

"Oh, it’s fine, it’s fine. The rest will be eaten by the staff. Don’t force yourself, okay?"

"Th-thank goodness. I’m really full."

"I see. But there’s still dessert and tea. What do you want to do? If you’re too full—"

"I’ll have it!"

Dessert is a whole different matter. I love sweets.

Especially the matcha ice cream Tilea-san mentioned—it really piqued my interest. I thought I was full, but suddenly I feel a bit hungry again.

Then, the dessert was brought out.

So this is matcha ice cream…

It’s a fresh green color with a delightful tea fragrance. And it looks so crisp and refreshing.

Did they chill it with ice magic?

It looks so cool and delicious.

I scoop up a spoonful and take a bite.

Sweet! It’s so sweet and delicious!!

The refined sweetness seeps into my tongue. It’s not just sweet; it’s a transcendent, heavenly sweetness.

I declare this with utmost confidence as someone who has a sweet tooth.

There’s no dessert in the world better than this.

I savor every bite, taking my time with it.

…

………

…………

Ah, the dreamy moment has ended.

I pat my belly after finishing the dessert.

I’m definitely full now. Not even sweets could fit in anymore.

As I bask in the afterglow, a well-mannered man with a mustache brings over the tea.

Is this the staff member, Nielsen-san?

"I’ve brought you tea."

Nielsen-san gracefully pours the tea.

He skillfully moves the caddy spoon, scooping the tea leaves. There’s no wasted movement until the tea flows from the pot.

I may be a noble, but I can recognize quality when I see it. Every gesture he makes is refined. This isn’t just any staff member—he’s a butler. A perfect butler. It wouldn’t be surprising if someone told me he was the head butler for a high-ranking noble.

"He seems really capable," I say to Timu-chan, who’s sitting across from me, sipping her tea.

The words just slip out as I watch Nielsen-san.

"Of course. Nielsen is my right-hand man."

Timu-chan says this with a hint of pride.

Wow, impressive.

Timu-chan is actually praising someone other than her sister. For Timu-chan, who’s usually so critical, to say this, Nielsen-san must be exceptionally skilled.

Yes, he looks dashing, and he seems well-educated. Nielsen-san is probably a noble too.

At this point, I no longer believe for a second that Tilea-san and her family are ordinary folk.

There’s no way an ordinary person could casually host a dinner like this. The food and the furnishings are all top-notch. How much must this dinner have cost?

This kind of banquet… Even regular nobles couldn’t pull this off. Only a few high-ranking nobles could.

I’m convinced now that Tilea-san and her family are people of extremely high status who have fled from the East.

Once, when I asked Timu-chan if she was related to the Arcdas royal family, she got really mad, almost as if to say, "Don’t compare me to such a trivial royal family."

In other words, she must have been a princess of a colossal nation far greater than the Arcdas royal family. Perhaps she’s attending school here as a way to settle down in this land.

That makes sense.

If they lost in a power struggle and fled here, they wouldn’t reveal their true status. That’s why Tilea-san claims they come from a humble background.

Well, it’s a pretty weak excuse. Timu-chan’s charisma is far too overwhelming.

There’s more to it, though.

1. There’s someone like Nielsen-san, who seems more like a head butler or perhaps even a captain of the guard.

  Even in my family, which holds a noble title, we never had such an elegant servant.

2. Timu-chan is well-versed in high society.

  She’s attended outrageously extravagant parties before, according to her.

3. Timu-chan is gradually taking control of the academy.

  She casually bosses around Anasie-senpai, who’s a countess.

  But of course.

  She’s a princess from a colossal nation in the East. Managing people is second nature to her.

  Actually, I should’ve realized it sooner. There’s no way she’s a commoner.

4. Timu-chan dislikes having others call her by her true name.

  This seems to be a tradition from the East, called an "inaiki."

  Only the closest of confidants are allowed to use one’s true name.

  I’ve heard that if someone else uses it casually, they could be beheaded.

  This inaiki tradition becomes more prominent the higher one’s status.

  That’s why Timu-chan only allows Tilea-san to call her by her true name.

  And having others call her "Camilla" might be because her country worships Camilla.

Tilea-san…

You tried to brush it off as a "chuunibyou," but that’s not true, is it?

It’s an Eastern tradition, right? You just didn’t want to reveal your status.

But Tilea-san allows others to call her by her name.

Does that mean my theory is wrong?

Could it be that "Tilea" is a fake name?

Hmm, but Tilea-san is friendly and beautiful. However, she lacks the charisma and majesty that Timu-chan exudes. She feels more like a commoner than royalty.

Wait, could it be…!

Tilea-san is probably an illegitimate child. That’s why she doesn’t adhere to the inaiki tradition. Her approachable nature is likely because her mother was of common birth. Tilea-san must take after her mother. The parents in Belm are likely her mother’s low-status family.

Yes, it all makes sense now.

Tilea-san and Timu-chan are half-sisters, yet they’re very close. One day, the rightful heir, Timu-chan, lost the power struggle and was forced to flee her homeland.

To regroup, she hid her identity and came to this land with her sister Tilea-san and a trusted retinue.

Tilea-san, being an illegitimate child, is more accustomed to the world, but Timu-chan is different. She likely only learned ancient martial arts and imperial studies.

Looking back, Timu-chan always seemed bored at the academy. It was as if she was thinking, "This isn’t my place. Why is someone like me, who belongs in the heavens, in a place with these commoners?" That’s the attitude she had in class.

Of course.

A princess of the royal family, attending school with commoners and even some nobles, wouldn’t find it enjoyable.

…This theory has to be right.

Should I ask?

No, even if I ask directly, she won’t tell me the truth. There’s still not enough trust between Timu-chan and me.

Maybe I’ll ask Timu-chan indirectly?

"Hey, Camilla-sama, Nielsen-san isn’t just a regular employee, is he?"

"Miless, what’s with the sudden question?"

"Well, Nielsen-san seems like a really capable person. I was wondering if he might be the head butler or perhaps the captain of the guard."

"Hm? Miless, you…"

Camilla-sama seems a bit surprised.

Oh no, I might have messed up.

Saying "captain of the guard" is basically admitting I know she’s royalty.

"Haha… Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked."

"Yes, your deduction is correct."

Huh? She’s actually answering?

"You look like you’re wondering if it’s okay to share such information with someone like you."

"Is it really okay?"

"My sister told me I could reveal a certain amount of information. One must be honest with their friends."

I’m so happy…

Timu-chan doesn’t say anything more.

But I can deduce a lot from what she has said.

Indeed, Timu-chan is of noble blood. Nielsen-san must be her loyal retainer.

His position… He certainly looks like a head butler. But from the way he moves and his physique, it’s clear he’s well-versed in martial arts.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he were the captain of the guard.

Haha, I feel a bit happy that Timu-chan is willing to share this much with me. Maybe she trusts me, even if just a little.

Now I understand what Tilea-san meant when she said:

"Please be Timu’s friend."

Timu-chan was likely raised to be a king among kings. In such an environment, there was probably no time

 to rest.

Constant factional struggles with all kinds of demons.

The heavy burden of royalty.

Enemies all around.

Even though Tilea-san was there, as an illegitimate child, they probably couldn’t meet freely. Timu-chan might have had loyal retainers, but she never laughed from the bottom of her heart.

There was no way she could have made friends.

Then she lost the political battle and was exiled. It’s tragic, but Tilea-san likely sees this as a chance for Timu-chan to live as a person, not just as a king.

Now I understand why Timu-chan adores Tilea-san so much. She’s the only one she can truly trust.

I’ll do my best.

I might not be able to understand the sadness of being born to be a king. But I’ll be there to support Timu-chan’s heart.