Vigilance at the main city gates of the Autumn Kingdom was constant. On an afternoon like any other, a man of rough appearance and worn clothes attempted to enter the walls. One of the city guards, experienced and attentive, promptly stopped him.
"Identification, please," the soldier requested firmly.
The stranger, however, carried no document to prove his identity or the purpose of his visit. Barred, and without argument, the mercenary turned back and returned to the band awaiting him hidden in the distance, informing them that they would need to contact the Count who had hired them; a discreet entry would not be as simple as they had hoped.
The following night, an imposing carriage, covered by a heavy tarp that concealed its contents, approached the same gate. From it descended Count Raymond, a known and influential figure on the royal council. Upon requesting passage, one of the guards on duty, a young recruit who valued the proper execution of his duty, respectfully informed him that, despite the Count's position, he would need to inspect the cart's cargo. As the guard moved forward to lift the tarp, Count Raymond's ornate cane struck the wood of the cart with a dull thud, stopping the action.
"Do you dare question my entry?" he said in an arrogant voice. "Do you have any idea who you are speaking to? I am Count Raymond, a member of this kingdom's royal council!"
"I am aware of your position, Your Grace," the young guard replied, his voice steady despite the intimidation. "But verification is standard procedure..."
It was then that the other guard at the gate, an older man with a cynical air, who had clearly pre-arranged the shift change and a blind eye with the Count, intervened, placing a placating hand on his younger colleague's shoulder.
"Let His Grace proceed," he said, his voice low and laden with an undertone that did not go unnoticed. Leaning in, he whispered to the recruit: "He is an important man. Do you want to end up guarding the dungeons for the rest of your life?"
The young guard swallowed dryly, his vexation and frustration stamped on his face. With a reluctant nod and a sideways glance at the mysterious cart, he allowed Count Raymond and his uninspected cargo to enter the city as the night enveloped its secrets.
The next morning, Prince Ryuuji planned a discreet inspection of the main city, a method he used to observe daily life and the flow of goods without the fanfare of a royal presence. He invited Leticia to accompany him, both so she could better know the heart of her future kingdom and so they could enjoy a less formal moment. They prepared with simple attire that would easily allow them to blend in with common citizens. However, despite the humble clothes, nothing could hide their noble bearing.
Before they departed, Ryuuji accompanied Leticia to the royal stable. There, among the various animals, stood several magnificent specimens of Andalusian horses. They were a special gift from his uncle, King William of the Spring Kingdom. Known for his passion and breeding of horses, the king had sent the splendid Andalusians not only due to the continuing friendship between the kingdoms but also as a gesture of familial affection.
The stablehand had already prepared Ryuuji's mount, a robust horse with a brownish coat. With a gesture, Ryuuji indicated an elegant, snow-white Andalusian, which nickered softly beside an equally beautiful yet imposing black horse, Aleph's private mount.
"This one is for you, Princess," Ryuuji said, his voice softer than usual. "Consider it an apology for my... harshness yesterday. I was caught by surprise by the appearance of a new knight in your service and, I confess, my intention was to test his loyalty and discernment."
Leticia thanked him for the gift with a genuine smile, touched by the consideration. "It is a very kind gesture, Prince. And do not worry, I understand the pressures of your position."
Ryuuji moved a little closer, his tone now more confiding.
"I would be truly honored if, someday, you felt comfortable enough to share your concerns with me. As someone you can trust. I admit I am not exactly the best at expressing my own thoughts, but I will work to improve."
Ryuuji then helped her mount, though he knew she had excellent riding training. As he took her hand to assist her, he asked in a friendly tone:
"Leticia... may I call you just that, when we are in less formal settings?"
"Certainly, Ryuuji," she replied, feeling a new and welcome lightness between them.
From his office window, Aleph watched the two prepare to leave. A mix of relief and a pang of melancholy struck him. At least he could be certain that Ryuuji would protect Leticia from any imminent threat.
He barely had time to process the thought when Akizawa, his assistant, stood at the door, blocking any intention Aleph might have had of leaving.
"Your Highness has spent a considerable amount of time away from your duties!" Akizawa deposited a new and intimidating pile of documents on Aleph's desk. "Look at the amount of pending work you need to resolve."
"But, Akizawa, half of this work clearly belongs to Ryuuji!" Aleph protested, looking at the mountain of paper.
"Express orders from Prince Ryuuji, Your Highness," the assistant replied, impassive, before adding in a lower tone, almost like a shared secret: "He told me to 'keep you busy'."
Meanwhile, already at the castle gates, Ryuuji cast one last look back, toward his brother's office windows. a faint shadow of disappointment crossed his face.
"So, he really is going to resolve all the pending matters," he thought. "I thought he would be more... restless... after my last warning about Leticia. Perhaps his feelings for her are not as intense as I imagined."
They followed the path that led to the city center, and Ryuuji, now more relaxed and free from the formality of the court, conversed with Leticia in a more natural and spontaneous way.
Leticia noticed the change, surmising that the absence of the constant gazes of staff and counselors put him more at ease. The purpose of the outing was twofold: an informal inspection of the commercial districts and an opportunity for Ryuuji to show Leticia the charms and vitality of the Autumn Kingdom's main city.
They dismounted in the city center, a vibrant and bustling area. Ryuuji, as he guided Leticia through the wide, well-kept streets, explained the workings of the flow of goods, the organization of the markets, and the capital's security schemes, even detailing the evacuation guidelines for various emergency scenarios. For Leticia, it was a practical lesson in urban administration, and she absorbed every detail with interest.
They made a stop at a particularly charming confectionery, with an inviting aroma of freshly baked sweets wafting down the street. Upon entering the shop, Leticia was enchanted by the different types of artisanal sweets, displayed as if they were little works of art.
In the beautiful display case, mini "daifukus" were lined up with perfection, next to "taiyakis" that exuded a warm, tasty aroma. In addition, there were small blocks of "yokan" that glistened in different shades.
After their snack, Ryuuji walked to the display case, observing the confections with attention. He pointed to one of them.
"My brother likes this type..." he commented, indicating a "wagashi." "We could take one for him, what do you think, Leticia?"
"They do look truly delicious," she agreed, smiling.
At that exact moment, the tranquil atmosphere was broken. Shigeru, the loyal knight and captain of Ryuuji's personal guard, who had been accompanying them at a discreet distance, approached hastily. He leaned in and whispered something urgent in the prince's ear. Ryuuji's expression changed instantly, the lightness giving way to an alert seriousness.
"Evacuate the citizens from this area immediately, Shigeru!" he ordered, his voice low but charged with authority. "As quickly as possible."
✧ Chapter Glossary ✧
Daifuku (大福) – A traditional sweet made with mochi (glutinous rice cake) filled with sweet azuki bean paste or other variations like fruit, cream, or green tea. It is soft, slightly chewy, and enjoyed in all four seasons.
Taiyaki (たい焼き) – A fish-shaped cake (usually a sea bream), with a crispy outer shell and various fillings, the most common being sweet azuki bean paste.
Yokan (羊羹) – A block-shaped sweet made from azuki bean paste, agar, and sugar. It has a firm texture, a translucent appearance, and sometimes includes chestnuts, fruits, or crystallized flowers inside.
Wagashi (和菓子) – A general term for traditional Japanese sweets, often served with tea. They are known for their refined aesthetics and symbolism.