Chapter 26

After a sweet, intimate lunch, it was time to head to the Count Zernias’ Mansion study for my private lesson.

“······What?”

“···.”

If only Rebecca hadn’t shown up.

Had I known the princess was coming, I would’ve asked my tutor to reschedule the lesson. But since Rebecca showed up unannounced, glaring at me, it was awkward to postpone the lesson now.

“Princess.”

“Why are you calling me?”

“It’s time for me to attend my lesson.”

“······So?”

“May I guide you to a place where you can wait for a while?”

It was my way of being considerate.

My tutor, unaware of the situation, would be on his way to the mansion as usual, and it was too late to send a letter now. If I went to my lesson, Rebecca, who came to see me, would be left in an awkward position.

So, I tried to take her to the reception room, where guests were usually entertained.

“······No, thanks.”

“···.”

Until Rebecca flat-out rejected my suggestion.

I could feel a vein popping on my forehead.

But losing my temper wouldn’t be considerate of my fiancée, so I decided to hold it in for now.

“······May I ask why you refuse?”

“What kind of noble leaves a guest behind to attend a lesson?”

Rebecca demanded proper treatment as a guest.

Honestly, her argument was quite valid. What kind of noble, or even a commoner, would leave a guest unattended to tend to other matters?

Her reasoning was persuasive, but…

“You didn’t inform me of your visit beforehand.”

This time was an exception.

If Rebecca had sent a letter announcing her visit, this wouldn’t have happened.

“If you had sent a reply to my letter before coming, I wouldn’t have had to attend my lesson.”

“······You always visit the Duke’s Mansion without notice too.”

Rebecca, feeling wronged by my scolding, used my habit of visiting the Valencia Duchy Mansion without notice as an excuse.

“I only visited on days when you didn’t have lessons.”

I only visited on days when Rebecca’s schedule was free, and since I visited so often, it was impossible to notify her every time.

It wasn’t a fair comparison.

“Two days ago, you were sulking because I hadn’t visited for a week. Do you really think it’s fair to say that now?”

Moreover, the princess had been upset recently because I hadn’t visited the mansion.

I even made ice cream to cheer her up, something I’d never done before.

Hearing her say that now didn’t sit well with me at all.

“······Let’s not talk about that.”

“···.”

Rebecca, perhaps embarrassed by the memory, cut me off before I could say more.

“Anyway, since you came without notice, I have to attend my scheduled lesson. Please wait in the reception room for a while.”

“······No.”

Despite my lengthy explanation to persuade her, Rebecca stubbornly refused to wait alone in the reception room.

The back-and-forth continued endlessly, and as the time for my tutor’s arrival approached, I grew increasingly anxious.

If only I could convince Rebecca to sit somewhere, I could attend my lesson in peace. But the mischievous princess showed no signs of listening to me.

Feeling like this would never end, I made a bold move.

“Then how about this?”

“······What?”

“How about you join me for the lesson?”

I played my trump card.

***

And now, in the study of Count Zernias’ Mansion, where my lesson was taking place.

“So, you’re saying Princess Valencia will be joining the lesson today?”

“······It just happened.”

I was busy explaining to my tutor, Frederick.

Unlike the usual one-on-one lessons, there was someone else sitting beside me.

Honestly, when I suggested she join the lesson, I expected Rebecca to refuse.

I thought she’d decline since no one in this world enjoys studying, and I planned to coax her into waiting in the reception room if she refused.

– I’ll join.

– ······Huh?

– I’ll join the lesson.

Once again, Rebecca defied my expectations and coolly accepted my offer.

The result was the current situation: one tutor and two students.

It was an incredibly frustrating situation.

“From my perspective as the tutor, it’s not a big deal… but I’m worried Princess Valencia might find it boring.”

After hearing my explanation, Frederick spoke with a slightly troubled expression.

I understood completely.

Any tutor would be flustered if the number of students suddenly doubled.

“Did you hear that? It might be more boring than you think.”

I tried to persuade Rebecca again, using Frederick’s words.

“I don’t mind if it’s boring.”

“···.”

Rebecca seemed determined to join the lesson and showed no signs of changing her mind.

The only thing I could do in this situation was…

“······Sorry.”

Apologize to Frederick, whose workload had just doubled.

“Not at all, young master. As I said, it’s not a big deal from my perspective.”

“Anyway, I’m really sorry.”

“I’ll accept your apology up to this point, and let’s start the lesson now.”

Frederick, not wanting to dwell on the matter any longer, quickly began the lesson.

I naturally focused on the lesson as well.

“Last time, we discussed the Empire’s Church. Do you remember?”

“Of course.”

I remembered it vividly.

Not just from the last lesson, but because the Church was a significant institution in the original novel.

Having read *The Crown Prince Wields a Sword* diligently, there was no way I’d forget.

“The Empire’s sole religious organization, whose priests can wield a special power called ‘Sacred Power.’ Right?”

“Exactly. Then do you remember why the Church holds such importance in the Empire?”

I remembered that too.

“Of course······.”

I was about to nod confidently and answer, but…

“······Because the Church hosts all the Empire’s important events.”

“···.”

“Am I wrong?”

Rebecca stole the words right out of my mouth.

“······That’s correct. You’re very knowledgeable.”

“It’s common knowledge.”

Hearing Frederick’s confirmation, Rebecca’s nose rose in pride.

Frederick seemed surprised by Rebecca’s unexpected intellect, but I wasn’t particularly shocked.

There was a reason fans of the original novel nicknamed Rebecca Valencia the “Genius Princess.”

While I’d emphasized Rebecca’s physical abilities so far, some might think she wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.

But according to the author of *The Crown Prince Wields a Sword*, Rebecca’s IQ was set at 140.

Considering the average IQ is around 100, that’s exceptionally high.

It wasn’t for nothing that fans called her the “Genius Princess.”

“······Didn’t you say you’d just listen?”

Though I wasn’t surprised, I was still annoyed that she’d taken my answer.

“Answering the tutor’s questions is part of focusing on the lesson, isn’t it?”

“······That’s true, but.”

“Then what’s the problem? Are you upset because I answered something you didn’t know?”

“···.”

*Crack—*

I could almost hear my head splitting from irritation.

“······That’s impossible. There’s no way I’m dumber than a princess who always loses to me.”

“Me, dumber than you? That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard all year.”

“Is that so? I wasn’t joking, though.”

“Then was what you just said not words but animal noises?”

“Very funny, Princess.”

“Right? I think so too.”

If there were a magic to materialize glares, I’d have used it between Rebecca and me.

Flames would probably materialize and blaze between us.

“Young master, Princess? Please don’t fight and focus on the lesson…”

Sensing the tension, the timid Frederick tried to intervene in a small voice, but…

“Let’s make a bet.”

“······Another wish bet?”

“Of course.”

“Fine. Let’s start now.”

“···.”

By then, Rebecca and I were already consumed by our competitive spirits, rendering Frederick’s efforts meaningless.