As a VIP, he was among the highest-ranking individuals in the land.
With his older brother Schnitt becoming the new King, his right to succeed the throne was now first in line.
Halfren, such a precious existence in this country, was riding his horse home on his own.
There were no knight guards. Although his subordinates kept watch from a distance, his personal combat prowess was said to be second only to none in Univance. Since the number one spot was held by someone with inhuman strength, he was effectively number one among ordinary humans.
Therefore, without any guards, he rode his horse with an air of superiority.
「Well… this is unusual. An assassin?」
Sensing killing intent flying from the shadows, he stopped his horse and stepped down onto the cobblestone ground.
He gently patted the horse’s head to reassure it so it wouldn’t run away, then strode carelessly toward his opponent.
「Sorry, but I’ve been full of dissatisfaction lately… I won’t hold back.」
「What a coincidence. Me too.」
「What!」
Along with that voice, countless shadows attacked Halfren.
Recognizing the familiar attack, he drew the sword at his waist to meet it.
Four black shadows, reminiscent of large snakes, hovered eerily, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
「Wait, Frea! What is the meaning of this!」
「Just a whim.」
「You!」
The four shadows attacked all at once.
Moving simultaneously, each one aimed for Halfren’s limbs.
He instinctively threw his sword and intercepted the incoming shadows with his hands and feet.
The tips of the shadows, strengthened by magic, had strength comparable to iron swords. But Halfren, who punched and kicked them away without hesitation, realized that it didn’t end there.
「Wait a minute! Going all out is unreasonable!」
「It’s fine. As long as you don’t die.」
「You sound just like Sieck!」
Frea reacted with a twitch and thought for a moment within the shadows.
Being compared to that Head Maid was offensive. At the very least, she was holding back more than Sieck did.
「Understood. Then I’ll get a bit more serious.」
「That way of thinking is exactly like that monster’s!」
He moved his legs instantly, leaping his massive body toward the spot he had predicted.
Frea, whose reaction was delayed, was captured and held tight in his thick arms.
「Geez. Just greet me normally.」
「…I had some pent-up frustration. About the Captain and such.」
(About the wedding, and other things.)
Frea muttered those words to herself, keeping them hidden.
Held in his embrace, she turned her face away from his gaze with an unhappy expression.
Halfren shrugged with a sigh and released the person he was holding.
「So, what is your business?」
「Like I said, it’s about the Captain.」
「……」
「A fight like that wouldn’t happen over something as trivial as Argusta-sama’s secret child. Right?」
Facing his 『childhood friend』, who placed her hands on her hips, leaned in, and glared at him, Halfren raised both hands in surrender.
「Oh, you’re being honest?」
Frea was surprised by his uncharacteristic attitude, her eyes widening.
She had fully expected him to resist.
「I’m not reckless enough to give you the 『silent treatment』.」
「Is that so? What a pity.」
Frea chuckled and poked her finger into his chest.
「There was fun waiting for you here, enough to make you freeze.」
「Please stop. I don’t want to go insane.」
「I see. That’s fine, I suppose.」
Laughing softly, Frea stepped away from Halfren with light steps.
But he was faster. In an instant, he closed the distance and embraced her again.
「…Cheating on your wife so soon after marriage?」
「How rude. I have a proper wife and a concubine.」
「…That’s right, isn’t it.」
Halfren gave a faint smile in response to Frea’s glare, which seemed to say, 『Then what is this?』.
「Because I hadn’t received congratulatory words from my childhood friend.」
「…I see.」
Her heart throbbed with pain.
Though she nearly winced for a moment, Frea softened her expression as usual.
「Congratulations, Prince Halfren.」
「…You’re being distant.」
「We are strangers, after all.」
「That’s true, isn’t it.」
He released his arms and let her go, then scratched his head.
Watching him while nursing the pain in her heart, Frea continued speaking.
「Please tell me more about the Captain. This situation is not good.」
「Not good how?」
Facing the gaze of her superior officer, Frea desperately sealed her own heart.
「It means they might end up like a certain prince and his childhood friend.」
Suppressing emotions that felt like they were about to burst, Frea somehow managed to say it.
Halfren gave a wry smile and called over the horse he had left waiting.
「Where is your horse?」
「Eh? At the tavern down the street…」
「Then I’ll have my subordinates go get it.」
Ignoring Frea’s confusion, Halfren mounted his horse and reached out his hand to her.
「This isn’t something we can discuss in a place like this. From here… it’s faster to return to the castle than to go to my house.」
「Yes. You’re right.」
Somehow managing to squeeze out that reply, Frea grabbed his extended hand.
Pulled up onto the horse with overwhelming strength… she ended up sitting sideways in front of him.
「Halfren?」
「It’s nice, just like old times, isn’t it?」
「Idiot. You should care about what people think.」
「I know. It’s revenge for being attacked.」
Frea’s face turned bright red at his laughing words… and she punched his thick chest with all her might.
「Don’t get angry.」
「I am angry.」
「Yes, yes. My apologies.」
Since he moved the horse while acting the fool, Frea couldn’t change her position.
She glared sharply at him, but he ignored her and looked ahead.
(Really… idiot.)
She punched him once more, then leaned against him to stabilize her body so it wouldn’t shake.
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