Published: August 1, 2025
Riding through the city of Dilz on horseback. The royal palace and the knights order’s fortress were not far away, but I wasn’t heading anywhere in particular.
My vision was shrouded in white mist. I couldn’t see a thing and was just swaying with the whims of my beloved horse. I had no idea where or how I was riding.
Well, whatever. It might even be fun to crash head-on into a street tree or building and get my face all messed up.
— No, you can’t! You’ll run over someone! You mustn’t ride a horse like that! —
Suddenly, a stern voice echoed inside my head, and I instinctively pulled the reins.
The horse’s feet stopped, my body jolted atop the horse. That seemed to wake me up as the white mist rapidly cleared.
Looking around at the now-clear surroundings, I tilted my head.
“Where... is this?”
My horse didn’t answer but kept trotting on by itself.
Along with my vision clearing, my thoughts and rational calculations returned sharply. I didn’t know where I was, but I had to hurry back to the Flaria Embassy.
I had treated Princess Flaria terribly and dashed out like that. Angering her would lead to something terrible. I leaned forward and lightly patted my horse’s neck.
“Stop, Ringo-maru. Let’s go back—uh!”
Suddenly, my vision flipped again. Overwhelmed by nausea, I almost fell off the horse. Through the blurry vision, I saw a shabby well. It looked like a communal spot for the neighborhood, with a hand pump and a bucket underneath, free to use.
The horse neighed softly and started walking toward the well.
I realized, “So, Ringo-maru wanted water.” I filled the bucket with water, but the horse only stamped its hooves. ...What? Was it telling me to use it?
Only then did I notice the terrible smell coming from myself: a mix of feminine perfume and vomit. It made me grimace, so it must have been unbearable to the sensitive horse’s nose.
“Oh, I see?”
Half-closing my eyes, I looked up, and the horse seemed to nod. I gave a wry smile at my clever horse. Following its lead, I pressed the pump. With a slight resistance, a large amount of water flowed out surprisingly easily.
“...I haven’t fetched water myself since I was a student.”
The well water was cold and purer than I expected. I intended only to wash my face but ended up rinsing my mouth and throat. That made me feel refreshed, so I finally poured water over my head. Naturally, my clothes got soaked, and I didn’t have a towel. Still, I bathed in water two or three more times.
It felt like the only way to escape the horrible stench.
— Phew —
I ran wet hands through my drenched hair and looked up at the sky. That was when a voice called out from behind.
“...What are you doing?”
I turned at the familiar voice.
Like a sudden hallucination, there stood a blonde beauty—though dressed like a boy—Anastasia.
“Eh!?”
I blinked rapidly, staring intently. Even squinting, it was undeniably Anastasia, frowning and looking exasperated with her hands on her hips.
“Why are you here!?”
“That’s what I should be asking, prince. I heard strange noises and wondered why you were a soaking wet rat in my house.”
“My house...?”
Only then did I look around properly.
Tall buildings stood side by side in an urban scene. But the road was narrow to be called a main street, and the doors on the buildings were small and simple. Though it seemed like some kind of shop, there were no signs.
“Is this the Artisan District?”
“It’s a back alley. That door leads to the service entrance of Button Shop Norman’s kitchen.”
Now that she said it, I recognized the scene perfectly. After all, I visited her almost every day and always tied my horse here. So it was a familiar place even for Ringo-maru, who now looked completely relaxed and began drinking water.
Looking down at my still-dazed self, Anastasia burst out laughing.
“What’s the matter? Still half asleep? Or were you drunk in the middle of the day? Hanging out with nobles is tough, huh?”
“...No...”
Usually, she would ask with a scowl, “So, what do you want?” But today, she didn’t even press me.