{HIKARI'S POV}
I hold back for as long as possible, but when I finally can't contain it anymore, it doesn't matter how softly I cough. Every maid in the nearby vicinity has radar ears. Acting like I've broken a rib, the maids flurry around me in a fretful tizzy.

"Oh dear, Hikari-sama!"

"Are you able to breathe?"

"Call Garak Gazelt!"

"Do you feel faint?"

"Please sit down!"

"Don't overexert yourself!"

It's always like this. My lungs have been weak since I was an infant. I can't practice swordsmanship, I can't ride horses, I can't even walk around the palace without everyone worrying about my health.

It's clear that they care about me, but this level of babying is suffocating regardless.

"Thank you for your concern, but I'm feeling just fine." I try to dissuade the maids, to no avail.

The maids have already led me to a bench to sit down. I bite back my frustration. It isn't their fault I'm like a snowman on the verge of melting. These maids just want to make sure I'm alright.

I smile tightly. "Perhaps I will take a small break."

The maids all breathe sighs of relief that I'm not being too stubborn. One young maid even brings a manual fan to cool me off. The hot summer day is making me sweat—a natural human response, and yet it's the end of the world because I'm overheating.

I got heat exhaustion one time when I was ten, was asleep for a week and nearly died. Now everyone is all the more careful around me.

I take a quick break. However, their attention is growing less endearing and more ridiculous. I eventually flee from the troublesome maids, sneaking away and making my way to my original destination: Hiiro's swordsmanship practice.

I sit to the side of the knight's training ground unobtrusively. I choose not to make my presence known, lest I distract Hiiro or his opponents.

My elder brother, the crown prince of Clarines, is sparring with some of the palace knights today. I want to support him.

I silently cheer as Hiiro wins four matches in a row before he finally takes a break. Hiiro accepts a towel from a squire and wipes the sweat from his brow, exchanging pointers and chatting with the older knights. They laugh at a joke.

I sigh. I wish I could fight with a sword, but my weak body doesn't allow it. Not for very long anyway.

I've contented myself with reading and studying. I'm fairly proficient at paperwork as well, since Dad allows me and Hiiro to manage more menial tasks.

I'm especially interested in books about pharmacy, perhaps because it's rare that I'm given permission to roam, let alone in places with many plants (the pollen is terribly irritating and makes me wheeze). Thanks to my aunt, Clarines's pharmacy and knowledge of medicinal plants is highly advanced.

I slip away unnoticed; Hiiro and the knights were oblivious to my temporary presence.

I walk the familiar halls of Wistal palace. My aim is the library, where I spend a majority of my time. I love reading and it doesn't make my lungs burn.

Reading even allowed me to connect with my cousin Miho. She also likes to read, although our genre preferences are very different. Remembering Miho makes me worried. I hope she's okay.

People nod to me as I pass, so I acknowledge their greetings appropriately. There seem to be a few more officials than usual. From what I've heard, Cojaca, our northeastern neighbor, has been amassing swords, spears, and other weapons for months.

Dad is keeping an eye on the situation. As of late, the knight circle with a fortress stationed along the border between Clarines and Cojaca is reporting more unusual behavior. Suspicious sightings of groups who appear to be scouting the area.

Dad is preparing for an unprovoked invasion. Such a thing could lead to war, which is why the knights and Hiiro have been training even harder than usual.

I probably won't see any fighting. I'm not a knight nor a general. I'm sure I'll be associated with the public or political side of war, since Dad will be more busy and I can help. But the likelihood of the smaller kingdom getting anywhere close to our capital, situated near the western sea, is slim to none.

Right now, my role is to keep doing the tasks that Dad assigns me and appear calm. After all, the people will turn to the royal family for support when fearful about a potential invasion. If the eldest princess is panicked, they might think it's worse than it actually is or loose faith in my ability to handle my role. I will be a source of serenity and pride for our people.

Besides, Dad has already began evacuation of the areas nearest the Cojacan border. The citizens are safe. And war is the worst case scenario. Whatever is wrong may be something that can be easily negotiated and it won't ever come to blows.

Icy hands tickle my back. I took a back hallway, but it's still too quiet. Where are the patrolling guards?