Arthur!
Princess Pride!
I got the news from Stale...
Is it true?
Yes.
I am now officially the vice captain of the eighth squadron!
Congratulations, Arthur!
Congratulations!
U-uh...
Pr...
Princess Pride?!
Today only happens once
Don't go wasting it
Definition of what is right
Depends on how convenient it is to someone
The voice resonating inside your head
Don't be deceived by it
You'd open the lid and it'll be empty
Follow your heart and live
At a speed that not even loneliness can overtake
Until you reach the ideal of someone
Bearing everything on your shoulders
Doubting things that won't change
If it's not paying off, then continue
Until it becomes worthwhile
If there's still something left to do
Take back the future
Until you reach the answer that no one knows
Pulling it closer again and again
The Cruel Queen and Alliance Negotiations
Holy moly, Princess Pride...
Congratulations, Arthur!
She hugged me like it's a normal thing to do!
She smelled so nice!
And she was so close!
It was so cute!
Oh my god, and I've gotta run drills after this!
Arthur Beresford.
Nice work, Captain Harrison.
I forgot to tell you.
You must finish assuming all duties of the vice captain by the end of the day.
Yes, sir.
You took your time today.
Bring our bout to an end faster next time.
He's scary.
In battle, the eighth squadron places importance
on each member's special abilities.
That's why, in this squad, strength is the only thing that matters.
In that case...
I'm ready for it!
By the way...
Pride, do you remember our conversation about the United Hanazuo Kingdom?
Yes, I remember.
The second-born son of the Cercis Kingdom, which makes one half of Hanazuo,
reached out to me rather suddenly.
It seems he wants to proactively further our friendship.
Friendship?
Especially with you.
The United Hanazuo Kingdom.
A joint kingdom made up of the Kingdom of Cercis and the Kingdom of Chinensis,
two smaller nations with a shared border.
Though they currently have their borders closed,
Freesia has continued to reach out to form an alliance.
Leon has also reached out requesting something to that effect,
but we had heard no response.
What great news, Elder Sister!
Yes.
So, as I was saying...
at this point, he should arrive in just five more days.
He wanted to let you know he would be coming to Freesia.
Leon, don't tell me...
He asked you to deliver that message?
Yes, that took me by surprise as well.
I would've preferred him sending a messenger.
To think he'd go through the crown prince of another nation to send a message...
Well, I'm sorry.
You don't need to apologize for that.
Maybe he had an emergency to take care of?
Right, he is in a hurry.
All of these reckless actions
sound just like him a year before the start of the game.
What do you think of Hanazuo suddenly paying a visit here
after being silent for so long?
It definitely strikes me as weird.
Especially the part about them wanting to befriend Elder Sister.
You didn't hear any rumors about Hanazuo during your seneschal duties?
Just that Anemone is the only kingdom they're still engaged in trade with.
Since they are rich in gold and minerals,
they were thriving even before they closed the borders.
Uncle Vest said the first-born prince, now King Lance,
is an outstanding monarch who pays close attention to the state of the world.
However, there is hardly any information about the second-born prince, Cedric.
That doesn't tell us much, huh?
But there's something more important on my mind.
I'm still not content.
Don't think that you becoming vice captain of the eighth squadron puts me at ease.
What?
You still have a ways to go.
Try to raise my level of satisfaction,
Arthur!
Of course I'm aiming for that!
Then tell me, what'll it take to make you satisfied?
Let me see...
I suppose if you can become commander of the knights, I may feel content.
You're crazy!
What, no confidence you can rise to the top?
The eighth squadron and the imperial knights are two separate things!
Being commander of the knights isn't as easy as being good at the blade,
you know that!
If you know that, then improve your skills overall.
Besides, my dad...
I mean, Commander Roderick is still an active knight!
I'm doing what I can, so it's fine.
My role is protecting Princess Pride as her personal guardsman.
No one'll ever beat me with the sword.
Princess Pride.
The carriage from the kingdom of Cercis has just arrived.
He's finally appeared...
The final love interest from the first installment of the otome game
"Our Ray of Light".
Another victim driven into a corner by Queen Pride.
And the future fiancé of Tiara, this world's protagonist.
I am the second-born prince of the United Hanazuo Kingdom,
Cedric Silva Lowell.
I am truly grateful to be granted an audience with you.
I have only one reason for requesting
an audience with Her Highness, the Queen today.
The reason he came to our nation is obvious.
But I have to pretend I don't know and look surprised.
You must consider an alliance with my country,
the kingdom of Cercis, as well as the United Hanazuo Kingdom,
and that is why I have come to visit.
Is that all?
What do you think about Prince Cedric's proposal?
Well, there's nothing wrong with forging an alliance.
But...
The king had things to see to, so he couldn't leave the country.
That's why I'd like to ask you to make the journey to our nation for the signing.
The whole thing seems strange.
We don't even know what the king is busy doing.
That's true.
And Mother...
I find it hard to believe he'd come here on his own
to offer us an alliance without permission from the king.
She seemed perplexed by it, too.
It does seem unthinkable that he'd come here
to negotiate an alliance single-handedly, even as the king's brother.
But...
it's not so simple.
He's the love interest, Cedric Silva Lowell.
Unlike Leon, who was the flirt archetype,
Cedric is a narcissistic prince who believes that his beauty is transcendent.
But he has one major shortcoming...
or rather, fatal flaw.
Crown Princess Pride.
If you don't mind, may I have a little of your time?
I apologize for my sudden visit in your leisure time.
Is something wrong?
I would like to be shown around this beautiful Freesian castle...
by her beautiful Highness, Crown Princess Pride.
I would be happy to, if that's what you'd like.
Thank you.
It looks like my three days here will be spent in great company.
I'll come too!
There are so many things I would like to ask you about the United Hanazuo Kingdom!
Is that all right?
Join us, please!
In any case, you are both beautiful.
Are you two always together?
Yes! We're attached at the hip!
My sister is kind, so she allows me to stay by her side.
What a coincidence.
My brother and I were also raised together.
His fatal flaw.
It's ignorance. An extreme lack of knowledge in the ways of the world.
To be honest, judging how he is now, it would be fair to call him an idiot.
But the childish innocence that he shows from time to time,
along with his sweet words and assertiveness
were a big hit with players who love the arrogant type,
so he was a very popular character.
Well, that's how it was.
But right now...
What gorgeous, deep-crimson hair.
And it smells lovely.
Pardon me.
You have such beautiful hair, I couldn't help myself.
Or perhaps you would've preferred this?
Wha...
What is going on?!
I remember this very well.
In the game, he did the same thing to Tiara
while staying at the castle after their engagement announcement.
Excuse me, Your Highness Prince Cedric.
Though you are a prince, I must ask that you control yourself.
Apologies.
It seems I was somehow taken captive by Princess Pride's charm.
He's not sorry at all.
Your Highness, Crown Princess Pride.
I fear I have become...
a prisoner of your beauty.
Oh no, I can't think straight.
Since I know his backstory in the game,
I can't help but want to smack him and ask:
"don't you have bigger things to worry about?!"
It's like the Cedric route has been unlocked.
Somehow I'm his target, though.
Oh my god, is he coming after me for the same reason as he did Tiara?
Whoa, wait?! I remember this!
It's a scene from the game!
The scene where Cedric is gazing at Tiara and then tries to kiss her!
Stale intervened in that version, but...
Ex-cuuse me!
It would seem the exhaustion
of making a long journey has gotten the better of you, Your Highness.
Perhaps it is better that you go back to your room for the day and take a rest?
Then I'll see you all tomorrow.
The reason he's acting abnormally friendly with me...
If the reason is the same as it was in the game...
No way, that would be ridiculous.
Sister, is this what I think it is?
Val just dropped it off.
It's from Leon.
Wow! So it's finally time?
Yes. Are you going to help too, Tiara?
Of course! Let's make tons of food!
I'll have any that's leftover!
Or, if I could get a little taste again...
Captain Alan, you should not say that out loud!
But, I wouldn't complain if I got a taste too.
Elder Sister, I'm sorry to keep you waiting.
Looks like the things you were waiting for are here.
Yes!
I hope Arthur has enough free time to join us this evening.
Don't worry!
I'll just go fetch him if it comes down to it!
Oh, right. Elder Sister...
have you seen Prince Cedric since we met him earlier?
Huh? Um, well...
Did something happen?
Well, he asked for a tour of the castle, so I gave him one.
You did? Why?
What else could I do?
Please, don't worry!
Stale, everything is okay now!
"Now"?
So that means something happened?
Uh...
Um, no!
Something did happen, then?
Don't tell anyone, okay?
So, it wasn't anything major...
I just remembered something I need to do.
Now then.
How best to handle this situation?
Well, I'm glad to hear you say that.
For you see, the Kingdom of Freesia
has a lot of cultural differences compared to other countries.
Oh, does it?
I'd love to hear more.
Can you give me an example?
Prince Stale?
Can you give me an example?
Why is he talking with Prince Cedric?
The existence of people with special abilities,
our formation of knights, our Queen Regnant,
and so many more it's impossible to count.
I'm still learning about it all myself.
Wow.
Well, you can relax, since being rude to royals from another country
is as much taboo here as it is everywhere else.
We do not resort to violence and always stay modest, even in informal settings.
We do not engage in excessive touching.
And while kisses may be acceptable
when swearing an oath, kissing someone you're not close with anywhere
than on the back of the hand is outrageous.
Abusive conduct such as stealing a kiss or anything of that nature...
is immediately considered a serious crime,
and in the worst case, punishable by death.
I see.
That goes in any country.
That's what he's up to.
That goes in any country.
It's implicitly understood etiquette.
R-right, I suppose that's true.
Pardon me for interrupting your conversation.
Prince Stale, isn't it about time you go?
Chancellor Gilbert.
How long have you been there?
For quite some time now.
I just happened to hear your voice.
Prince Stale.
I realize this may be rude, but I'd like to say one thing.
I find fault with the way you just spoke
to His Royal Highness of the kingdom of Cercis.
Engaging in violence, kissing, or any such abuses against royalty are obvious taboos.
There should be no need to explain that to a member of a foreign royal family.
Yes, how silly of me.
I apologize for my rudeness, Your Highness.
All of my examples were blatantly obvious.
I clearly still have a lot to learn.
Well, it's true there are some discourteous people out there.
But the law severely punishes most of them, so there is no need for concern.
Besides,
His Highness is visiting our nation for the sake of forging an alliance,
so he is in a position of great responsibility.
You're right.
He would never do such a thing, not even by mistake!
I do sincerely apologize,
Your Highness Prince Cedric.
I'm always grateful for your help, Tiara.
Sorry to take up your time, though.
Not a problem at all, Pride!
I have so much fun cooking with you!
Today we're making the same pork dish and soup as last time, right?
Yes, Captain Callum told me that Arthur liked it.
I'm sure Arthur will be happy.
I mean, he's getting homemade food from you
to celebrate his promotion to vice captain!
And, I was thinking we could bake some cookies for Stale, actually.
What shape should we make them?
Hmm...
Maybe, in the shape of his face?
I'd like to try that!
Let's get to work, then.
It would be more efficient if Tiara and I split the work,
but without her main character girl power cheat skill,
anything that I cook on my own would end up a brutal massacre
of these poor ingredients!
The key is getting Tiara to hold the bowl for me.
If she didn't,
I'm sure my cursed, totally cheat-less hands would cause some sort of chaos.
All done!
Sister, this is amazing!
It truly is amazing.
Tiara's main character cheat skill, that is.
We're ahead of time, so let's make cookies for everyone else too.
Sounds good!
Let's go get more ingredients, then!
Eggs, sugar, flour, butter, milk...
Okay, we've got everything we need.
I'm sorry, but you mustn't!
Please, stop!
That food is for someone important...
This is food that Her Highness Pride made, right?
Yeah, not what I'm used to, but everything's tasty.
Your Highness, Princess Pride!
I apologize for touching you without thinking earlier.
Why are you eating that?
As soon as I left my room to come apologize to you,
there was a savory aroma in the air.
My legs moved on their own accord and brought me to see you.
I was surprised that the Crown Princess made this feast,
so I guess this is another custom of the Freesia Kingdom.
Once again, why are you eating that food?
Because you did your best to prepare it all for me.
The cookies were delicious as well, but this meat is something else.
This food was not made for you!
It's gone...
Elder Sister.
I'm finally here.
Things ended earlier than-
I DESPISE YOU!
Wishful thinking like a dream
If I could foresee the future
Can I really live day in day out scoring 120 out of 100?
Like what I couldn't say at that moment
The apology for my regret
Had I been able to say it, would I have stayed by your side?
Even if I could be reborn
Would I still choose this world again?
Why, you ask?
Don't ask such an awkward question, will you?
My heart is racing with pride
Good grief, what a hopeless one
I get why you're at a loss for words
Keeping it all to yourself is a no-no
Looking tough, but anyone surprisingly can
The night is getting sentimental
It seems to be the norm here
Wishful thinking like a dream
If I could foresee the future
Can I really live day in day out scoring 120 out of 100?
Like what I couldn't say at that moment
The apology for my regret
Had I been able to say it, would I have stayed by your side?
Wishful thinking like a dream
If I could foresee the future
Can I really live day in day out scoring 120 out of 100?
Like what I couldn't say at that moment
The apology for my regret
Had I been able to say it, would I have stayed by your side?
The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior.
Episode 8:
The Diabolical Princess and the Fool
"The Diabolical Princess and the Fool".