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Looking back, back in my previous life during my university days, I often went to visit friends’ family homes during summer vacation and stayed over.

Likewise, while I was back at my parents’ home, it was an annual tradition for friends to come saying, “I want to go to a theme park, so let me stay over!”—and we’d stay together and go have fun.

I was born in Tokyo in my previous life, but when I entered middle school, my father was transferred to Osaka, and after that our family home was in Osaka. I went to middle school and high school there, then passed the entrance exams for a university in Tokyo and moved back there to live alone. During summer vacations, I’d go back home or visit the family homes of friends who were also living alone, and that’s how things went.
So the theme park I went to with friends who stayed over at my parents’ place wasn’t the land of mice, but the one themed around Hollywood movies.

On the other hand, friends from high school would come stay over during long weekends outside of summer vacation because they wanted to go to the land of mice.

Incidentally, I also got a job at a company in Tokyo, so I kept living alone after that as well. Because I ended up becoming a corporate drone at a black company, I didn’t get to see my friends very often anymore…

With that being said, I did often go watch parades in a theme park with my friends—
But never—not even once—did I ever have a friend come visit me with a parade behind them!

.

While waiting together with her brother Aleksei in front of the main entrance of the ducal residence, having received word that “His Highness Prince Mikhail and his companion Lady Flora will arrive shortly,” Ekaterina was idly thinking about such things.

It reminded her of waiting for the imperial family’s procession in the Imperial Capital, though the scale was nowhere near that large—there weren’t rows of knights in full ceremonial attire lined up.
Even so, there were rows of servants standing tensely in place.

From outside the ducal residence, cheers could be heard.
Unlike the Imperial Capital, it was extremely rare for members of the imperial family to visit the Northern Capital. If it was the future emperor no less—and a handsome young prince at that—it was only natural that the people of the Northern Capital, especially the women, would grow excited.
On that thought, the cheers sounded less like applause and more like shrill squeals of delight…

Mikhail’s visit carried the meaning of support: from Emperor Konstantin to Aleksei, a demonstration of the imperial family’s trust, backing him in solidifying his control over regional governance.
Accordingly, the House of Jurnova took the opportunity of preparing welcome events to maximize the effect of the prince’s visit, thoroughly publicizing throughout the domain the good relationship between the current duke Aleksei and the imperial family, the emperor’s trust in him, and his closeness to the future emperor Mikhail.
Of course, the imperial side had its own intentions as well—but that was that, and this was this. Whatever could be used, would be used.

With such underlying motives in play,

*“The imperial prince is coming, apparently. They say he and the duke are friends—close enough to come visit for fun.”*
*“If the prince becomes emperor, the duke will probably become a minister or something. Jurnova will be even more secure.”*
*“To be able to see the next emperor with my own eyes—how auspicious!”*

Conversations like these spread throughout the Northern Capital and along the highways, and thus Mikhail proceeded toward the ducal residence in what amounted to a parade.
Born an imperial prince, Mikhail surely understood all of this perfectly well, and no doubt smiled and waved as he came along.

The young duke who had swept away the old guard that had engaged in corruption already enjoyed strong support from the people of the domain. Though some supporters of the former Aleksandra faction who resented Aleksei still remained, since they were also people who revered the imperial family, it would have become increasingly difficult for them to oppose Aleksei openly.

.

At last, the carriage bearing Mikhail passed through the gates of Jurnova Castle.
A trumpeter of the Jurnova Knight Order raised his horn and sounded a welcoming fanfare.

The carriage was not an imperial one, but one sent by the ducal house to welcome him. Mikhail had traveled upriver on the Chernov River aboard the high-speed vessel Lapidus, so he had not come in an imperial carriage.
Even so, the ducal carriage bearing the family crest was escorted by six knights of the Imperial Knight Order. Having more guards than when he was in the Imperial Capital likely accounted for both protection against dangers along the route and a calculated display of intimacy between the imperial family and the ducal house within the duchy.

Furthermore, one of those imperial knights was holding aloft the prince’s personal standard.
Within the imperial family, each member possesses a crest corresponding to their role. The crests of the emperor, the empress, and the first prince—who will eventually become crown prince—are fixed. The crests of the second prince and onward are said to be slight variations on the first prince’s design, while the princesses’ crests resemble that of the empress.
The first prince’s crest bears wings and a serpent—the symbols of the thunder god—along with a blue butterfly.
Considering that each of the three great ducal houses has a flower depicted on its crest, one can’t help but feel there is some meaning to it.
For reference, the emperor’s crest also bears wings and a serpent, but the creature depicted alongside them is a lion.

In any case, even if the vehicle itself belonged to the ducal house, the standard proclaimed that the one inside was the first prince of the Empire—the heir destined to become emperor.

.

The carriage came to a stop before the main entrance.
A young man who appeared to be Mikhail’s personal valet, dressed in livery, swiftly opened the carriage door. With eyes narrow as threads and a slender, agile-looking build, he might serve as both attendant and guard, much like Yvan does for Aleksei.

Then, Prince Mikhail stepped down onto the grounds of Jurnova Castle.

(…Huh?)

“Hey, Aleksei. It’s been a while.”
“Welcome to Jurnova Castle. You seem to be well—I’m glad to see it.”

It was only proper that he exchanged words with the head of the house first. Mikhail’s casual demeanor was the same as always, but to outsiders it would certainly leave an impression of how close he was to Aleksei.
Mikhail then turned toward Ekaterina.

“Ekaterina, it’s been a while. You’ve grown even more beautiful.”

Whoa—hasn’t your polite small talk leveled up, Prince?
…I mean, wait.

“It has been some time, Lord Mikhail. Um… have you grown taller since the last time we met?”

Somehow… when he stood next to Onii-sama, the top of his head almost reached Onii-sama’s.
And did he change his hairstyle? It seems a bit longer, brushed back, giving him a more mature look.

Mikhail smiled.

“You noticed? The tailors were lamenting it. They said I grew more than expected, so the clothes they made might not be usable.”

Tailors… so he has his own personal tailors. As expected of the imperial prince.
Still, growing out of clothes is kind of a universal issue for boys in their growth spurts.

It’s not just his height—his build seems to have changed a bit too. The boyishness has faded, and his lines are becoming more those of a young adult..
Well, what was it—‘boys grow noticeably if you don’t see them for three days’? Growth spurts are no joke.

But thinking about it, changing your look over summer vacation is very high-school-like and kind of cute.
This big sister is rooting for you, yes!

.

After finishing his greetings with the ducal siblings, Mikhail extended his hand into the carriage.
A girl placed her hand in his and stepped down.

“Lady Ekaterina!”
“Lady Flora!”

Called out in a voice full of joy, Ekaterina couldn’t help but forget all decorum and reach out with both hands.
The pink-haired girl leapt straight into her arms.

“I’ve wanted to see you! Every single day, I kept thinking how much I wanted to meet you!”

So cute! How can this beautiful girl say something so adorable?!

“I’ve been looking forward to seeing you as well!”

When Ekaterina hugged her tightly, Flora broke into a broad smile, tears glistening in her eyes.
They ended up enjoying a squealing, giggling reunion between girls—but then Ekaterina suddenly noticed the gazes around them.

Ah—manners!
And my dignity as the lady of the house! The servants’ gentle smiles hurt!

“I’m so sorry, I…”

Flora flushed bright red.
Gah, cute! Still a beauty—truly, beauty is innocent!

“No, it was I who forgot myself in my happiness. Please forgive me.”
“I’m really, truly happy to be able to see you, Lady Ekaterina!”

Confronted with Flora’s earnest cuteness, Ekaterina almost reeled backward. Innocent again—beautiful girls are incredible.

“Girls are nice, aren’t they? Just watching them is soothing,”

Mikhail said with a smile, and the atmosphere somehow settled.
Thank you, Prince. You really are a good guy.

“My apologies. Please, do come inside. You must be tired from your long journey. Let us have some tea first.”

Remembering her role as the lady of the house, Ekaterina said this, and the group entered the residence.

.

O-okay… I messed up a little, but it really did feel like a nice reunion between classmates.
Up until now, between confronting the old gerd and making the pilgrimage to the Mountain Temple, I’d almost forgotten it was summer vacation. But now, with the Prince the Heroine to host, we’re supposed to make some summer memories together—so I’m going to enjoy it.

Well, the contents are very much a “royal & noble summer vacation,” but still…