Chapter 135 - 2-17 Louis's Perspective
"Now then, I'll be looking after your precious princess. I wonder if you can find your way to her without making a mistake?"
Whose voice was that?
In the pitch-black darkness, Rachel's voice echoed, calling my name over and over. I tried to move my arms, desperate to answer her, but for some reason, my body refused to obey.
"Your Highness, Your Highness... Your Highness!"
The voice calling me from deep within my mind pulled my consciousness slowly to the surface.
"...Cyril?"
"Just how long were you planning to work? Sleeping on the sofa won't give your body any real rest. Ah, it seems you've finished all the paperwork that had piled up over the last few days."
I forced my eyes open to find Cyril standing before me—someone who shouldn't have been there. I fought the urge to let my eyelids drop, forcing my brain to wake up. Ignoring my confusion, Cyril nodded as he looked over the stack of documents on the desk.
"What? Cyril, why are you here?"
"Why? Because it is morning. Is there any other reason? Come now, Your Highness. There is much work to be done today as well."
"Wait... forgive me. My head is a mess. I should be in the Kingdom of Orta. Why am I in my own office?"
I found it strange that Cyril, who should have been back in the Kingdom of Dutoit, was standing right here. But as I surveyed my surroundings, I realized I was in the place most familiar to me. It seemed I had been sleeping on the sofa with a blanket draped over me. I often worked until dawn, and when I intended to take a mere hour's nap, I would frequently choose the sofa over the nap room or my bed—a habit Cyril always scolded me for.
Under normal circumstances, this would be a routine morning. But one thing was fundamentally wrong.
I was supposed to be in the Kingdom of Orta right now.
"I don't understand what you're trying to say. Was it a dream? The coronation ceremony for the King concluded without incident, and we only just returned from the Kingdom of Orta the other day."
"No, that can't be... The hunt... My injuries are gone? I certainly fell from a cliff..."
I touched my head, but there were no bandages. Despite falling from such a height, I didn't seem to have a single scratch. Had I been brought back to the country while unconscious? Or was it possible I had lost several days of memory from the impact of hitting my head? More importantly, how could things have concluded 'without incident' when the Queen of Orta had severely injured the Crown Prince of an allied nation?
"Good grief. What kind of dream were you having? Even the Saint, Miss Anna Carroll, is supposed to begin her duties at the Great Church today. I've already arranged for a bouquet to be sent in your name. I know you find such things tedious, but it makes a better impression if you include a short note. Please write one later."
...What? Why was Anna Carroll's name coming up now?
She hadn't even been invited, let alone accompanied us. There wasn't even a reason to send her flowers.
"What? Why Miss Carroll? ...Is this a dream?"
"Sigh. This is what happens when you sleep in a place like this. I've told you many times to rest in your bedchamber."
"...Rachel. Where is Rachel?"
I shook my head, trying to grasp the situation. It wasn't working. To make sense of this nonsensical conversation with Cyril, I had to wake up fully.
I pinched my palm hard. The sharp sting of pain followed. So, this isn't a dream? The confusion only deepened.
Regardless, I wanted to see Rachel. I hadn't seen her since I told her to return to the royal palace with Prince Isaac. She must have been heartbroken seeing me in that state. I had to apologize for worrying her. No, that wasn't it. Perhaps I simply wanted to see her face to find peace of mind myself.
"Are you... referring to Rachel Marcel?"
"Yes. I'm going to see her today. Send word to the Marquis's estate."
When I looked up at Cyril, he froze like a statue, documents still in hand, his eyes wide with shock. His face grew pale, and he looked at me as if he were seeing a ghost. I furrowed my brows.
What is with that reaction?
"Your Highness... what are you saying? Rachel Marcel passed away three months ago. She was attacked by bandits on her way to the monastery..."
In that instant, sound vanished from my world.
Color drained away.
I couldn't process the meaning of the words coming out of Cyril's mouth.
What? What... what is he talking about? Dead? Monastery? Bandits?
What did any of that mean?
Rachel... was gone?
The blood drained from my body, and I felt as though I had been struck from behind with a blunt object. A loud warning bell rang in my head, screaming that my current reality was abnormal.
"That... that's impossible. What are you saying..."
I saw Cyril falter, a rare display of agitation. But that only served to prove that his words weren't a joke. If anyone else had said this, I might have roared at them for even suggesting such a thing. But Cyril would never tell such a lie.
I clasped my hands in front of my face, gripping them tight.
It has to be a dream. If it isn't, then what is happening? Rachel is dead... no, I refuse to even think it.
I knew I could be narrow-minded when it came to Rachel, but whether it was a dream or a joke, I could never forgive the loss of her.
I felt my vision slowly staining red. To force my anger down, I took a deep breath, pushing oxygen to my brain. Even so, I couldn't reach a calm judgment. One thing was certain: Cyril wouldn't lie. Yet, the idea of Rachel being gone was something I couldn't even begin to contemplate.
Both Cyril and I clearly felt the other was acting strange. I had to understand what had gone wrong as quickly as possible, before my mind boiled over and I did something dangerous. To grasp the situation calmly, one person came to mind.
"...Call Theodore here, immediately."
"...Your Highness. Theodore-sama hasn't met with you since your argument over Miss Rachel. Furthermore, since he applied for long-term leave from the Order of Mages, we don't even know where he is staying."
I closed my eyes tight against the wave of disappointment and irritation.
"Your Highness! Blood..."
Startled by Cyril's voice, I looked down at my clenched fists. I had gripped them so hard my nails had cut into my palms. Blood was seeping out. Even so, I couldn't bring myself to relax my grip.
What has happened to this world?
Where am I?
Rachel... where are you?
I plan to continue Louis's perspective for a while, so please stay with me.
The manga adaptation has begun today on Flos Comic! It is being handled by Bin Sakamoto-sensei and is available on Comic Walker and Nico Nico Seiga. I would be very happy if you could take a look.