Chapter 8 - Chapter 8
Three months have passed since His Highness's visit.
True to his word, His Highness began appearing every three or four days on his way home from the academy. He seemed to be squeezing the time out of a busy schedule; sometimes Cyril would arrive looking apologetic to fetch him, and they would leave in a rush.
And today, His Highness sits before me with a soft expression. The way he elegantly holds his cup and sips his tea exudes refinement from his very posture.
"So, how is your health?"
"Well, the amount of time I can stay awake has increased lately. However, my muscle strength has completely faded. I can only manage to sit in a chair for about two hours at most."
"I see. And your appetite?"
"It has decreased compared to before. Perhaps because I am not moving enough, heavy foods feel a bit much for me."
"Understood. I'll see to that."
"Eh?"
What does he mean, he'll see to my meals? I wondered, but decided to let it go. There are many parts of His Highness's thinking that I cannot comprehend.
Indeed, I never had this much conversation with His Highness in my previous life. And it is a fact that the image of the perfect prince, always smiling, has gradually begun to crumble.
"By the way, Your Highness. How was the evening party the other day? I imagine there were many lovely debutantes?"
"Ah, it was the same as always. Normally, this would have been the year of your debut as well."
"Yes. It is a pity I cannot participate in society in this state."
"Heh, you don't look particularly disappointed. I, on the other hand, regret that I couldn't escort you in your white debutante dress."
"Oh, surely you found some other beautiful flower?"
"No. To me, there is no woman more charming than you."
What is with this prince who flirts so naturally? I have never heard such sugary words from him before. He used to be the type to smile and give harmless compliments, skillfully praising only the dress or hair ornaments while ignoring the person herself. I feel pathetic for having squealed over such empty praise in the past.
I have been gently suggesting that we should dissolve the engagement due to my frail health, but he pays me no mind. A man like him must surely understand what I'm getting at.
Perhaps I should say it clearly once more.
"Um, about that... regarding our engagement..."
"Ah, what a shame. Is it that time already? I would hate to be a burden on you, Rachel."
His Highness pulled a pocket watch on a chain from his breast pocket and gave a theatrical sigh.
This pattern again. For some reason, whenever I try to bring up the annulment, His Highness acts as if he didn't hear me.
Perhaps because that girl hasn't become the Saint yet, she hasn't met His Highness at the academy since they are in different years. If that's the case, he might just find it bothersome to be targeted by other women if he breaks the engagement now.
Yes, that must be it. Satisfied with this answer, I nodded to myself.
Does that mean things will stay like this until next year, when the Spirit Summoning Ceremony for the new students is held? That's a bit of a hassle.
I inadvertently grimaced. His Highness had been watching me cycle through expressions with amusement, but I hadn't noticed.
And then—
"Ah, come to think of it, Rachel, you cannot attend the academy right now, but what about your studies?"
"Well... once my condition stabilizes enough for me to sit in a chair a bit longer, I plan to hire a tutor."
"I see. Then I shall arrange that on this end."
"Oh, I couldn't possibly trouble you with every little thing."
"No, you are my precious fiancée, after all."
Faced with His Highness's sweet, melting smile, my face turned bright red. I am not at all used to being spoken to this way.
Since my personality and my features were both sharp, men never used to approach me. Being courted was out of the question.
"Oh? Your face is red, Rachel. Do you have a fever?"
"No! My condition is unchanged, so do not worry!"
"I am worried. After all, once you catch a fever, it doesn't go down easily."
You know exactly why my face is red. Despite the teasing glint in his eyes, he was acting so deliberate. As the wrinkle between my brows deepened, His Highness narrowed his eyes and began to laugh out loud.
"I've never seen that face before." My internal thought apparently slipped out.
His Highness said, "Ah," as if realizing something.
"Conversations with you are interesting, Rachel. Besides, you are someone who knows how to forgive, so this is just me being spoiled. There are very few people I can talk to without considering profit and loss."
"Profit and loss? Do you always think of such things?"
"Well, one never knows where someone might try to trip you up. This country still bears the scars of the previous war everywhere."
"Yes, but wasn't that fifty years ago?"
"Yes. In fifty years, we have finally become a country that can compete with others and grow wealthy. But in reality?"
"Are you... referring to the Salim District?"
His Highness's face turned serious, and he fell into a silence that signaled affirmation. The Salim District is a taboo subject in this country. It is the shadow of this seemingly prosperous nation—the so-called slums.
It is said that not only the nobility but even the commoners turn their eyes away. Everyone was desperate for reconstruction after the war that left such deep wounds. However, the Salim District is the place where those who had nowhere to go and whose futures were stolen were crammed together.
"I was ten years old. My tutors couldn't provide an answer that satisfied me. I wanted to see it with my own eyes, so I shook off my guards and went there with Cyril."
"The Crown Prince did?! How reckless!"
"Yes, even I think it was the height of youthful folly."
"Then why?"
It was unthinkable for the prince of a nation to set foot in such a dangerous place. Especially His Highness, who possessed such a strong sense of royal duty and pride. I shuddered just hearing about it, thinking of what would have happened to the country if something had occurred.
As if sensing my feelings, His Highness wore a self-deprecating smile.
"I wanted to know. The things no one would tell me. The darkness of this country that everyone tries to pretend doesn't exist. Because I am the one who must know it better than anyone else."
As he said this, looking me straight in the eye, his face was neither that of the perfect prince, nor the joyful one from before, nor that of a seventeen-year-old boy.
The man standing before me was one who looked straight toward the future of this country, showing a glimpse of the majesty of a King.