Chapter 81 - 81
"I've heard of your recent circumstances from the Marquis, but I'm still glad to see you."
"...We can't even meet at the academy, after all."
"I want to settle this before the graduation party. I'm truly sorry for my lack of resolve."
"Please, don't say that. I understand that if Your Highness were to move openly, the situation would only worsen."
As long as our engagement remained intact, His Majesty likely wouldn't openly push for a betrothal with Anna-san. However, there was no telling when his mind might change. If His Highness displayed too much obsession with me, the King might interpret his unusual behavior as a reason to forcibly dissolve our engagement.
That was why we rarely met even at the academy, the only place we could see each other. We had to divert His Majesty's gaze. At the academy, one never knew who was watching, or who was an ally or an enemy. Meeting anywhere but a secure location was simply too dangerous.
"But the time for staying quiet is over. I have no intention of remaining His Majesty's puppet. So, Rachel, you should go with a peaceful mind."
"...Thank you very much."
His Highness's words differed slightly from what I had imagined. My expression must have betrayed me, for he looked at me with curiosity, perhaps sensing something off in my gratitude.
"What is it?"
"No, it's just... I didn't expect you wouldn't oppose this."
"Did you think I would?"
To be honest, I thought he might show some reluctance. After the kidnapping incident in the Marcel Territory, that memory surely remained a bitter one for him. Since I would be leaving the royal capital again, I considered the possibility that he wouldn't approve. It was also true that this journey might be even more dangerous than the last.
While I was happy he was sending me off so graciously, his easy acceptance felt unexpected.
"If I'm being honest, I'm worried sick. I want to go with you. But you're going regardless, aren't you?"
His Highness let out a small sigh, took a lock of my hair in his fingers, and stared at me intently.
"...Yes."
"In that case, all I can do is arrange things so you can go and return safely. Besides, though I don't know the details, you have something on your mind regarding the Bousquet Territory, don't you?"
"Yes."
At my answer, His Highness closed his eyes for a moment. After a few slow seconds, he opened them and whispered, "I see."
His expression and those few words conveyed his feelings perfectly. Despite his internal conflict, he was setting his own desires aside to respect mine. After a brief silence, he smiled brightly, as if to change the heavy atmosphere.
"Rachel, close your eyes."
"Eh?"
"Come now, just do it."
My eyes?
What had come over him so suddenly? I looked at him searchingly, but he only urged me again. I closed my eyelids as requested, my mind filled with questions. I felt his presence move behind me. Something brushed against my ear, making my shoulders jump instinctively.
"Don't move."
His voice whispered right by my ear. I realized the sensation from before must have been his silky hair. Realizing how close he was, my body froze, unable to move. Then, something cold touched my neck.
As if that were a signal, his presence seemed to pull back slightly, though I couldn't be sure with my eyes closed.
"You can open them now."
I slowly lifted my eyelids. The first thing I saw was His Highness gazing at me tenderly. He nodded with satisfaction, his eyes moving from my face to my throat.
"Yes, it suits you well."
Following his gaze, I checked my neck. There hung a necklace I didn't remember putting on. In the center was a gemstone... no, a mana stone. It looked like the color of his eyes that night on my balcony under the dark sky—illuminated by the moonlight and the faint glow from the room.
The color of the deep sea.
The beautifully cut mana stone was elegant yet appropriately sized, perfect for everyday use. As I touched the stone to confirm its presence, a wave of joy washed over me.
"...It's beautiful. Your Highness, thank you."
"No. It suits you just as I imagined."
His Highness watched me with his arms crossed, then reached out to stroke my wavy hair. He gently pulled me toward his chest, embracing my head.
"Your Highness..."
"...Yes," he murmured back, pulling me even tighter. "Can we stay like this a little longer?"
"Yes."
"...I've learned something."
"Something you've learned? What would that be?"
"When you find something precious, you become afraid of losing it. What I fear most right now is losing you."
He loosened his grip slightly to look into my face. Though he wore a smile, his brows were lowered with a hint of loneliness.
"Rachel, I swear I will always protect you. So, if anything happens, let me know immediately."
"Yes... of course. Um, I will definitely... definitely return to you. So, will you wait for me?"
His Highness narrowed his eyes gently and nodded.
"Ah. I'll be waiting, thinking of you."
This was a feeling I hadn't known when I left for the Marcel Territory before. The sadness of parting. Back then, I hadn't realized my love, and my hope for the future was stronger than anything else. I hadn't been able to consider the feelings of the man who waited for me.
...But now, I thought this: perhaps waiting was the harder part. Time felt longer when one was waiting, and above all, one couldn't see what was happening with their own eyes. That was why I would never betray his words or his feelings—his promise to believe in me and wait. I would definitely return to him.
His Highness took the stone of the necklace in his hand and looked at me with a serious expression.
"This mana stone is infused with my mana to protect you."
"Your Highness's..."
"Yes. So during your journey, I want you to wear it whenever possible. That way, when you put it on in the morning, look in the mirror, or take it off at night... you'll remember my face, won't you?"
With this necklace, I could feel him by my side at all times. It would surely give me strength during the journey. But, remember him?
No.
"I'll be thinking of you always..."
The small whisper was my true heart. No matter what happened, there was no way I could forget him. Whether looking at the blue sky or up at the stars. If I saw someone with golden hair in town. Even when eating something delicious. If there was a reason to think of him.
No, perhaps I didn't even need a reason. My heart was so overflowing with feelings for him that he would always be on my mind. And I would soon long to see him. There might be times when I'd feel lonely and unable to sleep.
Even so, the reason I could move forward step by step was that even if he wasn't physically there, he was always supporting me. Because I was always pining for him.
"Hmm. ...Actually, maybe I should tell the Marquis to stop your journey after all."
"Your Highness! Why...? Is there something I'm unprepared for?"
He laughed cheerfully. "Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean it that way."
...Then what did he mean?
"Not just Leonie, but who knows when some scoundrel might target you? If another 'fated encounter' happens during your travels, I can't even imagine what I'd do out of jealousy."
"...Jealousy? Your Highness is always such a gentleman."
"That's only because I want you to see me that way. If you saw what's truly inside my heart, you might run away, Rachel."
Run away? From him?
...Since realizing I loved him, I hadn't thought of such a thing even once.
"I won't run."
"Then perhaps I should safely capture you before you truly can."
He looked at me with a mischievous, deep smile, just like when he was joking.
"Your Highness is teasing again. My heart is already quite captured by you."
I gasped as soon as the words left my mouth. What am I saying? I had spoken my true feelings on a whim, thinking it was just his usual banter. It would have been fine as a light joke, but those words were my unvarnished truth. To answer a joke with such honesty... he must have realized.
Would he be put off by such a thing? I looked up at his face fearfully. His Highness stared at me with wide, surprised eyes, his face turning redder by the second as his gaze wandered.
"...I want to take you home right now."
He covered his mouth with his hand to hide his flushed face, so his mumbled words didn't reach my ears.