Chapter 92 - 92: His Highness is right before me...?
His Highness is right before me...?
Within my hazy consciousness, only His Highness’s face gradually became clear. Under normal circumstances, I would have wondered why he was here or where we were. But at that moment, such questions were trivial.
I didn't care if it was a dream. I didn't care if I was still wandering through some strange space-time.
The joy of seeing His Highness filled my chest to the brim.
The anxiety and loneliness I had felt moments ago seemed to shrink away. Even if the man before me wasn't real—even if he was just a dream—my feelings for him overflowed.
"Rachel, thank goodness. You’re awake..."
His Highness gazed at my face, his eyes narrowing with joy as he let out a sigh of relief. He rose from his chair, sat on the edge of my bed, and pulled me into a gentle embrace.
I’m being held by His Highness... Does this mean... I’ve really returned to him?
"Is it really you, Your Highness? Or is this a dream?"
The words slipped out naturally. His Highness tightened his hold on me. Pressed against him, I could hear his heart thrumming—thump-thump, thump-thump.
That heartbeat and his warmth felt like proof of life itself. The miracle of being alive and sharing these feelings with him felt undeniably real. It was a strange sensation, as if I had finally woken from a long, long dream.
But if this His Highness was real, what was that forest I was in just moments ago? That mystical forest connecting the Bousquet and Milicier territories... Was everything I saw there a dream?
...No, that couldn't be. I could remember everything so clearly.
The wind brushing my cheeks, Kuro’s soft fur, and that shocking sight...
Yes. Even now, having left that forest, the image was burned into my mind. The fact that I had seen my own murdered body. And the sight of Theodore-sama appearing afterward.
Still, for now, I wanted to think of nothing and simply stay in His Highness’s arms. I didn't want to let go of this sweet affection.
My feelings for him and the sheer relief brought heat to my eyes, and my vision blurred with tears.
"I thought I might never come back here..."
"Ah... It’s because my power was insufficient that you had to go through such a terrifying ordeal, Rachel."
"...Your power?"
"If I had grasped the internal situation of the Chantreuil Monastery better, Katrina Higgins would never have escaped and found her way to you."
"...!"
His Highness placed his hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. Up close, his face showed signs of exhaustion, with faint dark circles under his eyes. Realizing he had likely pushed himself too hard because of me, I felt both worried for his health and deeply apologetic. I reached out to stroke the shadows under his eyes, and he caught my hand, squeezing it tight.
The look in his eyes told me exactly how much he had worried, and my heart ached.
"I’m just relieved that you’ve finally opened your eyes, Rachel."
"Your Highness..."
"How do you feel? I heard you were clutching your head in pain before you lost consciousness. Is the pain still there?"
"No... I’m fine now."
"I see, that’s good. The royal physician will be here soon for an examination. If you feel unwell again, please tell me immediately."
His Highness let out a breath of relief and his eyes softened. Still concerned about my condition, he leaned in and touched his forehead to mine. "Ah, it seems you don't have a fever," he whispered.
"A-Ah... Your Highness! Y-You’re too close!"
"Ah, forgive me. I was just so worried."
"Please use your hand... use your hand to check!"
"...I see. My hand. That didn't occur to me."
The sudden proximity of his face sent a rush of heat to my cheeks, and I cried out in surprise. As I protested while turning bright red, His Highness pulled back and let out a happy chuckle.
At this rate, he was going to give me a fever I didn't have. I pressed my hands to my cheeks to check my own temperature and, as expected, felt a slight heat. I worried that my naturally upturned eyes were narrowing even further in embarrassment, but when I looked at His Highness, his face was also flushed, and his eyes looked slightly red.
Seeing that expression, I lost the words for any further protest.
I can't say anything when he gives me such a shy, happy smile...
I quickly looked away, unable to maintain eye contact without my heart giving out. His Highness also fell silent for a while, creating a quiet moment. But it wasn't an awkward silence; it was filled with a warm, soft atmosphere, like a sunny spot in spring.
In the quiet room, my mind finally began to function properly.
I returned to the question I should have asked first: why was His Highness here? He had mentioned Katrina-sama. Yes, I remember... I lost consciousness after Katrina-sama was apprehended. And then, before I knew it, I was in that forest... and now, I’m here with His Highness.
...Where exactly is "here"?
I looked around the bed. To my surprise, the room was filled with familiar things. It was my own bedroom at the Marquis Marcel estate in the royal capital.
Perhaps noticing my bewildered expression, His Highness nodded as if realizing something. "Ah, I haven't explained yet, have I?"
"When I received the report that you had lost consciousness after being targeted by Katrina Higgins, I sent Theodore to the Bousquet Territory."
"Theodore-sama!"
The name made my heart skip a beat, but I told myself to listen to His Highness first and waited for him to continue.
"Theodore used his arts to inform me of the situation and then brought you here ahead of the others. He judged it best to have you seen by a physician in the capital. The royal physician’s diagnosis was that you had simply fainted from a severe shock. They said you would wake up after a while, but... you didn't wake for a long time. You finally opened your eyes today."
"...I see. Thank you. How many days has it been since then?"
"It has been four days."
"Four days!"
I couldn't believe I had been asleep for so long. To me, it felt as though I had only been in that forest for a few hours.
Furthermore, according to His Highness, I had been brought here immediately after losing consciousness and had been here ever since. That would mean my time in the forest was... a dream?
There were many things that didn't make sense, but I wasn't calm enough to process them yet. I needed more time to sort through it all.
His Highness gently stroked my hair, his brow furrowed. "It’s only natural to be confused," he said softly.
"...Um, what happened to Katrina-sama... after that?"
"Katrina Higgins apparently escaped the monastery with the help of a count’s family—her mother Madam Higgins’s relatives. It turns out the new sister at the Chantreuil Monastery, who was said to be the catalyst for her escape after being attacked by Katrina, was actually an accomplice."
"I see... So it was the Former Marchioness Higgins’s doing."
"We are currently in the process of capturing everyone connected to Madam Higgins and bringing all their misdeeds to light. We also intend to re-evaluate the management of Chantreuil."
As soon as I asked about Katrina-sama, His Highness’s aura turned sharp and cold. His gaze became stern, and he frowned.
"Um, how is Katrina-sama... doing?"
"Ah. Her words and actions are still largely inconsistent. However, once she is cut off from her mother, the brainwashing may fade, and it’s possible she will become capable of coherent conversation again."
Brainwashing... I see. Katrina-sama wasn't the only one dreaming of becoming His Highness’s consort. At some point, it had become Madam Higgins’s dream as well. Those two dreamers must have let their similar natures spiral in the worst possible direction. And I... perhaps the Marquis Marcel family itself was being targeted by those who wished for our downfall.
It was possible that there were other families involved in Katrina-sama’s escape besides Madam Higgins and her relatives. But in reality, only those on the surface are usually punished. This incident might have even been a deliberate attempt to have Katrina-sama attack me, knowing it would fail, given how clumsy the crime was.
"There is one thing I want you to understand, Rachel. Even if you were to forgive Katrina Higgins, I have no intention of doing so."
"Your Highness..."
"Please understand that I do not intend to show her any leniency."
"Yes... Yes, of course. If you were too lenient, the royal family would be seen as soft..."
At my words, His Highness shook his head weakly. He took my left hand and cradled it in both of his.
"No. That’s not it, Rachel."
"Eh?"
"It doesn't contradict the royal family’s stance, but that’s not the reason. As a man who loves you, I cannot possibly forgive anyone who harms you."
"Your Highness..."
I looked up at him in surprise. He was smiling, but his brow was tilted in a pained expression.
...That’s right. I had failed to see His Highness’s most important feelings. He must have been working tirelessly on this case, likely without even time to sleep. Despite that, he had found time to visit me. And I’m sure today wasn't the only time. I should have first considered why such a busy man was doing so much for me.
He always respects me and tells me how he feels. I realized just how massive and precious that was to me.
"Are you disillusioned? Do I seem like a small-minded man?"
"...No, not at all..."
"I feel like I’m going crazy with jealousy toward anyone who gets close to you, and I don't want anyone who would steal your smile or your happiness to even come near you. I’ve realized lately just how narrow-minded I am."
His Highness smiled gently, but a shadow of sorrow lingered in his eyes. I looked back at him with a firm, steady gaze.
This man, who always strives to be strong, was baring his heart to me. I couldn't help but feel happy that the person I love was showing his hidden weaknesses only to me. It made him all the more dear to me.
I wanted him to understand my feelings too. With that thought, I squeezed the hand he was holding.
"No, Your Highness. I could never think such a thing. You are always thinking of me, and I feel the same way about you."
"...Rachel."
His Highness’s face went blank for a moment before slowly breaking into a wide, heartfelt smile. Seeing him like that made me happy, and I felt myself relaxing too.
"Um, Your Highness. I’m late in saying this, but..."
I gazed into his eyes as I spoke, and he gave a gentle "Yes?" in response. I offered him a bright smile.
"I’m home."
"Ah... Welcome back. Welcome back, Rachel."
His Highness’s eyes widened for a split second as he took a breath, then his gaze softened even further as he pulled me into another firm embrace.
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