Chapter 97 - 97 王太子視点
The glare of the setting sun through the window pulled me back to consciousness. I opened my eyes to see Rachel leaning back against the sofa, her own eyes closed.
Careful not to wake her, I quietly lifted my head from her lap and checked my pocket watch. It seemed I had been asleep for about an hour. I was surprised by how deeply I had slept. My body felt lighter. Perhaps I had been more tired than I realized, but more than that, it was the sense of security. I had never experienced such a peaceful awakening.
It was undoubtedly thanks to Rachel.
I rested my elbow on the back of the sofa and watched her sleeping face. A warm breeze seemed to blow through my chest, and a smile tugged at my lips. I had seen her sleep a few times before, but she was so lovely I felt I could watch her forever. Her expressions were charming when she was awake, but seeing her sleep with such total trust, her cat-like eyes closed, filled me with an endless well of affection.
I leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her eyelid. Normally, she would turn bright red and panic, but now she just slept on.
I really do want to just take her back to the castle with me.
As I looked at her, a surge of love hit me, along with the desire to never be apart for even a second. Just thinking that I would see this face every day once we were married made me impatient for that future to arrive.
"Mmm..."
Rachel's brow furrowed, and a small sound escaped her lips. Her eyes fluttered open against the light. She blinked a few times, her gaze wandering until it finally settled on me.
"Y-Your Highness. Forgive me... I said I would wake you, yet I fell asleep myself."
"It's alright. I slept very well. Thank you, Rachel."
"...No. I'm just glad you were able to rest."
She blushed slightly, seemingly embarrassed about falling asleep. She squinted at me with a happy, gentle smile. Faced with such a cute expression, I couldn't hold back my feelings any longer.
"Rachel, let's just live together starting now."
"Your Highness... what are you saying?"
"If things go smoothly and we allow a year for preparations after you graduate... that's at least two more years. I'm worried I might just kidnap you before then."
"There you go again."
I spoke in a light tone, but those were my honest feelings. Rachel just chuckled, resting a hand against her lips as if it were a joke. Fine, take it as a joke for now.
"But, Rachel... make sure you're prepared."
"Prepared? For what?"
"The resolve to be loved by me."
"Wh—"
I fixed her with a heated gaze. Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of crimson. She looked down, hiding her face behind her hands, seemingly unaware that even that gesture was adorable. As I watched her, her expression suddenly darkened.
"Is something wrong?"
"...No. I was just thinking how wonderful it would be if that future... really came to pass."
"Rachel. It's alright. It will work out. You're working hard for it, after all."
It would be a lie to say I had no anxieties. But I wasn't just wishing for that future; I was determined to make it happen. I smiled to reassure her. She nodded, her eyes narrowing happily, before looking at me with a newfound intensity.
Her expression had changed. Did she have something important to say?
"Your Highness. Actually, I have a request."
"I'd grant any wish of yours. What is it?"
"...Yes. Um... I want to go back to the forest between the Bousquet and Milicier territories."
"That forest? Do you think there's something there?"
"Yes. I feel like... the cause of my lost magic might be there. I feel like I need to go back. Like something is calling to me."
Calling to her? That was one of the Mystic Forests scattered throughout the kingdom. There was no doubt that spirits were involved. However, if she were to go again, it would be better to wait until the issues with the Chantreuil Monastery and the Higgins family were settled. She had returned safely this time, but she had been in real danger. I couldn't let that happen again. Furthermore, I needed a proper justification for her presence there.
"I see. If you're that certain, then there must be something."
If Rachel was this convinced, there really might be something there. In that case...
"I'll have Theodore accompany you."
"Theodore-sama? ...W-why?"
Rachel's shoulders jumped at my muttered suggestion. I was the one surprised this time; I didn't understand why she reacted so strongly to Theodore.
"Isn't Theodore-sama busy...?"
"He's the best fit for matters involving magic and spirits. Besides, the Order of Mages already planned to send him toward the Bousquet territory soon."
"...I see."
"But first, you must rest in the capital. And before anything else, you'll be attending the graduation party with me."
Rachel looked at me blankly. From her reaction, she hadn't realized that I, a third-year, was about to graduate. Well, she had been through a lot lately, so it was understandable that the timing had slipped her mind. Still, as someone who was feeling a bit lonely about no longer spending time with her at the academy, it was a little painful.
"...Um, I hadn't forgotten..."
"It's fine, I know. You'll attend with me, won't you?"
"Is it alright for me to act as your official fiancée in public?"
"You mean His Majesty? It's fine. I've spoken with him and gained his consent for you to remain my fiancée."
I decided to keep the time limit to myself for now. I didn't want to burden her too much. More than anything, I just wanted to be with her and make some final memories of our school days together.
"Then, I look forward to it."
Whether she knew my feelings or not, she beamed at me. She probably didn't realize how much that smile encouraged me. But that was fine. To see that smile more often and to protect it—being the man who could do that gave me more strength than anything else.
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