kscans

Chapter 106 - The Little One's Respite

"Ah... seriously... this is beyond insanity."

Going to Castrato while diplomatic relations were severed was one thing. I knew the reason for that. But why?

Why does she have to pick up nothing but trouble?!

Romel looked up at the Castrato brothers standing before him with a pathetic look in his eyes.

"This is madness. This man is a murderer, a patricide, you know?"

Chihaya slammed his hand on the table, ban, and pointed at Charles.

Nii-ni... it's not good to point at people, nyo.

The Little One tried to escape reality with a slightly distant look in her eyes.

"If you’re going to say that, the underground forest was hell itself. And this man is responsible for all of it."

Dorfen, not bothering to hide his disgust, backed up Chihaya. Adonis patted the flustered Augfel’s shoulder and interjected.

"If it’s a matter of hell, it’s just a matter of money, right? He’s royalty, after all. I’m sure they’ll pay up handsomely."

"That’s the young lady’s specialty, isn’t it? I’m sure it’ll work out," Zakk chimed in nonchalantly. The rest of the Little One’s party laughed in agreement.

...You guys are too loud.

With her friends saying whatever they pleased behind her, the Little One stood silently before Romel. Romel, chewing on a bitter pill at the temperature difference between the menacing Chihaya and his group and the optimistic Adonis and his, turned his gaze to Chihiro. The Little One stood there, looking uncomfortable. Well, it can’t be helped. I know you can’t abandon people in situations like this.

"You’re right. I can’t let you stay in the royal palace, but I will arrange for a mansion in the noble district. Half a year should be plenty of time. I’ll be sure to collect the fees, of course."

At Romel’s words, Augfel’s face brightened, and he nodded vigorously.

"What about my bride? I’m supposed to live with Chii-hiiro-sama, right?"

Ah. In that moment, everyone except the Little One and Romel exuded a disquieting aura. It seemed to be a unanimous sentiment, as the air was thick with vigilance.

Catching Charles’s innocent murmur, Romel’s face darkened.

"What do you mean by that, Chii-hiiro?"

The Little One recoiled, pya, at the sight of Romel’s dark smile, which she hadn’t seen in a while, and explained the situation in detail.

"Forget what I just said. I’d like you to leave at once."

After hearing the story, Romel ordered the two to return to their country immediately. The Little One’s party nodded vigorously, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.

"Hey! I’m the one who accepted, nyo! If you say no, Romel, then I’ll have them stay at my house!"

"Don’t be ridiculous! You, honestly! You need to be more aware of your position!"

Romel patiently, kon kon, explained to the pouting Little One. Ever since Chihiro’s true identity was revealed, even Wilfe hadn't given up on making her his consort. The same was likely true for Theodore, who still hadn’t taken a fiancée. The reason Marrow from Donautil visited Frontier every year was the same. The royal relations alone were more than enough to deal with, yet it was painfully obvious in Frontier’s high society that many other nobles were also interested in the Little One.

"Could you please not increase the number of suitors? Despite the fact that I am your official fiancé, this is the situation! Please, be more aware!"

Romel’s near-tearful shout left the Little One speechless.

"It’s not my fault."

Besides, what is this love thing anyway. It’s just a fever. A flimsy emotion that fades with time. It has no meaning.

Romel sighed at Chihiro's cynical, sullen expression and reluctantly prepared a mansion in the noble district for Augfel and his brother. Then he gave a strict order.

"You are absolutely forbidden from approaching Chii-hiiro. If you break this rule, you will be immediately deported."

Pinned by his sharp, beast-like eyes, Augfel could only nod his head again and again.

So this is the famous right-hand man of the King of Frontier.

After coaxing the complaining Charles, the two were prompted by Romel’s subordinates and left the office. Romel watched them go with a fixed gaze, then lifted the Little One into his arms.

With all the problems thrown at me at once, I forgot to say it.

His gaze softened, and Romel stroked Chihiro’s head.

"Welcome home, Chii-hiiro."

"...I’m home."

The little one’s sulky uni uni gestures brought a wry smile to his face, and the room filled with smiles. That's right, she was home. A sense of relief washed over them from the bottom of their hearts. The knights exchanged glances, ready to finally relax and spread their wings for the first time in a while.

However, this would cause another problem.

"To hell with women!"

In the kitchen’s staff dining room, a knight was sobbing his heart out, ooi oi oi. It was Lucas, a member of the Little One’s squad, being comforted by his comrades as he drowned in tears. Joining the onlookers wondering what was wrong, the Little One also pricked up her ears and found out that he had apparently been dumped by his girlfriend.

"I went to her house to ask her out, but she said she had plans today... What, are her plans more important than me?!"

As Lucas wept, egu egu, the Little One murmured a question while eating her meal.

"Did you let her know beforehand?"

"Eh?"

"You just got back the day before yesterday, right? And you got permission for leave. In that time, did you properly let her know you were back and had gotten leave?"

"Ah... no."

So you just showed up unannounced. Well, that’s men for you.

The Little One sighed.

"If she didn’t know, it can’t be helped. The promise she made first takes priority, right?"

"But it’s a rare holiday, you know? If she’s my girlfriend, shouldn’t she prioritize me? Instead, she got all dressed up and went somewhere alone... I’m sure she’s cheating. She must have another man..."

Listening to Lucas’s words as he cursed his girlfriend while biting his nails resentfully, Chihiro slammed her cutlery on the table with a don.

"Do you have any proof?"

"He? Uh... no."

"I’ve been listening to you grumble this whole time. That she’s cold, that she’s suspicious. Did you make any effort to keep her by your side?"

"Effort?"

"Yes. Like checking in on her often, showing your appreciation. Did you do that properly?"

There were wicked women in the world who could twist men around their fingers. But from what she had heard of his complaints, his girlfriend didn’t seem to be one of them. He had said that she used to be kind and always looked up to him with a smile. If that was the case, the reason for the change must be something that happened later.

"Appreciation... I have my duties as a knight. We can’t meet that often, and she should understand that, right?"

"That’s no excuse, nyo. Look at my foster father or Adonis. They find time between their work to come and check on me, don’t they?"

Suddenly drawn into the conversation, the two men scratched their heads, a blush creeping up their cheeks.

"Well... yeah..."

"I get worried... so, yeah."

Though the nature of it was different, this was a form of affection.

"You said she used to treat you kindly and with care, right? What did you do for her?"

...What did I do?

He had been so busy with work that he hadn't done anything. He celebrated birthdays and special occasions, but on a normal day, she rarely crossed his mind. Even on his rare days off, he was so tired he didn't go out with her. Realizing this, Lucas was stunned.

"From my perspective, I think it’s difficult to maintain affection for someone who doesn’t pay you any attention. At first, you might do everything for them because you’re smitten, but that feeling gradually withers. Especially between two unrelated people, effort is necessary, isn’t it? Did you reciprocate her efforts?"

At the Little One’s explanation, Lucas’s face grew paler and paler.

"It doesn’t have to be something big. A small letter or a gift. Is the knight order so busy that you don’t even have time for that?"

The Little One knew. She knew the knights enjoyed themselves in their free time, chatting and playing board games. Couldn't he use that time to prepare a single letter, or a gift from one of his expeditions? Just receiving that would have made her happy.

"You completely put your girlfriend second, yet you want her to put you first? That’s utterly ridiculous."

Lucas froze in shock. The others who had been quietly listening to the Little One’s story also looked down slightly. Some shifted restlessly. They probably had similar experiences.

Neglect is met with neglect. It’s only natural. To be flustered by that and accuse her of cheating or whatever. Give me a break.

"Affection is something you nurture. If it isn’t given light or water, it will wither and die. ...If you love her, then fight for it. It might be too late, but you need to see it through to the end."

Hearing those words, Lucas shot up from his seat with a gatan. Following his lead, several others stood up and left the kitchen with Lucas.

The world is generally full of vicious cycles. To make things better, one must either give up or face it head-on. It seemed Lucas chose to face it.

Someone stood behind the Little One, who was grinning smugly.

"That was harsh. Is that your view on love?"

It was Romel, with an exasperated look on his face.

Why is royalty showing up in the staff dining room?

Romel sat down in front of the Little One, who was mofu mofu eating the rest of her meal, and ordered his own. Adonis nodded and smiled broadly.

Chii-hiiro probably doesn't know. The Crown Prince's brother only comes to eat in the staff dining room when Chii-hiiro is in the palace.

Would the day ever come when she noticed the existence of such clumsy affection?

Adonis shrugged lightly and returned to the kitchen. And there, crushed by his daughter’s sharp words, was the Bear in the Kitchen, curled up in a ball.

"For Sakura... no, for Chii-hiiro and Naya too. Should I make something?"

Adonis burst out laughing at Drago’s muttering, butsu butsu.

Ah, if only every day could be like this.

Adonis rejoiced from the bottom of his heart for the Little One’s brief respite.