Chapter 114

Chapter 114

Translator: Yonnee

—

After a brief moment of silence, Liam spoke.

“Are you still going to run away from His Highness?”

I guess he’s wondering if I changed my mind after the nightmare. Just as Rosteratu did when he suddenly snapped like that.

His eyes observed me closely. To try and read my true feelings.

“I’ll still move far away from the Prince’s reach…”

As I paused for a bit, I chuckled awkwardly.

“But rather than running away, I think it’ll just be some quality time away from each other so we can sort out our own feelings.”

It hasn’t even been a few days since I asked for his help in running away. I’m so mortified that I’m turning back on my words like this.

But I’m not the kind of person who would stop there and not explain.

I laid out my thoughts carefully.

“The situation we had at the tower was far from ordinary. I know His Highness cares for me. But we need some time apart.”

To be honest, this move was also partly motivated by fear. The more I spent time with Albert, the more I was falling for him. And I still continued to harbor the fear of the despair I’d be drowning in later when he finally says he doesn’t love me anymore.

As I recalled Albert’s face, I laughed.

“But no matter what happens, I’ll always wish for the Prince’s happiness.”

Because he’s the man that I love.

“His Highness’s happiness…”

Liam repeated my words as he averted his gaze. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to be angry when I explained in this way.

I also added what Albert told me before.

“And the Prince also personally told me that I can try and do the things I want to do.”

“I see.”

Liam crossed his arms and let out a sigh.

“Rosteratu has taken a hit, but not everything can be resolved right away. We still have to stabilize the peripheral situations and, one by one, deal with the nobles who had sided with him.”

I have a feeling that Liam’s omitting a few things there.

“A lot of blood is going to be shed, huh.”

“Yes. His Highness doesn’t want you to be exposed to any danger, so he’ll probably leave your safety to me. Or Schubert.”

“…Right.”

“Let’s aim for that timeframe. I’ll have everything prepared the next time we meet.”

“Yes.”

Liam surprised me by saying all this. He seemed to understand Albert a lot more than I thought.

I could also guess that Albert would take these actions. He wouldn’t possibly take me to the battlefield while the coup was ongoing.

Albert himself was aware that I’ll try to run away from him. But he didn’t know where I’d be going.

…Should I give him a hint?

But no. I’m pretty sure that as soon as I tell him, he’d already be waiting there. I could already picture it without actually seeing it with my eyes.

Then, the plans hadn’t changed.

Alright. Just one month. If Albert wouldn’t change his mind after we’re apart for one month—if he’s still looking for me, then I’ll go back to seek him out. At that time, I’ll erase all the doubts in my mind and love him with all of my heart.

After setting my mind to this, I realized that Liam didn’t step into the magic circle.

“You’re not coming with me, Your Grace?”

“I’ll stay here a bit longer. I still have to observe the movements of the nobles here in the capital… Your dragon cub also mentioned that a funeral should be arranged for the blue dragon.”

“Blanc said that?”

“Yes, I heard from Mercy.”

Ah, Mercy is a mage, so she could talk to Blanc. I wanted to take care of Alexander’s funeral myself, but Blanc seemed to have already delivered the message on my behalf while I was still knocked out cold with the nightmare.

I’m so proud of you, Blanc.

While immersed in my pride for Blanc, I heard Liam’s voice as he said something else.

“Good work out there. And, just so you know…”

He glanced towards me, and I saw the corners of his lips curl up ever so slightly.

It was a very minor change to his countenance, but the effect was remarkable. His atmosphere suddenly had a certain hint of warmth that was so different from how he usually was.

And here, I realized again that he really was the titleholder for Duke of the North in a romance fantasy novel.

The magic circle began to shine. And Liam went, Ah— as he said,

“You’re the one who’ll report what happened, Artius.”

“…Huh?”

When I asked back like an idiot, Liam drove the final nail in the coffin.

“From the matter of the changed disaster and until what happened to you there, be sure to report it all to His Highness, one by one.”

“…No way.”

“Also the fact that you were unconscious for a few days. He should have heard about it from Mercy, though… So he’s probably waiting for you now.”

“…No way!”

I mean, I really was planning to talk to Albert today though, but I was going to think about what I’m going to say first while on the way to his room! Just the loaded question he asked me the other day was already making me sweat buckets!

I’m not ready! Give me time to think!

“I wish you the best of luck.”

I know you’re some hotshot Duke of the North, but how could you hit someone on the back of the head like this? As my resentment towards Liam surged up to my neck, my surroundings suddenly shifted.

Whooooosh. I was back in the middle of a snowstorm again. But whatever it was that’s fluttering around me didn’t matter.

“Rosé.”

The voice I knew all too well called out to me.

The voice that tormented me in the nightmare yet enveloped me like a warm spring day.

“You must be cold.”

Albert placed a coat over me and wrapped me with it. All vestiges of the worries and concerns I had until just now all but vanished because I was now with him.

“It’s been a while.”

Albert gave me a dazzling smile.

It was my most favorite smile in the whole entire world.