Chapter 42.
Even as the sun dipped toward the west, there was no sign of the air cooling down.
We abandoned our walk and headed inside. It was too early for dinner, so we decided on a simple tea time.
“There’s plenty.”
…Along with peach tart.
Unconsciously feeling my face flush, I glanced at Elsa, and she nodded impassively.
“If the peaches aren’t sweet enough, please let me know.”
Her sarcasm hits differently. The funny part was that, amid all this, Friedrich’s cheeks turned the color of peaches.
…Aren’t you the one who shouldn’t be getting embarrassed?
“Let’s eat.”
I lifted my fork with a resigned expression.
But it was delicious.
So delicious that my eyes quickly regained their spark.
The peaches atop the tart were sweet enough to share.
“Can Mari eat this?”
I asked, thinking to set some aside for her, but Elsa shook her head.
“Not for the time being.”
“That’s a shame.”
No, once she’s healthy, we can sit face-to-face and eat it together. Actually, that’s even better.
“Princess Mari has come to Rene Palace. Have you heard?”
This was the first time I’d discussed it with Friedrich. He nodded.
“I overheard the maids talking.”
“I’m going to take responsibility and care for her.”
I said, setting down my teacup from my lips.
“I’ll go ask Father Emperor for permission tomorrow. Since no one pays attention to her anyway, he’ll probably allow it.”
“But Your Highness is showing concern.”
“Why, does that seem strange?”
I’m not exactly the affectionate type.
As I stared at Friedrich intently, he met my gaze without avoiding it and shook his head.
“Because you’re a kind person.”
“Really, why do so many people call me kind?”
“…Who else said that?”
“Duke Rommel.”
I replied casually and took a bite of the tart, but Friedrich’s gaze grew troubled.
I watched him steadily and thought. Indeed, his uncharacteristic boldness since yesterday…
‘He’s on guard.’
Even if I told Friedrich a hundred times not to worry, he wouldn’t believe it outright.
“Are you anxious?”
In these matters, you have to build trust through actions.
When I overlaid my hand on his, he flinched and looked at me.
His dazed gaze pierced through me. I tilted my head to the side and asked him,
“Even though you’re the one sitting across from me, eating tart right now?”
“….”
“There’s no need to push yourself. I know how you feel.”
At those words, Friedrich’s eyes wavered rapidly.
Does he really think I wouldn’t notice?
“…Then you know it’s not pushing myself, right?”
But an unexpected counter-question came back. Flustered for a moment, I looked at him, and he was gazing at me with a serious expression.
I wasn’t oblivious enough to ask what he meant, but since my thoughts remained the same as last night, I kept my mouth shut.
Friedrich slowly turned his hand over and carefully grasped mine. Before I knew it, we were holding hands properly.
When I’d first taken his hand, I hadn’t felt much, but now that the situation had shifted, it strangely became hard to endure.
Not that it was unpleasant… The way my heart tightened felt awkward, and I wanted to avoid it. But Rene Stade couldn’t act like a novice here.
“…Maybe I should have paid attention sooner.”
Still holding Friedrich’s hand, I changed the subject to escape this feeling.
“To Mari, I mean. I thought she’d at least be living decently, even without attention.”
I couldn’t bring myself to continue. The memory of seeing Mari’s room earlier resurfaced, and now my heart tightened in a different way.
And as time passed, a natural question arose. Perhaps Friedrich had lived like Mari, too.
It was a question too frightening to confirm the answer to.
“Do you feel guilty?”
“Honestly, yes.”
“But if it weren’t for Your Highness, Princess Mari would still be there.”
Friedrich calmly countered my words. I’d expected simple consolation, but his unexpected approach made me gaze at him steadily.
“Your Highness rescued her. No one resents the person who came to save them for arriving now.”
“….”
“They just feel grateful that you came at all.”
“…That makes sense, but.”
I continued bitterly.
“Now that I know how long she suffered, I can’t just think that way.”
“You can overlay better memories on the past ones. Don’t blame yourself too much for what’s gone.”
“I suppose I should.”
I let out a short sigh and looked at Friedrich.
“It makes me reflect on whether I’m doing that for you.”
At those words, Friedrich gazed at me steadily.
When no immediate answer came, I found myself tensing unconsciously.
Suddenly, Friedrich bowed his head and placed a small kiss on the back of our joined hands.
I flinched and looked at him as he slowly lifted his head to meet my eyes.
Soon, he raised one corner of his mouth slightly and whispered.
“I’m receiving more than I deserve.”
His low voice tickled my skin. Unconsciously, I gripped his hand tighter.
I hid my reaction and mirrored him by curving my lips. In any case, if that’s how he felt, it was a relief.
***
“Zap.”
“….”
“Zap, zap. Zap-zap.”
“….”
Still, nothing happened. I let out a deep sigh and flopped back onto the bed.
“It won’t work.”
I still couldn’t use magic. Then what was that in the prison? Maybe the anger I felt earlier was the key?
‘Come to think of it, I haven’t really gotten angry since coming here.’
That’s when Elsa entered the room. Feeling like I’d been caught unable to use magic, I startled without meaning to.
Elsa looked at me oddly, then, moments later, seemed to realize something and bowed her head.
“I’m terribly sorry. I’ll step out.”
“No, whatever you were thinking, stay. Just… I have something to ask.”
I waved my hand dismissively and asked Elsa.
“Is there a way for someone to stay angry all the time?”
At the out-of-the-blue question, Elsa furrowed her brow and countered.
“Are we talking about Your Highness?”
“Hmm, well… yes.”
“It would probably be difficult for you.”
“Why? Because I’m simple and fickle?”
“Well, more than that…”
So you’re not denying it.
“Wouldn’t it be hard with two handsome men around you every moment? To stay angry.”
“Ah.”
Right, I forgot for a second. That there are two face geniuses living in our house…
‘Besides, staying angry all the time would make me sick from pent-up rage first.’
In any case, confirming that my magic returned even briefly means it’s not a completely hopeless situation.
Plus, the incident in the prison means no one will suspect my magic loss anymore.
‘Let’s think positively. If I wait, another clue will appear.’
“Oh, right. What time is it now?”
“Ten minutes until midnight.”
Elsa pulled out her pocket watch and told me the time.
Good, I’m still me, and Friedrich turned into a child well past midnight yesterday.
‘Maybe it’ll be the same tonight.’
I should record the time when the magic activates. If that time keeps getting later, it’s a good sign.
I headed straight to Friedrich’s room. Opening the door, a quiet atmosphere greeted me.
Friedrich was asleep, slumped over his desk. My brow furrowed immediately. Why sleep here instead of in bed?
I approached the desk to wake him, then suddenly realized this was the first time I’d seen him asleep as an adult at night, and it felt strange.
It would be good if his body doesn’t change until after midnight today, too.
Checking the pocket watch, there was now one minute left until midnight. I fixed my gaze on the second hand, tense. 58, 59… 60!
‘It didn’t change!’
I nearly exclaimed but quickly covered my mouth. At least one person’s making progress—thank goodness.
But if Friedrich’s curse is truly lifting, I still had no clue why.
