Chapter 102: In Place (2)

"This guy said... that he would make me happy."

A sudden bombshell dropped.

Elise was holding onto my arm without letting go.

Warm body heat could be felt at my fingertips.

Despite the sentence being full of potential for misunderstanding, not even a trace of wavering was visible in the girl's expression.

Rather, she only blinked as if asking what the problem was.

"What...?"

As I was momentarily flustered, fingers interlaced with my held hand.

Our distance narrowed closely.

The rose maintained that state and asked.

"What's wrong? Is there some problem?"

A calm question.

At that, I who was lost for words, had to seriously consider.

"......"

Where should I start tackling this?

It wasn't that she had said anything particularly untrue.

When she asked about the reason for my help, I always answered that it was for her happiness.

In a simple sense, it was the truth without even a trace of addition.

However, the problem was.

"W-w-what is that...?!"

"Huh...?"

In the tone that invited misunderstanding.

The villainess and protagonist.

The two standing in front were indeed looking this way with surprised expressions.

Soon reactions returned.

"Make her happy... did the Young Master really say such words?"

"H-his hand is on Her Highness's stomach......"

At that point, I had no choice but to pinch my brow.

It was a prank full of malice.

At first I thought she had made a mistake, but thanks to Elise's smiling eyes I could notice.

Was she trying to get revenge for being teased continuously?

'That's right.'

A rose covered in thorns.

Though she had become docile recently, I had overlooked the fact that she originally had an outspoken personality.

It was due to scars left from a long illness.

Her will to give me a taste of my own medicine by causing misunderstandings in front of close ones was clear.

I raised a polite objection along with a troubled smile.

"Your Highness... this doesn't seem to be a very good prank. If you plant such misunderstandings, won't these two innocent people become pitiful sacrifices?"

"I only spoke the truth though?"

"Of course, but."

"Or are you going to say you've already forgotten...?"

"......"

The rose gazing with sunken eyes.

I was at a loss for words.

I almost got swept up in that atmosphere.

Whether she had self-studied acting during her illness, her skill at drawing sad eyes was quite exquisite.

I looked down at her with an expression of disbelief.

"Your expression is quite something."

Elise laughing softly.

Though her face was covered in gloom, a single flower petal bloomed as if lying.

It was a beautiful scene like a gentle breeze.

"......"

I blankly looked at such a rose.

The heart to reproach disappeared.

The girl who had been preparing for death while suffering sadness, let alone pranks, until just days ago.

Elise clearly had a changed face.

'This is.'

Isn't it a good sign?

It would mean she had gained that much room in her heart.

Contentment gradually spread to my lips.

I burst into a faint laugh and gently stroked the red hair before my eyes.

The rose seemed flustered at the unexpected reaction.

"Pfft... I suppose it's fine."

"What."

"Why are you like that?"

"You should be more shaken."

"Why would I need to fear sincerity? There wasn't even a trace of deception in saying I wish for your happiness, so I realized there's nothing particularly to point out."

"......"

"Your joy would be my blessing."

"...Again with that."

The pointed thorns gradually softened, then soon returned to a docile appearance once more.

Sulky irritation remained on her lips.

Warm heat settled on her pale cheeks.

A small muttering voice.

"How annoying..."

Come now.

You're still 10 years away from being able to cause enough chaos to fluster me.

"Still, please be careful in front of others. This is directly connected to Your Highness's reputation."

I hoped she would realize her status was the empire's third.

It meant the weight differed even for the same prank.

I didn't know what she would do if really bad misunderstandings started circulating.

I added with some worry in my heart.

'And.'

This kind of prank is my specialty.

I hoped she wouldn't take away one of the few joys in my life.

"Huhu."

Meanwhile,

The two people watching from the side were still wandering in confusion.

Their delicate questions all trembled alike.

"Y-you... is everything Her Highness said true?"

"I didn't know..."

"I can't believe it. Last time you messed with the personal maid, and this time even the empire's hidden star......"

"The ring you gave me then... I was t-treasuring it preciously."

Emilia sent a look of contempt.

Regia sobbed for some reason.

It seemed I needed to clear up the misunderstanding before it deepened.

"Oh my... first I'd like to say this is a misunderstanding."

I calmly explained the related contents.

It was briefly summarized.

As the explanation continued, the children regained their senses, and I was able to successfully shed the undeserved suspicion.

The villainess and protagonist seemed to understand the situation only then.

"Becoming the primary physician... so that's why you were by Her Highness's side."

"I-I-I'm sorry! I made strange misunderstandings without knowing such things...!"

"It's alright, Miss Regia. It was a situation anyone would misunderstand hearing it. Rather, you should be seen as victims caught up in a mischievous prank."

"...You're saying that for me to hear, aren't you?"

"How could that be?"

The atmosphere naturally loosened.

Only then did I feel relieved.

Regarding the treatment, I couldn't mention the disease name, so I vaguely passed it off as an unknown incurable illness.

Of course, news of being in charge of such an illness was worth being suspicious about.

What kind of connection?

And ability.

To be appointed as a princess's primary physician no less.

Such questions could have come out.

"I see... it's not surprising if it's you."

Emilia, who already knew my power, seemed to roughly accept it.

"Y-Young Master is amazing after all...!"

Regia just nodded her head blindly.

Perhaps because she saw me as something great.

Even questionable parts seemed to be passed over with the mindset of 'It's possible because it's the Young Master!'

Thanks to that, I could smoothly skip troublesome explanations.

The children were standing side by side.

I smiled brightly toward them.

"That was the situation. It seems we'll be associating together from now on, so it would be wonderful if you could get along well."

A humble request conveyed.

The girls responded in their own languages.

"Do you think I'm some child? I know such things without you saying them."

"If... if it's okay for me to be here too, I'll do my b-best."

"...Unfamiliar people are uncomfortable."

The vain one.

The pilot.

The rose.

Though there were complaints, there were no refusals.

Like that, the children came to leave the first scene of becoming acquainted in their minds.

***

About 30 minutes later.

The Rose and I were finally able to set foot in the dormitory.

The girl's dormitory was in a location close to mine. It seemed to have been arranged in consideration of my circumstances needing to visit frequently for treatment.

I thought this too might have been Selena's doing.

"...I'm tired."

Elise was particularly exhausted.

Because she had difficulty moving her body, I had to transfer her from the wheelchair to the bed.

Laying her delicate body on the fluffy blanket.

Perhaps a bit concerned, the girl needlessly added a word.

"Sorry."

"It's alright. Today must have been tiring for you."

We had been out all day after all.

It must have been unfamiliar for her.

Having lived trapped in a cage for the past 10 years, all the surrounding scenery must have approached as new stimulation.

Even riding in a wheelchair, it was a day that would have been tiring.

"What about Tanya and Sister...?"

"They'll come a bit later. Since the three of you will be using the same building from now on, they said they would move their luggage from the dormitory they were staying in before."

"I see... from now on I..."

Elise muttered as if she still couldn't believe it.

Her pupils shone differently than usual.

As if dreaming.

I quietly smiled at such an appearance.

So as not to disturb her contemplation, I quietly took steps while killing my presence.

I thought about leaving now.

"I'll be going."

She must be tired.

Lingering by her side would only be a nuisance to her rest.

Like that.

As I was leaving her side.

"...Are you going?"

Suddenly a hand grabbed my sleeve.

Faint wrinkles forming on the clothes.

Turning back in response, green eyes looking up at me came into view.

The inner self reflected beyond them was shaking.

"Your Highness?"

Did she have something to say?

I tilted my head.

What followed was an unexpected sentence.

The rose chewed over fading resonance, then soon threw a question with pronunciation that had lost itself.

It was particularly shabby darkness.

"Can't you... stay with me?"

A quiet question.

Perhaps she had been uneasy?

Well.

Having been trapped in a cage for a long time, she must have been scared with her environment suddenly changing.

I realized I had lacked consideration.

Wanting someone to stay by her side.

If I disappeared like this, truly only she would remain in this world.

She disliked that loneliness.

"Of course."

I didn't leave.

Instead I sat on the edge of the bed.

"I'll stay for a while."

"Really...?"

"Until Your Highness falls asleep... no, even after you fall asleep, I'll continue to stay by your side. So please close your eyes with peace of mind."

"...Okay."

"We can do the treatment we couldn't do today while we're at it."

Slip-.

I lightly placed my hand on her stomach.

Skin feeling warm.

Though the girl reflexively let out a moan, soon it gradually subsided and she regained calm breathing.

I gently caressed that body heat.

"Huhu."

The touch was not intense or greedy like usual.

It was only benevolent.

Like singing a lullaby.

"You're... really strange."

"Is that so?"

"Usually you're like trash, like a pervert... why do you only act kind at times like this?"

"That's my charm."

"If you couldn't speak, you wouldn't be so hateful."

"Do you hate me?"

"Yes."

"Truly?"

"...No."

The girl eventually avoided the gaze that met hers.

I smiled in response to that.

Drawing circles on her abdomen with my fingertips.

It was to praise the correct answer.

Perhaps this stimulation was ticklish, for a brief pitiful breath leaked between her lips.

"Ugh..."

Glaring eyes.

I placed my finger on those sulky lips.

As if containing silence.

"Shh."

A soft sensation touched my finger.

It was truly explicit moisture.

I moved my fingertip as if sliding along the gloomy corners of her mouth, feeling the breathing heat beyond that soft flesh.

It was as if lips were overlapping lips.

A phrase splitting into pale red.

Between that.

I slightly inserted my thumb that had been wandering around.

A stiff tongue came out to greet it, and simultaneously wet and hot saliva moistened my finger.

The mouth holding sticky dampness slowly accepted the foreign object.

"Suck..."

The girl was looking up at me with blank eyes.

I smiled in response to that.

Slowly pulling out the finger that had been precariously riding the line.

When the thread of heat that had touched her tongue disappeared, the girl blinked several times as if coming to her senses.

Of course, I didn't wait for her consciousness to fully return just like that.

"It's time to sleep."

I covered the girl's eyes with my other hand.

Eyelids closing naturally.

The girl accepted the touch without resistance and began to gradually release the tension in her body.

The heat on her cheeks also seemed to subside.

"It was a difficult day."

"......"

Fading breath.

Like that.

I was waiting.

Until the moment when her unstable breathing repeated steadily, and finally announced complete dreaming.

I was transmitting body heat to the girl until deep into the night.

"Sleep well."

Along with a kind whisper.

***

The next day.

Though it had only been two days since returning to the academy, I couldn't wait and headed outside the academy once more in that time.

It was because there was someone I had to personally go pick up.

After riding for hours in a bumpy carriage, I was able to arrive at the 'City That Doesn't Cry'.

'Rukiye.'

It was the city where Astro's headquarters was located.

It was a space I was returning to after quite a long time.

I went downstairs to find a hidden place.

Like that, opening a tightly closed door and taking steps into the headquarters.

Grab-!

There was a figure attacking as if it had been waiting.

I embraced that which came charging and fell backward, receiving its momentum.

We collapsed softly.

"Oh my."

Two hands tightly embracing my waist even amid that.

As I lay on the floor as if pounced on like that, I could see a girl burying her face in my neck atop my body.

It was a characteristic appearance I could recognize at once.

A gently swaying scarlet tail.

Ears standing up pointedly on her head.

I calmly called that name.

"Miss Irene."

It was a fox.

The girl inhaled a few times with her nose buried in me, then soon whispered in my ear.

"...I waited."

It was a single phrase containing long waiting.