"Is it also something bothering you lately?
In gotgotgoto and in a rocking carriage, His Highness, sitting in front of me, asked clouding his expression.
… should not.
From that day on, I wondered what Anna was talking about…… and thought about it more often.
He may have looked difficult again, even though he was now on the road to the lake where His Highness invited him.
Cro, who arrived with me, also rode on my lap, "What's wrong? 'peeking into my face as if I were hearing it.
"Excuse me. I asked His Royal Highness around the corner and he said we were going out together"
"It's good about me. More than that, if Rachel is in any trouble, I want you to tell me.
I don't need you to think alone, and if you're worried, I hope you can lighten that burden. "
"… Your Highness"
"Not me, not Miss Abbott, not your samurai Sarah, not your parents. There are a lot of people around who worry about Rachel. If you have a problem, don't hold me in. I want you to rely on someone."
"Nyer."
"Oh, so are you. He said he was worried about Crowe."
His Highness never forced me to ask what was bothering me.
Still, he speaks out gently like this, anticipating the personality that originally tries to complete it within him.
I have someone to worry about me.
I felt like being grabbed in the chest by that fact.
… delighted.
Purely just that feeling came to mind.
The person I care about thinks of me.
It's so miraculous, I feel heat in the back of my eyes and tears are about to overflow.
"Thank you, Your Highness.
… Your Highness is truly amazing. You always say what I want. "
"I haven't been able to make a big deal out of it, and I've never really cared about people. So if that's what Rachel thought, it's all because of you.
It was Rachel who taught me how to feel. "
I feel heat gathering on my cheeks in His Highness's face smiling with such a calm face.
This gentle smile of His Highness, even though I'm just glad that someone I like will worry about me. No matter how many times they point at me, every time I fall in love with them.
Ever since I realized I liked it, I don't know what to do with this feeling myself, because I see all of His Highness's expressions shining brighter than ever.
"Nyanya"
Soon Cro, who was off his knees, knocks on the carriage door with a crisp forefoot.
"Chro, what's wrong?
"Oh, you seem to be getting there already.
The forest where this lake is situated is a place full of nature even in the King's capital. I guess it bothers the spirits who prefer nature. "
Well, surely there are no forests in the King's Capital without a little distance like this. And the Spirit is originally said to live in a forest by attribute.
Maybe it's because I'm also happy with the softness of this clo.
"Chro, Samuel's making you sweets, so we'll eat later."
A grin leaks unexpectedly at Cro's appearance that flutters his tail to my words and makes his eyes shine.
How cute.
"Come on, Rachel. Shall we go?"
"Yes, Your Highness"
As usual, I got off the carriage with the help of His Highness who got off first.
There are a few escorts lined up who greeted us before we left there.
But in it.
"Roger!"
"Lady Rachel, it's been a while."
"It's so good to see you! How have you been?
"Yes, I was on the perimeter guard, but I went back to Wangdu the other day, and I was going to put it on the escort again."
"Yes, sorry for the inconvenience in Marcel territory"
"No, Lady Rachel doesn't have to apologize.
Because I was immature as a knight. "
Roger was in one of those kidnapping disturbances on Marcel territory, and the incident itself had been kept secret, but had been turned from the floral shape of the King's capital, the King's Prince's escort, to border security in the form of taking responsibility.
Of course, even border security is a fine job as a knight. It is only easy to emerge among the Knights that they will definitely serve in the King's Capital.
And Roger's punishment was nothing more than my alarm. But His Highness, and Roger himself, were severely punished because of his intention that he should not be a knight for losing sight of the subject of the escort.
'That's pride as knights in their work.
And whoever stands on top is obliged to shoulder that responsibility. '
His Royal Highness's face, who said so, looked completely different from mine, as Prince Wang, who had set his mind to it long before the disease.
I did not understand that I would be royal, and that someone would be punished for my actions.
But His Royal Highness didn't blame him for it.
Instead, he even said it was his fault.
What he carries is heavy everywhere, and it is laid down at birth the life he has to bear.
How much is it?
After all, I guess I have my current highness after immeasurable suffering and grief.
His Highness gave me another gentle grin, as if he had noticed me staring.
"Come on, let's get on the boat first"
"Yep."
"As a matter of fact, I've never been on a boat before, even if I've been here before."
"Really?
"Oh, so I'm not worthy of being old..."
And when His Highness points to the lake, a boat is ready there.
His Royal Highness, who tells him it's the first time he's been on a boat, gives him an embarrassing look.
The figure feels cute, somewhere like a boy, and the laughter leaks out of his mouth unexpectedly.
Then His Highness narrowed his eyes so that it was even more illuminating.
"Rachel, watch your step"
"Yes, thank you"
His Royal Highness in the small boat for two offers his hand.
"Are you okay? Did you sit down?
"Yes."
"Good."
"... from above the lake, the trees feel even more beautiful."
"Ah. It's prettier than I imagined.
Cyril will scold me for playing with me all over again. "
"Then I will be scolded with you"
In that word, I too, Your Highness, face to face.
And neither, my and His Highness's shoulders swayed.
I laughed out loud and pleasantly, sounding really funny to His Highness.
"That's fun. I'm surprised I've been laughing so much lately."
"Right. I didn't know His Highness would laugh like this before."
"Neither do I.
I've been trying to control my joy and sorrow ever since I was a kid. "
"Why is that?
"I've never needed myself around me. What is always required is qualities as a king.
That doesn't have to be me.
The kings the people seek… that's what I am. "
His Royal Highness, who speaks so, did not pessimise that he was not in need of himself, but spoke pale as a matter of course.
"Even I care about this country and the people. That is why I intend to have learned and acted as I always deserve.
But that wasn't enough. "
"... wasn't enough?
From what I can tell, Your Highness has worked far enough.
He's a grown man who doesn't look very eighteen.
"I can only think of everything for a loss, and I'm a disgusting person who's used to using people"
"I was wondering if I was wrong as Prince Wang."
"… may be so. But you can't make someone happy with someone like that.
I have something beautiful, something delicious, someone to share it with. Knowing people's suffering, their happiness, makes them think of others.
I've never known such a normal thing in my life. "
His Highness, whom I have seen so far, hates weakness.
I also hate exposing myself.
But His Highness is showing me his vegetables now. And whether I accept it or not, surely it doesn't matter.
I guess I'm just trying to convey His Highness's words to face myself from the bottom of my heart.
"Thank you, Rachel.
Leave me alone. "
I laugh calmly when I say so, Your Highness.
When I saw that face, I heard the sound of patchouli in me as if the last piece of the puzzle were going to fit.
"Your Highness, it's me.
How many times have I been saved by your strength, your kindness?
It was only with His Highness's strength that I realized my weakness. I admire His Highness's strength, which no one can shake. "
"Rachel."
I want to carry what he carries, too.
I also want to face my weakness.
And most importantly, I want to be at His Highness's side.
"Your Highness, may I join you in protecting this country that you cherish?
"Rachel... may I ask what that means?"
His Royal Highness opened his mouth as surprised by my words, he seemed anxious somewhere and turned a precarious gaze at me like he had hoped somewhere.
He asked himself over and over again in me ever since I realized I liked him.
Being next to him means being the Crown Princess and hence later Queen.
Is that readiness for you?
Can you be prepared to give yourself to this country?
But the conclusion may have been long overdue.
"Your Highness, I like you"
"Are you sure?
Maybe what I want is to deprive you of your freedom. "
"Still, being next to someone you love is more beautiful than any other view... Isn't it?"
I'm sure there will be difficulties.
Still getting stronger, that's what I decided.
On the side of whoever I like, fulfill my beloved and my beliefs.
Wouldn't such a life be nice, too?
"Thanks"
His Highness's voice, who told him to whine so small, was shaking weakly and slightly.
And his eyes, which were opened to the extreme, gradually wobbled and looked a little glowing.
But His Highness won't like to be seen like that.
So I dared to pretend to watch birds fly far and away freely in the blue sky so as to enjoy nature.