57 – Because this world does not love you (2)
Because I did not take the course, the conclusion of engagement was very unconventional. When I made a confused expression, Yuna smiled and said.
“…You haven’t heard what I’m saying until now?”
“Yes. It seemed like I was talking to myself.”
“Then let’s just forget about it! Yeah. It’s just a story I’ve tried…”
Yuna quickly tried to explain it away, but I wasn’t the type to ignore something like this. I put the sandwich I was about to put in my mouth aside and leaned forward.
“You don’t plan on forgetting? Tell me. Why did you suddenly think that way?”
“Ah…That…Ugh…”
Both cheeks slowly turned red, perhaps realizing the embarrassment of saying the word “Engagement” Belatedly. I looked at her unwaveringly.
“No, well…It’s just that. If the crown prince marries a commoner, it will set a precedent, right? That’s because it sets a precedent left by the imperial family…Even the Richmond family would unconditionally oppose marriage to a commoner. “I thought there was no way I could do it.”
“Aha. That’s what you were talking about.”
“Yes. And if you become engaged to a commoner at a time like this, you may be seen as showing strong support for the crown prince… And in that case, it may be an opportunity to become a close associate of the next imperial family…”
“I’m not sure because it’s difficult.”
“And me too. No, even Yuna can’t live alone forever. I need someone to be with, and if that’s you, that’s more than enough…”
“I guess that’s the point? Does she want to spend the rest of her life with me?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Ah…I see. Yes.”
It was meant to be a joke, but being honest about it made me feel embarrassed. Yuna seemed not to have noticed such a sign, and she sighed heavily.
“But when I thought about it again, it made no sense. First of all, the crown prince hates you, so if she becomes engaged to you, there is a higher chance that she will fall out of favor with the imperial family.”
“I guess I was too harsh after all.”
“And more than anything, I didn’t think the Duchess would think of it the way I did. That’s why I told her to forget it. After all, it was nothing more than a delusion of mine.”
“Can’t we at least talk about it? At least it sounds plausible to me.”
“Hey…Let’s talk about it? How?”
“You can just send a letter.”
“A letter? Me?”
It was as if I had said something impossible. Is it difficult to even just send a letter?
“Yes. Is that not possible? Then, what if I ask the servant to tell you?”
“It’s not a problem with the method of delivery, is it?”
“Uh…Then should I write it instead? Hello, this is Yuna’s fiancé. Like this…”
“That’s really the worst, Ellen.”
“Hmm…That’s difficult.”
“That’s right. It’s too difficult.”
Yuna countered bitterly and leaned her body against her desk. She then told a self-deprecating joke.
“I guess there are more problems between us than I thought.”
“…”
I felt it so sincerely that I had nothing more to say. As she finished speaking to me, an icy silence fell between us. It felt like if I made a mistake, a sharp piece would fall off and scratch my delicate heart.
But I was the one who broke that silence.
“Um… Then. Should I try to become friends with Claes?”
“Huh?”
“Anyway, that means you like me that much. Then, wouldn’t everything be resolved if I eventually become very close to Claes? If even a commoner becomes the crown prince’s friend, wouldn’t the duchess think well of me?”
“…Ahahahaha.”
When I asked brightly, Yuna burst into laughter. She then patted my head with her hand and said,
“Sometimes, I think a lot about wanting to be like you. I wish I could think about everything brightly like that.”
“But I’m serious.”
“Eren. Do you know that the crown prince hates you more than you think?”
“I’m not sure how much I hate you.”
“He’s busy right now with his engagement and all, but there’s also a rumor that he’s planning to take care of it sometime. So, if you’re really making such plans, please don’t. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Ah. Do you really have to hurt me?”
“I’m saying there is a possibility.”
“Then wouldn’t it be better to go get hit quickly? They say it’s better to get hit first.”
“Ellen, aren’t you going to listen seriously?”
Yuna slapped my arm and scolded me. She then cleared her throat and spoke again in a gentle voice.
“And even if you want to become friends anyway, you won’t have the chance for a while. In a week, the crown prince will leave the academy to get engaged to Elise. He probably won’t return until the final exams. Rather, I’m praying that you forget the resentment I’ve had against you. It’s better.”
“Okay, I will. Don’t worry.”
“Really, stay still this time, Eren. Understood? You’ll just stay there until the crown prince leaves. You can promise me that, right?”
“I understand. I promise. I promise.”
I smiled and raised my little finger. But Yuna glared at me with fierce eyes.
“What are you thinking right now? You must be thinking strange thoughts.”
“Me? I’m not thinking about anything?”
“You said that during Elysee and then went off to do something strange.”
“Did I do that?”
“You can see it all on your face. For the time being, stick close to me. I won’t even let you go to the bathroom, so you can do it yourself.”
“That’s too much…”
She timidly tried to resist, but Yuna seemed to have strengthened her will and came to my side and crossed her arms as hard as she could. She felt it was too restrictive, but she liked the feel of her breasts against his arms, so she decided to just stay still. Yuna looked at my strangely red ears and glanced at me with narrow eyes.
… Trudge. Trudging. Trudging.
At that time, the sound of Guero’s heavy footsteps began to be heard from beyond the bookshelf. What will he say if he sees me like this? They’re probably already making jokes about being captured. I looked across at Yuna with her amused expression, imagining how she would react to that joke.
But the next moment, it was not Guero who appeared beyond the bookshelf.
“…Huh?”
“…!”
What appeared there was a male student as big as Guerro. I questioned her by tilting her head, but Yuna was shocked and opened her mouth blankly. He watched us quietly and then opened his mouth in a heavy voice.
“You were here, Ellen.”
“Do you know me?”
I asked him carefully, but he did not answer. Instead, he frowned and said something shocking.
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is looking for you.”
“Yes?”
“…!”
I guess Yuna was more surprised than I was, and I felt a warm embrace tightening around my arm even more. Meanwhile, I answered calmly, enjoying the feel of her warm chest.
“Well…Then you succeeded. You figured out that I was here. Then, you can tell Claes-kun that Eren is in the library.”
“He told me to bring him to you right away. So get up right away.”
“No!”
Yuna screamed at his stubborn attitude. Then he hugged my arm tighter and said sharply:
“No matter how much you are His Highness the Crown Prince, you do not have the authority to forcefully give orders to his classmates. So, you cannot send him away. Absolutely.”
It was the fiercest and most reassuring sight I’ve ever seen. Yuna sharpened her sharp eyes at her man and he cleared his throat as if he was troubled.
“… These are the words of His Majesty the Crown Prince, Miss Yuna.”
“You should call me Claes-kun, not His Highness the Crown Prince. This is an academy. I hope you don’t forget that we are all the same students.”
“And Miss Yuna. I’m asking Ellen, not you. Miss Yuna also has no authority to decide Ellen’s future.”
“I’m just speaking for Ellen. Ellen will never go. Right Ellen?”
“Uh. I want to go.”
“Hey!”
But their tense war of nerves collapsed at my indifferent words. Yuna and even the man looked at me with astonished eyes.
“It’s not that difficult to see someone’s face, right?”
“What on earth did you hear what I said…?”
“And even if I reject it anyway, it will come back somehow. Isn’t that right, Mr. Ddeokdae?”
“…I’m not an old man.”
“Don’t worry, Yuna. I’ll come back safely. I’ll go with you, mister.”
I jumped up from Yuna’s seat before she could catch her. Then she approached her man and asked:
“Instead. Can I bring just one friend with me?”
“Go in.”
The man who stopped in front of the door of the first room I saw pushed my back and spoke in a rough voice. It felt like they would force me into it, but fortunately I had strong support. Soon, a girl standing next to me spread her shoulders and slapped her guy’s arm. Then she said one word with a fearful expression.
“…!”
“…”
But unfortunately, the voice did not come out. The man asked me, looking at the deaf elf girl with a very embarrassed expression.
“…What are you saying now?”
“Don’t do it.”
“No, I know that too…”
“…! …!”
Illya jumped around with her fists clenched and gave her man a bold look. Then, as I expected, he just gaped, not knowing what to do.
“Well…Um…So…”
“…!! …!”
“I have no idea what you’re saying. Are you even listening to me in the first place?”
“I understand everything. So be careful what you say. Otherwise, I’ll bother you even more.”
“Ha…”
When she saw that, she realized that she had wanted to bring Ilya. If that person had been Guero, he would have been showing off his power for no reason and the atmosphere would have gotten worse. The bigger the man, the less power he had over the small girl.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Then I’ll come back. I’m having a good time with that guy.”
“So, I’m… Ugh. Please don’t hit me…”
“…!”
I left the noise of fighting behind and entered the room. The door closed naturally and the noise outside was silenced in an instant. And the strong scent of the crown prince’s perfume wafted through the sleeping air. At the end of the smell was the crown prince of the empire wearing a flashy uniform.
“…”
He must have heard the sound of the door, but the crown prince was leaning against the bookshelf and casting his gaze into the air. His attitude was as if he was lost in thought and had no time to look around.
But eyes could not lie. Even though I barely tried to hold on, his eyes kept looking towards me. His nervous fingers were tapping the hilt of the sword at his waist, and his unstable breathing kept causing him to lose his balance and slip. He remained in that strange state for a while, then slowly opened his mouth and called my name.
“You’re here, Ellen.”
“Yes, Claes. Did you call me?”
“…”
Seeing as he forced his voice down, it seems like he wanted to create a somewhat heavy atmosphere. So, I wore that ceremonial sword and sprayed some perfume. They must have found me by sending away a large man. However, the man was being manipulated by an elf girl, and his excessive bravado actually killed his authority.
And above all, there was no object that was as threatening to me as an undrawn knife.
“Let’s sit down and talk first. Please sit there, Ellen.”
“Yes. I understand.”
But anyway, his intention to intimidate me was conveyed, so I deliberately followed his words obediently. Anyway, like Yuna said, there was no benefit in confronting the crown prince. When I straightened my back in as calm a posture as possible, Claes finally showed a satisfied expression.
“Do you know why I called you, Ellen?”
“No. I don’t know. I just thought I should come since you called.”
“That’s natural. Still, I’m sure you’ve guessed your own reason. Tell me that. Why I called you.”
“Well, actually, I tried to guess in my mind, but I gave up. If I dared to try to guess the prince’s feelings, it would only be another act of disrespect.”
“As expected. I guess getting hit had an effect. I think I finally figured out the topic, even if it was too late.”
I don’t know if he meant it or not, but Claes nodded his head quite satisfied. Then he crossed his legs slightly and looked at me.
“Well, okay. I don’t want to waste your time, so I’ll ask you straight. Answer honestly, Ellen.”
“…Yeah. I understand.”
I tried to look as intimidated as possible, as if I was being pressured by his momentum. Claes asked me in a more overbearing manner.
“You girl. How far have you gone with Elise?”
“…What?”
“I’m asking how far you’ve tried, Ellen.”
He asked again, but unfortunately, his intention was not clearly understood. As I just tilted my head foolishly, Claes sighed.
“Damn. I don’t know if he’s stupid or conniving. Okay, I’ll tell you everything. As you know, I decided to get engaged to Elise. It was entirely my mistake and my father’s will, but whatever. Elise is now my wife. “I became a woman who I didn’t know I could become.”
“Yes. I know that.”
“That’s why I need to know everything about Elise. Everything from the smallest secrets to the past that I want to bury. That’s why I’m asking you. How far did you go with her when you tried to seduce her without me knowing? “
“Aha…”
Only then did I realize the meaning of the words and nodded. Then I straightened my posture as much as possible and looked at him.
“So, you’re worried that I may have touched Elise or something.”
“It’s still vulgar to talk about it. Well, I’ll level the playing field here. Yes. That’s what I’m curious about, Eren. Did you touch Elise by any chance? Answer me honestly. If not, I will tolerate the disrespect you showed me as befits the crown prince of an empire. “I’ll give it to you. But if you lie…”
“…”
“…I’ll leave the rest to your imagination. So what was it like? I’ll say it again, don’t even think about lying. It’s very easy for me to figure out whether what you say is a lie or not.”
“Okay. I’ll answer honestly.”
I put both my fists on my knees. And I answered in a clear voice, hoping to convey my sincerity to him as much as possible.
“I didn’t touch it at all. Not even my lips. Never.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“…”
Claes looked into my eyes as if trying to penetrate my heart. When I met him, his eyes were bluer than the summer sky. If he just looked at it, it felt like his hands would be submerged in the muddy sea.
“…It doesn’t seem like you’re lying. Okay, I’ll just trust you for now.”
The sentence handed down after a long time had passed was a suspended sentence. I breathed a sigh of relief like a death row inmate who was brought back from the brink of death.
“Because I didn’t lie.”
“Yes. And that’s very fortunate for you. If you had touched me, I seriously would have cut you down.”
The mere threat only brought about laughter. Claes sighed and waved his hand, whether he knew it or not.
“Then this is it. As befits the crown prince of an empire, I will generously forgive you for what happened that day.”
“Okay. So can I leave now? Is that okay?”
“Okay. You can go out.”
“Thank you. Then, I’ll make sure I never see you again, Claes.”
I quickly got up from my seat. But then Claes’ voice grabbed my collar.
“But before that, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask, Ellen.”
“Huh…?”
It was as if I had actually been grabbed by the collar, and I stopped in an awkward position without realizing it. Claes frowned and looked at me quietly. It felt like his eyes were soaking my legs again.
I sat down again in a somewhat unusual atmosphere. And he asked very nervously.
“What is that?”
“So…”
For the first time, Claes trailed off and closed his mouth. I hesitated for quite a long time, swallowing his words as they lingered in my mouth several times. Claes had been thinking for a while, and just as a bead of sweat was rolling down from his head, he very carefully opened his mouth.
“Do you know much about women, Ellen?”
“…”
…
…Huh?
I tilted my head at the unexpected question. But Claes approached me with a very serious expression.
“Looking at you, the only friends you have are women. And aren’t you friendly with everyone regardless of race or social status?”
“Can Guero also be seen as a woman?”
“…And it seems like Yuna likes you a lot too. That’s why I want to ask you.”
The crown prince took a deep breath with a stern expression. Then, like a boy entering puberty, he took out his tainted innocence.
“How can I make women happy?”