Feeling grateful yet burdened, thinking that one does not deserve something.
.
Leia’s words were entirely correct.
“I was hasty.”
Leia, who was slightly softened by her younger brother’s apology, took a sip of cold water because her throat was dry.
When he saw him getting off the carriage talking and laughing with the Crown Prince after making a person worry, Leia’s anger had reached its peak.
She knew as well.
That her brother didn’t leave without a valid reason.
There might have been a weighty reason behind it, but she worried that in the midst of it, the sense of responsibility that he should have held onto might have been lost.
“I was too shortsighted.”
Carl apologized profusely.
Adrian, who couldn’t stand to see that sight, quickly turned his head, but unable to refute Leia’s words warning him not to intervene because he was still an outsider, suppressed his anger.
“The royal family is the biggest pillar that supports the country. It is a problem if it is rotten; it is a problem if it declines.”
Carl, with his ears pricked up, shook his head.
At the same time, he patted Adrian’s thigh.
Reluctantly, Adrian looked at Leia.
However, the following words that came after that relieved the tension.
“Whether you two engage in a relationship or get married, it is your freedom. However, you must be aware that responsibilities follow afterward, as you are not a commoner. Just like how the way of love is not merely about carousing and being intoxicated by pheromones, I hope you two love each other in a form where you share and bear each other’s responsibilities equally.”
Truly, my sister.
Carl silently applauded inwardly.
Even though he didn’t know the content of the original work, he had never once doubted her. It was because of the sincerity he felt while conversing with her.
And because of that, he felt even more ashamed of himself.
He was so overwhelmed by the thought of being the villain in the original story and then being put in the position of the protagonist’s love interest that he acted impulsively.
Adrian was slightly in awe.
Kitchener’s ploy of leaving her to rot in the back room is, in a way, clever.
She was born with the qualities of a king and had great insight.
If they had given her wings from the beginning, Heineken wouldn’t have needed to intervene, and Lindbergh would have been firmly held in her grasp, soaring high.
“I will gratefully listen to your advice.”
As Adrian expressed his gratitude, Leia pursed her lips.
“I wasn’t a good sister to you, Carl. I lacked the qualifications, so I’ve been holding back my words until now. But things will be different from now on. If needed, I will scold you and support you when necessary.”
That is why.
Leia gently smiled at Carl.
“Carl Lindbergh, I won’t always support your choices. Nevertheless, I’m glad that you came back safely.”
Carl held back the sudden surge of tears.
He feels like the character Leah Lindbergh has become his real older sister.
He was reminded of his past life, when he struggled without anyone to rely on.
Living a peaceful and serene life, as he initially intended when he became Carl Lindbergh, seemed difficult.
However, in return, he gained a passionate lover, a helper, and a supportive family.
It belonged not to the original Carl Lindbergh but to the Carl Lindbergh who was present here and now.
“I ask you to scold me whenever necessary.”
Adrian gently squeezed his hand in response to his small sob.
It felt as if his real life was returning.
Marco, who was watching from behind, suddenly started hiccupping.
“Is it like a sword that becomes stronger when it is tempered properly?”
It feels like a few years have passed in a few days.
I moved from the outer castle to the inner castle, across the room from Adrian Heineken’s room in the Heineken Imperial Palace. As I brushed Elizabeth’s fur, I spoke.
“What is?”
Marco asked.
“It’s about the relationships between me and the people around me.”
In response to my answer, Marco made a
hmm
sound and picked up a stray strand of Elizabeth’s fur.
It’s a déjà vu of a scene that I miss.
While I had to give Adrian tips on the formula he was researching, search for Kitchener’s whereabouts, and monitor the actions of Parman, as Kitchener had apparently hid there, in the meantime, I also had to meet Belfry and the prophet.
His Majesty Glenn, who had already received my apology, simply said that it was all part of the tempering process and urged me to move on. And I had not yet had a chance to see Duke Hendrick’s face due to the return of Grand Duke Balvenie, whose rut had arrived early.
“Prince, you really shouldn’t behave like this. If you ever want to run away again, please take me with you.”
He insisted that his life as a commoner would be more useful than the prince’s, because he knew better.
Elizabeth, who understood well, made a whimpering sound and buried herself in my arms.
You small thing, you look so skinny.
While I was away, she would act aggressively and growl at anyone who approaches her, not allowing them to take her for a walk or give her a bath, so she smells really bad.
With a firm brush, I calmed Elizabeth down and hugged her tightly.
“Don’t worry, I won’t leave again.”
Marco’s eyes narrowed.
He tried to narrow his eyes, but due to the puffiness under his eyes, it only ended up being funny.
“Even if His Highness the Crown Prince makes you upset?”
What could he possibly do to upset me?
“It depends on the type. What kind of upset are you referring to?”
Marco pondered for a moment, making an
umm
sound.
“There are various types.”
For example, like having an affair, he added.
Adrian having an affair? It was hard to imagine, but well, it’s just talk.
“If His Highness Adrian were to have an affair, it wouldn’t be me who would leave, but rather it would be him.”
With a grimace, I stood up and placed my hand on my waist.
Just the thought of it was unpleasant.
As Marco paused, he exclaimed, “As expected of the Prince,” and gave a thumbs up in both hands.
Ironically, as I looked at those two thumbs, embarrassment swept over me.
Is this love or a chemical reaction?
Love is just another kind of chemical reaction.
It was only a few days ago when I pushed Adrian away because of the various thoughts I had, and then I held onto him.
It was ridiculous how I’m already jealous because of an imaginary affair.
Hmm
, that’s not it.
Love is naturally childish.
I haven’t experienced it properly, so I can’t be sure, but from what I’ve learned, that’s how it is.
“Prince, it seems like your illness has deepened.”
Marco was close to tears again as he watched me standing alone, frowning, then sitting down and covering my face.
“It’s not like that,” I said, patting his back and then lightly tapping his skinny stomach.
“Didn’t I tell you to eat until your stomach becomes rounded?”
When I glared at him, he made an excuse that it was definitely bulging a little while ago.
Marco, who was malnourished, looked even smaller than before.
Elizabeth, who used to have a sleek coat, now looked disheveled and unhealthy.
That’s why I told him to feed her small meals every two hours.
For a moment, like someone possessed by a grandmother, I lifted Marco’s top, groped him, and nagged him.
I can even see his heart thumping between his uneven ribcage.
“Hey, how did I let you get like this?”
I felt so sorry for him that it made my heart ache.
Marco’s face turned as red as a sweet potato, but I forgot my position and continued.
“Even if you have no appetite, don’t skip meals. Make sure to eat five times a day.”
“But we only have three meals a day…”
“Tsk, listen. It’s just a gruel, how long will it take to digest? I told you, the essential nutrients for living are…”
Suddenly, Adrian opened the door and his expression froze.
“Why do I have to see such a sight as soon as I return?”
I awkwardly laughed as I put down Marco’s shirt.
Who left the window open?
With Adrian’s arrival, it felt like the temperature dropped by about 1 degree.
This is also a déjà vu.
ALL NOVEL