Nadeshiko Iwaizuki could have made such appeals, yet she did not.
She restricted her behavior without anyone telling her to.
When children try to get their parents’ attention, instead of being sweet, they tend to behave in such a way that they require rescue, by virtue of survival instinct. Yet she never even tried. Did she have no intention to live?
As befitting of the Goddess of Autumn, she only passed time in quiet loneliness.
She was like a tree with dying leaves, an autumn flower withstanding the cold.
That was how Nadeshiko’s parents had raised her.
To be a child who was not embarrassing or in the way of the adults.
She only discovered that childish playfulness after bonding with Rindo.
Disrespectful as it was to say, Nadeshiko was easy to raise.
Hence why Rindo was able to manage.
I…
He was not married and had never raised a child; it wasn’t easy for such a young man to watch over a girl with the powers of a god. As much as he wanted to make her happy, reality would never adhere to one’s plans.
Rindo would have had a much harder time if his charge was anyone but Nadeshiko.
I won’t be like them.
Rindo was still a rookie Guard, and he had few associates to trust in.
He had barely been able to take care of himself when he was newly appointed.
After getting used to it, he’d fallen to force of habit. It was then that he found his resolve. He rebuilt a good environment for Nadeshiko, and things were finally going his way. He even found companionship in Sanekazura and Shirahagi.
I’m not like them.
It was all thanks to his lady’s trust in him.
He was able to focus on his job thanks to her obedience.
Thank goodness she was always considerate of him.
Thank goodness she was a kind goddess to serve.
Thank goodness. Thank goodness.
Ahh, what luck.
She was meant to become a sacrifice to the people, so he didn’t have to care about her.
How could I not care?
Because he loved her.
Sanekazura waited for an answer. Rindo opened his mouth.
“…Ms. Sanekazura. Could I take a nap in here?”
He wanted to prove it.
He didn’t know who he was proving it to, but he wanted to do it as soon as possible.
He wanted to prove that he was different from them.
“Umm…”
It took a moment for Sanekazura to react.
“I want to be with Nadeshiko. You can take a break if you’d like. There’s still some time. Go to the lounge for some tea. You could even go shopping.”
“I can’t just… Umm, did I overstep…?”
Sanekazura gave him an apologetic look.
Had she gotten in the way of her boss’s much-needed rest?
“You finally got some time to rest, and I…”
Rindo understood what she meant.
“No. You only shared the issue with me. I’m grateful for that. You did the right thing.”
“But…”
“Your job is to tell me when something happens to Nadeshiko while I’m away. Thank you.”
He could leave Nadeshiko in Sanekazura’s hands because he knew she would.
“I would hate it if you didn’t report these things…just because it would cause trouble.”
“Lord Azami…”
“Like you pointed out, I haven’t been able to be with Nadeshiko much lately. I want to be there when she wakes up. I’ll take a nap next to her.”
“…”
Sanekazura’s anger toward Nadeshiko’s parents was changing into worry for her boss.
“But if she wakes up soon, then you won’t be able to get enough rest.”
“Yes, but if I was away from her, I would be too worried to sleep anyway…”
Sanekazura still protested, but Rindo stepped into the room and walked up to Nadeshiko.
He sneaked into the bed and pulled the blankets over her.
“…”
Sanekazura could only watch.
This guy is going to work himself into an early grave.
She was as exasperated as she was worried about her younger boss.
There had been the kidnapping last spring; the Dark Wolf case, when someone had impersonated him in summer; the sudden trip to Enishi to save someone; and now the Kyokoku trip this spring. Rindo had to guard and look after his lady through all of it. Plus, dismantling the security structure and re-forming it had been a mountain of work. Rindo’s mind had no chance to rest.
I brought it up at a bad time, Sanekazura reflected. I should’ve done it a little later.
Rindo was her boss, but he was still a youngster in her eyes.
He was a charming young man, but not one she would hold amorous feelings for.
He was a kid. Some might call him bold; others might call him reckless. She respected aspects of him, but as the elder of the two, she still felt like she had to look after him as much as Nadeshiko and Shirahagi.
Rindo in particular was in the prime of his working life and tended to ignore his health.
She wanted to force him to go sleep in his room, but she knew he wouldn’t listen.
Her boss was stubborn and tended to take risks with himself. He was prideful and had the conduct to back it up. He could also be inflexible.
But his loyalty to their lady was stronger than anyone else’s, and he was never unreasonable with his subordinates.
It all played into why she wanted to support this young man.
Sanekazura decided to do what she could instead.
“Lord Azami,” she said quietly, showing him her tablet.
She was halfway through writing the report they would present to the Agency and the Town after the trip.
Anybody could do this job, but she had taken the lead herself.
This was what she could do.
She kept her voice low so as not to wake Nadeshiko and said, “I’ll continue in the lounge.”
“Ms. Sanekazura…”
Rindo looked up at her with gratitude. Honestly, he couldn’t think of a report that he would appreciate to hear more.
Sanekazura smiled at him before quietly leaving the room.
After she had gone, the prince fell asleep next to his princess.
Meanwhile, Nadeshiko was dreaming.