Indeed, that is an accurate depiction of a “war maniac.” While I don’t wish to go on such a rampage, I can’t entirely dismiss the possibility.
If my heart stays unfulfilled and grows parched, and there is something that can satisfy that thirst, what would I do? Perhaps I would seek it out.
“… I am, perhaps, a worse person than I thought.”
As I let out a wry smile accompanied by a chuckle, Bertia vigorously shook her head, not caring that her hair was becoming disheveled.
“No, that’s absolutely not the case! The Lord Cecil I know is completely unlike the Lord Cecil from the otome game! Whenever I find myself in trouble, you’re always there to help me, and you’re a person everyone counts on! There’s no way such a kind individual could merely be a doll!” Bertia exclaimed, clearly upset, referencing the term “doll” that Baroness Heronia had used.
The “doll” that the light spirit had shown me in an illusion was unlike the Cecil in the otome game because Bertia is in my life. She’s the one significant difference.
Witnessing Bertia’s urgent expression, a fresh sense of warmth welled up inside me.
“Cecil isn’t a doll! Not a doll… not at all a doll… absolutely not!” Bertia raised her voice, fervently denying it.
“My beloved Lord Cecil is a warm person. He can truly be happy. He doesn’t smile with cold, emotionless eyes like the Cecil in the game. He doesn’t have eyes that have grown tired or disillusioned with everything! He’s someone with a kind heart who cares for others. He could never become like that…” Her voice trailed off as she began shedding big tears.
I embraced her gently, as if she were something fragile.
It made me happy that Bertia thought of me like that—no one else but her.
I’m happy, yet I’m also aware of the “doll-like” aspects within me, which makes her high regard for me feel slightly uncomfortable.
Bertia, I regret to say that I may not be as much of a “human” as you think. The only loss that truly frightens me is yours; everything else, I could easily dismiss.
Even though you say I’m depended on, it’s primarily in regards to issues concerning you. Even as the Crown Prince, I am necessary, but am I truly sought after as an individual?
… Then again, yes.
If you want me to be that way, trying to meet that expectation could actually be enjoyable.
It may be a hassle, but if it makes you smile, it’s not so bad. You’re the only one who can make me truly ‘human,’ so I’m sticking with you until the end, okay?
As Bertia clung tightly to me, I instinctively smiled while stroking her back.
“Lord Cecil, I’m sorry. I failed to fulfill my role as a villainess properly, which resulted in the absence of a ‘maiden of destiny’ to heal you. But please, don’t abandon us! Don’t revert to being a doll, don’t disappear, don’t go on a rampage, or seclude yourself!” she pleaded.
She loves the person I am now and wants me to remain here. And I want her, the one who brings warmth and joy into my life, to stay too.
Honestly, I have no interest in war right now. Instead, I would much rather not cut down the time I spend observing her. Considering there are more enjoyable things, why should I give them up for something else?
This is clearly a case of mutual interest. If that’s true, there’s no issue with me binding her to me, right?
Just then, I unexpectedly remembered something—what Baroness Heronia had mentioned about the “proof” of the “maiden of destiny.”
… I see. So that’s what it was.
As I comforted Bertia, I looked at Zeno and silently mouthed, “The proof.”
Zeno’s eyes widened, and he shook his head vigorously several times. Kuro, standing next to him, appeared to sense something. While he was concerned about me, he also looked visibly worried about the sobbing Bertia.
Without taking my eyes off Zeno, I smiled widely and said with confidence, “It’s going to be okay.”
Reacting to my words, Bertia stirred in my arms and looked up. I shifted my gaze to her and deepened my smile. Then, a voice, carried by wind magic and audible only to me, echoed from Zeno.
“I don’t want to hear it anymore, you know? You’ll have to follow up on this yourself,” Zeno said, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation.
I nodded firmly, keeping my gaze fixed on Bertia, who continued to shout in confusion.
“How can everything be fine? The situation is turning completely bitter, like the worst kind of tea! We’re headed straight for a bad outcome!”
I didn’t directly respond to her question; instead, I asked a different one.
“Do you like me, Tia?”
“W-what are you saying?! I’m just a…,” she stammered, taken by surprise.
“You mentioned ‘my beloved Lord Cecil’ earlier, didn’t you?”
“Th-that’s… but I’m a villainess,” she insisted, her face turning bright red. Her expression made it clear that her feelings were unmistakable.
“Then, it’ll be okay.”
“But what do you mean by ‘okay’?”
“I like you too, Tia.”
Bertia’s face flushed a deeper red, her eyes widening as if they might pop out of her head!
As she stood there, mouth open in amazement, I offered her the sweetest smile I had ever mustered. Then, gently lifting her chin, I ensured our gazes met.
“I may be hopeless, but if you’re the one to conquer me, I feel like I could be a pretty good Crown Prince or ‘target of conquest.’ So… you’re my ‘maiden of destiny.”
I spoke those words slowly, and as she was too bewildered to react, I leaned in and gently pressed my lips against hers, the lips of the person I loved.
“!!!!!!!!!!”
“FFSSHAAA!!!”
As our lips parted after a brief moment, Bertia’s inarticulate scream and Kuro’s menacing growl resonated around us.
As the scream echoed, Bertia’s left hand was wrapped in light. Yet, with her face turning a deep shade of red and on the verge of exploding, Bertia didn’t notice it. Covering her mouth with both hands and her eyes darting back and forth, my adorable fiancée appeared utterly bewildered.
I tried to get a clearer view of her face, but my sight was blocked by something black and fluffy—Kuro’s tail. Her glossy fur puffed up to about three times its usual size as she wedged herself between us. Kuro, acting protectively, hugged Bertia’s body and glared menacingly at me.