She was no longer the “heroine.”
She had transformed into a woman with a strong will, driven by her desire to save her friend.
… Probably.
✦ ✦ ✦
“… And so, she set off for the monastery at the northern edge,” I concluded, having swiftly handled the aftermath of that recent uproar and finally gotten a chance to explain everything to Bertia. We were currently enjoying our spring break.
By the time the break ended, news of the former baroness Heronia Inderon leaving the academy would surely reach Bertia. I could have waited for that moment to explain everything to her, but regrettably… and truly regrettably, since I had graduated, I wouldn’t be there when she learned the truth.
Her friends, along with Kulgan and Shaun, would likely explain it well, but there was always a chance that third parties might embellish the story. I thought it better to tell her the facts myself first.
“So be it. Truly fitting for a heroine! To go and pray at the sacred temple in the north, all to heal a wounded spirit that had tried to protect her!” Bertia exclaimed with admiration.
“Yes, I’m sure she will continue to do her best there,” I replied, smiling warmly and patting Bertia on the head as she laughed with a relieved expression.
… I hadn’t exactly lied, had I?
After all, it was Heronia who had decided to go to the northern monastery—though, admittedly, I hadn’t given her many options. Well, yes, I did intentionally omit some less palatable details and used phrases that would appeal to Bertia’s sensibilities. But that should be within forgivable limits, right?
Incidentally, I had already communicated the version of events that I shared with Bertia to her friends and my own junior attendants.
They would likely manage to keep the story properly adjusted.
“So, when will the heroine return? By then, I should be ready to step down from this position…”
“She’s not coming back, and since you’ve become my one and only partner, there’s no way you can step down,” I interjected, cutting off Bertia as she started to take the conversation in a completely unexpected direction.
I quickly blocked any chance of escape, not after I had gone to the trouble of removing any interference. The thought of letting go of my dear Bertia was unimaginable.
“Eh? She’s not coming back?” Bertia asked, her confusion evident.
“No, she’s not. The spirit’s injuries are severe and will take time to heal, so it’s better for him that she stays at the monastery. She’s now required to live there permanently. And…” I tightened my arms around Bertia, who was sitting on my lap.
“Wha-?!” She jumped, startled, her face flushing red.
“With you captured like this, you still think of leaving me, Tia? If that’s the case… maybe I need to get serious about keeping you here,” I teased.
We were in my room in the royal palace. Bertia had come to visit and was about to sit across from me to drink tea when I lifted her into my arms and set her on my lap.
Initially, Bertia was flustered and blushing, which was incredibly adorable. However, as soon as the conversation shifted to the former Baroness Heronia, she became engrossed in the story, quickly forgetting that she was sitting on my lap. A bit irritated by her distraction, I reminded her of her current predicament, which somewhat eased my frustration.
“C-capture? What are you planning to do?!”
“Well, this is my private room, and I’ve ensured we won’t be disturbed, so perhaps a fait accompli…” I mused playfully.
“Fushaaaaaa!!”
“Your Highness, what are you saying?!” My words were interrupted by Kuro, who bristled and hissed defensively, and by Zeno, who appeared equally shocked and exasperated.
“Eh?! Wh-What…?!” Bertia stammered.
Bertia blushed even more intensely and appeared quite flustered. On her lap, Kuro again hissed menacingly in my direction. Yes, Kuro was on Bertia’s lap.
And, dressed like a little maid, Kuro was stuffing her cheeks with sweets.
Meanwhile, Zeno was standing behind me.
Yes, as usual, while I could clear out the people, I couldn’t do the same with the spirits.
I had hoped to create a sweet atmosphere suitable for engaged couples, with Bertia on my lap, but Kuro, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, settled onto her lap as well.
… Truly unfortunate.
“It’s just a joke, a joke. I’ll save my dear Tia’s first time for the fun after we’re married,” I assured her.
“And how did you think you could charm me… pfft… charm me in this ‘turtles all the way down’ situation?!” Bertia chuckled, laughing heartily.
Zeno, you laughed right in the middle of that, didn’t you?
Surely, the sight of Bertia on my lap and Kuro, dressed as a maid, on hers might remind one of a stack of turtles. However, to laugh at your master? That hardly seems appropriate for an attendant.
“… Zeno, could you become a horse for us?”
“Eh?”
“A ‘horse’, Zeno. You can do that, right?”
“Your Highness! Wh-What are you planning?!”
“Well, it wouldn’t be fair to leave you out. I thought it would be perfect if you joined our little ‘turtle stack’ as a horse. If you turned into a horse, I could sit on you, right?”
“I’m so sorry!!” Zeno quickly bowed his head, apologized without hesitation.
I glanced at him briefly and said, “Maybe we should discuss this later?” before turning my attention back to Bertia.
Starting a lecture with Zeno now would eat into my time to talk with Bertia. Whenever we’re together, her overprotective father-in-law imposes time limits, so managing our time well is really important.
“Well, that’s the situation, so you don’t need to worry about the heroine anymore, okay? If any issues come up, we’ll take care of them here. So, come and be my wife without any worries?”
“Wi-wi-wi-wife?!” Bertia stammered in shock.
“… Why are you surprised now? It’s been decided since we were children, hasn’t it?”
“But, still, I mean…”
“Our fates are intertwined by the marks engraved upon us, aren’t they? Isn’t it time you accepted that?” I said, gently taking Bertia’s hand in mine and tracing the spirit’s mark with my thumb.
While Kuro looked displeased, Bertia’s ears turned red.
“But, I have always aimed to be a top-tier villainess. So, I’m not confident about becoming your consort, Lord Cecil…”
“It’s alright. You’ve worked hard in the training to become the crown prince’s consort. If any issues arise, I’ll be here to support you. If needed, I’ll take down anyone who stands in our way.”
“Crush? You mean, crush…?”
“No, no. I meant to say that I’ll work hard to persuade them and help them understand,” I reassured her, though my earlier comment may have seemed a bit strong.
“Eh? Eh?” Bertia looked puzzled, tilting her head as if wondering if she had misunderstood.
I sensed Zeno and Kuro’s gazes becoming colder out of the corner of my eye, but I chose to believe it was merely my imagination.
“Besides, we have strong allies and spirits with us, right? Just settle comfortably into the role of my wife,” I smiled reassuringly at her, then glanced toward Zeno and Kuro, signaling for Bertia to look at them too.
Though Zeno and Kuro seemed exasperated, they nodded firmly, reassuring Bertia.
“Lord Cecil, I…” Bertia’s expression softened for a moment before becoming serious as she gazed at me intently.
“Now that it’s come to this, I will do my utmost to ensure you become a wonderful king, Lord Cecil! And I will make you incredibly happy! I’ll make sure you never even think about starting a war just because you’re bored!” Bertia declared, her determination evident as she clenched her fists tightly.
My lips naturally curved into a smile. Having her by my side has allowed me to truly laugh from the heart. Somehow, I’ve even come to understand the meaning of ‘happiness.’ I want to make this country—a country we’ll live in together—a better one. Until now, my thoughts were shaped by the duty ingrained in me as a crown prince from a young age, but now, I think this way of my own accord. There’s no time to be idle, and no interest in war, because I have Bertia, a source of joy in my life.
“Is that true? Then promise you’ll always stay by my side?”
“Of course, I will! I’ll support you unwaveringly, Cecil-sama!”
“I’ve heard your words clearly, remember? It’s a promise, right?”
“I promise! It’s exactly because I, an irregular, am here that the situation has changed. I’ll take full responsibility and serve diligently!”
“I’m glad to hear that… Regardless of how the situation shifts, the key takeaway stays the same.”
“…?” Bertia tilted her head, puzzled by my cryptic comment.
I smiled widely and took her left hand. “What matters most is that my ‘maiden of destiny’ is here with me, and that we will keep leading a life that is mostly fun (for me).”
As I kissed the mark of the spirit on her hand, our bond appeared to respond, glowing softly. Yes, the most important thing is that the girl I have chosen is here with me. That keeps me true to myself and allows me to stand firm as the crown prince.
Without letting Bertia see, I permitted myself a different, slightly twisted smile.
—Just then, I recalled a story my father had shared with me recently.