“Richard…”
“Both Kophe’s royal court and its parliament have yet to arrive at a conclusion as they continue their farcical councils. They refuse to even listen to the pleas of the feudal lords. They won’t accept they erred when they cast saints down. So…Miss Monica…” He stared intently at me. I felt sucked in by the passionate emotion blazing in his flame-colored eyes. His well-formed lips moved. “I need you to make up your mind.”
“What…what do you mean…?”
“You talk about yourself being a saint and commoner almost as if both of those are bad things. But those experiences are powerful weapons only you possess. None other than the Arousing Priestess will create the people’s future. Stop thinking you’ve already lost, Miss Monica. No matter how painful things become or how paralyzed you feel, believe in your own sense of justice. Keep smiling boldly as you always do. I need you to make up your mind right now that you’ll stay the course as you are and have been. Your unwavering smile will save both Kophe’s citizens and its saints.”
“Richard, are you asking me to follow in your footsteps, the same as when you embraced the mantle of the Ferocious Crown Prince and decided to work as the Empire’s hope?”
“Yes.” He spoke without hesitation, his feelings clear. “Special Class Saint Monica Regulus will carve a new history for Kophe. You must, Miss Monica. And I’ll do anything to help you achieve that.”
“Richard…”
“Well, this went much longer than I intended. In any case, you have to cherish yourself. It’s your duty to be confident. Understood?”
“Yes. If… If it ever seems like I’m about to lose my way again, please, guide me back on the right path,” I requested.
“You know I will.”
He narrowed his eyes and his expression softened. Illuminated by the lamplight, his finely chiseled features appeared even more distinct. How utterly beguiling a beautiful person appeared when they smiled. A sweet pain lanced through my chest upon suddenly experiencing this matter-of-fact truth.
Richard tilted his head inquiringly at the change in my expression. “Is something wrong?”
“Ummm… I-I was just thinking that perhaps it’s time for you to let go of my hands…?”
My attention was fixed on his hands clasping mine tightly. It felt like mine would become clammy at any moment and the thought alone made me want to die of embarrassment. Despite our serious conversation, the fact that I abruptly reacted so strangely made me ashamed of myself. My body was definitely broken.
“But I want to keep holding your hands. Can’t I?” he asked sweetly.
“Um, well… O-Of course you can.”
“Ahhh, I can feel how alive you are like this. It makes me…happy, Miss Monica.”
He laughed softly before lifting one of my hands and pressing it to his cheek. Then he moved it to brush his lips across my palm. I barely held back an odd moan.
It was nighttime and we were the only two in my bedroom. Sitting on my bed. Richard and the Arousing Priestess alone together. Th-This was unacceptable, on an ethical level…!
“I, um… I-I have something I need to tell you, Richard.”
“Go on. I’m listening.”
“L-Lately… Lately, even when I don’t use my supernatural powers, I…I’ve been feeling strange. Quite often too.”
Krak.
The sound of something hard breaking. It sounded very near us too.
“Huh? Where did that come from?” I asked.
“A deteriorating metal fixture on my uniform finally broke, eh… Anyway, let’s get back to what you were saying.”
He raised an eyebrow in amusement. I just remembered I wasn’t wearing the clothes sewn in with the special defense mechanism against lust. A plain, white negligee covered my body. Which meant my flushed face and awkwardly stiff posture gave me away. The more embarrassed I felt, the more aware I became of Richard’s gaze and the touch of his hands.
“Well, do you remember what happened in front of Professor Martinez a few days ago?” I continued. “How the camouflage in my attire wasn’t working? S-So…I appreciate that it doesn’t bother you even when I look at you with my, um, unnatural gaze. B-But…do tell me if you hate it. Th-The moment you feel uncomfortable…I’ll make sure to walk away right away.”
I said it. I. Said. It. By revealing that my recent heats were so strong and unusual that even the mechanism couldn’t control them, I knew I had only caused him unnecessary worry.
When I timidly looked at his face to see his reaction, I found him smiling incredibly gently at me. And of all things, he twined our fingers together even more.
“Eep.”
“I couldn’t be happier to hear you say so because it’s you, Miss Monica. You can gaze at me however you want, and you can ask of me anything your heart desires. Only to you will I give whatever you wish for. Even my body is yours for the taking.”
“Y-Your body—”
The bombshell statement left me flabbergasted.
“Y-You can’t,” I said. “It’s licentious to offer yourself to just anyone. That would be tantamount to a meaningless tryst. An illicit sexual relationship. I-I mean, I’m not your lover or your fiancée.”
Lover. The moment the word escaped from my mouth, a chill overcame me like I touched something ice-cold.
I… What…what am I even saying…to Richard…to an imperial prince…?
I almost forgot. About the huge and definite disparity between our social standing. No matter how friendly he was to me, no matter how much he insisted I call him by his given name, no matter how kind he was—none of it changed the indisputable fact that he was the emperor’s younger brother.
“Miss Monica, I—”
“I-I should change. Yes, I should change out of this sweat-stained gown… Besides, it’s grown so late. Why don’t we talk properly tomorrow?” I interrupted whatever Richard was about to say. Pulling my hands free of his, I fashioned a smile and put up a good front. “I want to be with you when my body is normal, and I’m not inundated with arousal at the oddest times. So…I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“Of course… If that’s what you want, Miss Monica, then I’ll respect your wishes.” He pressed a kiss to my hair then stood up from my bedside. “I’ll summon Solarus. See you tomorrow.”
“Yes, see you tomorrow, Richard.”
As I watched him walk away, he stopped in front of the door.
“Miss Monica.” With his back to me, he said my name. “Earlier…what I said, about the people’s future…”
I couldn’t see his expression. His voice was low and the words seemed to be wrung out of him, which was completely unlike him. Nevertheless, he continued speaking.
“None of that matters to me. The truth is…all I need is y—”
“Richard, what…?”
“Never mind. Forgive me, it’s nothing. Right…right then. Good night, Miss Monica.”
He added the last bit in a light tone, then, without turning around even once, he left my room.