“Man, Sieg’s pretty dense, isn’t he?” Lord Endoh said. “Lieselotte made her intentions really obvious just now. I’m starting to think it’s not just the witch’s fault their relationship turned sour in the game.”
Never mind. It wasn’t completely silent. The Voices of the Gods were present, although only I could hear them.
Lady Kobayashee laughed dryly. “Hmm, I think it’s more that he’s timid. There’re times when he’s too perceptive, after all. He’s also quick to understand what we’re saying and to then take action. But, well, a tsundere is a double-edged sword.”
“Oh, I see. The time he spent with Lieselotte was time spent getting the tsun treatment. Lieselotte regrets what she did, but that’s just proof her actions hurt him. It makes sense he’d lose his courage if she’s treated him that way ever since they were kids.”
The gods’ idle talk made me wonder. I hadn’t been aware of it myself, but perhaps that was the reason I was never able to convey my feelings to Lieselotte well.
Yes, that’s right. Thinking about it, even this time, I could’ve just been frank and told her I loved her. Instead of giving her gifts or creating more opportunities for us to interact—cheap tricks to make her like me more—I should’ve just expressed my feelings in a straightforward manner.
In the end, I was ashamed of myself for not being able to do anything until Lieselotte made the first move. Not that I was going to pin the blame on her. The issue was probably in my nature, rather than her “tsun.” I was forced to realize I was a coward.
If I hadn’t received courage from the gods, I never would’ve been able to get this close to her, nor would I even know how cute she was. Then, the Witch of Yore would’ve taken her from me... I shuddered at the thought.
“The darkness encroaching on me and the voice coiling around me... Those were the Witch of Yore,” Lieselotte said, bringing up the very topic I was thinking of.
How do I respond? I’d never told Lieselotte she was being targeted by the Witch of Yore, the great evil that had tried to destroy our world numerous times with her immense darkness. If she were seized by fear upon learning her enemy’s true identity, it could threaten her emotional stability, which we needed in order to overthrow the witch.
However, she had seemingly determined the darkness’s identity on her own and warded it off. Still, that didn’t mean it was safe to tell her everything. If she knew the witch was trying to possess her, and that the gods predicted it was a very real possibility...
Lieselotte giggled. “Please don’t look so troubled. I’ll be fine. No matter how formidable my enemy is, I will defeat her. When I’m by your side, I’m confident I can win any battle. I feel power flowing into me from where we’re connected.” Her voice was calm, but her face was tilted downward and her ears were flushed. She was probably trying to fight her embarrassment.
I noticed the warmth coming from our joined hands. It did calm me down as well...but only if I ignored my quickened heartbeat and the feelings of euphoria, excitement, and shyness from holding hands with the person I loved.
Lieselotte took several deep breaths, perhaps because she was feeling the same way as me. After calming herself down, she continued, “Your Highness, to me, you are light itself. Why would I be afraid of darkness when I am permitted to be by your side? Please, tell me everything you know and do not try to face the enemy alone. I wish to share half the burden. I would not be able to stand letting myself be protected while contributing nothing. Besides, we are engaged, which makes us partners.”
I nodded without waiting for the gods’ advice. “Thank you. You’re right. We’ll be married one day, so we share the same fate. I’m sorry. I think I forgot how grateful I am that you try to walk with me on equal footing.” I took a deep breath. “What I’m about to say may scare you, but I want you to promise me you won’t distance yourself from me or anyone else. I, too, want to share half of your pain. I want us to support each other.”
Lieselotte looked up at me, stunned. “It seems I am the one who must apologize. It was conceited of me to think it should only be me supporting you. Let us support each other. That would be wonderful. Oh, you truly are my light, Your Highness. You always illuminate the correct path for me!”
I scratched my cheek. “Um, I don’t think I said anything that grand...”
“No. My heart feels lighter now, and I am at ease. Even if the truth shakes me, you will be there to support me, will you not? Now, please tell me.”
Her sincerely happy smile made me relent. I took her to the gazebo, and we sat side by side on the bench. There, I told her about everything that had happened thus far, everything that was going to happen, and the Witch of Yore’s horrific plan.
It truly was terrifying for one to discover they had been the target of such repulsive scheming from spring until now. After hearing everything, Lieselotte was trembling so much I felt sorry for her. Her reaction was only natural.
“Let us beat her to a pulp,” Lieselotte said quietly.
What?!
“Erm, Liese, what do you mean by that?” I looked at her and noticed the expression on her face. “Oh...”
“Lieselotte’s eyes are filled with fury,” Lord Endoh said.
“Whoa, she’s royally pissed!” Lady Kobayashee said. “Well, she did evolve after she snapped at the witch last night, so I guess this reaction was to be expected!”
Lieselotte was angrier than I’d ever seen her—and I’d known her for a long time. Her trembling hadn’t been out of fear, but rage.
She began to cackle. “Very well, bring it on. You tried to possess me so you could kill Fiene? You tried to convince me His Highness had abandoned me so you could take over my body? You tried to rob me of my family, my love, my body, and everything in the world? How ridiculous. You’ve got some nerve, Witch of Yore!”
The moment she yelled, it was as if a persistent unpleasant feeling had been dispelled. I hadn’t realized it was there until it was gone.
“I will not lose to such an underhanded opponent! Ever! Let us beat her thoroughly, Your Highness. Yes, the Witch of Yore’s defeat shall be added to the many glorious feats you’ve achieved during your reign!”
At this point, I had to try to calm her down. “Try not to say things like that, Liese. My father is currently king, so my reign hasn’t begun yet. Also, I don’t know of any feats I’ve achieved. Are you already planning for them to happen?”
“Planning? Your future achievements are as good as guaranteed.”
“Erm... Let’s calm down for a moment, Liese. Deep breaths, all right? Breathe in, breathe out...”
Those words were enough to make Lieselotte listen. She followed my instructions, taking deep breaths, and finally returned to her usual neutral expression. “I apologize for losing my composure, Your Highness. I understand what you meant before. In the past, if I had known I was being targeted, I might have run away from the country by myself, or chosen to take my life rather than let myself be used. However, I am different now. I will stand up against the Witch of Yore. I have resolved to fight her alongside you.”
Her eyes didn’t seem completely back to normal yet, but at any rate, she wasn’t seized by fear, and she was even optimistic.
That’s good...I hope. She isn’t still in a state of confusion, is she?
“I really do feel invincible as I am now,” Lieselotte said. “Like the Witch of Yore, I’m only thinking of how we can use this to our advantage in the future.” She grinned, proud. There was no hesitation in her eyes, and she looked extremely stable.
Yes, this is good. I smiled and nodded, relieved. “I’m glad to have someone as dependable as you by my side, Liese. Oh, that’s right. On that day when the Witch of Yore made you faint, you said the only thing that scared you was the thought of my leaving your side. I hope you understand now that such a thing will never happen.”
“Yes... Well, um, I won’t say I wasn’t afraid of various things in the past, but that day, I overcame my fears, and now they have become my strength. So I’m not afraid of anything anymore.” Lieselotte mumbled her words quickly, embarrassed.
I couldn’t catch everything, but I heard the “I’m not afraid of anything anymore” clearly.
“Like I said when you princess-carried Liese-tan home from school, as long as you’re by her side, she’ll never lose to the Witch of Yore!” Lady Kobayashee said.
“When two people love each other, they can overcome anything,” Lord Endoh said. “Let’s pummel that witch!”
The voices coming from the heavens were very reassuring. Yes, we’ll be fine. We can win against the Witch of Yore.
“We finally got to see Liese-tan’s lovey-dovey side! How dare the witch try to get in the way of your PDA?! Even if the world’s okay with it, I’m not!”
“Huh, Kobayashi’s pissed off too. I get the feeling the Witch of Yore’s gonna be bombarded with way too much firepower.”
I could only vaguely understand what Lady Kobayashee said, but they had a point. Lieselotte was finally more open with her feelings, yet our sweet time together had become tense due to the Witch of Yore. It gave me yet another reason to despise the witch, even if I was simply taking out my anger on her.
Of course, trying to harm my beloved Lieselotte and plotting to destroy the entire world were both crimes deserving the death penalty.
“When everything’s settled down, I hope I’ll be able to enjoy some relaxed time with you,” I said.
Lieselotte’s face instantly turned red. “Wh-What?! Where is your sense of danger, Your Highness?! Our country and the world are facing a crisis!” In a slightly sweet voice, she added, “Oh, um, it’s not that I don’t want to, though!”
Her loving side had finally come out.
Yes, she’s adorable. I want to do more of this “piddie-yay” thing with her. Well, I don’t know what the term means, but based on the context, it probably refers to being sweet and loving with each other. I want to have more “piddie-yay,” and for that, I’ll need the Witch of Yore to make a swift, thorough exit, I thought with renewed resolve.