Part 2 Chapter 50
The Emperor set down the tray of medicine and sat beside me.
Which left me lying in the middle… with Nike sitting directly across
from his father.
Ah!
I glanced nervously at Nike. Sure enough, he shot up to his feet—awkward, stiff, like a startled fool.
The Emperor looked up at him.
“Sit. I only came to check on her condition. I’ll be leaving soon.”
“No.”
Nike’s tone came out a little sharp. In truth, he was just flustered.
“…Please, stay.”
And with that, he turned and walked out of the tiny room, trying hard to look composed.
But I saw it—his hunched back, the limp in his step.
Don’t laugh!
I covered my mouth quickly so my grin wouldn’t show.
At the sound of my stifled giggle, the Emperor’s attention shifted back to me.
“Why? Do you feel nauseous?”
“No…”
I’m just holding back laughter.
The Emperor sighed, glancing at the door through which Nike had just left.
“He must be unhappy seeing me here.”
Not exactly.
I couldn’t possibly tell him the truth: that his son had run away to hide a very obvious, very healthy “physical reaction.”
He’d barely escaped the embarrassment of that scene—even rewinding time to cover it up. There was no way I’d let it slip.
Instead, I said gently,
“That’s not it, Your Majesty. The Prince is very worried about you. In fact, the first thing he asked me when we arrived was about your health.”
“….”
“He said you wouldn’t tell him properly, no matter how much he asked.”
The Emperor froze.
“I heard about it from Doctor Lemon, and since he was so worried, I told him. I’m sorry for speaking out of turn.”
“…No, it’s fine.”
“Thank you for understanding. And, since you now know that I’m… an ability user…”
“Ah, yes.”
The Emperor spoke quickly, flustered.
“But don’t worry. Just as I’ve guarded Nike’s secret with my life, I’ll never let yours slip out either.”
“I’m not worried. That’s not why I brought it up. It’s just… now that Your Majesty and I are…”
My face grew warm, and I pulled the blanket up to my chin before whispering,
“…family, aren’t we?”
The Emperor blinked.
I coughed and hurried on.
“Anyway, I don’t mind. And it’s better you know—so if you ever fall ill again, I can heal you.”
“….”
He stared at me for a long moment, then turned aside with a sigh.
“Thank you for caring, but it wasn’t serious enough to worry about.”
“There’s no such thing as an illness that doesn’t matter. I heard you’ve been unwell for a long time. Now you can finally eat comfortably, sleep peacefully. I’m just so glad I could help.”
“….”
The Emperor shifted his gaze this way and that, like he couldn’t decide what to say.
I found myself smiling.
Like father, like son.
That embarrassed expression, that restless body language—it was exactly the same as Nike’s.
To think they’d spent a lifetime as emperor and soldier instead of as father and son. Such a waste.
“Please stay healthy, Father.”
I slipped my hand out from under the blanket and gently held his.
“From now on, you should do all the things you never did with the Prince. Live as father and son.”
This time, he looked straight at me. And smiled faintly.
“…Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. And if you ever feel unwell again, tell me. You have to live long, you know. You’ll want to see your grandchildren~”
“…?”
The Emperor flinched.
Huh? Weren’t old men supposed to like hearing about grandkids? Did I go too far? Cancel, cancel!
But this time, there was no Nike to rewind things for me.
“Ahaha, did I say that wrong? I meant the Crown Prince, of course! There hasn’t been news yet, right? Every day, I pray for the next heir to be born, so the empire can be at peace…”
“Ah. Yes. Thank you.”
He chuckled awkwardly.
I silently praised my own quick thinking.
At this rate, I’d survive just fine even without time travel.
***
When Alphonse finally stepped outside after our talk—
“Father.”
Nike, who had been fixing the cabin door, pulled off his work gloves and approached.
“I’m sorry.”
“…For what?”
“For not knowing you were unwell. I should’ve paid more attention.”
“Hah.”
Alphonse gave a small laugh.
“How would you know when I never said a word? And I told you—it wasn’t that serious.”
“Still. I’ll be more mindful from now on.”
“Did she tell you to say that?”
“….”
Nike stayed silent. Which meant yes.
“But I mean it.”
“Enough. I don’t deserve your concern anyway.”
Yet, inside, Alphonse felt strangely glad.
Like a little of the lifelong wall between them had finally crumbled.
“And about returning to the palace—go when you’re ready. I was too hasty.”
Alphonse looked at his son.
Nike held his gaze for a moment, then gave a small nod.
“…Yes. Bania asked me to say that too.”
“….”
Figures.
“She thought you might feel uneasy seeing Sir Ryan’s face.”
Alphonse let out a wry chuckle.
Sharp girl.
That was exactly what troubled him. Going back meant he’d have to face Ryan.
“We’ll return tomorrow morning. You can come when you’re ready.”
“Nike.”
He stopped his son as he turned to leave.
“Are you happy?”
“….”
Nike paused, then understood. He nodded.
“…Yes.”
His eyes dropped, his face faintly red.
Alphonse blinked. Was this really his son?
He’d never seen him like this.
“And what do you like about her?”
“…She’s kind. Gentle. Small and cute… her way of speaking is soft. And…”
“….”
“I—I can’t explain it well.”
…You explained just fine!
Alphonse was dumbfounded, but also completely understood.
He’d wondered what kind of girl could change his stone-faced son like this.
And after only half a day with Bania, he understood perfectly.
Of course Nike had fallen for her. Who wouldn’t?
“Good. I’m glad.”
For the first time in a long while, Alphonse laid a warm hand on his son’s shoulder.
“Love her well. Cherish her.”
“…Yes.”
“You will anyway. I can see it in your eyes—you’d sell the empire for her.”
“….”
Alphonse patted his shoulder and walked away.
Nike stayed frozen, his eyes shaking at the words his father left behind.
“You’d sell the empire for her.”
It was true enough… that he couldn’t laugh it off.
***
That night.
It was to be our first and last night here, since we’d leave at dawn.
“If we just go back tomorrow, won’t your father feel guilty?” I asked.
“….”
I thought of Ryan.
“That’s why he refused to come here. He said seeing His Majesty’s face would only hurt him more.”
Ryan resembled the Emperor most, after all.
“We’ll have to cheer up that gloomy lion as soon as we’re back.”
“….”
But Nike was silent.
The small room glowed with a few candles.
“….”
“….”
Nike stood with his back to me, staring into the empty linen chest. His hair was still damp from washing.
I rested my chin in my hands, watching him.
He’d been standing frozen like that for five minutes.
“Do you think there’s a spare blanket~? In a cabin with only three rooms~?”
“….”
No reply.
This cabin only had three rooms.
With five people staying, at least two rooms had to be shared.
Normally, I’d have gotten a room to myself—but after my nosebleed, they’d ordered strict rest and close care.
With no attendants here, leaving me alone while sick wasn’t an option.
So, naturally, my lover would be the one to watch over me.
The older men seemed relieved enough. After all, it was a cramped little cabin with rooms side by side. No one imagined we’d do anything improper.
…Not that I was planning anything improper.
“Are you going to sleep standing up?”
“….”
Finally, Nike turned.
I patted the spot beside me.
“Come here.”
