Chapter 40
“Don’t disappear again.”
It sounds like the confession of a male lead in a romance novel, but it’s absurd.
The person saying it is our His Majesty.
Me and His Majesty.
“Hehe. That could never happen.”
At first, I thought I shouldn’t get involved with His Majesty because I assumed he was a charming yet hopelessly flawed man.
But over time, after experiencing him firsthand, His Majesty wasn’t that bad of a person.
Still, I realized something else.
I mustn’t see His Majesty as more than just someone I admire.
Speaking of which, if this were a typical romance novel and His Majesty’s words just now were a confession—if we were a couple—
The story would definitely end tragically.
Why?
If our lips accidentally met even once, I’d be done for. I wouldn’t be at His Majesty’s side—I’d be up in the heavens instead.
My heart races so much just from holding hands a few times these days.
I prefer long-term, visually satisfying admiration over short, intense fan obsession.
It’s better not to even look at a tree I could never climb.
“And I doubt His Majesty meant it that way either.”
He was clearly speaking toward a subordinate with no substitute—the Saint.
Just like Wolfram said he had no one as capable as me, even taking me along on the trading ship.
Still, hearing “don’t disappear” come from His Majesty himself…
I couldn’t say I felt bad. It felt like I’d become an indispensable subordinate.
The corners of my mouth twitched.
Trying not to let my feelings show in my voice, I tested His Majesty.
“Your Majesty, did you happen to worry about me?”
“It’s just words.”
“Why?”
My anticipation floated briefly before sinking with His Majesty’s next words.
“I can’t help but worry. You hand out your hair to anyone without thinking.”
Can that even happen?
Well, His Majesty did nearly try to kill Wolfram after noticing my hair had been chopped off.
Only after I explained that I had cut it myself and given it to Poin did Wolfram survive.
“I hope Poin received proper treatment.”
When capturing the pirates returning to Wolfram, I had seen a rescue boat launched from a distant trading ship. So, I assumed the people were saved.
Later, I learned that such large trading ships are required to have at least one priest aboard.
Either way, I was glad things resolved without too much trouble.
“You said you saw a cursed child, right?”
“Um, that’s what they called him. But to me, he just looked like a child suffering from a high fever. They said being close to him would curse you too or something.”
That was also why no one helped Poin when he collapsed in the carriage at first.
That was harsh. The kid was almost half-dead.
“You helped such a child. Weren’t you afraid of the curse?”
“I thought it was a superstition.”
It wasn’t like a plague; I’d never heard of a curse spreading to others.
I frowned, recalling that scene again.
“If it were true, the Seikan God would be the ultimate bully. Poin’s illness was supposedly caused by divine power, and that divine power came from the Seikan God, right?”
“Hm. Superstition it is… but… the ultimate bully…”
His Majesty seemed momentarily lost for words.
“Honestly, I worry about letting the Saint out anywhere.”
“Eh, I’m good at playing the Saint outside. I only act like this in front of His Majesty.”
“You’ve gotten quicker at talking back.”
“I only see wallpaper right now.”
If I could see His Majesty’s face… ugh… ah… uuah… I’d be melting.
Wrapped in my blanket, I couldn’t move, and in the dark, there wasn’t much to see, so I could at least respond properly.
Since I couldn’t see His Majesty’s face, I could manage to answer properly.
“So, you’re good at talking?”
“Of course. I could even run a counseling office. If His Majesty has any worries, tell me now. Opportunities like this don’t come every day.”
“Opportunity, huh.”
But then came a long silence.
“Does His Majesty have no worries? Maybe he’s sleeping… better stay quiet.”
Just when the ticking of the wall clock felt annoyingly loud in the quiet, His Majesty spoke.
“…Don’t you want to return to your original world?”
“My original world?”
“The place where the Saint was born and raised. You must have left a lot behind when you were suddenly summoned—family, treasured belongings.”
“Hmm…”
Well…
Family didn’t matter much. The only treasured thing was probably my phone, full of celebrity photos in the gallery.
Though it probably got crushed by a truck.
I missed my friends a bit, but not enough to cry my eyes out.
“I don’t really need to go back…”
“…Being considerate, huh? I suppose the Saint tends to think of others first in strange situations.”
“No, really. I’m fine.”
I quickly denied any misunderstanding by His Majesty.
If my true feelings didn’t come across here, that would be unfair.
Because I—
“I’ll live looking only at His Majesty’s face until I die!”
“…What?”
His Majesty asked in a bewildered voice, but I confessed my feelings that my favorite person didn’t recognize.
Every single day I spent in this world was devoted to His Majesty, without exaggeration.
It’s painful if my favorite person doesn’t notice that!
“My goal is to stay by His Majesty’s side until he openly says he dislikes me. Honestly, Captain Henkel, the head of the royal guard, is the most enviable… but…”
I couldn’t protect His Majesty myself. If I tried, I’d probably only cause trouble.
I gripped the blanket tightly and revealed the ambition I’d cherished in my heart.
“Your Majesty, I…! I want to stay with your beauty until the very end in this world!”
“……”
Being able to answer properly and actually sleeping were two separate matters.
Early in the morning, I came outside with a pale, sleep-deprived face to get some sea air.
I saw a familiar face on deck.
“Oh, Showen!”
“…Ah.”
“What’s with that lukewarm reaction? You disappeared suddenly last night? Sorry. But as you know, it couldn’t be helped—”
“You…”
“Huh?”
Showen looked at me as if he had something to say.
After hesitating briefly, he asked:
“Are you and the ship’s owner married?”
“Ship’s owner? Captain? Your father?”
Why would I be married to the captain?
I stared at Showen with a cold, piercing gaze, like looking at trash.
“…Did people on the ship spread a rumor that I’m rich? Is that why you’re doing this childish act…?”
The man who came to fetch me exuded elegance.
People from Zendal spoke to me politely.
The crew of the Daydern ship seemed to enjoy guessing my identity.
I even heard rumors that I might be the child of some noble family.
“Showen, even if you like money, come on. Your father is devoted to your mother… and she’s beautiful…”
“No! That’s not it!”
“You’re not beautiful? From what I see, your handsomeness comes more from your mother’s genes than the captain’s…”
Showen spread both palms toward me and shouted in panic.
“No, the ship’s owner isn’t our father!”
“Then who?”
“The man who came to pick you up. Silver-haired, handsome.”
“Oh, our—”
Wait. Should I say His Majesty?
He was hiding his identity on the ship.
Then what should I call him?
“…Allen?”
Expecting my quick thinking to produce creativity is too much.
From Allend Khan Leodius, at least no awkward partial pseudonyms came out.
A simple alias like “Liri” is enough for me. Sigh.
“Our Allen… anyway, that man is the owner of the Daydern ship. My father sold it at over ten times yesterday’s market price.”
“Oh, I see.”
I nodded at Showen. His Majesty might have done it because he had money.
Still, ten times… that’s impressive.
I was marveling at His Majesty’s flex, but Showen looked at me incredulously.
“Why?”
“You forgot all my questions.”
“Questions?”
What were they again…?
While trying to recall, Showen grumbled and spoke first:
“I asked if you and that Allen are married.”
“…Huh?”
“Why are you acting like a secret’s been exposed? That short pink-haired girl said you two are married.”
“…?”
What kind of nonsense was that?
I was dumbfounded at the most ridiculous thing I’d heard recently, when someone placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Right.”
That sweet mid-low voice.
I instinctively lifted my gaze to my shoulder.
Smooth, flawless skin, clean shiny nails, long fingers with just the right thickness—hands like a sculpture…
“Married.”
“……”
“Right? You.”
What. The. Hell.
And in a tender mode…?
His Majesty’s words were so over the top, I froze.
For a full one night and two days.
His Majesty must have answered “yes” to Showen’s question just because it seemed amusing.
It became official after hearing Chobi’s explanation, who came to our cabin.
“That Showen kept asking why you two were always together. I thought saying you’re married would stop him from asking more. Haha.”
Typical Chobi—just giving a lazy answer because Showen was annoying.
But why—!
“Married. Not a bad idea.”
His Majesty agreed with that?!
“Is the Saint okay with it too?”
“Uh… yes…?”
“‘Yes’ means consent. Then let’s spend the rest of our time properly. As a married couple.”
In this current situation, hiding his identity, we added the setting of being “married.”
I couldn’t even process it.
“Is the dish you’re eating to your taste?”
“Y-yes…”
“Oh. No carrots in this dish. When we reach Zendal, we’ll prepare it for you.”
…
“Allen, the ship owner.”
“Just call me the ship owner. Allen is what my wife uses, you see. Right?”
“Wife…?”
“Not shy just because we’re not alone. Call me Allen, like yesterday.”
Time passed without me realizing.
All that remained were fragmented memories and His Majesty clearly enjoying the situation.
“Two days felt long… though now it’s over.”
Knock knock.
Someone knocked on the cabin door, and I jumped to my feet.
“Disembarkation preparations are complete.”
