Chapter 99
“Marcus, what’s wrong?”
That evening, I again had dinner in the great hall with everyone from the Third Knights.
The warm laughter and delicious food filled the space, and time flowed pleasantly as I spent it with the knights I loved so much.
Being able to have fun like this in Tori’s great hall won’t last much longer…
Thinking that made me a little sad, but I resolved to treasure every single moment and continue doing my best as a saint. Taking a deep breath, I etched the scene before me into my memory.
“Shibel, how about we go to the city tomorrow?”
Leo-san spoke to me.
“To Tori’s city?”
“Yes. Before leaving Tori, I thought we could stop by. If you’d like, Shibel, you can come along.”
“That sounds wonderful! I’d love to!”
I had been to Tori’s city with Leo-san before. Come to think of it, that was my very first date with him…
Remembering the fluttering excitement from back then made my chest warm.
“Going to the city, huh? Then I guess I’ll come too~”
Was Yoti-san listening to our conversation? His cheerful voice suddenly rang out.
“Eh!? Yoti, you’re coming too…?”
“I’m joking. Don’t look so obviously annoyed.”
“N-no, it’s not that!”
“Your Highness wants a date with Shibel alone, right? I get it, I won’t get in the way.”
“Well…”
“It’s not like that…!”
Yoti-san laughed loudly, and Leo-san seemed flustered.
Of course, it would be fine even if Yoti-san came along, but I felt a little happy thinking that Leo-san might actually want to go on a date with me alone.
“Ufufufu.”
“Shibel.”
“Yes?”
While happily watching Leo-san and Yoti-san, Marcus suddenly spoke to me.
There was something tense in his expression.
“Well… if it’s alright, later—”
“What is it?”
Leo-san sensed the atmosphere while Marcus was trying to speak and asked him.
“…Um, well…”
“Marcus? Are you alright?”
I also grew concerned and called out to him, but Marcus kept switching his gaze between me and Leo-san, stumbling over his words before finally looking down.
“…It’s nothing!”
With that, he hurried out of the dining hall, his small back disappearing from sight.
“Marcus… did he want to tell me something?”
“…Who knows.”
Leo-san tilted his head in confusion.
We watched Marcus’s retreating back for a while, unable to know what he had intended to say, though there was something slightly sorrowful about his figure that left a small weight in my heart.
“—Almin, I told you you can’t drink since you’re still a child!”
“Cheh, stingy!”
“Just go take a bath and sleep already.”
Although I was still thinking about Marcus, the voices of Yoti-san and a dissatisfied Almin caught my attention, and I turned back toward them.
“…Then, Leo-san, let’s go in together!”
“Ah, I don’t mind.”
“Yay!”
Almin, who was disappointed that Yoti-san wouldn’t accompany him, grabbed Leo-san’s arm, and they went off to the bath together.
This dormitory had a large communal bath, and everyone often bathed together here after training.
…Lucky.
Wait, what am I thinking, Shibel! That’s impossible…!
Unconsciously following Leo-san and Almin, I snapped back to reality just as we exited the dining hall, and I headed in the opposite direction.
“—Shibel.”
“Yes! Sorry…!!”
“…Huh? For what?”
“Ah… no, nothing…”
I apologized reflexively when he called my name—and there was Marcus.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Yes…?”
Marcus looked serious.
He seemed a little nervous, too… I wonder what this is about.
“—It’s really been a while since we’ve talked like this.”
“Yes, it has.”
We went out to the quiet courtyard and sat on a bench.
Even while we were engaged, I hadn’t really spoken much with Marcus, though we had occasional tea together where we would exchange polite words as prince and fiancée.
Those conversations felt as if we were reading from a textbook; they were far from enjoyable.
That’s why talking honestly with Leo-san always felt so much more fun.
“…How is life in the palace? Now that you’ve awakened your saint powers, are you busy?”
“Somewhat… but Leo-san, Rick-san, and others are considerate, so I’m enjoying it.”
“I see… you’re having fun.”
Marcus looked awkward. I wonder why…
“Do you have something you’d like to tell me?”
“Huh?”
“Is something troubling you? If you need the saint’s power, please tell me.”
“No… it’s not that I need your saint powers.”
“?”
Marcus looked like he wanted to say something, but he hesitated. I remembered him as someone who used to be very straightforward.
“Shibel… I need to apologize again. Back then, I was really sorry. I was panicked and couldn’t bring myself to trust you.”
Marcus finally faced me, speaking resolutely, and bowed his head.
“It’s okay about that already.”
“I wanted to apologize to you in person, just the two of us. Even though we were engaged for seven years, I didn’t know you at all. I didn’t even try to. I am truly sorry.”
“Marcus…”
For Marcus to apologize like this, he must really regret it.
“Please, look at me.”
“Shibel…”
“I’m truly happy now. Even after going to Tori, I had such wonderful times. So I can only feel grateful to you, Marcus.”
“…”
It’s true.
I know it was the wrong choice, but going to Tori awakened my saint powers. Strong knights were always nearby, and in the end, it all turned out well.
“…Are you happy with your engagement to my brother?”
“Yes! Very happy!”
The best thing that happened to me was meeting Leo-san.
Being able to be engaged to him.
“…I’ve never seen you smile so happily.”
“Huh?”
“I understand now. You were destined to be with my brother. Please, lead this country to peace and prosperity together with him.”
Marcus said that and left without looking back at me.
His departing back had a certain wistfulness to it.
Next week will be Marcus’s perspective.
Also, the 7th episode of the comic adaptation is now out on PASH!UP (^^)
Episode 7 features that unexpected incident with Leo-san!
(And you’ll get to see the muscles of one of the strongest knights in the order—Shibel will surely be jealous…!)
It’s a must-see episode!! For those who love muscles, you absolutely must check it out!!
Right now, you can read up to episode 7 for free without registering!! Amazing…!!
