#51
Ronnie heard that the Shalrigan forces would be withdrawing from the Red Forest today, so she went to find Gale. At that moment, Gale was talking with Ian.
Even from a distance, she could tell that the two of them had grown quite close. She tilted her head, wondering since when they had become so friendly, and walked over.
When Ian met Ronnie’s gaze, he smiled brightly and greeted her.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Ah, yes. I was just surprised earlier, but physically, I’m fine.”
Ronnie raised both arms to show she was unhurt. Seeing this, Ian chuckled.
Come to think of it, she, too, had become reasonably comfortable with Ian. Perhaps it was because they were potential in-laws?
Ronnie smiled and asked,
“When will the Bernick family withdraw?”
“Oh, my brother decided to withdraw with me.”
“Brother?”
Ronnie’s eyes widened at Gale’s choice of words. She wondered why Gale, who hadn’t even started dating yet, had become close with her unrequited love’s older brother.
When her curiosity about when they had become so familiar showed on her face, Gale gave a shy smile. She had never seen Gale look embarrassed like that before, and it was fascinating.
The power of love really was incredible. At the same time, she felt a twinge of worry. Sharon, who had stubbornly refused marriage, came to mind.
Ronnie worried that Gale, in his eagerness to follow his heart, might be putting pressure on Sharon. Both Gale and Sharon were important to her, so she felt anxious about their relationship.
Perhaps noticing her concern, Ian spoke lightly, as if it were nothing.
“Since that day, Gale and I have met often and talked, so we just decided to treat each other like siblings.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. So stop worrying.”
Ronnie exhaled in relief at Ian’s playful words. Just then, a knight who was organizing luggage approached Gale and whispered something.
“Wait a moment, sister.”
Gale immediately followed the knight and disappeared. Left alone in the tent with Ian, Ronnie sat at the table, took out some cookies, and offered them to him.
Ian, thanking her for the cookies, suddenly looked at her right hand with concern.
“…There’s blood on your glove. Are you hurt?”
“Oh, the monsters attacked earlier, so maybe some blood splattered.”
Ronnie brushed it off and took a new pair of gloves from her bag. She always carried spares just in case.
As Ronnie adjusted the gloves, Ian noticed an insect bite mark on the back of her right hand and his expression stiffened.
“Miss, on the back of your hand…”
“Oh, it’s just an insect bite. It hasn’t gone away.”
“…An insect?”
Ian stared at her as if to ask if she really thought it was just that, letting out a small laugh. Then, excusing himself briefly, he examined her hand.
The bite mark was nearly healed. Ronnie noticed the look on Ian’s face, as if he had figured something out, and asked cautiously,
“Do you know about this insect?”
“Curious, are you?”
“…What is it?”
Her expression hardened, fearing it might be a dangerous insect. Ian chuckled at her tense look and, after a moment, looked slightly awkward as he asked,
“Miss, you haven’t ever considered anyone other than Allen as a romantic interest, right?”
“Huh?”
Ronnie froze at the sudden question about her romantic experience. Not only had she never dated Allen, but Ian had also hit the exact point. In fact, she had no romantic experience at all, even back in Korea.
Always struggling to make ends meet, she never had the capacity to meet anyone, so she didn’t have many friends. Not wanting to reveal her unfortunate life, she always maintained boundaries with those who approached her.
To her, romance existed only in pure-hearted manga or novels. The sweet stories that could never happen in her exhausting life were a form of vicarious satisfaction.
Ronnie flinched, feeling as if Ian had discovered she was a lifelong single.
“Why do you ask that?”
“Ah, it’s just that you seem surprisingly innocent. I hope I haven’t offended you.”
Ian lowered his hand in response to her sharp reaction and apologized politely. Then, as if recalling something amusing, he smiled brightly.
“Miss, would you like me to show you how to get rid of the mark?”
“You know how to get rid of it?”
“I know a bit about that insect. When does the mark swell again?”
“Just when it’s almost gone.”
“Then would you like to try what I tell you to do?”
Ian leaned in close, whispering as if sharing a secret.
When Ronnie nodded, he said,
“Tonight, lie down early as if going to sleep. The insect will surely appear.”
“Does it respond to movement?”
“It seems to come when you’re asleep. If you follow my instructions, you should be able to catch it.”
She thought about how mosquitoes would appear and buzz around her ears as soon as she turned off the lights. Ian’s advice made sense. Ronnie nodded in agreement.
After bidding a final farewell to Gale, who had packed all the luggage, Ronnie remembered that Biena had asked for her earlier and headed to the Armis camp.
“This is Ronnie Shalrigan. I came to see Biena.”
“Oh, Princess. Please wait a moment.”
A guard standing in front of the tent went inside. Soon, he opened the door for her personally. Upon entering, Biena greeted her with a bright smile.
“I was just thinking that maybe you had forgotten, so I came to find you myself.”
“Since then, I’ve been so busy I couldn’t find the time.”
“…I heard you were in danger. Are you alright?”
“Haha, the news reached that far? I’m perfectly fine.”
“That’s good.”
Biena smiled brightly, clasping her hands together. Ronnie spoke,
“You mentioned before that you wanted to tell me something?”
“Ah, um… yes. But now that I’m about to say it, I just can’t seem to get the words out.”
“What is it?”
Biena hesitated, chewing on her words. After a moment of silence, she asked an unexpected question,
“Do you still use the music box?”
“Ah, yes. I play it every night before going to sleep. It helps me fall asleep.”
“That makes sense. That’s what it was made for, after all.”
“Huh?”
Biena spoke as if the gift hadn’t been from her. Ronnie looked puzzled, and Biena confessed the truth.
“Actually, Allen made it during his creation magic class. I think he intended to give it to you, but he only wrapped it and didn’t plan to deliver it, so I took the liberty.”
“…Why? You know how I feel.”
For a moment, her heart raced, and she felt strangely happy—but then she immediately became gloomy.
Honestly, she couldn’t deny feeling pleased that Allen had made the music box for her. Knowing he had thought of her warmed her heart.
But looking at Biena in front of her, she couldn’t help but feel gloomy. She felt as though she were doing something wrong to Biena. Despite her concern, Biena looked quite relieved. She said,
“It’s because I know your heart too, Ronnie.”
“Huh?”
Biena hesitated for a moment, then let out a deep sigh.
“Sigh… this is the hardest thing to say, but actually, I was rejected by Allen…”
“Princess Biena, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
“What? His Highness came here for me…?”
Before she could finish, Freddy opened the tent door and entered. The smile on Biena’s face immediately stiffened.
Freddy noticed Ronnie and acknowledged her.
“I didn’t know the Princess was here too.”
“Shalrigan greets His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“I need to speak with Biena for a moment. Please step aside.”
“I have nothing to discuss, Your Highness.”
Biena held back Ronnie, speaking coldly. Ronnie glanced between them, feeling uncomfortable. The atmosphere was extremely tense.
“My conversation is with her, not you, sister.”
“Watch your words, Your Highness. If anyone hears, they might think I’m the princess.”
Biena spoke in a thin, trembling voice as soon as Freddy finished. Freddy corrected himself, acknowledging his mistake.
Had Freddy ever visited Biena in the manga? His appearances had been few, described only from Biena’s perspective.
Freddy asked,
“Princess, will you stay there?”
“Oh, no. I’ll go. Biena, we’ll continue our conversation later.”
“All right… I’ll come by Ronnie’s quarters. Sorry for leaving like this.”
Biena reluctantly let go of Ronnie. Judging by her expression, she clearly didn’t get along with Freddy.
Ronnie quietly left the tent, feeling uneasy.
