Ch. 7: A Smile Left in the Heart
I could hear the sound of the grass stirring from the night breeze coming through the open window…-.
Saying we should both get some rest, Ruber had left the guest room a little while ago.
(I know I should be tired, but for some reason I can’t sleep…)
I had missed my chance to return the white gown and now looked at where it lay on a bench near the bed.
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Ruber: “… Haha… you really are a strange one. No matter how times you could have been frightened off… it’s the first time I can say I’ve seen someone take everything head-on.”
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The smile I had seen on Ruber a little bit ago still resided in my heart…-.
(It would be nice if he could always be smiling like that.)
The more I thought about Ruber, the further sleep went from my mind.
(I’ll just go take a little walk around the castle garden.)
Suddenly making up my mind, I quietly left the guest room.
Ch. 8: Aware of the Conflict
The lights spread throughout the castle gave it a majestic appearance…-.
As I gazed at the starry sky spread above me, I walked through the castle courtyard when…
Ruber: “…”
I saw Ruber sitting in on the edge of a water fountain that sparkled in the dark of night.
As he sat alone looking up at the night sky, he seemed clad in an air that wouldn’t allow others to approach, however…-.
OO: “What are you doing at this hour?”
I decisively spoke up, and Ruber turned to look at me without seeming particularly surprised.
Ruber: “I could ask you the same thing. Looks like we’re the same in that. If you don’t get proper rest, it will negatively affect your body.”
OO: “And I could tell you the same thing.”
I was happy that he was treating me even more casually than he had that afternoon, and I ended up smiling.
Then, Ruber suddenly took hold of my wrist…
OO: “…!”
In the next instant, I was wrapped in his strong arms.
Ruber: “Women shouldn’t be going out so late at night. That is, if you don’t want something frightening to happen.”
OO: “…!”
His teasing whispers tickled my ear and I could feel my cheeks turning red.
OO: “If it’s you Ruber, I’m not that scared.”
I replied back without any sign of guilt and Ruber looked at me as if amused.
Ruber: “When you say it that way, a guy might misunderstand.”
(A misunderstanding… huh.)
My heartbeat was obnoxiously loud, as if telling me that there was a new emotion beginning to take root inside me.
And yet I couldn’t give a clear answer, and being unable to endure it any longer, I turned my face away.
Ruber: “…earlier, I got a reprimand from the king.”
He muttered those few words, and I couldn’t believe my ears.
OO: “A reprimand? Why on earth…?”
Ruber: “It seems someone told him that I had something to do with the medical treatment in town and providing relief aid after the mine collapse. And there’s a solid prohibition on treating the common people, whom the royal family do not acknowledge.”
OO: “…what is the purpose of that kind of decision?”
I couldn’t understand those intentions as I looked up, and Ruber let out a sigh of complex feelings.
Ruber: “I don’t know the details of how that decision came to pass either. But if you think about it logically, it has to be for the sake of the country, right? Under the present system, the county would eventually fall if all people were examined equally. I don’t agree, but I do understand. But still, I…-.”
As if trying to conceal his anguish, Ruber’s words broke.
From his expression, I could see the intense conflict he was facing.
(I don’t know if there’s anything I could do to help…)
Bearing the same annoyance and frustration as Ruber, I gently rested my head against his chest.
Then, I felt the arms wrapped around me tighten slightly.
Ruber: “OO. As someone who came from outside of this country, I want your honest opinion. …do you think I’m in the wrong?”
Alongside his quietly asked question, a cold night wind brushed against my cheek.
Ch. 9: Overflowing Emotions
The question he asked sent ripples through my heart…-.
Ruber: “OO. As someone who came from outside of this country, I want your honest opinion. …do you think I’m in the wrong?”
(I don’t really know how to answer that.)
I knew I shouldn’t answer and give my opinion hastily, so I just earnestly pondered for a while.
Then what resurfaced in my mind was Ruber, and his sincerity in treating a patient no matter what.
OO: “I believe that deciding what’s right and what’s wrong… is a difficult thing. But I don’t want you to bend your principles.”
Ruber: “Why do you say that?”
OO: “Because I like you when you’re honest with your convictions.”
The words conveying how I felt about him suddenly overflowed, and my cheeks suddenly heated up.
(What on earth did I just…-.)
As I nervously checked on Ruber’s reaction, he was looking at me in surprise.
Ruber: “…have you fallen in love with me?”
OO: “…!”
The straightforward question had my heart pounding so hard it hurt.
I immediately looked away, but as if saying he wouldn’t let me run away, Ruber lifted my chin with his fingers.
Ruber: “Your face is looking quite red.”
OO: “…please don’t look at me.”
My voice was shaking from embarrassment as I spoke, and Ruber readily released me.
As he didn’t push the question any further, I looked down with mixed feelings.
Ruber: “Conviction huh…”
As he murmured those words to himself, Ruber slowly stood up.
Ruber: “The way things are, I had thought about going on another journey, but… I’ve changed my mind.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Ruber: “Thanks to you, I’ve come to my senses. It’s a waste of time to just think about what’s right and what’s wrong. I’m not so skilled that I can live with bending my principles.”
A gust of wind blew through his black hair tinged with red.
Ruber: “As a doctor, and as the prince of this country… I will push past the limits of my ability.”
He smiled, the moon lighting his back, and there was a beautiful shine to his eyes, like that of new green leaves.
Ch. 10: Sweet Touch
Some time had passed since I had visited Remedium…-.
Seeming to have settled on the problem of the country, Ruber had spent every day incredibly busy.
(Though the retainers were surprised to hear that Ruber had been working at his desk for quite some time rather than going out into the field. He’s been working to improve the labor conditions for the private practitioners and reinforcing medical transactions… Ruber really is working hard.)
Disliking his obligational ties, Ruber was working diligently for the sake of the country, and I wanted to support him. That was why I had now come to Remedium again.
(Though it’ll be a tough journey, I’m sure Ruber’s efforts will come to fruition.)
OO: “Ruber, I’m coming in.”
I called out from in front of the door and stepped into the room designated for carrying out official duties…-.
Ruber: “…what are those flowers?”
From behind a mountain of papers, Ruber examined my expression and turned his eyes to the flowers in my hands.
OO: “It’s a gift I picked up in town. I thought it might improve your mood just a little.”
As I put the flowers in a vase near a window where they would get plenty of sun, Ruber stood and walked towards me.
(Ruber…?)
Before I could turn around, I sensed him bending over me…-.
Ruber: “They aren’t bad… but if that’s what you wanted, I would feel even better if you were to sit next to me.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Ruber: “Did you not understand? I’m saying you’re better than the flowers.”
He whispered those words into my ear and my heart leaped in my chest.
Ruber: “Let me know if you’re going out into town again. I can at least make enough time for that.”
OO: “…I’ll do that next time.”
Ruber: “I’m glad you understand.”
I watched him intently, unable to read his true intentions even as he nodded in satisfaction.
(I wonder if it’s alright for me to think… that he wants to spend more time with me.)
Ruber: “By the way, how long are you planning to stay in the country?”
(…!)
OO: “I can leave soon if I’m getting in your way, but…-.”
My shoulders stiffened, and Ruber shook his head in exasperation.
Ruber: “That’s not what I mean. You should be used to my words not having any hidden meaning.”
(Even if he says that…)
OO: “If you don’t say it plainly, I won’t be able to understand.”
Telling him that, Ruber seemed to be thinking something over as he sank into silence…-.
Ruber: “Do you intend to become my spouse?”
OO: “Eh!?”
His words were unexpected, and I raised my voice in surprise.
OO: “Spouse… do you mean like your wife?”
Ruber: “Is there any other meaning?”
I was so surprised that I could only reply with embarrassment, and Ruber moved closer with a disappointed expression.
Ruber: “I was simply voicing what I thought you desired. If you believe I was hasty, then just take it as a joke. …for now.”
OO: “…”
He placed a kiss on my forehead, and I nearly dropped the vase of flowers.
(He said ‘for now’…)
The sensation of his kiss on my forehead caused my feelings to stir even more.
Ruber: “That’s not a bad expression.”
OO: “…what expression am I making?”
Ruber: “You just want me to tell you everything.”
With a deep laugh, he placed a hand on my cheek.
Ruber: “Let’s see… I could say it’s an expression that you don’t show to anyone other than me.”
This time, his lips fell to mine, conveying his love.
OO: “Nn…”
He kept peppering me with small kisses one after another, sufficiently setting my heart ablaze…-.
Ruber: “I’ve taken a liking to you. I’ve been thinking of how I don’t want to hold back from now on.”
Ruber’s long fingers slid down the nape of my neck.
Ruber: “I don’t like doing things in a roundabout way. I will always get the things I want. …so don’t think you can get away.”
(……)
Ruber observed me, delighted, as my body reacted by breaking out into goosebumps.
After that, even if I thought I was being teased, I found myself intoxicated by his sweet touch.
END
Secret Story: The Other Side of the Decision
The countless stars shone overhead in the expansive night sky…-.
I sat on the edge of the water fountain situated in the castle courtyard and thought back on the words of the king as he’d given me my reprimand.
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King: “As the prince, you set a bad example for the people by going against the royal family’s decisions. If you intend to continue acting of your own accord, I won’t give another thought to exiling you from the royal family.”
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(I couldn’t just tell him to do whatever he wanted… because I hesitated.)
I didn’t have any attachment to the position of prince, but if I thought of the country and the people, I had to be careful in my decisions…-.
Meanwhile, I didn’t want to bend my principles to treat any and all patients that were in front of me.
(If I hadn’t been born into the group of the royal family, this conflict would have nothing to do with me.)
Ruber: “…even if I think that now, it’s a meaningless supposition.”
I muttered those words of self-ridicule in a small voice so no one else could hear.
(Now then, what should I do now?)
I closed my eyes as I held that unusual hesitation, then for some reason OO’s face appeared in my mind’s eye…-.
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OO: “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Ruber: “Don’t be ridiculous. This doesn’t concern a princess like you.”
OO: “I know that. But you don’t have enough people to help, right? I don’t care if it’s just odd jobs. Isn’t there anything I can help with?”
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(That was the first time I’d had a woman refuse to back down like that. Though I suppose it wasn’t like she didn’t falter at the accident site.)
And yet OO had worked earnestly right until the end helping with the medical treatment.
(In contrast to her weak appearance, she has a steady character. It was dangerous but… it was nice too.)
I subconsciously looked towards the guest room where OO was.
I thought of how she must already be asleep, and for some reason I felt the beating of my heart increase.
(We parted only a short while ago, but I already want to see her again. …I wonder if I’m attracted to her.)
Aware of the feelings blossoming within me, my spirits lifted slightly.
My mind went in circles as I thought about what path I should take moving forward, and I looked up to the cloudless night sky…-.
…
……
On the desk large enough for a person to sleep on, the massive pile of papers had formed into a mountain.
(Until now, no one had even bothered to start working on these things, so I’ve at least been able to settle that problem in and of itself.)
The job of setting right my country’s twisted structure was a longer and more difficult path than I had expected.
(I can’t guarantee that all these policies will go over smoothly, but…-.)
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OO: “But I don’t want you to bend your principles.”
Ruber: “Why do you say that?”
OO: “Because I like you when you’re honest with your convictions.”
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OO’s words brought a faint warmth to my chest.
Ruber: “…I want to see her.”
Without me realizing, my true feelings fell from my lips.
(She should be in the castle somewhere but… if I call for her, I wonder if she would at least stop by for a moment.)
At the very moment I was thinking of OO, the sound of someone announcing they were entering the room was accompanied by the smell of flowers tickling at my nose…-.
Ruber: “…what are those flowers?”
The very person I had been imagining arrived, and I asked my question even as I felt my spirits lifted.
OO: “It’s a gift I picked up in town. I thought it might improve your mood just a little.”
(…they certainly are beautiful.)
I thought of how very much I wanted to touch her as she smiled, a flower vase in her hands.
Not defying that desire, I walked towards OO as she stood near the window…-.
Ruber: “They aren’t bad… but if that’s what you wanted, I would feel even better if you were to sit next to me.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Ruber: “Did you not understand? I’m saying you’re better than the flowers.”
Ruber: “Let me know if you’re going out into town again. I can at least make enough time for that.”
OO: “…I’ll do that next time.”
Ruber: “I’m glad you understand.”
(I just want to spend a long time with you… am I the only one of us thinking that way?)
Though I was satisfied with her honest affirmation, a series of complicated feelings filled my heart.
Ruber: “By the way, how long are you planning to stay in the country?”
OO: “I can leave soon if I’m getting in your way, but…-.”
Her head dropped as if she were trying to curl in on herself, and I let out a sigh.
(I wonder if it’s my fault… that this single conversation just now didn’t match up.)
Ruber: “You should be used to my words not having any hidden meaning.”
OO: “If you don’t say it plainly, I won’t be able to understand.”
(You’ve given me a particularly difficult demand with that.)
Thinking of how it was nice not being straightforward in this particular moment, I searched for the words to express my precise feelings.
Ruber: “Do you intend to become my spouse?”
OO: “Eh!?”
OO’s reaction seemed to say she hadn’t even imagined that, and I furrowed my brow.
(Well, whatever. There’s still time.)
Ruber: “If you believe I was hasty, then just take it as a joke. …for now.”
(Before long, I’ll have you falling in love with me to the point where you desire me.)
Now, with her face blushing and on the defensive, I wanted to observe even more of OO’s expressions…
I gave in to that impulse and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
END