By Zephyria 
In truth, I was reflecting on the feelings I had poured out too carelessly.
If I thought about it carefully, wasn’t it the same way even at the very beginning? It was the same when Ruben briefly showed me the blue button, and it was the same when he brought up his father’s story this time.
Each time the child opened a door for me, I had ended up spewing out only what I wanted to say, unable to contain myself. This had happened several times already. I pondered how to formally convey my feelings to the child in proper words.
Now, Ruben would return to the capital and mingle with the fair and lovely children there.
Of course, I didn’t want to interfere with the necessary duties Ruben had as a Prince of a nation, or even as Emperor. However, I worried that Ruben might meet kind and gentle people unlike myself and harbor lonely feelings. I wanted to convey, in proper words, how much I cherished Ruben.
I gently held Ruben’s wrist, not to hurt him, and led him as we walked.
Wanting to be undisturbed in this moment, I headed towards the bedroom. Because I was so tense, Ruben also became tense, his expression stiffening. Instead of the bed, I had Ruben sit on a chair at the table. The midday sun stretched long across the window, reaching Ruben’s feet.
As I carefully released Ruben’s wrist, the child suddenly grasped my hand. Just holding his hand made sweat bead on my back. This was bad. In Ruben’s dark gaze, my mind went blank. When Ruben toyed with my fingertips and brought them to his lips, I pulled my hand away.
The child’s fierce gaze softened into a sorrowful one, and he spoke with a disappointed voice.
“…What were you going to say…?”
“…”
“Is it something serious? Why? What did King Vivian say? Or perhaps…?”
“No, it’s not that…”
This wouldn’t do. I couldn’t make Ruben more anxious, so I quickly took out the flower I had been holding in my embrace.
It was a red flower. Between its eight red petals, the bright yellow stamens were plump and full. I didn’t know its name, but I had picked it because the bloom was quite lovely and beautiful. Fearing it might be crushed in my arms, I had even wrapped it in my aura, so not a single petal or stamen was pressed or damaged.
Ruben’s eyes widened.
“Oh?”
“…Ahem. I wanted to give you this.”
“…Huh? No, sob, this… Where did you get this?”
“On the way here… I saw it.”
” Sob, Ah… Ah, right. You just saw it… Is today a special day…?”
Ruben slowly reached out and took the flower. Only then did I release the aura bound to the flower. The delicate, thin petals swayed prettily, as if fanned by Ruben’s laughter. The sweet smile and blush on Ruben’s cheeks were so lovely that I was struck speechless again.
“…It’s not that, but when I saw the flower… I thought of you, Ruben.”
“Ahaha!”
Ruben, holding the stem carefully with both hands, laughed heartily. My face felt hot for some reason.
But now, I felt I could finally say what I wanted to say. The warm, ticklish sunlight bolstered my spirits, and Ruben’s laughter pushed me forward.
I took a deep breath and exhaled. With all the sincerity I could muster, I uttered each syllable clearly.
“There is something I failed to properly tell you before.”
“Yes. What is it…?”
“Without asking for your permission, I selfishly urged you to wait as if you were already mine. The more I think about it, the more ashamed and embarrassed I feel. So, Ruben, please.”
As I had learned from books, I slowly knelt on one knee.
Sitting like this made me want to rest my cheek on Ruben’s knee. The child laughed sweetly, and his hand touching my hair by my ear felt ticklish. Our eyes met, and the sweetness was almost sharp on my tongue. His cool fingertips traced the curve of my ear and then cupped my cheek.
“Would you be my lover?”
“…From today?”
“Yes. From today.”
“The order is a bit strange, though…”
Ruben, still seated on the chair, pulled my cheek with his hand. I willingly knelt on both knees and straightened my body to receive his kiss. Having done this a few times before, I closed my eyes the moment Ruben’s breath came close. Each time his giggling laughter passed his thin lips, I yearned to swallow it.
I held back and waited for his answer.
When his lips parted, I opened my eyes. Ruben’s handsome face was filled with a dazzling, bright smile.
“Okay. From today, we’re dating. You and me.”
“Yes.”
“Hug me, Mika.”
I stood up and embraced Ruben. Ruben wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his cheek on my chest. Only then did I realize I had dragged him here without doing any chores or even changing my clothes.
To avoid getting in Ruben’s way, I untied the knot of my robe. My black robe slid down my back and fell to the floor with a thud. At that, the child’s lips twisted into a mischievous grin.
“You know, Mika.”
“Yes.”
“What else will make you think of me?”
“Huh?”
“Not many flowers bloom in the Yuil Mountains. And most of them are poisonous… So I can’t ask you to think of me when you see them.”
Well.
Now, I think of Ruben just by breathing. When I touch something cold, I think of Ruben. When I see something white, I think of him too. Whether I see red or black, it’s the same. Every night, when I look at the stars in the sky, I’ll think of Ruben, and even just seeing a tall tree will make me think of him.
Thinking of which one to choose is quite difficult.
As I pondered for a long time, unable to answer, the child pulled my hand again and kissed the back of it.
“Now, think of me when you see this.”
“…My hand?”
“Yes. Every time you swing your sword, every time you eat, every time you change your clothes, think of me.”
Could there be an easier task? I nodded obediently.
Ruben patiently told me when to think of him. Though I wasn’t good at speaking, I was good at listening. I nodded to everything he said, and Ruben became very excited. I, too, found this trivial game immensely enjoyable.
“…And if you accidentally fall, think of me too.”
“Even though I can’t fall.”
“You don’t like it?”
“Every time I don’t fall, I will think of Ruben.”
Ruben sat down, and I stood with my cheek resting on his chest. We stayed like that until the sky outside turned red.
Ruben would often lift his head and gaze intently at me. I now knew well the look on his face when he wanted a kiss. Each time I obediently lowered my head to kiss him, Ruben would wear an expression of uncontrollable amusement. It was a very lovely expression.
Then, when my heart finally overflowed and I couldn’t bear it any longer, I would cup Ruben’s cheeks and kiss him deeply. Each time, Ruben would hold my shoulders or wrap his arms around my neck, sharing his warmth.
What more needed to be said? It was good enough just to look at each other for a long time.
❖ ❖ ❖
The next day, the third Saturday of April, Samantha Andrei returned.
Finally, everyone was gathered. Including Baron Bicov and his wife, and the workers, I gathered everyone in the main hall to select those who would accompany me to the Yuil Mountains.
The Sierran Empire was a nation that revered the sharing of information. Some knights believed the tale of going to save the world with a god, while others did not, but most wore expressions of excitement.
Naturally, Mage Boulder was the first to volunteer.
“Me! Please take me too.”
Despite his gaunt cheeks, his shining eyes made his face look younger than his age. I was so worried and taken aback that I couldn’t immediately grant his request.
“If you are not feeling well, I will not necessarily take you. We have many Artifacts, and a god is accompanying us. It is not a journey that absolutely requires a wizard.”
“That’s why! That’s why!”
“…Hmm?”
“Ha, hic. It’s just out of reach, you see… that, Contaminated Mana. You said it was the origin of Mana, right? The Mana that arises as a byproduct of Black Magic and the original Mana seem to have a slightly different texture, but it’s a difference as subtle as that between a melted cake and a partially melted cake. It’s so fine that it’s hard to… ”
“Yes. Let’s go together.”
I cut him off without listening further. Mage Boulder chuckled, cradling a Goblin like a doll, and stood behind me to my right. To be honest, while he could be distracting and chaotic, he was mostly of great help. As for his slow pace, I figured anyone in the party could carry him.
Leon strode over and stood beside Boulder.
“Thank you for looking after me. I learned a lot. We will try to save the world in the name of the Sun God. A Mercenary should have this much spirit.”
“Hey, you said you were going to be a novice knight!”
Someone heckled from the side. Leon laughed heartily and winked his small eyes. As his eyes looked almost the same whether open or closed, his winks didn’t seem like any particular signal. It just made me feel pleased that everyone had gotten along so well.
“Very well. I look forward to working with you.”
It wasn’t disappointing that Giselle didn’t volunteer. Since Ann and Giselle were very close, it made sense. She needed to go with Ruben to confirm Ann and Peter’s condition in the capital and to inform the White Lion Mercenary Group about Leon.
John, who claimed to hear the voice of the Sun God along with Leon, remained by Giselle’s side. I felt a little relieved thinking that if something were to happen, he might be able to communicate with Ruben through the god as a Medium if he were by Ruben’s side.
Benjamin, who had been standing quietly, nodded once and attached himself to Leon’s side.
“…”
“Yes. Let’s go together.”
I nodded, and then, without realizing it, I glanced towards Marianne. Marianne looked quite troubled, but when our eyes met, she playfully pulled down the corners of her eyes with her index finger, making a pouting face.
Then, Hugh Benson, looking pale, arrived with Elvin Brooks, trudging along.
“…Yes? You’re coming too?”
“What? Why? What? They’re even calling for Oasis. Something’s happened.”
“Ah… Then Lord Benson will be…”
“The interpreter. You don’t like it? Should I go?”
“No, that’s not it. Please take care of us.”
This was the last of them. One wizard, one mercenary, four knights. Including myself, that made six, or seven with the god.
The knights lined up and applauded with loud claps. Meanwhile, I shook hands with those standing beside me.
Ruben’s applause was particularly weak. It bothered me greatly, but I held back, having no words to add.