Chapter 18 – ​18

Since ​he ​had ​been ​extremely ​tense ​for about three ​days ​leading ​up ​to ​his first performance, his ​memories ​of that period ​were hazy. It ​was ​strange, ​considering ​the ​contents ​of the work ​were ​so ​vivid.

“I’ve been talking ​about such depressing things. ​I suppose ​I just ​empathized with ​what you ​said, ​Your ​Excellency.”

Saying so, Euro ​approached Melione ​and stood beside him ​with a casual smile.

“The ​garden is very well-maintained. ​There are ​so ​many plants I never saw in ​Norden…”

“It doesn’t snow in ​Silon, ​but ​if ​you ​take a carriage ​up just ​a ​bit, there is ​snow ​even in winter. Though not ​as much ​powder ​as in Norden.”

Melione ​spoke, ​cutting ​Euro ​off. ​Euro stared ​at ​him with ​a slightly surprised expression. Melione, on the ​other hand, looked ​serene.

“I will have ​a carriage prepared around ​that time. ​If it isn’t ​too ​taxing on your ​body, it might ​be nice ​to ​go and ​enjoy ​the snow.”

“Ah… ​I ​see.”

Honestly a ​bit ​shocked, ​Euro [stolen content]unauthorized copyanswered [Read on Read BL Novels]hesitantly. ​He ​had never ​imagined ​such ​a ​response would come from the man.

He had been acting like a child forced to do a chore he hated, making his displeasure obvious, but it seemed he realized he had ruined the mood.

“Thank you for being so thoughtful. But it’s alright. It’s not that I absolutely must see the snow; it’s just that I have those memories.”

“…….”

“More than anything, since it’s my first birthday here in Silon, I’d prefer to spend it with Your Excellency. Since you aren’t in good health, I’d feel shameless asking you to come along.”

Calling it a “short trip by carriage” was an understatement; to see snow from Silon, the southernmost tip of the Izi continent, it was obvious they would have to travel for days.

How much had he suffered from agonizing motion sickness on the way here? He wouldn’t get back in a carriage now even if someone offered him a fortune.

“I will go with you.”

“What?”

This time, truly startled, Euro shouted instinctively. At that, Melione avoided Euro’s gaze with a subtle expression.

“Really? You’ll really come with me?”

Euro quickly composed his flustered face. Whether the words had slipped out by mistake or were sincere, he had to cling to this opportunity.

How did he land such a big fish? Was he actually moved by Euro’s story? In novels, this type of character usually acted like they wouldn’t shed a drop of blood even if stabbed, but it seemed there was some humanity left in him after all.

“……Provided my health permits.”

Of course. It was a ridiculous answer, considering the man believed his health would never improve. However, Euro couldn’t exactly say, ‘Wow, what a way to say you aren’t going,’ so he nodded vigorously instead.

“Of course. I’m sure you’ll get better.”

‘I’m not going with you then, you jerk. I won’t go even if you cry and beg. Why on earth would I risk getting indigestion on my birthday?’

“I’ll help you by your side.”

The gap between his inner thoughts and outer actions was that of a master actor. No, if he were a real actor, he shouldn’t have pretended to be moved on the outside.

“Thank you just for saying that. No one has ever looked after my birthday like this… I’m very happy.”

It seemed Melione’s remaining humanity was stolen contentreacting visit our siteto his “true [stolen content]story,” so Euro decided to lean into it and evoke as much sympathy as possible.

“Do you know that silver hair is the symbol of the Norden royal family?”

“Yes, I am aware.”

“But as you can see, I have brown hair. It has a lot of orange in it, so it looks red in the sunlight. Because of that, there were always rumors about my parentage.”

“……I know that as well.”

Melione nodded as he walked beside Euro. It was a famous story, so there was no need to hide it.

“So, there was no one to celebrate the birthday I had arbitrarily decided for myself. I felt a bit wronged when I was young. My brothers’ birthday banquets were always held on a massive scale. My sister’s were the same.”

“…….”

“They received so many gifts, too. I was very jealous.”

He probably was. Euro didn’t know Euro Leches, but he could tell. He could imagine how sorrowful the boy must have been, facing all sorts of discrimination at such a young age.

“Still, there was never anyone who would prepare a carriage just to show me the snow. So, even if you gathered [Read on Read BL Novels]all the gifts my siblings ever received, there wouldn’t [Read on Read BL Novels]be one as special as this, Your Excellency.”

“…….”

“Thank you sincerely. I’m truly moved.”

Regardless of whether they actually went or not, Euro was genuinely touched that Melione had said such things for him, and for the first time, he wore a sincere smile.

“That is because… in Norden, there is no need to go out of one’s way to see the snow.”

“Even if one of my siblings had said they wanted to see the ocean as a birthday gift, they wouldn’t have done that for them. It might be a slightly different comparison, but still.”

“…….”

“Oh, that doesn’t mean I want to go to Norden. I like snow, but Norden is just so-so.”

Euro’s steps felt light. He had achieved his goal just by initiating a decent conversation, but he had gained an unexpected bonus.

‘From now on, I’ll keep appealing that “I’m a pitiful human just like you” to make him pity me as much as possible.’ Euro vowed to himself, cheering inwardly.

After that, no significant conversation passed between the two. Euro judged that unauthorized copysince he had exceeded [unauthorized copy]his plan, there was no need to force a new unauthorized copytopic to keep the conversation going.

Melione also seemed lost in thought with a somewhat strange expression, so Euro left him be.

When they reached the spot where he had laughed and chatted with Kisha yesterday, Euro suddenly reached out and shouted.

“Kisha!”

Kisha, who had been lying in the same spot as yesterday, spotted Euro and began approaching slowly, as if he had been waiting.

Euro quickly hurried toward Kisha, and as the tiger lightly bumped its head against him, Euro knelt and hugged the animal.

“Were you perhaps waiting for me?”

At Euro’s question, Kisha let out a huff of air through his nose. Thanks to their long conversation yesterday, Euro immediately understood this as a ‘yes.’

“Oh my goodness, I’m so touched.”

Euro rubbed his face deep into Kisha’s fur before letting go and turning to look at Melione. The man had a look on his face as if he found the whole thing absurd.

Regardless, Euro, who no longer had any business with Melione, spoke in a cheerful voice.

“Thank you for accompanying me on my walk, Your Excellency. I’m only sorry for taking up so much of your time.”

‘Now get lost, you bastard.’

Euro beamed and leaned his head against Kisha. As expected, he felt at peace whenever he was with Kisha.

The door he had thought appeared out of nowhere yesterday seemed to be the back door of the main mansion. Since Melione said this area was visible from the office window, going up that way would be the shortest route. Thus, this was the perfect place to part ways.

Melione had mentioned that long walks were difficult and had looked like he wanted to go back the entire time, so Euro thought it would be best if he disappeared around now.

“I’ll share the rest of the story with Kisha.”

“……You spent the entire day talking to him yesterday as well.”

“Uh… if you want to get technical, yesterday I only got through the prologue of my life. Today, I plan to enter Chapter 1.”

Because he told everything in such meticulous detail, he had spent all his time just on his childhood. Now it was time to dive into his heart-fluttering idol life, so there were still plenty of stories left to tell.

However, for some reason, Melione didn’t leave immediately [unauthorized copy]and continued to watch him with a strange expression. Wondering if he had something to say, stolen contentEuro met his eyes, only for a blunt voice to unexpectedly snap out of him.

“I believe I told you that you do not need to speak so informally to Kisha.”

“It’s just more comfortable this way. I’ll try to fix it gradually.”

“…….”

“Please get some good rest, Your Excellency. I really enjoyed today, and I was truly moved.”

“Are you always so easily moved?”

“Pardon?”

Melione had blurted out something completely random. He seemed offended for some reason, but Euro couldn’t tell which part had rubbed him the wrong way.

“……Did I perhaps upset you?”

“No, not at all. Just do not stay too long.”

‘Ah, he’s just telling me not to be noisy since his office is nearby.’

Euro felt a momentary surge of irritation at Melione’s behavior, which practically advertised how sensitive he was, but as always, he maintained a natural smile.

“Yes, I will, Your Excellency.”

“And.”

“…….”

“If there is anything you wish to talk about, come to my office anytime.”

“…….”

“If it is brief… it is fine.”

“Ah… yes, thank you.”

Euro answered with a bewildered expression, and only then did Melione turn and walk away. Once he had entered the mansion, Euro sat comfortably on the grass and muttered.

“I wonder what the hell he ate.”

“…….”

“Not that he’s eaten anything.”

At those words, Kisha gently nudged Euro’s shoulder with his head, as if telling him to focus. Euro burst into laughter and spoke.

“Alright, alright. I bet you’re really curious about the rest of the story. Let’s see, so, in the world I lived in, there’s something called an ‘idol.’ Now, what that is…”