WNC 276

However, Ruben said nothing. He tried to say something, swallowed it down, then opened his mouth again only to close it. Watching him like that made me restless for no reason. As the child fumbled and offered a faint smile, I suddenly felt a chill, wondering if I had done something wrong.

The child let out a deep sigh and let go of my hand.

“No, it’s okay. Just…”

“…Just?”

I reached out and grabbed Ruben’s wrist again as he tried to stand up without answering. Ruben stood there, looking down at my hand. He neither refused nor held on.

But what more could I do with this child in my room, this late at night?

Hesitantly, I let go of his hand. The child smiled once more, said, “Sleep well,” and then quickly left.

Sleep was impossible. Lying alone in bed, I pondered for a long time.

I knew well that my body had become young again, but my heart hadn’t, making me flutter at a child’s small smile and sway at a small sigh. But today, Ruben had acted somewhat differently.

My thoughts naturally drifted to something.

That day… after doing such a thing, I still hadn’t been able to give a definitive answer about this relationship. It wasn’t that I was waiting for an opportunity to talk; I had to make time myself. Yet, I had let a considerable amount of time pass without saying anything, using shyness as an excuse.

Just having Ruben sit by my side with his docile expression had already half-taken my soul, and I had been preoccupied with him being careful with my hand. It was only now that I realized this relationship couldn’t be put off any longer.

This wouldn’t do. As soon as day broke, I would grab the child and apologize, or at least talk about anything. I made a firm resolution.

However, coincidentally, the very next day, there was no chance to speak.

It was the small martial arts training ground at Duke Widrow’s estate, where I always held early morning training with the children.

While I was contemplating how to pull Rubel aside from the gathering of Hugh, Elvin, Benjamin, and Rubel, a loud burst of laughter approached. I saw them standing tall, greeting everyone boisterously with raised hands.

One man and two women. All three were children around Rubel’s age.

Among the unexpected guests, two were individuals I had encountered a few times in an advanced swordsmanship class during my first year. The woman with long, red hair flowing down to her waist like a lion’s mane was named Mac Weaber, and the man with bright blond hair swept back to reveal his forehead was Justin Barret.

And the woman with neatly braided blue curly hair tied behind her head was someone I was seeing for the first time; her name was Kelly Hawkins. Judging by the staff she was dangling, she appeared to be a wizard.

After introducing themselves to Hugh and Elvin with bows, they went over to Rubel.

All three, the man and two women, became as excited as puppies seeing Rubel for the first time, jumping around. I remembered Rubel mentioning that all his close friends were in the mountains. I realized these must be the people he was talking about.

“Wow, I really see Your Highness here. I didn’t believe it even when Lucille said so.”

“It’s been a while, Young Lady Kelly. You look much better. Life in the Yuil Mountains seems to suit you.”

“Haha, you’re too kind. I have quite a lot of trouble thanks to these two idiots.”

Kelly Hawkins greeted Rubel naturally, Justin Barret ruffled my hair, and Mac Weaber shook my hand, acting familiar. It was quite chaotic.

“It’s been a while, our little Sword Master… Oh, what? You’ve actually become a Sword Master?”

“You really are something, aren’t you?”

“…Yes, thank you for the compliment.”

I tolerated Justin ruffling my hair after confirming my realm, but I was greatly surprised when he moved away from me and immediately opened his arms towards Rubel.

Since I had never had the opportunity to interact closely with Rubel’s friends before, I had no idea how Rubel behaved with his friends.

I had inwardly assumed Rubel was too prim to be hugged, but that wasn’t the case.

Rubel glanced at me for a moment, then warmly pulled Justin in and patted his back. Justin clapped Rubel on the shoulder and rubbed his forearm, laughing with a surprisingly booming voice.

Seeing that, my mouth froze. I watched in silence.

As is common among close friends, after a suitable greeting, they naturally stood in a circle and talked amongst themselves. I also ended up standing there, listening to their conversation.

“Did you hear that all the company members who went up to the Yuil Mountains last were back?”

“No… When did they arrive?”

“Last night.”

“…So, of course, I wouldn’t have heard.”

As Kelly spoke, Rubel chuckled heartily, and Justin immediately shrugged and opened his mouth.

“Anyway, in our company, only one platoon was harmed by Mutated Monsters, but they said there were only two fatalities.”

“Most of the company members who went above 1500m altitude were fine. Mutated Monsters were only found in the lower and middle parts of the Yuil Mountains. Well, that’s what we’ve heard so far.”

“…Hmm.”

“If a large-scale Mutated Monster appears, it’ll be a huge mess, so we need to be thoroughly prepared. I heard there’s talk of a general mobilization after the new year festival.”

“It’s more complicated with so many people, and I heard the personnel might be mixed with other platoons…”

I just nodded at the newly delivered news when Justin nudged Rubel’s shoulder with his own. Rubel didn’t avoid it, as if it were a usual occurrence. He just kept his lips tightly shut, shy as always, and then offered a faint smile when our eyes met.

Even if I tried to look elsewhere, my gaze was drawn to them.

Justin had a smooth face that didn’t match his tanned skin. He was about an inch taller than Rubel, and judging by his skill, he seemed to have reached the proficient Peak realm. He would likely reach the Transcendent Peak soon.

Rubel was a swordsman too, so it was natural for him to be drawn to skilled individuals. In the Central Plains, it wasn’t uncommon for those with similar realms to gather together. Although I was a bit ahead of them, it was clear that Justin would become a Sword Master within three years.

No, what was so significant about two men acting friendly? I shouldn’t be on edge with everyone who came near Rubel. I was having pointless, unfounded thoughts again. Just as I was trying to compose myself, it happened.

Justin smiled broadly and spoke in a mischievous tone.

“Still, it’s a bit awkward that they’re including Your Highness in the new year festival. It feels good to see you, though. How long has it really been?”

“Of course, our Second Prince, every new year festival…”

“Kelly.”

Rubel called out to Kelly Hawkins, cutting her off before she could say more.

Every new year festival, what did the child do?

Thinking about it, Rubel was three years older than me, so he would have experienced the new year festival events much earlier. I was curious about the child’s past that I hadn’t seen, and my mouth felt parched. I just blinked my eyes wordlessly, and Rubel smiled kindly and suggested,

“It would be better to talk about memories when it’s just us.”

“…Wow, no. Rubel, what’s with that voice? Are you always…”

“Justin.”

“Yes, well… alright.”

I was simply dumbfounded.

As I stood there blankly, Justin and Rubel whispered something to each other. I was very curious, but Mac Weaber and Kelly Hawkins kept engaging me, talking and laughing loudly, so I couldn’t eavesdrop.

While this was happening, Hugh Benson spoke up grumpily.

“Are you going to play instead of training? Then let’s move.”

“…Ah. Um… May I spend some time with these friends for a moment? I won’t go outside the Duke’s estate.”

“If you’re taking Elvin?”

Rubel glanced at Elvin, nodded, and answered immediately.

“Yes. I will.”

“…May I go with you too?”

The words slipped out without thought.

Kelly Hawkins replied enthusiastically, “Of course,” but Rubel raised a hand to stop her. I was startled by his decisive gesture, but Rubel’s friends were too busy laughing.

“Next time. Let’s play together next time, Mika. I have something I want to talk about separately today.”

“…”

Rubel gently dissuaded me, but it was difficult to respond. Still, I managed to nod with a smile. My mouth felt dry, as if coated with glue, but I managed to speak.

“…Yes. Then, have a good time.”

“Yeah, thanks. I’ll be back then… See you later.”

With the answer I barely managed to utter, Rubel smiled kindly as always and nudged his friends away. Elvin Brooks ambled along behind him. All three of Rubel’s friends kept looking back, waving and whistling, but Rubel didn’t turn around.

Did I want to intrude on the children’s playtime?

As I stood there staring blankly for a long time, Hugh Benson tapped me on the back.

“What are you doing? We have things to do.”

“…Ah, yes…”

Had Rubel ever tried to hide something from me like this before?

No matter how much I thought about it, it was difficult. It must be that I did something wrong. That’s why the child is treating me so cruelly.

My mind kept wandering, and my mind and body were out of sync, so I spent time doing physical training, my sword tucked into my waist.

❖ ❖ ❖

Hugh Benson’s room carried a faint scent of iron.

The room’s owner sat on a single-seater sofa, covering his face completely with both hands. His heavy breathing clearly indicated his struggle, but I had no choice but to sit quietly and wait, with no room to retreat or turn back.

After a long while, Hugh Benson spoke.

“…So, you came to see me? For relationship advice?”

“Yes.”

“No, you crazy… How on earth did you raise that child?”

Wouldn’t I be embarrassed?

However, I couldn’t consult Benjamin about this. I knew perfectly well that saying such things in front of him would sound like bragging. Marianne, who always helped me, was currently at the Magic Tower, so I couldn’t visit her.

This guy was my only remaining option. Still, he was someone from Sierren, wasn’t he? He hadn’t lived his life in vain, so I hoped he might offer a word of advice.

In the Central Plains, one was expected to bear heartache alone, but it wasn’t like that here in Sierren. The right way was to bring out my feelings, sort them out with words, and ask various questions to find the right answer.

I desperately wished someone would point out my foolish actions if I was making any.

“…Because you’re the squad leader.”

“Damn it, do you think a squad leader is supposed to mediate couples?”

“I apologize.”

“I’m going to lose my mind, really.”

Seeing that he seemed thirsty, I quickly filled a cup with Tea Water and politely offered it. He snatched the cup from my hand, gulped down the warm Tea Water in one go, and let out another deep sigh.

“So, what’s the problem?”

This meant he was ready to listen. I brightened and adjusted my posture.