Ch.309102. Like a Thorn Caught (2)

Elhermina sat weakly on the bed.

Even at a glance, it was clear she had barely managed to raise her upper body to greet her visitors, her expression lacking strength.

“You came…”

Everyone seemed to be restraining themselves, knowing that too much commotion wouldn’t be good.

Still, simple greetings and well-wishes were exchanged.

“How are you feeling?”

“…Same as usual.”

If being sick was her usual state… I suppose nothing has changed.

Though renowned for her wisdom and intelligence from a young age, heaven hadn’t bestowed everything upon her.

…At least she had a gentle disposition. If someone in her position had become bitter like long-term patients often do… many would have suffered.

Perhaps suppressing such irritable tendencies was part of her own wise effort.

After exchanging pleasantries, snacks were brought in for the younger guests, and though no one said anything, their eyes sparkled.

Simply filling the seats was enough.

…There might be room for resentment at being treated as mere attendants, but creating an atmosphere that dissolves such feelings is the role of the gathering’s organizer.

In this case, I suppose that’s my role.

It was my unofficial duty to facilitate conversation with her, mentioning topics one by one to create a comfortable atmosphere.

In the end, my diverse social connections were probably thanks to Elhermina.

Most people found it difficult to approach her due to her status and position, but with me present, that barrier was easily overcome.

Since Elhermina wanted to hear their stories and concerns in her own way, I figured things would go smoothly if I set up the situation properly.

The troublesome part was that everyone was too concerned with appearances and social cues, but fortunately, I wasn’t one to be swayed by such things.

That’s probably due to my family’s liberal upbringing.

Despite our sudden rise in status, we’d already dealt with anyone who might have had something to say about it.

“Thank you. I appreciate you taking your precious time to visit me in person.”

“N-no, not at all. It’s nothing…”

Everyone looks like they’re dying of embarrassment.

El is just a person too, why are they making such a fuss?

After the greetings were finished, most of the visitors were guided to another room to enjoy refreshments, and Seras went to manage them.

Meanwhile, Eras and I wanted to stay and keep Elhermina company a little longer.

“D-don’t worry! I’ll research hard to find a cure for your illness, big sister! If holy power can’t heal it, then medicine must be the answer! I think maybe illness might be a kind of variant related to poison…”

“You were born with a weak constitution. The correct order would be to make the body healthy first, then train it… but not being able to reach that point is the problem, isn’t it?”

“H-healthy men like you, Kariel, w-wouldn’t understand, but women are delicate, so m-moving around isn’t good. They should be n-nurtured like flowers.”

“Isn’t that just your opinion? Seras runs around just fine.”

“Th-that’s because big sister was b-born naturally healthy and strong…”

“That’s nonsense. You’re like that because you’re always cooped up in your dark room with the windows closed.”

“Th-that! I-I just don’t like l-light! There are t-too many people out during the d-day when the sun is bright!”

“What’s there to be self-conscious about?”

“Th-that’s easy for s-someone like you, K-Kariel, who’s so c-capable!”

“Yet you say whatever you want to my face.”

“Ugh…”

Hehe.

Elhermina covered her mouth slightly as she laughed.

“Anyway, she does have talent in that area, so who knows. Maybe she’ll really create some miraculous cure or strange elixir that makes people healthy.”

“I-I’ll give you the f-first chance to drink it, K-Kariel.”

“If I drink what you give me, I won’t suddenly turn into a frog or lizard, right?”

“I-if that were possible, wouldn’t I be a g-great witch?”

Since Eras only becomes talkative around El and me, it wasn’t entirely misplaced for Seras to push her onto us.

“What are you going to do? Are you going to tremble nervously in front of your future spouse too?”

“W-whoever that m-might be! In front of such a person, I would also…”

“There’s no one you’re particularly comfortable with, so you’d better get used to it soon. El and I can’t always be there for you. Same goes for Seras.”

“D-don’t say such sad things! Why are you talking like we’re going to part ways tomorrow! Was our relationship th-that shallow?!”

“What relationship? Father’s friend’s son? Mother’s friend’s son? Oh, right. Daughter.”

“N-not son! D-daughter! You did that on purpose, didn’t you?!”

What a commotion.

“Looking at you two, you really seem to be completely at ease with each other.”

When Elhermina said this with a gentle smile, Eras panicked and waved her hands.

“N-no we’re not! It’s just because our parents are close! That’s all it is!”

“Why are you making such a fuss by yourself?”

Time passed quickly.

Since it was proper to leave before sunset, everyone who had come together boarded the carriage and returned to the institute.

“Take care, all of you.”

“Why are you so indifferent just to us?”

“Y-yeah! You’re so obviously uncaring!”

Ignoring the sisters’ teasing, I leisurely returned home.

After walking along the wall for a moment…

Two people standing near the main gate recognized me.

“Young master, you’re a bit late!”

“I suppose you’re busy being called here and there, being so popular!”

“Well… just taking care of things, I guess.”

As I was about to head toward the main entrance, I felt a strange sense of incongruity.

“…”

“Young master?”

I found myself staring blankly at the wall.

I didn’t know why, but anyway…

I gave a slight nod to the two guards, then continued past the house gate toward the main entrance.

“…”

Unconsciously, I found myself looking at the wall again.

It was an ordinary day.

Neither too much nor too little… just an ordinary day.

“Welcome home!”

Sylphia greeted me.

Following her… I moved to the designated room as if it were predetermined.

As I opened the door and entered…

“…”

A large portrait hung there.

The image of him standing with his sword in its scabbard planted on the ground, his left arm extended downward gripping the sword.

The pristine white uniform suited him perfectly, making his white hair and golden eyes seem to come alive, creating an almost surreal impression.

“I’m home, Father.”

He was my pride and glory.

“…”

Even as I felt that, I sensed some inexplicable discomfort.

“I’m feeling strange today.”

Sentimental, perhaps. Emotional.

After briefly paying my respects, I left the room, and as mealtime approached…

“Kariel? Are you in your room?”

“Ah, yes. Please come in.”

At the soft knocking sound and the gentle voice calling me, I put down the book I had been reading on the bed, leaving it open but face down.

Click.

As the door opened…

A woman of incomparable beauty entered.

Like Kariel himself, she had pitch-black hair, but somehow mysterious and marvelous, maintaining a slight smile as she entered the room.

Her neat and tidy priestly garments.

The harmonious interplay of black and white always looked impressive.

“I heard you went to the Imperial Palace?”

“Yes. I thought El might feel sad or lonely since she was absent, so I went to see her.”

“You did well. Our Kariel is always so considerate about such things.”

Her gentle gaze seemed to be suppressing an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.

Even though she was trying to restrain herself from praising me too much, it was obvious that even her restraint was showing.

“I also just had time to visit Her Majesty the Empress.”

“…”

Her Majesty?

There’s nothing strange about that.

One can’t address the Empress as “Your Majesty” like the Emperor, after all.

…?

“Kariel. As we’ve discussed a few times before… do you really have no intention of getting engaged to El?”

“Hmm…”

A difficult question.

At this moment, faced with that question, I didn’t feel any particular agitation.

Rather, my heart was becoming more resolved toward the idea.

“…”

An inexplicable change in my feelings was causing some hesitation.

“His Majesty wishes for the next generation of the imperial family to be continued by El and you.”

“…He’s been saying that ever since I made it clear I couldn’t become an adopted son.”

“That’s right. And… while there’s no doubt about the relationship between His Majesty and Her Majesty… Her Majesty’s physical condition isn’t very optimistic for bearing children. And since His Majesty doesn’t seem inclined to take anyone else, many people are concerned about this.”

“…”

“If only I could take care of everyone as I used to, but as you can see… my condition isn’t exactly good either.”

“Don’t say such things. You should live a long life and see your grandchildren.”

“Hehe… I wish I could.”

Seeing her with that somewhat desolate, sad look in her eyes… I couldn’t help but blurt out:

“Alright. I’ll get engaged to El. It’s not that difficult a thing to do.”

“Really? His Majesty and Her Majesty will be overjoyed.”

However…

“I’m worried that the other children might be heartbroken.”

“Heartbroken?”

I had my suspicions, but I feigned ignorance and asked innocently.

My mother gave me a sidelong glance.

“In that respect, you take after your father completely.”

Yet she couldn’t bring herself to be angry, and smiled again.

“Now, let’s go downstairs. You need to eat properly during this important growth period.”

The meal was simple but satisfying.

“Hmm.”

In my spare time, I plucked at a lute quietly so the sound wouldn’t carry too far, lost in thought.

Deep down, I wanted to leave the institute to learn more, but…

There were too many responsibilities weighing on my shoulders.

“No one would stop me, though.”

That’s why it was even harder.

They’re all good people. Good kids.

Yes.

Truly, if I could just let go a little.

…To the point of accepting everything as reality, so extremely cozy and peaceful…

“The wall, huh.”

It’s funny that seeing it made me realize.

“…Well, anyway.”

This is still a dream.

Or an illusion, a vanity.

It doesn’t matter.

“…”

After all, this isn’t a trap set to ensnare anyone.

More precisely, the final proposal based on this might be a trap, if anything.

I didn’t try hard to open my eyelids.

This sensation of having regained everything I thought was lost…

In a way, it wasn’t bad.

But I shouldn’t get too immersed.

Or perhaps another part of me desperately wishes I would.

…But my true self already knew better than anyone how empty and meaningless that would be.

Bondage is liberation from toil.

Freedom and license are the most wretched forms of labor.

…Whose words are right probably doesn’t matter.

Twang!

I pluck the lute.

With a desire to observe a bit more, I once again performed the “role” of Kariel who lives and breathes in this place.