Chapter 11: Someone’s Regret, Part 3

I watch Allen walk away.

I should have stopped him, said something… but I was too intimidated.

He’s angrier than I thought.

More resentful.

I touch my cheek, still tingling from the paralysis potion.

What went wrong? I just wanted to talk to him.

Did he hate me for thinking he left the party without a valid reason? I was so sure I was right… and then he completely demolished my argument.

Normally, I’d be humiliated at being proven wrong.

But I don’t feel humiliated.

I feel… like everything he said was true.

“You think I used you? I was a nobody until Yerin recruited me. You know I had nothing but pure intentions back then, right?”

He’s right.

My first impression of him was of someone pure and kind. I even asked him this:

“Allen… why did you join the hero’s party? Why do you want to defeat the Demon King? No offense, but… that journey is dangerous… Aren’t you scared?”

Even I, a prodigy from a prestigious mage family, was nervous back then.

As you can see from my full name, Angeline Angelus, I belong to the renowned Angelus mage family.

We were as proud and arrogant as the elves, always looking down on others.

I used to be like that too, until I learned humility and made a conscious decision to speak respectfully.

I was still getting used to it when I joined the hero’s party.

I remember how awkward I felt.

Allen’s response to my question was exactly what I expected:

“I’m scared. It’s far more dangerous than my usual walks in the forest.”

“Then why…?”

His next words surprised me.

“But… as a member of the hero’s party, I have a duty to defeat the Demon King. I didn’t choose this path. Yerin asked me to join. So, while I’m scared, I’m also… happy. Happy that I, an ordinary person, can do something for the kingdom.”

There was no hidden agenda, no malice in his words. Just pure sincerity.

It was foolish of me to think he was using us.

“You think I abandoned the party? Well, we did make a promise, over drinks. But which do you think holds more weight: a few drunken words, or the years of constant abuse I endured?”

He’s right.

That drunken promise meant a lot to me, a chance to strengthen our bonds.

But to Allen… it was nothing compared to the countless insults and criticisms he endured.

Even a single harsh word would have hurt him deeply.

And I… I leaned on his kindness, took advantage of his naivete.

I became dependent on him.

He was kind, but also sensitive.

He must have been hurting, wanting to escape from us.

That promise probably felt like a burden to him.

We were wrong to think he abandoned us. We drove him away.

“You said I was being unreasonable. Then why didn’t the king say anything about it when I met him? Why haven’t I heard anything about you looking for me? You’re the ones being unreasonable, acting like I did something wrong.”

He’s right. We’re the unreasonable ones. Or rather… I am.

He didn’t think twice about leaving. And after everything he endured, I can’t blame him.

Our refusal to acknowledge his departure shows that we were in denial.

So, he met with the king recently.

His Majesty didn’t question Allen’s absence after the Demon King’s defeat… which means he already knew.

If even the king isn’t saying anything… I guess I have to accept that Allen is really gone.

“The festival is going just fine without me. Most people don’t even know I was in the hero’s party. But some do. And they’re all having fun, not even mentioning me. Doesn’t that mean I was… unnecessary? You bunch of a**holes.”

He’s right. We weren’t enjoying the festival without him, but the festival itself was going on as planned.

This also proves his point about us being unreasonable.

And as he said, he wasn’t using us. We used him and then deemed him unnecessary.

…

Everything he said was true.

That’s why he slapped me, to make me realize my mistakes, to shake me out of my delusion.

“…It hurts.”

My cheeks are still stinging. But I also feel… a strange warmth spreading through my body, my heart pounding.

The pain… it doesn’t feel unpleasant. It feels… good.

I was scolded.

For the first time.

Ever since I was born, I’ve lived up to everyone’s expectations, earning their praise and admiration.

They treated me with reverence, never daring to criticize me.

Even in the hero’s party, my magic was always praised, and my mistakes were forgiven.

And Allen… he was always blamed, always apologizing.

Allen, the kind, gentle soul who was always beneath me, who taught me humility… he scolded me.

He looked at me with anger and disgust, slapping me with all his might.

“…Haa…”

I thought being scolded would be unpleasant, but it’s not.

If he scolded me again… I think… I’d feel even warmer.

“…Hmm…”

A sudden numbness spreads through my lower body, making it difficult to move.

He said he wouldn’t see me again… but… we’ll meet again, right?

Will he scold me again for looking for him after he told me not to?

“…I have to find him.”

I need to see him again.

I need to be scolded by him again, to hear his righteous words. ♥

As I stand up, I notice a strange wetness… I feel… strange. I need to go back to the palace and change my clothes.

I came to the cathedral for a different reason, but… this happened instead.

“…Luggage?”

I return to my room and find… luggage.

“Allen?!”

Did he bring it? He said he met with His Majesty, so it’s likely he dropped it off on his way.

He mentioned returning our belongings after the Demon King was defeated.

And…

Sniff

…there’s a faint scent of Allen on the luggage.

He must have touched it.

“Haa… Allen…”

I just saw him, decided to find him again, and now I already miss him.

It’s because he took my first… my first scolding.

…Wait…

Murmuring

I didn’t notice it before, but why is there so much noise coming from the next room? It’s not just Yerin’s voice… I think I hear someone else… I should check it out.

Knock knock

“It’s Angeline. I’m coming in.”

Creak

“…!!”

I open the door and…

I’m just as shocked as when I saw Allen in the cathedral.

“Watch your mouth, powerless princess. You don’t know anything.”

Yerin and Princess Luna are facing each other, eyes filled with rage… no, wait…

“Y-Yerin…！ Put down your sword…!”

Yerin is holding her holy sword, the blade pointed at Luna’s throat.