Flower of Steel

The chair was comfy, but it is probably still worse than sleeping on a bed. Yes, I’m an officer. He is the crown prince who will be my master in the future. This was loyalty. I’m so devoted as an officer that it makes me think of him like that. Anyway, I drifted off, but I had to return to the topic and answer this way.

“Rian, I’m not worthy enough for you,” I replied.

“Hah… I don’t know why you talk down to yourself so much. Marin, you are so charming for my-”

“Thank you for considering me so highly, Rian. But I don’t want to give up my dream for you.”

“So it’s a no.”

Rian turned heavily. But soon, like a light seeping out through the small opening of a door a faint smile came upon his graceful lips. “Of course. You shouldn’t give up your dream. But Marin, just like you value your dream, I’m not going to give up my heart for you. I, too, dream of having you by my side.”

I couldn’t understand, no matter how hard I thought about it. He was more than enough for me, so why was he trying so hard to give his heart to me? Why give me such a warm smile even now?

“If it’s okay, can you give me more time? If you allow me, I want to make it so that I can keep your dream and me. I like you.”

Those words touched my heart. Since when have I heard a passionate proposal from someone? This moment felt like a dream, and I felt flustered and nodded without realizing it.

At my wordless permission, he kissed the top of my hand. “Thank you. I’ll do my best to have you open your heart towards me, my Marina.”

Embarrassment made my face blush. I found it awkward to be alone with him, so I began speaking whatever came up in my mouth and spoke awkwardly. “Oh, the intermission must be over! The play must be on now. Let’s get back.”

As soon as I turned to open the door of the balcony, Rian smiled as he opened the door and commented, “You can treat me as usual. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable around me.”

That’s not something you can just do! I know I’m quite unconcerned when it comes to many things, but I still can consider something like this as nothing!

“Hahaha. Let’s go?”

My arms and legs moved in the same direction awkwardly. Rian, who isn’t a friend, is so awkward…! I hope this was all a dream.

As we returned, the play was yet to start, and a sideshow was up on the stage. The Crown Prince was not here, probably awakened.

“Huh? Sister, where have you been?” Jianne called with a bit higher voice than usual, and I turned. He was smiling.

‘Huh? He looks a bit different than usual.’

Oh, he has a hat on. Where did he get it? Jianne had all his hair put inside the hat, which I couldn’t figure out where he got it, showing his neckline. But he looked much more frail than usual.

“Oh, I just wanted some air…,” I replied.

“Was the play boring for you?”

“No, no way… By the way, where did you get the hat?”

“Oh, my servant brought it for me.”

Oh, right. The servant, right? He would have brought it from the carriage. But even considering that, something seemed off. “That’s strange. You look a bit different than usual…”

He seemed to speak differently and became chattier, which made me look at him. Jianne clapped his hand and said, “Oh! His Highness asked to tell him when the play started again. If you excuse me then.”

I became flabbergasted at Jianne, who seemed clumsy, unlike his usual self, when Lumi began to cough.