Flower of Steel

“You’re hurt! Are you okay?” I asked.

“Oh… yeah, I’m fine,” Lumi answered.

I had to suppress my urge to sigh at her answer. “It’s good to see you’re safe.”

In response to my words, Lumi’s eyes became teary, but she still had a bright smile on her face. “I’m sorry I made you worry.”

I was looking at Lumi for a short moment until I heard Rian’s voice speaking to the Crown Prince. “Your Highness, have you been attacked?”

The Crown Prince nodded with an unsurprised look at Rian’s calm question. “Yes.”

As I heard them talking, I remembered the possible assailant behind this attack. Rian is the eldest son of one of two duke families, who I was suspicious of.

“Just as I thought.”

I looked at Rian with his calm voice. He’s his cousin… and he’s not worried about the Crown Prince? He’s all bloody like that. I was looking at them in confusion when Rian asked the Crown Prince.

“Will you be returning to the palace?”

“No.”

Even at the Crown Prince’s answer, which could have been shocking, Rian casually nodded, “I see.”

Just as I was about to become shocked by Rian’s simple answer, the Crown Prince turned to me and said, “I’ll be going then.”

We all bowed at his declaration.

“I hope for your safe return, Your Highness,” stated the twins in unison.

I, too, tried to bow and say farewell to him as well, but his tired look and bloodied state made me say this instead, “…Please don’t overdo yourself and return home safely, Your Highness.”

When I looked up, the Crown Prince had already turned his back on me. I sighed at that uncaring sight when Rian walked over to me.

“Marin, your hand… Are you hurt?”

I shook my head and smiled at his question, “It’s just a scratch. His Highness tied it up for me. It’s just a small scratch. Does it look like a big injury?”

“An injury? Let me take a look. I have some medicine on me…”

“No, Rian. I’m fine.” I found his offer to be awkward and snapped. His handsome face wore a bit of disappointment on it. I quickly changed the topic. “Anyway, why do you carry medicine?”

“…I’m a knight.”

I felt sorry for the words that came out with a sigh, but I didn’t want to untie the handkerchief the Crown Prince himself had tied to my hand. I didn’t know why. But I had a strong desire for it.

“Marin, if you’ll allow me the honor, can I bring you back to your home? Separately from your cousins.”

After offering me a ride back home in his carriage, I realized he had confessed his love for me earlier. Oh, this is awkward. Rian was comfortable and easy to get along with when he was a friend, but I felt he was so overwhelming for me as a man.

I quickly made my decision and made an apologetic look as I spoke to him. “I’m sorry… but I need to have a talk with my cousins.” Actually, it wasn’t a lie either. I realized something, and I had to talk with the kiddos.

“I see. That’s fine. I’ll look forward to next time. I’ll walk you out to the carriage then.”

Rian looked a bit disappointed but tried his best to talk casually so that I wouldn’t feel apologetic. Hmph. This is the man I should marry… but I don’t plan on getting married anytime soon. I do like Rian but only as a friend. I felt awkward when I had to see him as more than a friend. If I accepted his feelings with such an attitude, it was demeaning to him, so I’m sure it’s only right to have some distance from him.