ㅤChapter 22
ㅤRuby recovered smoothly from her injury and, as scheduled, the stitches were removed after a week.
ㅤAs promised, she cooked for Theodore, and he showed a smile in front of her for the first time. It was just potato porridge and compote, but he relaxed his cheeks as if he had eaten an exceptional feast.
ㅤAfter setting down his spoon, Theodore turned to face Ruby with a lingering look.
ㅤ
ㅤ”I want you to live freely. I will allow you to live in that log house, but never do anything dangerous. I will build a knight’s post nearby, so if anything happens, ask for help immediately.”
ㅤ”Is that alright!? Thank you so much!”
ㅤ”……The castle would be more comfortable. You’re a strange princess.”
ㅤ”I feel at home in that forest. I’m surrounded by a lot of nature, and my creatures are happy because they can move around freely. Of course, I’ll be careful not to cause any more trouble!”
ㅤ
ㅤTheodore felt strange being praised for the 『Demon Forest』, a place abhorred by the entire world. There was no place within the Langley Empire that would be praised in the first place. He felt once again that this princess had a completely different perspective on things than they did.
ㅤ
ㅤ◇
ㅤ
ㅤWhen Emma and Ruby returned to the log house after a long absence, the creatures who had been left behind greeted them. Poison Rats, Black Crows, Death Spiders, they were all Ruby’s friends.
ㅤRuby patted each one on the head and greeted them. When it was Blacky’s turn, he lightly tugged on her dress with his teeth.
ㅤ
ㅤ”You want to show me something, don’t you, Blacky?”
ㅤ”Coo! Cooon!!”
ㅤ
ㅤIt had been about three months since Ruby met Blacky. Even without Michael’s interpretation, Ruby was now able to understand what he was saying.
ㅤFollowing him, she found that the forest a little way from the cottage had been cleared, and a magnificent hut with a roof had been built.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Eh!? What’s this!? There wasn’t a hut like this before, was there?”
ㅤ
ㅤInstead of the thatched roof she had tried to build, it had a sturdy metal roof. It was too big to be called a hut, and inside, comfortable-looking straw and blankets were spread out.
ㅤ
ㅤRuby gently touched the wall.
ㅤThe boards had moderate gaps between them to ensure ventilation. The nails had been flattened so they wouldn’t be dangerous. It was clear at a glance that it had been carefully constructed.
ㅤ
ㅤ（There’s no doubt that Emperor Theodore must have done this for me.）
ㅤ
ㅤBlacky lay down on the straw with a smile. He was delighted, hugging the soft-looking blanket.
ㅤHe seemed to really like his new den.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Kyoo! Kyukyukyu!!”
ㅤ”You like it that much? You won’t be lonely living here by yourself? That’s good. I wonder how I can thank His Majesty.”
ㅤ
ㅤShe had received treatment for her injury, and now she had been given such a splendid hut.
ㅤHe probably did it because “it would be troublesome if she got hurt again while building the hut,” but Ruby was deeply grateful for Theodore’s consideration. She was happy that he was thinking not only of her, but also of her friends, the creatures.
ㅤ
ㅤ（His Majesty seemed to like my cooking, so I’ll bring him some more treats.）
ㅤ
ㅤRuby smiled brightly.
ㅤShe felt that the distance between her and Theodore had narrowed a little in the past week. Despite his busy schedule, he often visited the infirmary to see her, and he listened patiently to her idle chatter.
ㅤ
ㅤ（He looks a little intimidating, but he’s actually kind and sincere. I’m truly sorry about Aquamarine, but I’m sure he’ll find a wonderful partner in the future. Until then, even if it’s just a little, I’d be happy to be of service to him.）
ㅤ
ㅤWatching her creatures frolicking around the hut, Ruby sincerely wished for Theodore’s happiness.