ㅤChapter 35
ㅤ”Your Majesty, I apologize for the wait.”
ㅤ”It’s fine. Now, let’s go to the town—”
ㅤ
ㅤTheodore turned towards the voice and his eyes widened.
ㅤHer usually loose, long hair was tied up high, with stray strands framing her nape and falling around her prominent collarbones. The exotic dress embroidered with colorful flowers suited her well, and her slender, healthy legs also caught his eye.
ㅤ
ㅤ”That attire is……”
ㅤ
ㅤWhat kind of expression was he making right now? Feeling his face flush, Theodore instinctively covered his mouth.
ㅤRuby shyly tugged at the hem of her dress.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Emma-san put a lot of effort into making me blend in with the town, but, um, it’s actually a bit embarrassing…… I’m sorry.”
ㅤ”That’s not what I meant…… You’re doing well in Langley. It’s necessary for you to spread your wings.”
ㅤ”I’m relieved to hear you say that. Um, well…… Your Majesty, your clothes suit you very well, too.”
ㅤ
ㅤTheodore was also dressed in a simple shirt and slacks to avoid standing out. With a sword at his waist, he could be mistaken for a merchant’s hired knight or bodyguard, but his good physique and aura couldn’t be concealed.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……Not as much as you.”
ㅤ”Eh?”
ㅤ”Let’s go. Don’t stray too far.”
ㅤ
ㅤTheodore desperately tried to calm his racing heart as he offered his arm to the blushing Ruby.
ㅤ
ㅤ◇
ㅤ
ㅤThe women they passed all turned around with flushed cheeks. Ruby realized they were captivated by Theodore’s handsome appearance, but he himself seemed completely indifferent. Then it hit her.
ㅤ
ㅤ（Someone as distinguished as His Majesty would naturally attract attention. As royalty, he must have had many interactions with women. It’s impossible for him to be bothered by my attire. I was completely overthinking it……）
ㅤ
ㅤShe realized that someone who would become Emperor must have encountered many revealing outfits. There was no reason for him to be flustered now.
ㅤTheodore, curious about her nodding to herself, asked, “What were you thinking about?” When Ruby confessed her thoughts, he shook his head.
ㅤ
ㅤ”No. Langley is this kind of country. There aren’t large-scale evening parties like in Belheim.”
ㅤ”There are women in the Knight Order, right?”
ㅤ”That’s true, but they live almost the same life as men.”
ㅤ”But you must have had relationships with women before, right?”
ㅤ
ㅤWhen she asked with an innocent expression, Theodore fell silent with a sour look on his face.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Ah, I didn’t mean to pry! It’s not my place to interfere with Your Majesty’s past relationships. Please forget it.”
ㅤ
ㅤThe flustered Ruby waved her hands in front of her face. Theodore didn’t look at her, instead dropping his gaze to the ground and muttering.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……My mother ran away.”
ㅤ”Eh?”
ㅤ
ㅤRuby froze at the sudden confession.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……My mother was from the Central Kingdom, so she probably couldn’t bear the difference in lifestyle here. When I was seven, she ran away with a member of the Central Kingdom royalty who was visiting for diplomatic purposes. Apparently, he was a childhood friend of hers.”
ㅤ”……Yes.”
ㅤ
ㅤHer voice was lower and weaker than usual. Ruby responded with a serious expression.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……To be honest, I’m not good with women. I know intellectually that not all women are the same as my mother, but I can’t imagine connecting with anyone. That’s why I wasn’t interested in dating, and I thought a political marriage based on money, not love, would be fine. My father probably felt the same way. He didn’t try to chase after my mother, and he died without marrying another woman.”
ㅤ”……Is that…… so……?”
ㅤ
ㅤBecause it’s painful to expect something from someone and be let down. Because Langley is a poor country, it can’t be helped if someone gets tired of it and leaves.
ㅤRuby felt inexplicably frustrated by Theodore’s resigned words.
ㅤ
ㅤ（His Majesty is such a wonderful person who is kind even to the fake me. I think the woman who can become his true wife would be very happy.）
ㅤ
ㅤImagining it, she felt a sharp pain in her chest.
ㅤRuby was confused by the unfamiliar pain, but trying to encourage him, she continued, “It’s alright, Your Majesty! I will definitely stay by your side until I fulfill my duty.”
ㅤ
ㅤ”I’m sure Okaa-sama must have been very troubled as well. She tried her best to fit in with her new home for over seven years, but in the end, it didn’t work out. Perhaps she protected her own heart by choosing to escape. I’m sure she never forgot leaving Your Majesty and Otou-sama behind.”
ㅤ”……I wonder.”
ㅤ”It’s presumptuous of me to try and understand someone’s feelings, but she raised such a wonderful Your Majesty until you were seven. I believe there was definitely love there…….This country might not have suited Okaa-sama, but there are comfortable places even if they’re poor, and uncomfortable places even if they’re rich. I love Langley!”
ㅤ
ㅤTheodore looked up at Ruby in surprise, but then his expression softened.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Haha. It’s strange how even flattery doesn’t sound like flattery when you say it.”
ㅤ”I-It’s not flattery! Everyone is kind to me, and there’s plenty of food. My familiar friends have increased, so every day is lively. I truly wish these days could continue forever.”
ㅤ”……I see. You feel that way too……”
ㅤ
ㅤHis voice was drowned out by a sound coming from Ruby’s stomach.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Ah……! I-I apologize for my lack of manners. I haven’t had lunch yet……”
ㅤ
ㅤRuby pressed her hand against her stomach with a fading voice. She glanced up at Theodore with a shy, embarrassed smile.
ㅤSeeing her adorable behavior, Theodore felt the things that had been bothering him all this time didn’t matter anymore. Regardless of the past, at this moment, he wanted to be with this woman. He thought that was enough.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Let’s eat. There’s a district with restaurants a little further ahead.”
ㅤ”Yes!”
ㅤ
ㅤRuby smiled radiantly.
ㅤ
ㅤ”What kind of food will we have!? There are all sorts of foreign dishes, right?”
ㅤ”You can eat whatever you’re interested in.”
ㅤ”Eh?! Your Majesty always says that. Let’s eat your favorite food today!”
ㅤ”My favorite food……”
ㅤ
ㅤTheodore stared into Ruby’s jewel-like red eyes as he thought.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……Your Majesty?”
ㅤ”……How about we eat something extremely spicy? Something with lots of bright red spices.”
ㅤ”Ex-tremely……!? But if Your Majesty says so……!”
ㅤ”Kukuku. I’m just kidding.”
ㅤ”Your Majesty jokes too!? Geez, you scared me!”
ㅤ
ㅤThe residents passing by looked at the two laughing together with warm gazes.
ㅤ
ㅤ◇
ㅤ
ㅤAfter finishing their meal at a commoner’s restaurant, the two continued their stroll through the town and were about to return to their lodging as dusk approached. On their way, Ruby stopped at a certain building.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Could that be the Postal Association?”
ㅤ”Yes, it is. Is something the matter?”
ㅤ”It’s been a while since I was married off to Belheim, and I’m worried about my sister. Um…… in the end, the fact that I’m Aquamarine’s substitute was quickly revealed, right? I’ve been worried about what kind of situation she’s in now. Would it be alright if I sent a personal letter?”
ㅤ”I don’t think it’s something you should be concerned about……”
ㅤ
ㅤThe kind-hearted Ruby didn’t know the ugly nature of her family. Theodore thought it was a waste of time to worry about such a greedy family, but he reluctantly agreed because he didn’t want to stop Ruby from doing what she wanted.
ㅤ
ㅤ”There should be a space inside to write letters. I’ll wait here, so go ahead.”
ㅤ”Thank you! I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
ㅤ
ㅤRuby entered the Postal Association and immediately began writing her letter.
ㅤShe wrote that she was not being mistreated, but rather treated well, so they shouldn’t worry.
ㅤShe wrote that Langley was not a demon country, but a very good place, so they should discard their prejudice and visit sometime.
ㅤShe wrote that if they had any problems, she would always be there to help them as their older sister, so they should tell her anything.
ㅤ—Finally, she added “Please give my regards to Otou-sama and Okaa-sama” and sealed the letter before handing it to the clerk at the window.
ㅤ
ㅤWhen she exited the Postal Association building, Theodore was nowhere to be seen. As she looked around, she suddenly felt a gaze.
ㅤShe turned towards the direction of the uncomfortable feeling. Then, something moved quickly in the corner of her eye, and the gaze she felt disappeared.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……? Was I being watched? Maybe it was just my imagination.”
ㅤ
ㅤAs she tilted her head in confusion, Theodore approached from a different direction with drinks in hand.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Ah, Your Majesty! Were you shopping?”
ㅤ”I apologize. You were quick.”
ㅤ”It was just a few words. I’m sorry for making you wait.”
ㅤ
ㅤWhen Ruby apologized, Theodore offered her one of the drinks.
ㅤ
ㅤ”You must be thirsty after walking around. Drink this.”
ㅤ”For me? Wow, thank you!”
ㅤ
ㅤShe received the cup of chilled fruit water. Ruby’s heart felt warm and fuzzy.
ㅤAs they finally started heading back to their lodging and chatted along the way, the strange feeling from before completely slipped her mind.