Chapter 77: This Isn’t a Dream, You Know?
There was no answer to my knock, so I wondered if she was still asleep. I clicked the door open and peeked inside, and sure enough, she was there.
Wide awake. Her hair was a mess, just like when we first met.
No, actually, since she’d gotten a perm, her hair looked even worse if you only focused on that.
But her adorable face was on full display, so even if I docked twenty points from a hundred and twenty, she was still a perfect hundred.
Thinking that, I sat down beside her, still in bed.
“H-Hey. Looks like you slept well?”
“Huh… Rui is still here. Ah, I see… I must have been called to heaven too.”
She was half-asleep and thought she was dead. I placed my hand on her cheek and apologized, “That’s why I said I’m sorry.”
For the past few days, I’d been so focused on winning that Yuri had completely slipped my mind. Even though she’s my top priority.
My thoughts had stopped at the idea that she was safe because I’d gone to Lestall to gather information.
Of course she would join the battle once it started.
I’m such an idiot.
“Rui, please don’t look like you’re about to cry… It’s okay. I even had a happy dream.”
“But, it’s strange. Since Rui is here, it should be heaven, but this place looks like a normal house.”
Huh… Does she seriously think this is the afterlife?
I mean, we’re in a castle, so it’s not exactly a normal house either way…
Wiping away the tears that threatened to spill, I lightly pinched Yuri’s cheek.
“Ihyai refu!”
“Ohh, sorry, sorry. But this isn’t a dream, you know?”
Yurisia tilted her head with an adorable expression, making me want to hug her, but I restrained myself and explained the situation.
Mainly, starting from the events of the day I fell into the Abyss, which led to us being separated.
And then I got to the reason why Yuri had mistakenly believed she was dead.
“Huh…? Father’s… lie?”
“Well, not a lie, more like… he kept things hidden?”
Yes, in explaining, the General’s actions were unavoidable.
I slowly explained everything that had happened up until now, like how I’d had letters sent and visited her home, but the information had been blocked.
“Huh? Then, I… what was it all for… ha, haha…”
“Um, well, for now, things have kind of settled down, you know…?”
Wanting her to smile, I patted her head, trying to cheer her up.
I thought if I did this, Yuri would give me a sidelong glance but then smile as if to say, ‘It can’t be helped.’
But that didn’t happen.
A vortex of Magical Power swirled around her with a gogogogo sound, and she radiated intense killing intent.
“But look, now he’ll probably acknowledge it, right? You know… us…”
Yes, I said it modestly, implying that I might have brought things to a point where her family would bless us if we were to get married in the future.
This had been my goal from the beginning.
I’d wished for a peerage and done various things so that her family would bless us.
I worked hard for that, you know.
I couldn’t say something so self-congratulatory out loud, but I said it in my heart.
Yuri twitched, her expression returning to normal, and looked at me.
“Us… you say?”
“Yeah. Like, a romantic relationship between a man and a woman?”
“Huh!? A-A man and a woman!? Wh-Wh-Wh-What are you saying all of a sudden!”
Huh… Could it be that you don’t remember?
My life-or-death confession?
“Um, do you want to?”
Yuri asked timidly, her face bright red.
When I stopped her with, “No, wait, wait!” she then got depressed and entered a ‘not listening’ mode, saying, “You’re right, someone like me isn’t a good match for you… aha, aha, aha.”
Growing impatient, I said forcefully, “We’re already dating!!”
“Is that… so?”
“You don’t remember? Come on, try to recall, it was just yesterday. In the forest!”
I don’t want you to forget that memory.
Even though I knew I sounded like a maiden, I persisted, wanting to share it forever.
“Yesterday… I tried to help Royce-sama, failed, and the enemy I missed… sent my arm flying, and I was slashed, over and over again…”
Yuri hugged her own shoulder, her face pale. Seeing her, I regretted it, thinking, ‘I messed up.’
What am I doing, reminding her of the trauma of death, idiot!
After that, her trembling stopped completely, and she let out a giggle, “Ehehe.”
Eh…?
Why are you laughing now!?
Isn’t this, like, seriously bad?
This is bad! Did the trauma make her snap!?
Thinking that, I grew anxious and approached her, but her next words made all the strength leave my body, and I slumped onto the futon.
“But, after that, in my happy dream… Kyaa, I can’t tell Rui this!!”
Yuri covered her face with both hands, not even noticing that I had stumbled and dived onto the futon.
“…That wasn’t a dream! Want me to guess what happened?”
“Even if you try to get it out of me like that, it’s no use! That’s why I said I can’t tell you!”
Yurisia-san shook her head, looking happy as she refused.
Well, as long as she remembers and her feelings haven’t changed, I guess it’s fine.
She’s unbelievably cute, after all.
“Well, now that Yuri and I have somehow managed to survive, the question is what to do from now on.”
She flinched and looked up at me anxiously.
“Let me make this clear, I’m not letting you go again. We’ll be together forever.”
“Eh!? Is that really okay!?”
To the surprised Yuri, I asked back, “Why would you think it’s not okay?”
“Because Rui is a prince… Hah! That’s right! Rui, you’re a prince, you know!?”
“Ah, yeah. I heard about that a little while ago.”
“But I have no intention of being Royalty, let alone taking the throne…”
It’s impossible for someone like me, who’s lived as a commoner, to suddenly be told something like that, right?
While revealing my own feelings, I frankly asked Yurisia what she wanted for the future.
“I don’t know. But… Prince Rui, you’re incredibly wonderful!!”
“Eh… Seriously? Well then, maybe I’ll give being a prince a shot…”
Scratching the back of my head, I briefly considered it, but then suggested, “Isn’t living freely together, in a position where we could take our time, more appealing?”
“Don’t you want to build a house somewhere with beautiful scenery and live freely, just the two of us?”
“J-Just the two of us! Live together!? I-It’s still too soon!!”
I see, so maybe eventually, then.
That’s true…
As we were talking, there was a knock on the door, and when Yuri answered, several maids came in.
“Prince Rui, it is almost time for you to change your attire…”
Feeling reluctant but seeing no other choice, I was about to leave Yuri’s side when she grabbed my hand.
“I-I’m scared of being separated. Please don’t leave…” Yurisia looked up at me with teary eyes.
!? If she says something that adorable, I have no choice but to grant her wish!!
Holding her hand, I asked the maids, “I’ll face away while I change… I’ll prepare a Screen too. Is that no good?” but Yuri denied it, saying, “Eh, that’s a bit…”
Eh, why?
Then what am I supposed to do…
I gave Yuri a sidelong glance, but a maid replied.
“You must not. Besides, we came to call for Your Highness.”
When I tilted my head, wondering, “Why me?” the maid said that the Victory Party was starting, so they wanted me to change into formal wear.
“Huh? I’m fine. I’ll just wear my usual clothes.”
That’s what I replied, but Yuri, who had me wrapped around her finger, let go of my hand and said, “Rui’s formal wear! I want to see it!”
Kuh… This girl…
But if Yuri wanted to see it, I let myself be led away by the maids like a lamb to the slaughter.
Then, I was led to some kind of luxurious room, and a maid said, “Excuse me,” as she reached for my clothes.
Surprised by the suddenness, I recoiled slightly and asked, “Wh-Why?” She looked troubled and replied, “Eh, um, because we must have you change your clothes…”
I see. So, given my position, it’s normal to be dressed by others, huh…
But even if I remembered that, having a stranger undress me is just plain unpleasant.
Well, if it’s just my outer wear, I guess it’s fine, though.
“Ah, I was just surprised because I was originally a commoner.”
“I’ll change myself. Just prepare the clothes and show me how to wear them, please.”
When I told them that, they seemed to understand and replied, “As you wish,” then normally laid out the clothes and showed me.
However, they asked if they could at least check me after I was dressed, so I said, “Please do,” and had them leave the room.
I changed quickly, and after they checked me, it seemed there were no problems. I was about to return to Yurisia immediately, but a maid was standing in front of the room.
“Yurisia-sama is currently changing her attire…”
“Ah, yes. I’ll wait.” I also leaned against the wall and stood with them, and for some reason, the maids started to panic.
“Y-Your Highness, for you to act like a servant like that…!”
I thought I was trying not to be in the way, but apparently, that was no good.
I tried saying, “You don’t have to worry about it that much, do you?” but they replied in unison, “You must not!”
While we were in that bustling state, the door opened a little, and an adorable face peeked out.
“Rui, um… could I ask you to do my hair again?”
When I went in, it looked like she’d been struggling to style her hair.
She was wearing a beautiful Dress and was plenty cute already, but it was true that fixing her hairstyle would make her look even better.
So, I created some tools, wet her hair, combed it through, and asked, “What style do you want this time?”
That’s right, the curls last time were to create an unusual look and attract attention. It wasn’t a hairstyle Yuri particularly liked.
“Um… You can do whatever you like, Rui. I trust you.”
Oh…? So I can do whatever I like, huh.
I brought my face close, intently comparing hairstyles in my mind that might suit Yurisia.
Damn, she’d look absolutely cute in anything. I was stumped with too many options, but wanting a hairstyle that would change her image, I decided on high-set twintails.
After neatly arranging it, trimming her bangs a little shorter, and putting her hair into twintails, an astonishingly adorable, beautiful young girl was born.
Yeah. With her baby face and being just over 140cm tall, if I give her a childish hairstyle, depending on how you look at it, she really does look like a little girl.
But women are amazing, aren’t they? Just a little tweaking and they change so much.
While having such thoughts, once I finished styling it perfectly, the maids showered it with praise.
However, Yurisia, upon seeing herself in the mirror, puffed out her cheeks.
“Why didn’t you make me look more mature? I trusted you…”
Eh, that’s what you were hoping for!?
You should have said so!
“Alright. It’s super cute, but next time I’ll focus on making it elegant!
Give me one more chance, just one more!”
“…No. It’d be a waste, so this is fine as it is.”
Yurisia fidgeted, happily playing with her hair.
Which is it!!
As I walked alongside Yurisia, who was in full-on clingy mode, she clung to my arm.
What’s this? It totally looks like we’re dating!
I was getting carried away with that thought, but then I saw that all the men and women emerging from the Beast-Drawn Carts arriving one after another from outside were doing the same thing.
Ah, so it’s just that escort thing. I slightly offered my elbow, mimicking the pose.
I’m not particularly disappointed. I’m just happy she’s doing this for me.
Just then, we passed the General at a corner in the hallway, and he stopped in his tracks.
“Oh, Prince Rui! So you were here!
–!? Yurisia! What’s with that adorable appearance!?”
Hehehe, that’s right, that’s right!
I thought, taking a step back to watch the father-daughter exchange, but seeing her angry expression, I remembered. Oh right, I’d told her everything.
The moment I thought that, Yuri’s body blurred.
Huh? When I looked back ahead, with a dull thud, the General instantly doubled over, and Yuri was in a stance like she’d delivered a body blow, almost an uppercut.
The General’s body floated into the air.
Yuri, whose emotions had flared up to the point her Magical Power became visible, was cloaked in black flames so intense her body appeared to blur.
“Kahak!!”
After rising about two meters, just before he hit the ground, she kicked his head, sending the General spinning in mid-air.
He fell headfirst onto the floor, defenseless, but even as blood dripped from his mouth, he pushed himself up and looked up at Yuri with an apologetic expression.
Even seeing her father like that, she just rubbed the fist she’d punched him with, glaring at him with a murderous look.
“Yu-Yuri, back then, our social standings weren’t a match, so…?”
“That doesn’t excuse hiding whether I was safe or not. Rui, please stay quiet…”
It seemed like he was about to give his approval, so I thought Yurisia herself might regret falling out with him now, and I tried to mediate, but she was genuinely furious.
She’s silently enraged. This is the real deal, nothing can be done.
Well, of course she’d be angry…
Yeah, if Yuri absolutely can’t forgive him, then fine.
We can figure out what to do later, together.
“Yurisia! Listen to m– Buhaah!!”
As the General, still sitting on the floor, tried to talk things out, a knee connected with his face, sending him flying back several meters.
Uwah, right in the nose. That’s gotta hurt.
Immediately after, the General performed a dogeza, and Yuri stopped moving.
“Yurisia… I’m sorry. From now on, I’ll support your relationship with Prince Rui.
I’ll do everything I can so you can get married. I’m sorry! Please forgive me!!”
Her cold expression changed in an instant, returning to her usual adorable eyes.
“M-m-m-marriage!? I never said anything like that!!
I don’t know you anymore! You’re the worst! I hate you! I don’t even want to talk to you!”
Oooh. He collapsed to his knees.
The General’s tragic aura is intense… This is hitting him several times harder than when he was punched.
Yuri is the kind of girl who loves her family so much she’d risk her own life for them.
It’s obvious she’ll worry about this later. But, I just can’t bring myself to stop her.
“Um, she’s just worked up right now, I’m sure once some time passes…”
“No, this is the result of my own actions…”
Yuri, who had been flustered, composed herself again and looked down at the General with a genuinely cold expression.
I understand how she feels, but watching this makes me nervous.
From behind him, still on his knees, an elegant lady appeared.
“Darling! What are you doing in a place like this? It’s disgraceful!”
He wiped away the blood so she wouldn’t notice, then stood up and acted as if nothing had happened.
“Oooh. Right. Prince Rui, I shall guide you. This way, please…”
Eh, ‘darling’ means… Yuri’s mother?
When I looked over, she was scolding Yuri, saying, “Where have you been all this time!? I’ve been worried sick!?”
Yuri met her gaze directly and said with a murderous aura, “It’s because this person did something unbelievable. If you were in on it too, Okaasama, I won’t forgive you either.”
Oooh, no doubt about it. That’s Yuri’s mom.
Crap, I have to greet her!!
“Ah, um… Pleased to meet you, my name is Rui!
Yurisia-san and I are in a pure and wholesome relationship!”
“Eh, you’re dating Yurisia!?
Yurisia, what’s the meaning of this!? Your mother hasn’t heard anything about it!”
Ah, come to think of it, Yuri had forgotten…
I’m being super embarrassing right now!
Thinking that, I looked at her, and she was bright red, fidgeting.
“Myrrice, this is His Majesty’s son, Prince Rui. So, um… be respectful.”
“Eh, Prince Rui, but why… Because His Majesty Royce…”
Huh… Could it be he hasn’t told her anything, not even about me?
I can understand about Dad, since that was just yesterday, but…
“My apologies. We haven’t had a chance to talk since the war began.
Everything will be announced here. After that, I’ll explain everything.”
“The state… The fact that Prince Rui is here means… Don’t tell me our country…?”
“Yes, our long-cherished wish. I’ve caused you much worry. Let’s talk properly after the Party.”
“Yes, yes…” Yuri’s mother said, dabbing the tears welling in the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief as she was escorted by the General, who offered his arm.
I mimicked him and offered my arm, and Yuri, perhaps copying her mother, placed her hand on it more reservedly than before.
And so, we followed behind the two of them.