Seijo ni Narunode Nidoume no Jinsei wa Katte ni Sasetemoraimasu ~Outaihi wa, Zensei de Watashi wo Fu

 

     Once the duke was completely out of sight, Keefa went upstairs.

     Liz’s heart was beating so fast in the room.Trying to calm down, Liz clutched one hand in front of her chest. She doesn’t know how to react or look. Keefa was acting when he said those words. Even though she knew, at the corners of her mind, she thinks that It wasn’t really acting. And even if it was, his words “I like Liz”, not Cecil made her really happy.

     Keefa’s footsteps can be heard approaching the room where she was.

     ‘What should I do? How should she react?’ Her heart kept on burning, she couldn’t think of any other solution.

     They hadn’t experienced love in this lifetime, but in their previous lives they were a couple about to be married—also, she and Eugene lived together. She had the experience and knowledge though she couldn’t help but be frustrated.

     Next to the restless Liz, Eric had a big smile on his face and she can’t help but be irritated.

     ‘For the time being, let’s pretend that it was nothing.’

     At last, the conclusion she had come up had no solution.

     The door opened quietly and Keefa went into the room. Liz tried hard and pretended to be calm.

     “Prince Keefa,” Eric said, “The Duke of Igner seems to have believed what His Highness had said.”

     “I hope so.”

     “You’ll be alright. Halfway through I was convinced that His Highness’ performance was real.”Eric said in a joyful tone. Then, he turned to Liz,“Miss Liz?”

     She couldn’t help but bear a grudge to him.

     Keefa slowly looked at her, he had a straight face. It was serious as if he was prepared and determined. 

     ‘Why that look!?’

     She doesn’t know what to do if he’d look at her like that, she felt uncomfortable. Blood rushed up to her head. She didn’t want her face to be red in this situation.

     Keefa kept on silently looking at Liz. He said nothing, but didn’t look away. He was worried about Liz’s reaction, but this situation is atrocious.

     “Miss Liz?” Eric was smiling at her.

     She opened her mouth,”I think so too. He was really good.” she said, keeping herself calm as much as possible.

     There is no change in Keefa’s facial expressions. He kept on looking at Liz with the same expression as before.

     ‘What, this’

     She couldn’t stand it.

     She doesn’t know whether he was just acting or not. She doesn’t know what to do. If it really was just part of his performance then, should she be happy or sad?

     Keefa says nothing. Liz, not knowing what to say anymore, they both fell silent.

""

     Eric, who was smiling, shook his head and told Keeffa, “I think, Prince Keefa, should better be back to your own room now?”

     “—yes. I will.”

     Liz was relieved that the conversation had changed. At that moment, she hated herself.

     “Let’s go, Liz.” Eric calls her as he leaves the room. As she passed Keefa, she gnawed on her lips.

     “It wasn’t an act. It was true.” She heard him murmur. 

     Liz looked up agitated. At the same moment Keefa looked away and started to sadly walk.

     ‘No.’  Liz swiftly thrust out one hand towards Keefa.

     “…!?” 

     Her right hand was in front of his body and stopped him from walking. She was surprised, but he seemed to be even more surprised. She did suddenly reach out in front of him after his confession.

     His eyes were wide open, looking dazed.

     ‘He looked shocked.’

     Of course he would be. Liz looked at him and with her hand still stretched out she said, “And I…It’s Cecil who loves Eugene, not me.” her voice sank as she said it.

     Keefa blankly looked at Liz.

     With great effort, she continued to stare at him. Cold sweat ran down her back and her heart was beating fast. She felt that her face was red. Even so, she still continued staring hard at him.

     Because it’s true. It really is.

     “…” After a while, Liz was at her limit and Keefa suddenly smiled as she felt like tearing her hair.

     “Okay.” He looked very happy. Such a smile would pierce the viewer.

     “Yes.” Liz nodded.

     

* * * * *

 

     Sheena ran along the long corridor. Her heart was filled with impatience and anxiety. She was invited by the prime minister to the palace and saw Duke Igner chatting with him. Once the prime minister had left, with cold eyes the duke said to her, “I am disappointed in you.”

     It was only one sentence, but it was enough for her. Fear crawled up from her feet. The fear of being abandoned. Deserted.

     She knows that Prince Keefa took Liz out of prison. The temple is in great chaos. The Crown Prince is protecting the one who brought the manastones in.

     When she heard it from the priests, a feeling of blackness and anger filled her body.

     Why is it Liz? She is a commoner, an albino, and not a very good match for Keefa. Sheena’s better and suitable, so why is it not her?

""

     Now, Sheena’s running through the corridors in the royal palace looking for Keefa. 

     Keefa was in his room alone and she knocked in.

     “Sheena,” He looked surprised, “what can I do for you?”

     “…Yes, that’s right.”

     ‘Why?’

     When Sheena approached him, Keefa was purely surprised and he didn’t look away nor was he disoriented as he used to.

     ‘Why? Why!?’

     It’s a simple question, but she doesn’t know the reason. She did what the duke said. She worked hard to the point of feeling vomiting blood. The result would be for her to become the crown princess, because Keefa liked her. Liz will look back at her and other women will envy her. That must be her reward and yet, why can’t she  get Keefa?

     She approached the confused Keefa without hesitation and wrapped her arms around him.

     His body went stiff, “What …!?”

     She clung to Keefa halfway as he tried to pull away from her. 

     “I like you.” she said.

     Keefa’s struggle loosened and he relaxed. He looked down at Sheena.

     Her eyes met his  burnt-brown eyes and again said, “I like you…I love you.”

     She placed her arms around his neck. She pressed her breasts on his chest and leaned onto him. She can devote everything to him so that she could become the Crown Princess and her wishes to come true.

     But—

     There was no disgust nor excitement. He showed no emotion as he said, “Stop!” His voice sounded calm and detached.

     Her arms that were wrapped around his neck were removed.

     “Why so…You hate me?”

     She doesn’t understand. She’s supposed to be Keefa’s ideal woman.

　Keefa breathed out a small sigh, “You don’t love me. I’m not the one you see in your eyes.”

     “No! That’s not true!” 

     She loves Keefa. The only one in her eyes is him. Because it’s her who’s gonna marry him.

     “The one you see isn’t me, but you, yourself. You and I—you who married the Crown Prince of this country and becoming the Crown Princess. I’m not there. The man next to you is a “prince.” It doesn’t have to be me, it could be any other prince.”

""

     “No, that’s not it! I love you, Prince Keefa!” she cried out desperately. 

     If Keefa denies her then, her existence and her value disappears. How can she get him to believe her? How can she have him? She shook her head in disbelief.

     “It’s true! I’m in love with you! Nobody else!”

     Why won’t he accept Sheena? Even though she’s been working so hard.

     Keefa, who had been staring at the whining Sheena, he moved his gaze up as if recalling the distant past.

     “For some reason, I understand the feelings of commoners, nobles, and the royal family as well. That’s why I understand how you feel about the royal family. What I am saying now is that royal families are like the clouds for the people and that’s why you want to reach out to it. Especially, since you thought that I am someone within your reach. Evermore I understand that because of my value, you kept on approaching me.”

     Sheena grimaced. Then, there’s no problem.

     “But,” Keefa paused and looked at Sheena, “But it’s disrespectful to the other person. Whether or not they’re the crown prince, I think it’s too rude.”

     His expression and the tone of his voice unwavered, “Maybe some other royal may be fine with it, but I don’t like it.”

     Sheena breathed, she was appalled. A ringing noise resonated through her head. She doesn’t understand what he was saying. She just knows that she has been denied.

     He doesn’t want Sheena. He chooses—

     ‘Why!?’

     An intense and violent emotion swirled up in her heart.

     Leaving Keefa’s room, Sheena’s first thought was to find Liz’s whereabouts. Keefa hid her somewhere, protecting her. Even if she doesn’t have the qualification or status, when she asked him about her whereabouts, he won’t answer.

     She walked along the long corridor and turned at the corner. She waited for a while. Her head was cool and calm, but her heart was boiling. She stealthily went back towards Keefa’s room. With her timing, the door was slightly open. She could hear whispers and murmurs of Keefa talking to Eric.

     “Is Liz all right?”

     “Yes. I asked Liz to hide in a small room in the East Tower. Is it good?”

     “Oh, thank you. If they find her, she’ll be taken back to the dungeon in the temple. We must stop it at all costs.”

     ‘Small room in the East Tower…’

     Although it wasn’t clear where the small room is, but there’s a long spiral staircase in the east tower leading up to the top. She’s quite sure it’s up there.

     ‘Liz is there.’

     Her eyes opened and silently left the front of Keefa’s room.

 

 

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