“I’ll punish you, Elisha.”
Rieta responded to Elisha’s question after a long pause. He looked pleased, asking what it would be. It was a bit strange that he seemed happy at the mention of punishment, so Rieta covered her lips for a moment and smiled.
“I need you, Elisha.”
“Is that a punishment?”
Elisha asked, looking surprised and Rieta nodded.
“Elisha is the one who pushes me forward,” Rieta said, taking a step closer to him.
Even though they were already close, the distance between them felt even closer. If the autumn wind hadn’t been blowing, they could probably hear each other’s heartbeats.
Rieta recalled the words she had spoken yesterday. She had said that her path was filled with death and dealing with death. It wasn’t an exaggeration to display cruelty.
Perhaps everyone present here was well aware of that fact.
“For me, as a Princess, saying these things is selfish and cowardly.”
Rieta whispered in a small voice, making sure no one else could hear her.
“I wish I won’t have to bear Elisha’s death.”
“…”
There was no response from him.
“Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about death lately. Of course, I cherish everyone here. But… you know, I’m human too.”
Inevitably, there always came an important figure that someone cherished more than others. And Elisha was the one she cherished the most among those who had pledged loyalty to her. There was no comparison with anyone else.
When such a presence disappeared, the emotions she would feel would undoubtedly be terribly overwhelming.
“…Never as much as Elisha.”
The words about her unwilling to lose him seeped deeply into her tightly sealed lips.
It was because she couldn’t bring herself to voice those frightening words out loud.
“…”
There was a long silence between the two of them. Elisha seemed like he wanted to reply a few times, but in the end, he didn’t say anything.
Feeling like she had put him in an uncomfortable position, Rieta felt a little sorry.
“…I’m sorry.”
He quickly responded to her apology by waving his hands.
“No, the Princess shouldn’t apologize to me.”
“But I feel like I’ve caused Elisha trouble.”
“No, that’s not it. I just…”
Elisha stopped talking again, and Rieta couldn’t help but look at him with a slightly anxious heart.
“…Princess’s words seem to.”
His cheeks began to redden little by little
Bashfully.
“Seems like you’re saying… favorite…”
He must be by her side throughout every process she had to go through.
“Huh?”
“N, no. I misspoke.”
Startled by Rieta’s reaction, Elisha quickly took a few steps back, bowing deeply.
“I apologize.”
“Who misspoke?”
Rieta frowned.
“It’s only natural that you’re my favorite, Elisha.”
“Really?”
Rieta was quite surprised by his disbelief.
“I, I thought I had… favored you in my own way… Did you perhaps not… know?”
As she asked back, seemingly disappointed, Elisha’s eyes darted back and forth.
“Tha, that…”
He eventually bowed his head again.
“Please kill the sinner who didn’t know the grace he received.”
“Isn’t that exactly why I’m telling you I don’t want to bear it?”
Rieta’s question seemed to truly startle him, as he turned his head here and there, unsure of what to do, before ultimately bowing his head and pressing his forehead against Rieta’s hand.
As he always did.
“As long as you say you need me, I will always be by your side.”
“If you say it like that, I will keep saying that I need Elisha.”
He looked up.
“Then, please keep me by your side and show me your favor for a lifetime.”
Elisha’s eyes, which hardly ever moved, curved slightly in what could almost be called a smile.
Rieta knew exactly why Elisha rarely smiled.
He knew the power of this captivating smile.
“Elisha. Your smiling face is too captivating. It feels… dangerous.”
Rieta turned her gaze away from him.
“If such an unsightly appearance is to the Princess’ liking, then I’m glad.”
Unsightly? Rieta was taken aback by Elisha’s self-deprecating words. How could he say such ridiculous things?
Elisha was a beauty that the Kingdom could be proud of!
“…I said you’re handsome.”
Elisha’s smile gradually grew brighter as he heard her murmur that, and Rieta completely turned away.
This would be a big problem.
“The, the soldiers said they had something to tell me? I’ll wait for them.”
“They’re probably experiencing how enjoyable it is to wait for the Princess.”
Elisha’s voice had a hint of playfulness. Rieta, treating it as nonsense, quickly slapped his arm and urged him to walk.
As Rieta entered the tent where several soldiers were waiting, those who were sitting immediately stood up to greet her.
“I’m sorry. Did you wait long?”
Rieta asked, and they responded cheerfully,
“No, Princess.”
“We were experiencing how enjoyable it is to wait for the Princess.”
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