Waaa ...
Who would have thought that such words would come out of that person's mouth!?
If I had just left this alone to spend time alone, I might have regretted it so much.
You don't even show me your smile often, so how can you act so nonchalantly in front of a man... like that...
'As a woman, I will stand by your side.'
I was so embarrassed that my face turned red while listening to it, but it seemed like the two people outside the garden weren't feeling the same way.
“It’s a shame to see and hear this alone.”
But since the position you are standing in is the position you are in, you yourself would know best what would happen if you were to be caught in this situation.
So, there is no other way than to use the late night hours when there are no people.
“Can these two really last long?”
In front of many people, she always appears as a maid who serves her master.
But I also knew him well and as a close friend who had been with him for a long time, I thought we were someone I could confide in and rely on more than anyone else.
I'm talking to myself.
Although it's nice that you lean on me when you're having a hard time, it's a shame that you still can't shake off the lump in your chest.
“It’s a little disappointing, but I still hope things work out for the two of you.”
I never intended to become a cumbersome stone in the first place.
She chose him from the beginning, and although she did approach him with the intention of having a fling, he didn't seem like the kind of man who would cause trouble.
Rather, after investigating, I found out that I am a clean, ordinary citizen.
Although their family relationships are a bit complicated, I don't think they will ever have anything to do with us.
***
It must be incredibly cold here in the north at this time, your hands and feet will be numb… .
Why don't I feel the cold right now? It's so warm and cozy, as if my body is radiating heat of its own.
“You.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“I hope you will be careful about what you say about today.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Always, everywhere, always keep in mind that someone is listening.”
I want to continue the story, but my mouth won't open properly.
I can't understand why he's doing this now, when he's already given a good speech in front of thousands of people.
I thought I could do anything, but I guess God is fair because I can't do this.
As always, where there are advantages, there are disadvantages.
“What’s the view like here?”
“It’s so beautiful.”
“I see you think so too. The scenery here is always beautiful… When I think of it as all part of nature’s beauty, I want to see even more.”
“Is there anything more beautiful than this??”
“Isn’t that obvious? The world is vast and there are many wonderful things out there.”
“It’s amazing…….”
“This view is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Although this scenery is something I have created, I have seen a sight even more amazing than this.
“Have you ever been to a place called the sea?”
“The sea?? It’s a huge puddle of water, but it’s known to be salty???”
“Yes.”
“No, I’ve never been there. I’ve only heard stories about it.”
“Then let me make another promise here today.”
You've already made two promises you had to keep. You can't take back what you've said until you take responsibility for it.
“Let’s go to the sea sometime. I promise to show you the most beautiful scenery in the world, not just here.”
“Me, really???”
“So you think this body is a liar?”
“No, no, oh… I just feel like you’re wasting too much on me…….”
“Why do you think it’s a waste?”
“That’s me… I was just a street slacker… I don’t have much money or fame, so I don’t know if it’s okay for me to experience something like that, Your Majesty.”
“Then let me ask you, Rio, do you still consider yourself a street kid?”
Rio was silent for a moment.
And after a while he opened his mouth
"yes…."
“Then let me ask you again, Rio, where do you think you are right now?”
“It’s a palace.”
“Yes, it is a large castle where the grand princess who rules a country in the north lives.”
"that's right…."
“But Rio, do you still think of yourself as someone from the streets?”
“…………”
“Leo, this body, I always think that people can change and achieve anything.”
Above all, because I have changed.
“There is no one in this world who has been living on the streets forever, especially not one who makes no effort to escape it.”
"but."
“Even though you came here because of someone’s threats, did you run away because of that?”
"no."
“So you’re scared and sitting in the corner of the room?”
“That, that’s not it either.”
“So, you, who still consider yourself a street kid, don’t think standing here next to the princess is an effort?”
"…………no."
"A person who doesn't work harder than anyone else can never shine. Rio, please don't belittle yourself. Instead, walk with your head held high."
Even if the road ahead is difficult to walk
“Didn’t I say that I would stand by your side as a woman, not as a princess?”
“………!!?”
“Hahaha, your face is really red.”
It was funny to see Rio's face, illuminated by the moonlight, turn red like a strawberry and look at him.
"So, walk on. Even if the explanation says the road ahead is filled with hardship and adversity, if you just take one slow step at a time, you can change. I guarantee it."
“Ugh……….”
“Hehehe, don’t worry, your embarrassed face will only be remembered by this body.”
“Please… I beg you to do so, Your Majesty…”
"Whew... It was a pleasant conversation, Rio. Sorry to keep you up so late."
“No… I had fun too.”
“Then I’ll go now. You too should go home for today and prepare to greet tomorrow morning.”
"Yes, your majesty."
Just as I was about to take a step towards the bedroom, I heard Rio's small voice.
“Good night, my lady.”
“………”
When I re-entered the palace, Emily was waiting right outside the door.
“Was Emily there?”
“Yes, I have to take Mr. Rio to his room, so I stayed here.”
“Is that so? Take care of him, and I’ll leave Rio to you tomorrow.”
“Yes, I understand, Your Majesty.”
“Then, thank you for your hard work today.”
“By the way, your face is very red, so I recommend that you calm down a bit before you go.”
“………That’s not true.”
“I don’t know if you’ll say something like that even if you look in the mirror.”
Emily took out the small hand mirror she had kept in her bosom and held it up to my face.
“How are you, Your Majesty?”
“Well, it’s fine.”
“But isn’t it too red to look at?”
“I… not at all”
“I think you should wash your face for a moment before going to bed.”
“…………I guess it wouldn’t be a bad idea to wash your face briefly before going to bed.”
I was clearly fine, but I have no idea why my face is burning up like this… … … .
No, it's not that I don't know
I know better than anyone why, but I can't make a fuss about it.
“By the way, what do you think?”
“You mean Rio?”
“Then who would it be?”
“………Uh, I don’t know”
“For someone who says, ‘I don’t know,’ you seem to be quite affectionate, starting with the blush on your face. However, I think you are the top priority candidate for the next princess’s lover….”
“Everyone, shut up… Shut up.”
I don't know why he would blurt out such nonsense if there were people around him.
Seriously, if someone had even heard, how could I possibly walk around tomorrow with my face held high?
“You understand, don’t ever say that to anyone else.”
-Nod nod
"If I hear even the slightest sound of that, I'll blame you, Emily! Nod if you understand."
-Nod nod
“Really… I should hire another maid or something…….”
“If I, who is so versatile, were not available, what kind of maid do you think you could hire? Cleaning, bathing, cooking, assassination, backroom work, smuggling, and so on… Where would you find a maid who is versatile in everything?”
“That’s why I find your behavior annoying.”
After so many years together, it's only natural that there's no one to take Emily's place now.
But sometimes, in things that make me feel embarrassed like this, it shows how well you know me.
Rather, the problem is that it sometimes catches me off guard.
“Really… I don’t like it.”
“Then I will retire.”
“Is there anyone who can take your place?”
“I decided on Rio.”
“That prank is mischievous.”
"Isn't that great? It might not be as omnipotent as I am, but... at least you can keep it by your side and watch over it, no matter where you are."
“If you were going to treat me like a doll, you wouldn’t have done this in the first place.”
Phew… As I continued talking to Emily, my head started to hurt and I started to feel dizzy.
"Okay. Thanks to you, my feelings of shame have turned into anger. I'm grateful."
“I don’t know what to do with all the praise.”
“I really don’t know where you got this from and how you think it’s a compliment to you, Emily.”
If I drag this conversation out any longer, I'll only be at a loss, so I should just call it a day...