TWFLLYM Ch 14

A Tender Punishment (2)

Kalart did not stop at bringing her back to her room; he insisted on laying her down upon the bed himself.

As he tucked the pillow beneath her head and smoothed her stray hairs, she found it increasingly difficult to breathe. The proximity was stifling.

[Roserikta] "Your Highness... my foot is only slightly injured. I can still use my hands."

[Kalart] "I know."

Whenever he acted with such quiet resolve, she found herself powerless to stop him.

[Roserikta] "You should get some sleep as well, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "I know that, too."

Since he offered no further explanation, she was left with nothing more to say.

[Roserikta] "...Thank you for your consideration in retrieving the pouch of Cantharis."

At her words of gratitude, his brow furrowed slightly.

[Kalart] "That remains unpleasant, however."

[Roserikta] "..."

Finally, he pulled his hand away from her hair and straightened his back.

[Kalart] "Sleep well."

[Roserikta] "...Yes. You as well, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "I shall try."

He turned and walked through the darkness, exiting the bedroom.

The moment the door clicked shut, Clobellina, who had been hiding somewhere and holding her breath, darted out.

[Clobell] "What on earth happened? Did you get caught?"

[Roserikta] "Um... I suppose so. I fell asleep for a moment, and when I woke up, he was there. I have no idea how it happened."

[Clobell] "What? Just like that?"

She shook her head in disbelief.

[Clobell] "Oh, don't even get me started. This place was a complete mess while you were gone."

[Roserikta] "A mess?"

[Clobell] "Once they realized you were gone, everyone thought you’d been kidnapped. They woke up the entire palace and went searching everywhere. Is the Imperial Palace always this terrifying? Do people just get snatched away if they’re out of sight for five minutes?"

Her eyes widened in shock.

[Roserikta] "What? That actually happened?"

[Clobell] "I’m telling you, it did. It was so intense I didn't even dare try to stop them."

[Roserikta] "Good heavens."

Sitting up on the bed, she pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them.

[Roserikta] "So... that’s why he said those things."

It made sense for him to be angry. While he was frantically searching for a potential kidnap victim, she had been sitting under a tree, casually catching bugs.

[Roserikta] "So that’s what he meant by 'unpleasant.'"

[Clobell] "Meow? Is that what he called it?"

[Roserikta] "Yes. I didn't understand and just said something foolish in return. What should I do?"

[Clobell] "If he’s angry, he’s angry. Why use a word like 'unpleasant'?"

[Roserikta] "Maybe he used that word because 'angry' sounds too frightening? I’m not sure. But he did say the unpleasantness had vanished. Later on."

[Clobell] "Well, that’s a relief, then."

The cat gave a long yawn and burrowed into the blankets.

[Clobell] "Anyway, I’ve been on edge all night. I need some deep sleep now."

[Roserikta] "I agree. You did well, Clobell."

Settling comfortably onto the bed, Clobellina purred with satisfaction.

Because of the day’s chaos, she had feasted on cookies, but she decided it was better if Roserikta remained ignorant of that fact. That way, Roserikta would likely give her similar tasks in the future, and she would get more opportunities to eat such delicious treats.

[Clobell] "It was nothing. Witches and cats are supposed to help each other out. I’ll do even better next time. Goodnight."

[Roserikta] "Goodnight, Clobell."

She added a silent thought.

And to His Highness, who must have been shocked and angry tonight—I hope you have a peaceful night as well.

But for her, a peaceful night seemed out of reach. She tossed and turned, her heart still hammering from the moment he had held her. It refused to settle.

If I were in his shoes, I would have been furious.

If Clobell disappeared and it looked like a kidnapping, only for me to find her later casually eating cheese in the larder, I would have given her a good scolding.

He had also issued a punishment.

A punishment of carrying her all the way to her room. A punishment of tenderly laying her in bed and tidying her hair.

Is he a good person?

At first, I thought he was just some strange man who happened to take a love potion. But perhaps he is actually kind, generous, and someone who gives what he can, regardless of status.

He must be a very good person.

Moreover, he was distractingly handsome.

What do I do? What if I actually start to like him?

No, that was out of the question. She had no desire to fall for a human man, let alone endure an unrequited love.

If that man was the Crown Prince, it was even worse. A witch loving a human was like reading a book with a predetermined, tragic ending.

She bit the edge of her blanket, hiding her face from Clobellina.

This is madness. I will never fall for him.

She felt as though she should swear an oath to the moon.

Eventually, giving up on sleep, she sat up. She moved to the chair by the window, lit a candle, and began flipping through her recipe book.

[Roserikta] "I have to make the antidote."

She had to return everything to normal—the strange behavior of the Crown Prince and her own erratic heart.

But it was already too late. A heart is like formless water; by the time you realize something is wrong, it has already slipped through your fingers.

---

Splash!

Water sprayed across the private bathhouse. Instead of returning to his bedroom, Kalart had diverted to the annex.

His body felt feverish, making him crave cold water. Yet, even after submerging himself, the heat within him seemed to intensify.

[Eaton] "Your Highness. You’ll catch a cold at this rate."

He spoke with a mix of concern and a heavy sigh.

[Kalart] "I’m fine. I’m not cold."

[Eaton] "Is that so?"

It was baffling. Eaton, still in his armor, felt the chill of the night, yet the Prince seemed unaffected. Inside the tub, Kalart closed his eyes and raised a hand.

[Kalart] "Go and sleep. I know the way back."

[Eaton] "What are you saying, Your Highness? My day does not end until yours does. If my presence bothers you, I will wait outside the bathhouse."

In most matters, Eaton was easygoing, but on this point, he was unyielding. Kalart dropped the pointless argument.

[Eaton] "Is something keeping you awake?"

Perhaps it was because he knew Eaton’s stubbornness, or perhaps because the silence of the night made the company of a loyal confidant welcome.

[Kalart] "Hmm. I keep feeling... unfamiliar sensations."

[Eaton] "Inside the palace?"

Eaton’s expression hardened, clearly suspecting the presence of an assassin.

[Kalart] "No. Within myself."

[Eaton] "Within yourself, Your Highness?"

[Kalart] "I don’t recognize myself anymore. I don’t know what I’m thinking or what I’m feeling. These foreign emotions keep surfacing without warning."

[Eaton] "Is it... perhaps something you are worried about?"

[Kalart] "Worry."

Worry meant fretting over something that hadn't happened yet. In that sense, even "worry" was a foreign concept to him. Worrying about things yet to come was a meaningless endeavor. Anxiety was born from uncertainty.

Until now, there had been no uncertainty in his life. Everything was in its place, flowing according to a predetermined path. To suggest otherwise was unthinkable; if the life of the Crown Prince of the Krye Empire was uncertain, it meant the entire continent was in peril.

And yet, an unpredictable element had appeared.

It wasn't his life that was unpredictable, but another person's. What she would do, what she was thinking—everything about her was uncertain. And so, worry was born. He didn't know when she might vanish on a whim again.

But the most uncertain and unstable element of all was himself, for worrying about such things.

Why was he so desperate not to lose her?

At first, he thought it was because of that beautiful, unfamiliar voice, but as time passed, he realized that wasn't the whole story.

He wiped his face with hands dripping with cold water.

[Kalart] "Unpleasant."

The displeasure he thought had cooled flared up again at the mere thought of Arad’s name.

Eaton bowed his head, flustered.

[Eaton] "Forgive me if I’ve overstepped, Your Highness. I shall remain silent."

[Kalart] "I’m not talking about you."

[Eaton] "...? Then what is it that displeases you?"

[Kalart] "Arad."

The way Arad had stripped off his shirt to show off his muscles, just because of a measly burn. And the way that she had walked a long distance on an injured leg just for his sake.

Splash!

He stood up. Cold water cascaded over the edge of the tub, spreading across the floor. As Eaton hurried to hand him a towel, he issued a new command.

[Kalart] "Replace the guards assigned to Clobell."

[Eaton] "Understood, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "Choose the shortest and ugliest men in the Royal Guard."

[Eaton] "...Pardon?"

[Kalart] "That should make things better."

Without explaining what exactly would be better, he turned and swept out of the bathhouse.

---

Roserikta woke up early, long before the Head Maid could enter with her sharp, judgmental eyes to tidy the bed.

After smoothing the sheets, she washed her face, changed out of her nightclothes, and tied her hair back neatly. Then, she woke a dozing Clobellina to brush her fur.

[Roserikta] "Good. No sleep crust in your eyes, no tangles in your fur. You smell like soap. Your claws... good, they’re short. You won’t accidentally scratch anyone."

Once their grooming was perfect, she sat Clobellina on a window cushion. The cat gave a wide yawn.

[Clobell] "Ugh. Why are you so busy at the crack of dawn? You're bothering a cat."

[Roserikta] "I’m trying to avoid giving them any reason to criticize me. The Head Maid will be here soon. I’ve been causing trouble unintentionally since yesterday, so I need to stay quiet from now on."

She intended to be as invisible as possible while she worked on the antidote.

Just as shee predicted, the Head Maid opened the door and stepped inside shortly after. Her sharp gaze swept over every corner, searching for a flaw.

Roserikta was glad she had prepared early.

[Aldwin] "...Hmph. It seems you’ve finally started imitating the decorum expected in the palace."

She chose to take the sarcastic remark as a compliment. At the very least, it meant there was nothing for the woman to complain about.

[Roserikta] "I will be even more careful in the future."

[Aldwin] "Don’t just say it; show it through your actions."

Aldwin smoothed the bedspread—which was already perfectly crisp—and clapped her hands toward the hallway.

[Aldwin] "Bring in the meal."

[Maids] "Yes, Head Maid."

Two maids entered carrying large trays. A lavish breakfast was spread across the table that sat like a beautiful ornament opposite the bed.

As Roserikta blinked in confusion, the Head Maid ground her teeth, as if suppressing a wave of resentment.

[Aldwin] "From now on, your meals will be brought to this room. You are to eat here. Someone will come to clear the dishes in thirty minutes, so ensure you’ve finished by then, no matter what."

[Roserikta] "Pardon?"

She asked in surprise. Having breakfast served in one’s bedroom was a luxury reserved for high-ranking nobles. Even then, doing so every day was often criticized as a sign of laziness.

[Roserikta] "Is there a reason for this? I’m more comfortable doing as I did before..."

[Aldwin] "Of course it’s absurd!"

She snapped.

[Aldwin] "But it is the Prince’s command, so we have no choice but to obey. Why His Highness would... no, I should hold my tongue. Just finish your meal on time. You are now banned from the kitchens, so do not even think about loitering nearby."

[Roserikta] "...Yes, Head Maid."

Roserikta nodded obediently, though her heart felt heavy. She could guess why she was banned from the kitchen—since she had been injured there—but it was clearly earning her even more animosity.

[Aldwin] "Honestly, why His Highness would show such unprecedented favor to a commoner like you... no, never mind."

Fearing her words might border on irreverence, Aldwin fell silent and shook her head vigorously.

[Aldwin] "After you finish eating, wash the cat and take her to the Prince. A guard will tell you where to go."

After spitting out the instructions, she turned and swept out of the room like a cold wind, with the two maids following closely behind.

[Clobell] "Wow, look at all of this!"

Clobellina hopped down from the cushion, drooling as she rubbed her forehead against Roserikta’s skirt.

[Clobell] "Is this all my food? Do I get to eat all of it? Is that it?"

[Roserikta] "Not all of it."

She pointed to the chair at the table.

[Roserikta] "Sit, Clobell. I believe this is yours."

She placed a silver plate of boiled vegetables in front of the cat.

[Clobell] "Meow! This is just too much! How can you give me only this when there’s so much food?"

[Roserikta] "First, you are being punished. Second, you’re still far from your target weight."

[Clobell] "But you said yesterday that I could eat whatever I wanted today!"

[Roserikta] "That was the price for keeping the Prince away. But you failed."

[Clobell] "It’s not like I did it on purpose! If you knew how desperately I tried, you couldn't be this—!"

[Roserikta] "If you finish the vegetables, I’ll share some grilled cheese with you. You can even dip it in honey."

[Clobell] "Aww. I knew I could count on you."

Clobellina, who had been about to lose her temper with her fur bristling, immediately changed her tune and purred as she took her place at the table.

[Clobell] "And while you’re at it, can’t you pick out some meat from the stew for me? Not all of it, just half. Haven't we always shared everything, even a single bean?"

[Roserikta] "Not half, but I’ll give you one piece. On the condition that you finish the vegetables first."

[Clobell] "Tsk. You never go easy on me, do you?"

Despite her grumbling, Clobellina seemed overjoyed by the unusually feast-like menu.

After stuffing herself with meat, she was subjected to a forced tooth-brushing before having a ribbon tied around her neck.

She was now ready to answer the Crown Prince’s call at a moment’s notice.

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