TWFLLYM Ch 26

Your Wound is My Wound

[Eaton] "Pardon?"

[Lafitte] "Excuse me, Your Highness?"

Eaton and Lafitte reacted with identical shock before Kalart even finished announcing his departure for Kyrien.

Ignoring them both, Kalart divided the mountain of documents on his desk in half. One pile consisted of reviewed papers; the other contained tasks yet to be addressed.

Pointing to the latter with his chin, he spoke.

[Kalart] "Hand these over to the Imperial Secretary. I will be absent for three days."

[Lafitte] "Your Highness! This is so sudden......"

[Kalart] "I have finished half of the workload. The Secretary can manage the rest. Eaton, prepare for the journey to Kyrien."

Lafitte looked ready to collapse, as if he might cling to the Prince's sleeve in desperation.

[Lafitte] "Your Highness! Please, reconsider! Leaving the castle so abruptly is one thing, but that investiture staff...... why such a precious, priceless treasure......?"

[Kalart] "I intend to present it as a gift and earn another kiss."

[Lafitte] "Pardon, Your Highness? No, no... what did you say?"

He nearly fainted. The words 'kiss' and 'another' refused to register in his mind. This implied that His Highness had already shared a kiss with the person intended for the staff—a commoner maid with no title or standing.

Kalart cast a glance devoid of sympathy at the trembling official.

[Kalart] "Go to my cat. Tell her I request her company to Kyrien. Eaton, what are you doing?"

Fortunately, Eaton understood the Prince’s heart perfectly. Rather than mere understanding, he stood in a position of unconditional support. Seeing the Prince suffer daily made Eaton want to go to any length to help him.

He straightened his posture and bowed.

[Eaton] "I shall follow your command, Your Highness."

At his word, the Royal Guards moved in perfect unison. Left alone in the rapidly emptying office, the Chamberlain raised his voice.

[Lafitte] "Your Highness......! Did you happen to see the cat presented by Count Gibero?"

As the Count had promised, the white cat was exquisite enough to melt anyone's heart. Now that the Prince had discovered the charm of felines, he would surely favor such a beauty. It was only natural; any human would prefer the elegant white cat over that fat, unsightly black one.

[Kalart] "The white one?"

[Lafitte] "Yes, Your Highness!"

[Kalart] "Ah, I meant to mention that. Why did you place a new cat in my cat’s bedroom without permission?"

Kalart stopped mid-sentence. He had intended to reprimand the staff for the intrusion. Although Roserikta cared for Clobellina, he didn't want her burdened with every stray feline in the palace. He had planned to lecture the Head Maid.

However, the white cat had served a greater purpose.

Touch it, Your Highness.

Thanks to Roserikta grabbing his hand, he had managed to kiss the back of hers. If the white cat remained, perhaps similar opportunities would arise.

A sudden spark of ulterior motive flared within him. Kalart reached out and patted Lafitte's shoulder.

[Kalart] "I like it. Inform Count Gibero that I appreciate the fine gift."

With that, he turned and strode out of the office.

[Lafitte] "Ah...... You like it. That is... that is wonderful news, Your Highness."

Left alone, Lafitte wiped cold sweat from his brow. He couldn't stop the Prince from going to Kyrien, but he had achieved a small victory. The Prince liked the white cat. This meant the ugly black cat’s expulsion was only a matter of time.

[Lafitte] "I just have to wait. Everything will return to its proper place."

Reluctantly, Lafitte delivered the Prince’s request to the maid residing in the Crown Princess' bedchamber.

---

[Clobell] "Whoa......"

Her eyes darted left and right without pause. They were currently en route to Kyrien Castle.

The sudden departure had caught everyone off guard. The journey would take three days—three full days spent in Kalart’s company.

However, Roserikta couldn't refuse once she learned the objective was the sapphire. She had spent hours in a frantic blur preparing for the trip. In three years of life, she had never left the capital.

This luxurious journey—speeding along well-paved roads in an imperial carriage that barely swayed—made her head spin.

[Clobell] "I never knew a place like this existed. It’s my first time seeing it. This is incredible."

The scenery passing the window clearly delighted her. She stood with her front paws on the window frame, purring rhythmically.

Unfortunately, she stood directly atop the covered basket containing the white cat. The basket groaned and dipped, threatening to collapse under her weight.

[Roserikta] "Clobell. Just come up onto my lap."

Roserikta worried for the white cat, which remained unnervingly silent inside.

[Clobell] "Oh, it’s fine. This basket is sturdy."

[Roserikta] "It’s literally being crushed right now. Isn't the cat inside being flattened, too?"

[Clobell] "You don't understand. Cats actually love being squished. It’s staying still because it likes it."

She snorted and pressed her hind legs down even harder. The basket let out a sharp creak. Even if it seemed malicious, she wasn't entirely lying. Cats did have a peculiar affinity for cramped spaces.

[Roserikta] "Still, if it seems distressed, move immediately. Understand?"

[Clobell] "Hmph. If it hates it, it’ll crawl out on its own. Stop worrying about nothing."

Clobell, who had been nonchalantly kicking the basket, suddenly widened her eyes.

[Clobell] "Eh? Why is that guy riding a horse?"

[Roserikta] "What?"

[Clobell] "The Crown Prince. He’s on a horse."

[Roserikta] "He is?"

Roserikta pulled back the curtain. Leaning out, she saw Kalart galloping in the direction Clobellina indicated.

The distance was significant; she wondered if he would grow exhausted or choke on the dust. At that moment, he accelerated and drew level with the carriage.

[Roserikta] "Oh......"

Their eyes met unexpectedly. Her cheeks flushed crimson.

[Kalart] "Were you looking for me?"

Not exactly...…

But her mouth moved faster than her thoughts.

[Roserikta] "Aren't you tired?"

[Kalart] "From what?"

He appeared to be an expert horseman. Maintaining pace with the carriage while leaning over to converse didn't seem to tax him in the slightest.

The question felt embarrassing now.

Perhaps Clobell is right. I have a habit of worrying over nothing.

[Roserikta] "I mean...... why aren't you riding in the carriage......?"

[Kalart] "Two carriages would complicate the protocols."

A soft light entered his eyes for reasons she couldn't fathom.

[Kalart] "Increasing the escort would prolong the preparations. I decided riding a horse was more efficient."

[Roserikta] "This carriage... it looks like it seats four......"

So why don't you get in?

[Kalart] "I’m confused by what you’re implying."

He tilted his head.

[Kalart] "Are you asking why you’re sitting in a four-person carriage alone? Or are you permitting me to join you?"

[Roserikta] "Pardon?"

This time, she was the one confused.

[Roserikta] "This carriage doesn't belong to me, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "But you already gave me permission to accompany you to Kyrien."

That was only to retrieve the sapphire I requested.

[Kalart] "May I ask for one more thing?"

[Roserikta] "......"

She held her breath, her lips trembling.

This felt strange. Incredibly strange. Why did he keep seeking her permission? It made no sense. She wasn't the Crown Princess.

He had commanded her to strip off her wet clothes, yet now he begged for consent. It messed with her mind. It made her feel as though he were treating her with absolute, precious care.

[Roserikta] "As I said, this carriage belongs to you. You may ride it whenever you wish. I also know how to ride a horse."

[Kalart] "......"

He fell silent. He straightened his back, looking down at her from his height atop the horse. Perhaps it was the angle, but the warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by an infinite chill.

[Kalart] "It might have been better if you hadn't mentioned your ability to ride."

[Roserikta] "......"

[Kalart] "The carriage is unnecessary. I will see you in Kyrien."

With those words, he surged forward, leaving the carriage behind.

[Clobell] "Tsk tsk."

Clobellina, who had overheard everything, clicked her tongue.

[Clobell] "Where did you learn to speak so heartlessly? Even I’m offended."

[Roserikta] "......What? Me? Did I do that?"

Clobellina stomped her hind feet.

[Clobell] "Am I lying? I’m starting to understand him. You’re always so cold. No wonder he gets angry and breaks things."

Guilt blossomed in her chest, a feeling she hadn't known existed until now.

[Roserikta] "What did... what did I do?"

[Clobell] "Didn't you say he’s in his mating season? His mind must be a mess, filled with nothing but those thoughts. He can't see anything else, yet you won't even let him near you......"

[Roserikta] "Clobell!"

She recoiled at the crude, animalistic description.

[Clobell] "Mating season is mating season. Is there a different word in the palace?"

Is... is there?

Probably not. Humans didn't have mating seasons like cats.

[Roserikta] "I don't think so."

[Clobell] "Then mating—"

[Roserikta] "No! Don't use that word. Call it lovesickness instead."

[Clobell] "That’s not it. His lovesickness is because of me. For you, it’s mating—"

[Roserikta] "Hey! It’s not!"

She couldn't listen to another word. She grabbed Clobellina and covered the cat's mouth with her hand.

[Clobell] "Mmph! Let go! Do you think muffling me changes the truth?"

She wriggled and squirmed until she escaped Roserikta’s grip to finish her thought.

[Clobell] "Anyway, he’s getting weirder because of you. That’s how I see it."

[Roserikta] "Neither of us knows anything about lovesickness. Have you ever suffered from it? Anything similar? You haven't experienced a mating season either. Don't make assumptions."

[Clobell] "Cats are different from humans. We instinctively know these things. You’re the only one who is clueless."

[Roserikta] "You certainly have a silver tongue. Stop it."

[Clobell] "You only tell me to stop because you have no comeback. Hmph. Just admit it."

[Clobell] "Be nicer to him. He’ll forget everything once he drinks the antidote anyway. What’s the harm in being kind for a moment? You’re so stingy."

[Roserikta] "......"

The harm was significant. He could forget everything with the antidote, but she couldn't. He would move on, but she would be left behind. That was why she couldn't allow it—not even for a second.

Yet, she couldn't forget the way his eyes had suddenly turned cold. It wasn't anger. His feelings hadn't cooled. If they had, he wouldn't have said he’d see her in Kyrien. He wouldn't have said this was only the beginning.

It meant he was wounded.

[Roserikta] "......You're right, Clobell. I was only thinking about myself."

Just because he could forget later didn't mean his current pain was any less real. She had ignored his suffering because she feared her own would be greater. She had been cruel.

Clobellina tapped Roserikta’s slumped cheek with a paw.

[Clobell] "Why are you moping? It doesn't suit you. Just be nicer next time. Then he won't go around smashing things."

[Roserikta] "Yes. I should do that."

She stroked the back of Clobellina’s small head.

[Roserikta] "Sometimes, you seem quite brilliant, Clobell."

Clobellina snorted immediately.

[Clobell] "Excuse me. What are you saying? 'Sometimes' brilliant? I am always brilliant!"

[Roserikta] "Fine. Let's go with that."

[Clobell] "It’s not 'let's go with that'! It’s a fact!"

[Roserikta] "Sure, sure."

She looked out the window. Kalart had vanished from her sight. The distance between them felt like the depth of his wound, and it pained her.

Will he come back?

Next time, she would tell him to ride in the carriage.

The carriage, carrying one woman and two cats, arrived at Kyrien Castle with one seat remaining conspicuously empty.

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