TWFLLYM Ch 68

The Confessions Never Stop

[Roserikta] "You were too harsh."

[Kalart] "To whom?"

[Roserikta] "To the knight."

Eaton's haggard face remained stuck in her mind.

[Roserikta] "He is a patient. He hasn't even received proper treatment yet."

[Kalart] "He only broke an arm."

[Roserikta] "Yes. Exactly."

[Kalart] "Everyone goes through that."

He frowned openly.

[Kalart] "Broken bones are common during knight training. I experienced it myself."

[Roserikta] "Hmm......"

[Clobell] "So what?"

Roserikta and Clobellina wore the same expression as they stared at Kalart.

He isn't the one injured right now.

Noticing their stares, he cleared his throat awkwardly.

[Kalart] "I mean, there is no need to worry. You should look after your own body instead of wasting time worrying about him."

[Roserikta] "I am not hurt anywhere, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "What are you talking about? Your neck was injured. I saw it happen."

The memory of that injury left scars on everyone. Roserikta suffered a physical wound to her throat, but the sight also wounded Kalart's heart and filled Eaton with guilt.

She noticed the small trace of pain in his voice and smiled shyly.

[Roserikta] "I am all better now. Witches are naturally tougher than humans."

Kalart stared at her pale neck. To him, she looked incredibly fragile. When he first saw the dark bruises on her skin, the ground felt like it was vanishing beneath his feet.

[Kalart] "I find that hard to believe, though your voice has returned."

He reached out. His strong, elegant fingers stopped just before touching her.

[Kalart] "May I touch you?"

His voice dropped an octave. In moments like this, she understood why he felt so obsessed with her voice.

Oh, my heart is racing. He doesn't realize how beautiful his voice is.

[Roserikta] "As long as it doesn't hurt."

[Kalart] "As you can see, I am healed. I used magic, too."

[Roserikta] "Ah......"

His fingertips brushed her neck. It was a gentle touch, but Roserikta tensed as if a blade had grazed her. Her lips moved as she swallowed hard.

His eyes followed the small movement.

[Kalart] "I see. There was magic."

[Roserikta] "Yes, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "Then you won't be in pain anymore. That is a bit disappointing."

She didn't understand why his words made her heart flutter so much. Her cheeks flushed red, and she gently pushed his hand away.

[Roserikta] "But you were so upset when my voice was ruined."

She tried to change the mood.

That's right. He was like that. He told me not to even come near him because my voice sounded strange. Now he says something else. Does he think I’ll fall for it?

[Kalart] "Because you were hurt."

[Roserikta] "Was it not because you hated hearing my voice?"

She spoke as if making a light joke.

[Roserikta] "You wouldn't even let me speak. You didn't even let me go get Clobell. Back then, you......"

[Kalart] "What did I do?"

He moved closer, closing the distance she had made.

He pressed for an answer. His face was suddenly so near that her eyelashes trembled in surprise.

[Roserikta] "You......"

[Roserikta] "......I thought you forgot everything."

She thought he had decided to throw it all away because it was no longer beautiful. Just like everything else.

[Kalart] "Me?"

[Roserikta] "I thought you forgot......"

[Kalart] "Forgot what?"

Every word he had said to her. Every kiss. Every worry. All of his affection.

[Roserikta] "Things like this."

Roserikta touched the edge of his lips. Kalart caught her hand and pressed it firmly against his mouth.

[Roserikta] "I thought...... you didn't need me anymore."

Her voice grew smaller.

Normally, Clobellina would have interrupted with a sarcastic comment, but the cat remained strangely quiet.

[Kalart] "I knew exactly what you would do if you went to the Count's estate."

He kissed her fingers one by one.

[Kalart] "You would have run around taking care of others while saying you were fine. You would have forced out words through your ruined voice."

[Roserikta] "No, I wouldn't go that far...... I have magic......"

[Kalart] "I didn't have the confidence to watch that."

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

I shouldn't have said anything.

Roserikta remembered the time she spent alone after Kalart left. Dark, lonely hours. She spent that time making soup, buying bread to fill her hunger, studying dark magic, and thinking of ways to break the curse.

She wanted to stay busy because there was so much to do, but her body refused to move. She just existed, barely breathing.

It was so hard not to cry. It was so painful that she promised herself she would never do it again.

[Roserikta] "didn't...... going to......"

[Kalart] "What were you not going to do?"

[Roserikta] "I wasn't...... going to...... anymore......"

She had endured so much back then. Since she had held it in, she thought she would be fine now.

[Roserikta] "I wasn't...... going to like you......"

[Kalart] "......"

He took a sharp breath and suddenly burst into laughter.

[Clobell] "Are you crazy? You’re laughing at a time like this?"

Clobellina hit Kalart's knee with her paws, annoyed by his reaction. Roserikta didn't even notice the cat hitting him.

[Roserikta] "Why...... are you laughing?"

[Kalart] "......I don't know."

She felt her feelings were being hurt. She bit her lip and turned away, but Kalart quickly grabbed her cheeks.

[Kalart] "Don't avoid me."

[Roserikta] "I don't think this is a funny story, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "I know. I just......"

He stopped and smiled again. He looked as if he couldn't help himself.

[Kalart] "......I can't hold back."

He pulled her into a tight embrace. Their bodies pressed together so closely that there was no room to breathe. Roserikta felt his shoulders shaking with laughter through his skin.

[Kalart] "I told you I like you."

[Roserikta] "I said I wasn't going to like you......"

[Kalart] "It means I like you."

[Roserikta] "I wasn't going to......"

[Kalart] "So, I like you."

The conversation became a strange loop. It was unclear if he was saying he liked her, or if she was the one who liked him. Perhaps, from the start, it was the same thing.

[Clobell] "Good grief. You asked what you’d do if you liked the Crown Prince, and now look at you. I give up. Do whatever you want."

Clobellina snorted, curled her body into a ball, and prepared to sleep.

Roserikta wanted to comfort the cat, but her arms couldn't reach. Kalart held her arms firmly.

[Roserikta] "Your Highness......"

She called him softly, but it didn't help.

[Kalart] "No."

[Roserikta] "What do you mean 'no'......"

[Kalart] "You are going to ask me to let go. I won't."

This man is too sharp.

[Roserikta] "I think Clobell is sulking."

[Kalart] "You might not know this."

His laughter finally stopped. Kalart pulled back slightly and straightened her hair, which had become messy from the tight hug.

Roserikta now understood the meaning behind his actions. He genuinely liked and cherished her. Every time he touched something he could see, he endured the pain of his curse.

[Kalart] "I can sulk too."

She finally realized it. He had always been honest and sincere about his feelings for her.

[Roserikta] "Clobell scratches when she sulks."

She glanced at Clobellina, who was pretending to sleep, and whispered into his ear. Kalart whispered back in the same way.

[Kalart] "I am going to kiss you."

[Roserikta] "Kisses don't hurt."

[Kalart] "So it sounds like I can do it many times. Am I right?"

[Roserikta] "No, that wasn't what I meant......"

[Kalart] "Ah, I am sulking now."

His laughter started again. He looked so happy.

[Kalart] "Don't blame me. I can't help it since I am sulking."

Kalart cupped her face and pressed his lips against hers. It felt like the perfect moment for a kiss. He felt like the right person at the right time.

Roserikta felt like she had finally found where she belonged. That feeling turned into absolute happiness—just like the smile he couldn't hide.

---

[Lafitte] "Welcome back, Your Highness."

[Aldwin] "The long journey must have been difficult. Your face looks haggard."

Trifolium remained the same even after ten days. The Chamberlain and the Head Maid were anxious to take care of the Crown Prince as if he were a toddler.

In fact, as the Crown Prince removed his dirty clothes, his jawline looked sharper than usual. He had definitely lost weight.

The Chamberlain planned to scold the Royal Guard for failing to serve the Prince properly. The Head Maid decided to push the chef to prepare rich, nutritious meals starting tonight.

[Kalart] "It is just the dust. Don't worry about it."

[Lafitte] "I expected as much and prepared your bath, Your Highness! You may receive assistance whenever you are ready!"

[Kalart] "I don't need help, just the water...... Ah, she probably wants to bathe as well."

Kalart laughed softly while undressing.

[Lafitte] "......?"

[Aldwin] "......Your Highness?"

The Chamberlain and the Head Maid were confused by his smile. Furthermore, who was "she"? Why was he talking about someone else when they were discussing his bath?

[Kalart] "Is the water heated in every bathroom?"

Kalart turned and asked. The Head Maid and the Chamberlain blinked. They had no idea what he was talking about.

[Aldwin] "No, Your Highness. We only heated the water in your bathroom."

[Kalart] "I thought so. Tell her to go to the room next door and use my bathroom. I will use the guest bathroom."

[Lafitte] "......Pardon, Your Highness?"

The room next door was the Crown Princess' bedroom. The person currently using that room was that arrogant cat and its maid.

[Lafitte] "If I may ask, why would you......?"

Kalart replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

[Kalart] "The water will be cold if you don't heat it."

His words made sense, but in this situation, they felt completely wrong. The two servants stood there, stunned.

[Kalart] "Let her use my bathroom and provide whatever help she asks for. Don't worry about formal etiquette. Also, look at these two. Are they more handsome than I?"

It was a strange question, but the answer was easy. The Head Maid and the Chamberlain didn't even need to look at the two guards Kalart pointed to. They shook their heads.

[Lafitte] "There is no one in the Imperial Palace more handsome than you, Your Highness."

[Aldwin] "Yes, Your Highness. I swear before God, there is no one."

Kalart nodded with satisfaction.

[Kalart] "Good. You two will guard her. Escort her from the bathroom back to her room."

[Guard] "Yes, Your Highness."

The guards, suddenly labeled as less handsome than the Prince, awkwardly accepted the order and left.

While the confused Chamberlain and Head Maid struggled to find their voices, Kalart walked out of the room.

[Lafitte] "Your Highness, then I shall guide you to the guest room......!"

Click.

It was too late. The door closed, and the Prince was already gone.

[Aldwin] "What just happened?"

The Head Maid asked. The Chamberlain tilted his head, trying to organize Kalart's words and actions.

[Lafitte] "It seems His Highness has allowed the cat maid to use his bathroom."

[Aldwin] "That is what I heard as well...... but is that allowed?"

[Lafitte] "Of course not!"

Anger finally burst out.

[Aldwin] "Then why didn't you try to stop him!"

[Lafitte] "Well...... I was trying to understand what he meant...... but you didn't say anything either, Countess!"

[Aldwin] "I thought you would speak up, Baron!"

They blamed each other for a long time. The Head Maid clenched her fists and paced around the empty room.

[Aldwin] "I can't believe this...... how can this be? My goodness...... not just the bedroom, but the bathroom too...... what should we do? Nothing like this has happened since Trifolium Palace was built. Never!"

The Chamberlain finally pumped his fist.

[Lafitte] "You are right! We can't let this pass. The Empire has a long history. We can't allow such a baseless thing! I will search through every book of etiquette to prove there is no such example and report it to His Highness! I must find the Imperial Secretary right now!"

The Head Maid nodded vigorously.

[Aldwin] "You are absolutely right. Please go immediately. I will tidy the bedroom."

[Lafitte] "Leave it to me, Countess."

The Chamberlain made a grand promise and left the room. However, no matter how much he searched, he couldn't find the Imperial Secretary. He later learned that the Prince had already summoned the Secretary to the guest room.