TWFLLYM Ch 69

Very Ordinary Lovers (1)

[Roserikta] "This is so indulgent."

She mumbled lazily, soaking in the warm tub. Clobellina had finished her bath long ago and stood nearby, shaking her fur to get rid of the water before shaking her head.

[Clobell] "Humans. What is so great about sitting in water? You can't even breathe in there."

[Roserikta] "You don't know what you're missing. I feel sorry for cats sometimes."

[Clobell] "I don't need your pity. There is a mountain of things better than baths."

They both clicked their tongues, feeling sorry for each other.

Roserikta sniffed the water, enjoying the steam.

[Roserikta] "Doesn't this smell amazing? They must have added bath oils. I wonder what they use to make it smell this good."

[Clobell] "Ugh, I hate it. It's too sour."

[Roserikta] "Since you hate it, it must be lemon and mint. Wait. Is it citron? Cats are so strange. How can you hate this scent?"

[Clobell] "What are you talking about? It's just a weird smell. Is a witch's nose allowed to be that dull?"

[Roserikta] "It isn't dull. I just haven't seen this specific oil before. Look, my skin is so soft now."

[Clobell] "That's just because you're soaked through like a sponge."

[Roserikta] "Hmph. Why are you so grumpy?"

[Clobell] "We just arrived, and you immediately take a bath. Of course I'm grumpy! If you're going to make me bathe, feed me first! Look how thin I am. I've lost so much weight."

She smiled at the cat rolling on the towel. To anyone else, Clobellina looked the same, but the cat was convinced she was wasting away.

[Clobell] "Are you going to stay in there forever? Let's go eat. I'm hungry."

[Roserikta] "Ah, just a bit longer? It has been a long time since I've had a bath like this."

[Clobell] "You... you... Did you not bathe before this?"

[Roserikta] "I've never used such a massive tub."

The Crown Prince's private bathroom was grand. The white marble tub with black veins looked large enough to fit thirty people. Beautiful paintings decorated the domed ceiling, and gold-leaf carvings lined the edges. Statues of gods from the founding myths stood against the walls alongside twelve sacred birds.

[Clobell] "Tsk. Fine, enjoy it. It's not like this will happen every time."

[Roserikta] "That's exactly my point. Today is an exception. That Head Maid is here, after all."

[Clobell] "Right. Those people won't stay quiet. They'll follow us around and nag about every little thing."

[Roserikta] "Exactly. So let me enjoy this for now."

[Clobell] "Fine. I will be generous and wait."

She started playing with a towel, kneading it with her claws. She seemed impressed, noting that high-quality towels felt different under her paws.

[Clobell] "So, how long are we staying here?"

Roserikta felt her eyes sliding shut.

[Roserikta] "Hmm... I don't know. At least until the curse is broken?"

[Clobell] "Are we not living here forever?"

[Roserikta] "Forever? What about the pharmacy?"

[Clobell] "What? So this is only temporary?"

[Roserikta] "Probably."

She opened her eyes again.

[Roserikta] "Why are you so surprised? Didn't you already know that?"

[Clobell] "Then what about the Crown Prince? Are you going to dump him?"

[Roserikta] "Huh?"

She sat up in surprise.

[Roserikta] "How did we get to that conclusion?"

[Clobell] "What else do you call it? If you aren't staying forever, you're dumping him."

[Roserikta] "No. It's not dumping... it's just..."

[Clobell] "Just what?"

[Roserikta] "When the time comes... naturally..."

[Clobell] "Naturally?"

[Roserikta] "Well... we both have our own lives and work... so..."

Clobellina clicked her tongue.

[Clobell] "Tsk. That is exactly what dumping means."

[Roserikta] "But we can't stay like this forever. He is the Crown Prince. I am a witch."

[Clobell] "That's why I asked."

[Roserikta] "Right. Well, yes."

The conversation ended, but her mind kept racing.

Actually, nothing has really changed. Even though we know how we feel, the situation is the same.

She rubbed her nose with her wet fingertips.

It's the same even if we like each other.

[Clobell] "Don't worry too much. The Prince will forget quickly. Even if you break up, he won't be the type to obsessively follow you around."

[Roserikta] "Yeah... I guess that's good."

She twirled her wet hair around her finger.

[Roserikta] "Now that I think about it, this relationship has no answer. I really am something."

Why did I even worry? It was meaningless.

Thinking that the relationship had a set ending made her heart ache.

[Roserikta] "......Whatever. It's not like anything will change anyway."

Even if there was an ending waiting in the future, her feelings wouldn't change right now. She suspected the Crown Prince felt the same way. For now, it was enough to stay like this.

[Roserikta] "I'll do one thing at a time. First, I'll break the curse, then I'll go after the black witch."

[Clobell] "Why do you keep talking to yourself?"

[Roserikta] "I'm afraid I'll forget. Just let me be."

[Clobell] "How can you forget such simple goals?"

[Roserikta] "......Right."

Actually, I'm afraid I'll forget that there is an end.

I seem to forget things easily when it comes to him. I'm worried I might even forget how to go back.

[Roserikta] "I should get out now. The water is getting cold."

[Clobell] "Tell them to heat it again."

Clobellina's bold and shameless attitude was part of her charm.

[Roserikta] "I envy your personality sometimes, Clobell."

[Clobell] "Then learn from me."

Clobellina shrugged. Her fur had mostly dried while she was playing with the towels.

[Roserikta] "I'll try. Where is my towel?"

[Clobell] "Wait. I'll get it for you."

[Roserikta] "Thanks, Clobell."

Clobellina brought over a fresh towel. Roserikta stepped out of the tub and wrapped it around herself.

[Clobell] "Should I bring your clothes too?"

[Roserikta] "No, it's fine. I can get them myself now that I'm dry."

[Clobell] "Hurry up and let's go. I'm starving."

[Roserikta] "I know."

She dried her hair thoroughly and dressed.

When she was a child, her grandmother used magic to dry her hair, but for Roserikta to do the same, she would need Axaca powder.

Since her grandmother passed away, she had developed the habit of just letting it air dry.

[Roserikta] "Let's go, Clobell."

[Clobell] "I'm seriously hungry. Give me some meat today."

[Roserikta] "Fine. But no bread."

[Clobell] "I can skip the bread. But will you give me a snack for dessert?"

[Roserikta] "I'll give you fruit instead."

[Clobell] "No fruit. I want a snack."

[Roserikta] "How about jerky?"

[Clobell] "Hmm... can I put honey on the jerky?"

[Roserikta] "Who puts honey on jerky?"

[Clobell] "Then what? I want something sweet. Are you giving it to me or not?"

[Roserikta] "It depends on how many vegetables you eat."

[Clobell] "That's so mean. I even waited for you to finish your bath."

They bickered over the menu as they left the bathroom, but something unexpected waited outside.

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

[Clobell] "Meow?"

Kalart stood outside with two guards. Their faces were still unfamiliar.

The moment their eyes met, her cheeks turned red.

[Roserikta] "Why are you here? Ah, were you waiting to use the bath?"

[Kalart] "No. I already finished. I was waiting for you."

He had also just finished bathing. His silver hair was damp and pushed back, revealing his forehead.

He is handsome today, too.

[Kalart] "It took longer than expected, so I was worried."

He naturally took her hand and kissed the back of it.

I guess I have to get used to this now.

Until recently, this polite treatment felt like wearing clothes that didn't fit. Now, she could hardly remember a time when it felt strange. Habits are powerful things.

[Roserikta] "The water was very warm. But where did you bathe, Your Highness?"

[Kalart] "In the guest room."

A small smile played on his lips as he tucked a damp lock of her hair behind her ear.

[Roserikta] "Isn't that a bit far? Why did you go all the way there?"

[Kalart] "To wait."

His somewhat strange answer meant that he wanted her to save the time she would have spent traveling to another bathroom.

[Kalart] "Shall we go?"

He offered his arm. When she stared at him with wide eyes, he took her arm himself and tucked it into his.

[Roserikta] "Uh, um...... Your Highness?"

[Kalart] "What is it?"

[Roserikta] "Is it okay for us to walk like this?"

[Kalart] "I heard this is how people usually walk."

[Roserikta] "I don't think they 'usually' walk like this."

She meant that a Crown Prince and a maid wouldn't usually walk arm-in-arm.

[Kalart] "If 'usually' refers to a couple who are dating, then this is correct."

[Roserikta] "Pardon?"

To him, they weren't a Prince and a maid. They were lovers.

[Kalart] "It seems you have never dated anyone. That must be why you don't know."

[Roserikta] "No, that's not it......"

Before she could even ask when they had started dating, Kalart frowned.

[Kalart] "Have you dated someone before?"

[Roserikta] "That's not the issue right now......"

[Kalart] "I haven't. You are my first."

He spoke bluntly, looking strangely dissatisfied.

[Roserikta] "Neither have I. But what does dating even—"

[Kalart] "Ah, so we are the same. I didn't plan to hold your past against you, but we should both be starting fresh."

Clobellina, who was walking closely beside Roserikta, huffed in disbelief.

[Clobell] "He is so petty. Just saying that means he totally cares about your past."

Roserikta agreed, but that was a problem for later. She pulled on his arm to make him stop.

[Roserikta] "Your Highness. That's not what I mean."

[Kalart] "Was it a lie? Have you dated someone before?"

He really is being small-minded.

[Roserikta] "About dating."

[Kalart] "I've never done it. If it's hard to believe, you can ask Eaton."

[Roserikta] "That's not it. Your Highness, did you just say that you and I are dating? Is that even possible?"

He frowned slightly and faced her.

[Kalart] "It is."

[Roserikta] "I don't know when that happened. Is it even allowed?"

She pulled her arm away to cross her own arms.

[Kalart] "I like you, and you like me. We are both single. Don't people usually call it a relationship?"

She finally realized the core of the problem. Kalart was the Crown Prince, so the word "usually" didn't apply to him. He was the only one pretending not to know that.

[Roserikta] "Usually, yes. But I don't think that applies to a Crown Prince."

[Kalart] "That's nonsense. Is a Crown Prince not allowed to love?"

[Roserikta] "You can, but shouldn't you consider your status?"

[Kalart] "I wouldn't know. This is my first time."

[Roserikta] "No, I mean, usually a Prince would......"

[Kalart] "You were the one who said a Crown Prince is different from ordinary people."

He is twisting my words.

There was a huge difference between a Prince's "usual" and a normal person's "usual."

[Roserikta] "......You know exactly what I'm saying."

[Kalart] "I'd like to ask you instead."

Kalart lifted his chin. His presence was already intimidating, and since he was now crossing his arms and looking offended, Roserikta felt small.

Why do I feel like I'm the one in the wrong for talking sense?

It made no sense.

[Kalart] "What do you think of me? If you have no intention of being my lover."

[Roserikta] "It's not that I don't want to. I just think it is difficult in reality, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "That sounds like the same thing to me."

[Roserikta] "Your Highness."

[Kalart] "If you had feelings but only thought it was difficult, shouldn't you have asked me? As you said, I am the Crown Prince."

[Roserikta] "......"

[Kalart] "Otherwise, it means your feelings only go that far. Not far enough to date, become lovers, or become important to each other."

She was speechless. Her heart already knew that he was right.

I see.

Deep down, she had assumed his feelings weren't a big deal. At first, she thought they were fake, created by the potion. Even after she knew they were real, she figured they would vanish quickly. She thought he was only acting like this because it was his first time, and he would change soon.

I didn't trust him at all.

[Kalart] "But I am different. I want to be your lover, and I want to grow closer to you through this relationship. Make sure you understand that clearly."

He finished speaking and took her hand again, tucking it back onto his arm.

[Roserikta] "Where...... are we going?"

[Kalart] "To your bedroom."

[Roserikta] "Pardon?"

She looked shocked. Kalart gave a bitter smile that was hard to read.

[Kalart] "I know my pace is much faster than yours, but I don't intend to force you. I know dating doesn't mean I can just drag you to bed."

[Roserikta] "I didn't... necessarily... mean it like that... Your Highness."

She was mortified that he had read her thoughts.

[Kalart] "If not, then that's a relief."

[Roserikta] "......"

The conversation died there. Kalart remained silent and didn't speak again. She couldn't tell if he was still upset.

However, his pace was neither too fast nor too slow, making it easy for her to walk right beside him.