TWFLLYM Ch 94

Let's Get Married Now

[Arad] "Whoa, she erased it with magic! That kind of magic is possible."

Arad shuddered. Separate from the Black Witch's threat, Arad was at the stage of planning a future with his lover.

Kalart's situation hit close to home. The thought of Lady Elona's family opposing him so fiercely made his vision go dark.

How does His Highness handle this? Having a child but facing opposition to the marriage must double the agony.

[Eaton] "What should we do, Your Highness?"

Eaton picked up the fallen box with a gloomy face. Kalart frowned at the useless contract and let out a short sigh.

[Kalart] "We must find out what she wants."

[Eaton] "Pardon? She explicitly stated she wants nothing from humans......"

[Kalart] "She wants something from me, not just any human."

His sigh turned into a bitter smile.

[Kalart] "She said she dislikes my blind devotion."

But he couldn't pretend otherwise now. He had no intention of doing so.

[Kalart] "I can't stop being devoted to her, so I must think of another way."

By the time he finished speaking, the bitterness had vanished from his smile.

Everyone found this strange.

Strange. Given His Highness' past behavior, he should be digging a hole in the ground with his sighs right now. Why is he smiling?

[Eaton] "Uh, um...... Do you have a method in mind?"

[Kalart] "No. I have no idea. How does one win the favor of an old witch?"

No human possessed that knowledge.

[Eaton] "We apologize, but we can't guess either."

[Kalart] "That is a shame. Start thinking of ideas one by one. Do it for my unborn child. A birth before marriage poses a problem."

[Eaton] "Hmm......"

Yes, this was the strange part. A child born out of wedlock struggled to gain recognition as imperial royalty. They became illegitimate, living without a surname in the empire's shadows, destined for an unfortunate life.

The Crown Prince, facing this dire situation, showed no worry on his face.

[Arad] "Um...... Your Highness. Pardon my insolence, but may I ask you one question?"

The tactless Arad asked the question.

[Kalart] "What is it."

[Arad] "Why do you keep smiling?"

[Kalart] "Am I?"

[Arad] "Yes."

The bitter smile that started with a sigh had bloomed into a grin. Kalart touched his mouth and let out a soft laugh.

[Kalart] "I suppose I am."

[Eaton] "Your Highness. We are worried...... Did the shock push you to give up?"

[Kalart] "I am happy."

His answer caused panic.

[Arad] "What? Even though she opposes the marriage so fiercely?"

[Klein] "Exactly. She uses underhanded magic!"

Klein waved the contract with the missing signature in the air. He definitely didn't do this out of resentment over the hard work he put into drafting it.

[Klein] "Doesn't this mean you shouldn't even dream of marriage? Witch or not, you are the Crown Prince of the Empire!"

[Eaton] "Sir Klein."

Eaton shot him a warning glance as Klein's tone escalated. Klein excelled at his job, but that competence didn't extend to human relations.

[Kalart] "I know. She doesn't welcome me. But it is fine."

[Eaton] "Your Highness......"

He gave up. Their faces filled with pity for Kalart.

[Kalart] "......Yes, I am perfectly fine."

Speaking the words cleared his complicated thoughts. The most terrible problem had vanished. It felt like a lie. He questioned if such good fortune could exist.

Kalart smiled so broadly his cheeks ached. He was going crazy with relief.

[Kalart] "I have...... a child."

He could finally rejoice in peace.

In ten months, his child would be born. A child who needed nothing but blessings.

Seeing Kalart suddenly laugh aloud, his loyal subordinates firmly resolved to help him finalize the marriage. They concluded the shock had broken his mind.

---

Knock, knock.

A knock rang out. It was the third time today.

[Clobell] "Again?"

She yawned, annoyed.

[Elona] "I will get it, Lady Roserikta."

Elona stood quickly.

It was likely an invitation from Kalart. He had sent invitations continuously for a while. A dinner invitation, a tea party invitation, a concert invitation. Grandmother rejected them all. She disliked everything about him.

[Mazi] "How persistent."

Yet, she sipped the tea Kalart had sent her.

[Mazi] "Why doesn't he realize this makes me hate him more. Hmph."

[Roserikta] "Oh my."

Roserikta turned her head to hide her awkward expression.

Why does she hate him so much?

Clobellina sniffed the apple tea beside the grandmother and agreed.

[Clobell] "You are absolutely right. He is a bit—no, very persistent."

[Mazi] "His face shows it. His actions prove it."

[Clobell] "You speak the truth. Stop him as long as you can. I hated him, too. I still don't completely like him."

What should I do?

Roserikta stood up with a bitter smile. She needed to tell him to stop sending invitations for a while. Any action right now would backfire.

[Roserikta] "Lady Elona. Please wait. I will go."

Elona stopped before opening the door and turned around.

[Elona] "What? No, please stay seated. Lady Roserikta, you are pregnant!"

[Roserikta] "It doesn't even feel real yet."

She caught up to Elona with quick steps.

[Roserikta] "I have something to say to His Highness."

[Elona] "Ah, then you must go. Should I cover my ears?"

[Roserikta] "It will only take a moment, so don't mind me and sit down."

[Elona] "Yes, Lady Roserikta."

Elona returned to her seat.

Roserikta opened the door, expecting the Chamberlain or Klein.

[Roserikta] "Yes. ……Oh?"

It was neither. Arad stood there. She gasped at the silver hair visible over Arad's shoulder.

[Kalart] "Shh."

Kalart peeked out and pressed a finger to his lips, confirming Roserikta was alone.

She understood the gesture. She stepped out and closed the door without a sound.

[Roserikta] "How did you get here?"

He pushed Arad aside and stepped forward as the door shut.

[Kalart] "Because I wanted to see you."

He extended his arm naturally. Roserikta slipped her hand through his arm but avoided his gaze.

He speaks like this so effortlessly now. Like breathing.

[Roserikta] "I mean, how did you know I would come out?"

[Kalart] "I anticipated it."

[Roserikta] "Why?"

[Kalart] "After getting rejected three times, I figured you would take pity on me."

[Roserikta] "Goodness."

No wonder he kept sending them despite the silence.

[Roserikta] "Your Highness, you have a reckless side."

[Kalart] "I admit it. I am reckless when it comes to you."

Right. This has become far too natural.

They walked together, arms linked. She finally understood why lovers linked arms. Leaning against his firm arm made her feel like she was walking on clouds.

[Roserikta] "Where are we going? I told them I would only be a moment."

He lowered his head and met her gaze.

[Kalart] "Must I send you back then?"

[Roserikta] "Do you hate it?"

[Kalart] "Of course I hate it, but that doesn't matter. I must cross the mountain no matter what."

He glanced over his shoulder at the bedroom door they had just left.

[Kalart] "Speaking of which, do you have any advice for me?"

[Roserikta] "Did you come here just to ask that?"

[Kalart] "Seeing you came first."

She leaned against his arm and laughed silently.

How could I ever think this was a lie? A love potion can't create this.

It can make someone like you, but it can't make them prioritize you over their own feelings.

This is real. He created this. He is someone who loves this deeply.

[Roserikta] "Let us walk for a bit."

[Kalart] "Will it be alright?"

[Roserikta] "There is something you don't know, Your Highness."

She stopped and stood on her tiptoes, gently grabbing the tip of his ear. Kalart understood her gesture. He lowered his head, bringing his ear to her lips.

[Roserikta] "Grandmother's opposition is useless."

[Kalart] "Why is that?"

[Roserikta] "Because I will not oppose you."

He turned his head quickly and kissed the lips that had just touched his ear.

[Kalart] "Saying things like that makes you look too cute. I can't allow it."

Her cheeks flushed at the surprise kiss.

[Roserikta] "There is no rule against it."

[Kalart] "I already heard my character is ruined. I don't want to add 'a man with zero self-control' to that reputation."

Well. That is a bit mischievous.

She turned her head and let go of his ear. He caught her falling hand and pressed his lips to her wrist.

[Roserikta] "Stop it."

She spoke softly, her face redder than before.

[Kalart] "I merely kissed you."

[Roserikta] "It is inappropriate after saying something like that."

[Kalart] "Forget I said that. I misspoke."

[Roserikta] "You are too late."

She pulled her wrist back. Kalart looked disappointed but released her without a word.

As she started walking, he followed, glancing at her cautiously.

Does this man know he is cute? I understand what he means by 'looking too cute'.

[Kalart] "Still, continuous opposition will cause trouble. I don't want to distance myself from someone close to you."

[Roserikta] "Well...... That will take time. Grandmother has far too many reasons to dislike humans."

As she spoke, Kalart subtly linked their arms again. That trivial action filled her with overwhelming affection.

He is walking on eggshells. He thinks he offended me with his slip of the tongue.

How cute.

[Kalart] "Is it because of the witch hunts?"

[Roserikta] "That is part of it, but it is more complicated."

She leaned on his arm as they walked down the palace corridor, recounting the ancient tales entangling the Empire and the Witch Kingdom.

[Kalart] "......To think the Black Witch was involved."

He wore a heavy expression after hearing the whole story.

[Roserikta] "Indeed. It is astonishing. If the first witch of Vilakas hadn't been burned at the stake...... you might never have suffered the curse, Your Highness."

The witch hunts would never have happened. Humans and witches might still live in harmony.

[Kalart] "Perhaps."

He stopped walking and pulled her into an embrace. The heartbeat echoing against her was loud and ragged.

His emotions swell so suddenly sometimes. I don't know the exact reason, but I know it happens.

[Kalart] "Don't say it would have been better. The past is regrettable, but I would never trade it for you."

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

Kalart despised even entertaining such a hypothetical scenario. Grandmother Mazi was right about his blind obsession.

Roserikta wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

But, Grandmother. That is exactly why I fell for this man. Without that side of him, I would have kept doubting and never trusted him in the end.

I would have dismissed it as a fleeting illusion that vanishes upon waking. I would have just let him slip away. I would have only yearned for him, believing he was as unreachable as the grandmother who left for the dark side of the moon.

This man traps me so I can't drift away. I have never been in a place so resilient, solid, and burning hot. This man feels like home, Grandmother.

[Roserikta] "I am a witch, so I can't say the same things you do, Your Highness, but I can say this."

He tightened his embrace.

Rustle.

The sound of hair brushing echoed in her ears.

[Kalart] "Say what?"

[Roserikta] "I love you, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "......"

He choked back a breath. His hand, slowly stroking her hair, trembled like a leaf in the first spring breeze. It held the anticipation of spring rushing to cover the entire world.

[Kalart] "I love you too. ……No, I love you more."

She laughed.

[Roserikta] "I suppose that is true."

[Kalart] "This is enough."

His words sounded like a long-suppressed exhale. An exhale born of ultimate relief.

Roserikta mirrored his deep smile. Now was the moment to keep her promise to him.

She pressed her lips to Kalart's ear and whispered low.

[Roserikta] "Then shall we get married, Your Highness?"