TWFLLYM Ch 97

It's Not Useless (3)

Elona added an explanation.

[Elona] "Clobell said she would tell His Highness to send snacks again. So she tried to find him, but His Highness said he had no time to see her today."

[Roserikta] "Oh dear. She couldn't even speak to him."

[Elona] "Yes. Clobell is deeply heartbroken."

Roserikta nodded, understanding the situation.

[Roserikta] "Is His Highness busy?"

[Elona] "Hmm…… Well, I don't exactly know. Unless something suddenly happened at the Imperial Palace, what reason would he have to be busy?"

Of course, Kalart was not busier than usual. He was simply keeping the promise they made yesterday.

[Roserikta] "Then, perhaps His Highness didn't want to see her."

Clobellina's eyes snapped open wide.

[Clobell] "He didn't want to see me! What does that mean?! Why would he suddenly dislike me?! He should be doing everything to stay in my good graces?!"

[Roserikta] "It's just a way of speaking. Surely that wouldn't be the case?"

It wasn't the case, but he was pretending it was.

[Clobell] "Of course not! This won't do. He can't do this to us. I'll go and give him a piece of my mind."

[Roserikta] "Are you sure, Clobell? Do you even know where His Highness is?"

[Clobell] "He'll be where he always is, where else would he go. I'm going."

[Roserikta] "Mm-hmm…… Go ahead."

Clobellina wouldn't see Kalart today. He planned to avoid her all day long. Roserikta feigned ignorance and gave Clobellina a little push.

Thanks to the Royal Guard knights, who faithfully executed the Crown Prince's command to keep Clobellina away despite their confusion, Clobellina ultimately failed to meet Kalart.

---

[Roserikta] "Clobell cried."

[Kalart] "Oh dear."

The two met just before the moon rose, in the same spot as yesterday.

[Roserikta] "She said at first, she thought she'd live such a luxurious life when she entered the Imperial Palace. But after doing nothing but bathing and eating boiled vegetables, her dream finally came true, only to vanish in a few days. She was lamenting her fate."

[Kalart] "If Clobell wants it, she can live like that."

This man is saying dangerous things.

[Roserikta] "No, she can't. That's too extravagant. She sometimes doesn't know the limit."

[Kalart] "Is that so bad?"

[Roserikta] "Because too much of anything becomes poison. Anyway, she can't. Even if she wants it, I don't."

His priorities remained crystal clear.

[Kalart] "If you don't like it, then no."

[Roserikta] "Is that a promise?"

[Kalart] "I don't dare to do something you dislike."

That felt incredibly reassuring.

She leaned her forehead against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Just how much more lovable is this man going to become?

[Kalart] "But I am worried. What if Clobell doesn't let go of her anger toward me because of this?"

[Roserikta] "It's fine. Clobell is simple."

He laughed, rubbing the tip of his nose against her hair.

[Kalart] "She probably wouldn't like hearing that."

[Roserikta] "That's why I'm saying it when she's not here."

Haha. The two laughed together and held each other sweetly.

[Kalart] "How did your grandmother react?"

[Roserikta] "She hasn't said anything specific yet."

[Kalart] "What if it has no effect?"

Anxiety bled into his voice.

[Kalart] "Even this time feels like a waste to me. There is so much to do to finish the wedding before the baby is born."

[Roserikta] "Still, there are ten months left."

[Kalart] "The more work you and I have, the less time we have to be alone like this."

He grumbled softly.

[Kalart] "Even now, we can only meet once a day."

[Roserikta] "It hasn't even been a week since it became like this."

[Kalart] "I can't believe it. It feels like a year."

[Roserikta] "That's an exaggeration."

[Kalart] "Not at all."

He was serious. In fact, he was in quite a severe state.

[Kalart] "I dream every night."

He continued, pressing his lips close to her ear.

[Kalart] "Did I tell you? I never had dreams. Not until I met you."

[Roserikta] "You didn't?"

[Kalart] "Now I have them every day."

Is it my imagination? His breath keeps getting sweeter.

[Kalart] "You appear in them."

[Roserikta] "How……?"

[Kalart] "Looking exceptionally beautiful. And mostly……"

He stopped for a moment and took a sharp breath.

[Kalart] "Naked."

[Roserikta] "……"

It wasn't imagination.

She suspected the atmosphere was heading that way. This wasn't good. When he felt stimulated, she felt the full impact as well.

[Roserikta] "Well, um…… so Your Highness is now……"

[Kalart] "It's a miracle I look sane."

[Roserikta] "Oh dear."

Her ear, where his lips touched, burned red.

My ears are sensitive. I didn't even know that. Until I met him.

[Kalart] "The contract is also void."

The arms wrapping around her waist tightened.

[Kalart] "I don't know what to do. My body doesn't feel like my own. I didn't know desire was such a painful thing."

Oh dear. As someone also new to romance, I have nothing to say to that.

[Roserikta] "Um…… would you like to try some sleeping pills?"

He laughed silently.

[Kalart] "I hope they work."

It was strange. Why did he look so sorrowful while laughing? He was simply saying how hard it was because he wanted to be with her.

He buried his face in the nape of her neck and took a deep breath.

[Kalart] "But I think this is better than sleeping pills. ……I wish I could just fall asleep like this."

She raised her arm and patted his back.

[Roserikta] "It won't take long."

[Kalart] "If it takes long, I might not live out my natural lifespan."

[Roserikta] "Surely not."

Kalart, who had been uncharacteristically weak, raised his head and stared blankly at her.

[Kalart] "Where would you like it today?"

He was asking about the daily kiss, which happened in a different place every time.

[Roserikta] "Well."

She looked at him and chose the next spot to kiss after the lips. In doing so, she ended up examining every inch of his face excessively. Every inch was perfect. Every single part was lovable.

[Roserikta] "What should I do? I can't choose."

[Kalart] "Then kiss me everywhere you like."

[Roserikta] "Then we might be kissing all night long."

He let out a pained groan.

[Kalart] "That sounds good too."

She laughed and kissed his lips. The light kiss intended to stop him lasted a very long time, but Kalart said it was void because it was the same place as yesterday.

The two were entirely unaware, but outside, the moon shone brightly through every window.

---

[Clobell] "Something is definitely wrong!"

It was the third day since Kalart began avoiding Clobellina. She sensed an unusual aura.

[Clobell] "This is intentional! He's avoiding me!"

Correct.

She tapped Roserikta with her front paws.

[Clobell] "Tell me honestly. How long has it been since you saw him?! Have you seen his face recently?"

Roserikta calmly gave the prepared answer.

[Roserikta] "Me? It's been quite a while since I saw him properly, too. He seems busy lately."

Indeed, Kalart had become busy over the last few days. He was sending messengers to Shana Castle, where the Emperor stayed. The purpose was, of course, to obtain permission for the marriage.

[Clobell] "He must have had a change of heart."

[Roserikta] "Who? His Highness?"

[Clobell] "Who else would 'he' be!"

She shrieked.

[Clobell] "He acted like he'd give us his liver and gallbladder every day, and now he's cut us off completely! What's so busy! It's not like a long-lost black witch suddenly appeared!"

Roserikta shook her head.

[Roserikta] "No. Clobell, you're overthinking. His Highness wouldn't do that."

[Clobell] "It's a big deal because the one who 'wouldn't do that' is doing it! I trusted him too much. How could he do this to us!"

Roserikta glanced at Grandmother. She was just sipping tea, saying nothing.

I have no idea what she's thinking.

[Roserikta] "Maybe he's tired."

Roserikta said in a voice low enough to sound appropriately pitiful.

[Clobell] "What does that mean?!"

[Roserikta] "Just…… marriage became a more difficult problem than expected. So……"

[Clobell] "What. So you're saying he gave up on everything?"

[Roserikta] "I don't know."

Roserikta lowered her head and toyed with her tail.

[Roserikta] "Only that His Highness's attitude changed. Like you said."

[Clobell] "Then…… then you aren't marrying him? What about that…… didn't he scam you to get that contract or whatever?"

[Roserikta] "Ah, that became void."

[Clobell] "How can such a thing exist! Isn't he lying?"

[Roserikta] "It doesn't seem that way."

Clobellina became unspeakably excited.

[Clobell] "I need to see him."

Roserikta quickly pulled Clobellina back, as she looked ready to dash out.

[Roserikta] "What are you going to do?"

[Clobell] "I need to ask if he genuinely had a change of heart."

[Roserikta] "What if he says he did?"

[Clobell] "I'll kill him."

She bared her teeth.

[Clobell] "What has he done to get tired. Has he been at it for a year or two? To cause all that fuss for this little bit. I won't forgive him even if I die. I'll kill him and go to hell."

[Roserikta] "Wait. Clobell. It's not certain yet."

[Clobell] "That's why I'm going to ask."

[Roserikta] "Getting excited won't help. Take a breath and think again."

[Clobell] "I'll think again in front of him! Whether to kill him or let him live."

She was serious.

[Clobell] "How can I stand to see him change his mind! After all the heartache you went through! For someone like him, it's fair to scratch his eyes so he can never meet another woman again. Let me go!"

A bloody situation was about to occur.

[Roserikta] "Clobell! You know how big a deal that is."

[Clobell] "What's there to worry about! We have Grandmother!"

Just then, Grandmother Mazi, who had been silent, stood up.

[Mazi] "Yes. If that's the case, we should hear the story."

[Roserikta] "Grandmother……."

Roserikta swallowed hard.

This is turning into something big.

Her grandmother's eyes seemed to glint.

[Mazi] "I also need to see the Crown Prince. Rosie, go and bring my staff."

What do I do? Something terrible might really happen. Why is she looking for her staff?

[Roserikta] "Even the staff……?"

[Mazi] "Of course. I must take it. That way, I can turn the Crown Prince fellow into a frog when he starts talking nonsense."

[Roserikta] "There's no need to go that far……."

Clobellina cut her off and shouted.

[Clobell] "I completely agree! Turn him into an ugly frog!"

That shouldn't happen.

News that a murderous witch and a cat were urgently looking for the Crown Prince was soon delivered to the Royal Guard.

---

[Clobell] "Hmph. Why won't they let me in?"

Clobellina stared at the firmly closed door with a mix of resentment and annoyance. Inside, Grandmother Mazi and Kalart were talking alone.

[Roserikta] "Grandmother probably has things to say without being disturbed."

She patted Clobellina. Her tail was stiff due to her bad mood.

[Clobell] "What would I disturb. I just want to watch from the side when Grandmother turns him into a frog, and then like this……."

As she swung her front paws through the air, Roserikta quickly raised her hand to stop her.

[Roserikta] "And do what?"

[Clobell] "You're asking because you don't know?"

Because you'd cause trouble, Grandmother must have told you to wait outside.

[Clobell] "Ugh. I'm so curious. What are they talking about? Grandmother is too much."

While she believed there was a reason, she was curious.

[Roserikta] "Still, turning him into a frog is not allowed."

As she sat side by side with Clobellina on the wide windowsill, Eaton approached.

He carried a sofa as large as his body. As expected of the empire's top knight, he easily carried the sofa with just one arm.

[Eaton] "Please sit here, Your Grace."

Her eyes widened in surprise.

[Roserikta] "Did you bring this especially for me?"

[Eaton] "Well, that is…… I didn't know how long you would be here……."

For some reason, Eaton seemed to be flustered today.

[Roserikta] "Is something the matter?"

[Eaton] "No, it's just……."

Something was definitely the matter. He wiped the sweat breaking out on his forehead.

[Eaton] "I, well…… I heard your heart might have been hurt lately……."

[Roserikta] "Me?"

[Eaton] "No, um…… don't listen to what those ignorant fellows say……. It, it won't be a big deal! I mean it!"

Hearing that made it feel like a big deal.

[Roserikta] "The knight should sit in the chair first. Who said I had something that hurt my heart?"

[Eaton] "No, it's nothing! I will stand. Please sit, Your Grace."

[Roserikta] "The windowsill is comfortable for me. I used to be like this often at the pharmacy. Don't refuse, and please sit. I want to talk to you."

Eaton couldn't refuse when she spoke like this.

[Eaton] "Yes, then……."

He straightened his back and sat awkwardly on the edge of the sofa.

She thought it might be more uncomfortable to sit that way. Clobellina seemed to think the same and leaped onto his lap.

Thump!

[Eaton] "……Ugh,"

Eaton, who was suddenly hit in the abdomen, let out a short groan but didn't tumble down disgracefully.

[Clobell] "You have good strength. Hold me for a bit. Relax a bit, it's uncomfortable when you're so stiff."

As Clobellina dug in, wiggling her backside, Eaton had no choice but to sit deep into the sofa.

[Roserikta] "Now, please tell me. What is it that would make me upset?"