The Princess' Weakness…
Razelia slowly enters the bath, making a soft splash.
Even though the steam rising from the water partially conceals her, not wearing even a towel... it’s a bit too stimulating.
"F-I've told you that my naked body is of no particular value. There’s no need to look away. Now, face me."
"But... it feels wrong to the Emperor."
"Heh, I came here of my own volition. Father has nothing to do with it. And it's the same whether you are the Emperor or not; bathing without wrapping oneself in cloth is just the way of it. Even if Father were to find out, he wouldn't complain. So, Vanitas... don’t avert your gaze from me."
"Razelia?"
"...Vanitas, didn’t you notice it partway through? That I was always being watched?"
"That is..."
You did notice.
Rather, you had suspected it for some time.
It’s inconceivable for a royal princess like Razelia not to have a guard.
The Forest of Seals is dangerous. One wrong step and death is imminent. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising to have someone secretly protecting Razelia.
Among us, only Hildegard had noticed a subtle sense of unease. Though she wasn’t certain, perhaps due to her frequent presence with Razelia, she had displayed signs of curiosity about the hidden presence.
"The journey to the Forest of Seals for training and rest is nothing but a grand display. No matter where I go, I am always accompanied by guards who also serve as my watchers. Even now, at this very moment, it’s the same. Whether it’s a bath or anything else, my shadow guards never leave me."
With her skin slightly tinged and the steam obscuring her figure, Razelia seemed to wear a delicate vulnerability, unlike her usual strength.
Perhaps it’s because of the constant, covert guards due to her royal status. That's why Razelia says her naked body has no value.
No, it’s not just that.
She mentioned that she cannot escape her royal bloodline.
"It’s not that I dislike it... No, that’s not quite right. I accept it as a necessity. It’s part of my destiny as royalty. I was born into the royal family. Thanks to the taxes paid by the people, I’ve lived a luxurious life. I’ve never had to worry about daily meals, lived in safe housing, had the opportunity to learn, and lived freely, as I wished. Living under the constant watch of shadow guards is like a duty given to me as someone who has been so blessed. I understand this."
"Razelia... But, if the Emperor were to be petitioned, wouldn’t he remove the secret guards? Of course, it would be better for your safety to have guards, but still..."
"Yes, he probably would. I believe Father would certainly listen to the requests of a selfish young daughter. In fact, I’ve heard that my brothers have already petitioned to remove the shadow guards appointed by Father and received approval. However... I don’t want to dismiss it. I see it as a necessary thing. ...But, Vanitas, sometimes I wonder. I wonder if everyone around me is really seeing ‘me’. I end up doubting whether they only see my worth as royalty. I understand in my head that this isn’t true, but..."
Razelia’s pained expression spoke volumes about her belief that she herself has no value, and that her worth lies solely in her royal blood.
"Actually, Vanitas, this journey to the Forest of Seals was just an excuse. I had no real intention of coming here. I made up this story just to invite you, just to be with you."
"That's... news to me."
"On the day I saw the duel, it was the first time I saw you. I had heard about the monster that appeared from the Lindblum family from Father. I was always intrigued by you. Your strength, decisiveness, and your challenge to the uncharted pinnacle of mastery over magic. Your unyielding will to protect your precious slave. I felt a charm in you as a man. And more than anything, I liked your appearance... a cute and delicate boy, which is just my type. Oops, I probably didn’t need to mention that."
Razelia smiled, trying to lighten the mood. But... it was somehow painful.
"I thought that you would see me... not as a princess, but as 'me.' I don’t know why, but I had this intuition."
"......"
"And this belief is turning into conviction through our time together on this journey. Vanitas, you are exactly the person I thought you would be. You see me not as a princess, but as an individual. In front of you, I can just be 'Razelia.' Unlike everyone else who is bound by my royal status, you alone see 'me.' You accept me as I am."
"Razelia..."
"Heh... What am I saying? I’m sorry. I’ve been rambling about my trivial complaints. I had resolved to accept being a royal. Normally, I don’t think about such things and instead use my position to act as I please... But for some reason, in front of you, I end up saying things I don’t even understand myself, things that don’t need to be said. But... I want you to know this. What I told you that day was sincere. My wish to have you as my husband is undeniably my true feelings. Heh, you seemed to not quite understand how serious I was, so I had to make it clear here!"
Razelia laughed heartily, but it was a forced cheerfulness.
It was a gesture to avoid placing unnecessary burdens on me. Despite revealing her inner struggles, she masked them with a smile, showing consideration for me.
I... was merely avoiding a response.
I hadn’t truly faced her feelings head-on.
Razelia, smiling with such bravery, bound and suffering from her royal status, yet having accepted that there is no escape and having no desire to escape.
To such a person, I...
"Then... will you become my slave?"
"Vanitas... stop joking. Even if it’s you, to think of me, a princess, as a slave..."
Razelia seemed confused. But did she really think I was joking?
At such a critical moment when she had opened up to me.
"Did it sound like a joke?"
"... I said we were being watched. This conversation is, of course, being overheard. Eventually, it will reach Father’s ears. Such a proposal will only worsen your position. And yet..."
"It doesn’t matter. It’s just you and me here, Razelia. There’s no need to consider the unseen. The will of outsiders is irrelevant. Even if it’s the Emperor, our will cannot be stopped."
I looked into her trembling golden eyes. The eyes shining with the unique golden hue of the royal bloodline that has absorbed many excellent strains.
"It’s not a joke, is it? Vanitas, are you prepared to take on the infamy of debasing royalty and all the obligations and responsibilities imposed on me as royalty?"
"Razelia, I—"
"Please, no more. Don’t say any more. I am... terribly tempted to accept your proposal. I want to give up everything and become your possession as just 'me.' But I can’t. I can’t indulge myself. I can’t let you bear it all alone... I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself."
Razelia fell silent after that.
For a while, the room was dominated by silence.
The only sound was the heavy sigh of "huff..." as steam rose in the air.
Razelia turned back to me.
Her face no longer had the troubled expression from before.
It was simply calm...
"Vanitas, I know you hold Christina and the others in special regard. Your attitude towards them, treating them as equals rather than despising them, is something I find admirable. Your proposal... is appreciated. But... I cannot become your slave. I shouldn’t, and it’s not permissible. However, I increasingly want you as my husband. Though I once relinquished the position to Mayurerica, I even wish to take the place of your legal wife. Even if Father were to oppose this marriage, I would force it through. With you... Heh, you truly are a sinful man. You make me so serious about this. I can understand why Christina, Hildegard, Lapana, and Mayurerica are all drawn to you. No, I’m convinced now."
"…I’ve stayed in the bath too long," Razelia said as she left, and I too departed from the secret bath.
Razelia’s confession.
The struggles of being royalty.
Even if Razelia were to become my slave, it would not free her from her royal status.
In fact, becoming a slave would likely lead to even more suffering and hardship.
Being a slave alone means being looked down upon and belittled by others. Although people’s treatment of slaves varies, prejudice against them is everywhere.
As a former royal turned slave, the scrutiny and harshness would only intensify.
It is a proposal with no mutual benefit.
I find it a foolish proposal.
Even if I were to marry Razelia, and even if she were to become a slave, she would still be bound by the obligations of royalty.
Yet, I still made my declaration to her.
The honest conversation in this secret bath was a kind of ritual.
Razelia revealed her true feelings to me, and I showed my resolve to her. It was a ritual of confirming each other’s feelings.
That’s why I showed my resolve.
Even if the conversation here was like a fleeting dream that may never come to pass.
I wanted to show my readiness to face her as she is.
I wanted to demonstrate that I am prepared to bear everything about her.
“Phew... warm baths are so relaxing."
After the discussion with Razelia in the secret bath during the day, we ended up staying overnight at Granif Fortress thanks to Mackerin’s consideration.
However, I couldn’t sleep.
So, I sneaked out to visit the men’s bath on the middle level.
I sat alone in the bath, staring blankly at the night sky.
Razelia... after that, she had returned to her usual, normal demeanor.
As if the events of that day were just a daydream, she acted as if nothing had happened and was as bright and usual as ever.
...Marriage to me.
At first, I didn’t take it seriously.
But it was different.
She had been serious from the beginning...
While lost in thought, I suddenly sensed a presence behind me.
...What’s this?
"Eh, what’s this smell? Is this sulfur? It stinks."
What’s with this high-pitched voice?
Is it someone related to the fortress’s knights?
But... this is the men’s bath.
That was clearly a woman’s voice.
And then, from behind the white steam, appeared—
"Eh? What? There’s someone here already!"
"...Who’s that?"
"Does it matter who?"
"...This is the men’s bath."
"Is it? But no one else is using it. So, it’s okay for me to use it, right?"
The person who appeared was a woman.
She was small in stature with short red hair.
However, the tips of her hair were dyed a flashy yellow.
She seemed to be looking at me but not really seeing me. She hurriedly entered the bath, making a pleased sound of "Ahhh" as she relaxed.
Who is this woman?
They were two people who were never meant to meet.
In the story, Elimes Lokorofi and Vanitas Lindblum were never destined to cross paths.
Yet, by some twist of fate, they encountered each other here.
Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate for them, at least at this moment, neither of them seemed to think much of the other.
Just man up and wife the princess! Razelia best waifu!
ReplyDelete