Volume 2 Chapter 14

　I was ordered to sit facing him, so while seated opposite Kyos, I explained my ability. Of course, I said nothing whatsoever about healing magic.

　After hearing me out, Kyos showed interest, or perhaps curiosity would be more accurate in this case. The yellow-green line above his head stretched to an astonishing length as he questioned me about every last detail, and by the time my mind had grown weary from the relentless barrage of questions, he finally seemed satisfied and brought his interrogation to an end. …It was the first time I had seen a yellow-green line that looked as though it might reach the ceiling. Now he was extending a yellow line, appearing both satisfied and amused.

「It is a truly fascinating power. If I left the castle’s personnel assignments to you, I imagine they would go rather well.」

「Pardon…?」

　That was the prince’s first response after hearing about the ability of the prediction lines. Even though a rising, questioning 「Pardon?」 would be treated as an affirmative response in front of this prince, the word slipped from my mouth before I could stop it, and I hurriedly covered my lips. Though no matter whether I covered my mouth or drew breath, words already spoken could never be retrieved.

「However, I cannot very well allow a woman to handle affairs of state. What an utterly ridiculous law. Perhaps I shall abolish it once I inherit the throne.」

「That would be rather difficult, even for you, Kyos.」

「What? It was merely a joke.」

　He laughed and claimed it was a joke, but the way he spoke suggested that if women had not been forbidden from participating in government, he truly would have placed me in such a position. And he most likely did mean it. That was the kind of person Kyos was. Had I been a man, he would undoubtedly have assigned a commoner like me something as outrageous as managing the castle’s personnel without the slightest hesitation. …For the first time, I felt sincerely grateful that women in this country possessed no political authority.

「Your power is intriguing. If you are present, there will be no further need for poison tasting.」

「…………Please wait. Surely you do not mean…」

「If you watch me while I eat, you will know whether the food contains poison, will you not? Ah, having Sophia dine with us would also be good.」

　In other words, I was to dine with the crown prince and princess while watching over them as they ate food that had not been tested for poison, then stop them before they ate it if poison had been added. The responsibility was so great that my stomach felt as though it were being squeezed and ground apart. It was true that if they were about to ingest poison, I would see it as a line, but I could imagine no meal more damaging to the stomach. Being allowed to taste the food myself would be preferable, since at least I would be the first to put it into my mouth.

「Then Cyril-san wouldn’t be able to enjoy the meal. Cyril-san may be your subject, but she isn’t your friend, you know?」

「It cannot be helped. Then we shall do so only once a month or so. We must also accommodate Sophia’s schedule.」

　I see. It had already been decided. There would be no overturning it. Perhaps I should be pleased that meals to which I had been summoned at least once every week, and sometimes twice, would now occur only once a month. The increased weight of the responsibility was hardly something to celebrate, but if I did not soon grow accustomed to being dragged around by this outrageous master, my stomach would collapse entirely.

「My apologies for interrupting the affectionate time you were spending together. Still, I heard a most fascinating story and passed the time very well. I shall praise you for it.」

　At the words 「affectionate time,」 he extended a yellow line and briefly looked away from me, so apparently he was teasing Hector. Since Kyos and I were seated opposite one another, Hector, serving alone as guard, stood beside the table. I could not help glancing toward him as well. He smiled as though nothing were wrong, though a small color of embarrassment stretched above his head.

　…Even so, I was somewhat surprised by how readily he had accepted it. I had told him not only about the event colors that allowed me to predict possible futures, but also that I could see emotions, yet he had shown little interest in the latter.

　Normally, would a power capable of seeing into people’s hearts not be regarded with aversion? I had prepared myself for the possibility that he might at least feel disgust, but somehow,

「You have the face of someone who finds the reaction anticlimactic.」

「Eh…」

「Did you think I would dislike having my emotions read?」

　I had intended to maintain a smile, but words that seemed to read my thoughts came flying at me. Come to think of it, he was extraordinarily skilled at reading people’s expressions. …Skilled enough to make me wonder whether he could see the same things I did.

「To me, other people’s emotions are something I can understand by looking at their faces. I already knew you could do something similar, and I have no interest in that. However, being able to see future possibilities is truly fascinating. I would gladly visit every day to hear about it.」

「…………I would be most grateful if Your Highness would keep such jesting within moderation…」

　If I spent every day being subjected to questions from the crown prince, my stomach would be in danger. I felt it would go beyond merely aching sharply. And I felt sorry for Dolton, who would be dragged along with him. The strain suffered by the man who constantly guarded this outrageous prince was surely far greater than my own.　

「Then, Hector, switch places with Dolton.」

「…What? What do you mean?」

「He apparently has something to discuss with Cyril as well. He asked to speak with her alone.」

　A color of dissatisfaction stretched above Hector’s head. Still, what could Dolton possibly wish to discuss with me? He was Hector’s biological elder brother, but I had little involvement with him. I remembered that when we first met, he had been extremely wary of me and had directed a harsh gaze my way, but perhaps he trusted me now, since I no longer saw such colors from him. I merely saw colors suggesting that he was enduring considerable hardship, enough to make me wonder whether his stomach was all right.

「Could you at least let them talk somewhere within my sight, even if I can’t hear them? I don’t like it when Cyril-san disappears from view.」

「What is this? Are you boasting about your love?」

「I am. If I didn’t have training, I wouldn’t want to leave Cyril-san’s side for even a moment.」

　Perhaps it was because until now, he had never spoken like that in front of someone who understood precisely what his words meant. I had not paid much attention to it before, but Kyos was skilled at reading other people’s expressions, and more importantly, he was Hector’s closest friend and understood his personality and feelings correctly.

　…Somehow, it felt embarrassing. Hector’s gaze drifted toward me, and seeing the colors that seemed to proclaim his complete enjoyment of the situation left me feeling slightly uncomfortable. I lightly scratched my neck in an attempt to conceal it.

「Very well, I suppose that is acceptable. Dolton did not say that the matter was confidential. Cyril, go and call him inside. Hector will remain here as my guard.」

「Understood.」

　As though fleeing the uncomfortable gaze, I hurried toward the entrance, opened the door, and invited Dolton inside. A moss-colored line, likely representing mental exhaustion, stretched above his head. He truly had my sympathy.

「I heard from His Highness Kyos that you wished to speak with me. …Though I was told that we must remain somewhere within his sight.」

「Anywhere is acceptable as long as my younger brother cannot hear us. It will not be a long conversation, so if you do not mind, we can speak here.」

「…Then let us do so.」

　Apparently, it was something he did not want Hector to hear. I wondered whether the entrance was really the appropriate place for a conversation that carried the atmosphere of something important, but if he said this location was sufficient, I had no objection.

　Above Dolton’s head were an indigo line of concern and unease, orange joy, and a gray-green color indicating reflection and regret.

「When we first met, I was wary of you. I believe that was only natural for a knight serving as a guard… but I also regret it if my behavior frightened you.」

「No. I understand that it was only natural.」

　His piercing, severe gaze had certainly made me tense at the time, but I quickly realized afterward how much hardship this man endured, and I had never particularly felt afraid of him. What I generally felt toward him was sympathy and concern, and I understood very well that he was a kind person.

「I’m glad. I was slightly worried about what I would do if the young lady who is to become my sister-in-law was frightened of me.」

　…That was right. This man was Hector’s biological brother, which meant that once we married, we would become relatives. I had never been particularly conscious of it, since I rarely saw the brothers speak together and their overall impressions were not very similar.

「The matter I asked to discuss is nothing significant… I simply wished to thank you personally.」

「Thank me? For what?」

「Yes. Both my parents and I had been worried about Hector, so when the news arrived that he had become engaged, I could hardly believe my eyes. …At the same time, I was extremely happy.」

　The incomparably beautiful man had suffered terribly because of that beauty and had grown to despise women. Even though his family knew and wished to help him, they could not protect him completely. Dolton explained that once Hector began wearing a fabricated smile to conceal his emotions, they could only regret that perhaps there had been more they could have done. …That was why, when his younger brother announced that he wished to marry, they had been both deeply surprised and overjoyed.

「You accomplished something that we could not. I believe Hector now expresses his emotions quite openly. Even at this moment, he is glaring at me, his elder brother.」

「…Ah, yes. He certainly is.」

　Since the pale blue-green line above his head had grown long, he was probably glaring. There was some distance between us, so I could not make out the finer details of his expression, but at least that was how it appeared to Dolton. The instant I turned my gaze toward Hector, the pale blue-green vanished and his sudden panic became visible, forcing me to suppress a laugh. He truly was easy to understand.

「Being with Hector may bring you hardships as well… but presumptuous as it may be, I hope the two of you will find happiness together. As your elder brother, please allow me to support you both as much as I can.」

「…Thank you.」

　Dolton’s gentle smile, appearing on a face that usually carried a crease between the brows, somehow resembled Hector’s expression when he was happy. It made me realize once again that they truly were brothers. Had I possessed brothers or sisters, would they also have worried and rejoiced for me like this? …I found myself envying it slightly. Since he had gone to the trouble of calling himself my elder brother, perhaps I should try addressing him that way.

「How would you feel about me calling you Ani-san?」

「Ha ha ha. That would be good. Once you are married, please do. …Ah, in that case, the way I speak now feels rather distant. I would like to call you Cyril-san as well, if that is all right?」

　Above his head were the colors of amusement, joy, and warm affection. It was clear that this was not merely social courtesy, so I smiled and nodded, saying, 「Of course.」 …At the edge of my vision, I thought I saw a pale blue-green line extend.

「I imagine it will be difficult to find the time, but our parents also wish to meet you. I would be pleased if you could visit our home.」

「Thank you. Once everything has settled down, I would be glad to visit.」

「Then I shall send an invitation when the time seems right. …Now, my younger brother appears to be losing patience, so shall we return?」

　Prompted by Dolton, I returned to Kyos, who looked somehow amused, and Hector, whose emotions appeared complicated in several different ways. Ordinarily, keeping royalty waiting like this would surely be unthinkable, but Kyos looked satisfied, as though he had passed the time in a worthwhile fashion. Had he and Hector also discussed something while we were speaking?

　The instant I returned, Hector moved immediately to my side. The colors above his head showed that he was in an extremely poor mood, though his expression was a brilliant, sparkling smile.

「Well then, I apologize for interrupting your time together. It was entertaining.」

　After seeing off the prince and his guard, who departed after leaving those words behind, I released a deep breath. Since he ordered me to stop behaving stiffly, there was no need to worry about making an error in etiquette, but being unable to show proper respect toward royalty, an existence far above me, was itself uncomfortable.

　I had revealed one of my secrets, but that did not mean we possessed a close relationship. Kyos was my master, and he remained someone with whom I could never stand as an equal.

「Once we’ve cleaned up, shall we rest until lunch?」

「Yes, that sounds good. …Cyril-san, you looked like you were enjoying yourself. May I ask what you talked about with Dolton?」

　Hector asked this while helping me clear away the tea I had served Kyos. I could not tell him the contents of something Dolton had specifically said he did not want his younger brother to hear. However, Hector appeared unsettled, so I wanted to make it clear that the conversation had contained nothing that should worry him.

「I received permission to call Dolton-san Ani-san.」

「What? I’m jealous.」

「…You’re jealous?」

　Was he jealous that Dolton would be called my elder brother? The pale blue-green line was certainly still there, though it was short. Hector gave a radiant smile and shrugged his shoulders. It was so obviously deliberate that I could predict the words that followed would express his true feelings.

「Of course. You still speak politely and use an honorific even with me, your fiancé. Isn’t it unfair that Dolton alone gets to be called your elder brother with such affection?」

「…Ah, I see. You’re right.」

　Although my speech toward Hector was polite, I spoke to him in a fairly relaxed manner, but when he pointed it out, he was correct. I had spoken this way for more than a year without ever giving it much thought. Had it been bothering him?

「After my parents died, I made a habit of speaking this way to everyone, so it has become ingrained in me. I feel as though I speak casually with you, Hector-san… but perhaps I could at least change the way I address you.」

　The day my parents died in the accident, I was not yet twelve, the age at which I would formally become an apprentice, and I had already been practicing polite speech. However, I only began using it constantly as a way to build a wall, deciding that I would never again become family with anyone or create a relationship closer than those I already had. Since I had spoken this way to everyone for seven years, I had forgotten what it was like to use the casual manner of speech one used with family or friends.

　Still, considering that Hector and I would become family, perhaps I should change the way I spoke. Just as I thought that, I was startled to see a dark-green color of guilt extend above his head.

「I’m sorry. You don’t have to force yourself.」

「I’m not forcing myself. …Why are you apologizing?」

「…I thought I might have made you remember something painful.」

　As I watched Hector smiling apologetically, I suddenly realized something. Until about a year ago, in other words, until before I met this man, I believe I had still been unable to let go of my parents. On nights spent alone, I would think of the warm family I could never recover, and each time I remembered them, my chest would tighten painfully.

　But now, it was no longer quite like that. The sadness had not disappeared completely, but I could remember them with warmth. Probably because I was no longer alone.

「It used to hurt whenever I remembered them, but I’m all right now. I have you now. …Thank you, Hector. I’m glad I met you.」

　My smiling face was reflected in his honey-colored eyes. Perhaps I had begun smiling more often. That too was surely a change brought about by meeting Hector.

　Hector, meanwhile, remained frozen for a while with his smile still in place. Eventually, he slowly turned his gaze away, and his ears and cheeks gradually turned red. In the end, as though he could endure it no longer, he gently covered his face with both hands. …Incidentally, the color of embarrassment continued growing throughout this entire process, so I had begun to understand, more or less, how long the line became before he looked away, how long before his face reddened, and at what length he finally covered it.

　The pale blue-green and dark-green colors that had been above his head had completely vanished, while the orange line that shot upward pierced through the ceiling beside the already invisible color of love. The color of embarrassment was the next longest, though even that had not grown long enough to pass through the ceiling.

「…Sorry… Actually… please keep calling me the way you always have…」

「Are you sure?」

「…Yes. If I felt like this every time you called my name, I think I’d die. And I realized once again that I could never call you simply Cyril…」

　Considering how violently his emotions fluctuated whenever his name was spoken, I understood and nodded. If we were both satisfied, there was no need to force a change in our words or the way we addressed each other. There was a definite bond between us, and there was love. As long as we both understood that, it was enough.

　…Still, well. He did seem to be suffering, but at the same time, he also appeared extremely happy. So I thought that perhaps every now and then, I would call him simply 「Hector」.