The Crown Princess's Man (11)

Marian sprang back in surprise, stepped out of his arms, and straightened herself. The floor with her bedroom housed guest rooms for women, so it was clear the visitor had business with her.

Ban quickly straightened her clothes. He was bothered by the inside he hadn’t had time to clean, but there was nothing to be done now. Fortunately, he hadn’t ejaculated inside, so there wouldn’t be the telltale scent.

Just as she barely managed to tidy herself and opened the windows, someone knocked at her door.

“Open it as late as possible.”

Ban whispered softly and went into the bathroom carrying a sheet. Marian, suddenly tense, cleared her throat and called toward the door.

“Yes.”

“Marian, it’s me.”

Marian’s face hardened in an instant. It was Saik’s voice.

“Yes, Brother. Just a moment.”

She grabbed a fan and used it wildly to air the room, even though it was not meant for that purpose, and even sprayed perfume about. Calming her pounding heart, Marian slowly approached the door.

“Phew…”

Only after a deep breath did Marian open the door.

“I’m sorry, I fell asleep and just woke up.”

Although she had tried to tidy herself, Marian was still slightly disheveled, but fortunately Saik, who paid little attention to a woman’s appearance, didn’t find it odd.

“May I come in for a moment?”

Marian kept her composure as much as she could and stepped aside.

“Yes. Please.”

As soon as he entered, the strong perfume hit him and made his head throb, but Saik pretended not to notice and went to the table by the window so as not to upset Marian.

Marian breathed a sigh of relief and also approached the window.

“…Aren’t you cold?”

“It’s a bit stuffy.”

“I see. Still, be careful not to catch a cold.”

At Saik’s words, Marian obediently fetched a thick shawl and draped it over herself.

“Shall I get you some tea?”

“No. Isn’t it time for dinner?”

“Yes.”

The half-siblings sat facing each other across the table. With a significant age gap and few shared memories, they were slightly awkward, but their relationship wasn’t bad. Marian, who might have favored their mother and behaved spitefully, often sided with her brother instead, and she sometimes sent letters, telegrams, or gifts to ease his loneliness in his recent life.

“Marian.”

Saik looked at Marian with an affectionate gaze, unlike how he was with their father.

“You’ll be returning to the Isles in two days.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“I came because there’s something I want to ask of you.”

Marian blinked and looked at Saik.

“What is it?”

“Seeing you after three years, you’re quite the proper young lady now… I thought marriage proposals would come soon.”

“Th… that… probably.”

“I want you to marry someone you truly love, not a political match for the family’s gain.”

Marian flinched. She worried he might have noticed something.

“If they try to arrange a marriage against your wishes, tell me. I’ll help you somehow.”

He wanted to ensure his sister’s happiness by pressuring the other family, Marquis Kyril, or whatever it took. Realizing Saik’s feelings made Marian’s chest tighten a little.

“…Alright, Brother.”

After answering, Marian decided to probe him a little.

“Then, Brother, what kind of man would you like me to meet? I heard good men recognize each other first.”

“Hmm…”

Saik folded his arms, thought for a moment, and spoke.

“Our Commander is quite good. But he’s already got the Crown Princess, so that’s that…”

“Then… what about the corps commanders lately? They’re all gallant and capable.”

Saik scratched his cheek at Marian’s comment.

“Yes. They’re fine fellows. But whether they’d make a good husband is hard to say.”

“Why?”

“Their loyalty to the Commander is so strong. I’m not sure they’d be able to be devoted to a family. At first those traits might not seem important, but one day you might feel deeply hurt.”

“Ah… I see…”

Marian sighed softly at the thought. Seeing his sister like that, Saik’s brow furrowed.

“Could it be you already have someone in mind…?”

“Ah, no. I was just wondering about you, Brother. In terms of loyalty to His Grace, I don’t think anyone could match you.”

At Marian’s concern, Saik’s face softened and he smiled.

“No need to worry. I’m naturally a bachelor.”

“What?!”

Marian shrieked.

“You’ll live alone your whole life?! What nonsense is that?!”

Saik flinched and avoided her piercing gaze.

“It’s not that… I don’t really feel desire for women…”

“Ugh… Brother, of course you are…!”

Forgetting Ban was in the bathroom, Marian cried out with a pitying expression.

“You’ve completely fallen for His Grace!”

“No.”

Saik protested firmly, but Marian’s expression didn’t change. He irritably brushed his fringe back.

“No, I’m not. I said I’m not. Marian, get a grip. I didn’t want to say this, but it’s more a rebellion against Father who led Mother to her death… No, Marian. Are you listening to me?”

“Sigh... All right, Brother.”

Marian sighed.

“Like you do for me, I’ll always support you, Brother.”

“Sigh... Really. I suppose I should marry, if only because of you. What ridiculous fantasies you have.”

Saik shook his head and rose from his seat.

“Anyway, Marian. Remember what I said. Meet the man who will cherish you above all others.”

Marian puckered her lips.

“Where would such a man be common? Still, I’ll look carefully. No matter who I choose, you’ll support me, right?”

“Of course.”

Marian smiled broadly, ran up to Saik, and hugged him.

“Don’t you forget that, okay?”

“I won’t forget.”

Saik answered as he stroked his sister’s hair.

Marian sent Saik off with the excuse she needed to change before going down to the dining room, then opened the bathroom door. Ban, who had been leaning against the wall beside the door, straightened up. His expression looked a little dark.

“Ban…”

Marian let out a small sigh, as if she somehow understood why.

“Don’t worry about it. I loved you knowing even those parts of you.”

“Marian… I don’t want to hurt you. I want to be the man who cherishes you most in the world.”

“Then just do that.”

Marian gently took Ban’s hand.

“His Grace will understand too.”

“Yes, I know. The Commander will understand and support whatever choice I make. But that makes my heart ache even more.”

“Why is that…?”

“Because I know the Commander expects nothing from anyone… No expectations at all.”

Marian looked at Ban quietly.

“Hundreds of people have brushed past the Commander’s side. Some left by death, others left on their own. At first, they said he held on. I heard he suffered. But now he lets them go as if it’s natural, without a care. I hated that. I wanted to tell him it’s okay to have some hope. So I didn’t want to leave his side under any circumstance.”

Ban sighed and pressed at his eyes.

“They were probably like me. They found someone more precious and eventually left.”

“Ban…”

“Marian, I think I already know. You will become the most precious person to me. I’m so sorry to His Grace because of that… it pains me.”

Marian couldn’t fully understand Ban’s words. She had never felt loneliness before. But seeing him suffer like that, she thought she should help him.

“Don’t worry, Ban. You and I can stay by His Grace’s side together. Then you wouldn’t need to leave or feel sorry, would you?”

Ban looked at her with a slightly stunned expression.

“Besides, His Grace already has the Crown Princess by his side. Wouldn’t that be far better than dark fellows guarding him? They clearly cherish each other. What could be missing?”

“Is… is that so?”

“Of course! As long as the Crown Princess doesn’t betray him, he’ll be happier than anyone. So don’t worry about that.”

Ban hesitated at Marian’s bold assurance and spoke.

“What if the Crown Princess betrays the Commander?”

Marian tittered and laughed.

“Do you really think that’s likely?”

Ban recalled the Crown Princess at Sinal Castle who had cried suspecting something with Sion, and who had fearlessly hurled insults at the high demon Astarot.

Then he slowly shook his head.

“I don’t think she would.”

“Right?”

Marian smiled sweetly.

“So the Commander will remain happy from now on.”

Could that really be? Hearing Marian, it seemed possible.

Maybe he just wanted to believe it, but Ban suddenly remembered Kaiston smiling when he was with the Crown Princess. It was a rare scene that had been etched into his mind.

Only then did Ban feel a little relieved.