#48: If You’d Hold Me Tight... I Think I’d Feel Better — I Found a Wife Whose Engagement was Broken Off in the Neighboring Country, But She’s Too Cute, What Should I Do? (Wn)

Two hours later, we were staying at the lodging the Kingdom of Luminous had prepared for us.

It was a royal-owned residence, and just as we had been told that it was often used during hunting season, it was a single-story house built to resemble a log cabin, standing a moderate distance from the mountains.

The moment they arrived, my men began tending to the horses, adjusting the tack, and inspecting the equipment.

While helping Shitoen prepare a room for Mone and Roze’s treatment, I also held discussions with a knight of the Kingdom of Luminous.

Originally, we had planned to set out for the Kingdom of Tania tomorrow morning and arrive there the day after, but Mone developed a fever in the carriage.

Even without asking Shitoen, it was obvious that her condition did not look like it would stabilize for several days.

So I requested that word be sent to the Kingdom of Tania that our arrival would be delayed.

The knight of the Kingdom of Luminous said of course and immediately dispatched a messenger.

He added that if it were explained that the delay was for the protection and treatment of Tania nationals, the Tania side would surely understand.

More than that, these Tania women had been conducting business in the Kingdom of Luminous through proper legal procedures, and during that time they had been attacked by bandits.

If the Kingdom of Tania started pressing them over that as well, it would no doubt become troublesome.

The knights of the Kingdom of Luminous moved about frantically.

Once the discussion was over, I gave Raul instructions regarding meals and lodging for the men. While I was at it, I also asked Eaton to help with the cooking. The kitchen staff had been thrown into confusion by the unexpected extra nights of lodging.

“I’ll take care of it,” Eaton replied, heading straight for the kitchen. I felt like it was the first time I had ever seen her so full of confidence. Was she actually better at cooking than at being a maid…?

After that, I headed to the treatment room where Shitoen was.

I stopped by the kitchen and had meals packed into a basket for Shitoen, Mone, and Roze, then walked through the residence.

Since it was already late at night, lamps had been lit in the hallways and the sitting room.

On the walls hung what were presumably trophies—deer heads and bear pelts—and that left me feeling a bit strange.

In the Kingdom of Luminous, hunting exists as a sport.

You fight a strong animal and win. So as proof of that victory, you stuff it and display it.

…It must be unbearable for the one being displayed.

I think victory and defeat are both a matter of luck.

Of course daily training and improvement of one’s skills are necessary, but if the two sides are equal in ability, then what remains is luck.

That is precisely why, after a contest ends, the two sides praise each other’s efforts and part ways.

And that is the end of it. You do not mock the one who lost, nor do you fawn over the one who won.

And you may face that opponent again someday, or you may never have the chance in your entire life.

That is exactly why a match remains in the heart and in the memory.

I could not help but pity these stuffed beasts. It was as if their defeat were being displayed forever.

In Tidros, of course, we hunt as well. We eat the meat, and we use the fur as winter clothing. But we have no custom of displaying animals like this.

It is not a matter of which is better or worse; even though our countries share land borders, places like this really do show how their cultures differ little by little.

Swinging the basket lightly, I made my way down the corridor to the western end of the first floor.

The room beside the linen room, normally used by the maids, had been turned into a treatment room.

Just as I loosely curled my hand into a fist to knock, the door opened from the inside.

Out came Shitoen in a white apron.

“Oh.”

She looked up at me in surprise.

She was holding a ceramic water pitcher, but she immediately shut the door behind her with her other hand. The room I caught a glimpse of was brightly lit. Mone might have been sleeping, but Roze was probably awake.

“What is it?”

“I thought you might not have eaten.”

When I lifted the basket to eye level, Shitoen smiled happily.

So cute… If she would make a smile like that for me, I would carry anything. I would carry things for her every day.

“Mone-san is asleep, but Roze-chan must be hungry.”

Shitoen glanced toward the door.

“Please wait inside. I’m going to refill the water pitcher.”

“Then I’ll do it. Shitoen, you haven’t eaten either, have you? Here, let’s trade.”

I held out the basket and pointed with my free hand at the water pitcher Shitoen was holding.

“Oh no. I couldn’t possibly make Prince Saryu go fetch water…”

Shitoen shook her head so earnestly that I ended up laughing.

“If you’re going to say that, then the same goes for all of us. We’re making a princess consort treat wounded people.”

Shitoen blinked in surprise, then began laughing in that lovely voice of hers.

“You are right. But I’ll go fetch the water. So, Prince Saryu, would you wait inside until I return?”

“Well, of course. But don’t overdo it, Shitoen, all right? If you’re tired, really, I can at least fetch some water for you.”

When I said that, Shitoen, who had been about to walk away, stopped moving, hugged the pitcher tightly, and looked up at me.

“Hm? What is it?”

The pitcher with the floral design on it was so large that when she hugged it to her chest, I could only see about half of her face.

The area around her eyes was red as though brushed with rouge.

“Well… If you ask whether I’m tired, I am tired, but…”

“Whoa!? You are?! That’s serious! Then you need to go rest right away—”

Still holding the basket, I started fumbling in a fluster, but once again she shook her head. Hugging the pitcher as though trying to make herself smaller, Shitoen said,

“I-I’m tired… and, well… We haven’t been able to spend much time together lately… so…”

Her face was so flushed that even in the dim hallway it was obvious, and Shitoen glanced nervously around us.

“If… if Prince Saryu doesn’t mind… if you’d hold me tight… I think I’d feel better.”

She said that in a tiny, slightly trembling voice, and so…

“Of course of course of course of course of course.”

I will! I’ll hold you tight! Right now! What possible reason would there be to hesitate?!

Still holding the basket, I immediately wrapped Shitoen in my arms.

Maybe because it was so sudden, she let out an “Eek,” but soon after that she laughed happily.

I thought the water pitcher was in the way, but Shitoen seemed satisfied. Leaning against me timidly, she stayed still like that for a while, then let out a soft breath.

“Shitoen?”

“I’m sorry. I know we ought to be putting official business first and going on to the Kingdom of Tania, but…”

She was probably referring to our change of plans and the fact that we would now be staying several nights at this residence. When I lowered my gaze, Shitoen had her brows drawn slightly together.

“King Tania and Lord Balimore will understand. Besides, you were attacked by bandits in the Kingdom of Luminous. That is because security in the Kingdom of Luminous is bad, not something you need to apologize for or worry about.”

I said it clearly and firmly, but Shitoen’s eyes still wavered with hesitation.

“I just… can’t leave them alone.”

“Isn’t that one of the best things about you, Shitoen?”

I put a little more strength into the arms wrapped around her. I wondered if it might be too tight, or painful, but Shitoen only narrowed her eyes happily.

“Thank you. Um… I feel better now.”

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

She’s so cuuuuuuuuute.

What am I supposed to doooooooo.

Sooooooo cuuuuuute,

Nnghghghghgh. No, no.

At this rate I’m going to feel energized in a very different way…!

Hm…? Wait a second.

…That’s right.

The schedule changed, and we’re staying here for several nights now.

That means it’s not official business anymore, doesn’t it?

Because the schedule changed.