DVDD 19

Chapter 19

“Well… it’s just like that. I believe that no matter how useless something may seem, there’s a reason it was born. I’m only telling this to Lady Robern, but when I was actually in the kingdom, I had quite a terrible personality.”
“…Ah. I see. But…?”
“But after meeting Sundubu, I’ve become so gentle.”
“Eh? Gentle?”

The young ladies who had just seen her with the staff clamped their mouths shut. A gentle person causing such a ruckus?
Moreover, at that day’s banquet, she hadn’t seemed particularly gentle either. She spoke softly and calmly, but anyone could tell she had an aura that made her untouchable. She had even dared to confront the emperor.

“Originally, no one could stop me. I also suffered from severe depression, but I’ve recovered a lot.”
“….”
“This much is thanks to Sundubu. But I haven’t fully recovered yet, so I don’t know when it might flare up again.”

Elle said that her condition had improved thanks to Sundubu, and Robadin hesitated, her expression uneasy. It seemed she understood the warning embedded in her words.

“The dog is quite mild, isn’t it?”
“Right?”
“…But can a dog really help with emotional healing?”
“It seems so.”

Several of the young ladies showed interest.
“If you have any questions, you’re welcome to ask.”

Elle smiled and added, thinking that even if it didn’t change their perception immediately, they probably wouldn’t disdain it blindly as before if it could help.

Unexpectedly, Elle had been out visiting the young noblewomen and had now returned to the Lily Palace. She had lost track of time while talking. Occasionally, Lady Lovaadin would try to interrupt, but it didn’t have much effect. Every time, Elle would get her back in one swift move—meticulously so.

“Lady Elle, you seem in a good mood even though you left me behind,” said Lari.
“Sorry.”
“Oh, no, it’s not that I want an apology…!”
“Next time, we’ll go together for sure.”
“Yes…! That’s enough for me.”

It took time to wash up and prepare for bed, and soon it was late at night. Sundubu had quietly disappeared, and after Lari turned off the lights and left, Elle lay down.

However, having drunk too much black tea at the café, sleep did not come easily, and eventually, she got up.
Suddenly, she thought of Sundubu. At this hour, he must be Schuert.
She wanted to see him. Impulsively, Elle left the room.

What would a night with Schuert be like, not Sundubu? Where would he be staying?
A flood of curiosity came over her, and she realized she didn’t know his bedroom.
And she thought of his snowy white fur, always streaked with water whenever they met in the morning.

“…Hmm.”
He probably had his own bedroom, but maybe he spent much of the night outside—it would be the only time he could move around as a human.
Thinking this, Elle’s pace quickened.

She entered the garden and, on a hunch, went all the way to the deeper part of the palace where they had first met—by the lake.
There she found him—Schuert.

“Um…”
Schuert, staring blankly at the lakeside, was startled by a voice and turned around, then froze when he realized it was Elle.

Perhaps sensing that she might run away, Elle suddenly shouted:
“Stop!”
“….”

Accustomed to obeying commands as Sundubu, his body seemed to stiffen reflexively, ignoring the words. Elle herself had spoken instinctively in a commanding tone. As Schuert froze, unsure what to do, Elle asked:

“You’re the Second Prince, right?”
Schuert’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I-I am…”

It was their first official conversation. Elle hoped he wouldn’t run away; she was curious and wanted to talk more. She couldn’t miss this opportunity.

“My name is Laela Landmiken. I’m Schuert’s wife.”
“….”
“I want to become friends!”

She said it bluntly. Schuert’s already wide eyes widened even more.

“I think it’s important to get to know each other in order to become close.”
“….”
“Come here…”

Elle gestured. Hesitant at first, Schuert approached as if entranced, and Elle grabbed his hand firmly.

“…!”
“I’ve got you.”

Schuert jumped in surprise but didn’t dare pull his hand away. His voice trembled as he spoke.

“…D-Don’t… let go…”
“Why?”
“Because… the curse might transfer…!”
“Transfer?”
“I-I don’t know…”
“I don’t think it will transfer.”
“O-Oh… it’s… not scary… uh…”
“If it were scary, would you have married me?”

She hadn’t known at first, anyway.

Even after Elle let go, Schuert didn’t run. But standing on a tree a little ways off, he didn’t come closer, no matter how much she called.
“Well, at least he’s not running,” Elle thought, and sat down herself.

“Um, Second Prince.”
“….”
“Why are you here at this hour? If your room is uncomfortable, just stay there.”
“….”
“Excuse me?”

Elle tilted her head repeatedly, trying to get a response, but Schuert remained silent.

“You don’t want to talk?”
He shook his head. No.

“Really?”

Finally giving up on making him speak, Elle said:
“I don’t know why you’re like this, but if you understand, please nod.”

He nodded obediently. Seeing this, Elle smiled brightly for a moment, but Schuert, staring blankly, buried his face in his hands and hid it.

The two sat in silence for a long while, gazing at the moonlight. Elle didn’t bring up any more topics for fear of overwhelming him, and Schuert, though aware she wasn’t afraid, was too scared to speak.
Though silent, they were both clearly aware of each other.

After some time…

“It seems quite late.”
Elle got up slowly. She had come out because she couldn’t sleep, but now she was growing tired, and she couldn’t spend the night out just for Schuert.

“I’ll go back first.”
“….”
“Prince, make sure to sleep inside! Don’t wander outside! Got it?”

He nodded.

“…Also, can we meet again tomorrow?”

Schuert lifted his head in surprise.
“I’ll wait here tomorrow too.”
“…Why?”

Disbelief showed in his gaze. Elle, without thinking, stepped closer and, as she had done with Sundubu, patted his hair. Seeing him recoil in shock, she winced and spoke softly:

“I said I want to be friends.”
“…Ah.”
“If you don’t come, I’ll wait until you do.”
“….”
“Then, see you tomorrow.”

Elle waved at Schuert several times as she left. He stared blankly until she disappeared, and only then did his cheeks flush deeply.
“M-My hair…”
He touched the strands Elle had stroked.

The next morning, Elle overslept. Sundubu, in his dog form, stayed quietly by her side, knowing she was tired.
Resting her head on the bed, she stared at his sleeping face, thinking things like “He has a beauty mark… cute…”
She lifted his blunt paws and gently brushed his hair as she had done herself, though clumsily since dog paws weren’t as delicate.

Finally, after the sun was high, Elle awoke. Sundubu, also having not slept, sprawled out beside her, exhausted.

“Hehe.”

Elle laughed at how cute he was, and Sundubu immediately opened his eyes.

“Master!”

Seeing Elle as soon as he woke, his tail wagged wildly. While he could hide this as Schuert, as a dog, he couldn’t resist following his master.

During the day, she spent time with Sundubu; at night, she went to meet Schuert.
She didn’t have to hide this from the maids, but for some reason, she was careful.
When everyone was asleep, she crept quietly through the dark hallways to the lakeside.

Schuert hadn’t arrived yet; it was quiet. Was he not coming? If so, she would have to protest to Sundubu, saying, “It’s because of so-and-so that I’m this tired!” She wondered how Sundubu would react, chuckling as she picked up a stone and tossed it into the lake.

The artificial lake had once been stagnant, but now fish had appeared. Golden flashes indicated they were quite expensive.

She realized they would need a set time to meet every night. Checking the wristwatch she had brought, she saw it was about the same time as yesterday, and he still hadn’t come.

“Does he not want to be friends?”

Perhaps it was burdensome for Schuert. Pouting, she sat with her chin in her hands when she heard rustling in the bushes.

Startled, Elle raised her head. In the quiet night garden, the noise made her shiver.

“…Is that a cat?”

She wondered if it was the same cat from before but heard nothing.

“…Prince?”

Then it must be the prince.

Rustle!
As soon as she spoke, another rustle came from the same place.

“Schuert Renne.”

Rustle!

Elle let out a helpless laugh. So he had been hiding and watching all along. He was timid and unsure, unlike when he was Sundubu.

“Come out.”
“….”
“Shall I come to you?”

Finally, Schuert peeked out from the bushes. His platinum hair looked soft as always, and she caught a glimpse of his coral-colored eyes, though he kept his head down.

“Shall we talk from a distance again today?”
“….”
“Sit where we did yesterday.”

Elle plopped down first by a tree pillar, gesturing. Schuert sat a little away, glancing at her.

“Oh, by the way! Schuert, may I call you that?”
“….”