SPWHC 42

Chapter 42

Even though the sun was setting in the west, there was no sign of the heat letting up.

We stopped our walk and went back inside. It was too early for dinner, so we decided to have a simple tea time.

“There is plenty.”

…Along with peach tart.

When I instinctively looked at Elza with my face burning, she nodded impassively.

“If the peaches aren’t sweet enough, please let me know.”

Her way of teasing is different. The funny thing is that Friedrich’s cheeks had turned peach-colored as well.

…Aren’t you the one who shouldn’t be getting embarrassed?

“Let’s eat.”

With a serene expression of enlightenment, I lifted my fork.

And it was delicious.

So delicious that my eyes regained vitality in no time.

The peaches on the tart were sweet enough that it made sense they’d been saved for last.

“Can Mari eat this?”

I asked with the intention of saving some for her, but Elza shook her head.

“She can’t have it for a while.”

“That’s too bad.”

No—when she gets healthy, we can sit face-to-face and eat together. That’s even better.

“Princess Mari has moved to the René Palace. Did you hear?”

It was the first time Friedrich and I talked about this subject. He nodded.

“I heard the attendants talking about it.”

“I’m planning to take responsibility and look after her myself.”

I lowered my teacup as I spoke.

“I’ll have to ask Father for permission tomorrow. But since no one cares about that child anyway, he’ll probably allow it.”

“But Your Highness is giving her attention.”

“Why, is that strange?”

Well, I guess I’m not exactly known for being kind.

I stared at Friedrich, and he didn’t avoid my gaze. He shook his head.

“You are a kind person.”

“Seriously, why do so many people call me kind?”

“…Who else told you that?”

“Lord Rommel.”

I said casually while taking another bite of tart, and Friedrich’s expression grew unsettled.

Watching that, I thought to myself: as expected, he’s… bolder these days.

‘He’s keeping him in check.’

Telling Friedrich a hundred times not to worry wouldn’t make him believe it.

“Are you anxious?”

When trust can’t be given verbally, it must be given through actions.

I placed my hand on top of Friedrich’s. He flinched slightly and looked at me.

His startled eyes pierced into mine. Tilting my head, I asked,

“Even though the person sitting across from me eating tart right now… is you?”

“……”

“You don’t have to push yourself. I know how you feel.”

At that, Friedrich’s eyes flickered rapidly.

Honestly—did he really think I wouldn’t notice?

“…Then you know it isn’t pushing myself either, don’t you?”

A wholly unexpected counter-question came back. I was momentarily taken aback and looked at him, and he was gazing at me with a serious expression.

I wasn’t oblivious enough to ask what he meant—but my feelings were still the same as last night, so I said nothing.

Then Friedrich slowly flipped his hand to hold mine, enclosing my fingers carefully. Before I knew it, we were properly holding hands.

When I’d grabbed his hand first, I’d felt nothing in particular. But when it became this, an odd, constricting feeling rose in my chest, almost unbearable.

It wasn’t unpleasant… just an unfamiliar sensation squeezing my heart, making me want to look away. But René Stade does not sit here acting like some flustered greenhorn.

“…I should’ve paid attention earlier.”

Still holding Friedrich’s hand, I tried to escape the emotional tension by changing the subject.

“I mean Mari. I thought she’d be doing at least okay, even if she wasn’t getting any affection.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say the rest. When I remembered the state of her room earlier today, my heart tightened again—this time for a different reason.

And as time passed, another thought naturally rose:
Maybe Friedrich lived like Mari too, once.

It was a frightening suspicion I didn’t dare confirm.

“Do you feel guilty?”

“To be honest? Yeah.”

“But if not for Your Highness, Princess Mari would still be there.”

Friedrich calmly refuted my guilt. I had expected simple, surface-level comfort—but his words surprised me. I looked at him quietly.

“You saved her. No one gets to resent the person who came to rescue them for not arriving sooner.”

“……”

“They’d only feel grateful that you came at all.”

“…That does make sense, but.”

I continued with a bitter tone.

“Now that I know how long she suffered, I can’t just brush it off like that.”

“Then layer better memories over the old ones. Don’t blame yourself too much for what’s already passed.”

“I’ll try.”

I sighed briefly and looked at Friedrich.

“Makes me reflect on whether I’m doing that for you.”

Friedrich stared at me.

He didn’t answer immediately, and I tensed without realizing.

Then he suddenly lowered his head and placed a small kiss on our joined hands.

I flinched and stared at him, but Friedrich slowly lifted his head and met my eyes.

He raised one corner of his mouth and murmured,

“I’m receiving far more than I deserve.”

His low voice brushed across my skin like a tickle. I unconsciously tightened my grip.

I hid it and smiled as well. Either way, if that’s how he feels, I’m relieved.

“Hyap.”

“……”

“Hyap, hyap. Hyapyap.”

“……”

As expected, nothing happened. I let out a long sigh and collapsed backward onto the bed.

“So it really doesn’t work.”

I still couldn’t use magic. Then what happened in the prison? Was the anger I felt the key?

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t really gotten angry since coming here.’

Just then, Elza entered the room. I startled like I’d been caught doing something I shouldn’t.

She looked at me strangely for a moment, then seemed to realize something and bowed.

“My apologies. I’ll step out.”

“No, whatever you’re thinking, don’t. Stay. I need to ask you something.”

I waved her over and asked:

“Is there a way for a person to stay angry all the time?”

At the abrupt question, Elza furrowed her brows, then asked back,

“Is this about you, Your Highness?”

“Mm… well, yeah.”

“I don’t think it’s possible for Your Highness.”

“Why? Because I’m simple and fickle?”

“Well… rather than that…”

So you’re not denying it, huh.

“You see two handsome men every moment. Staying angry would be difficult.”

“Oh.”

Right. I momentarily forgot. I live with two devastatingly handsome men…

‘Besides, living constantly angry would give me an ulcer.’

Anyway, since my magic did return briefly, the situation wasn’t completely hopeless.

And thanks to what happened in the prison, no one would suspect I’d lost my magic.

“Let’s think positively. If I wait, another clue will show up.”

“Oh—what time is it now?”

“Ten minutes to midnight.”

Elza pulled out her pocket watch and told me the time.

Good. I should be myself at midnight, and Friedrich turned back into an adult well after midnight yesterday.

‘Maybe tonight will be the same.’

I should record the exact time the magic activates. If the time keeps getting later, that’s a good sign.

I immediately went to Friedrich’s room. When I opened the door, a quiet atmosphere greeted me.

Friedrich was asleep with his upper body slumped over the desk. I frowned automatically. Why sleep here instead of in the bed?

I went closer to wake him—but then realized something: this was the first time I’d seen him asleep as an adult at night.

I hoped he stayed like this past midnight again.

I checked the pocket watch—only one minute remained. I stared at the second hand in tension.
58, 59… 60!

‘He didn’t change back!’

I almost shouted but clamped my hand over my mouth just in time. At least one of us was making progress.

But if Friedrich’s spell truly was weakening… I still had no idea why.