(MTL)For some reason, the villainess who went backwards lost her magical

chapter 22

77

No way, I couldn't imagine that the person in the robe was His Highness, and stared at His Highness.
On the other hand, His Highness narrowed his eyes happily and gently stroked my hair.

"Miss Carol came today, didn't she? Did something happen?"
"Eh, yeah. Anna-san and I just talked about various things..."

Hearing my answer, His Highness stroked his chest and said, "Good," with a relieved smile.

"She was acting strange when I visited the Great Church the other day.
I can't stand the thought of Miss Carol harming you."
"I'm really sorry for worrying you..."

His Highness was so worried about me.
Despite that, I feel sorry for myself who only reported that I would meet Anna-san.
The words I said to apologize were interrupted by His Highness's finger.

His Highness's index finger was gently placed on my lips.
It's just like saying no more.

However, in front of me was the face of His Highness.
And His Highness's finger on my lips...

When I realize that, my heart suddenly starts beating fast. Even though I said that I was embarrassed to be close to her highness from a while ago.

His Highness must have noticed me, but he said nothing, lowered his eyebrows and shook his head.

"You don't need to apologize for worrying me on your own.
...But if something happened, even if Miss Carol was a saint, I wouldn't show any mercy."

Even while smiling with a smile, seeing the coldness of his eyes up close, my spine involuntarily freezes.
The heat on my cheeks from earlier seemed to cool down at once.
I swallowed the voice that was about to scream, and managed to return my twitching cheeks to a smile.

Let's change the subject.
...Eh, that's right. something, something

"By the way, were you okay?
It would be rude if His Majesty heard that you came to our house."
"It's okay. Ernesto and his friends are here today. I'm supposed to be in the castle's office."
"If you're working..."
"Yeah. I finished today's part at triple speed, so it's okay. It took me a while, so it ended up being the evening."

When I said that, he frowned apologetically.
And when His Highness turned around, he turned his gaze to Ernesto.
Seeing His Highness suddenly turn around, the spine of Ernesto, who had been looking around awkwardly until now, stretched out.

"Ernesto, I'm sorry for pushing you too hard."
"No. Um, I..."
"Oh. I won't take that much time. Please wait outside."
"yes"

Hearing His Highness's words, Ernesto seemed slightly relieved. And after he gave me a wink, he headed for the door.

While seeing them off, His Highness put his hand on my waist and led me to the tea table where the two of them were sitting earlier.
As soon as we sat down, Sarah put Ernesto's cups in the wagon and filled me and His Highness with fresh tea.

Take a sigh of relief from the steam and aroma rising from the cup as you sip the tea.
Then, he seemed to have been tense all day long, and suddenly his shoulders seemed to relax.

His Highness was happy to see me like that, just smiling.
Then he waits for me to put the cup on the table and opens his mouth.

"And what about Miss Carroll?"
"Yeah.
"Ah.
It would be hard to say what Miss Carroll has not told me. It's all I need to know After that, I wonder if she will speak by herself."

His Highness easily understood that I was worried about how far I should talk to His Highness.
When I opened my eyes involuntarily, I smiled as if to reassure me.

"That's right. Then, it seems that Anna-san had a purpose and wanted to be engaged to His Highness.
However, since that purpose seems to be unfulfilled, I tell His Majesty that I will not be engaged. That's what you said."
"...I see. Did you hear about that purpose, Rachel?
Ah, you don't have to tell me what it is. You just heard it or you didn't."
"I heard you wanted to talk to someone."

In response to my answer, His Highness replied, "Is that so?"

And when I put my mouth on the tea in front of me, I let out a small sigh.

"His Majesty cannot easily give up on his engagement with the saint."
"Is that so..."
"But so am I.
There's no way I'd give up on making you my princess, right? "

His Highness wrinkles his eyebrows as he looks at me with powerful, determined eyes.

"I must speak to His Majesty once.
I want you to leave that part to me."
"yes"
"...There must be a way to hand over the crown prince's throne to his younger brother and leave the royal family."

His Highness lowered his eyebrows sadly and muttered weakly.

But more than that, the words of His Highness now.

I know this is thinking of me.
His Highness seems to have some guilt about wanting me to be a royal family and a queen.

Because for His Highness who was born into the royal family and as the first prince, he lived while experiencing that cramped feeling first-hand.
I guess His Highness continues to worry about having to carry that burden on me.

...But this is my decision.
It's not just His Highness's problem.

"No, there is no such method.
I want to stand next to His Highness, and I don't want to take away the future that His Highness is aiming for."

His Highness opened his eyes wide as if he was holding his breath.
Then, when he covered his eyes with his right hand, he let out a powerless "haha".

"That's right... you really got stronger."

When His Highness pushed away the hand that was covering his eyes, His Highness who showed weakness was no longer there.
Then he looked at me with eyes that were filled with light.

"Last question, is it really good?
What I do may even come into conflict with His Majesty."
"does not matter.
Just as you believe in me, I also believe in you."

Without hesitation, I accepted His Highness's gaze and answered.

"...I'm in trouble, even though Rachelle is this cute.
You'll become even more dazzling and beautiful."
"Wait, Your Highness!"

His Highness's blue eyes pierce straight through me as if he catches everything.
And then, the eyes are broken and the eyes are mysteriously sparkling.
The atmosphere of His Highness, which seems to have the scent of roses, makes me involuntarily intoxicated.

"I don't want to show it to other men. Should I lock you up instead?"
"...You're teasing me, Your Highness."

I glared at His Highness who was grinning and raising the corners of his mouth with a desperate resistance.
However, it didn't seem to have any effect, as it didn't hide the eyes that were about to get wet from embarrassment, and the reddened cheeks.

Seeing me like that, His Highness laughed out loud happily.

"Haha, it's a joke. I just want to do it, but I won't do it. Seeing Rachel laughing is what I want most."

The voice of His Highness muttering so gently was sweeter and softer than any cake.

I'm sure the road I'm aiming for from now on will be a tough one.
The mystery of magical power depletion, and the way to regain lost power may not be found.

Even so, His Highness always gives me strength.
If it's okay, he pushes my back.
So I can take another step forward.

The time spent with His Highness was sweet and kind, yet filled with happiness.
May this time last forever...

That's what I wished while looking at His Highness' gentle smile.