CHAPTER 11: HIS resolve ①
I CRIED A
Translated by Eunie Edited/Proofread by Para It is now the next day; today is when we sign the contract. I still couldn't understand Pryde-sama's actions last night. I still didn't know how I would face Pryde-sama, so I shut myself in the room. Even though last night I didn't join them for dinner and now for breakfast. I secluded myself in the room twice in a row already, so I did get worried that the Royal Family would find fault with me for acting rude. But since it's only Pryde-sama and the Prince Consort, I'm sure they'll forgive me. Somehow, I feel like I'm much more determined now compared to yesterday. While alone in my room, I started to think. Even though I was filled with so much despair yesterday, but right now, I find myself composed. I don't know if it was because I have just found my resolve, or it was because Pryde-sama turned out to be different from the rumours. Or maybe it was because I cried a little; that's why I feel refreshed right now. I don't really know, but one thing was clear to me. Compared to yesterday, I felt like I could move my body better. Other than the heavy feeling from the handcuffs, I didn't feel the same gloomy feelings as yesterday. I stared at my reflection in the mirror and tried to lift the corners of my mouth, and it seems like today I'll be able to smile. And then I pondered. Compared to the bratty princess from the rumours, Pryde-sama isn't anything like that. Instead, she's a splendid princess who properly thinks about people like me and the citizens of this country. She's quite naive, or maybe she's too kind for her own good even though our ages aren't that far apart, but she acts just like my older friends. It seems like she awakened an ability exclusive to the Royal Family. So I don't have doubts that she'll be the next Queen of our country and that I'll be the next regent. In other words, I'll be the next second most influential person. Even if it's hard right now, if Pryde is pleased with me, then we can grow up to become the first and second most prominent figures of this country. By then, we could change the rules and laws of the palace. Even if that becomes impossible, I can still obtain a certain level of freedom and power to meet my mom. Because when the time comes, no one would even dare to complain, as long as Pryde-sama will become my ally. When we grow up, Pryde-sama, who'll become the next Queen, will prioritize the country's rules and laws. But if she's extremely pleased with me by then, then she might prioritize me over the law and make some amendments or especially allow me to meet with my mom. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com For that to happen, I have to make the current Prince Consort, Her Majesty, the Queen, her little sister, Tiara-sama, and Pryde-sama to like me. In the worst-case scenario, Pryde-sama's future marriage partner, the future Prince Consort, might be against it. But things will work out as long as all these four people will like me since the future Prince Consort will only have the same level of influence as me. Though as expected, the most important one is Pryde-sama, the heir to the throne. I'll do my utmost as her advisor, stay on her good side, and make her like me the most, and from the looks of it, I quite like her. Since she even stole the key for me and cried that much for my sake. Furthermore, those words of hers... "I promise you...I will never hurt you any more than this...!! You, and your mother who lives in this country, I promise to make everyone living here happy, to always leave a smile on their face...I assure you...as long as I am alive...!!" I can believe her promise back then because I know those were her true feelings. That could also probably be the first and last time I'll ever hear such impactful words like that. I decided to do my best, so Pryde-sama will like me. It's not like I'm boasting, but even back in the town, I was quite popular myself with both boys and, of course, with girls as well. I'm sure she'll like me, though I was worried if she was just like what the rumours say. But it seems like they're baseless rumours since she is so good-hearted, noble, and will definitely become a better ruler in the future. Everything I do from now is for the sake of the day when I can reunite with Mom. The time to sign the contract has come, and then I heard someone knock on the door, and I immediately went out of my room. Pryde-sama had already been waiting, and she looked worried upon seeing me. When I greeted her with a simple good morning, Pryde-sama seemed relieved as she greeted me back. The minister arrived to commence the signing of the contract. It was troublesome to write my name while wearing handcuffs. But the formal arrangement for the signing ended without any problems. My heartbeat suddenly quickened, and surprisingly, I could feel myself being connected to Pryde-sama. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com I was finally freed from the handcuffs, and there were still marks left on my wrists, but it felt weird that they felt lighter even though I was only cuffed for around 1-2 days. And then I heard the Prince Consort...No, Father say, "I'll be in your care from now on, my son," and he placed his hand on my shoulder. After hearing him say that, I realized once again that I have now become royalty. To avoid making any rude actions, I could only smile back. With a satisfied smile plastered on his face, I heard him continue, "For the sake of the future of this country and Pryde's, as a member of the Royal Family, feel free to..." I heaved a sigh in my heart upon seeing him with a satisfied smile on his face Once the conversation ended and after a simple greeting, I quickly rushed towards Pryde-sama's side with an ideal courageous smile of a step-brother. I said, "From here on, I will be in your care as well. I'll make sure to protect Pryde-sama, as well as your little sister." Just as I thought, Pryde-sama responded to me with a gentle smile. It's going to be alright. I'll be able to pull it off. But immediately after that, I was shocked upon hearing her next words. "Thank you, Stayle. But since we are a family now, please don't call me with a 'sama,' just call me Pryde. Besides, even Mother asks Uncle to call her by her name." Eh...There's no need for sama?? Just now, we became family??? The Queen and the Prince Regent are on a first-name basis because they trust each other. As an advisor, I should call her "Her Highness, the first princess" or "Pryde-sama." As her step-brother, it should be "Older-sister." Even though that's what Pryde-sama wants, I really should abide it, but still. What happened last night, and to suddenly be told that I have to be overly-friendly and call her on a first-name basis... I'm not emotionally prepared... I kept on muttering as I tried to formulate some sort of excuse, but I didn't reach a conclusion. It just ended in a situation where I have to address her without any honorifics; the very act itself is somehow embarrassing. I don't really know why I suddenly feel like that. There are times when I have to call older girls without any honorifics, it has happened a lot before, but still, this person is the First Princess. She's so beautiful, lovely and gentle... "Your Highness, First Princess Pryde." Before I realized it, I saw one of the attendees, introduced a while ago as the Prime Minister, peeking at Pryde-sama and me. He seemed to be smiling, but his eyes were not. Somehow he gave off a repulsive aura. "Indeed, the Prince Regent, Lord Vest, calls her majesty, the Queen, with her first name. However, in public, he calls her, Your Majesty or Older Sister." I sighed in relief after hearing the words of the Prime Minister. Glad I learned before I started to weirdly call her without honorifics. Cause that's how it should be, even though I haven't heard the conversation between the Queen and the Prince Regent, it's obviously better to follow the correct regulations. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com But I was only able to briefly feel relieved when Pryde-sama's words put me off guard once again. "Then how about this? In front of other people, just call me Older Sister, and when there's only the two of us or in private, just call me Pryde, okay? Because Stayle and I are already a family, so I want to have an equal relationship with you." She still wants me to call her Pryde?! Furthermore, what's with having an 'equal relationship'?!! Moreover, we just finished signing a subordination contract; no matter how you look at it, it's a master-servant relationship. But now she wants to have an equal relationship? Without any hesitation, she proudly stated that she wanted to be in equal standing with me. I immediately tried to fix my expression for appearance's sake and maintain my composure as I shook her hands. To be honest, I felt the same as the astonished adults around us. Then, the Prince Consort and the Prime Minister started conversing with each other while I was lost in my own thoughts, just how should I speak with Pryde-sama in private? How can I smoothly change from Pryde-sama to 'Pryde'? Can I even do it? However... ...In the beginning, it was right after the contract ceremony ended, and Pryde-sama showed me the library in the palace. I did stumble at first, but afterwards, in a low whisper so she can't hear, I secretly added a 'sama.' The second time was when she told me that it was about time to return since it was almost dinner. I thoughtlessly blurted out Pryde-sama, but without getting mad, she simply told me, "It's fine if it's just 'Pryde," and then she smiled. The fifth time, before returning to our rooms, she told me good night, and when I responded, I was able to clearly say her name until 'Pry...' She seemed a little shy when she corrected me and said, "Pryde." Read only on eunietl.weebly.com On the 8th time, it was the day when she invited me to go to the garden since the weather was good today. It was also the day when I was finally able to say 'Pryde.' She looked so happy after hearing it. ...and on the 15th time. I was naturally able to call her 'Pryde.' Before I realized it, surprisingly, the existence of the person called 'Pryde' had already permeated inside me.
Comments
|
EUNIETLI'm an amateur translator~ Archives
July 2023
CATEGORY |