Chapter 70

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With the permission given, the brother did not stop her. Lady Sil slowly approached and stood in front of Clifford’s cell.

...How will it be? Can he recall the time when he was out of control—when he clashed swords with Clifford?

The brother’s face slightly distorted as he watched Clifford and Lady Sil face each other through the iron bars. He tried not to show his emotions, but they seeped through.

Lady Sil had a tense, expressionless face, different from her usual self, and Clifford was also expressionless...

---Ah, this...

These two...

Suddenly, I thought.

They somehow look similar...

I mainly thought this because of Lady Sil. Her usual expressive face showed no emotion, and the fact that she and Clifford were in a calm situation, close enough to compare, made me think so.

It wasn’t so much their facial features, but their demeanor?

Or maybe, because they are both ‘Servants,’ they share something in common?

If someone told me they were brothers right now, I might believe it...

“...It doesn’t seem to work.”

Lady Sil’s whisper echoed in the dungeon.

Ah... She lowered her eyebrows and shook her head regretfully. Then, she bowed to Clifford.

“I thought that if I met Lord Alderton, I might remember something from the time I lost consciousness after the battle in the ‘Sky Room’—”

As she returned to her usual expressive self, I began to doubt whether they really looked similar.

“...I’m sorry.”

She probably bowed again, but only I, standing right next to the cell, could see it.

Clifford’s expressionless face showed a momentary change. Intense displeasure. It appeared in his deep blue eyes.

“---Clifford”

I couldn’t help but call out his name. Clifford, who looked at me, responded to Lady Sil.

“...There’s no need to apologize to Lord Barks.”

“Yes, I’m... sorry.”

Lady Sil didn’t say anything more and moved away from the cell.

“It’s enough. ...Let’s go.”

The brother urged Lady Sil and started walking.

But I didn’t follow.

“Brother. Please give me a little more time.”

The brother sighed and turned to Hugh.

“Hugh, stay here.”

The footsteps faded away.

“I won’t do anything suspicious. So, stay back, Hugh.”

“...”

Hugh moved a bit, about the distance of one cell away.

Then, I approached the iron bars as close as possible.

“Clifford, are you okay?”

“What do you mean?”

He’s playing dumb!

But, Lady Sil’s attitude when she apologized was clearly different!

I think Lady Sil’s feelings are quite normal. Clifford prevented a disaster. Even if the royal blood was the key, the possibility of something happening to me before that was avoided because Clifford fought with Lady Sil—stopping her attacks and protecting me.

I’m grateful and want to thank him.

But, he showed displeasure in response.

“Because you...”

And it wasn’t just displeasure. ...Pain. For a moment, I felt something like anguish.

How to describe it... The pain of having a wound reopened when I recall a hateful memory?

Of course, it might be my imagination. But sometimes, these things turn out to be true...

As I stared at him, Clifford, unusually, averted his eyes.

“...I’ve shown you something unpleasant.”

He muttered.

“You haven’t shown me anything unpleasant. Clifford, come closer to me.”

I reached out both hands through the bars. Stretching up, I touched Clifford’s cheek to prevent him from escaping.

“Are you really okay?”

I couldn’t ask the reason, and maybe it was none of my business. But, I wanted to return the same kindness that Clifford showed me when he hid my tears.

“...”

Clifford, who met my gaze again, nodded firmly.

“Yes.”

This “yes” was genuine.

“Then it’s fine.”

I smiled. ---And then, I suddenly stiffened.

...My hands were still holding Clifford’s cheeks! I had both his cheeks in my hands!

I did it impulsively again...!

While looking at my left hand, Clifford asked. Yes, Clifford is back to his usual self!

“When will this injury heal?”

Uh. When Clifford speaks, I can feel the sensation in my palms...!

“It should heal quickly if the medicine is applied properly.”

“...How quickly? Can you give me a specific date?”

“I can’t say for sure.”

“I see.”

Is he disappointed?

Does he want it to heal quickly? Or something like that.

I slowly lowered my hands. Phew.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

Does Clifford have something to say too?

“Can I entrust my right hand to you? ---Just in case.”

“Just in case?”

“I can’t protect you from here. This is a substitute.”

Is this a ‘Master’ and ‘Servant’ thing?

I put my right hand through the bars.

Clifford, who crouched down, hid me from Hugh and kissed the back of my hand. The ‘Mark’ faintly appeared and then was covered by Clifford’s palm.

When he released his hand, the ‘Mark’ had disappeared.

This means that if something happens during the inspection, Clifford can immediately come to my aid, right? Hmm. Fantasy.

And, the ‘Mark’ seems to be getting darker...

“Your Highness, is this alright?”

Hugh called out.

“We’ve exceeded the allotted time.”

He’s telling me to wrap it up quickly.

“The next time we meet will be on the inspection day. Is there anything else? Anything you want me to prepare or confirm?”

I want Clifford to be in perfect condition for the inspection day and prove his innocence!

Please tell me anything.

“No. There’s nothing.”

Immediate response! But, human psychology makes you want to draw something out when someone says that!

“Any questions? You can ask me anything.”

Oh, I think I saw a reaction.

“...Then”

What?

“You have Rishuran flowers in your hair...”

These? I touched my hair ornament.

“Lord Edgar put them there. He said that having fresh flowers in your hair, placed by a man, brings good luck. ...He was encouraging me.”

Does Clifford know about the good luck thing?

No, more importantly, why did he ask about it?

“Is it... strange?”

It’s hard to imagine a princess wearing fresh flowers—does the dress not match? Or, has the position of the hair ornament shifted drastically? Worst case, I was just feeling good, and Sasha and my brother couldn’t tell me the truth!

“It’s not strange. They suit you well.”

I was relieved, but then more words slipped out of Clifford’s mouth.

“...But”

...But?

When I looked at him questioningly, Clifford had a confused expression.

He frowned slightly, but it seemed more directed at himself than at me.

“---Princess Octavia”

Called, I turned around, and Hugh shook his head, probably meaning “no more.”

It’s difficult to extend the meeting time further, huh.

“I’m coming now.”