Chapter 34

"Jinklett!"

Lute, the prince, welcomed Jin with a joyful expression, his eyes slightly drooping, almost as if he were about to hug Jin. An aura of deep affection for Jin radiated from his entire being. His golden hair and blue eyes must have been inherited from the queen. Of course, he was handsome, but he had a gentle air about him.

Jin's right arm, his dominant hand, didn't move at all. The skin was pale, as if no blood flowed through it. I couldn't help but look away.

"Lute-niisan..."

Jin looked at Prince Lute with a complicated expression. His gaze was slightly averted, perhaps to avoid looking at Prince Lute's right arm, just like I did.

Prince Lute, without mentioning it, approached Jin and embraced him with his left hand.

"It's been a while, Jinklett. How many years has it been since I received a message spell from you? Have you been well? I was worried because you never came back, always on missions."

"Uh... sorry..."

Prince Lute was talking to Jin, but Jin only gave short responses like "ah" and "uh." The conversation wasn't going well at all. Rend, the attendant, was fidgeting nervously beside them.

"...Sorry, Jinklett. I shouldn't have kept you here when you just got back and must be tired. Will you have some time to talk later? I hope you can stay for a while this time."

Jin's reaction was so faint that Prince Lute was about to end the conversation. His smile looked painful and sad. Rend's eyes were moist.

"Yeah, sure, when I have time..."

As Jin tried to leave, I stepped in front of him, crossing my arms and glaring at him. Jin froze.

"You're being such a coward. If you keep being like this, I'll give up on you."

I won't be friends with such a coward anymore. I'll leave this country with Kiril.

"No, Shina... I..."

"I said, make up. Do you understand what that means? Apologize, talk, and try to get back to how things were. If it doesn't work out, that's fine, but don't run away without doing anything."

Jin looked down. Was he still hesitating? What a wimp.

"...Jin. Even if you're fine today, you never know what will happen tomorrow. If you keep putting things off, you might miss your chance."

Even if you're smiling today, you never know if it will continue tomorrow. Everyday life isn't something to take for granted; it's a miracle. It's a miracle that exists in a delicate balance.

"Talk properly."

When I stared at him and said this, Jin nodded slightly.

"Nice to meet you, Prince Lute. I'm Shina, and I'm with Prince Jinklett. Excuse me, but I'm thirsty, so can Rend and I go prepare some tea?"

I spoke to Prince Lute. He looked confused but nodded.

"Thank you. Rend, let's go?"

"Y-Yes!"

I left the room with Rend, leaving behind the two men who looked lost.

◇◇◇

"Haha. You're quite intense, Saint Shina."

Lute-niisan laughed, exhaling.

"She's not a saint anymore. She doesn't like being called that. Besides, Shina is always right."

She's always right. She shows me the right path.

"Lute-niisan."

I looked straight at Lute-niisan. His gentle eyes and soft features were unchanged. His right arm, which I had avoided looking at, seemed thinner than before.

"Brother, I'm sorry. I was running away, just like Shina said."

Regret, repentance, and anger swirled in my head.

"If I had gone on the missions as assigned, if I hadn't avoided the ball, this wouldn't have happened. I could have saved your right arm. I know how much you trained. If I had taken your place, your efforts wouldn't have been in vain. I kept regretting that I should have taken your place, and I couldn't face you. I felt guilty and was afraid you would hate me, but Rend scolded me for not considering your feelings, for not considering Rend's feelings..."

My vision blurred. Shina was right. What am I doing at my age?

"I want to be by your side, even if you hate me. I want to be a support for you and the country. If there's anything I can do, I'll do it. Please, let me stay by your side."

My voice trembled pitifully. Even if I'm hated or rejected, I'll keep asking. Because you're important to me.

Lute-niisan came closer and patted my head, just like he used to when we were kids. Then,

"Ow!"

He grabbed my head firmly and headbutted me hard. Stars appeared in my eyes. It wasn't a cute little bump like Shina gave me before. My brain really shook.

I collapsed, and Lute-niisan glared at me with teary eyes.

"What's wrong with you and Rend! Are you idiots! You don't understand my feelings at all!"

He grabbed my collar and shook me violently. His left arm was incredibly strong. Looking closely, his left arm's muscles were about twice as big as before. He must have trained.

"I'm glad I lost my right arm! Of course, I was shocked at first! But I saved Rend's life with just my right arm! The life of my important attendant! His life and my right arm, there was no choice! I would have cut it off anytime! And it's a good thing it wasn't you. If you had gone on the mission and lost your right arm, I would have taken your place! So, it's a good thing it was me! It's a good thing!"

Lute-niisan stopped shaking me and sat down on the spot.

"But you and Rend, when you see my arm, you act all weird. You avoid me, and Rend treats me like a savior ever since. I don't want that. I just want things to be like before. What's wrong with you? I saved Rend's life and took your place on the mission. Don't you feel like giving me a reward?"

He sniffled and glared at me. It was the same pouting face he had when he was a child.

"Ha, a reward? Didn't you get one from Father?"

I couldn't help but laugh, and Lute-niisan pouted even more.

"Shut up, you give me one too. I went on the mission in your place. Give me that secret stash of alcohol you keep hidden in the cupboard."

I widened my eyes at Lute-niisan's words.

"How do you know! No way, I enjoy it little by little!"

"That stuff is delicious."

"Did you drink it!?"

"Just a taste, a taste. If you give me that alcohol, I'll keep quiet about what you were hiding with it."

I felt my face turn red at Lute-niisan's words. What he was talking about hiding together was...

"No! That's something Barry forced on me!"

"Ah, so Jinklett likes girls with big chests, huh?"

"Really, it's not like that! It's Barry's book!"

"Don't be embarrassed, don't be embarrassed. You've grown up, Jinklett."

"It's not like that!"

"Is the serious talk over?"

The voice from behind made my heart stop.

I turned around cautiously and saw Shina pushing a tea cart and Rend sobbing and choking.

"S-Shina? It's not like that! What we were talking about..."

"Hmm? The erotic book? If it's a book about big breasts, it does sound like Barry."

"What! Shina! Why erotic books! It's not mine! It's not mine!"

"No, all the Glass Forest extermination squad soldiers have it and pass it around. I've seen a few, and there are all kinds of preferences. Neck, chest, butt, ankle, younger, older, mature..."

"What a terrible educational environment! I won't give it back!"

I hugged Shina. Ugh, it's been a while, I'm so happy.

"No, if Jin has it too, it's the same."

"It's not mine!"

It's Barry's! It's not mine! I read a little out of curiosity, but it's definitely not my taste!

"Prince Lute! I'm so sorry! I didn't understand your feelings!"

Rend was prostrate, tears streaming down his face. Lute-niisan chuckled and ruffled Rend's head.

"I've reflected! I'll treat Prince Lute casually, no, even more casually than before! Yes, I absolutely won't show respect!"

"Don't declare that so enthusiastically! Are you an idiot! I said I just want things to be normal! As a royal, you should show respect! Treat me politely!"

I hugged Shina and rubbed my cheek against hers, while she pushed me away, looking annoyed. Rend was crying and shouting, and Lute-niisan was shouting back even louder.

It was chaotic, but it felt like everything was back to normal, and I was hugging Shina happily.

I didn't notice how Shina felt, or how Kiril, standing a little away, looked worried.