Chapter 55

Perhaps because I looked so anxious, Jin gave a gentle smile.

"It's okay, Shina. I'm sorry, I got too worked up."

He kissed each of my fingers, one by one, and looked at me with a gaze that could melt anything.

I could feel an unusual charm from Jin. It was like the burly lion had turned into a burly charming lion... My heart was pounding, thinking about this different Jin.

"You might be slow to catch on, Shina, but I think you've started to understand the meaning of these flowers."

I wanted to run away, embarrassed, but I couldn't bring myself to leave, not knowing what to do.

"When we first met, I thought I was attracted to you because you reminded me of a little sister. You were so small, yet you moved around so energetically, working hard for everyone. You even told us your secrets right away, even though we were just acquaintances. You were so open and vulnerable, and I felt I had to protect you."

Come to think of it, back then, Jin used to say he was worried about me.

"But as I got to know you, I was drawn to your strong core and kind heart. Even after being deceived and hurt, you tried to trust again, and you cried over your inability to trust people easily. I thought you were incredibly beautiful. I'm grateful to have met someone as strong and beautiful as you. This feeling isn't like that of a sister. I realized it was the feeling of a man for a woman."

Jin's words of praise made my face hot.

I wasn't used to being praised, so I didn't know how to react. Besides, he was making me sound too perfect.

"I'm not that beautiful. My heart is murky, and I hold grudges and envy that I can't tell anyone about."

"You're right. Everyone has those feelings. But you don't run away from them. You face them head-on. That strength is something I admire. I wanted to be as strong as you. I was ashamed of my own weakness."

Jin smiled wryly.

"Without your encouragement, I wouldn't have been able to talk things out with Prince Lute. It was easier to punish myself."

Since Prince Lute's arm was injured, Jin had been obsessed with monster hunting. He poured his hatred for the monster that took Prince Lute's arm and his self-punishment into dangerous hunts. Back then, Jin was known as the Ice Prince and the Monster Hunter.

"But you and Prince Lute made up, right? I just gave you a little push."

"Maybe so. But it was because you pushed me that I was able to do it. You've helped me so much and brought me so much happiness. I wanted to become strong enough to protect you. I thought I'd wait until I was worthy of you, until you grew up, before telling you how I felt."

Jin looked at me straight in the eye. My heart raced at the heat in his gaze.

Ah, he wants me.

"But when I saw you today after so long, it was like a shock to the head. You were so beautiful, so charming that everyone was drawn to you. I wanted to stay in my comfort zone and pretend you were still a child. I was afraid of being rejected if I told you how I felt. If I did nothing, I might lose you to another man. It was cowardly of me to hide my feelings, act as your guardian, and touch you. I was about to run away and repeat the same mistake."

Jin held out the flower to me.

It was a small white flower, with petals as white as snow, overlapping. It wasn't showy, but it was a delicate and fairy-like flower.

"It's a Shuraku flower. It only blooms in the Kingdom of Marita. The flower's meaning is purity, a gentle heart, and devoted love. It represents you. I may not be reliable, but I want to be by your side. I want to share in your happiness and your sorrows."

Jin's blue eyes, like a beautiful summer sky, gently enveloped me.

"Miss Shina, I offer you this flower. Will you become my wife, Jincret Marita?"

◇◇◇

After a while, Barry came to call Jin, saying it was time to prepare for the banquet. He looked relieved when he saw the white flower in my hand.

"You can take your time to think about it. No matter what your answer, this country and my feelings for you won't change. I want you to feel at ease."

He kissed my forehead gently and left the room.

I collapsed onto the floor, feeling my entire body turn red.

"Ahhhhhh!"

The charm! The charm was overwhelming. Oh my! What was that? I was so close to that person?!

A confession! My first confession in this life! Or is it my second if I count my past life? No, that's not the point, it was a proposal!

I didn't know! I didn't know Jin felt that way! I thought he saw me as a little sister or a pet or a child! When did he start...?

My face involuntarily broke into a smile. Because, you know, when someone says things like that...

"I was happy."

"That's good to hear."

"Kyaa! Kiri! You were listening?"

"Miss Shina, when you speak so loudly, anyone can hear you."

I covered my mouth, realizing I had been overheard.

I was overheard! I was overheard!

If I weren't in this outfit, I'd dive into bed and roll around. So embarrassing!

"Kiri..."

"What will you do, Miss Shina? About Prince Jincret's proposal..."

"Of course I want to accept! I want to marry Jin!"

Kiri was surprised by my immediate answer.

"Are you sure? Miss Shina, you said you didn't want to marry royalty."

"Oh... right! Jin is royalty!"

I had forgotten. This is the royal palace. I had gotten so comfortable in Marita Kingdom that I had forgotten. Right, I don't like royalty.

"Ah. So it's a marriage to royalty, huh."

It didn't really sink in. Jin doesn't seem like royalty.

Besides, I'd rather die than marry into the Daido Kingdom. But Marita Kingdom might be okay.

"Because no one here tries to use me. They treat me like a princess, give me plenty of breaks, and pay me for the monster scent and herb spices. I get praised when I work hard and scolded when I push too hard. They get angry at how I and Kiri were treated and promise to protect us. They treat us like family. I've grown to not want to leave Marita Kingdom. If I can help, I want to use my abilities to make everyone happy."

"I see. The treatment is so different in another country..."

Kiri seemed to understand. Kiri, who has foreign blood, was discriminated against in Daido Kingdom, being called impure. Here, she gets along well with the maids and seems happy.

"The problem is that I'm a commoner, a foreigner, and a criminal in Daido Kingdom, right?"

Oh, I'm the one with all the problems. I suddenly felt anxious. No, no, I want to be with Jin.

"Kiri, what should I do? I can't marry Jin!"

"I think Prince Jincret will find a way, so there's no need to worry... More importantly, I didn't realize you liked him so much, Miss Shina."

"Huh?"

Kiri's words made my face turn red again.

Like him? So, I do like Jin.

I realized it so quickly, and I felt incredibly embarrassed.

"I noticed that Prince Jincret liked you, but I didn't realize you felt the same."

"Well, when he proposed, I was surprised, but I thought I wanted to marry Jin!"

I remembered what my popular friend said when she got engaged. She was so popular and had so many choices, but the person she married was, to be honest, pretty ordinary. When I asked why she chose him, she said it was because when he confessed, she thought, "Ah, I'll marry this person."

At the time, I didn't understand what she meant, but today I finally got it. Ah, my friend must have realized she liked him at that moment. I hadn't realized I liked Jin either.

I like how Jin's eyes, like a summer sky, gently look at me. I like how he picks me up right away.

I like how he values his country and family and fights with all his might.

I like how he tries to overcome his weaknesses, even though it's embarrassing.

I like how, when I cry, he doesn't solve everything heroically but helps me find the best solution.

With Jin, I feel I can walk together forever. I trust him that much.

Ha ha ha. I didn't realize I had grown to like Jin so much.

"It's good to know that Miss Shina can develop normal romantic feelings... I was worried that my upbringing was lacking because you didn't notice Prince Jincret's obvious advances."

"Advances? When? Where? You noticed?"

"Those overprotective actions were all due to Prince Jincret's obsession with you. He was desperate to keep you from running away."

What a scary situation? I was in such a scary situation? I didn't know. The romantic proposal is ruined!

But even after hearing that, my desire to marry Jin hasn't changed. Am I under a spell? The appraising magic's sympathetic gaze is really bothering me.

"Wherever you go, I will follow, as long as you are happy, Miss Shina. If you can be at ease by Prince Jincret's side, I will be happy."

Kiri performed a ladylike curtsy. It was so beautiful, like the head maid... Wait a minute?

"Hey, Kiri, did everyone realize Jin was going to propose?"

That confusing conversation, when I think about it, must have meant that!

"They didn't just realize... The maids were so frustrated with the two of you that they dressed you up beautifully and tried to encourage Prince Jincret."

"Whaaat?"

"Prince Jincret wouldn't make a move... confess to you, and you didn't notice his, heavy, no, passionate advances. Then you two would be all over each other, and everyone was asking what was going on. It was affecting the Shina Care Team's work, so the head maid and others came up with a plan to get things settled."

"All over each other? We were all over each other. Thinking about it now, we were so close in public. I'm so sorry for the spectacle. Who were the 'concerned parties'? I need to apologize! I can't walk around the castle, I'm so embarrassed."