Chapter 68

"It's fine now, really."

No matter how many times I say I'm fine, Jin doesn't seem to be able to relax. My fever has gone down, my appetite has returned, and I'm not feeling dizzy at all. I'm in perfect health. It was the same when I had a fever before.

"I know, I know, but I'm the one who's worried."

Jin, with a serious face, won't leave my bedside. He keeps pacing around and trying to take care of me, so the maids are treating him quite obviously as a nuisance. Isn't Jin a prince? The veteran maids are even using him, saying things like, "Prince Jin, if you have time, could you please carry this luggage to the other room?" I wonder if he's okay with this treatment.

The ladies, led by the queen, seem to be extremely worried. They're all on edge, like mothers with cubs. No one is allowed to visit or see me without the queen's permission.

"I suddenly collapsed. Everyone is worried. Kiri was in a terrible state."

When Kiri cries, I can't say no. I'm obediently staying in bed, but Jin is glued to me morning, noon, and night, so I'm starting to worry if he's neglecting his work. He didn't leave my side even to go to the bathroom for four days. A muscular lion who hasn't slept for four days and is still full of energy is impressive. But, no sword practice in my room, please.

On the other hand, Dr. Sand, my primary physician, was calm and collected. He had predicted that these symptoms would appear eventually. He said that until now, I had been suppressing them, but this was a sign that I was relaxing. I see, so it's because I relaxed in the Kingdom of Marita.

"There might be a few more episodes like this in the future. The painful memories of the past can't be changed. Some can be accepted over time, and even if they can't be accepted, they will gradually fade. Time is the best medicine, as they say."

While stroking his long, curly beard, Dr. Sand said kindly. But his words didn't register with me because of the special medicinal broth, "The Unforgettable Taste." The amount had increased because I couldn't drink it for four days, but I don't understand why. I told him that drinking too much, even of good medicine, isn't good, and he replied, "I'm pushing it to the limit, so it's fine." What kind of line is that, like a rider attacking a hill? Prince Canaan said I would soon be done with the medicinal broth, but my medicinal broth life seems to have no end. In retaliation, I fluffed up Dr. Sand's beard. It must have become all messy. He scolded me with a relaxed face, saying, "Hey, hey," but I pretended not to know. I ignored the muscular lion waiting in line behind him. Shave your beard quickly.

"Princess Shina, I've brought you a get-well gift."

The difference from the last time I was bedridden is that Barry, who comes to bring Jin back, always brings get-well gifts. Sweets and trinkets that girls would like. He even brings some for the maids and Kiri as a share of the gifts. Kiri gets more than I do, the one who is supposed to be the recipient of the get-well wishes.

Kiri, blushing and awkwardly accepting the gifts, and Barry, looking smitten. What is this? What happened while I was unconscious? Did I miss something important? When I asked the maids, they didn't seem to know either, and they were very interested. When I asked Jin, he only said, "The main keep was...," which didn't help at all. I have no idea. Grr. It feels like I missed an important scene in a drama.

Barry, with a sweet tone, is discussing work with Kiri, who is blushing and awkwardly responding. What is this, like a couple on the verge of getting together? It felt like the sweet and sour beginning of a love story in a corner of the classroom.

"What do you think, Jin?"

While eating the fruit that Barry brought today, which seemed to be grapes, I asked Jin for his opinion.

"Barry is serious. I've known him for a long time, but this is the first time I've seen him this serious."

"Wow, Barry is popular, but this is the first time he's been serious?"

I know he's been approached by many women. I know he has a few ex-girlfriends. I know some of them broke up right after he came back.

"Cough! Barry is also a spy."

Ah, so it's a business-first relationship. But all his ex-girlfriends were well-endowed. Isn't it a strange probability that all the girls with information are well-endowed?

"Shina, you shouldn't push men too hard. Things that could go well might not."

"It's important to Kiri. I want to confirm all the doubts. Besides, Kiri has noticed all of Barry's ex-girlfriends."

Kiri has a great intuition. And Kiri is a slender beauty. She doesn't fit Barry's preferences, so I'm a bit worried. But I wouldn't give Kiri to someone who judges by the size of their chest.

"Is that so?"

"Some of them are strong-willed. Some even complain to Kiri, as if to spite her. They don't like that Barry is paying attention to her."

But Kiri is soft-spoken yet strong. She didn't become the leader of the Glass Forest extermination team for nothing. She's dealt with difficult superiors and enthusiastic soldiers. A lady who has become accustomed to a peaceful life and only has value in providing information wouldn't stand a chance against her. Kiri thoroughly defeated them and received cheers from the maids.

"Even so, Kiri likes Barry..."

"Kiri has a big heart. I couldn't do it. I hate men who try to seduce me while they have a girlfriend. Absolutely."

I remembered my ex-boyfriend from my previous life. What was his real name? His nickname was "Two-Timer Bastard," shortened to "FutaKuso." When he called me and I went to meet him excitedly, he said, "Hey, I got asked out by Ami from the next class, so I'm not going to confess to you. Our relationship was just for fun. Between Ami and you, it's obviously Ami, right?" My pride was shattered before I could even feel sad.

I hate unfaithful men. I hate men who justify their selfishness with twisted logic.

"Well, if you cheated, I'd break up with you immediately. It doesn't matter if you're a prince or a princess. I'd run away to another country."

"Huh?"

"What? Because the Kingdom of Marita is a monogamous society, right? Concubines and mistresses are not allowed unless there's no heir or something extraordinary. In such a society, cheating... I decided to marry you because I like you. If you cheat, I'll hate you, and if I don't like you, I don't want to be a princess. So, I'd run away..."

"I won't cheat!"

"Everyone says that..."

You say things like, "I only like you" or "I'll take care of you for life." I was lied to, cheated on, and exploited by my ex. I want to believe in Jin, but people's hearts can change at any time. I'm trying not to fall in love too much or become too dependent. I don't want to be empty when we break up.

Is that cunning? To set up such precautions in a relationship. But I want to be cautious.

But Jin's words blew away my small precautions.

"I'm not boasting, but Shina, you are my first love! Until now, you are the only one I've thought of as beautiful, the only one I've wanted, and the only one I don't want to give to anyone else. I will never change my heart! If you don't believe me, you can have me watched until I die! I have no interest in any other woman!"

As usual, Jin's words are heavy and ominous. I don't have a surveillance hobby, so that's fine.

Still, first love. First love at 22. Does that have more impact? I'm not heartless for not feeling thrilled that I'm Jin's first love.

"There's something I've wanted to ask for a while."

"What is it, Shina? Why are you using formal language?"

Jin looks at me with a wary eye as I put on a serious face.

"Do you, by any chance, have a preference for young girls?"

"No!!"

"Hmm."

Is that true?

I'm happy to hear such affectionate words, but I still look like a child. I'm 15 years old in this world, but I look like a minor. Here, 15-year-olds are much more mature both inside and out compared to the same age in Japan. They can even get married and have children. Why does Jin like me? Is it really because of his preference for young girls?

"I'm attracted to everything about you, but I do think your body is young. But, that youth is what holds me back."

Jin took my hand. His grip tightened.

"If you looked like an adult, your actual age... I wouldn't have been able to wait for the ceremony."

His low, passionate voice was so sweet and seductive that it was almost scary.

I swallowed nervously, and Jin's eyes softened.

"You've grown since we first met."

He patted my head and smiled gently.

"Eat well, sleep well, and rest. Grow quickly, Shina. I'll be waiting."

That night, I didn't have the recurring dream about the Glass Forest extermination team that I had been having since I collapsed. Instead, I had a dream where I was a sheep on a farm, and Jin, the farmer, held a knife and fork and said, "Grow quickly," while licking his lips. It was terrifying.

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