Chapter 18

Translator/editor: ruby

“Lucy, who am I supposed to complain to if a Shinsu steals my jewels?”

Belinda asked, absentmindedly.

“…….”

Lucy didn’t have an answer, but Belinda wasn’t expecting one. They continued to stare out the window at the beautiful red sun setting across the field.

***

It had been a week since Aymon ran off with the bracelet. He didn’t come every day, but usually showed up at least twice a week or so – however, they hadn’t seen a single sign of him.

Belinda spent her days hanging around the window just in case he did appear.

Why did he do that? What did he do with the bracelet? Is he not coming back because he feels sorry for stealing it?

It’s okay. I care a lot more about him than the bracelet.

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“Why did you steal my bracelet….?”

She muttered to herself, not going unheard by Mazetto, who screamed from among the rose bushes.

“Desire! Greed! Avarice!”

Belinda nodded a bit to shrug him off. That couldn’t be it.

As the sun rose on the field, rays catching on the leaves, Aymon was still nowhere to be seen.

It seemed like another day would pass before that cute furball showed himself.

“I’m leaving, Princess.”

“Me too!”

Belinda said goodbye to them and drew the curtains.

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That night, with no one to accompany her but the moonlight filtering into the room, she felt lonely. The distinct cricket-chirping from the field kept her awake.

“He won’t come tomorrow either, will he…. Come to think of it, where does he even live….”

She muttered in a sleepy voice. The chirping gradually quieted down, and her firm grip on the bedsheet relaxed. Belinda fell asleep, breathing softly.

How long could she have slept? Her chest was stuffy and she could barely breathe, tossing and turning.

She opened her eyes slowly. There was a ball of fur sitting on her chest.

“Aymon?”

When could he have come?

The little animal was loafed, sleeping on her. His black fur shined beautifully in the moonlight.

She reached up to stroke his cheek. Aymon just burrowed himself further into her arms and fell back asleep. Knowing that it was Belinda, there was no sign of his instinctive tension.

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There’d been times when Aymon came during the night to sleep, but he always curled up at the far end of the bed or the rug. Why would he get so close after disappearing for so long?

Belinda just laughed quietly – she wasn’t about to complain.

I’ve really missed you, and here you are, as if you understood my feelings.

Or maybe you actually do.

Either one’s fine.

Belinda brushed her hair out of her eyes. She didn’t ever want to get up.

Suddenly, she felt something soft touch her lips. Warm and fluffy.

Belinda opened her eyes. It was Aymon.

「Get up.」

“….Huh?”

He patted her lips again. It was a strange feeling.

“Oh, that’s nice…. So soft.”

It was easy for him to put her in a good mood like this.

She’d assumed that seeing Aymon last night was just a dream, but apparently not. She couldn’t believe he’d wake her up this early….

Aymon relaxed his front paws, letting go of her hands, and rolled onto the bed before she sat up.

Belinda ordered the maid to prepare hot water.

「Where are you going?」

“To wash up.”

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Aymon leaped onto the table. He looked just like a pet cat waiting for its owner.

Belinda came into the room, brushing back her neatly combed hair. Aymon was still sitting on the table, looking out the window.

“Aymon, why’d you come so suddenly yesterday?”

「Just because.」

Belinda sat down and took a cup of tea from the maid. As soon as she disappeared, Aymon approached Belinda and dropped something on her lap.

“What is this?”

「Just take a look.」

He didn’t seem keen on giving explanations today.

Belinda picked it up. Small and sparkly.

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It was a ring.

The golden-colored diamond shone brilliantly in the sunlight. It was gracefully set with smaller diamonds.

“Are you giving this to me?”

「What… just take it.」

Aymon blurted out, rubbing his face. He was saying it as if he’d just picked it up on his way. A little shy and awkward. Belinda put it on, smiling. It was a little loose, probably because it wasn’t meant to be worn by a child.

“Where’d you get this? You didn’t steal it, did you?”

「Do you really think I’d do something like that?」

He answered, raising his head proudly.

You already did. You stole my bracelet.

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She didn’t say it out loud so she wouldn’t offend him.

Belinda fiddled around with the ring.

Maybe he lost the bracelet? And he felt guilty, that’s why he didn’t come? And he even brought this instead?

That had to be it. Apparently, even Aymon could feel guilt.

“Thank you. It’s a little big and I don’t want to lose it, so I’ll have to make it into a necklace.”

Belinda carefully put the ring away into her jewelry box.

「Do you want a necklace?」

“What? No. It’s okay. I have something I can use.”

Where would Aymon get the money to buy her a necklace?

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Belinda was curious, but stayed silent.

Aymon’s house was filled to the brim with gold and silver treasures offered to the Shinsu, but she didn’t know that.

She was planning to put the ring on a necklace the emperor gave her.

Her father had been acting rather strange recently. He’d suddenly have the whole palace refurbished or give her gifts.

Although he was never friendly with her in public, he had definitely changed.

It all started when they met in the gardens that day.

He can do whatever he feels like.

Belinda quickly brushed off the thought.

Nothing had changed for her – she still just wanted to eat well, sleep well, and stick to the palace.

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She would’ve liked to ignore everything else, but that wasn’t possible.

She stared down blankly, lost in the thoughts of her father. Aymon laid his head on the back of her hand.

「Don’t meet him again.」

“Huh?”

She snapped back into reality and looked at Aymon. He avoided her gaze.

「That human man.」

“What?”

「I gave you a gift too, so now don’t think of even opening his letters.」

She was too confused to reply.

Aymon softly shoved her with his paw.

「Why aren’t you answering? It’s me or him.」

Belinda laughed.

What is this cute little beast talking about?

He must have hated strangers coming onto his territory since he was an animal. Especially since he was such a sensitive animal.

Belinda picked him up.

So cute. So cute. My Aymon. “It’s me or it’s him.” He’s the cutest thing in the world.

As usual, Aymon relaxed his body and gave up. However, he didn’t stop talking.

「Tell him not to come near you. You’re a princess. You can do that.」

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“The Duke has more power than I do.”

「I can make up for that.」

“How?”

「You can just say I’m backing you and will destroy everything if he doesn’t obey.」

Belinda laughed again. How could something be this cute? This pretty?

At first, she thought his personality was completely different from his appearance, but seeing him like this, they were exactly the same.

“Don’t worry. He’s not coming. He left.”

‘He’s gone?”

“Yes. He traveled far away to study. Don’t worry, he won’t be back for a long time.”

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He twitched slightly, as if he was holding back laughter. He just rubbed against Belinda’s arm, very satisfied.

“And how could I compare him to you?”

「That means you choose me, right?」

“Of course. Don’t say such nonsense.”

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Aymon nodded.

If he considers this his territory… I’m willing to work with that.

The little Shinsu was precious to her.

With a satisfied expression, Aymon laid down.

He quickly turned around at a familiar noise.