CH 15

The sun sets and the moon rises.

The Secret Power of Morning Routines

Gradually, the moon’s shape gets closer to being perfectly round.

It’s visible clearly without any clouds.

After finishing dinner, I was summoned by His Highness to his bedroom.

“Since no one will disturb us here.”

“How is it?”

“Oh, it’s quite comfortable.”

He has two bracelets on his arm.

One is a bracelet that distorts the range of the curse and hinders its progress.

The other is a newly created bracelet that reduces pain.

Normal healing magic is ineffective against curses.

However, it is possible to temporarily alleviate the pain.

The curse that His Highness is receiving seems to be the type that becomes stronger with each passing day.

It should be more severe today than yesterday, but he seems to have calmed down since putting on the bracelets.

“At first, it was still a bit tough, but it wasn’t so painful that I couldn’t move. This magic tool is really well made.”

“Thank you. I’m glad to be of service to you, Your Highness.”

Seeing His Highness’ expression, which had seemed a bit painful before, ease up, I feel relieved.

For the time being, it seems that we have succeeded in alleviating the unbearable pain. 

It’s just…

“…as I’ve said many times before, it doesn’t mean that the curse has been lifted.”

“I understand. Unless we resolve the root of the problem…”

His Highness’s life is in danger.

When I first met him, he was already at the stage where he had difficulty breathing due to the pain.

The full extent of the curse is still unknown.

However, we know that the curse is close to completion.

How much time do we have left?

Perhaps only a few days… or maybe tomorrow, something might change…

“Don’t make that face. I’ll be fine.”

“Your Highness…”

I can see through his forced smile.

Even if he’s nearing the end of his life, there’s no way he isn’t scared.

No matter how strong someone is, death is scary.

His Highness is probably… if it were me, I would despair and break down in tears right then and there.

This person is strong.

And not just strong, but…

“Anyway, how was it? Did you return to the mansion? Did anyone say anything strange?”

“Yes, everything was fine.”

“I see. If anything happens, be sure to consult with me. No matter who it is, I won’t forgive anyone who makes you unhappy.” 

“Thank you very much.”

Just hearing those words is enough to fill me up.

It’s so warm that I feel like I might melt.

His Highness is not only strong, but also kind.

Despite being in a difficult situation himself, he worries about others like me.

It’s not something that just anyone can do.

At least, the people around me always prioritized themselves.

I was made to think that’s just how humans are.

Until I met His Highness.

“I also looked into the curse myself, but I couldn’t find much useful information…”

“I see. I also want to investigate, but it’s hard to find time. I have official duties during the day, and at night the curse is too strong for me to move…”

His Highness stands up from his chair.

He stretches and rotates his shoulders.

“I can move like this now. So, I’m thinking of going to the library to investigate.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll go too!”

“Haha, I intended for you to rest, but if you insist.”

“I’ll be fine. I used to work during this time not too long ago.”

It’s still the same day. 

The toughest part is the few minutes right before crossing over to the next day.

I want to somehow finish it today, but it’s impossible, isn’t it?

That moment is the most painful.

Compared to back then, it’s much better now that I can do things I want to do on my own will.

“Are you sure it’s okay? You have work tomorrow too, you know?”

“I understand. Plus, Your Highness also has work. We’ll finish faster if we investigate together.”

“Well, that’s true. Then I’ll take you up on your offer.”

We leave the room together.

As secretly as possible, so that we won’t be found by anyone.

His Highness, who knows the castle well, leads me through a route with few people.

No one uses the library at this time.

Naturally, there are no people around the library either.

We safely arrive and enter the library.

The spaciousness and the amount of books stored there were impressive.

Of course, it’s on a different scale than the study in the mansion.

It’s like a large library.

“So, we’re going to search from here…”

“Don’t worry. I have a rough idea of where things are. I didn’t have time to investigate directly, but I was planning to do it eventually. It’s this way.” 

Led by His Highness, we move towards the back of the library.

“The more frequently read books are towards the entrance. What we’re looking for is much deeper in.”

“I suppose they wouldn’t be read much. Books about curses, that is.”

“Yeah. It’s my first time looking into curses, too.”

If you weren’t cursed, you wouldn’t have thought about it for the rest of your life.

I never thought the word “curse” would become so familiar to me.

There are so many things in the world that I don’t know.

It’s a reminder that I still have a lot to learn.

“Here it is. About twenty books.”

“Half of them seem to be books I’ve read at the mansion.”

“Then let’s skip those. We’ll divide the remaining half and search.”

“Understood.”

We take the books and sit by the window.

The moonlight shines in just right.

“The moon is beautiful.”

“Yes.”

“I like the night, but… I was starting to hate it because of the curse.”

As we talk, we flip through the pages.

His Highness, illuminated by the moonlight, looks unusually alluring and beautiful… I find myself staring at him.

“Hm? Is something wrong?”

“N-No, not at all!” 

Lately, I feel like I’ve been watching His Highness all the time.

To the point where I don’t even understand why.

“Um, what does His Highness usually do?”

“Usually? About work?”

“Including that…”

I suddenly became curious about His Highness.