CH 128

Wilfrecht’s Thoughts

Verdinard was returning to the audience chamber with his attendant.

In the audience chamber, his stepfather was probably receiving a detailed report from Clauschezade right now.

He had just escorted Sheila Danau to his brother’s private quarters.

“Sheila Danau, huh….”

He had heard that name before through his uncle Felix’s involvement.

If he remembered correctly, they grew up together like siblings in a village deep in the mountains where his uncle lived in hiding.

After talking to her along the way, he didn’t see anything suspicious about Sheila Danau.

Rather, he liked the way he worried about Wilfrecht as a friend, without any second thoughts.

If he were to single out one characteristic, it would be that he had the courage to be calm against the royal family, which was far from the norm.

“But it’s hard to imagine Clauschezade Norstein going to the trouble of putting him on the front lines if he’s really just a liability who can’t use magic….”

The legendary Clauschezade Norstein was said to be the strongest man in the kingdom.

He was a man who always rushed to save his country in times of emergency, a man who stood in a special position even in the Order of the Imperial Knights.

When he heard that such a capable pragmatist had fought on the front lines with a commoner who couldn’t use magic, the first thing he felt was a sense of discomfort. His stepfather must have felt the same way.

The fact that this audience was intended to confirm such a feeling must have been conveyed to those who were invited.

It was impressive that Clauschezade, Leidyrune, and even Jornwerner, who was known as a problematic person in the aristocratic world, were especially cautious in their responses.

It was all for the protection of Sheila Danau.

“Sheila Danau…. I might have to look more into it.”

Verdinard muttered to no one as he walked leisurely through the corridor.

◇　◆　◇

“I’m sorry. You must have been surprised, Sheila-san. My brother has always been a bit of an exaggerator.”

Wilfrecht raised his upper body on the bed and gave a gentle smile.

Surprisingly, Verdinard guided her to the private chambers of His Highness the Second Prince.

The room was decorated with a wood-grained table set, a soothing dark brown carpet, and pale amber wallpaper.

The interior of the room was warm and inviting as if reflecting Wilfrecht’s personality.

“No, but I’m really relieved. Your Highness is not sick or injured.”

Sheila knew that he wasn’t ill as she heard about his condition along the way, but she couldn’t get rid of her worries until she saw his face. She was relieved to see that he seemed to be in good health.

“Um… You certainly look like you’ve grown a little taller in the little time I’ve been away….?”

“You don’t have to worry about it, Sheila. I haven’t grown enough to be noticeable at a quick glance.”

Growing pains were the cause of Wilfrecht’s inability to get up.

The change in his physical condition occurred shortly after he turned 21 years old.

Due to the stress of being involved in the political upheaval, Wilfrecht’s body wasn’t able to enter its second growth phase. Suddenly, his body started growing exponentially.

“The doctor said that the cause of my rapid growth was due to my own strong desires. It seems that this has caused some impossibility here and there.”

Every joint in his body creaked.

Perhaps due to the strain over the years, Wilfrecht was experiencing severe pain that would have been unthinkable during a mere growth spurt.

That was why he was now a bed dweller.

“For the time being, I’ve already grown about 5 centimeters. But the pain is still there, so I don’t know when I’ll be able to get up again. I didn’t want to take a break from the academy if possible, but it may be a little difficult. I think I might have to ask you to take care of the herb garden for a little while longer.”

Wilfrecht’s gorgeous appearance was clouded by an apologetic look.

He must be feeling a little frustrated because he had been putting off his duties lately. Even though his body must still be in pain, he was a really diligent and hardworking man.

She had no trouble managing the herb garden, so he could just leave it to her as much as he liked. Just as she was about to say that, Sheila suddenly clapped her hands.

“Oh, right. Thank you for your letter. I was in such a hurry that I didn’t get a chance to read it, but perhaps that’s what it was about?”

The letter from Wilfrecht, which had been completely put off due to the demon attack, had been put in a drawer in her room so that she wouldn’t lose it.

She hadn’t seen it, but maybe it was related to the management of the herb garden.

When Sheila genuinely asked him, he hung his head in shame for some reason.

“That… How humiliating it is to verbalize the contents of a letter like that…..”

“Eh? Um, I’m sorry about that. I’ve been too busy since yesterday that my brain may not be working very well.”

Or maybe it was because she was recently released from the tension of an audience with the King.

Either way, there was no doubt that she hurt Wilfrecht, who covered his face with both hands like a shy girl. Sheila bowed her head and apologized again.

“I’m really sorry. I’ll read it properly when I get back to the dormitory.”

“It’s also a bit of a strange feeling to have that proclaimed in front of me…..”

Even Wilfrecht understood that it was futile to ask Sheila for her meticulous consideration.

He quickly switched topics.

“By the way, you and your friends are staying in the dormitory for special training, aren’t you? How is it going? Is Clauschezade-sensei very strict?”

“He’s strict, but it’s still very beneficial since it’s an individual training. It looks like we’re going to have a day off today and tomorrow, though…”

The face of Cody and Zechs, who trained together with her, came to mind.

Even if Sheila were to tell them what was going on, where would she begin? Was it really so easy to talk about the existence of the spirit arts, which was kept secret from the public?

Suddenly, her eyes met Wilfrecht’s.

If it was him, he already knew all of Sheila’s secrets. He might be just the right person to talk to about her current concerns.

“Your Highness. To be honest, I’ve become somewhat awkward with my friends during yesterday’s battle. It’s because of the secret I’m hiding from them, but how much should I tell them?”

“That…. If you’ve been exposed, you probably won’t be able to keep quiet about the spirit arts, so you should tell them that. You should probably keep quiet about being a woman for the time being, though. It’s better to say that for the future….”

Wilfrecht had a serious expression on his face as he spoke his thoughts, but a smile was suddenly etched on his lips.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sheila so distressed. They must be an important friend.”

“Important…. Yes. Very important.”

The emotions seemed to become more vivid when put into words.

They were the first friends Sheila had made since she left the village.

She was able to defeat the dragon because she felt they were working hard behind the scenes. Because there were many things she wanted to protect in the royal capital.

If Sheila didn’t want to lose them, she must have a heart-to-heart talk with them.

Once she had made up her mind, her shoulders instantly relaxed.

“Of course, Your Highness is also very important to me.”

When Sheila smiled at him, Wilfrecht suddenly became bashful.

“I-I am?”

“Yes. Your Highness is an important and precious companion, a fellow herbalist.”

“H-Herbal… ist…?”

Amy and Wilfrecht were the only people in the royal capital who could understand her and she could actively engage them in a heated discussion of medicinal herbs. Sheila wanted to cherish her precious friends.

Ever since she first arrived in the royal capital, Sheila had come into contact with an unimaginably large number of people.

The people who lived in the downtown area and her aristocratic classmates.

That’s why everything was so important and irreplaceable.

At that moment, the face of the person she realized was more important than anyone else came to mind.

She hadn’t been alone with him since she told him about her feelings. Was it a good thing or a bad thing to be able to avoid a decisive situation?

“――Who are you thinking about with a face like that?”

Wilfrecht’s question cut off Sheila’s train of thought.

When she looked up, she was confronted by a pair of calm blue eyes.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. What did you say?”

He just smiled plainly.

Wilfrecht’s smile contained a strength like that of a tree enduring the cold of winter.

Perhaps he had grown up a little more than before after all. His cheeks and jawline were sharper, and his neutral softness seemed to have been cut away.

The look in his eyes was breathtaking.

Sheila couldn’t help but admire the masculinity that was beginning to emerge in the midst of his growing stunning good looks.

“I will become stronger from now on. Strong enough not to lose to you…. At that time, will you listen to me about something important?”

Sheila tilted her head as she listened to the crackling firewood in the fireplace.

“If it’s important, why not now?”

“Now is not a good time.”

Sheila clenched her fist and nodded at Wilfrecht, who shook his head with a troubled smile.

“Then, I have to work hard so that I can become even stronger.”

“Do you intend to become even stronger than you are now, Sheila? I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep up.”

Wilfrecht chuckled.

A faded scenery spread outside as if the whole world was frozen in place.

But spending time with friends in the sun by the window warmed her heart to the core.