Volume 2, Act 14: Intermission 01: The Princes Close Friend Part 2
Nevertheless, His Highness treated everyone to a slightly big cookie during break the next day.
Everyone was surprised by this sudden event. And, they only took one cookie each while looking nervous.
The room was strangely tensed.
But, that lasted only for a second. Even if they were timidly eating the cookies, it was too delicious and it was impossible for them to keep feeling nervous once they lost their senses.
That was how delicious that cookie was.
May I have another one, Your Highness?
Theres a lot so its fine.
There were even guys who wanted a second one without hesitation, there were even guys who bit into the cookie and then just stared at it.
His Highness was the focus of the children.
His Highness, who was looking for a reaction from the easy to understand children at first, looked relieved. When our eyes met, I felt like he was trying to tell me something. However, that was interrupted by a somewhat excited voice that was asking him if he liked sweets as well.
But as for me, I did think Are these guys going to be alright? They got pulled in by things too quickly. Well, they were still children and it was a gift from someone they would serve in the future, so it was fine.
I walked to the fountain where I spoke with His Highness on that day after the study session.
His Highness was already there. He was also holding the white cat. His Highness and the cat noticed that I was there at the same time.
It went really well, didnt it Your Highness?
Thanks. Its thanks to you Vernoux.
He put down the cat who was struggling in his arms and slowly stood up.
I didnt know that it wasnt that hard. Sorry I doubted you.
Its okay. Its because Your Highness chose a sweet that everyone liked.
The cookies were probably all gone. They were familiar with it because it was a cookie theyve all eaten once before. And, I didnt even think it went well I have no intentions on confessing this. His Highness smiled while I was thinking that.
Then, I should thank mother. But, mother would probably tell me this If so, then thank Vernoux. The one who told me to do it was Vernoux after all.
I dont think he was just awkward, he was probably embarrassed as well. Your praise is more than I deserve, I had replied, but I was disturbed so the words turned out a little monotone. Nonetheless, His Highness didnt read too much into it.
His Highness began to walk slowly. I felt like he was telling me to follow him, so I slowly met my pace with his. The place where he went to was the garden.
Ive read it in a book before, so I knew about the word friend. But, I didnt know what a friend was and I didnt know if I could make a friend. It wasnt clear to me from reading it in books.
He spoke as he entered the gazebo and sat down. I stood next to him and thought about the meaning of that word.
It is very presumptuous to be friends with Royalty.
I was unwilling to feel sorry for His Highness, but I had the courage to call him a friend. When I said what I had honestly thought, I heard a voice leak from His Highness, Gah. Then, he tried to hold his stomach and press it down.
Vernoux, youre interesting, arent you?
Do you think so?
Yeah. Youre interesting because you say things clearly.
I dont remember saying anything interesting. What the heck was so funny that he had to hold his stomach? This continued for a while and then he leaned back and said.
Its troublesome to be Royalty.
I thought so too, but I shouldnt agree with him. I cant deny it either. It was a phrase that only gave me trouble. But His Highness didnt want to trouble me nor did he want to make me nervous.
But, I became friends with Vernoux thanks to that. I should be thankful.
Say something.
I dont know what to say.
Even though I just said I sound presumptuous. Even though His Highness acknowledged that and even said it was troublesome. All I could do was shrug when I thought that.
However, it didnt feel unpleasant. His Highness also laughed.
Vernoux too, if theres something I can do for you just tell me.
Your Highness, you shouldnt say something like that so easily. Absurd requests might come your way.
Of course, I didnt mean anything bad by it. I dont know if he was going to take my advice, but I wanted to warn him. However, His Highness tilted his head in curiosity.
Vernoux, are you going to ask for something absurd?
I wont.
Then its fine, isnt it?
That wasnt the problem. That was a hindsight-based opinion, even I had the possibility of asking for anything I wanted. But, I didnt need to say it out loud for him to understand this. His Highness smile didnt fade and he replied.
Its fine. If you ask for something absurd, then I can just tell you I cant do it. This is only if I can do it Oh yes, do you want to climb the east tower together? Something like that?
It looked very nice up there.
Huh, is that alright?
Yes.
But
And, I wasnt intending on going to the basement today.
He said as he proceeded down a path that I knew well. It was the way to the east tower, which I climbed together with him in the beginning.
We went into the tower and ran up to the top. We were both out of breath when we reached the top.
The wind certainly feels nice up here. We should have brought some sweets up with us.
We should have.
Speaking of which, I havent heard this from you yet. Tell me your favourite sweets next time, Vernoux. Ill prepare some.
If possible, I want water more than sweets right now.
Youre right. I want to drink some water too.
Even though he said that, he didnt have any intentions to immediately climb down the tower. He put his back to the wall, sat down and looked up at the sky.
We cant reach the sky from a tower after all.
Well, its closer to the sky than the basement.
Sorry. I didnt mean to trick you. Ill show you to basement next time. But, I didnt want the adults to hear us talking today.
We cant take our time talking if they are near.
His Highness said and I sat down next to him. It was bad to speak while looking down on him. Then, I looked at the sky like he was, and I saw the white clouds flowing slowly across the sky.
The sky is certainly high.
It wasnt like I really wanted to go to the basement. So I didnt mind if that was what he wanted. I wasnt troubled if the adults heard us talking, but I did mind them.
Have you ever been to town, Vernoux? Ive only peeked at it from inside of the carriage.
The town, was it? Father has taken me there before.
What does he want to talk about now that were away from the adults? I thought and he talked about something that had nothing to do with the sky that he was looking at.
The town.
Its natural that hed want to walk around town himself since he sees it a lot from the tower. His Highness mostly went out with His Majesty. He couldnt go to places that he wanted to. I only walk around town with father, but hell usually take me to places I want to go if I tell him about it.
If possible, can you tell me about your experiences there Vernoux?
My experiences?
Yeah.
You might get a preconceived notion of the town from my personal experience.
It wasnt like I didnt want to tell him. But, I was a little scared of planting a preconceived notion into his mind. Even though weve become good friends, His Highness was still His Highness.
However, he continued to stare at the sky without looking at me and laughed.
But still, theres no harm in knowing, is there? I also want to see it someday.
Well, just talking about it is something I can do.
However, I suddenly realised.
Yes, talking about it wasnt a problem. But what should I do if he says something like, I want to go incognito with you? in the future? It suddenly crossed my mind that it would be odd for His Highness, who was smiling, to suddenly say this. But, I was probably thinking too much.
But, well.
If he did want to go, then I probably wouldnt stop him. Perhaps, when His Highness wanted to do something, he wouldnt stop even if people tried to stop him. I had to master how to go incognito first, so that His Highness wouldnt loiter around.
Because, if I left him alone, then he might wander off somewhere.
I thought you were a little more mature, Your Highness.
I thought that you were a more formal person, Vernoux.
The first impression wed left each other was considerably different from how we were. However, were lucky that we didnt both think, It would have been better if you were.
Well, I couldnt imagine that I would be calling His Highness, Gilletwo years after that.
Vernoux, youve been spacing out since a while ago. Whats wrong?
Oh, no. Its nothing.
I, who was remembering a lot of things, shook my head slightly at the grown-up Gille in front of me.
I wasnt hiding anything, but I didnt dare to tell him about it. Rather, I would cause a misunderstanding if I told him straight-up that I was thinking about you I mean, even I would be put off if I heard it. Well, Ill be put off a lot by it.
Say, Gille.
Yeah?
Do you want to climb the tower again after so long?
Well, Im saying a lot with just this.
When I thought that, Gille looked a little confused like usual and then he laughed, Then, shall we prepare some sweets and water?
Translator: Blushy
Editor: SenjiQ