Episode 88

Time passed, and soon both Hildebrandt and Yvonne were fifteen years old.

“You should stop coming here.”

“Why?”

“It’s not normal to come here every single day.”

“That’s not true. I’ve missed a few days. I didn’t come for Father’s birthday last time, and before that, for Mother’s birthday.”

“….”

“And before that, I missed the New Year’s festival…. Uh…”

“Enough.”

Hildebrandt interrupted her counting. Because she had visited almost daily for the past year and a half, he lived with both anticipation and anxiety each day.

Even though she left before dusk when the palace gates closed, her visits, disguised as a maid, were dangerous.

“Are you afraid of His Majesty?”

“….”

“There are plenty of princes and princesses now. He’s not going to torment you like before.”

“How do you…?”

“I’m not a fool, you know.”

Hildebrandt looked into her clear purple eyes, shining with certainty. Of course, she would have figured it out.

“I also know why you acted the way you did toward me.”

“….”

“It’s something I naturally came to understand, even if no one told me.”

“How?”

“I have good instincts.”

He nearly pushed her head away when she leaned it against his shoulder while he read, but he let her stay. Perhaps it was the faint, sweet scent from her hair that made it harder to resist her presence.

Hildebrandt was young, and strangely enough, he felt happier now, away from the palace and the title of prince.

Now, he found joy in simply waiting for Yvonne to visit each day.

As time went on, though, he found his caution fading.

It had been nearly two years. The Emperor, without a doubt, was aware of Yvonne’s frequent visits.

Yet he hadn’t done anything to stop it.

Perhaps he truly was more interested in manipulating the new princes and princesses like puppets.

With that hope, Hildebrandt continued meeting Yvonne.

“You have good instincts? You’re spouting more nonsense by the day.”

“Hehehe.”

Yvonne tilted her head to look at him.

“Stop looking.”

“Why?”

Hildebrandt opened his book, trying to avoid her gaze and focusing instead on the words, purposefully blocking her from his view.

“You know, people are so full of greed.”

“…”

“Being here with you makes me want to do something worse.”

“You’re insane. Leave.”

“Why? I haven’t even told you what I want to do.”

“It’s obvious.”

Hildebrandt lowered the book, trying to steady himself. But as he met her bright eyes again, his pulse quickened, and he raised the book once more to block her from sight.

“Anything that comes from your mind is always trivial.”

“Want to test if it’s trivial or not?”

“…No.”

“Still, we’ve made a lot of progress. You thought about it for three whole seconds.”

“Get out.”

“No.”

She laughed as she wrapped her arms around his waist, pushing his book away with her head, pressing herself closer.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Aren’t you surprisingly sturdy? Why aren’t you falling over?”

Yvonne, intending to topple him to the floor, leaned her full weight against him. But thanks to the restorative potion she’d been sneaking into his meals, Hildebrandt’s body remained at its peak, just as it had been when he was a trained warrior.

“What exactly are you trying to do?”

“I’m trying to touch you, of course.”

“Leave. Now.”

Disturbed, he tried to push her face away.

“Mm…”

Yvonne responded by biting the finger that touched her lips.

“Are you a dog? Why are you biting me?”

“Uh-huh?”

“Let go and talk properly, not like an idiot.”

“Auheh oh ah?”

“Yep, you sound like a complete idiot.”

Even though Hildebrandt could have yanked his finger away, he waited for her to release it. She looked up at him, still biting his pinky.

Something about her dyed black hair made him feel strangely unsettled.

“I let go. Are you mad?”

“….”

“Then you bite me, Hilde!”

“Do you like hearing rough words? Is that why you’re acting like this?”

“Nope. I just really like you, Hilde.”

“Those kinds of words…!”

“I really like you, Hilde. I like you so much, I even like it when you scold me or when you get mad and blush like this.”

“When did I ever—ugh…”

Only then did he realize his face had flushed. Feeling overwhelmed, he turned his head and covered his face with his hand.

“You’re mad, right?”

“….”

“Then bite me. You can bite my hand.”

“Get out.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah.”

“If you’re going to be like this, then don’t come anymore.”

He said it firmly, avoiding her gaze entirely. Yvonne’s smile faded, a slight disappointment settling over her face.

“You really mean it?”

“….”

“Really?”

“…Yes.”

He didn’t look at her as she left, even though he knew she turned back to look at him several times.

Hildebrandt told himself he shouldn’t want more than this. He’d started eating meals again just to see her, and he read the books she brought.

But someday, he would have to face the inevitable.

When that time came, he didn’t want her grieving for too long because of him.

He didn’t want her first experiences of anything to be tied to him.

He told himself that if she grew distant, it would be better. Just enough so that they could see each other as family, close enough but not too close.

At least, that was her limit.

For him, that boundary had already disappeared long ago.

To ensure that it never crossed beyond that.

* * *

The next day, Yvonne didn’t come.

Usually, she’d visit in the early afternoon, tidy up his room, bring him a meal, and watch him eat before staying until evening.

At first, he had felt uncomfortable with her watching him eat. But gradually, he found himself eating just to see the joyful expression on her face, her eyes gleaming, her cheeks flushed with warmth.

He remembered how delighted she’d been the first time he ate in front of her.

‘I haven’t seen you eat in ages, Hilde!’

‘Be quiet. I can’t eat when you talk.’

‘Try this one.’

‘….’

‘And this one too!’

Recalling her happy face made his heart race, even if it was somewhat annoying and left his face warm.

But today, she didn’t come.

Maybe it was because he’d told her not to yesterday.

Or maybe… it was because of the Emperor.

No, the Emperor had lost interest in him by now. If he’d lost interest in Hildebrandt, he’d likely lost interest in Yvonne too.

Then, was her absence truly because of what he’d said?

‘Tomorrow, I can’t come because it’s Father’s birthday. We’re having a banquet at the estate.’

‘Tomorrow’s Mother’s birthday, so there’s going to be a ball!’

‘I probably can’t come for the New Year’s festival since I can’t get into the palace. I wanted to make a wish with you that night, Hilde… Too bad.’

Whenever she couldn’t visit, she’d always let him know in advance. But today… there had been no word.

Concerned, he found himself standing at the door for the first time.

‘If you’re going to be like this, then don’t come anymore.’

“This is for the best.”

He tried to believe it. But his hand was already on the doorknob.

Clank, clank.

The door wouldn’t budge.

He brushed his hair back in frustration and went to the window.

Outside, it was raining. The steady drizzle fell from the sky, filling the air with the rich scent of damp earth.

This was the top of the tower.

If he jumped from here, he’d likely be injured. But his magically enhanced body would probably keep him from serious harm.

Still, he was a prisoner. The moment he left, the hypnosis placed on him would activate. He didn’t know exactly what the hypnosis would do, but he was equally unsure if he should just sit and wait.

“It’s for the best.”

Even as he said it, he kept looking out the window.

As dusk settled and the world outside darkened, he realized the palace gates were now closed. Yvonne wouldn’t be able to enter.

If she didn’t come, he could go back to his original plan and finally end it all.

He’d only lingered here, putting it off day by day, because he wanted to see her.

If yesterday had been the last time he saw her, he wished he’d spoken more warmly. Still, he felt a strange sense of relief, knowing his words would keep her away.

Ignoring the warmth building behind his eyes, he sat beneath the bed, surrounded by the books she’d brought.

He picked up a lighthearted romance novel before setting it back down.

Yvonne wasn’t coming.

He clenched and unclenched his left hand, feeling an ache.

Thud, thud, thud! Crash! Bang!

“Hilde!”

He’d been staring at his hand in resignation when he jumped at the sound of someone bursting through the door.

“I’m late!”

There she stood, soaked from head to toe, covered in mud, scratches all over, clutching a bag tightly against her chest. She was drenched from the rain, standing there like a mess, but there she was.