There was really nothing to say considering Raphir’s unusual straightforwardness so far, I couldn’t dismiss it as a random thought.
“Of course, His Royal Highness’ visit will not alter our work schedule, and I expect everyone to focus on their respective tasks as before.”
“Understood.”
I raised my hand.
“Something on your mind, Researcher Rojasis?”
“I was wondering if you might know exactly when His Highness the Crown Prince will be arriving?”
“They said it would be around the second week of next month. Maybe around the tenth.”
Coincidentally, it was right around Clyde’s birthday.
“What about those who have planned vacations around that time?”
“On the day His Highness arrives at the research site, all team members should be present. We’re not sure exactly how long His Highness will stay in Andela, but at least for the first week, everyone should consider postponing their vacation leaves.”
A collective sigh spread throughout the room.
But more than anyone else, I was shocked and heartbroken.
‘This can’t be happening. Clyde must be waiting for that day!’
I really didn’t want to lie to Clyde or break any promises anymore. After all, I was the one who suggested we have a birthday party together.
Still, I couldn’t bring myself to insist on taking the day off. Especially since I had already taken the whole first week off for the sake of breaking Clyde’s curse.
Now, I could only hope that Raphir’s visit schedule would either be pushed forward or postponed.
‘Why would His Highness come all the way to this remote and cold place? Is there something good waiting for him here?’
I let out a deep sigh.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
But someone once said that the more desperately you hope for something, the less likely it is to come true.
Raphir’s departure from the capital was confirmed, and the exact date of his visit was set for October 11th, just one day before Clyde’s birthday.
‘If only he could have arrived even just one day later, I could have celebrated with him at midnight on the eve.’
But it was already a decided matter, and there was nothing I could do about it.
Even the thought of telling Clyde that I might not be able to keep my promise felt heavy and difficult to express.
After hearing the news, on my day off, I went to meet Clyde, feeling restless.
However, even when he was right in front of me, I couldn’t bring myself to bring up the topic.
Eventually, he noticed my strange mood and asked.
“Is something wrong?”
“Huh? Why?”
“You seem a bit off.”
He could even tell despite not being able to see, his perceptivity was truly impressive.
Clyde had always been quite sensitive to my mood and condition. Knowing he was paying such close attention to me made me genuinely happy.
“Well, the thing is…”
I hesitated with my words hanging.
“Why, what’s the matter?”
“I think I won’t be able to get a day off on your birthday. I’m really sorry.”
I quickly blurted out and gauged Clyde’s reaction.
“What? You were all worked up about that?”
Clyde said with a wry smile.
“…Are you okay? Aren’t you upset?”
“Well, I won’t say I’m not a bit disappointed, but it’s okay. It’s not like my birthday is a particularly special day.”
“What are you talking about? Of course it’s special. It’s the day you were born.”
“It’s enough that you think so.”
Clyde said softly. His slightly lowered eyes held a warm light.
“Is it really okay then?”
“Of course. We can have roast chicken anytime. Since things turned out this way, I might even be able to have it a little earlier. In fact, I can’t wait to eat it.”
“Really? Well then… for now, let’s hold off on it. I’ll practice and make it for you on my next day off. We can celebrate your birthday in advance.”
“Sure, sounds good.”
Clyde smiled softly. Seeing that expression, I felt even more relieved than I had anticipated.
“I’m really glad. He doesn’t seem upset about the broken promise…”
“But what happened? You said last time that you could get the day off for that?”
“Yeah. That was the plan… but the truth is, Prince Raphir decided to visit just one day before your birthday. The head of the research team told us to postpone our day off starting that day for a week, so there was nothing I could do.”
“…….”
Clyde’s face slightly stiffened at my words.
“The crown prince is coming?”
“Clyde. You should use proper honorifics.”
I said in surprise.
“I mean the prince you danced with at that time.”
“Clyde. Use honorifics.”
“Who cares about that? Right now, it’s just you and me?”
Clyde’s voice turned unusually cold and rough. His abrupt change was bewildering and slightly intimidating.
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Why are you suddenly like this, Clyde?”
“Why would the prince suddenly come all the way here?”
“It’s just a formality. Noble families often do these kinds of visit. They check on the progress of things, and offer encouragement to the members.”
“For someone of his stature, it’s a long way to come. He’s practically exposing himself to assassination threats.”
“…….”
Clyde’s words surprised me inwardly. I had always thought he knew nothing about how the world operated, having spent his life confined indoors.
Perhaps it was because of his days in Heremos. He had grown quite close to the residents there. Some of them even taught him various things, including how the world worked.
But those people, too, are now all gone….
Thinking about that brought down my mood considerably.
When I didn’t say anything, Clyde spoke up, his voice softening slightly.
“…Did he come because of you?”
I couldn’t help but feel a pang of discomfort for a moment..
‘Why would Clyde say something like that? Could it be that he knew Prince Raphir proposed to me…’
No, that couldn’t be the case. Only very few people know about that fact.
“That’s ridiculous. Why would you think that way?”
I asked, trying my best to sound nonchalant.
“Rumors have been circulating in social circles. Word has it that the prince has taken a liking to you.”
“…….”
Come to think of it, that was indeed the case.
There have been rumors spreading for quite some time now. I had momentarily overlooked them. Clyde had mingled in high society under disguise shortly after returning to the capital, so he likely had heard those rumors.
“Is that true?”
“…Huh? What?”
“Are you going to be a crown princess?”
Clyde’s question caught me off guard. I could answer that question immediately.
“No, it’s not true. There’s no way.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, for real.”
“…….”
Clyde fell silent for a moment, keeping his lips sealed..
“A crown princess? That doesn’t match my personality at all. Considering how I’ve been confined at home due to my father, it’s not something I’d ever want. If I become a crown princess, I will never be able to live as I please.”
“…….”
“I won’t get married. Not to Prince Raphir or anyone else.”
Clyde’s eyes widened at that.
“Really?”
“I keep confirming it. Of course, it’s true. I promise I won’t lie to you anymore.”
“…….”
“Marrying someone else wouldn’t be as much fun as being with you. I don’t want that.”
I laughed, arching an eyebrow.
“…Ruby.”
Clyde called my name with a slightly trembling voice.
I tightly held onto Clyde’s hand.
“I swear, I’m going to be your friend for life, but you have to promise me one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Promise me you’ll never take another person’s life.”
“…….”
After hearing about everything Clyde had been through during the 7 years we were apart, this had been something on my mind.
Even if not now, I intend to receive this promise from him someday.
Now that I had resolved to live with Clyde in the future, it was crucial to address this issue.
I had promised not to repeat the tragedy that occurred in the original story, where Clyde ultimately lost his mother and experienced a horrifying ordeal in a different form.
He had already awakened to his magical powers and had taken lives, more than a few.
Watching Clyde openly show his animosity towards Raphir just now, I couldn’t help but feel a fear that the same tragedy as in the original might occur again at any moment.
That’s why it was imperative to get his promise right now.
“If it’s revealed that I’m a half-demon, everyone will try to kill me or capture me. And still, you’re telling me not to resist?”
“What are you talking about? Of course you should resist, but you should be able to control your strength enough not to die. You’re incredibly powerful.”
“That level of fine control over my power is impossible.”
“You can do it. I believe in you.”
“…….”
Clyde frowned.
“Ruby, it’s not as simple as you’re making it sound. It’s not an easy problem to solve. If my true identity is revealed and I’m not immediately killed to eliminate the threat, it would be impossible for me to stay by your side like this. Are you saying all of this with that understanding?”
“I know. So, I’ll make sure you never get discovered.”
“And what if I was?”
“You won’t.”
“There’s no such thing as ‘never’ in this world. What will you do if, by any chance, I get discovered?”
“Then I’ll escape with you.”
“…….”
Clyde was momentarily speechless.
The expression he had on his face indicated that he never expected me to say something like that.
It wasn’t a statement I made impulsively.
It was something I had prepared myself for in advance. Just like Clyde had said, I couldn’t be overly optimistic that I would never be discovered.
In that case, the likelihood of my father, my brothers, and other people accepting Clyde’s existence was virtually nonexistent.
Therefore, in order to avoid the impending tragedy, I had no choice but to run away with him.
Clyde would undoubtedly refuse to leave my side on his own.
