That Night

  My Room

  Those massive white doors are still cluttering up the place. I really need a bigger room.

  Once I move… well…

  Me and Roka can finally do this…

  and that…

  My imagination starts running away from me.

  Knock knock.

  I get up and open the door.

  It’s Roka.

  “Roka, wha—”

  I stop.

  She looks… serious.

  “Please come in.”

  She steps inside and sits at the table. I sit opposite her.

  “It’s about Lady Felmina,” she begins, “and what happened today… She’s not a bad person, really. I don’t know why she hates me now, but—”

  “Take your time.”

  “It must be a misunderstanding. It has to be. Something must have happened. So… please reconsider going to the marriage interview. I appreciate you standing up for me this afternoon, and I understand why you rejected it.”

  “That is…”

  “It’s about Steph… or I should say Lilith, isn’t it?”

  I stay silent.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Please sleep on it. At least that much.”

  “I’ll consider it—since it’s you who’s asking. But… wouldn’t you get even a little jealous if I start seeing someone else? I mean… things are going really well between us.”

  “You’re kind of weird, you know that?” She crosses her arms. “Men of high standing usually have multiple wives. My father had six wives and fourteen concubines, so… if it’s Lady Felmina, I don’t mind. As long as we can clear up this misunderstanding between us. She’s really nice. We got along just fine until recently.”

  “It’s getting late, Princess. You should go. But I promise—I’ll think about it.”

  She leaves.

  I write a bit.

  Then pass out immediately.

  The Following Morning

  The New Section

  I arrive on site, check my assignment, then decide to greet Roka first.

  But something catches my eye.

  A black parasol.

  Felmina—standing right at the cliff edge, spying on Roka from above like a suspiciously elegant vulture.

  Alright.

  If yesterday was a misunderstanding, then surprising her might give me the most honest reaction possible.

  I approach quietly, grab her by the scruff of the neck—gently, so she doesn’t fall.

  “So, what are we doing, Onee-san?”

  She yelps.

  Good thing I grabbed her—she absolutely would’ve fallen.

  “S-S-Sir Hero!”

  She realizes what happened and blushes. I let go. She places a hand to her chest, looking shy.

  “Please forgive me for my behavior yesterday, I—”

  She bows.

  As I follow her motion downward, I suddenly realize—

  She’s bowing on the very edge.

  She looks up.

  I instinctively reach toward her.

  She startles.

  She steps back.

  There’s nothing there.

  She falls.

  “Oh shit—!”

  I drop my pickaxe and dive down the slope after her.

  Instinct takes over.

  I catch her mid-air, princess-carry style.

  Now I just need to stick the landing.

  Impact.

  A jolt shoots up from my feet through my thighs.

  I collapse.

  But she’s safe.

  Five meters isn’t a joke.

  I’m amazed I’m still conscious.

  She’s still in my arms.

  Oh crap—Roka.

  Right as I think it, Roka comes sprinting over.

  How the hell do I explain this?

  “A-Are you alright, Lady Felmina?” I manage to choke out. My throat feels dry.

  Felmina suddenly bursts into tears.

  “Why don’t you like me? Is it because I’m old? I’m over 30… is that why!?”

  This is probably the most honest thing she has ever said to me.

  I gently place a finger on her lips.

  She freezes.

  “I’m 33.

  And call me Ryu.”

  Her eyes widen. Tears stop.

  Her entire face goes red as she realizes what she just confessed.

  Then—

  WHAM.

  She shoves me.

  Hard.

  Super hard.

  As I roll across the dirt, one thought runs through my mind:

  I wish you wouldn’t treat an injured person like this…

  Bang. Thud.