Fish Don't Know About Water - Chapter 56

“When did you get here?”

Phenelity was standing there in her pajamas. That was what he wanted to ask. When had she entered the room?

“I heard the car outside, but you didn’t come to the bedroom… I thought you had gone out again.”

She plopped down on the piano bench. Gently pushing aside Viett’s dazed body, she took his place. Viett kept his eyes on the keys as he made room for her.

“What were you doing?”

“B-before returning to Westenia… I thought I should ma-make a record for y-you in advance.”

He answered while pressing the keys.

“After we return to the c-country… you’ll be even b-busier than now…”

Normally, his wife would have fussed, saying, ‘Oh my, what a thoughtful idea!’ but she was silent. An awkward silence fell. Viett tapped the keys weakly and then spoke.

“Le-leave all the flowers behind. After the mo-mourning period for your brother ends, I’ll give you b-better ones.”

“I don’t want to throw them away because they’re the first flowers you gave me.”

Phenelity shook her head stubbornly. Viett hesitated for a moment before revealing his true feelings.

“L-looking at those… it re-reminds me of the day my brother died.”

“……”

“P-Please. Leave it here…”

After a moment of hesitation, Phenelity finally stepped back. ‘Alright,’ she nodded, then suddenly brought her face under his chin.

Startled, Viett turned to look at her. Their eyes met. He had been avoiding eye contact with her and his shoulders flinched.

“Have you been crying?”

Phenelity traced the corner of his eyes with her fingertip.

“Your eyes are red.”

It was only then that Viett realized his eyes were bloodshot. He quickly turned his head away, rejecting her hand.

“D-Don’t touch me.”

“Then can I not hug you either?”

She swiftly moved closer, wrapping one arm tightly around his tense back.

Surprisingly, his feelings of defiance and shame vanished without a trace. Viett felt his stiff muscles relax and his lips moved slightly.

“I, I…”

As he opened his mouth absentmindedly, the tears he had been holding back finally rolled down his cheeks. He slowly lowered his head. Tears fell onto the back of his hand, which was pressing down on the keys.

He felt a hand patting his shoulder. Wanting to lean into the warmth, he grasped the small hand that was stroking his shoulder. He spoke like a child whining.

“Sometimes I… I hated him… but Minute is… my, my brother.”

“……”

“I never… ever wished for my brother to die…”

Phenelity silently held his hand tightly. She rubbed her temple against his shoulder and muttered awkwardly.

“Should I go back to my room…?”

He lifted his head abruptly to look at his wife. He couldn’t believe she was intending to leave him alone. When he looked at her, seeking an explanation, Phenelity avoided his gaze with an embarrassed expression.

“Well… Everyone doesn’t want to show me their tears.”

“……”

“If they cry in front of me, it’s not just showing their weak side to me… You know? Even this moment will be in the newspapers…”

Her expression gradually hardened as if she was disgusted with herself for explaining so pathetically.

She stared at the piano with a pale face, then slowly stood up. The small hand that had been holding him tightly also moved away.

“I’ll sleep on the living room sofa tonight.”

Phenelity roughly wiped the tears from his cheek with her palm before turning away.

“You should rest comfortably in bed…”

“D-Don’t go.”

He hurriedly grabbed her hand. He forced her trembling body to sit back on the piano bench. She looked up at him with startled eyes.

“Stay… by my, my side…”

He meant for her to stay by his side now and forever. But she might have thought he only meant for the present moment.

That was fine. After all, there was no turning back now. There was no way to go back to when they were not one.

“I’ll stay by your side.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, he embraced her with his strong arms. She turned her body and hugged him with both arms. He buried his face in the nape of her neck, where her disheveled hair fell.

He heard the sound of the recorder playing slowly. The comforting yet sad sound of a heartbeat seeped into it.

* * *

The train heading to the capital of Westenia, Lechen, departed early in the morning. Viett’s aide, Lieutenant Peter, opened the door to the first-class cabin, escorting Phenelity.

Phenelity sat on the single sofa in the corner of the first-class cabin and looked around.

“Where is Viett…”

“He is in the first-class cabin next door.”

Lieutenant Peter answered, fixing his gaze on the earmuffs hanging around her neck. Phenelity was wearing a new dress she had hastily acquired. Her shoes were worn leather boots, and the earmuffs around her neck were rugged military gear. With Viett’s military jacket draped over her shoulders, her outfit created a peculiar balance.

“Still, it’s not suitable for the Crown Princess’s first official appearance.”

He stared at her as she fidgeted with the paper. Her constant fidgeting and restlessness bothered him.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“My heart… My heart is uncomfortable.”

“May I ask why?”

“I didn’t want to go to the palace. Especially not so suddenly, never…”

“That is unfortunate.”

How did such a straightforward person become the Crown Princess? No, perhaps it was a good thing. It might be because of her straightforwardness that she could stay by his side, surrounded by solid walls.

As she defensively crossed her arms and shook her legs, she roughly opened her handbag. The bag was filled with finger-length glass bottles.

Peter watched her blankly as she hastily uncorked one of the glass bottles. The bottle was filled with an unknown liquid.

“May I ask what kind of medicine it is?”

“This? This is… a restorative drink for calming the mind and body.”

Phenelity answered quietly and gulped down the liquid.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Lieutenant Peter picked up one of the glass bottles with a suspicious look. He uncorked it and smelled the liquid. The scent was familiar.

“It’s an awakening potion. I’ve seen drivers drink it a few times.”

“It’s more potent than that. I made it myself.”

“That’s a dangerous statement. It’s against etiquette for a member of the royal family to privately use magical potions.”

He looked at her with pity as she drank another bottle. Upon closer inspection, her hands were trembling as she uncorked the bottle.

“After you enter the palace, you should have the royal mages or your physician prepare it for you.”

“Alright…”

She answered in a trembling voice and downed a third potion in one gulp. She held the potion in her mouth, closed her eyes, and swallowed it in a few gulps while leaning against the backrest.

Lieutenant Peter watched Phenelity with bated breath. After some time, she opened her eyes wide and smiled brightly.

“Ah, I feel much better now!”

“Haven’t you had too much?”

Lieutenant Peter said worriedly, looking at the empty glass bottles.

“You might experience side effects from overdosing on the potion.”

“That’s exactly what I want.”

“What? Want?”

Startled, he asked again, and she mumbled as she closed her handbag.

“No, I was just talking nonsense for a moment… I’m sorry.”

“…No, I overstepped.”

After an awkward exchange of apologies, silence fell. Lieutenant Peter sat across from Phenelity, watching her complexion. Fortunately, she looked fine. In fact, she seemed more alert than before, and her eyes were shining.

‘Is she alright…?’

Does His Highness know about this? He would be greatly shocked if he knew his wife was overusing potions.

As he watched her with concern, the door suddenly burst open and someone walked into the first-class cabin. It was Cecilia Rosti, carrying square luggage in both hands.

“There were no seats in the general cabin. Let me sit here.”

Without asking for permission, Cecilia sat in the seat next to Phenelity. Phenelity looked at her with wide eyes.

“Cecil. Are you going back to Westenia too?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Oh, I don’t know. You should stop ignoring other people’s feelings and asking only what you’re curious about.”

She waved her hand dismissively and leaned back comfortably in the seat. Then she took out sunglasses and covered her tired eyes.

“Ahem.”

Lieutenant Peter cleared his throat loudly, annoyed by her rude behavior. Cecilia, who had been sitting quietly with her legs crossed, turned to Phenelity.

“I am also on my way back to attend the funeral of the former Crown Prince Minute, Crown Princess Phenelity.”

Then she glared at Peter irritably.

“How about now? Is it okay for me to sit down?”