Now, Go Ahead and Stamp It - Chapter 34

“……Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

Anticipating a scolding from the chamberlain, Kaiden spoke curtly.

“Even so, this old man has lived three times as long as Your Highness. I have at least three times the wisdom.”

“Not quite. At most, two and a half times.”

“Either way, it’s more than Your Highness.”

At the chamberlain’s firm assertion, Kaiden glared at him.

But unlike usual, where the chamberlain would avoid his gaze, today he met Kaiden’s eyes and spoke.

“Your Highness, when you don’t know the way, isn’t it better to rely on those around you to find a breakthrough?”

“……Do you know a way?”

“I need to hear the problem first.”

Kaiden hesitated.

Should he speak or not?

It was indeed a time when he needed to seek the right path, even if it meant relying on someone.

Yes. There’s nothing to lose.

“……I don’t like the way the young lady lives. She recklessly throws herself into danger, trying anything if there’s a way, regardless of her own safety.”

Once he started, Kaiden poured out his thoughts.

“So I got angry. I know that one’s way of living isn’t something to meddle with. I know apologizing is the clean way to resolve it. But… I don’t want to.”

With a deep sigh, he closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

“If I let it slide now, she’ll surely risk her life again. But I can’t claim I’m right either. If I do—”

He hesitated to continue, his lips moving slightly.

“If she decides I’m useless and discards me.”

Then, whenever that might be, my end would be death.

Kaiden clenched his fist as if searching for something to hold onto.

The chamberlain smiled with wrinkles on his face.

“You’re uncertain.”

“I’ve never been more certain.”

He retorted curtly.

“People don’t all move at the same pace. If you’re frustrated, why not pull her along? She’ll catch up quickly.”

“……Pull her along?”

“What else could it mean but to express yourself honestly?”

The chamberlain chuckled, and Kaiden, feeling slighted, replied,

“If it’s just speaking honestly, I’ve already done that. I got really angry.”

“Ah. Will getting angry solve anything? You must also express what you wish for. Just getting angry will only push her away.”

“……”

“I’m worried. Please refrain from such actions in the future. If necessary, discuss it with me. That’s what Your Highness’s words sounded like to me.”

“……You haven’t aged in vain.”

“I’m two and a half times older than Your Highness, after all.”

The chamberlain’s smiling face was incredibly reminiscent of his father.

“Shall I contact Miss Crient?”

“If I do as you say, will I get the result I want?”

At Kaiden’s question, the chamberlain chuckled as if he’d heard a rare foolish question.

“That’s up to Your Highness, not me.”

“Hey, you!”

“Then I’ll be off.”

Before he could shout any more, the chamberlain quickly left.

* * *

Knock, knock.

With a gentle knock, the person Kaiden had been waiting for arrived.

As she bowed her head, a thread of light hair cascaded down.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Sitting in a wheelchair, her gaze was lower than usual.

The visual difference made Kaiden acutely aware of Ellen’s condition, prompting him to bend down and ask,

“Have you been well?”

“Thanks to your care, I’ve been fine.”

“Any pain?”

“I’m alright.”

Ellen’s response was straightforward.

Her calm voice stirred something strange in Kaiden’s chest.

She must have always said she was fine.

Her husband, who should have been closest to her, treated her that way, so she wouldn’t have known that someone else, a mere acquaintance, was worried about her.

‘……How should I convey this thought?’

To you, who says it doesn’t matter if trust is lost because you’ll always be there as a necessary piece.

“Your Highness.”

Ellen’s gentle voice reached his ears.

“Miss, I’m sorry, but could you let me speak first?”

Before she could make any declarations, he needed to convey his honest feelings.

Seeing Kaiden’s solemn expression, Ellen, slightly puzzled, agreed.

After taking a deep breath, he began.

“First… I’m sorry. No matter how angry I was, I shouldn’t have acted that way towards someone in pain.”

Kaiden bowed his head, averting his gaze, and Ellen, slightly flustered, replied,

“Not at all. It’s true I didn’t understand Your Highness’s intentions. I should be the one apologizing. I’m sorry.”

“No. Preferring such a method isn’t wrong. But…”

His gaze wandered momentarily before he seemed to decide something and looked her straight in the eye.

“We are now partners. Even if we don’t have boundless trust, we share the same interests.”

“……”

“I wanted to say this earlier, but I didn’t know how, so I’ve been avoiding you. I’m sorry.”

“I see.”

Ellen’s calm response seemed to acknowledge his words.

But her overly subdued tone made Kaiden uneasy, prompting him to speak quickly.

“I’m truly sorry for keeping you waiting. What I wanted to say is that I hope you’ll take better care of yourself. And…”

Thump. Thump.

The sound of an unheard heartbeat echoed in his ears.

“…If possible, I hope you’ll trust in our partnership and find a better way.”

A better way?

Hearing his words, Ellen wondered.

“Why do you say that, Your Highness? Do you find my method inefficient?”

Ellen asked, as if questioning what he meant, and Kaiden looked at her intently.

After a moment of silence, he sighed softly and spoke.

“……I’m not like Gillian, nor do I want to be. You are capable, important, and you deserve respect. Therefore, you should be safe. I don’t want to lose my people anymore.”

His words, which had been hesitant, finally flowed out.

“I’m not saying your method is wrong. It’s probably more efficient than mine. But if possible, I’d like you to consider my way, which ensures your safety… It’s a request.”

“Ah.”

Ellen uttered a short exclamation.

She realized then.

Right.

When did I become someone who threw away my safety because of Gillian?

‘……I started this wishing for the happiness of those I love.’

It was undoubtedly successful.

But the Crown Prince didn’t seem satisfied.

‘That means it was the wrong method.’

She always had to prove herself.

The discussion was always about the outcome.

Faster, better results.

For that, both he and she didn’t hesitate to wear themselves down.

But it was wrong.

Not just the results, but all the choices and processes leading up to them were wrong.

Even a needle used for a long time breaks, leaving a person feeling empty.

Even on a chessboard, losing one’s own piece feels more painful than losing another’s.

So perhaps her father, El, Sweeney, Ted, and everyone she loved felt the same sorrow and helplessness as the Crown Prince, if not more.

Even if she discarded herself to eliminate Gillian and paved a smooth future for them, if she wasn’t there, sorrow would remain in some form.

‘……This way, I’m no different from the past when I risked everything for Gillian.’

Like a flame that flares up and then quickly dies down, Ellen quieted.

She reached a conclusion.

This is another lesson I must learn while being with him.

“……Honestly, I was a bit taken aback. I never expected Your Highness to get angry.”

Ellen awkwardly touched her lips and spoke.

Revealing her true feelings without a filter made it difficult to maintain her usual indifferent expression.

“But I’m glad Your Highness spoke like that. Even if you went beyond my expectations.”

Like drawing different shapes with both hands, maintaining a false expression while speaking truthfully was truly challenging.

But it was true.

It was bewildering and surprising, but knowing someone cared more about her safety than their own gain was a joyful thing.

“It seems Your Highness’s way and mine are indeed different. But if we coordinate well, we can certainly be good partners.”

With those words, Ellen smiled genuinely.

A vibrant smile that seemed to melt spring, a smile she had never shown before.

It was dazzlingly bright.

“So from now on, I’ll make sure to discuss things with Your Highness before taking action. Let’s find better ways together.”

Kaiden chuckled and said,

“The fact that you’re not just saying that even as a formality is very like you.”

In a sense, it was impressive, and Kaiden shook his head.

With the heavy atmosphere lightened, Ellen shrugged and said,

“Having someone who cares is quite a nice feeling.”

“Alright. Let’s stop apologizing. I’ll just make sure your plans don’t go awry.”

“You’ve made a wise decision.”

Seeing Ellen’s confident smile, which was brighter than what he worried about, Kaiden felt relieved.

“Then shall we talk about what we haven’t discussed so far?”

“About…?”

There’s still more to discuss?

Kaiden asked, puzzled.