I endured it for just one day, and the next morning I stuck my head out of the capital. Of course, I didn't forget to put a replica hamster in the house while 'fetching'. I asked the system to make the crying sound plausible, so it should be okay for a while.
'But I have to go back quickly...'
Kyle, he has a good eye, and he might call the vet again, saying that our beast is weird. Even for the sake of the poor vet who was trembling in front of the Grand Duke, he had to solve it as quickly and efficiently as possible, and then go back.
"Now, then."
Outside the Imperial Castle, I 'loaded' myself into a deserted bush, and the first thing I did was find out the location of the top of the castanets with the help of the system. Fortunately, it wasn't that far, so if I went straight ahead, I would be there in less than 10 minutes.
However, there was another real problem.
"Really..."
I folded my eyes and smiled softly. I don't know how life can be like such a tight sewer. Even if I had sold out the country in my previous life, honestly, I wouldn't be worse than this.
[⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄]
Work...
I closed my eyes tightly, took a few deep breaths, and finally looked down at my outfit. The sweater had holes in it because it was knitted one stitch at a time. A large strawberry embroidery that could be seen from 50 meters away. On top of that, you could feel the warm breeze of the Imperial City on my slender thighs. The icing on the cake. Yes, the icing on the cake.
I slumped down and wrapped my head around it. And I roared silently. At this point, I think I'd be happier to be a hamster. At least, it doesn't hurt my dignity!
"..."
Isn't it? Isn't it more dignified to be a hamster?
"...Whew."
I sighed and stood up. In any case, it was better to acknowledge the situation quickly. There were a few things that needed to be resolved, but I couldn't waste time here.
I shook my head and looked around. The first thing I saw was a house with a wall that reached my waist and a simple but beautiful rose bed.
"I'm a person who has never committed a crime in my life, but I..."
I muttered to myself and clung to the fence of the house. I picked up my tiptoe and, after swinging several times, finally grabbed one of his shorts from the clothesline. Let's just borrow some pants, just pants. I'll wash it and return it to you.
I also noticed the shirt hanging right next to my pants, but I held back. If I got to the top, I'd find the clothes. Then I would be able to say goodbye to this enemy-like strawberry embroidered sweater right away.
Okay. If there are people at the top, how many people are there?
"..."
The top of castanets was like a beggar. I should have known about it when they said they would have branches here and there and move things.
[The Castanets Upper is the fourth largest in the Meinhardt Empire and the largest in the transportation industry!]
I slapped my chest. I should have told you about such an important thing in advance! Then you would have swiped your shirt! I thought there would be a couple of people accepting at most!
"Look over there..."
"It's barefoot and a strawberry-patterned sweater."
"...It's really unusual."
I'm not unique...
Ah, Kyle Jane Meinhardt! Really! In my heart, I wanted to tear this strawberry embroidery to the core, but if I did, I would become infamous in the capital city for being a true pervert who didn't wear anything.
Stay calm. You have to stay calm.
"But, those bare legs... Could it be that you are not wearing pants?"
My patience quickly ran out, and I shouted.
"Because I wore it?!"
What do you see people as? Did you see it? Don't follow me! Don't whisper! Just ask me to pay attention to it!
"...Hah."
I didn't plan on being treated as a pervert by strangers, but I was able to find money and things safely. I changed into normal clothes and went back to the Imperial City as soon as possible. It wasn't a penny or two that I had, and it was a waste to lose it.
"Hey, Shu, are you here already? Your Highness said it would take a little longer..."
As soon as I entered the Imperial Palace, I ran into Sen, who happened to be walking in the garden. I was lucky. I approached her with a happy look. It was a moment when they held hands to shake hands lightly with a brief greeting to ask how they had been doing.
[The backlog of miracle values will be settled all at once!] [Character, 'Serena' removed.]
...You what? Is Serena deleted? The person in front of me, what is it?
[A character who is not in the original work, 'Sen' has appeared.] [As much as he contributed to the change of character, it will be reflected in the miracle figures.]
My involvement in this novel changed her fate during the winter. But what does it mean that Serena has been removed? Sen becomes engaged to the prince Belial... Does this mean that, unlike the original, Belial will not become emperor this time?
The system window began to pop up mercilessly in front of my confused eyes.
[Current miracle value 31.0%] [Current miracle value 34.5%] [Current miracle value 37.0%] [Current miracle figure 39.2%]
"..."
I was a little tired of the bright blue flash, and I staggered back. The miracle numbers that went up in an instant felt unfamiliar. Is it a good thing for Sen that Sen's fate has changed? This time she didn't kill Kyle... Will they be able to find their own happiness?
Whether I knew my mind or not, I could only think of the system window that was still emitting a menacing blue light.
[This is an uninformed person!] [Unable to view the person's story!]
It was a strange word. In the first place, this story was to be reconstructed by my appearance and actions in
'Serena' is a word for an empress. But just now, the 'Serena' of this story has disappeared. For what? You don't know the future. It can change. There were three princes of the Meinhardt Empire: Lorenz, Belial, and Kyle. Kyle says he doesn't care about the throne, but Belial isn't. He hasn't died yet, and he's not married... Why did fate make 'Serena' a character that didn't exist?
"Shu?"
Sen stretched out his arm to me. Seeing his worried expression, I bit my lip and took another step back. I didn't know what to say. What happened to the Imperial City while I was away? What will happen to Sen who is no longer a character?
Sen approached. I took a step back. Sen approached again. I took another step back.
"...Wait, Sen. I'm sorry. What about me..."
What kind of facial expression should I make? How should I say it?
My body slumped into something. It was firm and warm. I looked up at the shadows overhead, and Kyle was looking down at me.
"Shu."
In an instant, my vision changed. He grabbed me by the shoulders and turned toward me. Kyle grabbed my chin and lifted it, studied my expression, and then pressed my body to me as if half-embracing.
"Did you take the carriage when you came?"
"...Nope."
I thought for a moment about whether I should say that I came on a horse or a donkey, but Kyle didn't ask me any more. It looked like someone who was just asking a question to come up with a suitable excuse.
"Yes. You're tired."
"...Oh, I guess. You said you came separately in the middle, right?"
Sen smiled awkwardly, as if he was sorry.
"I didn't think of that. I'll talk about it later, but let's go in and take a break. The room is..."
"I'll guide you. It's the next room."
"Do you want to?"
"Hmm."
I looked up at Kyle. There was no expression on his neat and blunt face. What was he thinking? He still didn't ask me anything. He just looked at my expression, covered my shoulders, and walked away.
"Your Highness."
"..."
"...Your Highness."
"Just a little."
He walked in step with me.
"Wait a little. This is the room."
There must have been more than one or two suspicious points. Not to mention the unnatural appearance he showed Sen, but he didn't get in the carriage, but he arrived much earlier than expected... But Kyle didn't ask me anything. I was a little stunned by his attitude that nothing was more important than my current condition.
Rattle.
The door opened, and the two of us were gently sucked into the darkness. The curtains were drawn, so I could barely see the outline of the furniture.
"Maybe it's because I'm tired."
Kyle put his chin on the top of my head and hugged my waist.
"If you wake up with a sigh, you'll be fine. I'll stay with you until you fall asleep."
It's not because it's not suspicious. There must be a lot of things you want to ask. But the reason why I don't ask is because I don't think it's the time to do that yet.
"I'm fine..."
Kyle laughed low and cut me off.
"It doesn't look very good."
"..."
"It's because I'm tired."
Kyle was going to use that excuse to trick him into anything. At least, for today.
"That's right." Finally, I sighed lightly and replied.
"It was because I was tired. It would be better if I slept a little."
I turned my head a little and saw a system window floating in the air. The 'load' time was now less than 10 minutes away. I slipped from Kyle's arms and lay down on the bed. Then I turned to him.
"Don't worry, go back."
"I even saw him fall asleep."
"..."
I quickly closed my eyes. I was ready to make sure that I was really falling asleep, so I had no choice but to pretend to be asleep. It's awkward for me to think about it, but I don't know if he'll be fooled by this...
I could hear footsteps walking to my bedside. I still closed my eyes and felt him draw closer. Kyle paused, gently brushed my forehead, and bowed his head so that his lips touched. However, the lips that seemed to touch did not touch. His hand slowly pulled me a little farther away, and then he moved away with a small voice.
"Have a good dream."
The door closed, and the room was filled with silence. I raised my hand and touched his fingers and forehead.
"...It's hot."
Okay. Hot. Just like he transferred the heat to me.