“W-w-what...”
Rainer said in astonishment.
“Like me? Did Lady Wassenberg’s face just pop into your head that day? What?”
"Yes."
You shouldn't do that!
“And you?”
“Um, I can’t do it either, but Your Highness really can’t, right...?”
“...”
He knows. It’s really maddening.
They barely met once, and it’s not like they talked much. Yet, he has been thinking about her face for over a week.
No, he wasn't trying to think of it on purpose; it just came to mind naturally, and it was driving him crazy.
“There must be an ulterior motive behind the help you received from the Princess this time as well.”
Given the situation, honestly, Nike wonders if his brother was right.
Whether intentional or not, isn't it dangerous to think of a woman who drove even the Prince and his aide out of their minds?
If she really set her mind to it and approached him, would he be able to refuse? Even at this very moment, he's having the insane thought that he wishes he could meet her just one more time.
"Your Highness."
Rainer called out solemnly.
He drew his sword with a determined expression, stood up, and spoke to Nike.
"Your Highness, please select one as well."
“...?”
The memories that had been accumulating one by one ended as if being sucked into something.
"? No. Just a little more..."
Nike opened his eyes.
Vania and Ryan are looking at him lying down.
Looking down, his hand felt empty. His memory had cut off the moment Vania let go of his hand.
It's about time to prepare for the next subjugation.
Ryan spoke. As Nike stood up, Vania asked with an expectant expression.
"Did I come out...?"
“...”
Nike stared blankly at Vania's face and spoke.
"...Yes."
Then, he quickly got up, went to a corner of the barracks, and began to put on the armor he had taken off.
Ryan approached and whispered.
"As for your head, does it hurt?"
"Yes."
“What are your concerns?”
“...”
...He knows what the question is. Nike swallowed hard and clenched his fist tightly. Then he turned his head and fell silent.
Ryan, noticing that he was deliberately avoiding eye contact, whispered in his ear.
“Ugh, I told you! Why bother? Now? I told you to try later!”
“...”
That's right. Ryan had tried to dissuade Nike from getting his memories back.
“...I’m worried about whether you’ll be able to hold back looking at Vania even after you regain your memories of being lovers? Won’t it be hard for you to endure? Something like that.”
It must be because they anticipated this situation...
The moment Nike received back the intense memory of his first meeting with Vania, his heart pounded.
He didn't know it would be like this.
Vania, who appeared like an angel—like salvation sent from God, left a deep impression on his mind. It was such a shocking scene that he wondered how on earth he had ever forgotten it.
Even at this very moment, his heart was beating fast. Fast enough to hurt.
He knows that eventually he will become that lovely woman's lover, and that his heart has grown deep enough to willingly lay down his life for her.
Knowing such a future made him feel like he was going to lose his mind even more. A strange sense of exhilaration that was indescribable. An excitement that made it difficult to breathe took over his brain.
My lover.
My girl.
My love.
He feels like a crazy person who wants to slap every possessive case on everything.
The intense emotions of our first meeting and Vania's face back then. Even though the memories he received back only go up to that point, he feels like he's going to go crazy.
Could it be that his personality, which felt little excitement no matter what he saw, enjoyed, or ate, was intended only to react to the emotion of love?
Otherwise, isn't there any other way to explain the reaction of the heart, which beats painfully the moment a trace of love is found?
"Ha."
I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.
"...Ha."
A sigh of despondency escaped Nike's lips.
When will this misunderstanding... ever end?
And when will I ever be able to give a clear explanation?
Now even I don't know...
Feeling like crying, he looked up at the night sky.
The moon was really pretty.
That's enough.
Let's just live carelessly...
Rainer said in astonishment.
“Like me? Did Lady Wassenberg’s face just pop into your head that day? What?”
"Yes."
You shouldn't do that!
“And you?”
“Um, I can’t do it either, but Your Highness really can’t, right...?”
“...”
He knows. It’s really maddening.
They barely met once, and it’s not like they talked much. Yet, he has been thinking about her face for over a week.
No, he wasn't trying to think of it on purpose; it just came to mind naturally, and it was driving him crazy.
“There must be an ulterior motive behind the help you received from the Princess this time as well.”
Given the situation, honestly, Nike wonders if his brother was right.
Whether intentional or not, isn't it dangerous to think of a woman who drove even the Prince and his aide out of their minds?
If she really set her mind to it and approached him, would he be able to refuse? Even at this very moment, he's having the insane thought that he wishes he could meet her just one more time.
"Your Highness."
Rainer called out solemnly.
He drew his sword with a determined expression, stood up, and spoke to Nike.
"Your Highness, please select one as well."
“...?”
***
The memories that had been accumulating one by one ended as if being sucked into something.
"? No. Just a little more..."
Nike opened his eyes.
Vania and Ryan are looking at him lying down.
Looking down, his hand felt empty. His memory had cut off the moment Vania let go of his hand.
It's about time to prepare for the next subjugation.
Ryan spoke. As Nike stood up, Vania asked with an expectant expression.
"Did I come out...?"
“...”
Nike stared blankly at Vania's face and spoke.
"...Yes."
Then, he quickly got up, went to a corner of the barracks, and began to put on the armor he had taken off.
Ryan approached and whispered.
"As for your head, does it hurt?"
"Yes."
“What are your concerns?”
“...”
...He knows what the question is. Nike swallowed hard and clenched his fist tightly. Then he turned his head and fell silent.
Ryan, noticing that he was deliberately avoiding eye contact, whispered in his ear.
“Ugh, I told you! Why bother? Now? I told you to try later!”
“...”
That's right. Ryan had tried to dissuade Nike from getting his memories back.
“...I’m worried about whether you’ll be able to hold back looking at Vania even after you regain your memories of being lovers? Won’t it be hard for you to endure? Something like that.”
It must be because they anticipated this situation...
The moment Nike received back the intense memory of his first meeting with Vania, his heart pounded.
He didn't know it would be like this.
Vania, who appeared like an angel—like salvation sent from God, left a deep impression on his mind. It was such a shocking scene that he wondered how on earth he had ever forgotten it.
Even at this very moment, his heart was beating fast. Fast enough to hurt.
He knows that eventually he will become that lovely woman's lover, and that his heart has grown deep enough to willingly lay down his life for her.
Knowing such a future made him feel like he was going to lose his mind even more. A strange sense of exhilaration that was indescribable. An excitement that made it difficult to breathe took over his brain.
My lover.
My girl.
My love.
He feels like a crazy person who wants to slap every possessive case on everything.
The intense emotions of our first meeting and Vania's face back then. Even though the memories he received back only go up to that point, he feels like he's going to go crazy.
Could it be that his personality, which felt little excitement no matter what he saw, enjoyed, or ate, was intended only to react to the emotion of love?
Otherwise, isn't there any other way to explain the reaction of the heart, which beats painfully the moment a trace of love is found?
"Ha."
Nike catch his breath.
If he looks back, she is there.
The woman he loved more than his life, looking back now...
“...”
“...”
... She's turned thirteen.
Nike immediately turned back to Ryan and blamed him.
Ryan was dumbfounded.
"You're blaming me for this?!"
"... I'm sorry."
He should have just listened to Ryan. Come to think of it, maybe because he's eight years older and more of a senior, it seems like none of the advice he's given so far has been wrong...
“I think we should stop here for now. The rest... later.”
That’s a good idea.
Get ready and come out slowly.
Nike walked away without even giving a single glance to his (thirteen-year-old) lover.
“Y-Your Highness!”
Vania, intimidated by Nike's somewhat cold reaction, grabbed him.
“As for the rest of your memories, you can take me with you once the subjugation is over... Ugh!”
"Hey, stop!"
Ryan covered Vania's mouth and held her tightly to stop her.
“Ububub! Uup!”
“Stay still!!!”
Vania struggles, slapping Ryan's thick forearm repeatedly. She looks just like a Princess kidnapped by the Demon King.
Nike, a warrior who wanted to save her but could not, squeezed his eyes shut, turned away from the Princess, and left the tent.
“Wouldn’t it be better for us if he recovered all the memories? Just how many weaknesses of Wassenberg do you think only the Prince knows?”
At my earnest words, Ryan, who was picking up and putting on his armor, turned around with a smile.
“Girl, be honest. Is the memory you want the Prince to find really Wassenberg’s weakness?”
“...”
I have obtained all useful information from the Prince's memories from the age of fourteen to the spring of his twentieth year.
Ryan fluttered two sheets of paper containing Nike's records in front of my eyes.
“There is no need to dig any deeper from now on. Because you already know all the information from that time. You've known our family was shady since you were sixteen and have been working hard to dig into it.”
“...”
Damn it, I couldn't refute it.
Until I became an adult, Nike filled in all the gaps in my information.
This means that the list of major evil deeds the Wassenberg family will commit in the future is complete.
“Still, why don’t you look for more memories that can be found...”
"Vania."
Ryan plopped down in front of me and held my hand as if to soothe me.
"The Prince said, ' Let's stop here for now."
“What? Why?”
That's like a bolt from the blue!
“Why do you think? If the Prince suddenly asked for a kiss right now, would you do it?”
I was about to quickly answer, "Well, why wouldn't you...," but I closed my mouth.
Because I know why he is asking this question.
“Did you think the feeling of looking at you would be the same when he just knew you were lovers, versus when he actually recalled the memories of being lovers?”
“...”
“He loved you enough to sell out his country. All the memories of how desperately he loved you just came flooding back. He wants to run over right away and get all worked up, but his girlfriend is still just a baby? What should he do?”
The Prince is a gentleman.
"Vania."
Ryan smiled again and pointed outside the tent where Nike had gone out.
"I told you that the gentleman said he would stop here. He must have sensed that if he regained his memories any further, he'd be screwed."
“...”
If he went this far, I couldn't throw a tantrum anymore.
I felt completely drained of energy.
Oh my... how could this be?
I was so happy to be able to regain Nike's memories, to receive such an unexpected rejection.
“Let’s help our Prince stay gentle. Understood?”
“...”
“Oh, really? Duck, what is this?”
Ryan lightly tapped my lips, which were sticking out forward, and said.
"If you feel wronged, grow up faster!"
Even after coming out of the barracks, Nike stood there for a long time as if rooted to the spot.
A moonlit night.
His heart kept beating fast.
He has just fallen in love.
Excited, thrilled, and his head is hot...
At the same time, thinking of Vania (who turned thirteen) left him feeling conflicted.
Let's not think.
To remain a gentleman, he must consciously shake off his thoughts from now on.
"Ha!"
Taking a deep breath with determination.
'...Reiner.'
Nike saw his friend's face in the distance.
"Do you keep thinking about it?"
"... Yes."
Reiner, who had a crush on Vania.
It’s not particularly surprising. How many men could resist falling for her in a situation like that?
Vania probably wouldn't know.
She probably didn't intend it, but she is a sinful woman...
The memory of getting it back was cut off at an ambiguous point, but in any case, it was Nike who became Vania's lover.
If he looks back, she is there.
The woman he loved more than his life, looking back now...
“...”
“...”
... She's turned thirteen.
“Let’s try talking it out a bit more.”
Ryan was dumbfounded.
"You're blaming me for this?!"
"... I'm sorry."
He should have just listened to Ryan. Come to think of it, maybe because he's eight years older and more of a senior, it seems like none of the advice he's given so far has been wrong...
“I think we should stop here for now. The rest... later.”
That’s a good idea.
Get ready and come out slowly.
Nike walked away without even giving a single glance to his (thirteen-year-old) lover.
“Y-Your Highness!”
Vania, intimidated by Nike's somewhat cold reaction, grabbed him.
“As for the rest of your memories, you can take me with you once the subjugation is over... Ugh!”
"Hey, stop!"
Ryan covered Vania's mouth and held her tightly to stop her.
“Ububub! Uup!”
“Stay still!!!”
Vania struggles, slapping Ryan's thick forearm repeatedly. She looks just like a Princess kidnapped by the Demon King.
Nike, a warrior who wanted to save her but could not, squeezed his eyes shut, turned away from the Princess, and left the tent.
***
“Wouldn’t it be better for us if he recovered all the memories? Just how many weaknesses of Wassenberg do you think only the Prince knows?”
At my earnest words, Ryan, who was picking up and putting on his armor, turned around with a smile.
“Girl, be honest. Is the memory you want the Prince to find really Wassenberg’s weakness?”
“...”
I have obtained all useful information from the Prince's memories from the age of fourteen to the spring of his twentieth year.
Ryan fluttered two sheets of paper containing Nike's records in front of my eyes.
“There is no need to dig any deeper from now on. Because you already know all the information from that time. You've known our family was shady since you were sixteen and have been working hard to dig into it.”
“...”
Damn it, I couldn't refute it.
Until I became an adult, Nike filled in all the gaps in my information.
This means that the list of major evil deeds the Wassenberg family will commit in the future is complete.
“Still, why don’t you look for more memories that can be found...”
"Vania."
Ryan plopped down in front of me and held my hand as if to soothe me.
"The Prince said, ' Let's stop here for now."
“What? Why?”
That's like a bolt from the blue!
“Why do you think? If the Prince suddenly asked for a kiss right now, would you do it?”
I was about to quickly answer, "Well, why wouldn't you...," but I closed my mouth.
Because I know why he is asking this question.
“Did you think the feeling of looking at you would be the same when he just knew you were lovers, versus when he actually recalled the memories of being lovers?”
“...”
“He loved you enough to sell out his country. All the memories of how desperately he loved you just came flooding back. He wants to run over right away and get all worked up, but his girlfriend is still just a baby? What should he do?”
The Prince is a gentleman.
"Vania."
Ryan smiled again and pointed outside the tent where Nike had gone out.
"I told you that the gentleman said he would stop here. He must have sensed that if he regained his memories any further, he'd be screwed."
“...”
If he went this far, I couldn't throw a tantrum anymore.
I felt completely drained of energy.
Oh my... how could this be?
I was so happy to be able to regain Nike's memories, to receive such an unexpected rejection.
“Let’s help our Prince stay gentle. Understood?”
“...”
“Oh, really? Duck, what is this?”
Ryan lightly tapped my lips, which were sticking out forward, and said.
"If you feel wronged, grow up faster!"
***
Even after coming out of the barracks, Nike stood there for a long time as if rooted to the spot.
A moonlit night.
His heart kept beating fast.
He has just fallen in love.
Excited, thrilled, and his head is hot...
At the same time, thinking of Vania (who turned thirteen) left him feeling conflicted.
Let's not think.
To remain a gentleman, he must consciously shake off his thoughts from now on.
"Ha!"
Taking a deep breath with determination.
'...Reiner.'
Nike saw his friend's face in the distance.
"Do you keep thinking about it?"
"... Yes."
Reiner, who had a crush on Vania.
It’s not particularly surprising. How many men could resist falling for her in a situation like that?
Vania probably wouldn't know.
She probably didn't intend it, but she is a sinful woman...
The memory of getting it back was cut off at an ambiguous point, but in any case, it was Nike who became Vania's lover.
He wonders what the relationship with Reiner was like during that process. It wasn't a shallow friendship that would crumble because of love.
"Your Highness, please select one as well."
“...?”
And the fact that Reiner's sudden command to draw his sword was intended to get Vania to vent his thoughts by using their bodies together...
He knows everything. It is possible not to misunderstand.
Reiner is still a precious friend.
And having seen him at the threshold of death, his heart grew even more tender.
Nike strode toward Reiner. He turned around as he sensed his presence.
Sob.
A lot of emotions welled up inside him.
“I’ll go, far ahead... and... watch over... Anton, hmph... so... got it....”
Nike is grateful to see Reiner alive and well. He's happy that he can protect his precious friend this time.
"Please tell him you love him often."
“...You shouldn’t hold back on expressing affection to someone precious to you.”
If Reiner had died back then, he would have definitely regretted it.
He loves him, and he couldn't tell him all this time that he has no friend as precious as you.
“What is wrong? Are you alright?”
Seeing Nike’s distorted expression of relief, Reiner asked worriedly.
Nike held back his tears that were about to burst, smiled brightly, and spoke.
"I love you."
“...!”
Rainer's eyes widened.
A moonlit night, the friendship of two young men under the beautiful moonlight.
Nike strode closer to hug him.
At that, Reiner scurries back just as quickly.
“...p?”
Covering his chest tightly with both arms as if defending it, he shakes his head with all his might, his face showing disgust.
I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.
“...”
“..”
Nike blinked a few times blankly, then realized what was happening, gritted his teeth, and spoke.
“...as a friend, I love you.”
Even after correcting him, the wariness remained on his friend's face.
peep peep peep peep.
"Your Highness, please select one as well."
“...?”
And the fact that Reiner's sudden command to draw his sword was intended to get Vania to vent his thoughts by using their bodies together...
He knows everything. It is possible not to misunderstand.
Reiner is still a precious friend.
And having seen him at the threshold of death, his heart grew even more tender.
Nike strode toward Reiner. He turned around as he sensed his presence.
Sob.
A lot of emotions welled up inside him.
“I’ll go, far ahead... and... watch over... Anton, hmph... so... got it....”
Nike is grateful to see Reiner alive and well. He's happy that he can protect his precious friend this time.
"Please tell him you love him often."
“...You shouldn’t hold back on expressing affection to someone precious to you.”
If Reiner had died back then, he would have definitely regretted it.
He loves him, and he couldn't tell him all this time that he has no friend as precious as you.
“What is wrong? Are you alright?”
Seeing Nike’s distorted expression of relief, Reiner asked worriedly.
Nike held back his tears that were about to burst, smiled brightly, and spoke.
"I love you."
“...!”
Rainer's eyes widened.
A moonlit night, the friendship of two young men under the beautiful moonlight.
Nike strode closer to hug him.
At that, Reiner scurries back just as quickly.
“...p?”
Covering his chest tightly with both arms as if defending it, he shakes his head with all his might, his face showing disgust.
I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.
“...”
“..”
Nike blinked a few times blankly, then realized what was happening, gritted his teeth, and spoke.
“...as a friend, I love you.”
Even after correcting him, the wariness remained on his friend's face.
peep peep peep peep.
I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.
"...Ha."
A sigh of despondency escaped Nike's lips.
When will this misunderstanding... ever end?
And when will I ever be able to give a clear explanation?
Now even I don't know...
Feeling like crying, he looked up at the night sky.
The moon was really pretty.
That's enough.
Let's just live carelessly...
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