Chapter 3

After leaving the village, there was a period where Reina did nothing but walk.

 

At first, she had intended to go on a wandering journey with no specific destination, but now she found herself tracing the path of her previous journey to clear the miasma. However, since that original journey had lasted a whole year, it was naturally impossible to revisit everything. Perhaps that was why Reina naturally found herself choosing locations that held deep memories for her.

 

The next destination was a bit far.

 

Using magic to skip small portions of the trip, she mostly tried to walk on her own two feet.

 

The journey would end in a week. Since there were several places she wanted to see, using a certain amount of magic was unavoidable.

 

The clothes Reina wore now were not her school uniform. She was dressed like a female adventurer, conscious of potential combat.

 

To avoid getting in the way while running, she wore a short skirt, short boots, and knee-high socks. On her upper body, she wore a top made from special thread woven with defensive magic—essentially a priestly vestment modified into a more feminine cut. The fitted garment was comfortable and did not hinder her movement at all.

 

Over this, she wore a jingling array of accessories. Pierced earrings she had gotten after coming to this world, necklaces, bracelets, rings—the list went on.

 

These weren’t just simple accessories; they were magic items imbued with various effects.

 

After finishing her year-long journey, Reina’s uniform had become quite worn. Upon learning this, the King had gifted her this set.

 

She certainly had a sentimental attachment to her uniform, but clean clothes were better than tattered ones. It had lost its shape from repeated washings, so when she received the clothes, she was honestly grateful.

 

She walked until she was exhausted and stayed at a familiar lodging facility. Departing early the next morning, Reina was now climbing a mountain path.

 

For Reina, who lived in modern Japan, the rugged mountain trail was a bit harsh. She cast a spell to reduce the burden on her body, and then, she remembered.

 

Learning that a source of miasma lay within the mountains, Reina and her party had gone deep into the peaks, searching around to pinpoint its location…

 

 

***

 

 

‘Honestly, I have no idea what to do.’

 

That day, Reina was very troubled. Seto was in front of her, leading the way using search magic.

 

“Hmm… Because there is miasma all over the mountain, this is quite difficult,” Seto announced with a troubled look.

 

Walking beside him, Ortega made a face that screamed what a pain. “Seriously? How many days do you think we’ve been searching this mountain? I’m sick of mountain climbing. Sigh, and here I thought Court Mages were supposed to be more useful.”

 

“Magic is by no means omnipotent. Even I have things I am good at and things I am not.”

 

“Things you’re good at, huh? Like—wagging your tail at your boss? Hah!”

 

Though spoken in a joking tone, the words seemed to touch a nerve with Seto.

 

“Ortega! There are things you can say and things you shouldn’t!”

 

“Shut it. If you don’t want to hear it, then hurry up and get results.”

 

“Ah, jeez, this is why I hate muscle-brains! Unlike you lot who just have to swing a sword around, we are delicate. I would like to be treated with more respect!”

 

“Ha! Then produce results worthy of respect. If you do, I might consider it.”

 

“You two… that is enough. Do not act shamefully in front of Reina.”

 

Just as the argument started to develop into something one would want to cover their ears against, Chris intervened.

 

Chris’s voice wasn’t loud, but perhaps sensing the chilling edge in his words, the two men fell silent in unison.

 

However, Reina could understand Ortega’s irritation.

 

They had been pushing through mountain paths for days, constantly bathed in miasma, however faint. It was clearly not a welcome situation for them, as they were vulnerable to it.

 

Even Chris didn’t look particularly well.

 

But things weren’t going as planned.

 

They knew the source of the miasma was in the vicinity, but unlike the village, this was deep in the mountains. It wasn’t in a place that could be spotted immediately.

 

Seto was trying his best to pinpoint the location with magic, but as evident, the task was proving more difficult than expected.

 

“I’m sorry. If only I could use magic properly…”

 

Walking behind Seto, Reina hung her head dejectedly and apologized to everyone. She felt incredibly pathetic.

 

Chris, walking beside her, spoke encouragingly.

 

“It’s okay. Those two were just a little irritable. …Right?”

 

He seemed to put an unusual amount of pressure on that last word.

 

The two walking ahead flinched, their shoulders trembling. Ortega looked back at Reina.

 

“Y-Yeah… S-Sorry about that, little lady. We weren’t blaming you or anything.”

 

Seto also stopped and bowed his head.

 

“I-I apologize, Lady Reina. It is because of my own inadequacy. It is not your fault, Lady Reina, so please do not let it weigh on you.”

 

Their apologies sounded somewhat frightened. Hearing this, Chris peered into Reina’s face.

 

“See? They say so themselves. Truly, there is no need for you to worry. Despite how he looks, Seto is an excellent mage. It might be taking a little time, but you just need to trust him and leave it to him.”

 

“Chris…”

 

Reina felt tears welling up at Chris’s obvious encouragement. As if to cheer her up further, Chris continued.

 

“Reina, you came from a world where magic doesn’t exist, so it can’t be helped if you can’t grasp the sensation easily. You’ll surely be able to use it eventually, so don’t be depressed. I don’t want to see your sad face.”

 

“Chris… thank you.”

 

Chris’s concern soaked into her heart.

 

But still, Reina couldn’t help but feel down.

 

‘Why can’t I use it…?’

 

She spread her hands and stared intently at her palms.

 

Reina, who had awakened to the power of the Saintess at the spring, had certainly succeeded in obtaining magical power. As a Saintess, she could erase miasma.

 

Yet for some reason, she couldn’t use standard magic.

 

“The Saintess’ magic and the magic we use are of different lineages… so please do not worry. As His Highness says, you may suddenly be able to use it one day…”

 

Seto spoke to comfort her. While she replied with a thank you, Reina felt herself sinking deeper into depression.

 

Knowing that people are walking on eggshells around you can sometimes make you feel even worse.

 

As Reina sighed while staring at her palms, Chris gently patted her head. She didn’t dislike being petted by Chris’s large hand.

 

“Even if you can’t use magic, I don’t mind, Reina. If it’s offense, we have Ortega and Seto. If it’s healing, I can do it for you. You are doing more than enough work just by clearing the miasma. Asking for more than that would invite divine punishment from the Goddess.”

 

“Chris…”

 

When she looked up, Chris was staring at her with a face so serious it was almost scary.

 

“I will protect you, even in exchange for my own life. So don’t worry. Even if you can’t use magic, there is nothing to be troubled about.”

 

It was unacceptable for a Crown Prince like Chris to die protecting someone. But hearing him say those words without hesitation, Reina felt her heart fill with warmth.

 

‘…Geez, Chris. If you keep saying things like that, you’re really going to be misunderstood.’

 

His consistently sweet words and gentle attitude.

 

If she kept receiving this treatment, she might start thinking, “Maybe he likes me.” Especially since Chris possessed such eye-opening beauty. Dressed in white clothes with long hems, Chris looked at Reina, who had looked up slightly, and smiled radiantly.

 

‘I told you! That’s bad for my heart!’

 

She was on the verge of accidentally misunderstanding. Reina desperately told herself that she would be the only one embarrassed if she did.

 

‘Besides, Chris has a fiancée.’

 

And above all, they lived in different worlds. Chris was the Crown Prince. Reina was just a simple student who could be found anywhere in another world. Falling in love would bring nothing good.

 

“Ah…”

 

Because she was lost in thought, she wasn’t watching her surroundings closely. Walking next to Chris, Reina carelessly caught her foot on a tree root.

 

“W-Whoa…”

 

Trying to brace herself so she wouldn’t fall actually made it worse. Her posture was forced, putting strain on her ankle, and she twisted it.

 

“Ouch…”

 

Naturally, she couldn’t support her own weight in such a state. Reina lost her balance and collapsed heavily toward the bushes on the outer side of the path.

 

“Ugh?”

 

“Reina!”

 

Chris instantly grabbed Reina’s arm, but it was too late. The momentum of Reina’s fall was stronger.

 

Because of the tall grass, she hadn’t seen it, but the area right next to where she had been was a cliff. As a result, Reina ended up tumbling down the mountain slope along with Chris.

 

“Kyaaaaaa!”

 

Imagining severe pain, Reina squeezed her eyes shut.

 

A gentle voice resonated in her ear.

 

“…It’s okay. I will protect you.”

 

Along with the words, Reina realized she had been pulled toward Chris and held tightly.

 

Protecting Reina, Chris skillfully shifted his body as they slid down the cliff.

 

Reina felt only the rushing sound and Chris’s body heat.

 

It felt like a terribly long time, but in reality, it probably wasn’t. Feeling a slight impact, Reina slowly opened her eyes. It seemed they had slid all the way to the bottom of the cliff.

 

“Are you hurt?”

 

“Y-Yeah…”

 

Perhaps noticing Reina stirring, Chris loosened the arms that had been holding her. She crawled out from his embrace fearfully. Moving her body, she found that aside from the ankle she twisted at the top of the cliff, she wasn’t particularly injured. Looking up at the cliff, she realized they had fallen from a considerable height. She could see Seto and Ortega up above, peering down at them.

 

The two were waving their hands and seemed to be trying to convey something, but due to the distance, she couldn’t tell what.

 

“…I wonder what they’re saying.”

 

“They’re heading down. Seto just contacted me.”

 

Apparently, realizing they couldn’t be heard, Seto had contacted Chris directly via magic.

 

Thinking that magic really was convenient, Reina nodded.

 

“Okay. Um… Chris. Thank you for protecting me.”

 

The fact that she wasn’t injured was undoubtedly because Chris had shielded her.

 

When she timidly expressed her thanks, Chris smiled a smile worth getting lost in.

 

“Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad I could protect you.”

 

However, his white clothes were terribly soiled with dirt, and although it wasn’t immediately apparent, the possibility that he was injured wasn’t zero. If he had gotten hurt in her place… thinking of that made Reina anxious.

 

“Chris… are you injured?”

 

“I’m fine. More importantly, you’re the one in trouble. It looked like you hurt your leg?”

 

“Eh…”

 

Reina was surprised that he had noticed. Chris quickly sat Reina down on a large rock near the cliff base and began to take off the shoe on her injured side.

 

Her heart pounded, wondering what was about to happen.

 

“C-Chris? W-What are you…”

 

“Stay still. You know I can use healing magic, right? I’m just going to treat it.”

 

In the blink of an eye, her foot was bare. Chris lifted Reina’s right leg and touched the area around her ankle with one hand. She winced at the sharp pain.

 

“Ouch!”

 

“Sorry. Just bear it for a moment. I just want to check the affected area… Ah, it is swollen after all. Wait a little…”

 

With a pained expression, Chris brought his face close to Reina’s ankle. Then, he kissed the affected area.

 

“Wha-!? C-Chris. Wh-What are you doing!?”

 

Startled by his sudden action, Reina tried to pull her leg back in shock, but Chris stopped her. He kissed her ankle again. At the warm sensation transmitted from his lips, Reina lost her voice.

 

She just opened and closed her mouth like a fish.

 

Seeing Reina like that, Chris smiled.

 

“What are you so surprised about? This is just healing magic. By touching the affected area directly, I take away the pain. How is it? Is the pain not a little better?”

 

“Eh? Healing… magic?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…”

 

Being told with a straight face that it was purely a medical procedure, Reina felt embarrassed and looked down. Chris had not only protected her from her own carelessness but was now trying to treat her using healing magic. Yet, what was with her attitude just now? Feeling shameful, Reina focused her senses on her ankle as Chris had told her. She felt like the pain was subsiding a little.

 

“Y-Yeah. It hurts less than before.”

 

Hearing Reina’s words, Chris relaxed his body in relief.

 

“Good. Healing it all at once puts too much load on the body, so I’ll treat it in several stages. I’m going to treat it again so… Reina, can you relax your leg?”

 

“Y-Yes.”

 

She obediently followed Chris’s instructions and relaxed her leg. While checking the area with his hand occasionally, Chris carefully planted kisses on her ankle.

 

“Ugh… mm…”

 

She knew it was treatment, so despite her embarrassment, she didn’t run away and stayed still. But watching Chris kneeling and kissing her bare foot made her feel restless.

 

The sensation of his lips sliding over her bare skin was soft and warm, making Reina feel a ticklish, crawling sensation deep inside her body.

 

Chris’s lips touched Reina’s foot again.

 

“Nn…”

 

Her body jumped. A strange sensation, somewhere between ticklish and pleasurable. Every time Chris kissed her, Reina felt as if the place that had been hurting was throbbing.

 

“Hah… ah… nn…”

 

Again and again, Chris kissed Reina’s foot. There was almost no pain anymore. The swelling seemed to have gone down considerably.

 

She should have said that was enough, but Reina didn’t want to say those words. This sweet, numbing time was indescribably comfortable.

 

“Nn… nn…”

 

The shivering, unfamiliar sensation was quickly replaced by pleasure.

 

Chris’s lips carried heat, utterly melting Reina.

 

But the act ended abruptly.

 

Chris released Reina’s leg and said with a wry smile.

 

“…Finished. Even though it’s treatment, if you make such cute sounds, I won’t be able to hold back.”

 

“!”

 

Reina, realizing she had been making strange noises, turned bright red instantly. To cover up the awkwardness, she spoke.

 

“T-Thank you. Um, sorry for the trouble. If I could use magic, I wouldn’t have had to inconvenience you, Chris.”

 

The Saintess’ magic did not choose an attribute.

 

For example, Seto was a mage specialized in offensive magic, while Chris was a priest specialized in healing magic.

 

It was common sense in this world that one could only use one or the other. The only person not bound by that rule was the Saintess, who was said to be able to use any magic just by wishing for it.

 

If Reina could use magic, she could have healed herself, and like Seto earlier, she could have searched for the miasma’s location.

 

But Chris shook his head in denial.

 

“I don’t think it’s an inconvenience. Rather, I’m happy. That’s right—if you did everything yourself, I would probably feel lonely. Men are creatures who always want to be useful to the woman they have affection for. Simple, right?”

 

At the word affection dropped so casually, Reina felt her whole face heat up.

 

‘Lip service. This is just lip service. Don’t take it seriously.’

 

But the emotion of happiness dominated Reina’s body on its own.

 

“I’m glad I fell down here with you, Reina. Thanks to that, I was able to treat your injury, and more than anything, I could be alone with you without interruptions.”

 

“Here,” he said, helping her put on her shoe.

 

‘It’s a strange feeling,’ Reina thought.

 

She was having a Prince serve her like a servant. She knew she really shouldn’t let him do this, but she felt happy, as if she were being cherished.

 

She put on her shoe and stood on both feet. She tried lightly tapping the ground, but her ankle didn’t hurt at all anymore.

 

“Amazing. It’s really healed… It’s like a lie.”

 

Reina couldn’t hide her surprise at realizing the efficacy of magic for the first time. In the common sense of Reina’s world, it was impossible for a sprain to heal in such a short time.

 

Chris also stood up, dusted off the dirt from his clothes simply, and sent a theatrical wink at Reina.

 

“Now then, I would love to savor this situation of being alone with Reina, but unfortunately, we can’t do that. We have to regroup with Ortega and Seto. They must be heading this way by now, so let’s look for a wide path somewhere.”

 

At Chris’s usual tone, Reina laughed imprudently despite the situation.

 

To Chris, who said without hidden meaning that he was happy to be alone with her, Reina replied only in her heart.

 

‘Yeah, I might be happy too.’

 

Also, she felt a strange sense of relief that everything would be okay if she was with Chris.

 

“Do you know which direction?”

 

There was no path to speak of. The other side of the cliff was just forest, and she felt they would get lost no matter which way they went.

 

Chris silently approached a nearby tree and began checking its leaves. Curious about what he was doing, Reina ran over to his side.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

At Reina’s question, Chris showed her the leaf in his hand and explained.

 

“I’m checking the direction with this. Plants basically grow toward the sun, right? You can tell the general direction by which way they are facing.”

 

“Oh…”

 

It was a statement she wouldn’t expect from a Prince who spent his time doing desk work in a castle.

 

‘Princes these days are good at outdoors stuff too,’ Reina thought.

 

He was so reliable that there was no room for Reina to do anything. Of course, if asked if she had any ideas, she would have to answer no.

 

Having decided on the direction, Chris held out his hand to Reina.

 

“I want to avoid a situation where we get separated and end up in even more distress.”

 

“Ah, okay.”

 

Thinking Chris’s reasoning was completely sound, Reina took his hand.

 

Come to think of it, holding hands like this was the first time since he led her by the hand at the temple.

 

Chris’s hand was large, being a man’s hand, and it made her feel terribly relieved.

 

‘I guess I really am feeling insecure…’

 

The circumstances were different from last time. Of course, she didn’t want to get separated, but Reina felt vaguely that she didn’t want to let go of Chris’s hand for more than just that reason.

 

Holding hands with Chris, who walked without hesitation as if he had certainty, they advanced through the forest. Naturally, it wasn’t paved. Narrow paths like animal trails continued. Occasionally, she jumped at the cry of an animal, but she regained her calm through the warmth of Chris’s hand.

 

If she had fallen down the cliff alone, she wouldn’t have been this composed.

 

Thinking she was glad Chris was there, Reina secretly gazed at his handsome profile. His crimson eyes, usually sweet and melting, were now lit with a sharp light.

 

Realizing it was because he was trying to protect her, Reina couldn’t suppress the pounding of her heart.

 

“Reina.”

 

Suddenly, Chris stopped in his tracks. Reina stopped as well.

 

“W-What?”

 

“Over there. Look.”

 

“Ah…”

 

She looked where Chris was pointing with a grim expression. A little further ahead, she saw black smoke-like substance spreading from a break in the forest.

 

“…The miasma source.”

 

“So it was in a place like this. No wonder we didn’t notice it easily.”

 

“True.”

 

Reina agreed with Chris. They had only found it because they accidentally fell.

 

Chris asked Reina.

 

“What do you want to do? Shall we just clear it, the two of us? Or wait for Seto and the others to join us? It will still take a while.”

 

“…There don’t seem to be any monsters, so I’ll do it.”

 

“Yeah, I thought you’d say that, Reina. If a monster appears, I’ll take care of it, so you can feel like you’re on a big ship—completely safe. I won’t let a finger touch my precious Reina.”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

Chris inserted sweet lines as naturally as breathing.

 

Reina tried to think that’s just how Chris is, but having it continue repeatedly made her sway, so she honestly wished he would spare her soon.

 

‘Falling for Chris won’t do any good, after all.’

 

A person from another world. Crown Prince. Has a fiancée.

 

From any angle, he was a catch that came with a serious “don’t do it” warning.

 

He was kind to everyone. Not just Reina. Misunderstanding kindness directed at everyone as love would be too foolish.

 

Reina shook her head vigorously and turned her gaze to the miasma. There were no monsters yet.

 

Deciding it was safe, she left Chris there and walked alone toward the place where the miasma was gushing out.

 

Miasma generated from the blackest spot. Reina had learned this from her experience so far. So, choosing the direction where the black was denser, she advanced to the center point.

 

As it turned out, the source of the miasma this time was water. From a place where spring water likely used to flow, a gurgling black substance was spewing out instead. It was polluting the river and contaminating the entire forest and mountain.

 

Thinking the sludge-like, muddy water was disgusting, she gently touched it.

 

Immediately, it transformed into a beautiful transparent flow, and light purified the stagnation in the blink of an eye.

 

“…Phew.”

 

The narrow, black river flow was being cleansed. Transparent water sprang from where the black sludge had been spewing, and the leaves of the trees, which had been a dark color, returned to fresh green.

 

A refreshing breeze blew through. The air cleared, and the blue sky spread out.

 

“It’s a miraculous sight no matter when I see it. It’s the moment I truly realize you are the Saintess.”

 

Saying good work, Chris approached her.

 

“Impressive. It seems my turn wasn’t necessary after all.”

 

No monsters appeared, so looking only at the result, that might be true.

 

But Reina shook her head in denial.

 

“No. Because you were here, Chris, I could clear the miasma with peace of mind. Thank you.”

 

If she were alone, Reina would surely have thought to wait until regrouping with her companions. It was because Chris was there that she thought to just do it.

 

She smiled at Chris. At that moment, the bush right next to Reina rustled loudly, and something like a large black dog leaped out.

 

“A monster!”

 

Chris pulled Reina, whose body had stiffened from the sudden event. Stepping in front of her, he drew a slender, rapier-like sword.

 

In an instant, he cut the monster down.

 

“…I will not allow you to approach Reina.”

 

Almost simultaneously with Chris’s words, the monster vanished. Chris sheathed his sword and turned around.

 

“Reina, are you okay? Are you hurt?”

 

“Y… Yeah. Thank you.”

 

When Reina nodded, Chris relaxed his stern expression.

 

“Thank goodness. I didn’t know what I’d do if something happened to my precious Reina.”

 

While observing the surroundings carefully, Chris returned to Reina’s side.

 

“It seems that was the only monster. It’s the first time you’ve seen a monster up close, right? Were you not scared?”

 

“…Because you were here, Chris.”

 

The pitch-black large dog… no, the monster large enough to be called a wolf was certainly imposing, and she had frozen up. But when Chris stood to shield her, Reina had definitely felt relief.

 

“Because you protected me, Chris, I’m fine.”

 

When she rephrased it, Chris narrowed his eyes happily.

 

“Is that so? Have I become… an indispensable existence to you?”

 

“?”

 

Reina tilted her head at the subtle phrasing of Chris’s words. She didn’t quite understand what Chris wanted to say. But it was a fact that many things were helped by his presence.

 

Without thinking too deeply, Reina nodded.

 

“Yeah. Because you were here, Chris, I think this journey hasn’t been painful. Thank you, really. I’m grateful.”

 

She was always able to spend her time smiling. When she felt like crying remembering her family, Chris would snuggle up to her side as if he somehow sensed it. He always treated her preciously and gently, as if wrapping her in silk.

 

That was why Reina could do her best.

 

It was undeniably Reina’s honest feeling at the moment, but for some reason, Chris made a dissatisfied face. Then he muttered under his breath.

 

“…Sometimes, you look terribly blinding to me. I am made to realize that you are the Saintess after all, and not an existence someone like me should touch carelessly.”

 

“…Chris?”

 

Reina didn’t know how to answer.

 

Chris shook his head saying “It’s nothing,” and smiled faintly at Reina.

 

“…But my feelings aren’t weak enough to give up over something like that. …Ah, Reina. Since you cleared the miasma, it seems Seto has noticed us. Look.”

 

“Eh?”

 

He pointed smoothly in the opposite direction from where they came, and Reina turned her gaze there. She could see Seto and Ortega running toward them in a panic.

 

“Well then,” Chris smiled at Reina.

 

“Shall we go, Reina? Ah, I would be happy if you forgot the conversation just now. Of course, I don’t mind at all if you remember it, you know? In that case, I would appreciate it if you thought carefully about the meaning.”

 

“The meaning…”

 

“Who knows? That is not for me to tell you.”

 

With a meaningful smile, Chris started walking toward Seto and the others. While hurriedly chasing after him, Reina’s thoughts were in a state of utter confusion.

 

‘Think about the meaning? What exactly does Chris want to convey to me?’

 

She understood he was trying to tell her something in a roundabout way. But Reina didn’t understand it at all. Staring at Chris’s back, Reina eventually decided to stop thinking deeply about it and abandoned the thought.

 

 

***

 

 

“It was around that time that things got really dangerous…”

 

Recalling the incident in the mountains, Reina pressed both hands to her cheeks. They were hot.

 

“B-Because, Chris protected me, and then he tried to heal my leg injury in such an erotic way… and he kept saying things so obviously meant for me to notice. Telling me not to be conscious of him would be impossible…”

 

Reina, a student with zero romantic experience, was an easy target.

 

If there was a woman who could withstand being treated like that by someone like Chris, she would like to see it.

 

Groaning, she shook her head, no way, no way.

 

“It was the moment I truly understood why ‘Princes’ are so popular. Of course they’re popular. Good looking, high status, and on top of that, if they treat you that kindly, you’d normally fall for them.”

 

It was only natural that noble ladies would squeal over ‘Princes,’ Reina nodded with utmost seriousness. It made sense. It made perfect sense.

 

“The young ladies aren’t to blame. It’s the Princes who act like that towards everyone who are at fault. The Prince who takes actions that cause misunderstandings is the bad one…”

 

‘This is why the Prince is so troublesome,’ Reina sighed.

 

After all, Reina herself had inadvertently fallen in love. Fallen for Chris, whom she had no business loving.

 

And now, despite loving him, she was in this incomprehensible situation where she had to run away.

 

“If only I were an inhabitant of this country’s world… no, that’s impossible too.”

 

With a fiancée in the picture, Reina would surely have removed him from her list of romantic interests.

 

Besides, Reina was a commoner. Even if she lived in this world, there would be zero contact with Chris to begin with.

 

‘This idea is a no-go,’ Reina quietly rejected it.

 

“Chris would be troubled too, right? Being kind to someone because they’re a Saintess, only to have them fall in love with you—that’s the height of nuisance… Sigh. Why am I so easy?”

 

Such a delusional woman, wanting a memory for just one night, got him drunk and attacked him. It must have been a bolt from the blue for Chris. The fact that he still tried to take responsibility was very Chris-like, but she didn’t want him to reach that conclusion.

 

“He should just hurry up and marry his fiancée. I’m going home soon anyway.”

 

No one would believe her, but Reina genuinely did not desire marriage with Chris.

 

Once was enough. She had intended to end everything with that, but in the end, right up until the last moment, there was no sign of the complications clearing up.

 

“Well, whatever. Just a few more days until I go home. …Wait for me, everyone. I’m definitely coming back.”

 

Reina believed it. She was a foreign element in this world. Therefore, once her role was over, she had to leave immediately. She had been convinced of this for a long time.

 

Of course, she had the normal desire to see her family, but the obsessive idea that she must return was far greater.

 

“…Whoops, ah!”

 

While thinking about Chris, she spotted a traveler being attacked by a monster near the top of the mountain.

 

Since Reina had cleared the miasma, no new monsters were spawning.

 

But remnants of the monsters were occasionally seen.

 

Reina predicted that the monster attacking the traveler now was one of those remnants. Breaking into a run, she pierced the large black wolf-like monster with a powerful lightning strike.

 

She was completely used to this by now.

 

“Gyaun!”

 

“Are you okay!?”

 

With a pathetic yelp, the monster vanished with a hissing sound. The traveler, who had been under attack until just moments ago, perhaps paralyzed with fear, was sitting on the ground shaking violently. Since he was carrying a large pack, Reina guessed he might be a peddler or something similar.

 

“S-Saintess?”

 

He probably hadn’t recovered from the shock yet. Hearing his voice crack, Reina chuckled. Seeing scrapes here and there, she activated magic to erase them cleanly.

 

“Does it still hurt anywhere? I think I healed all the wounds… can you stand?”

 

“Ah, I’m fine. Saintess… thank you very much.”

 

“I’m glad I made it in time. Even a single monster is dangerous.”

 

She smiled reassuringly at the man who was bowing repeatedly. The man slowly stood up and began looking around nervously.

 

Curious about his behavior, Reina couldn’t help but ask.

 

“…Are you looking for someone? Did you get separated from your companions?”

 

“No… I was just wondering where His Highness is.”

 

“His Highness… you mean His Highness Chris?”

 

“Yes.”

 

At the man nodding as if it were obvious, Reina wanted to retort like an Osakan, “Why would you think that?”

 

“U-Um… why did you think His Highness Chris would be here?”

 

At Reina’s question, the man looked puzzled.

 

“Eh? Because he’s your fiancé, right? I thought it natural that he would be with you… um, are you perhaps alone?”

 

“Eh… y-yes…”

 

While nodding, Reina retorted in her heart once more, “Why though?!”

 

What was going on?

 

Why did even a traveling merchant like this think Reina and Chris were getting married?

 

Her head hurt. Despite that, Reina corrected him properly.

 

“…That is a completely groundless rumor with no basis in fact. His Highness will marry his rightful, decided fiancée.”

 

“Eh? So that isn’t you, Saintess…”

 

“G-R-O-U-N-D-L-E-S-S. Understand?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Under Reina’s pressure, the man, who looked to be in his thirties, made a pitifully frightened face.

 

‘It looks like I’m bullying him…’

 

Thinking this was no good, Reina decided to leave the scene.

 

It wasn’t running away. It was a strategic withdrawal.

 

“I-I’m going now. take care on the road.”

 

Trying her best to sound composed, she announced her departure, and the man hurriedly bowed.

 

“Th-Thank you very much, Saintess! You really saved me. Um, if possible, I would like to give you a token of my gratitude…”

 

The man took down the pack he was carrying and started rummaging through it. Reina stopped him.

 

“I don’t need a reward. Don’t worry about it.”

 

“I insist. …This is my feeling, so please accept it.”

 

When put that way, it was hard to refuse any further.

 

“Please, take this.”

 

What the man held out to Reina was a small bottle.

 

It was a clear bottle with a round lid, like a soy sauce dispenser, containing a blue liquid.

 

“This is a new perfume I developed. It’s my confident creation, and I was on my way to the Royal Capital to sell it. If you’d like, please take a bottle.”

 

“Eh? I can’t take something like that.”

 

Hearing it was a new product, Reina panicked and refused to accept it.

 

To take something he was just about to go sell felt too wrong.

 

But the man pressed the bottle into Reina’s hand.

 

“This scent also has a calming effect. …Um, it seems the Saintess is quite unstable due to the marriage with His Highness, so I thought it might comfort your heart even a little…”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

“Like I said, we aren’t getting married!” Even Reina couldn’t bring herself to say that.

 

The man’s eyes were filled with genuine concern for Reina, and she didn’t want to spurn his thoughtfulness.

 

When Reina accepted the perfume, the man smiled very happily.

 

“Good. Of course, you can wear it on yourself, but if you want to calm your mind, I recommend putting a few drops on a plate and enjoying the scent in your room.”

 

“I-I’ll try that.”

 

“Yes. Please do.”

 

Saying thank you again and again, the man went down the mountain. Seeing him off, she looked at the perfume bottle in her hand with a slightly pathetic expression.

 

When she shook the bottle, the blue liquid swished.

 

“Calming the mind, huh. In a sense, might be useful.”

 

It might be a good item for her, who was returning home soon. Thinking so, Reina tucked the perfume away.

 

“…Sigh.”

 

Walking in the opposite direction from the man, she thought absentmindedly.

 

What Reina was thinking about wasn’t the perfume she received or the man she saved.

 

— Magic.

 

It was about the magic Reina had activated almost unconsciously just now.

 

In the end, Reina had been unable to use magic for quite a long time.

 

She became able to use it because of a certain trigger. And that trigger was the exact moment Reina had fallen completely for Chris.

 

 

***

 

 

“Seto! I’m leaving that side to you!”

 

“Understood! Your Highness, sorry but take care of that one!”

 

“Yeah! Ortega! Are you okay?”

 

“Who do you think you’re talking to! Of course I’m fine!”

 

The journey to clear the miasma was approaching its final stage.

 

At first, they had proceeded peacefully, hardly encountering any monsters, but from some point on, whenever they went to a miasma source, monsters would invariably appear.

 

The thicker the miasma, the stronger the monsters.

 

Ortega, Seto, and Chris were all possessors of considerable ability, but the fact that they were outnumbered was undeniable.

 

Especially this time, the miasma seemed to be old, having generated quite a while ago, and the number of monsters appearing was incomparably larger than before.

 

“Reina! Now’s your chance, hurry to the miasma!”

 

“I-I know!”

 

Reina shouted back at Chris’s voice, but she couldn’t get close to the source.

 

From the black smoke, monsters were born endlessly, bubbling up one after another.

 

Reina, who couldn’t use magic, had no means to fight. With large black beasts blocking her path, there was nothing she could do.

 

‘Ugh, if only I could use magic at a time like this…’

 

She was impatient, but saying it wouldn’t help. Yet she couldn’t help but think it.

 

While she was stuck, a beast attacking Reina was pierced by Seto’s ice magic. Another one attacked, but Ortega coolly cut it down.

 

“Little lady! Just go!”

 

“I know! But!”

 

“I’ll cut them all down! Unless you erase the source, their numbers won’t decrease no matter how much time passes!”

 

Ortega’s shout was correct.

 

Monsters that had already been born wouldn’t disappear even if the miasma was gone. But new ones would stop being born. So Ortega was right to say erase the miasma first.

 

“Lady Reina! Please!”

 

Seto swung his staff. An icicle pierced a monster right near the miasma source, and it vanished.

 

Right now, there were no monsters in front of Reina.

 

‘Okay, I can do this!’

 

Everyone was protecting her. If she just touched the source, it would be Reina’s win. That was all it took.

 

Reina told herself this, and checking the positions of the monsters, she broke into a run toward the source of the miasma.

 

The miasma was thick at the source. Only Reina could get this close. While everyone fought their respective enemies, just as she thought she could touch the source in a few more steps—

 

“!”

 

Suddenly, a monster spawned from the black smoke. It was right next to Reina. The spawned monster immediately recognized Reina and, as if it were natural, attacked her.

 

“Kya…”

 

“Reina!!”

 

Thud. Her body was pushed by something. In that momentum, she accidentally touched the source of the miasma. The miasma vanished immediately, and then Reina understood exactly what was happening in front of her.

 

“Ch… Chris?”

 

“…Are you okay? Reina.”

 

Looking back over his shoulder, Chris asked in his usual gentle voice. But a monster was biting into his left shoulder. Reina knew immediately that Chris had protected her and taken the attack in her place.

 

“Ah… ah… ah…”

 

Reina let out a voiceless scream. Chris blinked and nodded, Ah.

 

“It’s okay. I am… okay, so…”

 

Gritting his teeth, Chris stabbed the monster with his sword. With a nasty squelching sound, the monster vanished from Chris’s shoulder. At the same time, Chris collapsed to his knees on the ground.

 

“Chris!”

 

Reina rushed to Chris in a panic. She pulled his body close.

 

Dark red blood was seeping from his shoulder; it was a severe injury.

 

Chris was breathing roughly and groaning in pain. He was in no state to cast healing magic on himself.

 

“Seto! Seto!”

 

Seto, being a mage, might be able to do something.

 

Thinking so, Reina hurriedly called for Seto. Ortega and Seto, having finished off the remaining monsters, came running to Reina and Chris.

 

“Hey! Are you okay! Little lady!”

 

“I’m fine! But, Chris is!”

 

“Your Highness!”

 

She explained the situation to Seto, who had run over out of breath.

 

“Seto. Chris… Chris protected me and got bitten by a monster instead. Can you do something?”

 

Reina pleaded, clinging to Seto, but Seto shook his head, his face pale.

 

“No, I can’t. I am… a mage specialized in offensive spells… I can’t use healing magic like His Highness. Besides… His Highness is contaminated by miasma… neither I nor His Highness’s magic can cure this. There is… nothing that can be done. It’s too late.”

 

“Miasma? Why?! The pollution of the rivers and earth disappeared when I touched the source! So why is Chris hopeless!”

 

Reina raised a voice like a scream. But Seto lowered his eyes and told her the fact she didn’t want to believe.

 

“Rivers and earth are too different from us humans. Besides… the miasma His Highness touched was too thick. Normally, immediate death wouldn’t be strange. But that didn’t happen because you erased the source of the miasma, Lady Reina. And because you are touching His Highness right now. It has an effect. …After all, His Highness is still alive.”

 

“…Lie.”

 

At Seto’s words, Reina felt as if everything before her had gone dark.

 

Where Reina was attacked just now was almost the center of the miasma. No human other than Reina, the Saintess, could enter such a place. As Seto said, miasma was a deadly poison to the people of this world. Yet Chris, to protect Reina, had jumped in without regard for himself.

 

He protected her.

 

Are you saying she can’t save Chris?

 

“Reina…”

 

To the stunned Reina, Chris called out. But his voice was faint, and more than half of Chris’s face, which had been so white, was now dyed pitch black like a lie.

 

The contamination was progressing. Chris, bathed in thick miasma, was being polluted throughout his whole body by the poison.

 

Despite being in such a state, Chris smiled at Reina.

 

He spoke as if to persuade her.

 

“Reina… don’t worry about it. If I could protect you, then I have achieved my desire. I’m really glad you aren’t hurt…”

 

“Ah… Chris…”

 

Chris was being dyed blacker and blacker. First, his left hand turned pitch black. Then, the contamination swallowed Chris’s body at a terrifying speed, trying to dye his whole body.

 

“…”

 

Chris didn’t speak anymore. He probably couldn’t.

 

Reina looked at Seto. Tears streaming down his face, he shook his head, signifying it was impossible.

 

“I want to save His Highness too. But there is truly no way. Thanks to you, Lady Reina, the speed of contamination has slowed, but soon the miasma will circulate through his whole body and the contamination will be complete. Then what awaits His Highness is death…”

 

“No way… no way…”

Chris was going to die?

 

Faced with a situation she had never even considered, Reina was simply thrown into chaos.

 

Chris, who was always kind, reliable, cherished her, and silently stayed by her side so she wouldn’t be lonely—he was going to disappear?

 

He was contaminated by miasma because he protected Reina, and now he was going to die?

 

No. That was unacceptable. She would not accept that.

 

“Noooooooooo!!”

 

Reina screamed while still hugging Chris. At the same time, a dazzling light burst forth from her. The explosive white light that dyed the entire area looked almost like a pillar of light.

 

“Eh… Lady Reina?”

 

Seto’s voice was dumbfounded. But Reina didn’t notice. She just hugged Chris and cried.

 

“No, no, no! I absolutely hate the idea of Chris dying! I won’t accept it!”

 

As if reacting to Reina’s words, the unleashed light converged on Chris. Chris glowed so white that his figure could no longer be seen, and by the time the light subsided, the black stains were nowhere to be found on his body.

 

“No… no, no… Chris…”

 

“L-Lady Reina…”

 

Reina, closing her eyes and sobbing, didn’t realize what was happening.

 

Seto, who understood the situation accurately before anyone else, tried to call out to Reina fearfully.

 

“Lady Reina… um…”

 

“…Reina.”

 

Before Seto could spin his words, a weak voice struck Reina’s ears.

 

At that voice, Reina snapped her eyes open. When she frantically checked Chris, whom she was hugging, he looked tired, but he was gazing at Reina with a very calm expression. The black contamination that had covered more than half his face was gone.

 

“Chri… s?”

 

When Reina muttered Chris’s name in a daze, he replied with a “Yeah.”

 

“…Thank you, Reina. Thanks to you, it seems I’ve been spared.”

 

“Eh…”

 

‘What does he mean?’

 

Not understanding the situation, Reina just stared at Chris, and Seto spoke up again, saying “Um…”

 

“It is just a conjecture, but I believe the light just now was your magic, Lady Reina. You used magic and saved His Highness…”

 

“Me? …Magic?”

 

“Yes. I have heard that the Saintess’s magic gives form to feelings. Your strong desire to save His Highness took form and healed his wounds and contamination…”

 

“…”

 

“The Saintess’s magic is the magic of miracles. Nothing is impossible for the Saintess’s magic.”

 

Even though she couldn’t do it no matter how much she tried before. Reina blinked in surprise at the unexpected words, and Chris laughed softly in Reina’s arms.

 

“…Congratulations, Reina. See? It’s just as I told you. I said you’d surely be able to use it eventually. Though, I never thought it would be at a timing like this…”

 

“Chris! Is it okay for you to talk?”

 

He had been on the verge of death just moments ago. Reina was worried about him talking or moving so suddenly, but Chris said no problem, untangled Reina’s hands, and slowly sat up. Reina stared intently at Chris as he opened and closed his fists, checking the condition of his body.

 

She had been worried to death. Seeing Reina like that, Chris smiled brightly.

 

“…Yeah, I’m fine. Though a lot of my stamina has been drained. Thanks to you, neither the shoulder wound nor the miasma erosion is an issue.”

 

“…Thank goodness.”

 

She was relieved from the bottom of her heart, but Chris lowered his eyes as if he felt pathetic.

 

“It’s uncool. I ended up being the one saved instead.”

 

“Th-That’s not true!”

 

Reina denied it desperately.

 

Far from it. Reina was the one saved first. If Chris hadn’t come, she surely would have taken serious damage. She understood that much.

 

Reina said to Chris with a serious face.

 

“It was dangerous… but thank you for coming. Thanks to you, I was safe. But, but you know, please don’t do this kind of thing again. I don’t have enough hearts for this. I don’t want to see a scene like that ever again.”

 

She was happy he saved her, but she never wanted to taste the terror that Chris might die ever again.

 

Reina said it with that sole thought, but Chris, while saying sorry, slowly shook his head.

 

“I’m sorry, but I can’t promise that. I have decided that if you are in danger, I will save you as many times as it takes. I told you, didn’t I? I will protect you.”

 

“Chris…”

 

Chris’s beautiful red eyes narrowed gently. Staring into those eyes, Reina suddenly understood. She realized it.

 

“Ah…”

 

That she had fallen completely for this Prince of another world.

 

‘…No, even though it’s forbidden.’

 

Once she realized it, she couldn’t go back. The things that had kept her just on the edge—perhaps the fact that they lived in different worlds, the obligation to return home no matter what, or the very common-sense reason that he had a fiancée.

 

In any case, the final fortress she was supposed to be guarding with all her might crumbled, and Reina fell headfirst.

 

‘What should I do…’

 

She became self-aware.

 

She had fallen in love with someone she shouldn’t have.

 

She had fallen into a love that would not bear fruit, a love that she must not allow to bear fruit.

 

“Reina?”

 

“N-No. It’s nothing.”

 

“Really?”

 

Chris tilted his head in puzzlement.

 

While feeling despair at the feelings she had realized, Reina felt like crying from the bottom of her heart at herself, unable to take her eyes off Chris.

 

 

***

 

 

Having extinguished the mountain’s miasma, the party arrived safely at that day’s inn.

 

Basically, they each took a private room at inns. Of course, when there were no vacancies, Ortega and Seto would share a room, but arrangements were always made so that Reina, the Saintess and only woman, and Chris, the Crown Prince, would always have private rooms regardless of the situation.

 

They all ate in the dining room attached to the first floor of the inn, said goodnight as usual, and returned to their rooms on the second floor.

 

After taking a bath in her assigned room and feeling refreshed, Reina couldn’t fall asleep and had aimlessly wandered down to the inn’s courtyard.

 

“Hi there.”

 

As she roamed the night courtyard blankly without destination, a voice called out from behind. She turned slowly. There stood Chris, changed into casual clothes, wearing a gentle smile.

 

“Chris. Is it okay for you not to be sleeping?”

 

“Ah, no problem at all. Your magic was perfect. No aftereffects; I am undeniably in good health right now.”

 

“That’s good then, but…”

 

Since saving Chris with unconscious magic, the magic she had worried so much about not being able to use was now easily at her command. Now, Reina could use magic just by wishing for the effect in her heart.

 

Moreover, the magical power Reina possessed seemed to be greater than any previous Saintess, and perhaps because of that, the magic’s effects were extremely high. For the current Reina, the word ‘impossible’ literally did not exist.

 

“It’s strange. I was so anxious about not being able to use magic. But once I could use it, it’s so easy I wonder why I couldn’t before.”

 

Saying so, Reina made something like a glowing white ball appear in her right palm.

 

Light up—

 

Just by thinking it, magic with the desired effect activated. Watching that, Chris nodded as if it were to be expected.

 

“I’ve heard that the Saintess’s magic is closely linked to the Saintess’s heart. You came from a world where magic doesn’t exist, didn’t you, Reina? I think you were probably denying magic unconsciously.”

 

“Denying magic…”

 

Chris’s words made a lot of sense.

 

Certainly, while Reina wished to use magic, somewhere she hadn’t fully believed in it. Having used it once, even unconsciously, must have removed that subconscious rejection of magic.

 

If told that was why she could use it now, she had no choice but to agree.

 

“There’s a bench over there. Want to talk for a bit?”

 

“Sure, but…”

 

While Reina was deep in thought, Chris made a suggestion. There was no reason to refuse, so she agreed, but honestly, she wished he would spare her.

 

She had just realized her feelings during the day. Being alone on a bench at night right after that—she didn’t know what to do.

 

‘It’s not like I think Chris will do anything… It’s just my one-sided crush anyway. But being alone is embarrassing; I can’t handle it!’

 

Suppressing the urge to scream, Reina took two deep breaths before sitting down at the spot Chris indicated.

 

“Aren’t you cold?”

 

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

 

Although it was after a bath, since she was going outside, Reina was wearing her uniform as usual. However, the sharp-eyed Chris noticed her hair wasn’t fully dry and reached out his hand.

 

‘Eek…’

 

Thinking this was bad, Reina hurriedly dried her hair with magic. At Reina’s lightning-fast technique, Chris blinked.

 

“Too bad. I wanted to dry it for you. It seems you’ve completely mastered magic. It’s a good thing, but it’s a pity.”

 

“P-Pity, you say… Don’t keep saying that. I-I can do this much myself.”

 

When Reina leaned back to protect her hair, Chris laughed happily for some reason.

 

“I think it’s truly delightful for your sake that you can use magic now, Reina, but regarding things like this, I just find it regrettable. Because I love taking care of you, Reina.”

 

“Geez, I said stop saying things like that already…”

 

Reina sighed theatrically and looked away from Chris. She felt that if she didn’t, he would see her face turn red at his words.

 

‘No. I don’t want him to notice.’

 

Reina felt strongly that she absolutely did not want Chris, of all people, to know that she liked him.

 

‘I know I’m a pathetic girl who was easily swayed by kind words and attitudes. I know, so don’t make me happy anymore. I hate the idea of being found out and having Chris be disappointed in me.’

 

Reina’s heart had been pounding non-stop since Chris arrived. She was worried that Chris might even hear the thumping sound.

 

As she desperately turned her face away from Chris, he called out to her, “Hey.”

 

“Reina, why did you save me?”

 

“Eh…?”

 

At the sound of his quiet voice, Reina inadvertently met Chris’s gaze.

 

His red eyes were filled with a serious color, staring intently at Reina. The red eyes that had looked only like glass beads when she first saw them now held a firm will, piercing through Reina.

 

Keeping his gaze fixed on Reina, Chris spoke again.

 

“Why? Why did you save me? Even going so far as to use magic you showed no sign of being able to use until now. …Where did that feeling come from? I want to hear that.”

 

“Where, you ask…”

 

That was easy. Because she didn’t want Chris to die.

 

So Reina answered that, but Chris didn’t seem satisfied.

 

“Of course, that’s right. You didn’t want me to die, so you saved me. Then, why didn’t you want me to die? Just because I’m a traveling companion? Or—?”

 

“!”

 

She was at a loss for words. Understanding exactly what Chris wanted to ask, Reina went pale.

 

There was no way she could answer. “Because I love you.”

 

Reina was an existence that would disappear from this world in the not-so-distant future. Such a person shouldn’t leave their heart behind.

 

As she remained unable to answer, Chris laughed softly, “Sorry.”

 

“…It seems I’ve troubled you. It’s fine, you don’t have to answer now. But someday, no, in the near future, I want you to tell me. Why you saved me.”

 

Why was Chris trying to expose Reina’s feelings to that extent?

 

Feeling strangely cornered, Reina suddenly threw a thought that came to mind back at Chris.

 

“Hey? In that case, can I ask you too? The reason you protected me, even bathing in miasma… was simply because I was the Saintess? Was that all?”

 

He probably didn’t think Reina would ask such a thing.

 

Chris made a surprised face. But that expression soon changed to a smile.

 

“…You don’t know unless I say it? I think I’ve been putting it into action quite a bit. But, sure. If you give me the answer to my earlier question, I swear I will answer you too.”

 

“What’s that? That’s unfair.”

 

“Naturally. Because Reina, you have no intention of answering my question, do you?”

 

“Th… That’s not…”

 

Feeling as if her mind had been read, Reina mumbled and let her gaze wander in the air. Chris laughed aloud. Then he stood up from the bench and looked back at Reina over his shoulder.

 

“I’m going now. I forgot, but a letter has arrived from the Royal Capital. I have to write a reply. The night is getting late, so you should go back to your room too.”

 

“Y-Yeah.”

 

While nodding, Reina felt her heart creak.

 

— A letter from the Royal Capital.

 

Those words, which Chris had mentioned a few times, always hurt Reina terribly.

 

Because although it wasn’t explicitly stated, she thought the letter was probably from his fiancée.

 

Reina had a clear reason for judging so. Whenever he talked about the letter, Chris would relax his lips. He would smile very happily. Just like now.

 

Even before she realized her feelings for Chris, hearing about it made her feel hazy inside, but now that she had realized it, it was even more painful, her heart crying out in pain.

 

Reina stood up from the bench silently. To such a Reina, Chris held out his hand quite naturally.

 

Reina, who grabbed his hand reflexively, thought oops and tried to pull her hand back.

 

But Chris was faster. He pulled Reina’s arm firmly and enclosed her in his arms.

 

“…Having you hug me is nice too, but I am a man after all. If we’re going to hug, I’d rather be the one holding you, thinking I never want to let you escape anywhere.”

 

Then suddenly, the sensation of hot lips on her ear. By the time Reina realized what it was and opened her mouth to say something to Chris, he had already released her body.

 

“Goodnight, Reina. …Oh right, the conversation earlier was serious, so once your heart is decided, I want you to tell me.”

 

See you.

 

Saying that, Chris slowly left the courtyard. Only Reina was left standing there in a daze.

 

“What was… that just now?”

 

The sensation of hot lips remained just below her ear. Unconsciously, Reina placed her hand on that spot.

 

It was strange how it felt like it was tingling even though it should have only been a light touch.

 

“A letter came from your fiancée, right? You’re happy, right? Then why? …If you say things like that, I… will misunderstand.”

 

Chris’s face had been that serious. Her strength drained away. Reina slumped to the ground right there.

 

“What… should I do?”

 

— Even though Chris has a fiancée. And above all, Reina has to return to her own world.

 

Reina didn’t have time to let her heart be disturbed. That’s right, this wasn’t the time to have her emotions shaken by Chris.

 

And yet—

 

Deeply troubled, Reina ended up not bothering to move from that spot for a long time.

 

 

***

 

 

“That was when I fell for him completely…”

 

Recalling the trigger for falling in love with Chris, Reina sighed, no, no.

 

Not wanting the person she liked to die allowed her to use magic she couldn’t use before—what is this, some kind of otome novel? Reina wanted to smack her own head.

 

After a bout of self-loathing, she looked up at the sky.

 

A beautiful moon was shining in the sky. The moon in this world shone well even during the day. It looked like a full moon at a glance, but Reina knew it was different.

 

“Two more days…”

 

She muttered softly.

 

Two more days. In two days, she just had to pray to that moon.

 

She just had to ask to be returned to Japan, to her family.

 

If she did that, Reina could return to Japan. She could blend back into daily life with an innocent face.

 

She could return to being a student with no special redeeming features.

 

“Though having said that, I don’t know if I’ll make it in time for the entrance exams…”

 

Reina’s journey as the Saintess ended in one year, but originally, a Saintess’s journey wasn’t something that finished in just a year.

 

Hearing that some Saints took five years, or even ten if things went poorly, what Reina had accomplished wasn’t just a great feat, it was abnormal.

 

The country’s best mercenary and swordsman, Ortega. The First Seat Court Mage, Seto. And the user of healing magic, Chris. And, the Saintess renowned as the greatest in history, Reina. It was achieved precisely because of this overly gorgeous and extravagant party.

 

Reina’s honest feeling, however, was that she couldn’t afford to take her time considering the exams awaiting her upon return.

 

Having lived this outdoor life for a year, there was no way she would remember if asked what year some dynasty was established now. She thought it would be better if they wiped her memory too, but realizing that meant forgetting Chris, she gave up on the idea.

 

Even if she didn’t want to fulfill her feelings, she didn’t want to forget Chris’s existence.

 

Reina didn’t want to forget the man who had bent over backwards for her, his words, and his actions.

 

“…Once I get back, intense studying. If by any chance I fail… I’ll just have to work part-time and go to prep school, and do my best, I guess…”

 

Reina thought desperately about what would happen after she returned.

 

She wouldn’t think about this world. She was a foreign element. She had a place to return to.

 

Reina told herself this and advanced toward her final destination.

 

 

***

 

 

“Lady Reina has truly grown, hasn’t she…”

 

Seto was full of admiration for Reina’s skill in defeating the monster in the blink of an eye.

 

At first, she didn’t even understand what magic power was, but now Reina was mastering magic more naturally than anyone else in this world.

 

“She is my Reina. It is only natural.”

 

“Is that so…”

 

Chris, who was watching the situation in the same way, looked worried despite his words. He was muttering to himself.

 

“Reina, why does she try to handle everything alone? If she called me, I would rush to her immediately… Ah, this body that can only watch is frustrating.”

 

“Your Highness…”

 

Seto only glanced sideways at Chris, who was clenching his fist.

 

Next, Chris began to talk about the rescued merchant Reina had been speaking with.

 

“But what was with that guy… approaching my Reina so lightly. If he was saved, he should have just left quickly… Ah, Reina! You shouldn’t accept things from a man like that! You are full of openings, so you need to be more careful… Ah, I’m worried.”

 

‘If you’re that worried, you should just go there,’ Seto thought, but wisely did not voice it.

 

It would be a full moon in two days. If they secured Reina just before that, this depressing job would be over.

 

The sharp-witted Seto knew that for now, nodding yes, yes was essential.

 

However, there was something Seto was desperately curious about.

 

He might get yelled at if he asked. But there would likely never be another chance to ask.

 

So, he took the plunge and asked Chris.

 

“Um… Your Highness. May I ask you one thing?”

 

“…That’s rare. What is it?”

 

A sharp voice, completely different from the Chris who was worrying about Reina just moments ago, returned.

 

“…Ortega and I both realized that Lady Reina’s feelings lie with you, Prince Chris. Despite that, why did you not confess to Lady Reina?”

 

It was obvious that the feelings were mutual. That was why Ortega had maintained a stance of non-involvement while subtly cooperating, and Seto, while terrified of Chris, hadn’t broken the cooperative system.

 

If he confessed, there was no doubt he would get a favorable answer, so Seto found it incredibly strange that Chris hadn’t confessed to Reina.

 

“Is that all…”

 

Saying it was trivial, Chris sighed. However, his gaze remained fixed on Reina.

 

“I naturally realized that Reina’s feelings were directed at me. However, even if I confessed, she wouldn’t accept it. Because I knew that, I didn’t confess from my side.”

 

“Eh? Is that because she is returning to her own world? But if that’s the case, wouldn’t you… say, plead with her that it’s fine even if it’s just for the limited time until she returns to lower her guard, and then when the time comes, entrap her with an innocent face? …That seems like something Your Highness would do.”

 

It was a pretty terrible way to put it, but Chris didn’t deny it. He nodded with a straight face.

 

“I certainly didn’t not consider that, but it wouldn’t work with Reina as the opponent. Because no matter how desperately I wooed her, she wouldn’t take it seriously. There is nothing to be done if I am not believed.”

 

“Aah…”

 

Seto agreed vigorously with Chris’s expression, which looked like he had chewed a bitter bug.

 

Chris continued speaking with eyes that seemed to be recalling something.

 

“I did try putting into words that I liked her once, but it was brushed off lightly. With a lecture that I shouldn’t say things lightly, no less. What part of it was light? Even though I am interested in no one but Reina…”

 

“Your Highness, it wasn’t just ‘quite’, it was ‘extremely’ obvious. Yet, I wonder why it didn’t convey to Lady Reina…”

 

As far as Seto knew, the only person in the wide world Chris treated kindly was Reina alone.

 

It was so obvious that anyone looking could tell immediately that he thought of Reina as special.

 

“I don’t know. But since then, I tried to act cautiously. If she wouldn’t believe it coming from me, I had no choice but to have Reina confess. That’s what I thought, but…”

 

Towards the end of the journey, Reina had fallen for Chris so clearly that anyone could see it. Nevertheless, it seems Reina didn’t confess until the very end.

 

Listening to the story, Seto tilted his head.

 

“Eh? But Your Highness, you slept with Lady Reina, didn’t you? You submitted the proof, didn’t you?”

 

The proof referred to the proof of virginity. Perhaps recalling that time, Chris relaxed his lips.

 

“Ah, I slept with her. I even received the words ‘I love you.’ I thought with that, I had completely become lovers with Reina, but the crucial girl left the room leaving me behind, and on top of that, the next day she made a face as if nothing had happened.”

 

‘That was truly baffling,’ Chris sighed.

 

“I was watching to see what Reina was thinking, but—apparently, I was used for her memory making. A final memory making before returning to the other world. …If Reina genuinely believed I would allow that, I can only say she is too naive. Who would let their most beloved woman, once obtained, escape? I will absolutely have her marry me.”

 

Listening to the story, Seto felt his temples throb.

 

‘Memory making with Prince Chris? Lady Reina, there’s no way it would end with just that… He is insanely obsessed…’

 

Seto slumped his shoulders, realizing that Reina truly hadn’t noticed Chris’s true nature.

 

Surely the Chris she imagined was the ideal Prince who was kind to everyone.

 

While there was certainly that side to him, his true nature was definitely this one.

 

He wouldn’t go so far as to say he missed the days when Chris was indifferent to everything, but Seto wept in tears, wishing for just a little peace.

 

Chris, who had been observing Reina, announced briefly.

 

“Reina moved. Let’s go, Seto. We’ll cut her off. The next stop is likely the last. The destination is—”

 

Hearing Reina’s destination that Chris announced, Seto was convinced and simultaneously thought:

 

‘In the end, isn’t this just a heartbreak trip, Lady Reina? Even without doing that, His Highness is head over heels for you, and he absolutely won’t let you escape… Please, I beg of you, just get caught quickly!’

 

The ending wouldn’t change anyway. In that case, the sooner the better.

 

Besides—Seto turned his gaze to Chris, who stood composed.

 

It wasn’t unreasonable for Chris to stick to Reina, even going so far as to commit these stalking acts.

 

To obtain Reina, Chris had already made an outrageous, irreversible gamble. He had made a decision that would undoubtedly develop into a major issue on a national scale if Reina were to escape.

 

That was why Chris was allowed to abandon his duties as Crown Prince for this week or so that he was chasing Reina.

 

In the Royal Palace, where Seto communicated daily, Princess Restia was currently handling the duties in Chris’s place. Even the King, to whom Seto reported directly, had ordered full cooperation with Chris.

 

Yes, the situation was already past the point of no return.

 

The engagement between Chris and the noble young lady had long been dissolved, and now the entire country was working with the intent to have Chris and Reina marry, even if somewhat forcibly.

 

The current situation was that desperate. Of course, the one who engineered it to be so from the beginning was Chris. It was certain that Reina running away had caused a bigger commotion than expected.

 

‘It is true that the future of our country is at stake, so please, I beg of you, just give up and marry Prince Chris…!’

 

Seto’s heartbreaking cry was a common cry — a wish — for all who knew what was going on.