Chapter 62 The Two In Ruins
"Ugh..."
As I slowly opened my eyes, an unfamiliar ceiling filled my view.
...I've been in a situation like this before.
However, there are many things different from the"last time" in my memory.
One thing is that my view is half obstructed.
And without even moving my body, it already hurts like hell.
Especially my arms, legs, and face.
"Yumie, are you awake?"
When I turned my gaze in response to the voice, there was Sigurt.
His somewhat listless appearance reminded me of Elder Brother from some time ago, and I immediately asked a few things I needed to confirm.
"Sigurt... how long have I been asleep?"
"It hasn't even been a day yet. It's the night of the day the incident happened."
Now that he mentions it, it's dark around me, and starlight is coming in through the window.
In that case, not much time has passed after all.
"Is Rifine okay? Is she... hurt?"
"Rifine is safe; she's resting at the Royal Palace now. It's thanks to you protecting her."
"I see... I'm glad..."
After all that I went through, it would have meant nothing if Rifine had been hurt.
As I let out a sigh of relief, unexpected words reached my ears.
"It shouldn't be good..."
"Huh?"
I wondered what that meant and turned my gaze to Sigurt.
Then, with a face I had never seen before──one that looked like he was about to cry──he spat out his confession.
"Both Yumie and Rifine... were almost killed by Alvine. It's true that Rifine somehow came out unscathed, but... you are in such bad shape. It's my responsibility."
"...It's not Sigurt's fault. The one to blame is that man..."
"No!! The cause of that man's rampage... the division and conflict between the Royal Family faction and the Noble faction was created by me...!!"
Surprised by the unexpected information, Sigurt explained the details to me.
His father... the king who should govern this country is currently mentally ill and unable to handle state affairs.
And that Sigurt has been working hard as a substitute for such a father.
"If the king's madness were to be known to the people and foreign countries, it would be a serious matter. Therefore, this information has been kept hidden from almost everyone. In such a situation, what I first tried to do was to decentralize power."
To widely distribute the power concentrated in the king alone among the Nobles and change the country's structure to a parliamentary system.
That was the future Sigurt aimed for.
But... there are many Nobles, like Alvine, who do not find that amusing.
That's why Sigurt deliberately divided them into 2 major factions: the Royal Family faction and the Noble faction, taking a form of gradually seeking compromise through their conflict.
To prevent the country from truly splitting due to the backlash against such a large change.
Little by little, carefully.
"But... at the very end... at the crucial moment, I misjudged... I never thought Alvine would resort to such foolish actions...!!"
In a situation where the king cannot move properly, the authority of long-established nobles like Belmont, Granbell, and Neithardt is important.
By having these families manage the government while maintaining the power balance, they have nurtured the awareness of participating in politics over the years to prevent the country from falling apart.
That's why, I suppose.
Until the very end, Sigurt has hesitated to wield the strong authority of a"king's proxy."
If he did that, everything he had built up until now would be in vain.
"No... that's just an excuse. I should have known. No matter how I did it, there would always be those who were dissatisfied. There would definitely be those who would take extreme actions!! I knew that... and yet, I... in the end, I couldn't protect anything...!!"
"That's not true"
"Huh!!"
I pull Sigurt, who continues to scream in regret over his own failure, close to me with my uninjured left arm.
His large body that is 6 years older than me now.
But that is... still an immature body, just a 16-year-old child compared to an adult.
It's far too small to bear the heavy weight of a"nation" all alone.
"Sigurt, you haven't done anything wrong. The reason this country can maintain peace now is because of your hard work, right? Hold your head high."
"But I... have forced many sacrifices for that peace... Yumie, you too."
"I'm not a sacrifice or anything. Even if this body never heals again."
Sigurt's eyes widen in surprise, as if he never expected such words to come from my mouth.
...Well, even without explanation, he can probably guess this much.
It's about my body, after all.
Besides, it might sound a bit self-conscious, but I know that Sigurt cares about me.
I can feel that he is genuinely sad for me being hurt, even at this very moment.
That's why I need to convey this too.
Sigurt did the right thing.
"I have no regrets about becoming friends with Sigurt or getting close to Rifine and protecting her. Even now, you all are my precious people."
"Yumie..."
"And I haven't given up either. I will heal this body."
At my declaration, Sigurt is left speechless, his mouth hanging open.
Seeing him like that, I can't help but smile as I declare.
"I will definitely heal this face, these arms, and legs. I will stand on my own 2 feet again, run around Detached Palace happily with Rifine, and wave both hands at Sigurt with the cutest smile in the world. Then, you will believe me, right?"
With the best smile I can manage right now, I smile at Sigurt.
I engrave that vow into this smile, into my soul.
"You are the greatest prince that this kingdom can be proud of. No matter what anyone else says, even if Sigurt himself doesn't believe it── I believe in you."
How Sigurt received my words.
He looked down, starting to laugh softly while trembling slightly.
"Haha... I really can't compete with you, Yumie. To think you still believe in such a pathetic me..."
"You're not pathetic. No matter how perfectly someone acts, everyone has times when they want to cry. That's why friends like me are there, right?"
"Yeah... you're right. It was like that."
As soon as he said that, Sigurt leaned on me just a little.
Confused about what was happening, I heard Sigurt mumble softly.
"I'm sorry... I feel bad asking you, who are hurt and in such a state, for this, but... can I stay by your side for a while...?"
"Of course. Actually, I also... want someone to be by my side right now."
Just as Sigurt is pained by his responsibilities and failures as a prince, I honestly can't say that I've completely recovered from the shock of being attacked by those guys.
We are both wounded from this incident.
It might seem pathetic to lick each other's wounds... but for tonight, it's okay.
"Good night, Sigurt. Sweet dreams."
"You too, Yumie. ...Good night, sweet dreams."
Saying that, we slowly closed our eyes, leaning against each other.
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