Father, I Won’t Do Anything

* * *

“For some reason, even though I was cheering for Izren, my eyes kept drifting towards his opponent. Was that weapon you used in the martial arts tournament made from my fang?”

“Yes, it was the knife made from the fang Miss Jaina gave me.”

After bestowing upon Jaina the honor of the Lady of May, Rosian boldly requested her time.

With his unapologetic attitude that left no room for refusal, Jaina realized she had no choice.

“Your Highness seems quite unconventional.”

His personality appeared markedly different from ordinary people.

Rosian gave a slight smile as he playfully tilted his chin.

“I’m flattered you see me as special.”

It was fine up until they went out together. That part was fine, but…

—Let me go out with you! But if you don’t return early, I’ll kill the princely brat myself!

For some reason, while Mikael had readily agreed, he threw a fit over the overnight stay through their communication channels.

—Rosian El Ciphos Delaide! If you so much as lay a finger on Jaina, you’re dead!

“…Phew.”

—Jaina! Did you just sigh?

“Well, that Prince is Mikael’s cousin, after all…”

—Do you understand? Do you understand me! Absolutely no overnight stays!

“I was planning to return early, so there’s no need to worry so much.”

Mikael, upon hearing the news that Jaina would be going out with Rosian, had hurriedly fiddled with a communication bird and vision sphere, eventually creating a magical device capable of video calls.

In other words, Jaina and Rosian’s appearances would be transmitted to Mikael in real-time.

‘This seems a bit excessive.’

She was aware that Mikael had even tried to send Izren as a chaperone, thankfully thwarted in the middle.

As Jaina pondered how to resolve the situation, she apologized to Rosian.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. My brother Mikael is a bit overprotective.”

—Why are you apologizing? It’s an honor that he’s spending time with you!

And Jaina’s concerns were unexpectedly resolved quite easily.

Rosian leisurely tilted his head as he looked at the magical bird.

“Brother Mikael.”

—What is it?

“You seem overly excited, which appears to be causing health issues, so please take your leave.”

—What?

Rosian moved closer to Jaina and pulled her into an embrace.

Then, with one hand, he drew his sword and cleanly sliced through the magical bird.

“Well then, goodbye!”

—Hey, you brat…!

Swoosh!

With a single strike, the magical bird was neatly cut in half.

Watching the perfectly severed surface, Jaina exclaimed in admiration:

“As expected, you’re incredible.”

“Now let’s flee where Brother Mikael can’t find us.”

Noticing the lingering traces of mana in the vicinity, Rosian lifted Jaina onto a horse before mounting it himself.

“We’ll need to move swiftly, will you be alright?”

Jaina glanced back and nodded once.

“But won’t I be too heavy?”

“It’s fine. This one may be ill-tempered, but it’s sturdy.”

Hihihing!

The horse seemed to reply with a sound.

“Originally, this one dislikes carrying anyone but me, so I’m fortunate it likes you, Jaina.”

Rosian smiled brightly as he spoke.

“Thanks to that, we can ride together, right?”

Perhaps due to Rosian’s words, the horse seemed remarkably intelligent.

From the moment it saw Jaina, it displayed its own form of affection, even blinking its eyes docilely.

Rosian clicked his tongue, remarking it seemed to obey Jaina more than its owner, but strangely, he didn’t appear bothered at all.

“Is everything comfortable for you?”

“Yes.”

“It looks uncomfortable to me, though?”

Jaina had mounted in front, with Rosian behind her, but she did seem somewhat stiff.

Understandably so, for if Jaina relaxed, she would end up leaning against Rosian.

As Jaina firmly gripped the saddle, Rosian lightly tapped her arm, feigning wounded pride.

“You’re really hurting my pride. Do I seem incapable of supporting you?”

“No, that’s not it. I just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable, Your Highness.”

Instead of saying ‘really?’, Rosian remained silent, but Jaina could tell he wasn’t pleased.

As Jaina parted her lips to say more, Rosian unexpectedly spoke first.

“Remember that time, when we were kids, we went to a festival by carriage?”

“Yes, I remember.”

How could she forget? It was practically her first time venturing outside, her first outing with Rosian.

“Back then, you got pushed around by people, so you had no choice but to ride in the carriage, remember?”

“I’m sorry, I was too young back then.”

“No, I’m not asking you to apologize.”

As Jaina apologized, Rosian shook his head.

“I was the pitiful one back then.”

“Why is that, Your Highness?”

“I had brought you to the village to play together, but I couldn’t even keep you safe, making things difficult for you. So I sulked in the carriage the whole time, didn’t you notice?”

Had such an incident occurred?

Noticing Jaina’s perplexed expression, Rosian let out a soft laugh. It was a smile that somehow touched the heart.

“I did say I’ve changed a lot. So let me make you feel I’m different from back then, alright?”

There was something about Rosian’s murmuring voice that seemed to weaken one’s resolve.

Gazing into his vivid eyes sparkling at her, Jaina found herself unable to refuse him.

‘Since he’s gone this far, I can’t keep pushing him away.’

In the end, Jaina reluctantly leaned back into Rosian’s embrace.

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

The sound of Rosian’s rapidly beating heart could be heard.

A low, satisfied chuckle came from behind her.

“I’ve wanted to do this since we were kids.”

With one hand holding the reins and the other supporting Jaina, Rosian pressed her firmly against him before finally picking up speed.

The two began riding along the lakeshore. The crisp breeze, the clear air, enveloped them fully.

From the distant sky, sunlight pierced through the white clouds, scattering its rays.

The pristine lake reflected that very sky, its waters as pure and untainted as could be…

And by Jaina’s side was Rosian.

Someone to share in appreciating this sight, someone to smile and enjoy it together with her.

‘Ah, how wonderful.’

Jaina slowly closed her eyes, savoring the moment.

It was a warm spring day.

* * *

As the two rode along, they encountered a familiar figure.

“Well, well, I didn’t expect to run into you here, Rosian.”

“Good day to you, Professor Harun.”

It was Professor Harun, who had taught at Melbel Academy until the previous year.

‘One of the professors who had often been exasperated by the philandering Prince in the novel…’

Upon seeing Rosian, Professor Harun’s expression turned delighted, like a father-in-law looking at his future son-in-law.

“Rosian always looks so handsome. Truly dashing. Just looking at you fills my belly without even eating.”

“You flatter me, sir.”

“Ah, our granddaughter made her debut this time, so how about I arrange a meeting for you two…”

Ah, so he really was eagerly seeking an opportunity to make Rosian his son-in-law.

However, Rosian maintained his composure and politely replied:

“Your granddaughter deserves a better man than me.”

“If Rosian deems himself unworthy, then who could possibly… Hmm, is the young lady with you your girlfriend?”

“Does it seem that way?”

Instead of denying it, Rosian simply smiled.

‘Well, we did come out here together, so it’s only natural we’d appear like a couple.’

Moreover, up until greeting the professor, they had been riding the same horse.

‘Would denying it put Your Highness in an awkward position?’

The professor had clearly intended to introduce his granddaughter to Rosian until recognizing Jaina.

While Jaina neither confirmed nor denied it, Professor Harun continued:

“So Rosian ignored all the ladies showering him with confessions at the academy because he already had a girlfriend.”

“He ignored their confessions?”

Jaina’s eyes widened at the professor’s words.

Sensing the implication of doubt, Rosian snapped back indignantly.

“Actually, Miss Jaina, what exactly do you think of me?”

“A philanderer…?”

Rosian protested vehemently, as if wronged.

“If anyone’s the philanderer, it’s Miss Jaina, who danced with multiple men.”

“The other ladies also danced with multiple men. But I was the only one who danced twice with my partner.”

“That’s because I kept you from leaving!”

“When we were kids, you used to happily rattle off all sorts of ladies’ names…”

“Are you really going to harp on about something from when I was twelve?”

Their bickering prompted Professor Harun to roar with laughter.

“Already having lover’s quarrels, are we?”

“…My apologies, Professor.”

While Jaina did apologize as well, she felt the situation was somewhat strange.

‘Lover’s quarrel?’

“Ah, the peak of youthful vigor. But that vigor should be directed elsewhere, shouldn’t it?”

For some reason, Rosian’s face seemed to redden.

“I’m telling you to diligently wield your sword, Rosian.”

“Ah, hahaha.”

After chuckling heartily, Professor Harun continued:

“Miss, it must be true that you remained unfazed even by Rosian’s incessant confessions. And he was ridiculed for doing nothing but waiting for your letters every day.”

“…”

“Do you perhaps have an inkling of what I’m referring to?”

‘Letters? He did write to me, but…’

Rosian nudged her from the side.

“I only wrote letters to Miss Jaina and my mother.”

“Hahaha, since you already have a girlfriend, I carelessly tried to introduce my granddaughter and overstepped.”

Expressing regret with a hearty laugh, Professor Harun soon took his leave. Jaina and Rosian also mounted the horse to return.

-I once mentioned in class that couples who make a wish at Lake Attilan will live happily ever after, so is that why you came here together?

From within Rosian’s embrace, Jaina glanced at the lake.

-Normally, wishes are made while riding a boat on the lake. Instead of just riding a horse, why don’t we take a boat ride as well?

As Jaina was lost in thought, Rosian sighed above her.

“Your hair is tickling me, Miss Jaina…”

Feeling as if a breeze had brushed her ear, Jaina flinched.

However, as they began riding at a leisurely pace, nearing their destination, Rosian started gently stroking Jaina’s hair.